LONDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 847, 22 February 1868, Page 1

LONDON.

(FROM OUR OWff CORRESPONDENT.)

25th December. The Christmas festivities of Old England are this year chilled by the shambling through bur land of grisly crime and •wretchedness beyond precedent ; and some of tho most frightful scenes connected therewith will be briefly portrayed -in this letter.

Tour Panama mail arrived on the 3rd inst. ; and the Suez mails'on tho 14th and

19th. The next, wi'Panama, is due on iihe 30th. We read that your memorable session of 1867 is ended ; that Ministers

Tetain their seats ; that Centralism, for good or" for evil, triumphs over Provincialism ; and that the session closes without realising certain patriots' dreams of ■biennial Parliaments. Generally speaking, the session, although so laborious, appears barren of good work ; and it is well that affairs bo unsatisfactory should not remain fixtures for two years, One of' the 'latest "Wellington ' achievements will, so far, benefit the Provinces as to float their securities in Home markets ; and 1868 may yet breed unanimity and patriotism among honorable members whereby many- cures',.'" so much needed, may be worked, .and further a*aids on the Constitution averted. *At all events, your Governor BpeakTr' hopefully of the future. With peace re-established, Colonial depression at its lowest point, fresh settlements opening, increasing developments of goldfields in both islands — thus will the tide of prosperity greet the next year's Parliament, and your favored •country enter on a career of permanent progress which internal troubles will no more interrupt. ' Sir George, however, -seems cruelly kept in the dark as to his •position ; but should his immediate recall be decided unpn, it . will be some consolation for nim to close his New Zealand labors under such favorable auguries for the Colony ; and at the same time to receive a Prince of theßlood, who journeys -so' far to acquaint himself and Her Majesty, of the real position of Great Britain's dependencies. For the Roya^ "Duke you have doubtless prepared a right loyal welcome, one which shall bear contrast with that of any other Colony, and which, when ended, shall 1 speed our Prince on his homeward voyage to tell of wondrous travel. Lord Lyttelton left England with some 7 members of his family, 2nd instant, en route for Canterbury, via Panama, The Rev. G. A.d3elwyn, late Bishop of New Zealand, is appointed Lord Bishop of Lichfield — he is a brother of our Solicitor t , "General, Sir 0. J. Selwyn, M.P. . <~ , Ships Arrived. — The Catherine, :,, i£E.M.S.- Salamander, 6,, Lady Darling, 1" *Cloorong, Alchymist, Nineveh, Flatworth, sj-' Indus, Mary Nicholson, Rifleman, Pride ]"■ ' -of the West, Harwick. Sailed for New •,c '.Zealand: The Empress, England. For V , Australia: The Salsette, Ada, J. B. .. "Worcester, John Nicholson, Queen of $fc' '-M)* North, Moravian, Crawshaw Bailey, $sj~ Myooloomooloo, Dunbar Castle, Ida, =C ■ highflyer, Great Britain, Cceur do Lion, £■" Yangtze, Balmacarral, 'Bruce, Coimbaf t -tore, Hippolyta, Valdivia. l\ P Ireland has really much to answer for. I* The determined rescue of Kelly and |:. Deasy,. at Manchester,' afforded some St." -evidence of the conspirators' blood-thirsty R\ "designs-; but it was hoped the stern %~ necessity imposed upon Government W? "crould ' inculcate a better sense of good $,**! "Citizenship among our wayward brethren ; £?' ihat the evil doctrines of skulking dema&V 1163 would be disregarded; and that &7 meand property throughout the United |£- r Kingdom would be more secure. We |p/.-jeckoned without our host. The Fenian p^' -press went mad : it assumed mourning, §1% termed ■ the Manchester executions k|L" political murders," and added them [|p t 't(>;the lonsr score of Irish grievances yet avenged. Then did funeral proces|^?*ionß for the "martyrs" perambulate the rep|large towns of England and Ireland. ; and BggHhey were certainly unaccompanied by B&dworder. .' The gathering in Cork was B|£2o>OOO strong, and very orderly. Next ■pßcame the Dublin procession, with treanpßQnable orations and consequent arrests ; K&an&i.Government then resolved on proMS|liibiting further displays of the kind. this time, two notorious leaders, Richard Burke and Joseph HefCasey, 1 were apprehended in London for |R|treMon-felony, and remanded ; and it is HP& connection with the attempted rescue

of these men that I have now to address yonr readers. Fenianism, in fact, is now Great Britain's terror. Evil spirits patrol the land; peaceful artisans, their wives and children, are slaughtered in the quiet home ; Greek fire and nitro-glycerine, petroleum , and gunpowder, and all the devilish, agencies of destruction, are brought into fearful play; out, or at home, we are alike in danger, the assasi sins lurking at. our heels and on our hearths. As soldiery and pulice are evidently an insufficient guard, we enrol ourselves to form one mighty phalanx against the common enemy. Special constables "we are to a man, or ought to be; and we shall now see whether it is possible to scare the hideous monster which, under the political guise of," Fenian," has been leniently treated, until at last its true form appears in wholesale and indiscriminate murder. It is truly painful to write on the recent diabolical outrage. It was committed at a quarter to four p.m. en the 13th instant, at the Middlesex House of. Detention, situate at the foot of Rosoman street, Clerkenwell, facing ,the eastern end of Bowling Green Lane, a confined and crowded neighborhood. . A large barrel of powder or other, villianous compound, was placed against v the prison wall, and ignited by a fuse. The- consternation in London cannot be described, as the shock was felt far and wide.' As respects the explosion itself, the consequences were awful. The wall was rent asunder, contiguous houses being demolished or shattered. Four poor creatures were killed, and 60 others so cruelly mutilated as in many cases to be scarcely recognisable by their dearest relations. The maimed (principally women and children) were of course conveyed to different hospitals and carefully tended. Some have sufficiently recovered to return to their friends, but many continue in a mos* precarious state, and will, ■ should they even survive, be disfigured or disabled for life. Sympathy for the victims of this horrid deed is unbounded. It comes from every corner of' Europe, the Roman Catholic , clergy especially condemning the act, and seeking to lead their misguided flocks from such infamous propensities. The agents of Government were instantly on the spot with monetary aid for the homeless. The Queen and Royal Family sent enquiries and substantial comforts to the sick ; and such handsome contributions are tendered as will restore their homes to the sufferers. Six ruffians are in custody to answer for this monstrous crime, as is also a woman named Justice. The large reward offered brings forth approvers from whose testimony we expect to capture the entire miscreant gang. Burke and Casey were not rescued afterall, and they are now additionally secured ; but many more leading Fenians must come in, before peace and comfort be our lot. . At the "Warrington Gas "Works the purifiers were last week unplugged, an explosion being barely prevented. 1 Phosphorus is continually flung into warehouses and other buildings.- Gunmakers' shops are plundered, and fire arms are known to have been largely purchased for unlawful purposes. Threatening letters of a most alarmingnature are sent to the Press 1 , and to the gas works,, banks, and public buildings throughout the kingdom. Even the Tower of London and the armouries, are threatened with sack and pillage. Our barracks and harbors, ships and wharves, all are doomed ; and every community in the realm fears some Fenian enormity. This crisis we strive to meet as best we may : but the foe is crafty, and if his wicked heart be not turned from evil by a merciful Providence, all our care may not suffice to circumvent his machinations. The Imperial Parliament is prorogued to February : one of the earliest measures appointed for next meeting being " The Press Libel Bill." In our short presession, many things were touched upon, which give a fair outline of hard work-in store ; but the main feature was Abyssinia, and if some fractious members essayed at - making it a party question, the idea was instantly pooh-poohed. Mr Gladstone, and all honest politicians, frankly admitted that we were forced into- the war ; and the Opposition fencers contented themselves with a few sly thrusts at Ministers for not taking Parliament into their confidence previously. One sitting was devoted to explanations ; and when the Governmental estimate of ■ expense was given at about L4,000j000, a

vote was ungrudgingly granted. Another sitting was devoted to Ways and Means, when were discussed tho probable duration of tho war, and the probable total cost — two very important questions, much easier asked than answered. We mean to fight and conquer, however long it may take ; but we know not exactly what or who we may have to contend with, and, of course, expense and time are equally uncertain. But it is determined that the war shall not be carried on by loans : we are to pay as we go. Thus, the Indian revenues will answer a portion of. the charge, and an additional penny or twopence in the pojnid on our income tax will furnish the remainder. Should more millions be .required, put more pennies on income, and so on to the end of the chapter, be it long or be it short. Being forced to fight, we shall stand up like men ; and as the enemy cannot possibly be made to pay the bill of costs, John Bull must, grumble as he may.

Thus is Abyssinia naturally an uppermost thought— the Expedition, paradoxically, being at once popular and unpopular. Popular to the extent that, as it is a necessity from which there is no escape, better go into it heart and soul : unpopular to the extent that we are involved in a dangerous and expensive war, which, but for gross laxity at the Foreign Office, could never have arisen. We now indulge in the hope that, as statesmen grow wise, we may be spared the pain and cost of future savage wars incident to sending Ambassadors into regions of darkness. We may now for a few more weeks hear of our invading forces rapidly gathering in the unknown country, and then we shall begin to sigh for news of progress, The inevitable horrors awaiting the Expedition are so persistently laid bare by "men who ought to know," that.it is impossible to quench the alarm inspired as to the probable fate of many gallant hearts who thus go forth to rescue the* captives so cruelly imprisoned, and to uphold the honor of the British flag; or, as the case may be, to avenge the brutality inflicted by barbarism on the sacred person of Envoys, Consuls, and Missionaries, and to open up to European civilisation a wide and valuable country. Indeed there is much to do in little time, as, should tlie business extend over June, our harassed troops will have to stand at ease (if such a thing be feasible in Abys- , sinia) during the rainy season, and then in November next commence a (second campaign. Palpably, we are engaged in hazardous undertakings ; apparently, we begin them well — that they may be fated to a safe and speedy end, is wished by all, but foretold by none. Merewether, Phayre, Wilkins, and, Baigrie, the reconnoitring chiefs, duly report proceedings. They start from Massowah, and traverse many miles to the southward never before visited by Europeans, finding good camping grounds and water supplies, and abundance of game. The chiefs and tribes inhabiting Turkish territory between the Red Sea and Abyssinia, are ready and willing guides in our explorations. Oar advance brigade is already established at Senape, on the highland plateau, and the Sokota route is advocated : from Massowah to Sokota is 30 days' march, and in another 30 days we can reach King Theodore's head - quarters- Colonel Merewether's last despatch is dated Senape, December 7th : troops in good health, marching easy, climate agreeable, water excellent, the Prince of Tigre our ally, the natives everywhere friendly, and 4000 Egyptian soldiers at Massowah. The captives are separated, some of them being with the King, at Debra Tabor ; the others with rebel chiefs at Magdala : those places being 100 miles apart, and each of them 400 miles from Massowah. Theodore was understood to be destroying Debra Tabor, and trying to cut his way through the rebels to Magdala, it being suggested that if we reach Magdala before the King, our success is assured. General Napier's instructions are to demand the captives ere he invades, and to await them on the bordei*. .Should they there and then be delivered up, the Expedition ends ; otherwise, the campaign opens at once, and we follow the treacherous potentate to His last stronghold. Besides the number of troops of all arms (which is now officially given at 12,000), there are 35,000 camp followers and attendants. CoL Thesiger, eldest son of the Lord Chancellor, is appointed Adju-tant-General of the Abyssinian force. Hundreds of mules died on board the

transports ; and we now hear that at Annesley Bay, water and food are so deficient, and the attendance of muleteers and other laborers so scanty, as to create sad havoc among the quadrupeds there assembled — a grievous nial-administra-tion, which may jeopardise the Expedition, unless rectified in time. In two weeks from this date, the troop 3 will commence their perilous march, and we bid. them God spesd.

In Europe, we have peace, but it hangs upon a thread. The seething elements of discord are only partially smothered, and our evil prophets again confidently refer to " the coming spring." France puts forth wild harangues on Italy and Germany, and the energetic language of Ministers is very popular. The priest-party are jubilant, for- the Pope is a fixture, and any attempt to remove him will bring war. The Emperor still strives for a " European Congress," what it may achieve being purely problematical, as, while England, Prussia, and Russia steadily refuse to attend without a specific programme, the assembling of the other Powers cannot result in any conclusions binding on Europe. Napoleon, however, is explicit enough on one point^— Conference or no Conference, France will uphold the Papacy, temporal power and all, against the world in arms — whether for ever or during Pio Nono's life we are left to guess. But in the French Chamber, when debate was at the hottest, an adverse vote even looming, M. Pvouher said emphatically, " Italy shall never possess herself of Rome," an utterance loudly applauded, and bringing instantaneous victory to Government — whether or no the bold Minister exceeded. ', his instructions, ia a moot point. The Emperor might not desire to be so unequivocally pledged to Rome ; but the moment was critical, and M. Rouher retains his portfolio. After this, any Congress on Romish affairs would be puerile. The nation is evidently with the Emperor on the Roman question, and the weak voice of Opposition is summarily silenced in the Chamber. Italy must now guarantee the safety of Rome, and French troops will retire. So far, Ministers have carried on through the Parliamentary storm. They have now to battle with the Opposition on the Army BilL Nothing less than 1,200,000 fighting men can compass the glorification of la belle France — huge figures certainly, but figures which Ministers resolve to score, ere they descend from the tribune. How (under existing circumstances) the Emperor is to shape his usual felicitous speech on jour de Van, must be a bit of a puzzle, even to a Bonaparte.

Italian statesmen, too, have had a sorry time. What to do with Garibaldi was a poser, when, being reported ill in prison, * ,he was removed to Caprcra on the '28th November — an opinion being ventilated that the air of the Varignano threatened ' the General's constitution, just as a political trial threatened the Cabinet. But now, an amnesty is proclaimed, embracing all persons compromised by recent events. So prisons are emptied, heroes go free, and Victor Emmanuel breathes again. Mazzini's agents are somewhat differently treated : they even now plot energetically, and revolution is only kept down by timely arrests. Signor Ratazzi, too, is, of course, disgraced for aiding Garibaldi in an unsuccessful attempt to recover Rome : the deposed Minister, like a dutiful subject, , saving his King's honor by self-martyrdom. General Menabrea maintains the premiership, but his tenure of office is uncertain. Indeed, it is difficult for any Ministry to hold its own amidst such perplexing excitement. Meanwhile, the General talks his loudest how " Italy retired from Romish territory spontaneously, not at French dictation." Next he says, " Rome can never be acquired by violence : the Holy See shall be respected, and the Pope ever find his strongest support in Italy, not from abroad." And further, "Rome is our own, and with the aid. and consp^nt of France, will ! some day be won to us." Italy thus gives the fresh guarantee required by Napoleon, and the French troops leave Rome, a strong garrison, however, being still maintained at Civita Vecchia. Thus far has Italy waded through the crisis ; but the stinging insult of M. Rouher stirs the hot blood of discomfited patriots to a dangerous pitch, and the country continues volcanic and disunited. Garibaldi, popular as ever, is once more his own master at Caprera. What will

*T»e Tiis next nftrcs£*axid 'lxovllong .can bis ;£ery disciples be coerced, a^ anxiously, m^edqueatio&lf^-Yeifis^attotlxer^roof ■afforded that F-ttie fates-are adverse,, and,, -that Boi^f^^ ( come.^lta!y,*thailtal^ dare not go to Borne in opposition to Iteach^lax;; Jjtit JJjg^e^Ble^are alow to Relieve 'ifi^a^mtuation^go 'forlorn;, " and" -troubles -will arise before any ministry can •hope to stifle the ' national aspiration, ** Italy-for'the«ltaliansjdßome-the- capi•taL" Sooner prlater, priestly rule must depart from'the* lohg-erislaved Peninsula . — under *wbAt^ agency^^-tiune—mlV- show- : pityrtheTmevitable cannot be attained blood-spilling', 'jarid cumulating Tufn.^. Thp'^Eapal , army, increases, daily. It nowl numbers. 12,0(K), ' and, [the Pa'y-master-Ceneral im'ust a wonderful man. -Cardinals, ,B,dfindi, an^. ;jJgolini,have just, •died,* and .Ishus*' are • t^o strong advocates •f or'friendty relationaVmtiti •. Italy { removed dfromth-4 .'woubledsSceneV^'Of me ( brigarid. chiefs 'recently captured,* four,' .a^e t Be'n4ericed to'death, and'aev'en to labor ai.the

gaueys.,- .; „ r,, „, , ..„ ,r ,,.,., ,_ , „ t >^ „i <3rermany is serenity's self— if ; we except . -some earnest;^ .battles 'of, liberty" at Ber3ia!'' * Great is ( Bismarck) 11 " certaiplyj- , and Taiuch''is done' by bimfor^ip^uischland, ;'? feut.the, Pyms ,and rE^apdetis/jbf Prussia "fight, as'; fierce|y r now as iYi befp're-Sadowa for'] coMtifutional M 'rig;hiß ; '''and'' ; freedom" «£ 1 Bpeech'. Vln-. 'former,' 1 Parliamentary squabbles^ the .outspoken words of . Libsra&. excite^" ;King wrath, and criminal' proceedings' were directed, when in stalkea'ltfarsyand Vthe /incident' fled, ■^ut'kings -a^^only'mort'ala i after all, and ' somejof them^tern)y..uWorgiyjng.' ' Thus iihe . are prosecuted tor* ebulHtio^/.two^.years'old; and are seiiijenc^'.^^degTading',imprisonment. The IDep^uties^tpweyer;' de^jry judicial ,interJ c|harge'. ; the .^Government with' "breafili^of • 'Parliamentary-^ '.privilege, and "pass^aJ'Voridemnatqry, vote. 'Other vie: "tan^jaxe akof scored- to" Liberalism ;' .arid . 'if the" 'great;"- statesman. wo»ila finish .his^ irorlc! sp^well .begun;' he' wD^' f advise : 'his 3wtrbraiiieii' v Sovereign to.bow.with grace 4o fpubii9 J ,ppi?iibn. '„ ; T here;',.will then be aothing'to^fear&r the speedy unification of G«rmany/. r ;' f '''^' r ' r '. '/ „',':', ' : -./; . Austria'; goes yon well, and' responsible 'goyernmerit "is "rapidly f being established. !Toi£',3eustis"plearly. the right' man in the 1 Joseph an apt pupil in tne'' new Apolitical"^ 'school; and Tfhjle 1 they 'bo^pull .together, the, Empire)" 6^.*/ 8 ) 1^ 10 )' advances with Constitutional strides^ towards a reality. !The' : ■new i Magna-Oharta will be promul- ' gatedjxext week. „.-,, , . „ ■rTnr^^a,ccepts 'the.fu ll .responsibility ■of Oppressing' the^'Candian' insurrection,; 2mS" f m,-'answern}g v th'e^ joint 'note of re- ( anoniftrance,"- 1 requests' -the intermeddling JP6w<ss .Ho^'^leate ".'her; - „fa ir \ ". scoper '.' to acobmpiis^^her" miisibri^^by ~. ceasing / ' f give '[their' moral^sxipport l to -the" insurgents"?"^ Tha'vHellenes' still, receive' ii^ef^ug«es , A frpm^. :Cretje J^fjUly; LSpVOOO. 1 . .Ottoi^aii-Ch^^ians^bfelnWmamtaHed out' -M^en^ r |len^er; Grecian;c[offer^ t/ %i- c J^s^n^e% .Turkisl" ruj'e : 'isltept' up in tKe' .SaisiSectexi 'IslandsVfan.d Severe 'figntin^is -occasidnally ' l aniiouiJcedr^.S.ervia,' too; is' lighly* '" jb'flammatqfy,.' -"'^'Altogether, ' the * f Sict man" at Constantinople has an'un--easy couch ; -but fwhile genuine; French and English" cLbcto'rs ' i attend' upon.'. Him so inidly,' the quacks will ' scarcely dare to iiUUiimJ ;^The ! Eastern' 'question looks gloomy .enbugli, in 'all conscience; but the 3^ig^£!S'ulta^ different from 'his' predecessors.' V . He 1 is learned' and discreet, .and of /recent ■travel enables, him to; 'judge for himself.; The Greeks o "are' likewise much-advanced, jet "should' be' so." They' have" a King of their; own 1 cT^bice^anJd' an .orthodox Queen ; and^the' may/ arise, from conciliation and dispassionate argument. Looking.to pother .subject, a .pleasing note «ound^.frbm! young King jGrebrge's bridal iallsr^tKe p'rospect'-'of ' a settlement with ■Greek 'bondholders: ~ l The thing 'is, under discussion j i ! an3. a)jay ,' of ' hope'beams ' at -last r'on 'file vision'' of unhappy creditors,' -wlib patiently for 40 ' years -without' receiving any dividend.. The Creels ;Ch'urc)i has lost a staunch, upholder 6f Christianity'; ' from tKe path' of the Mus■sulman,is*''removed a very sharp thorn'; •tnel^U3co'vii:e,ASrchbishop Pbilarete, aged Ist instant, ;witnb'ut witnessing 1 the realisation of his Cross over,the Crescent' 'in Eastßra Eufbpe.' /'[[ The ' once again f and! r the bulk? of th? President's ■Message v |s 'evidently based on tKe glorious fall, elections'."" Defiant and' bumptious to -a degree, Sv lifr' Johnson atf the* .same time administers; wholesomey-pMJ topics, which , tne Radical faction 'may profitably reflect" • upon." ''Knowing how, little "the will and lihe : 'Way'' ( !jog together now-'a-days in Presidential intentions^ we takethis acrid • document Y cum, j/raito. Nevertheless, as some' of 'the' topics nearly concern ours selves, while' others may close or widen' the breafch" -''between Congress ' and the Executive; this : Message - deserves atteniion.'"''' i MT*"'J6hnson 'tnrows'down the jga\intlet/;boldly challenges impeachment,

and^ threatens, should; Congress pass an Act.(«yen through. aU^ the forms of law) abolishing tne presidential' office," to op•posJß Jraoh#;rock'6dnesfi at all hazards, and JoicJj^l, upon th,e. .army to help ■ him in ' " saving t£e life of the nation. " He casts upon Congressional Legislation the nonrestoration of the Union, and the destruction of the Constitution. , He urges Congress to .repeal the Southern Military ■Acts,- which tend to exalt the negro over the white, race, and . the t enforcement whereof^ requires a stan^diug' army in-volving-national bankruptcy. •In stating that within the ,past year the liabilities are lessened; by 59,000,000 dollars, he joins Mr,M*Culloch in recommending a return ,' to .specie payments, the conversion, of the whole debt into six per, cent, bonds, redeemable in 20 years, "and payment of the debt in gold. '•' He lashes the Radicals for their persistence, in high tariffs, and for sanctioning "enormous Government frauds through the agency of their Tenure of Office Bill ; yet he speaks with confidence on national resources and recurring prosperity.'"pir foreign affairs he is jubilant, reciting'.^ the acquisition of . Russian America" and the Danish Islands,' St. Thomas and San Jean! ISe insists on . a settlement of the Alabama claims, trusting, also, that Congress will declare " the naturalization of immigrants as American citizens absolves them from allegiance to I their native country." Finally, the slave trade • having virtually ceased, Great Britain is called upon to agree with the United, States in the abolition of the expensive : and dangerous West Indian squadron. " Altogether, what- withj^the dogged" swagger and indiscretion of Mr Johnson, the. reactionary feeling amongst the people, and the proved violence and desperation of extreme Republicanism^ a ; stormy session is anticipated. Ulysses Grant .' keeps "well "within ' himself, and J proves much too 'cute for the flatterers ; but he "is already nominated national] candidate for the Presidency at ame'eting j of New^brk bankers and merchants, and | as this, movement is totally irrespective 6f party, .and is being. prosecuted throughout the States, we may hail the General as "the coming man" — the ConWyative [President of; 1868,' one who shall ' stifle faction, / and ( literally re-construct ' the Union. 1 " Troops still concentrate at "Washington, ' ,' commanded - by ' ' General Sherman.'.' _ '•"''• '•' ...'. ' , ,'•'■. "" Of Mexicojs "unruly rulers we hear, that' they 'are contending ' for", individual mastery: that President Juarez has' an empty cash box, and on the strength of it' declares' war against , Guatemala. We also hear 'that .some of the' Imperial adherents haye-tneufsenWi'ce of imprisonment shortened^ arid that others (including Prince^ and "Princess ' Salm-Salm and Mdme. tß^amon)' are luckily banished ; |that 'some members' of Courts-martial are 'themselves punished, for passing lenient 'sentences' ; 'that fc alT the 'Foreign ; ;Ambas~ ! jkdors. .' (except; .the "United * States.representative)" have'" departed"; -that' the 'country .is ;decidedly revolutionary, .and brigandage 'rampant. ' The remains of ill.starred -'Maximilian.' are' at list' given up, and are" daily expected' at ' Trieste. TheEm'press Charlotte is thought to" be improving. - • Brazil and Paraguay continue at war, without any prospect' of its termination. The 4 allies boast ' of an_ army '47,000 strong, and claim great; recent successes, 'their batteries' now' dbinin'ating the river .Tuyuty.' '"• .Lopez is once, more reduced to his 'last' resources; 1 (his ;tough „fort" at Humanita" 'being .invested. '; Revolution obtains 'in the Argentine provinces. ■* Peru' reports uprba'r and revolt. Chili chiefly "refers to . ' a , contract ' with the Pacific"' Steam Navigation \ Company, establishing ' a line' of steamers, 'via the Straits of Magellan. ' ' '.v. v '\[ * 1 Indija'; tells" 6f ..another' 'cyclone. ,It. swept '^engal ; through ,a radius of 150 miles >!t from. Calcutta,'] and in ,its track threes-fourths ,of the : rice v .' crop ' were destroyed,' together' with' 3ooo native huts and 600 boats!" „ About' 1000 lives are lost, and' forty large vessels wrecked or injxired, the City of Calcutta' receiving more damage than that^occasiohed by the catastrophe of 1864. "The Hooghly was ■partially spared; but the; horrid" "storm wave" rose 6ft in height, and fell on Port Canning with terrific fury, destroying the, river, bank,, jetties, and "Ltli'e railway station.^ Food J and ' shelter "are' readily offered meet this additional Visitation; subscription 'mts" are i opened, and Government volunteer to double thfe amount collected. "The "Viceroy travels 'in 'state, dis- , tributes honors, and conciliates' the very wise men, of the,' East; his Durbar, held at Lucknbw^ being' described; as unusually magnificent. ' Colonel lytche successfully concluaes a commercial treaty with the Eing of Burmah." V " ' : '\' " China's greatness, it appears,' has' yet "to be by "the outer barbarian." The' province of -Shantung, a district as large as England,' and "connected with the Chef oo, treaty port/ contains ' coal, iron, lead,' gold,' silver,.' and^ sulphur.' The difficulty is to work' them! Deep sinking

is not John Chinaman's forte,', whilst superstition and prejudice reject the>kill and ' enterprise of the foreigner. . Sirß. Alcock, however, hopes to break through native ignorance, and to shew .^the great MandarinsjJibw|ito increase their gaudy store of buttons and feathers. Thus the vast resources of Celestial climes' may yet be developed, and something else than tea and silk, opium and gray shirtings,' be recorded as the country's staple. Rebellion seems irrepressi'.le. . The Imperial hosts are again defeated, and PeMn'sl walls ar& said to. tremble. Dr. Magowan estimates, the loss of life since we first Tieard of the Taepings, at 25 millions — Native statistics patting it at 100 millions. One district', formerly yielding 90,000 chestß of tea annually, is bow a desert waste ; and other large territories, once ao thickly populated, are literally uninhabited. ' Japan ratifies the Belgian treaty, but does not account for our murdered seamen. Trade with foreigners is in full operation at Osaka, and that at Hiogo will presently begin. Good coal, too, is now found ; and as Europeans are in high repute, .Sir H." Parkes and Mr Locock anticipate most intimate relations. January 29th is appointed for the formal inauguration of Japanese ports to trade' uses, and a fruitful field now opens to the commercial world in that remarkable country. A line of steamers is established between Yokohama and Osaka.

Jamaica continues in a fiscal fix. Complaints are rife that'J.'P. Grant's Legislation saddles the island with, an additional expenditure of LIOO,OOO a, year ; that the public chest is empty ; that money is borrowed from the bank to meet 'the wants of the day. Parliament was not 'sitting when .the ,' mail left; an^ the " Colonists sent out " anxious appeals for the Home Government to interfere ere'the situation 'becomes irreparable.'"' Hayti reports revo-" lutioh"; -.San Dqmingd a hurricane, de^-stroying-many lives and nearly all the shipping.' "'" ■/•'-.'' . '"''.;:"' West African "Kings' and- Chiefs .being uniisally -warlike 'and' 'savage, European' Powers concert measured' to keep 'them' within bounds,- and to openup,the various trades so long impeded. ' Wit 'a a view to restore harmony the good negro-ecclesias-tic, Bishop Crowther, of Sierra Leone,' .lately traversed the Niger, and was cruelly imprisoned. "Mr Fell, our ViceCcnsnl, then armed the exploring steamer Thomas' Basl'ey, and rescued' the Bishop, ' 'but unfortunately lost his own- life- in the savage' melee. The King lof Porto Noyo Las' expelled the Wesleyan Missionaries. " .The Cape,' still afflicted with fever.(imported from Mauritius) reports trade brisk, and crops' abundant. Governor Wodehbuse remains, ' and expects a new lease of office. The Basuto war* continues. The s discovery of minerals in. Natal : is confirmed. The Colenso dispute is warm as ever.' " Of Dr Livingstone's fate we are yet witho\it f intelligence;; v butSif R.. MurI"chisoirisl- 1 confident that good news "will ■'soon-a rrive.",", ' v . ■ ' ;::: O' , ' '.' ' ' ' i Details I 'of the ,West" Ihdianhurricane realis^ t "bur' ' worst' fears. '' No .less -than' 209 poor fellows are" known' to have been lost from tlie steamers'' "Rhone 'and'Wye.' 1 'From' other shipa^'.riiany hands are unaccounted for, . and whose sad fate we, may nevorhear. Although 1014 is the official nuniber'of victims given at' St. Thomas's, the .actual death roll will probably never be called, nor the gross total of human sacrifices ever ascertained. - Of ships wrecked or damaged, we have an accurate' list, shewing, 25 British," 10 French, 13 Danish, 6 Dutch, " 5 ' German, 'l Norwegian, 11 Spanish, 6 American; 3' Vene-' zuelanj' thus agreeing- with the 'original estimate' of 80 Vessels, - the'sinall' boats' not • being enumerated. ' On' "the early' news of ..the hurricane 'relief ships we're' dispatched from British stations; and also from America, large subscriptions" being collected for the sufferers.' The' 'churches' and p'ublic v offices were ordered to 'be' 'ref 1 , built, -and other remedial" 'measuresadopted ; but some • of these good inten-' , tions'are frustrated by later visitation's' of i fearful - magnitude. We now learn 'that' • since the hurricane there have been, earth- ( : quakes and volcanic eruptions' at St*' i Thomas, Tortola, v and the other islands, " i destroying or injuring" "all 'the property . on'laljd'; the town being partially sub- 1 : merged, tlie people flyiog to the hills and ; : dwelling under canvas.' ' Here, .'again', l ■ numerous lives and ships arejost. . ' Porto ■ Rico ! ' announces 'looo ■ houses 'destroyed', ; and 3000 buildings more or less • injured. ' Manilla loses a thousand, lives ' and im-; mense • property.' St Bartholomew --is nearly ' destroyed "; 'and : telegrams < still ! • speak of earthqukes and 'volcanoes^ as j ; daily occurrences. ' ". . f V" lii --' : St Thomas's is reported free of 'yellow" • fever," although the Tamar, ;> ',with r 'the i Panama Moil' of the 3rd inst.', "had 1 24 cases, 7 of them" prpying"fataL'""'Tiie' » deaths include George P.itty',* n ' purser; ' Muschat and Nadir, : seamen'; Mrs Tetley, i passenger from' Picton,"N.Z: ? ! r a nd her i servant, Mrs Gale'; Mr'Benjamin,/passenger from Wellington;', David; Tfrwln," i passenger.; '■ The " dlsease"is' •'severe ■• at' • Barbadoes. : ' It 1 has i crept onto 'Tjarracks, f

aaid , destroyed two more officers . of tH& 16th .regiment (Captain Sheringham an* Ensign Clement) others being invalided. \.' Cholera exists at Havana. Malta still suffers - from long drought, as does also Tunis and neighboring countries, where people are actually dying from famine. T- An, inquiry in our Parliament elicited the answer that Government is communicating with theßoyalMail Company on the expediency of discontinuing St Thomas asthe chief West India mail station; the .arguments recommending a change .being .b.a&e.d.un..the mortality of ..passengers and., seamen from fever, and* the island having become the property- of America. Denmark has notified to the inhabitants of St. Thomas's and St, John's their cession to the United States ; and formal possession of those islands has recently been taken by the American authorities. It is rumored that Spain is now treating at Washington for the sale of Cuba and Porto Rico, for 150,000,000db15. A' Greek steamer; with gunpowder on board, blew up in- the- Mersey on the 29tli November, and 45 lives were lost. An, explosion of iritro-glycerine at. Newcastle, last, week, resulted in the death of the Sheriff,, the Borough Surveyor, and five other persons ; also at Newcastle has occurred a conflagration, which, destroyed the - New Buildings, , Queen street, . L60,Q00. worth of property being* lost. These disasters are represented' as totally . unconnected with Fenianism. , ... • The Queen and family are at Osborne, all well. They are protected against Fenian conspiracies by a company of Foot Guards and a squadron of cavalry ; line-of-battle ships being anchored in Osborne bay. ". Tlie Prince and Princess of Walesare at Sandringham, the Princess rapidly acquiring strength. She receives company now, and is reported to be almost herself, again. V Prince Mimboutaiko r brother to the Tycoon of Japan, is England's guest. ' Royal honors are awarded him, ,and Majpr Edwards, R.E. is appointed his equerry;', ..Certainly we lodge His- Highness at.Claridge's ; but as European" greatness has-been there before him,, no offence can be taken. He is received by the Queen at Windsor ;/and one way or other we endeavor to make pleasant this visit of the Illustrious" Stranger. Lieut. -Col. J. H. Cookfe.and Major J. P. Hopkins . have received the honor of knighthood. Edward Thornton, Esq., late. Brazilian minister, is duly gazetted to succeed Sir F. Bruce as our Ambassador, at., Washington.^-Lqrd Cairns, is elected Chancellor of the Dublin University. ;j ' . • In . ,the destruction ;by .fire of Her Majesty's ; Theatre another calamity is added to the long., list of this disastrous year.' .The fire was- discovered at a quarter > to eleven p.m. on the 6th inst. It burst' forth, from beneath the stage, and blazed, so, f urioiiply that in one short hour and a. half every, vestige of the .magnificieht. structure .disappeared except the four, tare walls. Mr. ftlapleson wa3 not insured for a' shilling, and his loss is estir . mated at .L^OOO.-j^th^re, being of course many other, sufferers, ...and- about 300 persons deprived of , employment. .Fortunately- no performance was; .on. The . I theatre was comparatively emptj&'and no Ilife'losC"! ' "• T "•'' " Pantomime now .begins its Cockney <. [reign.. The community will, as usual, be delighted ; and managers, let us hope, . ■rewarded!-' Mr Douglas has opened the'j^ New National Standard..' .Ada Menken, ' tired' of horse riding, plunges into law ' anc[" poetry ;; simultaneously with notice of action served' on E. T." Smith for breach 'of „ contracts' at Astley/a',' ' the , "Menken '",' Poems" ate 'announced' to be in the press. 'U Charles Dickens arid/Theresa Yelverton'lp give 'readmqs : Dickens 'is a great success; '!*; of thekdy's fame we have yet to hear ';. Obituary :' Jol n ' B. 1 Wits^n; ' 'manager of ; 'tne DavliTigton Theatre";' Madame Nan- •' " tier-Dld'e'e ; M. Pacini, composer, aged fr2J-> •;' '' ■•..'•'•• • j ' !Th'e" Dundee 'Ad 'ocrtiser records the de- M struction by fire" of Messrs Mathers and ' ; j Chalmer's spinning mill, 1 at Scouringburn, '\ Dundee: l ''Lord Elphinst'one is elected re- "^ presents: tive pear of ' Scotland,' ©toe Lord Po'lwarthJ ; dec jased. Obituary : Earl of •.•> Carnwath;'-'aged" 71;. '-Right Hon. Sir'i George Clerk, 1 -Bart,, 8l ; Revs. Andrew^ -Toddy 69 ; Thomas Gray; 49 ;' Peter Grant/ \ 84 ; ■ Dr. •' 3'6hn Ogilvie, ' lexicographer ;-i A,rchibaVdFoote,-Esq.' i • '• •-' 'Smitiifield Clvb I ' Show and other fat: stock -ecdiibitions- are presented as xisuaL' j ' •The^liondon' Show 1 enticed 100,000 visi- '\ tors to inspect : the- rare" qualities of 213 fat cattle; 165 pern of sheep, and 48 pens ■} of'^pigs." A first prize was won by Her« Majesty the* Queen, with a dfine young 1 * •steer ; : LordWenlock, the Duke of Beau-3 fort," and Mr W. Smith, also scoring front i rank in the English market. For Scot-'l land, the Duke of Sutherland 3ucceededj with a real Red Highlander; and 10 M'Combie, with his famous Scotch poll,"? "Black Prince," which sold for Ll2O/J conditionally that "tlie baron" went toJ Windsor Castle. Mr Robert Wortley andt Lord Berner3 secured the first Irish| prizes; Lord-Penrhyn and others, the^ <,'-.". :'.».'" ■•• ■"•^

4

§^e]sh,^heep,and pigs -were ■wejljrepre- ( J>y Tt>#ed,6rs from all upacts of }tlie Kpgdqm ; ; ,-.and .altogether :<theije %yifty&&igop& i a.?exfigQ, ) pb,ow-,o| Christmas fe^S^R^ocl' 'V-j4isarJ);'/ii •«. '4.iv V..»„.'!. .»„.'! a -/ : ct: • i '" " ! is+notr in wvogue,' whereof, has to he; proved.' ilThe .Gli^tham'. and ''Dover, -the 'South i;Eastern> arid th'erßrighton Companies are. ■jail agreed;*, to .bring the ithree lines . into' ))'i:onef jharmonidite'ri-whole; ;"i -ahd-share-nholdera are welKaatisfied /with ajprospect 1-of "respectahle dividendfl.folldwing a» ces-i >.'*sation;of-that;riunbus'; competition which " has .beeniooilcmgithe' fashion.;.:.- And now,. £jus£ as'^railWaJ") securities 'begins to court t publiaß confidence, *"corne a: the n Midland toGompahytto:Lbn<io%lwith' aihuge termi- ' nus/at;Bong!s >Cross, r erected. at f so -.Vast a above :the estimates,* as .to induce an increase of capital- to. the extent of five

■ millions- sterling. ;, and thus /the,, shares of ia .profitable; line. drop. 10,, percent, and y ; rauwayr stock, is -once more driven into ;" hazardous speculation. ", ' : >'ju..The distress, in East London abates not; : there, -is "also a. similar evil in- Liverpool, c relief meetings .being held 'by' the Mayor. llTh&l iron- trade. of iSouth Wales is much depressed, reduced wages being cheerfully in;preference,to a strike.. 1 5, ,. , .Great Britain's v> sun,-shiney November •departed to our sorrow, as December ; set in extremely, cold,, and violent. ' For two •days arid'*hights we Tiad continued gales p *all, round -the cpast,' vastly destructive to •life arid'sMppingy.-'The 'mail ; packets, \aftiff long "delays-came 1 in' safely; but the ' number- "of "'otliet"' Vessels -wrecked'; arid ■;shattered { can* 3 ' Scarcely ' ( be ' toldj'^rough 'estimates''. 1 giving 1^ one 'hundred.' :> These ■•• home 'disasters, .are, sad ' reminders' of the' "fearrul'^mpes^'raging'at the"Antilles, in ; Inffiari/and Chinese,, waters :':an'dmefeiqro- ]) logical, sciebfca is ' called ' upon- to' tell Wif ■^these awful "devastations are 'caused 'by oW'an'd'+he'sa'mestorm.' -'lf so7*may not . a careful comparison of tornadb'records * prepare, vs 1 "in*" some r way for future rf visitations. •'- ' —.-.:•. ■- •*•* >>, ..*.- <-.<iY >5 ,'- . •- <(=.„■ .■"-•<■<•.).- '_..-. December 26th. ' , -rate 1 .remains at two per ;,«cent. Consols, ,92£. •. -<•• • ,"-<'.iiw. ' '„, 1 New/Zealand; five per .cents, 98,>?99 ; j. -ditto, six per centsV? March. and'S^ptem- ' aber 1 ,189 i, llo7*,l 107*, 108 i; ditto, -.Jiune [and 10^,.- 106|.,t;r . ? 5.»... &•.,■ ' ' '[ •<TBank<of ; Otago (limited),'.<4i-,'.>s£-:di3. ; i':Bank,-of.- New Zealand, „84,~ 9£:.pm.' r ; oP.lir.Z-. and „A.RM. } ..,OomoanyV LlO r shares, 4£, 5. ! ,. •■ .• '. -■ .' ■ •:-, •'•: A ministerial- crisis -befalls at Florence. -.-To. appease » wrath .andr. consolidate-/ the i!Cabirjet,.an order: ottlie/day promulgated.' "Borne the cap^tal,,but.nojiojertce in its .acquisition : ( ministers retain the confidence. of the country." ' This motion rwas 'rejected\by';~2ol^vot'es "'against 1 199 ; ! .-"arid Gerier^Meriaßrea resigned, r but' the' t'King • Tefuses^to accept "the • 'resignation'.^ Menabrea' succeed inTe'construciA' mg'Ahe^Cabihet'; *- r peacV ri is ;aWured '; I whefeas'a Bat'azzi'MjiQistry in the' present excited; state 1 ' 5 of 'ltaly would' be -perilous.-. 'The ! have -passed' a resolution not tc%>ay their quota towards the Pope's "support* of the Papal debt,' .yiintil France retires.irom.Civita ..Yecchia, •iand guarantees" a strict performance of the j r-Convention.on:h.er'part.r '.••"- 'jv<\ „ ■ :c: ,-The.r Emperor. >iNappleori r < disapproves these Italian proceedings. Rome is. again ,to be occupied, by : French troops, and the .. telegram. says^that, 2o,oo^ ,men, r ar.e" emaiTpv3[oi£ t ;|.: i The']cherislied () C9n-' ■^ gress is ' almpsjfc'' despaired* ' of ';' ' and ' 'it is '^ribw said tlia/t. only wlienlobstacles 1 to' the/ seemed ' insuperable^. "was '^ M.' allowed, to declare, French v p'plicv ' onthe.R9 i man'question < .''"' i '."^ J" ,-r \ \ .D.enpark are reported. ( .._,., „ : N - , ' o u<{, Prince -jGrortzcha^off.,is;,r^iringi from, .•jythe,. Cabinet; a't^St.; t Pet6rsburg. ;■'< Jle j is tp.xbe-.succeeded -by./Greneral; !'}rlgnatie£f.r" „ -"^.i -\p* .•>■! : /- .The,. eruption, of I^lounti^esuvius, ICQn1 CQn- ; -tinues, increasing daily in force, ,, land 'beauty : no calamity, r is ; reported. j " " Ay-.AiiEEiCAJ-TrT/he 'JTu.diciary - Committee" rejportej.. in favor ;of.^peaclynent, . ' r i' Bill .wasp reseßL%d^tp ;'aiid; re.'; Sjeotea.^by- .IClS.^tp.; t57..t 57. . Bill,' declaring the President's^ pcendiary^an.d,iinworthyof re- v ■g'ception," mci wiih. ieijsimilar, fate.-^,The' r tax rj'jipbn^ttqn g^own after, the. present*' year rJffa be repealed^ ' ~Mr t M, k CuilQph is^to .be J^/f' a^^ngreßsioiial" vote' from jaJb'^cuirenby^--" .are' presented of the.'maiiufacSturing, states.; o( Work is i scarce ; ,, f ,wages &lp"Hr v ;*.taxatipn^ and.general.cos^'pf Jiyipg. ?^gh;GoldJ'l34. * 'Jefferson Dayik'^rial. gis f j)os|poneii- i uritilr March (next.^ Kw^amiouuce3 .ai^New.'Xorlc' in^a.Bhip^from, oc^urriug.l on' Pg"^":--j"..T;y\.i '": \\ " ■-:(. .UjV ;«u It^^uliy^ ' 1 are well known,:has added trfb ! more j^piotures : oi ;IKew)Zeal»Bd?iiceneryr*o;iflie exf'Btteiisive series -taken ! eaael),tafehTicH-art;treasurea-jnM.elbourne;.^Tlie. are views of Moiint' !r ßgniont,-and,f pwre painted for General Chute.