EUROPEAN NEWS to 26 th August.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 265, 24 October 1861, Page 3

EUROPEAN NEWS to 26 th August.

The European news is not of great importance. A proposeil attempt to recover Sicily for Francis II had been discovered, and in consequence was not made. Disturbances stiil continue in the south of Italy, instigated by the ex-king’s partisans, whose influence is the greater that the Neapolitans dislike the idea -of'Turin being the capital. Were ltome the. metropolis the disturbers of the peace would find, their occupation gone. In Panne quarrels are constantly occurring .with the French soldiers . The Pope is still alive. The independence of Italy has been recognized by Prussia. In /Austria , a storm seems slowly brewing, tori ’ whits'll* tlie.JEmperor will’have to-thank bis own obstinacy iii turning a deaf ear to the . reasonable demands of the Hungarians, who in their assembly rejected the Emperor’s proposals, and , passed resolutions* insisting on the bestowal of their national rights. Parliament .was prorogued on the 6tl August.. There was nothing remarkable in th‘e ; .Queen’s ; - : ! Ci’uccif left 'for I:xlan<r on . the : 21s August)''' ' ’ \ ’ 1 ' :

The wool market had improved, owing to the fine harvest weather, ami the consequent better spirits of manufacturers. There were 86,000 bales catalogued for sale, and there Inis been a rise in prices of l-|d per lb. 'J he next sales are in November, when an unprecedentedly- large quantity for the period of the year is expected to be brought Zord Herbert of Lee, Duke of Buckingham, Earl of Traquair, Bishop of Durham, and Mrs. Catherine Hayes are dead. T lie Pushop of Bristol is promoted to the .see of Durham, and Dr. .Thompson receives the Bishopric of Bristol.

THE. STATES. This mail brings intelligence of what may be termed the commencement of hostilities, in two pitched battles fought both with an unfavourable result to the Federalists. ,

The first engagement took place on the 21st July, at the Manassas Gap, a point which commands the various roads to the south ami west. There are represented to have been 60,000 Confederate troops under General lying in; this .neigh--. botirhoodi in a position carefully chosen, by nature favourable to -defensive operations, and by art rendered ulmbst impregnablemasked batteries being constructed in every suitable position. Against this strongly entrenched camp the Federalists, to the number of 55,000, advanced under the command of General McDowell, apparently in utter ignorance of the formidable preparations made to receive them. After a nine hours’ struggle they succeeded in Taking three batteries, and seemed to themselves to be on the high road tc victory, when they were, checkmated by the arrival of 'a reinforcement of 25,000 men under Johnston, who had made a hurried march from Harper’s Furry—and before these fresh troops the Federalists could not stand. General Beauregard, who laid hitherto- remained on the defensive, made a vigorous attack, and drove them in great disorder towards Washington, which lie might have entered and taken had ■he not deemed it imprudent to run such a risk. The retreat is. represented as disgraceful, men throwing away their arms and declaring that their term of service (3 months) having now expired, they would return home. 'The Federalists state their loss at ,1000 men. The Confederates keep everything quiet, and have even refused the. enemy admission within their, lines to bury their dead. General /Scott blames himself for permitting the advance of his troops, urged as he was to it by popular clamour and the entreaties of civilians, against his own better judgment. The disposition of the Southern forces is said to have been made by the President. Davis.

The following items are from late Washington despatches : . during the light, the rebels carried American flags, to deceive our men, when small squads that had got separated from their regimentSj approached these flags ; they were fired upon and slaughtered. The rebels also fired upon the wounded, standing them up for targets, and then firing at them. Captain Haggerty of the G9th was killed in a ..charge.' V hen his body was found, his throat was cut from ear to ear, and his ears and nose were cut off*. Many of the wounded weie found thus disfigured. All our men agree in representing that the rebel infantry will not stand a fair fight with even three to one. They gave way whenever attacked, when not supported by artillery. 7’he other battle was fought on or about the 12th of August, at Springfield in Illinois, about 100 miles north of St. Louis, between 8000 Federalists under General Lyon, and 23 jOOO Confederates under Generals Price and McCulloch. . The federalists were defeated with a loss of 800 men killed and wounded, but retreated in good order. 7’he Confederate loss is reported to be heavy, and all the three generals mentioned are among the killed.

It will be seen that in both these engagements the number of the Confederates

greatly exceeded that of the .Federalists, who very likely in the second as in the fust presumed .upon, the improbability of iheir suffering a defeat. The generalship was much superior on the Southern side at Manassas, and no doubt The prestige won by two such victories, the confidence in their leaders which their success must have inspired, and the manifest superiority in the tactics of Jefferson Davis, in choosing his positions and remaining on the defensive, give the southerners an advantage which H will require great effort and much skill on the part of the Federalists to 'neutralize. The succeeding acts of this terrible diama will be waited for with impatience. President Lincoln has committed a very unwarrantable act, in sending out vessels to a distance from the coast to levy duties on ships bound to southern ports' which lie has declared blockaded, hut whose blockade he is unable to enfi-rce. Neutral powers will not submit to such an indignity. The defeat in Firginia lias caused a fresh ' supply of 80,000 troops to be brought forward from New York and Pennsylvania, '/'here is some doubt whether the banks will advance the whole amount of the loan wanted ; and to increase the revenue Congress lias imposed a tax of 3 per cent, on nil incomes above i-150 a year. .'J he duty on wine is raised- to 50 per cent, ad valorem. It has also authorised,the confiscation of all property belonging to jrebels, including the /article of slaves. Rumour has.it, that a proposal to incite the slaves to insurrection has been favourabiy regarded, and it is probable that if defeat should- continue .to; follow their., arms,, no measures will be considered too desperate, in the attempt to retrievo their position. This increase of taxation is much complained of in the western states, whose ardour , is- beginning -to, cool. In those States dial ting. between, two, opinions, the Secession , movement has begun to gain ground,

WELLINGTON. (From our own Correspondent.) Monday, Oct. 21st, 1861. The Airedale’s mail from Auckland was delivered last Tuesday. The news had to a certain extent been anticipated, but was blvugh£'doW£u3 days, later.. You will *bi glad to hear that Sir George Grey and the ministryaie on the best terms imaginable. The lion. Mr. Fox’s policy which l see you give an account of in last paper agrees with the Governor’s, and he has handed over the iYative: department entirely to his ministers. This is a good beginning. Sir George bribe man after all. This is not like suspending the constitution and doing the dirty work of Bishop Selvvyn. /Tould you believe it, 1 ain actually informed on good authority that'-Governor Browne before' his dismissa sent home a proposal to suspend the Constitution, place the Northern Island under military law and have a regular staiuLup fight—heedless of life, property and expence. You will soon find that we have now the right man In the right place. He has already had visits rfroin sompof theHTaikato chiefs and tackles to them in their own vermicular. It’s iny beliefrJiellljthrmg-Uiem round to see things in a different light, and that you’ll see roads running up the Waikato soon, made by the Maoris themselves who’ll find it vastly better to make money in that w y than send it adrift, iu- tl.e shape of. powder and lead I believe Botuild McLean’s department is to be' shut ’ up—What will Brown, Jones and Robinson say to that ? The great medicine man’s time is past. No more dangling at Governor’s heels when lie should

have been buying the Waitotura. Alas, alas, poor Yorick ! At one time he did the work well, hut be was getting antiquated and stiff. Place to bis ashes. The ./fault. of New Zealand bids fair for a long life and great prosperity. The choice of directors is good. Some think there should be a .branch of directors here. I question that. People in trade don’t like tlierr transactions overhauled by their rivals. One of. the officials came down by the Airedale and is gone to Otago. He is on a kind of visit of inspection to the various places, where there are to be branches. lie may pay you a visit on his return. /Another passenger by the Airedale is Mr. Mantell, also for Otago, where he will give the authorities I hope some good advice, and put A/ajor Richardson on the track of escape, from his present troubles.

We’ve had one or two sales this week. One of them was the mob of horses brought down from Wanganui—the prices got for them were not satisfactory to the importer. A strong 2 year old filly brought 18 10s., and a good strong mare for draught unbroken 371 10s. These were the lowest and highest;.prices, and the average stood only 2A 10s. Another was a very important sale of merino sheep. Most of our runholderg; bought. .'There was no Wanganui settler made a bid. The prices ranged front 30/ -‘to 88/. I send you a slip with particulars By the bye, / bad almost forgotten to tell you that I hear that Sir George Grey is going to give the mili’ia the “ nV & face —not t arm - —break off.”

It may he interesting to our readers to 1-mow rite [mvluisefs of and juices given fur the sheep referred to above. The ewes 9 in number were bought by R. blokes 47/ 10s. G. Hunter 50/. 52/ 10s. 4 ‘‘l. \V. Lyon 37/ 10s. Dr. TeaOie.iston 45/. 401, 321. G. Moore 35/. The rams 29 in number were bought by Mr. Tifien 60/, 50/, 35/. /Archdeacon lladlieid 88/, 35/. R. Stokes 55Zy42/,:..457. . G. Moore 40/, 35/. G. Hunter 50/. 52/ 10s, 45/, 35/, 42/, 31/ 10s. Dr. Featherston 46/, 47/ 10s, 30/. Mr. Carlyon 47/. 10s, 401,421. Capt. Carlym 35/, 47/, 10s. J. H. \\alluce 40/, 87/ 10s. Mr- Rr-mvley 37/ 10s. R. Barton 30/. . W. Lyon 35/. Aimilar. sheep have brought ,£9O to £IOO in Australia, sojliat the importers are disappointed. Their introduction will no doubt greatly improve-our.- flocks, and increase the value.of their .wool.

THE NELSON GOLD FIELDS. The Examiner of 1 2th inst. lias the following estimate of the yaluejof these fields,' — The discovery of gold in the Aovere district, Massacre Bay, took place in the early part of 1857 V but for the first few months, little was done to develope the field, and by the 30th of June following, about £5,000 worth of gold only had been offered, for sale iu Nelson. From that date to the 30t.h~of June, 1861, a period of four years, the quantity of gold purchased by the hanks in Nelsuii was something over £120,000 m value, and to that may fairly be added £3O, 000 more,' pur chased by priva'e firms, or carried away by diggers themselves, so that, iu four years gold of the value of £150,000 has been obtained here giving an export of £37,500, or about 10,0U0 ounces annually.

We believe..we rather under than overstate the gains of the diggers in assigning 10s a day to each. Of course, like other diggings, ours have partaken in some degree of the ■'character of a lottery, hut one thing is quite clear, that the quantity of gold obtained at...the Aorere, during the jmst winter, inis been greater than, at any previous period, considering the number of hands employed there. One case of success we heard of recently, where two young men obtained between four and live ounces of. gold in three hours.. Those who have remained stead ly at work, and the , temptation to Tun off to new'“’rushes,"” have been well repaid foi; their conduct. . i. • OTAGO. " ' . The intelligence by' the Wonga Woiiga, up to the 14th 1 ' inst., is to much the same effect as by last .mail. The field supposed to be discovered at laieri lias been examined and found to beAvorth-little, and to be vevyTlmited: The only diggings are Gabriel’s • and hlunro’s gullies .nearly worked i ut, two branches of tlVe Ttfapeka which are ; expected 1 --to : yield wellrlYlans bridge Tv;vily and another hi its neighbourhood which it is rurp-Tcd v,:M yield good

wages. The flat and two gullies at Wai-tahimn-are also represented ip? yielding gold in remunerative quantities. - .There are 8000 to 10,000 diggers on these fields, and more are still arriving at Dunedin. In the week 11th inst.. 29b7- persons laid arrived by sea, and 800 departed. Seventy vessels are lying in the harbour, and 'the small steamers are making money us tugs;' ' ' . No more gold liacl come down, hut the escort was expected on the 19th with 16,000 ounces. . /Be believe the accounts received here yesterday are a little move favourable, but we have heard of only one cqse of success — a party of six having dug 5' lbs. of gold in 5 days. This party left Wanganui by the Wonga Wonga on the 3rd Sept,., and secured a claim in. Gabriel’s gully. Other parties cannot boast of such success, and none of those who have gone recommend others to. follow them. The Wonga .Wonga, brought, hack 45 passengers to /Belliiigton, some of them with a fair share of gold.

[We have been favoured -with the following extracts from another letter received by last post from the Wanganui settler whose letter, mentioning his arrival and setting to work, was published in our issue of the 3rd inst. lie is an experienced digger, and what lie says may be relied on.] Tuapeka Diggings, Sept. 23, 1861.

Since I wrote last we have been rather more fortunate. The last hole we . bottomed turned out about 3f lbs., and as we are only three in tlie party this mounts up pretty well. The carrying business; is a fine game now, but I suppose it will not last long at the present figure. Even at the half of the present rates it would; do very well. I cannot give you any great news as to the diggings in (jencral, although the multitudes which are'daily arriving appear to be settling down quietly to work, for they soon disappear into some of the gullies. The greater number of the new arrivals, are not over flush of money, and so are compelled to begin operations to get something to eat. There is plenty of room, but the ground is not very rich, except in the gully we are in, which is now pretty well rooted up. There is this advantage in being here, even if a person cannot make more than what keeps him in tucker, as they term it, in the meantime; and that is, that if anything good turns up every one has a chance, whereas if a person has to come from a distance he may be “a day behind the fair.” If comes down he will have to make up his mind for a rough life ; it is very heavy work, and very wet.- It is no use trying to keep dry here ; we have to.change our shoes and stockings every night. Since we came the climate lias been very pleasant. I think it is quite as warm as the upper district of Rangitikei, but I expect tlie winters are very.severe. AVe have found the warm clothing, which ‘was so much recommended, to be of very little service, here as yet. Food remains still as dear here at the diggings. Tools, I believe, are to be had as cheap in Dunedin as in Wanganui.

We are also able, through the kindness of Messrs. Gudgeon .and Co., to insert the folloAving very interesting letter : ; Dunedin, Sept. 28,. 1801.

Messsrs. Gudgeon and Co., Dear-Sirs, —l iioav Avrite you a feAV lines, being now in Dunedin after having returned from the Tuapeka gold fields. It is just three Aveeks to-day since I left Wanganui. After leaving Wellington, Ave steamed to Port Lyttelton, Avhicli is a A r ery pratty and snug harbour. The toAvn at the port is certainly small, and from the hilly position of the land I cannot see that it will ever be an extensive toAvn. I had not time to A-isit Christchurch, therefore I can say nothing more about Canterbury than just the port ; but from all I hear I should like Canterbury. We next A'isited Akaroa, Avhicli in appearance is A r ery like Lyttelton, but the harbour is not quite so large ; there are about 60 houses in Akaroa, and vieAved from the harbour it has a very neat and pretty appearance. W e next steamed aAvay for Port Chalmers ; after coasting the Avliole distance Avithin sight of snowcovered hills the Avliole Avay, avc arrived at Port Chalmers about 2 p.m. on Monday, the 17tli inst., after a very pleasant voyage, as far as Aveatlier is concerned. The A-essel Avas croAvded Avith gold seekers. Our horses were on deck,-and landed first-rate. Port Chalmers is a very good harbour for- vessels of any tonnage, but to gi\ r e you any description of the vessels that Avere in port, and' of the number of people landing hourly, is more than I am able to do. We arrived in Dunedin, OA r erland from Port Chalmers, on Tuesday morning ; the road from Port Chalmers to Dunedin is in a \*ery bad state, being a- bush road, such as your Taranaki roads Avere.

Dunedin is in a very stirring, state ; the streets are continually' thronged witli people ; from one end to the other they are as lull as it is possible for them to be from daylight to dark night. There are., thousands arriving from Victoria and elsewhere, and thousands more daily expected ; there are hundreds of- them go back again disappointed, and I hope .they will go back by thousands. They are bringing horses in great numbers, also drays and waggons ;• in fact, almost every kind of vehicle is finding its way into Dunedin. I will now say a few words about the road to the diggings. We went up by the short ' road, tlie same as was condemned by the] newspapers some time before I left Wanganui. The, road has been in a very bad state, and especially when it was covered with snow ; the snow is now gone in most places, only a little here and there in the gorges, &e. We left Dunedin on Wednesday, the day after

•our arrival, in company with two bullock drays (Baldwin’s apd Wright’s). and I go-together, each having two liorses, so that we join teams at bad hills, &c. We found the rpadi better than it had ,been represented, to -us, with the exceptiorn of tlie hills, which I must 'confess beat all-that I ever saw for horses to draw loads over. I believe the hill at the.back of Green’s, opposite your store, is about a fair specimen-,, and still we have to go over them. However, after travelling during splendid weather, we arrived at the gold fields on Sunday the 22nd ■inst. I certainly was disappointed on arriving at the celebrated Gabriel’s gully. To find nothing whatever to recommend it as a gold field more than the number of tents and the turned up soil, and numberless holes that were presented to view. To give you an idea of the gully and its appearance, vegetation, and all, it is just such a. gully as Richards’ gully, aboveGibson’s ; the length and width, the stream running about the . middle, and the little blind gullies that' run into it, are all alike ; iu fact, in viewing Riclia-rds’gully, you might consider that: yoti have .seen a true picture of Gabriel’s gully—a .much more faithful picture than ever you will see given on paper by any artist. The picture that presents itself at the gully every day is one more easily imagined than described; from about 7 o’clock a.m. it becomes one busy scene of bustle and labour—l will not say confusion, for all seem to know their place and .their work, therefore there seems to be no confusion, although there are thousands at work there. , I expect it will be useless for me to say much about fc tlie diggings, and what some are doing, as you will see several of our Wanganui friends back before you receive this, and will probably hear all kinds of tales and yarns. All I can say is, a great number that have been fortunate enough to get claims in the gully, > have made and are still making fortunes, in some claims they get it by the- pound ; there are a great number not getting anything; still I believe those that ‘ go, and have . the means at their command to enable them to remain and work for some little time do well; but the great fault seems to be, they go unprovided .with .money' or tools, thereforethey cannot even' commence. I don’t think by what I hear that Gaby and Dives and Lomax have done much yet, although they have sunk lots of holes ; when I left the McWilliams had not been fortunate, though still trying. Mr. Mussen and Williamson are doing well. J. Steer lias done .well, averaging about L3Q per week. Now a few words about myself and party. We were right in takingour own horses and cart; at the time we arrived carting to the diggings was Is-, per 1b..; it'would have cost us ASO to have had our traps taken to the diggings ;; however, having the horses and cart, wo-, took our own things up, saving.,in thefirst start 50/ We left tlie diggings on Wednesday last, and arrived in Dunedin on Friday, but found that a great change had taken place ; instead of 100/ per ton, avc can only get now about 60Z.; more carts are put on, and there seems to be a. panic for a; bit, so many returning disappointed and so many expected to arrive, and tlie suspense of the. storekeepers, as to Avliat will pay for. sending, &c., all helps to decrease the price ; lioAvever, .we have engaged to take up one ton for 00/; lieiter get 3/ per ciav than keep tlie horses . doing nothing, and should haA r e to keep them at a great expence the same time. I left my party to dig. I Avas lucky enough to get a claim in the. far-famed - gully ; Avhether “ good ” or a “ shicer ” remains to be proved. I trust it is a good one, as all the claims around it arc doing Avell. Everything on the' diggings is plenty, but at a high price. Flour is Ilcl ; ptr ib ; ...beef'-and mutton, plenty and good, Is and Is Id per.lb; tea, 6s per;, lb ; sugar, Is 5d per lb ; spades 1/ each, shovels the same. Pumps from 13/ to--20/ each ; timber, 2s per foot. There isplenty of firewood, scrub, manuka, etG., very little saAving timber ; trees not more , than 9 inches through. It is a curious fact, that for a distance of about 30 or 35 miles before avc reach the diggings Ave cannot see a bush or tree groAving, although Ave can see for a distance of from ten to fifteen miles on either side around us; and strange as it might appear, as soon as Ave come to the diggings there is fern and manuka groAving. The Avliole country ave pass over is coA’ered A\ r ith a , coarse grass. I promised you I Avould give you information concerning what Avoulcl be likely to he done in the Avay of business. At present there is an abundance of eA T erything in Dunedin, and I cannot mention a single tiling to send that Avould be a safe investment, as I am sure that tlic-'market will be in a very fluctuating state for some .time,' and iioav the merchants are at their wits’ end to knoiv , what things will take! The only thing I could fecoriimend Avould be a cargo of live cattle. I ain sure they Avould sell at a good price. Fresh meat in the toAvn is selling at ,1s Id. per.lb., and I am informed that cattle are scarce, and a cargo would, ■ .meet q.ready sale. They Inive good fat mutton here ; I am surprised that tlmi mutton is so fat. The population is somuch increased.that there are thousands, living in tents all over tlie toAvn ; they are noAV planning off a .canvas town, andthe Government is offering 5s per day,' with tent and fircAvood, to men that Avant . Avork. I fear that the consequences of so ;. many arrivals will soon . be' fearful; t ie. , Government is making a very formidable appearance, in the.shape of mounted police from Melbourne. I hope you will excuse my long and rambling letter, as J, , am obliged to write with a host of diggers alii around me jabbering a\vay all the tinn . TTiave seen hlore in The last throe \yceks than ever I saA\ r in my lile before ; com - ing doAvn from the diggings_Ave pigged i; -in one night at a kind of half-Avny lion e on straAv oact an caribou floor, tiin'ty-fl'. c-

men in one small ...room.; that will give you some idea of tlie crowding. If any of the Wanganui people are still thinking of the diggings, I would not persuade any to come at this time ; it might be better after a lit,tie time, when the Melbourne lush is a little subsided. I shall not persuade any person to come ; if they come it is on their own responsibility. Although I do not repent coming, I only wish I had been about two months earlier ; still it is now; a curious place to land in, and unless there is some profitable field discovered soon, I tremble for the consequences. .1 firmly believe there will be a very extensive and rich gold field yet discovered in Otago ; the country has every appearance of being a gold country. I remain, yours sincerely, John Morgan,

SUPPLY OF COMBING WOOL. Colonial Secretary’s Office, Auckland, 13th Sept. 1861. The following correspondence, on the subject of a communication.from the President of tho-Bvedford-Giiamber ot Conimerce, is' qniblislied for general information; William Fox.

Mr. Ripley to R'yht Honourable 7\ Milner Gibson , M.P., Board, of Trade. Bradford, Yorkshire, 11th March, 1861. Dear Sir, —At the request of our Chamber of Commerce I write to ask, if the Board of Trade will have the kindness to disseminate through her Majesty’s Consuls and Governors at all places from which wool is exported to this country documents similar to the inclosed, with samples ,of wool, which have been prepared for the purpose, and also that instructions may he given for the document to be translated into the languages of the countries where such officials are resident, the object being to furnish information as to the qualities of wool most valuable for consumption here, and that such information may be as widely spread as possible amongst the growers of wool in their native tongue. The samples of wool will he forwarded in a few days, and on hearing that you kindly assent to our request on a matterof vital importance to a large branch of industry (certain classes of wool being unprecedentedly scarce), I shall be glad to suggest the proportionate quantity- of samples to be sent to each country.. I have, &c., Henry W. Ripley. The E-t. Hon. T. Milner Gibson* M.P., Board of Trade. Tiie Chamber of Commerce for theWorsted District.

Bradford, Yorkshire, February 2L 186.1. Address of the Wool Supply Association of the Bradford and Halifax Chamber of Commerce to all parties interested in the growth of Colonial and other Foreign Wools. The increase in the worsted trade of Great Britain has been very considerable during the last few years ; and its furtherdevelopment has been cheeked only by the difficulty of meeting with an adequate supply of Long Wool. * To meet this condition of things, and In ordex*, if possible, to increase the supply, the Wool Association is desirous of disseminating information in the Wool growing di tricts. The increase in the imports of Foreign Wool during the same period has been very large ; but these supplies were almost exclusively of a nature to, adapt them to the Woollen rather than to the Worsted manufacture. Those interested in the latter branch of industry are anxious to stimulate the growth of Wools suitable for their wants. The qualities they require give to the Wool a higher marketable value for all purposes of manufacture, and are, therefore, wed deserving the attention of growers, collectors, and shippers, of Wool. The Wool (the increase of which they desire to promote) should have a staple from four to seven inches long, according to. its fineness, and should; as far as possible, be uniform in quality throughout its whole length, bright and lustrous in uppearan.ee, or soft and kind to the touch, of good spinning propex-ties, free from burrs or other vegetable fibre. It should also be well washed before it is clipped, or where this is not practicable, care should be taken that it be not cotted or felted in drying. It is most desirable to retain the whole natural length of the staple by only clipping the lambs or sheep once during the season’s growth, unless local causes render it absolutely necessary to da so oftener.

It is also very desirable that a proper classification of 'Wool sliould be made in packing, and that the packing should; bethoroxiglxly trustworthy and fair. An improvement is already manifested in the wool of some' countries, and the Association believe that it might be made general if proper care were taken in the selection of breeding sheep, particularly of the rams, and, where necessary, by the introduction of new blood. The flocks should, as much as possible, be pastured, upon succulent grasses, similar do those grown in Great Britain. The destructive effects of drought or cold, or 'other climatic causes, which check the growth of the grasses, by aepriving the sheep of their necessary supply of food, and render the staple tender, ought .to be prevented by a constant supply ol ifood throughout the whole year, .The Wool Supply -Association will be happy to -answer any inquiries, and give any information that foreign correspond* tents fty.a-y in their efforts to in-<or<a;-so the supply and improve the quality their Wools, and to render .any .

ancein their power to facilitate the export of breeding sheep suitable for crossing and improving the inferior foreign breeds. Already ten rams . have been sent to India by this Association, from which the best results are expected. The Wool Association offer their gratuitous services to parties abroad desirous of purchasing rams for expoi’tation, or-in any other manner to promote the views expressed in these observations. A few samples of different varieties of the Combing wools required will be transmitted to the Consuls in foreign parts, and to the Governors of her Britannic Majesty’s Colonies, and wherever wools suitable for the Worsted trade are cultivated. Address the Bradford Chamber of Com • merce, as above.

Remarks concerning Wool; chiefly pointing out the faults attached to each description named. Nno Zealand. Large supplies of this wool have already come to England, and we believe the country is peculiarly adapted to produce the long Combing Wools required, from its soil and climate, and an unlimited market is open here for such wools.

UNITED STATES. THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. The American President’s Message — delivered cm the sth July—does not con-, vey the impression that a great man is struggling with a great national crisisThere is no symptom of skill, and. but little of vigour—except the demand for 400,000 men, and 400,000,000 dollars, for “making this contest a short and decisive one.” The tone is not that of the head of a great State speaking of and to rebels, wliich would be no error- if the President did not at the same time propose to suppress those rebels by fire and sword. Both in narrative and in argument, the President speaks like a man debating an open question, with other men standing on equal ground;; and the announcement that he is going- to strengthen his argument by the march of one of the greatest armies the world ever saw, and by the expenditure of a greater- number of dollars than, the world probably contains, occurs ill the middle of the prelection with an abruptness and by-the-byness which, if not absolutely ludicrous, certainly does not rise to the height of tlm theme. These- are not mere matters or taste—they are indications, or half-con scions expressions, of certain important facts, and especially the fact that even the Government at Washington does not yet, as it certainly did not at the beginning, feel that the- procedure of the Southern States—violating as it does all principles of fair dealing, at variance as it is, according to European notions, with any theory on which a State could be- constituted or anarchy avoided —is yet, according to not only the American constitution, but American ideas, distinguishable in some undefined degree from an ordinary rebellion. A large portion of the Message is occupied by a narrative ol all that has been said and done in the- last four months — wliich reads very like a newspaper report, in tone much the same, and in composition not so, good. The facts may be fairly stated ; but it is not easy to see either the utility or the becomingness of having them detailed over again by the Chief Magistrate, with comments in the spirit riot°of a chief magistrate-brt of a dull and ineffective party writer. For instance, it is surely to no good purpose that the President of the United States, in a great State document, should elaborately sneer at some local politicians as. having bec-n elected by the “ Unionists,” and having’ voted with the “ Disunionistsd ’ Even in the- narrative, we- have additional confession of what constitutes the real weakness of President Lincoln’s case. He takes credit for the Central Government having, even after war or at least Secession was formally declared, dealt with the Scces--sionists. not a 3 being rebels, but as being in even a better position than lawful belligerents. The Government, it seems (and this is the only revelation, in. the President’s narrative), politely. and solemnly assured the South-Carolinian insurgents that no harm would be done them if they would only permit some bread to be sent to the garrison in Port Sumter—a courtesy which the insurgents acknowledged by an immediate bombardment. Further, it seems that the insurgents were assured that the Government were wilting- to refer the whole matter between them “ to time, discussion, and the ballot-box for final adjustment.. Insurrections so dealt with at the beginning are sure to require a gre&t many men and a great many dollars to deal with them in the- encL Then the President enters on a long and good argument to the effect that Secession is unlawful, both according to reason and according to the constitution. Even as a mere argument, the President here makes what is pretty nearly a fatal admission. He states that, “ with rebellion, sugar-coated, they [the Secessionists] have been drugging the people of their section for more than thirty years”—which is just one way of expressing the fact that there has al »vays been in the United States, a party, and a party too haring the majority for a wholegeneration up till Mr- Lincoln’s own,election this year, which maintained that such, a procedure as, the Secession of a State by the vote of a majority within itself was permitted and contemplated by the constitution. The doctrine may be very wron< T —-judged according to reason, it surely,is; but it has been opeply maintained by many men who have sat even in the Presidential chair, and it cannot bo expected that it should be universally admitted to be rebellion to do what it wfl.3 lawful to say. But, even though .he

argument were perfectly irrefragable, the facts would still remain. President Lincoln says that States cannot secede—but then nearly half of the States have seceded. A lawyer, we all know, very learnedly proved to a man in the stocks that it was impossible to put any person in that awkward position for the oflence which had been charged, and yet so far failed to satisfy the person chiefly concerned, as to receive for reply “ But here I am.” The President tells South Carolina and the rest that the constitution renders it impossible they can go out, and they reply “ But we are out.” That is the real difficulty. The thing assuredly ought not to have been done, but it is done—and how is it to be undone By -400 thousand men and 400 millions of dollars, says Mr. Lincoln. That is a terrible price, even were success certain. Mr. Lincoln says no—the thing sought to be purchased is wcirth, he calculates, “ fen times the meiiy and ten times the money.” Ten times 400,000 is 4,000,000, which is. more than all the men in the northern States. What is the thing which is worth more than all these ? It is not the abolition of slavery=—-the Message is perhaps not more remarkable for anything than for avoiding even the slightest allusion pointing in that direction. The President, with a reference to the War of Independence, says, “Surely each man has as strong a motive now to pieserve our liberties as each had then to establish them.” But it is in vain to. speak as if the “ liberties ’ ’ of the Northern States were threatened. All that is threatened is the integrity of the Union, which is or may be much, but certainly threatens no man’s liberties. It is most natural that many Americans should fiercely deprecate the retirement from the Union of some of its members ; but since these members will go, and have gone, is it either desirable or practicable forcibly to drag them back and hold them in 1 In spite of, or- perhaps a little in consequence of, the President's demand for men and money, it may be suspected that those questions are now receiving a graver consideration than has hitherto been vouchsafed them, at least to appearance, aud the more they are considered the more they will deter.— Scotsman.

The Times New York Correspondent considers that the whole expences of the Northern Government conducting the war on the extensive soale- proposed cannot be less than 60 millions sterling a year, of which a third might be raised by indirect taxation —import duties on tea, coffee, and sugar, excise duties on tobacco, malt and spirituous liquors, before recourse is had to an income or property tax. Duties have been proposed by Congress as follows : to 4 cents per lb. on sugar, raw and x’efined ; 5 cents per lb. on coffee ; 15 cents on black, and 20 cents per lb. on green -tea. The deficiency of 40 or 50 millions it is proposed to borrow. The same correspondent thinks -that General Scott will not advance south until he can take 50,000 men, with the necessary supplies and means of transport. lie has around Washington 60,000 men, of whom 31,000 are on the south side, and 28,000 on the north side of the Potomac. The few skirmishes that have taken place are not ol any importance, and tlie combatants on both sides are training their men, and preparing their supplies. Both commissariats are far behind.

THE WALLACE MONUMENT. On the 24th June,—the .anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn—the foundation of the Wallace Monument was laid by the Duke of Athole, tlie most worshipful Grand Master Mason of Scotland. Deputations from 144 provincial lodges were present, and a vast assemblage iiom all quarters witnessed the ceremony. The procession was two miles in length, and the great variety of dresses, and the imposing display of banners and decorations, made it a very attractive spectacle. The greatest interest, however, was. derived from the relics borne along with it, — such as, the two-handed sword of Wallace, which is 5 ft. 7 im in length and weighs 6 lbs. 7 os., the sword of King Robert the Bruce, the swords of Sir John de Graeme, of Sir Richard Lundin, and of the Black Douglas. The design of the monument is from the pencil of Mix I T.. Rochead, of Glasgow—a gentleman well and favourably known in his profession. It consists of what may be termed a Scottish baronial tower, fully two hundred feet high, and thirty-six feet square. The walls are massive, being fifteen feet thick at th e base, and. graduating from five to six feet at the top. At the east side of the tower-is a house for the person in. charge of the Monument. An open court-yard entered; by a massive circular-arched; gateway, haring bold mouldings, separates the main building from the keeper’s dwelling. Above the gateway are the heraldic arms of Sir William Wallace. Passing through tlie gateway i- .to, a stonearched passage, a series of steps lead to. an open octagon winding staircase, projecting from the south-wert angle of the and running up nearly its. entire height. Arrowlet slits ora lights, pierce the walls of the staircase at intei\als, almost to the summit of the square tower, and'imitation ropework, with moulded angles, bind, the walls externally. Tho. staircase forms the approach to several spacious and lofty halls, designed for the reception of visitors and the display of armour and other antiquarian lelics illustrative of early national history. An imperial open crown of stone forms- the apex of the monument. This coronal top is upwards of fifty feet high, and, according to report, is to be built of pure white sandstone. It comprises right arms, from the angles and sides, all con-

verging and abutting on the centre upon an open newel staircase, and forming a series of flying buttresses, broadly ribbed, having the spandrils filled in with open tracery. Crocketeil pinnacles surmount the outer flanks of the buttresses ; and some very effective sky lines are obtained by the openings of the crown. Should the funds admit, a marble statue of Wallace will be placed in the upper gallery or hall of the tower. The site selected is the highest point of the farfamed Abbey-Craig, about two miles r.orth-east of Stirling. A grand object in a beautiful landscape, this hill lias long been a favourite resort of the tourist, who required no “ climbing tower” whence to enjoy the richly-tinted panorama of river and plain, hill and dale, which expands before and around him on attaining the summit. The scene from the Craig is no doubt familiar to many of our readers, and need not- be described here. As the impressions of a stranger, however, the following sketch of a walk from the fashionable spa of Bridge of Allan to the top of the hill may be quoted—“ One afternoon (says a writer in the Leisure Hour) we walked-a mile and a-half to visit the Abbey Craig, where it is proposed to erect a national monument to the memory, of the, brave Sir William Wallace. After traversing the entire length of Bridge of Allan west, passing its four churches and three handsome hotels, and realising how fully the place deserves its appellation of ‘ the town of villas,’ we turned off the road leading to the eastern division of the village, and by a footpath along a corn-field gained the base of the isolated crag. The ascent is through a. plantation, by a steep path which winds about the hill to its bare summit, two hundred and sixty feet above the plain, A pole, sheathed a-top with metal, and scribbled all over with names aspiring to the notoriety of such a record, indicates the site of the projected memorial; likewise a box to receive subscriptions. Her& Wallace is said to have stood while his valorous Scots defeated the forces of Warenne and Cressingham, at Kildean Ford, on Forth, on 11th September, 1297. The precipitous defile to the left is still called Wallace’s Pass. In front lies Stirling, its gray houses climbing the slope of the Castle Rock ; beneath winds the river in perpetual sinuosities. I can count nine distinct reaches of glistening stream as I look over the wide lowlands. Each of these ‘ links of Forth is worth an earldom in the North,’ said the proverb ; and doubtless they appear to enclose fat pastures. All along the fortressline of Highland hills there is a frown this evening ; except for one -patch of emerald and purple which a strong sunbeam has lighted into a smile, Benlomond and Benledi are sullen in a majestic wrath of brooding tempest. Behind us rises tlie furrowed Ochil range, with villages here and there along the base—buried in shadow now, as the sun sinks to the north-west. Those hamlets must have more j shadow and less sunshine than, the rest of the world. Blairiogie lies, beneath the massive Demyat: Menstry, Alva, Tillicoultry (where tartans are manufactured), and Dollar, (renowned for its academy), are visible afar off; the crumpled elevations of Fife are upon the horizon. The crown carved tower ,of Cambuskennetli Abbey stands beneath us beside the river. From this windy height may also be noticed a geological curiosity, though perhaps only traceable by a geological eye. An ancient sea "zy lies vender a terrace of sand and gravel two mile sin length : it- is now overgrown like any ordinary soil, but it conveys an assurance that ocean tides -once ebbed and flowed upon it. In the alluvial silt of the plain beneath, seasliells have frequently been found ; and this aqueous deposit is sometimes a hundred feet thick. Airthrey Park, the scat of Lord Aberoromby, is on the right as we return home. There are some fine old trees here, and further combinations of pleasing scenery: likewise one of the oldest monuments in Scotland—two wide upright stones, said to commemorate the victory of Kenneth MacAlpliine over the Piets, in the time of Charlemagne. Another stone near by indicates the junction of the three counties of Perth, Stii’ling, and Clackmannan.”

Among the. speakers were Sir Archd. Allison, Rev. Dr. Rogers, Rev. Dr; Gillan, Mr. Dodds, Provost Dick, Sheriff Tait and Professor Blackie. We have only room for the following, which we choose as giving information as to the monument : Mr. Sheriff Glassford Bell said—Sir ArchibaM Alison, ladies, aud fellowcountrymen, I have the honour to propose that we avail ourselves of this opportunity to record a vote of thanks to the subscribers of the Wallace National Monument. They are very numerous—they are composed of every class, from the highest to the bravest—they belong to every town and village of Scotland they are scattered far and wide through all our colonies, from the frozen nortli to the burning south. Widely as they are diffused, one electric spark has united them all. To them no country is so dear as Scotland—no virtue more inherent than patriotism—no patriot through all a aes more worthy of regard than Wallace. With hfe name, as with a talisman, the general heart has been stirred. Some have come forward with their hundreds, and-some with whatever mite they could afford, but all with an eager-desire, to be allowed to throw a stone on the magnificent caim which Scotland’s gratitude is about to erect on this rom&s-tic hilk We live in heroic times—not in times, thanfeGod I when we are called upon to struggle for our national independence, but ih times when we are obliged to show a bold front in the face of Europe, Asia, and the.

world—in times when we have occasion to send forth the best and oldest of our warriors to many a well-fought field—m times when the martial spirit of our youth, long repressed but never extinguished, has burst out spontaneously with a bright and pure flame which shall be seen burning from afar, — “ Till danger’s troubled night depart, And the star of peace returns.” I look upon this monument but as a reflex of the spirit of the age. I see our Volunteers there, upon the hill side, and in the valleys beneath, glittering in rank and file ; is it wonderful that they shouldrejoice to behold on this fair eminence that which will not only be a noble record of patriotism, even greater than their own, but a visible testimony that Scotland through all generations, and irrespective of the flight of centuries, preserves the memory green of those who fought and fell, who lived and died for her,, who preserved her liberties untarnished, who gave her a glorious past, who made her what she is ] If there be those, as I have heard there are, who affect to sneer at the sentiment which has inspired, and the energy which has gone forward to the execution of a work like this, I for one do not envy the sneerers. “■ Equidem baud invideo ; iniror magis .” I doubt whether such cold cynicism will make them happier men, or more respected by their fellow-countrymen, I doubt whether that “hardening of the heart which brings irreverence for the dreams of youth,” is a consummation more to be desired than the retaining of those fresh impulses fostered in childhood and deeply interwoven with our earliest associations —impulses which prompted, us to gaze with deepest affection on the ancient tree under whose boughs the Wallace wight once found shelter, which led us to touch with awe the grand traditionary sword which was ever “ light in liis teiTible hand,” and which brought us willing pilgrims for many a mile to-the' scene ot that crowning victory which “ laid the proud usurper low” beneath yonder castled l'oclt, and stained with the best blood of a lawless invader the waters of yonder winding river. Shall I, in this presence* ask whether any progress of civilisation, any change of time and circumstances, has made it necessary for us to blot out the grand heroic annals of our native land] Would England—would Ireland do so 1 True, we are not now separate, but united kingdoms. True, we have all reaped great gain from that good and holy alliance. May it be indissoluble. But because a gallant bridegroom leads a fair bride to the altar, does it therefore follow that all reminiscences of the early days of each are to cease —all looking back upon their childhood’s home—all grateful recollection of the lessons which then were taught, and the characters which then were formed ! No ! The very ancestral feuds which may at one time have divided the families, make the union the sweeter now. Blood is stronger than, water; and if either individual or national character be worth a farthing, it is not to be annihilated by any union - —the niukituchiious seas will not wash it out. As well might we be told that we should cease to take delight in the great features of our-national scenery, as that we should cease*'to cultivate the recollection of the great incidents of our national history. We are all proud of the name of Britain; it is a name common to both Englishman and Scotch- : man ; but the Englishman would not be the man he is if he could ever forget the of old England before she could claim a foot of land to the north of the Tweed : and the Scotchman would be but a base descendant of those who bled vitli Wallace and conquered with Bruce if lie did not thrill with an emotion at their names which no Englishman can ever know. Scotland and England now stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder,—

“ The Percy and the Douglas both together Are confident against the world in arms.

But we were rocked in different cradles—we were nursed by different mothers—we are each our

“ Simple, honest, independent selves.” So let it ever be ! and let no man grudge us this monument. The living pulse of Scotland beats in it. It is reared in no boastful spirit, but in that of reverence and love for the great and the noble of all time. In its architecture it is simple, national, and appropriate ; it stands upon a site which it will not desecrate but consecrate ; to thousands upon thousands the royal diadem which is to grace the summit will speak, when we are all away, of the unconquered son of an unconquerable country ! It is because I cherish this belief, and am not ashamed to avow it, that I have the greatest satifsaption in being permitted to move a vote of thanks to the subscribers. Dr. Rogers, said-—Mr. President, I rejoice that I have been permitted to see this day —a day consummating in a grand success the hopes of years. On the 24th June 1856, ib was resolved at a great meeting in the King’s Park of Stilling that our brethren of the- South shonA no, longer have to reproach us in those lines of one. of their gifted poets — “ The stranger comes, his eye explores The wilds of your majestic shores,. Yet vainly seeks one votive stone F„»ised to that hero all your own.

By the acclamation of many thousand voices it was declared that Wallace at length should have his Monument, and, that that structure should' bp reared- on.: the Abbey Craig. The ; ment Committtee then took origin, and, with correct augury it was termed ap acting committee.< As some. evidence of our activity, I may say that, within a few months of our appointment, we hPld meetings of “ brither Scots” in many of the principal towns. We had large meetings in the various towns of pcotlana; We crossed the Border, visited the principal English towns, penetrated to. the

very Tower of London, and there obtained subscriptions for the Monument. Tidings of the King’s Park meeting were carried over the world, and Scotsmen in almost every British colony publicly resolved to o*ive their countenance to the enterprise. After the first outburst of the movement, I read, in a Canadian newspaper, these lines, which, if not very poetical, are at least abundantly impressive “ Then let us raise a stately pile To Wallace brave and true, And let it overlook that field Where his good sword he drew.” (Cheers.) But of course he' did not expect to obtain -universal support and sym. patliy, for however truthful may be the poet’s words that—

“ At Wallace* name what Scottish blood But boils up in a spring-tide flood !” it is well known that “ Sawney” is a most controversial character, and . that when his • blood is up the excitement often leads him into error. (A laugh.) It has been said that Wallace needs no monument. The projectors of -this enterprize never said he did; It was said that no monument worthy of him could be feared. This daywe have founded a monument worthy of a liei'o, of' Scotland, and of its arciuteclr. time is' toolong gone by,” say some. Patriotism, we answer, will never die. The* patriot, like the righteous man, shall be held in everlasting remembrance. It was said that we were stirring up long-buried national jealousies, and re-awakening international dissension. Let the presence of British soldiers at to-day’s ceremonial —the voice of artillery which this day thundered from the ramparts of Stirling Castle—the swoi'd of Wallace handed for exhibition on this occasion by an English Minister of State, and a member: of the Royal Family—repel the calumny. It ■ has been said- by some of our fellowcountrymen that we have not succeeded! in our enterprise. We have pursued our course till we have obtained as many thousand pounds as will rear one of the most artistic and stupendous monuments ev r ra’sei by man tothe memory ofa hero*. (Applause.) Our indebtedness to Lord Jerviswoode no language of mine* cam sufficiently set forth. From the late Mr. Patrick of Roughwood we received the* munificent donation of - £6OO. Lady Cunningham Fairlie, whom we have the honour to have* present with us on this, occasion, has given us £lO% Mr. Bailie* Cochrane of Lamington, His Grace the: Duke of Hamilton, and Mr. Macfarlane of Coneyhill, gave each £SO. These are* the principal subscribers in this country, but" many others have aided us by theircounsel and co-operation. To Mr. Dodds, of London, we have been greatly indebted for his able advocacy of the cause. Tlieffe. is another munificent friend of the cause who is entitled to no ordinary commendation. My valued friend, Mr. Williani. Dummoud of Rockdale, a native of Stirling, not content with expending several thousand pounds in the adornment of his. native town, lately came forward and* gave his name to a legal instrument guaranteeing the balance necessary to complete the erection. - Gentlemen, if you. appreciate the act, you will, by your further subscriptions, relieve Mr. Drummond of the responsibility he has undertaken. His act.. -is a noble one, and merits a noble recognition. (Applause.).

The sum needed to complete the monu-. ment is £ISOO, the whole cost being £7OOO, and £5500 being the amount already subscribed. We believes that Messrs. Taylor, Watt, and Co. will be happy to receive and forward any subscriptions that may be handed them for the purpose.