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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 201, 23 March 1868, Page 3

Tbansfeb of the Papacy to Jeetjsalem. —Some twelve years ago, a French priest, the Abbe Michon, wrote a little pamphlet recommending, as the best means of promoting the unity of Italy, and of satisfying the wishes and requirements of Catholicity, the

transfer of the Papacy from Rome to Jerusalem, the cradle of Christianity. The pamphlet attracted some attention at the time, but was soon afterwards forgotten. The subject is again mooted by a gentleman of a liberal and cultivated mind, and who is already known for his writings, principally on theological subjects. M. d'Eichthal has addressed a letter to the Temps advocating Jerusalem as " the metropolis of the great Christian society." The Astonished Red Man.—An American paper tells of a band of Indians who made a sudden attack on a detachment of soldiers in the mountains. The soldiers had a mountain howitzer mounted on a mule. Not having time to take it off and put it in position, they backed up the mule and let drive at the Indians. The load was so heavy that mule and all went tumbling down the hill towards the savages, who not understanding that kind of warfare, fled like deer. Afterwards, one of them was captured, and when asked why he ran so, replied, " Me big Injin, not afraid of little guns or big guns, but when white men load up and fire a whole jackass at Injin, me don't know what to do." Victorian Cloth.—The Melbourne Herald, of the 25th ultimo, says : " The first ' end' of cloth made in the colony w r as yesterday passed out of the Geelong factory in a finished state, ready for the tailor's shears. The color is a mixed drab, and the fabric is fifty-four inches wide, and of about the quality and thickness of a good light beaver. A large quantity of mixed tweeds are in course of manufacture, the price of which it is confidently expected will drive the Manchester rubbish, termed moleskin, completely out of the Victorian market. The works are well worth a visit—the whole of the operations connected with the cloth manufacture, from the time the wool leaves the sheep's back until it is fit for clothing the back of man, being carried on in the building. Cotton, shoddy, devil's dust, and every other vile adulterating substance is entirely unknown in the factory; good wool, and wool only, is the only staple that will be permitted to enter the premises. The directors intend presenting suits of the first piece made to the Governor, and some leading members of the Ministry."

Great Trial of Ploughs in England.—Much discussion having taken place of late as to the best fcrm of plough, the farmers of West Kent, desirous of seeing a good trial, subscribed the sum of £7O for this object. In order to secure the best talent, none but champion ploughmen were allowed to compete. The trial came olf on the 15th of November, at Earningham, in the same field upon which the steam ploughs in the Exhibition of 1862 were tried. About forty Kentish champions contended for the liberal prizes offered. Some of the old wooden Kentish ploughs turned up the land in fine style, and in the opinion of many were fully equal to the more modern iron ploughs. In this latter class the competition was very keen. So much interest was felt in 1 he result that Mr. James Howard, of Bedford, and Mr. James Ransome, of Ipswich, were both on the ground throughout the day. Each association in West Kent sent two judges, so that the jury numbered fourteen. After two hours' inspection of the work these gentlemen awarded the three prizes to Howard's ploughs, entered by Mr. Erank Bay, and Messrs. Robert, John, and Richard Russell, all from Darenth Vale. — Times.