LONDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 893, 9 January 1869, Page 8

LONDON.

(from our own correspondent.)

London", November 6th.

It is understood that at a Cabinet Council recently held, it was determined that Parliament should be dissolved on the 11th inst. , and that the writs for the elections shotild be issued immediately afterwards,. "The uncontested borough elections will therefore probably be declared on the 12th or 13th, and the contested elections will be settled a few days afterwards. It requires no great gift of prophecy lo say that the Reformed House will contain a greater Liberal majority than its predecessor. In all probability the new electors admitted under the new Reform Bill have decidedly Radical tendencies, and this will all tend in favour of the Liberal party. In looking over the list of candidates, and weighing well the chances of their elec'ions, giving all doubtful seats to the Conservatives, I come to the conclusion that Mr Gladstone* will have a majority of between 80 and 90at his back in .the new House. With such a majority he should be able to do as he pleases with his opponents, if only his arrangements are complete. It is still a matter of question, however, as to whether Mr Disraeli will not attempt to outbid the Liberals in the measure of reform to be granted to the Irish Church. His late manifesto is evidently intended to mislead, and although it apparently stands fast for the absolute integrity of the Irish Church as it at present stands, I do not think it should lead us to think that Mr Disraeli does not contemplate some very great changes in its constitution. In my own mind, I have little doubt that the forthcoming session will furnish us with one of the most interesting struggles ever witnessed in the political arena. The great trial of strength will, of course, take place on the Irish Church, but the time of the issue is still very uncertain. Mr Disraeli is too old a stager to be caught napping, and h> is very certain that he will endeavour to word the Queen's speech so as to prevent an amendment in the address. It is rather rash to hazard an opinion at the present moment, but 1 incline to the belief that the Government will be turned out on a direct vote of want of confidence, and not on the address.

The elections have progressed rapidly. In fact we have had too much of them, and both candidates and electors are heartily sick and I*'1 *' tired of the whole aftair. One feature in them is the position lately taken up by Mr Mill. Not content with introducing Messrs Bradlaugh and Odger to the constituencies — who, ty-the bye, are by no means likely to succeed — he has taken upon himself to issue recommendatory letters to various candidates, in the hope, I presume, on strengthening the hands of his party. II one quarter, however, he has caught a Tartar. Mr Bouverie, who has not been a good Liberal lately, but who has followed his own opinions instead of the dictates of Mr Gladstone, appears to have roused the anger of Mr Mill by his independent proceedings. The latter therefore gave a letter to a Mr Chadwick, recommending him to the electors of Kil~ marnock Now Mr Bouverie has represented Kilmarnock for a period of 25 years, and he might well feel aggrieved at finding a member of his own party endeavouring to sow discord between him and his cons'ituents. An angry correspondence ensued, in which Mr Mill undoubtedly had the worst of it, and he has been severely criticised by the press generally, the Liberal papers being particularly hard upon him. Mr Chadwick is well-known from his connection wi h the Board of Works, where he made it his peculiar pleasure to quarrel with everybody and with everything, until at last he was persuaded to retire on a pension. He has had no Parliamentary experience whatever, and it would be strange indeed if the electors of Kilmarnock should determine to give up a man of Mr Bouverie's experience for such a raw recruit as he is. I think you will agree with me that Mr Bouverie has little to fear from Mr Chadwick — Mr Mill notwithstanding.

A paragraph has gone the round of the newspapers here which Btates that we are to have no Derby race this year. Such a thing is altogether out of the question. <A year in England without a Derby would be looked upon as an interregnum, and the idea could not be entertained for one moment. There is, however, a great hi'ch in the way of the arrangements ; but there is very little doubt' that our sporting friends will have to give in. A portion of the ground over which the course runs has lately changed owners, and the aew proprietor — a Mr Studd—

has raised the rental to the Grand Stand Committee in proportion to the price he has had to pay. The land in question does not exceed three-quarters of a mile, for which the Committee have "been in the habit of paying L3OO per annum. Mr Studd, however, having paid a sum of L 20,040 for his new property, felt himself in a position to demand a rental of LIOOO a year for twenty years, and a bonus of L 2500 down. To this the Committee demurred, and set about planning a new course, which proved impracticable. Beyond this, the races for the next two years must be run over the old course — otherwise the entries would all be considered void. I do not see, therefore, how the Committee can help themselves in the matter.

Since the last mail left, we have had two astounding revelations in regard to the concoction and conduct of public companies. The first case refers to the Royalßankef Liverpool, which suspended payment a3 far back as October, 1867. It has long been known that the Committee of Investigation had come upon an extraordinary state of things ; but as publicity would in all probability damage the assets and cause the shareholders further loss, an endeavour was made to keep the whole affair private; but public spirit appearß to have at length prevailed, and "we have been presented with an exposure without a parallel in the annals of commercial crimes. It is impossible, in the limits of a letter, to give more than a cursory glance at this affair, but it will be ! sufficient to say that the managing director had been knowingly insolvent for upwards of 20 years ; that the Bank was " carrying on," at thetime of the stoppage, J themostrofcten concerns, and was living by a system of re-discounfes. The fall of j Overends led to the collapse, which haa presented us with this pretty picture. The Affaire Doulton is another specimen of the same class, but the case is principally interesting to outsiders from the evidence given, and the irrelevant matter introduced and allowed by the president. ' The Money Market. — Throughout the month there has been great ease in the money market, but there is an evident tendency at the close towards increasing firmness. In the manufacturing districts more activity has prevailed, and most of the mills are fully employed, especially in the woollen trade. The amount of commercial paper afloat has, therefore, teen heavy, and the demand for accommodation has accordingly ruled more active. There has been a good demand for foreign bills, and the exchanges show a heavy fall on the month. A large outflow of gold to the Continent has been the result, the fact of which has given additional firmness to the discount quotation. The demand for bullion on Continental account is likely to continue for some time, as it is probable we shall have several foreign loans raised in this market, and our importations of spring corn will be very heavy throughout the winter months. No change, however, has been made in the Bank minimum, which remains at 2 per cent., but an early ris6 is looked for. la the open market, good short-dated paper (thirty days) has been done as low as IJ, but, as the mail closes, nothing can be obtained under If per cent. Annexed are the quotations tor first-clasa paper, having various times to run :—: — 30 to 60 days, If - \ per cent. ; 3 months, Ijdo ; 4to 6 months' Bank Bills, 2, 2£ do ; 4 to 6 months' Trade Bills, 2j, 3 do. The following loans have been introduced here, and, in the present easy state of the market, they were readily taken up :— South Australian L40Q,000 Debentures, for the construction of railways. Interest was at 6 per cent., and the tenders amounted to upwards of ' two millions. The lowest tender receiving allotment was IAQ7 ss, and the highest LIOB 103. The New. South Wales loan of L 1,000,000, also for the construction of railways, was speedily taken up, the applications being for a sum of L3,639,0Q0. It is understood that Victoria will soon be in the market for L 2,107,000,, 107,000, also for railway purposes. It is probable that other colonies will follow the example, and loans of this I description are perhaps as safe and as secure a way of investing British capital as can be suggested. There has been a steady demand for Colonial Securities throughout the month, and prices have ranged high. Annexed are the closing quotations for the Bonds of the New Zealand Government : — t~^m Dividends ,>„ Closing Issaes - due. Per «»t- prices: £95,000.. June and ..6, New Zealand, 1891.. 109 to July 111. 689,400.. „ ..5, „ ..97* to 98i. 1 8,780,000. .Jan. Apr. . .5, „ . .96* to July, Oct. 97*. 262,100.. March and. .6, „ „ „108 to Sept. 110. 386,000.. June and ..6, „ „ ..109 to Dec. 111. The Wooi. Teadb. — Great depression has existed in the wool trade throughout the month. The market is glutted, and it is evident that production has, for the moment, overtaken the powers of consumption in this country.

One feature has been the demand for low wools for shipment to the United States, and, at the commencement of the month, a considerable quantity was sent forward from this side. The inquiry, however, has now ceased, and there is not much probability of our exports to New York being resumed on any extensive scale. The quantity of wool in stock in London is estimated at 22,000 bales, and with 18,000 bales withdrawn at the sales, and the probable imports for the present aeries, the total quantity to be offered in November "will not fall far short of 120,000 bales. Looking at these facts, and the large shipment direct to the Continent, we must be prepared for a further slight reduction in prices. The decline, however, is not likely to be heavy, as the demand for woollen goods, with the approach of winter, must become active. Imports of wool in nine months :—: —

Exports of foreign and colonial wool in nine months :-—

Shipments of English wool in nine months : —

it is to be hoped that the wool to be I offered at the forthcoming series will be in a better condition than that sold at the August-September series. Many I complaints have been made as to the,dirty state in which it was Bent over, and the careless manner in which it was packed. If the manufacturers are to bear the expenses attendant upon this, the colonists car.net expect so great a price for their produce. The folio wing are the quotations current in London for all descriptiona of New Zealand wool : — Scoured — Superior, 21d to 23d ; average, 17d to 19d. Haudwashed and skin — 12d to 14d. Washed Fleece — Superior, 15d to 17d ; average, 13d to 14d ; inferior, lid to 12d. Unwashed Fleece— Superior, l(%d to lid ; average, 9£d to lOd ; inferior, 8d to 9d. The supplies of tallow coming forward have been limited, and the trade, owing to great speculative purchases, has ruled active at advancing prices. The great drought experienced during the pa»t summer has prevented the usual amount of tallow being made in England, the stock being in a very poor condition. At the same time, the shipments from S. Petersburg have been only moderate. P. Y.O. at one time was selling at 52s 6d, but the price to-day has declined to 51s 6d. The limited quantities on offer, however, will probably keep up values. In hides and skins there is no change of importance to notice. The demand has .been to a fair extent, and prices have been steadily supported. Hams have commanded an advance of 5 per cent, to 10 per cent., with a ready sale. The corn market has ruled very quiet throughout the month. Wheat, owing to the large crop secured and the excellent quality of the produce, has tended downwardßin value ; but the quantities coming forward having been limited, the decline has not been to any great extent. On the other hand, spring corn of all descriptions has ruled firm in value, and prices have been on the advance. The great scarcity of winter food for the stock, owing to tho failure of the grass and root crops, makes a further advance in values not improbable. The value of cotton having been kept at a tolerably high point during the present year, a stimulus has been given to the production of the staple, and the promise of considerable importations during the present season seems to be confirmed by the accounts lately received from the United States, India, Egypt, and Brazil. In America, the crop is being rapidly secured. The last advices state that the weather had been favourable to the planter, and that the freedmen in nearly, if not all sections of the country, were working well. With regard to the yield there is, aa ,usual, great diversity of opinion, some having aasertea that there will be no augmentation, while others affirm that an important in«

(jrease may be looked forward to. The receipts at the ports have, however, been much larger than they were last year, but that may, to some extent, arise out of the circumstances that the crop is much earlier than in ordinary seasons, and, that the heavy advances which the planters have obtained have necessitated the immediate disposal of a large proportion of the crop. In India, a good yield is also looked forward to. A few parcels of the new crop have lately been received at Bombay, and the qualify is said to be very superior to that of last year. The production in Egypt and Brazil has also been increased, so that, laken as a whole, a larger importation of cotton may be expected to take place in the present than during last season. With an improving export trade, any increase in our importations could easily be consumed ; and hence, if we should receive more of the raw material, the trade in cotton goods would bo in a very healthy state, owing to the greatness of the export demand. In the first nine months of the present year we exported as much as 2,188,590,000 yards of cotton piece goods, V>eing an increase of nearly 150,000,000 yards, as compared with. 1867. To the Australian Colonies there is an important increase, the shipments thence having been 25,703,000 yards, while in the corresponding period last year they were only 15,751,600 yards. It is but fair to presume that with a more abundant supply of the raw material, with, probably, a lower range of values, and with, which is undoubtedly in operation, increasing coufidence in commercial and financial circles, foreign countries will be enahled to purchase freely of our goods, because they will very likely be in the position to obtain them at lower prices than at present.

The intelligence brought by the last mail of the disheartening result of yonr engage, ments in the .North with the M-wris created ranch concern ; as did also, though in a less degree (fur, happily, bo far as we learn, not a great deal of damage was done) did the news of the great tidal earthquake wave which washed New Zealand's shores. We in Great Britain have been treated to just a taste of the earthquake. On the 31st of ! October severe shocks were felt in various parts of Ireland, the severest at two places near Mallow, in Cork county. Great alarm was felt in Cork when the news reached there. Aloud rumbling noise was heard, and a distinct oscillation of the earth was felt ; houses were shaken to their foundations, and furniture was thrown down and broken. The direction of the earthwave was from nerth to south. About the same time shooks wers felt in England ; at Piercefield, near Taunton, two rolling motions, from south to north ; at Leamington, three shocks ; at Worcester, also, where there was much excitement, a servant-girl, who was saying her prayers, being thrown backwards twice ; at Birmingham slightly ; and at Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire somewhat severely. All over Devon it was felt ; and in Wales the people were much frightened. Yet little or no damage was done ; and for our share of the earthquake, which was born in the bed of the Pacific Ocean, and which has created so much misery and desolation in many parts of the world, we have reason to be thankful. A greai; deal of money is being subscribed for the rehef of the sufferers in Peru and Ecuador, and it is pleasant to see in the list the number of LIOOO donations. An influential meeting, at which the Lord Mayor, the Governor of the Bank of England, the Barings and Rothschilds, and other influential gentlemen, took part, initiated the movement. Affairs in Europe are quiet and are likely to remain so. Spain has Dot yet definitely decided upon her form of government; aIJ is peaceful there. Religious liberty and liberty of the press have been declared ; if liberal prog'ession continues as it has began Spain will rise bright from her rums. Isabella is to reside in Paris ; she has an enormous fortune, and if she be sensible she will settle down to the enjoyment of it, and givo up intriguing if that is possible for one of her race. The rumour, which obtained almost universal publicity, that; the Spanish throne was to be offered to Prince Alfred, has died away. The convents all over Spain are being dismantled, not recklessly, but systematically ; no violence is used, and no property destroyed. If remarkable in nothing else, the Spanish Revolution of 1868 is remarkable for its peacefulness. The cold weather has fairly set in in London, although no snow has fallen. The approach of Christmas is duly heralded by the roasted chestnut sellers who liae the London streets. Guy Fawkes Day was observed as usual by mobs of little bo\ s, who are allowed to obstruct the thoroughfares with their ridiculous effigies, On November •9th we are to have the Lord Mayor's Show, on a scale of great splendour. Both customs — the Show and the parading of stupid figures of Guy Fawkes through the streets — would he more honoured in the breach than in the observance.

The Queen is at Windsor Castle with some members of the Royal family. In about a month's time will be completed a College for Seamen in South Shields, at the WPtttfc Qi tfe© ftfaey T^ne, founded, jby fche

late Dr. Winterbottom, who left L 60.000 for its erection and endowment.

A sad story is told in the papers of the 29th October. Mr John Powell, 3 surgeon., j loved (passionately, as is proved by hie last letter) Louisa Thomas, a married woman, but who was living apart from her husband. On the evening of the 26 h, Mrs Thomas visited Mr Powell. They went together into the consulting-room. An hour aiterwards, about 8 o'clock, Mr Powell came out of the room, but returned in a few minutes. Hrf remained there until about 20 minutes to 10. when he came out of the room again, and locked the door. He called the housemaid, and gave her a letter to take to his fri-nd, Mr Turner, of Paulton square ; after which he left the house, and was never seen again alive. The letter was as follows : — "Dear Turner— She was in the family way, but not by me. She begged me to procure abortion, and I hive tneo to do bo, when she suddenly fell down, and shortly afterwards, in spite of all my efforts, died. May God have mercy on my sinful soul. I loved her dearly. 1 shall be far from pursuit ere you get this. I cannot live, and shall take poison. You will hear of me in a day or two. Go to No 3, Wellington square, to say Mrs Thomas is dead in my consulting-room. I cannot bear to be hung. You know all the story. May God bless you for your friendship to me. Try and make the best of my dreadful story; but tell the truth to her family. I enclose her carte. Her hair I shall keep with me to the last. This locket she gave me. lam afraid to remain longer.— Your poorfriend, Powell. I should like you to have the practice ; and tell her mother I loved and would have made her my wife if I could. Break it gently to my poor old mother. Can you run down to her ? I enclose 1 L 5 for your expenses." 'Mr Turner at once went for an inspector of police, and in company with him and a medical friend entered Mr Powell's house. They forced open the door of the consulting-room, and found Mrs Thomas lying dead upon the floor. At the inquest, a verdict was returned of wilful murder against John Powell. The coroner's warrant of committal was, however, of no avail, for the body of Mr Powell was found vi on the railway near Willesden ; he had committed suicide by throwing himself upon the rails before an i approaching train.

During the past month, several cases of cruelty to children have been brought to light, two of which have excited much indignation. The first is that of a lit tie boy eight years of age, who suffered at Camberwell. He is cursed with a cruel stepmother, who amused -herself by half-starving him, beating him with sticks till his poor little body was covered with bruises, blackening his eyes, pinching him, and stab ing him with a pair of s ißsors. The lad presented a pitiable spectacle as he stood before the magistrate, who sent the tender-hearted stepmother te gaol, with hard labour, for a month. The second case was gone into at' the Cirencester Petty Sessions. Henry Boulton is the name of the hapless boy, and he was "operated" upon by his stepfather, George Bramble. Taken from the hospital, where he lay for a long time suffering a martyrdom from stone in the bladder, he endured another martyrdom at the hands of the wretch Bramble, who stripped him naked, and i eat h>m with leather straps, compelled him to sleep for two nights with only hia shirt on upon & bed of wet straw in a pigstye, held him down for half an hour in a pan of cold water in the open air, filled his, trowsers with stinging nettles, and kicked him in the harvest field until he bled. It was Bramble's misfortune that he had neighb6urs with eyes in their heads and with hearts not quite hardened ; seeinga little, and suspectingmuch, Bramble's neighbours prevailed upou the parish doctor to favour the model stepfather with a morning calL The intrusive doctor insisted upon examining the unhappy boy and inquiring iuto his condition, and saw quite sufficient to bring the matter before the public and t;he police court. The result was, that Bramble was sent to hard labour for four months, and the boy conveyed to the workhouse, Workhouse living agrees with him, strange to say, for he has already nearly doubled in weight, Madame Rachel's case crops up again this month. Mr Gibbons, on behalf of Madame Hachel, applied that a precise and minute rauord should be made up in accordance with the facts upon which tne conviction of the prisoner bad taken place. The AttorneyGeneral has granted his fiat for a writ of error, which will short ybe argued. It appears that the record as it stood embodied the statement that the trial took place before Mr Commissioner Kerr and other judges, whereas Mr Kerr was the only judge before whom the case was tried, the other judges not boing present. Mr Gibbons stated that he wanted it particularly set down who was the judicial president at the trial. Mr Commisaioner Kerr's partial summing-up has been severely commented on by the press ; but it is not anticipated that the present proceedings will have any effect upon the verdict already passed. Trade is very dull iv London, and all classes of people are complaining. Ib is the general declaration that, for many years, trade has not been in so depressed a condition as it is at present. Several cases of great suffering have as a consequence been brought before the public. The cab-drivers, who have lately been out on strike, appear to be very badly off as a body ; and just now there comes the melancholy case of James Hankin, of Harrow road, who went out several nights during the paat.week Avithout getting a single fare. His wife and family were starving at homei he could not endure any longer the misery of living, and lje threw hi»ae# jsto the Qwnd. Jwjfitiop CaiUß^ at

Padcfington. What is the remedy for these thin -s ? There are too many cabs in London ; the drivers suffer from want of passengers ; the passengers suffer, for all sorts of attempts at extortion are made upon them The network of railways which runs through ihe city in every directien has seriously affocted the omnibus and cab trad<*. This may be the proper place to mention the case of a poor, miserably-clad labourer, who was brought before the magistrates at St. Albans (one of the magistrates 13 a reverend gentleman), charged with stealing carrots rrom a field. The prosecutor said that the value of the carrots was about twopence. Upon being asked what he had to s*y to the charge, the prisoner stated that he was out of work and starving, and that ne took a handful of carrots from the fled, impelled thereto by sheer hunger. ''You must be taught to know better," said the presiding magistrate ; " you are fined L 3 7s 6d." The prisoner smiled bitterly, and said, " I have no money ; what can I do?" "Do!" said the magistrate (Lord Veralatn ; his name ought to be recorded), "You must be imprisoned for twenty-one days, with hard labour." The poor wretch was then taken to gaol.

The days of crelulityare not past. An old woman, Susannah Ward, called at Mary Clarke's house at Leicester, and asked to be allowed to sit down while she smoked a pipe of tobacco. Permission being given, she puffed away at her short pipe, and took notes of what was passing around her. A sullenlooking girl came into the room, and from the conversation that took place between her and Mary Clarke, old Susannah Ward learned that they stood in the relationship of mother and daughter. The old woman was not long in turning her knowledge to account " Ah, missus," she said, presently, "you've , a heavy heart ; you've a daughter that's not right. / have a daughter whose brain has been turned by fever. Take care ! Your daughter will stab you and commit suicid" unless she is altered." This, to say the least of it, was a poor return for hospitality ; but Mrs Clarke, knowing that her daughter was weak-minded, only sighed, and said she cou : d not help it if the old woman's words came true. " But I can make her a different girl," observed old Mrs Ward "if you will let me rule berplanetc" Upon inquiry, it transpired that ruling a planet was an expensive operation, and the unhappy mother Baid she had bo money. ".Never mind," said the accommodating planet-ruler. 'I'll take your clothes " And take Mrs ClarkeV clothes she did pieoe by piece, petticoats, gowns, shawls, and all the bther necessary articles of female attire. Bat Mrß Clarke's daughter gr^w no better, and one day old Mrs Ward declared that she was afraid the girl would go to a very h<»t place. Naturally, this statement grieved the feelmgs of the mother ; the feelings of the womaa were also outraged, for her clothes were gone, and no satisfactory rex urn made for them. The police were appealed to, and when the planet -ruler, a few days later, visited the house of Mrs Clarke, she was incontinently taken into custody. She is now undergoing three months in gaol as a rogue and vagabond. Then again there are three credulous, confiding individuals— Julia Hurley, Alexander Schwartz, and Louis Lopez — who all loved, but loved in vain. The fire of unrequited love burnt so fiercely in their bosoms that they appea ed to Louisa Kingett, a diminutive creature, twenty-six years of age. who was known as " the wise woman of the Baat" (of coarse the only genuine and original), and ■who undertook, by the aid of her magical arts, to foice the respective objects of their affection to love them traly. Poor Louis Lopez was hardly treated. The cost of making his charmer adore him wastixedateighteenpence, ashilling down, and sixpence when the desired resu-t was accomplished. But the wise woman of the East so worked upon the love-sick swain's feelings that she wheedled him altogether out of ten shillings and a gold ring, and still the cruel fair one turned up her nose at him. He burnt a "charm" which the old woman gave him ; he "burnt it at midnight when all around was still," and said, in trembling voice, "I don't want thia to burn, but the young girl's heart to tu.rn;" and was quite surpriaed to find that it didn't work. " 1 believed that the girl would love me," he said, sadly, when giving bia evidenoe at the Middlesex sessions, and then added pathetically, "fait she didn't." The "wise woman of the East," who, it was elicited, had been previously convicted of robbing a drunken man of his boots, was sentenced to twelve months' hard labour, and she was removed, lamenting her hard fate. A gold sword has been presented to Lord Sfapier of Magdala by the Corporation of London. The sword is of solid 18 carat gold ; the scabbard is ornamented with groups of war trophies in relief; and the handle is, of carved ivory. On the blade is the following inscription : — "Presented by the Corporation of London, with the freedom of the City, to Lieutenant-General Lord Napier of Magdala and Caryngton, G.C.8., G.O 5.1., Commander- in-Chief of the Army of Bombay, in admiration of the fortitude skill, scienc«, energy, and promptitude displayed by him in bringing the Abyssinian war to sosucoeasful and brilliant a close."

Candidates for the scaffold are abundant If a return were made of the value of human life when cut short by murderers' hands, it would prove to be a strange one. The value of Kichard Donovan's life waa fourpence For that amount, James Braithwaite, a tailor, stabbed him in the breast, so that he died. " They had been drinking together at some low public houses in Liverpool, when the tragic event took place. — Of a higher vf^foa, Joseph. Mtfey'ls v He was

murdered for L2s 11s. He waa a farm labourer, and had received that sum (wages due to himself and his two Bons) from b:s employer, Mr Hodson, of Kingston Village, and was walking home with it when he was shot in the back. His body was found the next morni g ; the money was gone, but a bullet had been left in payment The murderer, Martin Brown, was apprehended, and on k'S arrival at Lewes was received t>y an immense mob of infuriated people ; it required the most strenuous exer ions of the police to save the wretch from being torn to pieces. — The remains of a female were found by a labourer while walking through the woods near Ludlow, >alop There is no doubt that she had been murdered, and her body thrown into a ditch ; the situation is a very dismal and lonely one. Owing to the remains having be«n almost entirely devoured by pigs, the only clue to identity which could be found were the almost, undecipherable letters "E. Cham," upon the underclothing.— Francis Howard Clare waa for many years a teetotaller, but he lately "broke out." The result was that his wite (with whom be had been living happily for many years) was found one evenrng upon the floor of her bedroom, with, her throat cut from ear to ear. — P^nny Reeveß (25 year>) and Henry Jenkins had been living together for a short timej when they parted. They lived at Bedminster. One night Fanny met her former paramour for the purpose of obtaining money from him for the support of their child ; it was but two shillings a week that he allowed her. They walked together towards Bedminster Bridge, and Jenkins going to the edge of the bank cried out " Sere's a rat climbing up!" Fanny leaned forward to look, when he pushed her into the water. She was rescued in an insensible condition, and died shortly afterwards. — Jame3 Boddington, of Melbourne street, Northampton, suspecting that bis wire had robbed him of thirty shillings first cut her throat with a shoemakers knife, aud then cnt his own. The alarm feingg'ven, the police came, and took him into custody. Notwithstanding that they saw he had but a few minutes to live, they handcuffed him (in the interests of Justice. I suppose), but Hef. .re he reached the hospital he died. Previously, he and his wife had lived not unhappily together.

Writing of Dublin brings me not unnatur ally t'-> George Francis Train, who is at present a compulsory inhabitant of that oity, his dwelling place being the snuggery known as the Four C urts, Marshalsea Held there in durance vile, he has been amusing him. self by wr'ting inflammatory letters to the American papers, calling npcm the Government to take his case in hand and demand his release from the British authorities ; in the event of refusal war to follow, of course. But these letters have not had the desired effect, and Tnin is now writing for the New, York "World, sketches of his life, wtpch. as far as they have gone, have proved infinitely diverting. Judging: from his description of himself, George Francis Train far excels m morality and virtue the (-Jood Young Man, in eichf-r modern or musty drama; aud it is ahird fate indeed for such a pircel of sweet moralities to ' c immured within the unkind walls of a debtors' prison. Yet much cood may sprin? from an inconvenience (which all lovers of virtue must hope is but temporary) if only in the opportunity it has afforded the sufferer of making himself traly known to & world and tr> a public which have hitherto somuch misjudged him In bia Bketeh he says, candidly, " I always had great confidence in my own opinions/ and states that he always thought "the Bible very dry reading." The people in Thaddeug of Warsaw and The Children of the Abbey were real heroes and heroines, and be dec ares that if he had a " a hundred children" he would name them all after the characters in those books which he loves so well. A hundred children ! Surely he cannot contemplate bestowing such a hydra-headed blessing upon an ungrateful world ! It is refreshing to read his opinion that Pope, Dryden. Homer, and Milton, too, said some good things. " Shakspere 1 like," (praise from Train for Shaksper« is praise indeed) " and Baoon, but as for Homer, I was disgusted when I f <iun^, after so muoh blowing, Ulysses only killed fifteen men." To learn what a thoroughly Good Young Man George Franoig Train was (and it is to be hoped is)" it is only necessary to read that when he went abroad he plunged into all the bad places he could find— the Judge and Jury, the Cider Cellars, the Model Artists, tlw Piccadilly Saloon, Evans's, the Hobom, Kate Him. Iron's, and Cremorne ; that he spent ma y an evening in the Haymarket unti laid in th • morning ; that in Paris he visited the obj 'ctionable places ; that in his travels round the world he went " inrm all the rat-holes of creation" and peeped "through many keyholes ;" and that, notwithstanding the tremendous temptations by which he was surrounded, he never drank a glass of wine, never "chewed, smoked, or took a pinch of snuff ;" never "broke any of the Commandments ;" and "never left his conscience behind him." If these confess ons have not the effect of setting Gesrge Francis Train at liberty so that he may pursue, untrammelled, his career of goodness, of what uae are virtue and morality ?

M. Alexandra Dumas (pere) is to visit America in 1869 -at least, so say tho American papers, which publish the partiotilars of an extraordinary aj>reein<»nt eute'-ed into between the celebrated writer and a well-known, ixapvessario. M Ullmann. M. Duraaa is to receive 25,0ii0 francs per month, besides a share ia the profits (if any) of the speculation. For this, he ia to be tho chief aptQf in. a yery singer mtartnwnfcßtr

First, he will read and recite from his dramas end novels, then he will preside at a performance given by a troupe of French actors, after which he will cook a dinner in the presence of the audience, who will be allowed to partake at the rate of five dollars per head. M. Alexandra Dumas is known to be an excellent cook, but I doubt if he ever conceived that his talent 1 * in that department of social sc^noe would be turned to so profitable an account.

A paragraph is going the round of tbe papers, to the effect that a poor journeymin painter has come into possession of LBO,OOO by the death of a medical gentl man wlio livel for many years in Australia. The name of the deceased is not given.

The ccc of Mrs Yelverton came again before the Court of Session in Edinburgh, on the '..'9th October She applied to have the former judgments of the Court and of the House of Lords se,t aside, on the grounds that the Scotch Tourt has no jurisdiction to try cases in which the parties w ere not resident; in Scotland forty days before citation. The Court dismissed the application.

For the next year's Derby, Pero Oomez, and Belladrum are at present the favourites, the odds against them ranging at about 6 to 1. I say next year's Derby, although it it seems as if there were danger of its not being run, and as if all the nomiuation3 for that and tbe following year would be null and void. The difficulty that has arisen has proved quite a sensation to sporting men. A Mr Studd has lately purchased the manor of Walton, on which is situated a quarter of a mile of the course over which the Derby ia run. Mr Studd is well known as the winner of L 40,000 upon his horse Salamander at the Liverpool Steeplechase of 1866. Having become the owner of Walton Manor, he sends a request to the Grand Stand l ommittee to be paid the sum of L 2500 "smart" money, and intimates that for the future he shall charge LIOOO per year (the previous rent being L3'»o) for the quarter of a mile of his ground which forms part of the course. In the event of refusal, he shuts up his ground, which, from the conditions upon which the Derby is run, will have the effect cf rendering all nominations void for the Derby of 1869 and 1870,

The busy time for the theatreß has commenced. The greatest fiasco that has been made for many yeaTS was made by Fechter and Benjamin ebster in the production < f " Monte (Jhnsto" at the Adelphi. The house was crammed and (the rhyme is uninten tonal) the play was "damned." At least so said all the papers, without one exception, on the morning after the production of the p'ece. Yet it still holds possession of the boards, and every attempt is bemg made to force it into popularity. One of the ablest writers of the day says, after detailing the plot of the drama, " Such is the story of 'Monte Christo,' a theme tedious in its exordium, dreary in its argument, and bungling in its peroration." Mr Fechter, as Mi-nte Christo, necessarily play 3 three or four different characters ; so does Mr Ben Webster, without any particular reason, except that of being on an equality wiih Mr Fechter. The play occupied five h:mrs and a quarter, being commenced at 7.45 and ended at 1 o'clock in the morning. The writer quoted above, speaking of the weariness of the audience, said that they " sighed for condensation, wept for abridgment, and clamoured for an abridgment of the case." But t was a1 in vain. Amidst hooting and hisses, jocular remarks to every actor who caniß up in the stage such as "Will you be long, sir?" "You can go, sir; goodnight;" "Its time you were a-bed." The piece played itself wearily out, and the disap pointed sight- seers v. ent yawning out of the tht-atre. A new burlesque, by Byron, on f Lucretia Borgia," has been produced at the Hoi born Theatre. The scenery and dr»sses are beautiful, but up to the present time the piece has not been successful. " The Rigatful HUir," by Lord Lytton, is having a successful run at the Lyceum, and " The Fortunes of Nigel " (with Mr Phelps as the King and the miser), occupies the stage of Drury Lane. In consequence of the success of this last piece, Mr Charles Dillon's appearance upon the boards of the Old Drury is postponed for a short time. In the meantime he is playmg successful pngagements in the provinces, as is also Miss Julia Mathews. Mr Clarence Holt ia lessee of the Theatre Itoyal, Cork, where he is playing with Mrs Eolt and " Little May." Mr George Fawcett Bowe has *\&o been playing very successful engagements. There are two new theatres building near the j .dclpbj, to be called "'The Globe" ai.d "'The Gaiety." At Covent Garden Theatre, Mr M^pleson has commenced a short opera season, which promises to be highly successful. Mdlle. Minnie Hanck, American vocalist, 16 years of age, made her debut in La Sonnambula, and is becoming a great favourite.

In literature there is somewhat of a lull, but few new books of any pretension are being issued. Lord Lytton is said to be en gaged on a translation of Horace, and Dickons on a work of American fiction. A number of Christmas annuals are announced. It will not be uninteresting to your readers to know that a Christmas book by Mr B. L. Farjeon will be published in December. It was partly arranged that the Sixpenny Magazine for January, should be issued in the middle of December, with Mr Farjeon's story as a Christmas number. The Magazine, whi> h occupies 72 pages, would have been increased to 120 pag-s to take in the story ; but Mr Fa> jeon has also the option of having it published > y a leading London publsuer. He will decide upon either one course or the other in the next few days. The story, of course, trill be of New Zealand and AvErtf aUw interest].

iOOO. JOOU 1808. Ibß. Do Hanse Towns. . 1,405,235 „ BeUinm .. 42«,480 „ Prance .. 4,048,;!74 „ United States.. 160,48 C „ Other countries 471,815 Total 7,012,404 lbs. 1,802,789 759,267 2,693.935 10,244 1,069.230 6,335,485 lbs. 1,542.883 714/160 3.C83.021 112,596 1,207 ,85fi 7,260,416

IOOU. Colonial— lbs, ro Hanse Towns 2,361,552 „ Belgium 3,2.j4,118 „ France 38,339,423 „ Uuited States 617.090 „ other countries 1,106,532 Total 45,669,713 Foreign— lo Hansc Towns 129,077 „ B'lgiom 954,730 „ France 764,125 „ United States 1,606,466 „ other countries 607,450 Total 4,111,848 Grand total.. 49,781,563 loot. lbs. 8,797,387 11,792,310 44,000,719 678,088 2,179,802 67,448,356 485,636 2,046,50.5 1,201,789 2,731.488 870,593 8,236,011 75,684,367 £009. 103. 9,054,741 16,820,279 48,048,396 224.1-66 4,672,739 78,820,921 840,584 1,183,174 135,087 1,219.591 312,347 3,130.783 82,011,704

iooo. xaut, 1000. From — lba. lbs. lbs. Hanse Towns and Exirope 24,5G7,5G2 13,498,965 13,856,941 British. S. Air ica.. 12,444,289 22.494,009 22,629,96! British. India .... 16,414,105 10,1 tfi 551 10,961,59! Australia 102,i)47,6(;4 118,672,805 135,346,56! Other countries .. 15,042,189 19,243,099 14,640,58' Total... 171,138,809 184,025,929 197,43G,05l