ENGLISH ITEMS

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 311, 30 July 1868, Page 2

ENGLISH ITEMS

Mr Dickens at New York.— The departure of Mr Charles Dickens ens from New York, on his return to England, has been made the occasion for the interchange of friendly sentiments between the two countries, as represented in their leading men. A dinner was given to our famous novelist, -by the members of the American Press, more than two hundred of whom gathered from all parts to do him honour. Mr Dickens made a.characteristic speech, full of warm feeling, and bearing cordial testimony to the " amazing change " she had everywhere witnessed in the groth of the great American nation. His declaration that all future editions of the " American Notes" should hereafter contain an appendix, testifying not only to the visible changes in the United States, but to the cordiality and magnanimity and delicacy with whicq he had been received, stirred much enthusiasm. Referring to the relations of the two peoples, he assured his audience that broadcast

in England was sown the sentiment that these two were essentially one. " Whatever the little sensitiveness of the moment, or the little official policy, now or then, where or there, may be, take my word for it, that the first, enduring, great, popular consideration in England is a generous construction of justice." And he concluded s—- <( Finally, gentlemen, Ido believe that from the great majority of honest minds on both Bides there cannot be | absent the conviction that it would be better for this globe to be riven by an earthquake, fired by a comet, overran by an iceberg, and abandoned to the Arctic fox and bear, than it should present the spectacle of these two great nations, each of which has, in its own way and hour, striven so hard and so successfully for freedom, ever again being arrayed tbe one against the other." Sentiment apart, there is good reason to believe that the visit of Mr Dickens has had a direct influence in helping to establish a more cordial feeling between the two nations. RELIGIOUS RIOTS IN LANCASHIRE : During nearly the whole of last week a war, instigated by religious unimosity, was raging in some of the large Lancashire towns. Last month, Wigan and its neighbourhood was the scene of desolating conflicts between the colliers and the civil and military authorities, arising from trade disputes. Scarcely were these tumults appeased, by the arrest of tbe ringleaders and the infliction of severe punishment upon them, than Ash ton, Staleybridge, and Bury was panic-stricken for a time by fierce outbreaks of religious fanaticism. The disturbances are fomented by the notorious Murphy, the Anti-Popery lecturer, and his zealous disciples, who have lately regularly organised themselves for the purpose of making war upon the Irish. —The riots commenced on Sunday, the 10th, and were renewed from day to day, the combatants being armed with pistols, guns swords, a.ies, bludgeons, and other implements of offence. Scores of persons in the conflicts that took place were wounded, some of them daugcrously, and one poor woman was trampled to death; Catholic chapels have been sacked and plundered ; whole streets inhabited by the Irish have been devastated, and the property of the victims consumed in huge bonfires, and hundreds of sufferers have been east houseless upon the charity of the benevolent. It was not till the military arrived in force that order was restored. At Rochdale, 3,800 copies of Murphy's ] amphlet on " The Confessional" were destroyed, as immoial and obscene publications. A large number of arrests have been made. It is strange that the arch-agitator cannot be put in a safe place. A wonderful thing ics this boasted English liberty of ours ! Eecognition of a Photograph by a Dog.—The other day an enlarged photograph, by Mr Valentine, of a professional gentleman lately deceased, on being sent home was on a table. A favorite dog on observing it leaped on the table, and and gave evident signs of recognition of its late master by leaping and barking and running to and from the picture, and when not receiving the expected acknowledgment it seemed very uneasy, went round the back of the picture, and again returned to the front, increasing the manifestations it made when it first saw the likeness ; nor could the faithful animal be withdrawn from the object of its interest for upwards of ' two hours. — Dundee Advertiser.

Earthquakes.—Viscount Kirkwall, in his " Pour Tears in the lonian Islands," gives toe following new theory on earthquakes : —The ancients believed that the sea causes the earthquakes. Experience without science may, perhaps, give hints to science without experience.' Living for months in no slight fear of these always alarming, and at the same time constant, visitors, it was impossible not to form some opinion on the matter. I believe, then, by the action of the winds, the ocean is forced occasionally into contact with the ralms of fire that occupy the centre of the earth/and that the waves, repelled by the flames, generate enormous volum's of steam, which rush furiously along the hollows, conveying with them the lava of those dark regions. This mass of steam-propelled dava seeks every where to escipe and makes for the volcanoes, andits passage breaks through or violently shakes the crust of the earth where it is weakest. In proportion, then, to th<nr nearness to great volcanoes, or to main channels leading thereto, countries are more or less affected by earthquakes. In a calm, I imagine that the sea may then be retreating from the fires, which it may have before approached. Steam may then generate but not with the same violence as in the inimitable manner described by Homer."

A handsoin lady in New York, aged twenty-five, now enjoys tbe privilege of a fourth husband, having been three times divorced since she was eighteen. The " Midnioiit Meeting " Movethent is extending in the provinces in England. At Worcester, on Thursday night, 27th February, the first meeting of this character was held in a Baptist chapel school-room,