LONDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 921, 24 July 1869, Page 8

LONDON.

(FBOM OT7B OWN CORRESPONDENT.) „' May 21st. "We have not had quiet times since I last wrote. The, Irish difficulty has preBanted very many unfavourable features, and Brother Jonathan has added to the unpleasantness of the situation by preferring the Alabama claims. The extraordinary coolness of the Yankee demand is Bufficientto stamp it as the most barefaced attempt at extortion that was ever practised by one nation upon another, lne demands to which I refer were made by Mr Charles Sumner in the United btates Senate, and were endorsed by that very conscientious body. After referring to the treachery of England in allowing the escape of the Alabama and other kindred vessels, he quietly reckoned up the losses to the American nation, which it appears can only be wiped out by the payment of the modest sum of L 500,000,000 sterling, and by making anample »PJ lo # for ,g* Queen's proclamation of neutrality, l ne absurdity of such proposals is their own condemnation. It is scarcely worth while slaying the slain who have periahed bo many times .only to come to life again, but. it is very easy to make Mr Sumner his own ;judge,and to convict him out of his own mouth. Unfortunately, his argument requires that the South should be belligerents to allow of a blockade, while they must be mere rebels to carry Mr Sumner's pomts against England. Now, it is well known that the South looked mainly to England for assistance, and only gave up when Jhe fouad that all her appeals were in in vain. Surely, we deserve some thanks for our proceedings in such a case, when it is ver| evident that, had we interfered, Ihe States would have been divided into two powerful nations from mutual fear of eachother. When, however, the^hoto affair cornea to be discussed by really responsible officials, it will Probably asaume a very different complexion to that Sven to it by the wild vapouring* of an SSuA orator in the Senate, atthough it i 8i 8 understood that the claim is to stand improbably to be thrust upon us at a time more convenient to Jonathan, and, more inconvenient to ourselves. The position that Canada las taken noon the question is very gratifying. Mr far as she herself is concerned, is far better off than she would be under -the republican regime is very evident, even if we only take into consideration the difference in the debt that oppresses the two nations. Still it y P^f ß^,?^ the new Dominion so forcibly standing up for its rights, and avowing openly its determination to resist any attempt at * n Their?sh difficulty, however is the one which bids to be most troublesome, the subject matter being close at hand and tho'disease being of long standing if rot altogether chronic. Notwithstanding Jhe earnest attempts which have baen made to pacify the country, and to testify the abuses brought about by a long SS of mis-government, the greatest Sto prevails among Catholics and Protestants alike. Agrarian outrages ato frequent, and the last one ported is one of the worst that 1 remember. A smal farmer was shot under circumstances of Seme ferocity, and although .there *ere several labourers landing by, not one could be induced to point out the offender. They none of thwn »aw the daed, and they did not hear the expbomi of the ace-arms. Tho reason assigned for the murder v that the murdorod man was about to sell his tenant- right, a most serious offence in the eyes of Irishmen. Thin disaffection pervade* all cloisos, and it is evident that wha-ovor may bo dooe for Ireland, the country is doterminod ; not to be pacified. The loniency of tho Government in permitting the roleftte of *>me of the loss guilty of the Fonun rioter* was rewarded by the city of Cork •iving them a grand bauquot, at whioh S^most seditious speeches wore uttered. The Mayor of that oity-o>lUvan~has made hinisolf notorious an this way. K^e^^rf undeSmb o. This i* wn«W •*»»* lZuigo for a man rittipg «!*» «• Kh and adminutorin« law* which ho l£ Sworn to uphold. ai- v W«.,l»oj; Ive r> carried hfm further thau Una. Ho wmt to tho Mftniion Hou«o, and d«fhargod tho prUonew there, without §o

much as hearing .any evidence 'against them, i His brother magistrates requested him to resign, his seat, which,, however,, he resolutely refused to do, and the Bench became the Boene of the most unseemly . squabbles that have ever been recorded. This could, not be tolerated any longer, but the only way of disposing of the matter was to bring in a measure disestablishing Mr O'Sullivan. The Government at length introduced a bill of pains and penalties, depriving Mr O'SuUivan of all right of sitting on the Bench, or of holding any public office, "as if he were a deceased person." Seeing affairs take this course, the Mayor succumbed and tendered his resignation of all his offices, rather than appear at the bar of the House. A more pleasing incident that has occurred in Ireland is the removal of the remains of o'oonnell> whioh for 22 years have lain in the temporary resting place in Glasnevin Cemetery, to the vault in the crypt of the round tower, which has been erected to the memory of the great "Liberator." Now that the heartburnings that accompanied the strife for liberty have passed away, both English and Irish can look with pleasure on the life of this great man, and acknowledge his many virtues, while pardoning his many faults. That the energies of Mb life were directed in a proper sphere is shewn from the fact that we ourselves are " crowning the edifice " that he mainly contributed to build up, by overthrowing the churoh of the Btranger in Ireland. An amusing and thoroughly Irißh tale is going the rounds of the newspapers apropos of this subject. The priests were piously engaged in praying for the release of O'Connell's soul from purgatory, when a native of the Emerald Isle exclaimed, "Ah ! is that , all us Catholics can. do 1 Then I'd rather be a Protestant, and go straight to Heaven at once."

The Irish Church Bill has made great progress, and so far the Government have had it all their own way. There has been a host of divisions, but in almost every case the necessary point has been carried, and the Torieß ha*e given way before the victorious members of their opponents. Soon after Whitsuntide the whole will be disposed of so far as the House of Commons is concerned, and then the great question of the day will have to be decided as to what course the Lords will take upon it. They cannot prevent the measure from becoming law, and were they to place any obstacle in the way of so just and useful a measure, they would stand in great danger themselves. Fali staff's saying that '* discretion is the better part of valour" will prove of infinite service here, if their lordships will only listen to good advice, and if only those who are opposed to the measure can be induced to stop away. Possibly they may regard this as a dereliction of duty, but "in tho days of innocenoy Adam and Eve fell, how then shall poor Jack Fatotaff Btand in the days of villany." There is the excuse for them, since they seem to be at a less for one. Mr Reverdy Johnson has left for New York, and the new Minister, Mr Motley, is on the way here, so that they will cross one another on the passage. Although Mr Johnson's pleasant speeches and after-dinner congratulations will be missed, there is no doubt that he haa done no good by the too frequent display of his exuberant feelings. Mr Motley is & mw of talent, and is well known by his History of jthe Dutch Republic ; but ho appears to have been the nominee of Sumner. I nan scarcely believe, however, that he would undertake any such job tw that proposed by the latter, and I (think that his appointment is a proof that the amicable relations between the two countries will not be disturbed. Mr Lowe is the Minister of surprise. His Budgot wan a playful one, and his delivery of it was produced in thi« "entirely now character." Tho particulars you will havo already received, and it is to the man himself that I now wbh to draw attention. Af tei uttering a most dismal tale, and depressing the spirits of all aroxjn4 him by the horrible abyss of debt and deficit that he hod to unfold, he himself draws the curtain »nd ( allow, the full glare of day to fall upon tho pioturo. If Mr Lowe had found a diseaso in th» body politio he wan ready with tho romedy, and his now admiring and elated hearers are tickled with a brilliant oratorical display of how the difncultioi are to be mot, and how after nil we aro to have toxoa remitted, locomotion set froe, and yot rotain a balanoo on our hands. In tho same way in regard to tho Law Courts' site, Mr Lowe oppoeod both the Thames Embankment and the Caroy street site, but hero again lie had prepared a plan whioh carried tho Houso by storm, and which will probably bo tho ono eventually adopted. Is not Sir Lowo then a matter of finowe 1 Some timo ainco thoro wa* a revulsion of fooling Against capital punishment, and foe extremity of tho law waa afterwards carritfd out within tho wall* of the prison*. JTofc content wify thii, th^w In favour

of tbtal abolition commenced an agitation whioh . was . speedily making converts, and wlucltf: promised to carry 'the required point. Since the confession of Sheward of the murder of his wife accompanied by the most unparalleled atrocity, nothing more has been heard of the movement. lam no advocate for the perpetuation of this law, but it seems to be a general opinion that, if the punishment of death iB inflicted in a few instancflß where it might be commuted, there are cases in which it is absolutely necessary it should be inflicted. Leaders have appeared in all the newspapers concerning the New Zealand War. Various views are taken, some insisting that the colonists should be left to themselves ; others that the state of affairs demands immediate assistance from the Imperial Government. I do not think that this will be given, at least yet awhile. One paper says that if New Zealand wants a regular military force it should bid for volunteers in Great Britain ; any number of efficient men and officers could be procured. The Standard says it is a # foqlish and cruel mockery to preach to the colonists of self-reliance at the very time when they are being slaughtered like sheep." The Daily News contends that no assistance [ought to be given to you ; and the leading journal says that you are " too rich and too busy " to contend with the savages, and that the Imperial Government must continue its policy of nonintervention. In the meantime much sympathy is expressed and indignation excited at the accounts of the horrible atrocities brought by the last mail. Pity costs nothing. Mr Weld, the newly appointed governor of Western Australia, was entertained at a banquet at Freemasons' Hall/ at which Lord Lyttelton, Mr Adderley, Mr Monsell, and Sir George Grey were amongst the speakers. Earl Granville presided. The Great Uuion Pacific Railway is completed. The simple words express a great fact. In one day, a week or so before the work was completed, Bix miles ! of rail were laid, properly adjusted, and spiked ! There is already a proposal for a steam packet line between Australia and San Francisco, via Tahiti and Honolulu, so that tho journey to Great Britain, via San Francisco, might be made in 45 days. Eleotion riots and street fighting with fatal results, have taken place in France. Disturbances occurred on the occasion of an address delivered by M Emile Olivier at the Theatre Ghatelet, the meeting, of course, being under the surveillance of the paternal Government. At one point of hiß address, M. Olivier alluded to the empire as founded upon universal suffrage, whereupon so violent a storm arose that the Commissioner of Police declared the meeting dosed. Then a vas*. orowd congregated round the building, it being estimated that not lesa than 20,000 persons were assembled. After some speechifying, the mob commenced totroll|outlthe "Marseillaise," the singing of which was distasteful to the police. Upon their attempting to suppress it, fighting began, and a great many were killed or wounded. The mob, however, was dispersed, and although seditious and threatening shouts, "To the Tuilleries ! " were heard, the people did not go in that dirootion. A large body of the malcontents marched to the Bastile, and saluted the Column of July. A couple of evenings later, as large an assemblage congregated in the Boulevard Beaumarchais, for the purpo»© of singing the " Marseillaise ;" there were further collisions between the police reinforced by the Municipal Guards, awl the people, and more lives were lost. Agam. in the seventh electoral district, where M. Henri Rochefort, of La Lanterne celebrity, » one of the candidate!, there was more singing of the ♦• Marseillaise " and moro fighting betwoon the police and tho peoplo. At the present time of writing, matters aro comparatively quiet. Upon the dissolution of tho Legislative Body, tho Preiidont, M. Schneider, expressed a hopo that tho new chamber would manifest sentiments of duty towards i tho country, and of respect and gratitude towards tho Emperor. Then tho majority, according to custom, uttered loud shouts of " Vim VEmptrenr I" B.ut M. Jialei Favre stood upon his bonoh, and nhouted Vwp la LihcrU P* several times, which waß repoived with groans. A now journal,! callodtho ftappol, undor the auspices of Viotor Hugo and Mi sons, and ono of the chi«f oontributora of whioh »• M. Henry Boohofort, i» started in Parw. Ever ready to rush into ©xtroraes, and for ovor on tho qni vivo for oxcltemont, tho good peoplo o( P*rw havo gone almost mad ovor the proposal for tho now City of Pari. loan of 40,000,000 franc*. Tendor* wore sont in for moro than a thousand millions, and tho financial fevor ii »aid to havo rivalled that whioh raotd in tho days of tho famous hhw. Somo oau«o for tho oxcitenwnt may be found in the oiroumtUno© that v low a* 20 franca could bo tendorod for, and that tmong tho inducement*

offered is an. annual drawing of prizes, the chief of which amounts to 260,000 francs. The railway question between France and Belgium is in a fair way of being settled. The Great Eastern and two other steamers are now, taking on board the new French Atlantic Cable. The total length of the line manufactured is 3,350 miles ; it will consist of two sections, one from Brest to the 1 Island of St. Pierre, the other from St. Pierre to some part (not yet determined on) of Cape May, New Jersey, opposite the Delaware river. Spain is still without a defined form of Government. The Cortes has been occupied in discussing the clauses of the draft of Constitution. The chief difficulty still is, who shall be king ? The House of Hohenzollern is mentioned as being likely to provide a sovereign, and it is said that envoys from Spain are now in Germany to offer the Crown to the Hereditary Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, who has no hope of reigning in his own country in consequence of the abdication of his father in favour of the King of Prussia. Then it is said again that the candidature of the Duke de Montpensier is daily increasing in strength and favour. During the dißCUßsion on the clauses, a proposition to abolish slavery in the Spanish Colonies was rejected by a majority of 40 votes, 96 to 56. The Catholic Church is in sore tribulation at the legalization of the freedom of worship. To avert "the wrath of God" from the people, prayers have been offered up in the Churches, and in some cases, the clergy have made their flocks awear to die in defence of Catholic supremacy. In the Cortes the Canon Manterola moved "that the Catholic religion being the only true one, should continue for ever to be the religion of the State." The prelates, ho said, were above the Cortes, above the country, and above the world. "If they voted freedom of religion, they would one day have their children looking over the record of that Cortes, and wondering how their fathers could have been so bereft of reason as to vote away Spain's brightest jewel, Catholic unity J " In the course of his speech he spoke in favour of the Inquisition, calling it "that respectable institution." Spite of this, religious freedom in Spain is now an established fact. But it is no wonder that the Catholic clergy are so anxious to preserve unity, for, from statistics published by Senor Garrido, their worldly position is more comfortable, and their worldly riches greater, in proportion to the wealth of the people, than those of any priesthood in any nation in the world. At the commencement of the present century their annual emoluments were more than L 10,000,000. To this Bame Senor Ferrando Garrido, Garibaldi has written one of his characteristic letters, protesting against the proposed monarchical form of Government. . The Italian budget shows a deficiency of 794,000,000 francs. The Minister of Finance has proposed a scheme by which the deficit can be cleared off by the year 11875.1 1875. There has been a ministerial crisis ; General Menabres, unable to form a cabinet, twice tendered his resignation ; the difficulty, however, was overcome, and ultimately a cabinet was formed with Menabrea at the head. A grand demonstration was mado on the ocassion of the four hundredth anniversary of MachiaveUi. In tho evening his "Andria" (from Terence) was porformed in the theatre. Russia is reorganising its army ; thoro is to bo a voluntary as well as an obligatory service, and'promotion for merit will be more easily obtainable. Kieff is to bo converted into a strong fortress, capable of holding 50,000 or 00,000 men ; this « to bp done in oonsequonoo of a report from Genoral Todlobon, in whioh ho saya that the fortifications at Kieff are at present so weak that an onemy from Galioia or the Black Sea could penetrate without difficulty into tho heart of tho empire. Tho people at Orenburg have risen against tho Russian Government, and havo refused to accept the new administnvtivo laws proscribed for thorn. Unhappy Poland ia for the future to be called " tho country of Vistula," and an ukase ia published abolishing its constituent committee Theatrical matters aro dull. Notwithstanding that it is. Whittuntido, tho theatres aro not well attended. A now burlesque at tho Gaiety, ontitlod Columbus, or tho now pitch in a-mowy-key," by Mr Alfred Thompson, is a per. foot failure at tax as rognrds its literary morita, but a great suocojw in us »»«"»- ficont aoonory and superb drosaos. This w what dramatic writing appears to bo conung u>- a mero ikoloton for tho sconopamter andooitumior to dross anddeooroto. 1 here ii a groat deal of indelicacy and open immorality upon tho stage at tho present timo. Madamo Celeste ha* mado hor ronppoaranco in London at tho Princes! Thoatro, in a now piece by Dion Boucioault, ontitlod " Prosuraptivo Evidence," whioh, as it does not boar any direct or presumptive- evidonoe of ability, hM lailod in drawing good ftudionoof. Anothtr plecfl (an adaptation), " Seraphino/'

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toy the same author, was produced at tie Queen's Theatre,, and will shortly be withdrawn for the, same reason. A new biirlesque by Byron entitled ♦'* The Oorsiban Brothers," was produced on WhijbMonday at the Globe. It' is very amusing, but it almost seems a pity that Byron should recur to this style of writing when he has shown so much ability in a higher walk of dramatic literature. Barry Sullivan has opened the Holborn Theatre for legitimate pieces, and is doing well. Lord Lytton's play of "Money" has been playing now for three weeks, to audiences who seemed refreshed at the opportunity of escaping from the ultra-sensational. At Covent Garden Theatre last Saturday, Patti met with a triumphant reception ; she played Amina, and has wonderfully improved as an actress and vocalist. Julia Matnews is in Dublin, playing the Grand Duchess. Lady Don is fulfilling an engagement at Clarence Holt's Theatre in Cork, where Mrs Holt and Little May are playing. Mr Charles Dillon is in Sheffield, drawing crowded houses, and it likely that Mr G. Fawcett Rowe will shortly play his Mr Micawber(by permission of Mr Charles Dickens), at the Adelphi, in London. Fechter goes to America in a few weeks ; he is guaranteed LIOO per night for the first three months of his engagement.