The Express. — London, England, 1867-12-30 00:00:00

LIFEBOAT SERVICES.—During the storms of the present year the National Lifeboat Institution has oopirlinited to the saving of 1,027 lives from various shipwrecks anal 2 vessels from destruction. The Institution also expended /120,651 In the same period on its Lifeboat tialabilshments, in addition to granting £2,444 for rewards. The committee of the Institution earnestly appeal to the public for assistance to enable them to meet the continued heavy demands °nth.'" 156 Lifeboat Establiihmenta. Contributions will be thankfully received by the London and country bankers, and by the Secretary, Richard Lewis, Esq., at the Institution, 14, John-Week Adelpfil, London. - PARIS EXHIBMON ruusucLAss SILVER MEDAL, 1%7. JOHN BROODEN ' S GOLD CHAINS by troy weight, at realisable value, and the workmanship at wholesale manufacturers' prices. The gold in the chains gua ranteed, and repurchased at the price charged " Here's utmost How much your chain weighs to th rant, The fineness of the gold, and charge for fashion." SMAJCILSPIARZ. Manntactory, 16, Henrietta-etzeet, Covent-garden, London. BREAKFAST.-EPPB'I3 COCOA. THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE. sole Leseoe and Manager, Mr. F. B. CHATTERTON. TO-NIGHT, and every Evening until farther notice, will be performed a new and original Faroe, entitled HONETDOVES TROUBLES. After which wiU be performed the Drury-lane ANNUAL GRAND CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMIC, entitled FAW FEK Ihl FUJI, or HARLEQUIN JACK the GIANT KILLER. the ervreoo. TO 0011RI8PONDIC4T8. Avertleemeota tettended for '• The Uprose," London Zemin Paper, must be at the O ff ice, 10, Boaectieotreet. b 7 Tim ticlook on the day of pabilcation. INATWRKRT. Tits Evaanto, A WIVII WEL L WON. Mum Bothers, Beek atone, Howe, Kerala, Rogers, Braid. Weathersby, Ra . and Miss Itabuipos.—After which A! ITTYILE PEE-YE:KHIOS OY THE BRIGAND. —Commence sa 7. ESS'S. TINTS PRINC N BA THZ COLLEEW/P. Mr. and lira. Dion Boneleault.—After which TEI RIVETS OF LONDON. Mr. Mang, Mertra Sinny. Short, Neville. remoter. Mellon. An. . Mimeo It worthy, 1. Barnett. Rachel Sinner. and Mrs. Addle. AETND. 77te lIVIIIGNa. KIND TO A I FAULT. —A Her which will be pro duced a Grand Chrlslanse Operatic Oriental art. &manta, THE CALIPH OY BAGILM—And NOTHING TO NUNS& HON. TRW EVINDIG, THE TWO LBO POL R TS. Hearn Pries and Wid dleemb —And VALENTINE AND ORSON ; OR, HARLEQUIN THE 810 BEAR AND THE LITTLE FAIRY. Mews. Lupino, Green, and Howells: Headsman Saunders, Goodall, Montero, &c. QUIXOTIC THU EVziowo, DON QUIXOTIC: OK, SANCHO PAN7.A AND HIS WIPE TERKZA. Mrs. Lane. &Mimes &lyrist Booth Pan tomltakts Helndo. Deane, Louis. Newham, and Vlctorelli . C. Skiilian mid Mho Rose Nsthan.—And WHO DID IT? HIGH WATT& AT LONDON 8111/61. TEM Oat —llongsg. 4h. 33m.. --Afternoon, O. To•Yoaaow—ltonaleg, 56. 7w.--..A26sraoca, sb. 26111. LONDON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30. THZ year that closes to-morrow has been in no respect favourable to commerce. The usual events which succeed a mercantile crisis have been re peated. Certain differencesame,doubtless, to be noted, but the main features are more or less identical. There are the same lethargy, the apparently in eradicable distrust, the entire absence of enter prise, and the consequent curtailment of trade, the effects of which, as is very well known, will be manifested in the Revenue Returns for the year. Political troubles have also added their weight. As in 1848 the revolutionary movements on the Continent followed close on the panic of 1847, so in 1867 Fenianism and the Abyssinian war have followed close on the collapse of 1866. Apart from these questions, however, the experience of the present year will be long and widely felt. It is true that we have had no gigantic failures like that of Overend, Gurney, and Co., and of other great companies, which in an instant reduce hun dreds of families from affluence to poverty. Still, on the other hand, the classes affected by these calamities form but a comparatively small portion of the community. Besides, the shock, if terrible, is at least decisive. The worst is known at once, and there is none of that wearing anxiety—the " suspense worse than death"—which is far harder to be borne. In that respect the year 1867 will bear a sad pre-eminence. The holders of the hundreds of millions in railway investments have seen their property gradually wasting in value, obligations set aside which stood so high in public opinion that the most cautious trustees eagerly competed to purchase them, un known liabilities disclosed to the extent of half a million or a million at a time ; and, of course, the usual results of profitless and uncontrolled expen diture. It is hardly too much to say that for months past railway shareholders, even in the beet lines, have been dreading some new revelation— some fresh scandal against which they have never even attempted to take the trouble .to guard. Their carelessness comes home to them now. The retrospect is certainly gloomy enough, but perhaps for that very reason the future is more hopeful. Adversity, as we all know, has its uses, and among these may be reckoned the possi bility, if not certainty, of the railway interest being placed upon its proper footing. Refractory shareholders are evidently intent more upon busi ness than the old style of purposeless declamation. At the approaching half-yearly meetings we anti cipate that the directors will be pretty closely questioned with regard to the amounts of tempo-1 rary loans, floating liabilities, and so forth, which hitherto, at all events, have not been obtrusively shown in the accounts. Both sides, however anta gonistic now, will gain in the end. Railway pro perty, as we have often said, rests upon a solid and substantial basis ; the traffic has immeasurably outstripped even the most sanguine calculations of the original promoters, and it is increasing every day. Good administration alone is required. I Hitherto this cardinal point has been neglected, and hence contractors, solicitors, secretaries, and engineers have been allowed to have too much their own way. Owing partly to the pressure of public opinion, and even more to private interest, this fault is, we may hope, about to be corrected. One point, also, should not be overlooked. A discouragement of our internal enterprise necessa rily induces the public to invest in foreign loans. There are few governments in the world who would not desire to borrow in the English market. They are sure to watch narrowly their opportu nity. Hence we may account for the last pro posals that have been just received on our market. We have frequently ex pressed our opinion upon these transactions. Nine times out of ten the money is wasted in purposeless armaments. Public improvements of all sorts used at one time to be the pretext for these operations, but of late that idea has been completely set aside. The year 1867 opened with precisely the same features that characterise any ordinary year. There was an increased demand for discount, but the Bank rate was only 3i per cent. The decrease in the bullion was unimportant. At the Bank of France the decline was heavy —no unusual circum stance at that period. The Agra Bank, which had somewhat prematurelystopped payment in the crisis of 1866, had resumed business. A sharp lesson had been given to the fraudulent managers of joint stock companies by the sentence of five years' penal servitude on Mr. J. F. Win.spraox, the late managing director of the Joint Stock Discount Company, for misappropriation of certain sums of money. A subsequent but unsuccessful attempt was made to obtain a reversal of the sentence, apparently on the ground that other equally guilty persons had not been punished, and that, there fore, he ought to be set free. Strange to say, a I . I ~ THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 30, 1867. petition to this effect was signed by some of the leading London bankers. A new Chaim loan had been announced for two millions (nominally) at a price, allowing for deductions, of 8l it per cent., and was speedily subscribed. A new Spanish loan in Paris proved a failure. The difficulties of the Atlantic and Great Western Railway Company (United States) were exciting attention. On the 6th of February the Bank rate of dis count was reduced from 3i to 3 per cent. The affairs of Overend, Gurney, and Co. were being gradually elucidated, and as regards the share holders the prospects were estimated to be as disastrous as they have since unfortunately proved. The difficulties of the railway companies continued to force themselves upon the public mind, and as regards the Brighton especially the auditors bad published a damaging statement re specting the accounts, by which, according to their showing, interest had been charged to capital as far back as 1860. A new Danubian Princi palities Loan for 1,264,4201. had been issued by Messrs. FRUHLING and COWMEN at about 682. Several colonial loans, chiefly for railway par poses, were in,roduced in this and the succeeding months. During the same period was passed Mr. LEEMAN'S bill to regulate the dealings in joint stock bank shares. Several attempts were made to amend railway legislation, by Lord REDESDALE among others, but they came to nothing. The easiness in the money market was proved by the reduction in the rate of interest on Exchequer Bills from 4 to 3 per cent. The introduction of the budget caused little or no remark. Tho year gradually wore on, with few events of importance, except the growing distrust of the public in railway property. In May the dispute be . ..ween the directors and shareholders of the Brighton Company came to a climax. Statements and counter-statements were made on either side, but in the end an entire change of management was carried out. There appears some kind of fatality in a seat at a railway board, since the new directors began by committing the mistake of ignoring, or rather postponing, the claims of holders of the guaranteed shares. This unfortu nate decision has not only been prejudicial to the stock of the London and Brighton Company, but has likewise affected all the railways in the king dom. In May an important contribution was made to commercial statistics by the publication, through the influence of Sir JOHN LUBBOCK, of the Clearing House Returns. They have since appeared regularly on the same day as the Bank accounts. On the 30th the Bank minimum rate of discount was reduced from 3 to 2} per cent., while money was freely offered in the open market at 2}. In June a further loan was issued by the Chili= Government for rather more than 1,100,0001., to take up an equal por tion of the Internal Debt. About two-fifths of the sum, however, had been already subscribed in Chili, so that the transaction, as far as we were concerned, was of no moment. Another financial transaction was soon after proposed—the conversion of the Spanish Passive and Certificate Debts. As it, however, involved the advance of a further amount of money from the bondholders, it appears doubtful how far it has been received. Some discussion was also taking place respecting the affairs of the Midland Rail way, which was afterwards supplemented by the announcement to raise 5,000,0001. additional capital. On the 25th of July the Bank rate was reduced from 2} to 2 per cent., the lowest rate that has ever prevailed —save on two previous occasions, in 1852 and 1862, when it stood for several weeks at the same point. We have had no change since July. Among the later opera tions for the year, we have had a small Portuguese Loan, which has proved successful, and a project for the conversion of the Greek Debt. Of this last affair, it can safely be said in its favour, that under no circumstances could the bondholders, if they accept, be worse off than they are now. The future is not promising. What concerns the British public more than anything else is the condition of their railway property. That is of even greater interest than the question whe ther half or two-thirds of the foreign governments to whom we have lent money turn defaulters or not. The present period is one of transition. Let us hope and strive that it may turn out for the best. authors of such exploits as that at Cork, they must be dealt with sternly, and suffer the utmost penalty of their crimes. The palliation hitherto alleged for the conspiracy, that its outbursts had been unacoompanied by any per sonal outrages, since the Clerkenwell explosion no longer exists. The • Standard observes that the contretemps at Cork is chiefly significant as proving that the authorities have to do with a conspiracy which is formidably organised and the leaders of which are constantly on the watch for opportunities to do mischief. The moment we close our eyes in fancied security the Fenian conspiracy will be strong for mischief. The Telegraph calls for the action of the executive against the Irish uationalist press. It thinks it foolish that we should allow such writings to circulate by thousands through the English and Irish post, and yet afterwards imprison or hang the poor dupes who act on the teaching they contain. J 8 TOPICS. The Times points out numerous difficulties encountered by the Abyssinian expedition. The Bombay government has trusted overmuch to the supply of labour from the local population, and mules bought at high prices were perishing by wholesale. As to the water supply it is scarcely possible to conceive anything more costly, more cumbrous, or more likely to prove Inadequate than the distillation of ewe water—only appropriate in the case of a ship's crew • thousand miles from land—to the supply of many thousand men and animals. The mules had no chain halters, with out which they are not safe, and the Sappers from England had no warm clothing, blankets, or cooking utensils. When such mistakes are made we may be thankful that mattersarenotstill worse. We shall do betternext year, and completely master the subject by the time we have found out that the expedition was a mistake altogether from the beginning, and that we have done no good to ourselves by it, though, possibly, some good to others we don't care so much about. The Star never could wee any great advantage or any peculiar dignity secured for us by Lord Stanley's limitation of the case of the Alabama ; and thinks it would be to England's honour not to allow a false dignity to stand In the way of international good feeling. The Post continues its attacks upon the administration of the Foreign-office. The elder clerks, it says, had better be superannuated ; some of the senior claim should be sent to consulates to learn their duty, and be replaced by consuls who know it already ; and those who are unfit for diplomatic work must be dismissed to some harmless em ployment in another department of the public service. The Daily News gives some account of the letter from Mr. Samuelson, the member for Banbury, which has just been printed as a parliamentary paper, describing his visit to the great industrial establishments abroad. Every page of the letter, the Daily lima says, shows how im portant the difiinsion of scientific education is to our work ing class. Everywhere it is found that our manufacturing artisans and their foremen are unable, through deficiencies of their early education, to put forth with effect the splendid qualities with which Providence has endowed our race. Captain Sherard Osborn wiites to the Tina in favour of another expedition to the Arctic Regions in verification of a report which has been made that somewhere up in the Arctic seas lies an unknown land. The gallant officer appears actuated in his suggestion more by the desire to find something to do for our naval officers and seamen than by anything else. The French, it seems, are already on the track, though M. Lambert, the originator of the sAl venture, has something more solid in view than a geogra phical problem. He expects to find whales up there— though whales are the very things which the Dundee cap tain could not find—and to get the fruits of his enterprise in a dividend from oil and bone. The Times appeals to the directors of the Metropolitan District Railway to date plainly why they do not go on with the works which are neoesmuy to the construction of the Thames Embankment between the Temple and Black friars. It is possible that, owing to the financial crisis, the company have been disappointed in their fair expecta tions of raiaing money. Such a plea deserves considera tion ; bat if this is admitted to be " the real cads of the delay" in private communication with the board, let it also be admitted in letters intended for the public. The only fact certain at present is that, by some incredible per verseness, a great and urgent public improvement is inde finitely delayed. Cite Court. OSBORNE, Bac. 28. The Queen drove in the grounds yesterday after noon, accompanied by Princess Louise; and her Majesty, accompanied by Prins. Arthur and Princess Beatrice, walked oat this morning. Prince and Princess Christian and Priam Leopold slsit went out. Prima' Louise and Princess Henrietta of Schleswig- Holstein drove in the pounds. DEC. 29. The Queen drove out in the grounds yesterday after- noon, accompanied by Princess Christian. The other members of the royal family also went out. The Queen, Prince and Princess Christian, Prboess Louise, Prince Arthur, and Prinowis Henrietta of Schles wig-Holatein, attended Divine Service at Whippinghani this morning. The Rev. George Prothero, assisted by the Rev. R. Duckworth, officiated, and administered the Sacrament of the Holy Communion. The Lady in Waiting to her Majesty, and the Equerries in Waiting, were in attendance. Prince Leopold ►nd Princess Beatrice attended the morning service at Whippingham. Despatches were received on Saturday at the Colonial office from the Governors of the Straits Settlements, Gib raltar, and Malta. Despatches were sent to the Governor General of Canada. THE QUEEN AND THE DEFENCE OF OSBORNE HOURS.—The following oorreepondenoe has passed between the chairman of the West Cowes local board of health and Lieutenant-General the Hon. Charles Grey :—" Cowes, Dec. 21, 1867.—Sir,—The inhabitants of West Cowes much regret that the necessity has arisen to take more than ordinary measures to ensure the safety of her most gracious Majesty the Queen, and I write, as chairman of the local board of this town, to assure you that the strongest feelings of loyalty are entertained by the inhabi. tants of all classes, and nothing would be more gratifying to them than to join in any act or demonstration which should be the means of evincing their determination to secure her Majesty's personal safety. If, sir, you can point out any mode, whether by acting as special con stables or otherwise, that the population of West Cowes can be made available, I am sure they would most unani mously join and heartily accede to your suggestion.— I have the honour to be your obedient servant, James MOORE." To the above letter, which, there is no doubt, represents the feelings and wishes of every person in the town, Lieutenant-General the Hon. Charles Grey re sponded in the following terms :—"Osborne, December 22, 18o7.—Sir,--I have had the honour of receiving and sub mitting to the Queen the letter written by you as chair man of the local board of health, in the name of the inhabitants of West Cowes, expressing their regret that any necessity should have arisen for the adoption of extra precautions to ensure her Majesty's safety while resident at Osborne, and offering their service., either as special oonstables, or in say other way that may best prove their loyal devotion to her Majesty's person and family. Her Majesty commands me to say that she is deeply touched by these loyal essununses on the part of her subjects at Cowes, and very grateful for them. She has herself never entertained the slightest apprehension of her personal safety, though she has thought it right to yield to the representations of her government by giving her sanction to the precautionary measures which they thought it prudent to adopt. It will be for the government to consider whether anything more is necessary than has been already done, and I have therefore, by her Majesty's command, forwarded your letter to the Home Secretary, who will judge how far it may be desirable to take .dean. tap of the offer of their services by the loyal inhabitant. of C .was.—l have the honour to be, air, your very obedient humble servant, C. 0 RET.—To J. Moore, Esq." The Duke and Duchess of Buocleuch and Ladies Sco't, the Marchioness of Abercorn, the Earl and Countess of Fife and family, the Earl and Countess of Mount- F.dgcuinbe, Lord and Lady Elobo and family, Colonel Hon, W. P. and Lady Emma Talbot and family, Hon. Victor and Lady Agneta Montagu, Sir William Fraser, Lord Brougham, Lord Henry Percy, M.P., and Lady Louisa Percy, the Marquis and Marchioness Camden, Lady Houghton, Mr. and Mn. Baring, and other English (sari. lies are at present resident at Cannes. N.E. N. N.E. N.E. N. B.L sirs E. 5.11. E.N.L KN.& N.E. N.N.L W.N.W. &remoter corrected and reduced to 32 deg. st sea level. The letter. r 2 Oiling), a ketaadyl, Indicate direction of motion of the mercury within last 1° hours. Thermometer exposed in shade. Extreme force, with Its direction doling last 24 hours. Z.—calm. Weather: b. - blue sky e. - clouds (detached ; 2. fog : I.—lightning; s haty) : u—overcast dull); r. —rain ; s.—snow; t.—thunder. gain.fall, snow or hall melted), during hut 24 boars. Sea disturbance. MR. SAMUELSON, M.P. ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION. Prom the Parliamentary printing-office has just been issued the copy of a letter from Mr. B. Samuelson, M.P., to the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education, concerning technical education in various countries abroad. The hon. member was appointed by , the government on a special mission to inquire into this subject. Mr. Samuelson, in summing up the results of his investigation and observations, says, " I I endeavoured to give a fair though brief amount of the state of primary and technical education in France, Switzerland, and Germany, as well as a very alight notice of some of its features in Belgium. I have also attempted to show by examples what is the condition of some of the leading in dustries in those countries. Ido not think it is possible to estimate precisely what has been the influence of conti nental education on continental manufactures. That the rapid progress of many trades abroad has been greatly facilitated by the superior technical knowledge of the directors of works everywhere, and by the com paratively. advanced elementary instruction of the workers m some departments of industry, can admit of but little doubt. At the same time it cannot justly be said that their superior education has led our neighbours to make any striking industrial improve ments. The manufacture of the more important textile fabrics certainly does not owe its present advanced posi tion in any marked degree to continental inventiveness. In the production of iron and steel also, if • step has been taken in admire of us as regards some peculiar though important products, this is due except perhaps in the case of the steel castings of Bochum and Firminy, less to the development of new discoveries than to a careful and intelligent improvement of processes—common to all, and to some priority in the utilisation of resources at least as readily within the reach of our manufacturers as of those of an other country. Our Dr. Peroy's great work is tra into every continental language, and used as a text-book in the continental schools, whilst the improvements lately made abroad are engaging the serious attention of our meteilionvists ; sad I have not the least doubt that the pound which we have lost will be speedily recovered both by our ironmasters and our engineers, unless, indeed, a return of prosperity should lead to • renewal of the contentions - between masters and workmen which have canard such mischief to both. It would be an event of national importance if the iron and engine building trades, like those which I named at the outset of this report, would establish boards of con ciliation. Even as I write lam rejoiced to learn from Mr. Mundella that the lacemakers of Nottingham have followed the example of the kindred traders of that town, and that Sheffield is inclined to imitate them. It is not by the payment of low wagee, or by the premature employment and overtasking of children, that any great manufacturer can be made to prosper in this country, but by mutual forbearance and goodwill between those whose interests, though debateable and opposite In detail, are identical in the main. The cheap carriage of coal and iron on our railways is another important condition of the moccasin' pursuit of our great manufactures. Iron ores are carried in Pianos at rates below three-eighths of a penny per ton per mile : coal is sent from Westphalia to every part of France, Holland, and Germany at cue halfpenny per ton per mile, including the use of wagons, and these rates are not un profitable. Iron is delivered from Serving, near Liege, into the port of London, for 13s. per ton, or 3. cheaper than from Wolverhampton. Railway managers are well aware, though under the temptation of immediate returns they sometimes overlook the fact for • time, that nothing tends more to develop generaltraffic than slow tariff of materials. Meanwhile, we know that our manufacturing artisans are imperfectly taught, our agricultural labourers illiterate • neither one nor the other can put forth with effect thr; splendid qualities with which Providence has endowed our people. Our foremen, chosen from the lower industrial ranks, have not sufficient opportunities of correcting the deficiencies of their early education. Our managers are too apt in every case of novelty to proceed by trial and error, without scienti fi c principles to guide them ; and the eons of our great manufacturers too often either despise the pursuits of their fathers as mere handi craft, unworthy of men of wealth and education, or else overlooking the beautiful examples which they afford of the application of natural laws to the wants of man, follow them solely as a means of heaping up more wealth, or, at the best, for want of other occupation. To the evi ls of such • condition not only our stateroom, but also our people, are rapidly awakening ; and, the disease being once acknowledged, I believe the remedy will soon be applied. The extension of the half-time system by the Factory Acts, and the insertion of education clauses in the Workshops Act of last session, are the commencement of • more serious movement in favour of universal elementary instruction. If the principles of that legislation are extended to agriculture, it will be a mere play upon words to argue whether primary education shall or shall not be compulsory ; for no young child will be allowed to work unless it also goes to school. I cannot think that apprenticeship schools are suitable to the general in dustrial conditions of Great Britain. They may, however, be forced upon the employers by such trades as those at Sheffield and elsewhere, which have combined to limit the introduction of apprentices into workshops. In special cases, such as those of some of our agricultural countiee, where the supply of labour is in ozone of the demand, and in Ireland they could probably be introduced with advan tage. But they fall properly within the province of bene volent individuals and societies, and their moms will depend more than almost any other undertaking on the udgment with which they are organised and superintended. If I may venture to suggest some further measures, which may, in my opinion, be speedily and safely adopted by the State to promote education, I would sum them up as follows: First, as to elemental, education. Let no child under twelve be allowed to work until it can read and write. Make it the duty of every parish to see that its children have the mama of elemental," instruction. Encourage elementary schools by special grants to establish advanced classes. Assist the pupils of elementary schools who have shown remarkable ability to continue their education in • superior school. Secondly, as to technical education — revise your science minutes and abolish the limitation to working-class pupils of the capitation grants to 1111314111C41 teachers. It is simply a stumbhng-block to the weak con sciences of committee-men, and prevents the establishment of classes remunerative to the teachers. Psy • larger sum per head for the more difficult subjects, and thereby remove the temptation of the teachers of science schools to ride physiology end inorganic chemistry to death. Give • thoroughly scientific training in Jernlynatreet to a small number of young men, chosen, if you like, in part from amongst your more promising " *ammo teachers," in order to qualify them as professors of science. Distin guish between these sod the men who merely get up one or two subjects in order to teach a science class. Supple ment local efforts to establish or to extend secondary or superior scientific schools (not mere science classes), by building grants or loans, and by the endowment or partial endowment, under proper conditions, of professorships. Begin with Manchester (if Manchester is not too proud), whose citizens are trying to raise 100,0001. for the enlarge ment of Owen's College. Let one condition of assistance to a scientific school be, that a perfecting school (Forthil dungsachule) shall be affiliated to it • and of the endow ment of a professorship, and the professor shall teach in the perfecting school. Lastly, consolidate your depart ment of education." " Argus" writes :—" The racing season which terminated this month may be regarded as the longest on record, and the worst that backers have ever known. It has been remarkable also for the heaviest betting that has ever characterised the English turf ; and had Crockford been alive and played the strength of the game, as ha was invariably wont to do, he would have won, on a moderate computation, at least a quarter of • million. Of course the victims have been the plungers, who have got them- selves into such deep water that I am afraid extrication is impossible. Of course estates will change hands, mort gages will have to be raised, consols sold out to meet those debts of honour, and many a haughty patrician is so anxious to contract a loan as the Papal States or the Mexi can empire. This is not an encouraging prospect, I admit; but the remedy for it is at once simple end feasible, viz., to reduce the betting to more simple dimensions, so that noblemen and gentlemen may not find themselves involved in pecuniary difficulties for life by the untoward result of • Derby or St. Leger, • Cesarewitch or Cambridgeshire." WELLINGTON COLLEGE.—The school broke up on Christmas-eve, and, ou the evening before, the annual concert was given to • very numerous assemblage of friends and neighbours._ _ THE Sillon;oHlEE unnza. —On Saturday after noon John Mapp was brought up on remand charged with the wilful murder of the child Catherine Lewis at Long den on Sunday, the 22nd instant. The examination was made in the oonnty gaol at Shrewsbury, and though the day of remand bad been privately altered from that which was originally fixed, and was consequently known to but comparatively few persons, a large crowd had congregated in the open space before the gaol, desirous to obtain a glimpse of the principal witnessea. Mapp having been already committed for trial on the coroner's warrant, now appeared in his prison dress, and being washed and cleanly shaven, presented a greatly improved appearance. Some little additional evi dence having been given, the prisoner, after being duly cautioned, mid, " Mr. Jones has spoken about my pocket handkerchief being dirty and having stains upon it. I cut my band a fortnight ago, and wrapped the pocket hand kerchief round it, and my mother washed it afterwards. The brooch which was found in my pocket I bought on Sunday night, as I was coming home from chapel. I paid either threepence or fourpence for it, I don't know which. I don't know the person I bought it of, for it was dark, and Icould not see his face. I suppose the little girl had given it to some One, and he sold it tome. There was a bit of blood on the cuff of my jacket, but it was from my nose. It bled on Sunday, and I wiped it with my cuff and the back of my hand, and then I wiped my hand on my trousers. That's how the blood came there. I bad no knife in my pocke t ro at all on Sunday. I left it in the pocket of my wOr • t rousers on Saturday, and did not see it again till M y, so how could I cut the little girl's throat with it ? That's all I have to say." The prisoner was then committed for trial THE POLICE COURTS. (THIS DAY.) MANSION-HOUBM THI DARING ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE IN THE MT, James Riley, 21, was brought up on remand before the Lord Mayor, charged with stealing a gold watch and chain, value 401. The prosecutor, Mr. Charles; Kirby, wine merchant, N 0.12, Crescent, Minories, was walking along Great Tower. street about 7 o'clock in the evening, when the prisoner came up and wrenched away his, watch and chain. At the same moment the prosecutor was knocked down from behind and kicked while on the ground. Prosecutor kept hold of the prisoner, and a potioeman having come up, at. treated by the cries of " Stop thief," he was given into custody. The case had been remanded in order that it might be ascertained whether Riley was known to the police. Par. tridge, the gaolor, now stated that no return had been made in reference to him, but he believed that he had been at this court before. Mr. Kirby stated that a gentleman had called on him on Saturday, and stated that • similar attack had been made upon him, and an attempt m►de to steal his watch. He (Mr. Kirby) believed th►t there was • desperate gang of such characters in the neighbourhood. The Lord Mayor committed the prisoner to Navigate to take his trial at the Central Criminal Court. SOUTHWARK. _ _ MURAL OF STABBING. Patrick Sullivan and Michael Harrington, two powerful. looking men, were brought before Mr. Burcham, charged with stabbing Mary Tindal, and wounding her eon, James Tindal, in the face. Mary Tindal, an elderly woman, said she was a widow, and lived with her son at 6, Duke's-court, Maypole-alley, in the Borough. She knew the two prisoners as living near them ; and on Saturday night they forced their way into her hones, and tried to get into her bed. room. There were throe other men with them, ' and Sullivan seized bold of her and stabbed her. Her son came to her &moistener, when he was also attacked and received a wound on the head. While Sul livan was attacking them the prisoner Harrington tried to drag him out of the house, but on the police making their appearance they left and ran away. The prisoners were, however, followed and taken into custody. Mr. Burcham asked if she saw any instrument in Sulli van's hand. Witnessreplied in the negative. He must, however, have had some blunt instrument in his hand. _ _ James Tindal said he was coming home to 'upper when he saw a number of men is his mother's pl►ce attempting to force their way into her room. Henn to her protection when he received a cut on the bead. The prisoner Har. rington was there, but he did not see him do anything. Mr. Burnham said there did not seem to be sufficient evidence to detain H►rrington, therefore he must be die charged ; but as for the other prisoner, he must be re. mended for the attendance of the surgeon who dressed the wounds. -- The magistrate has received a cheque for 51. sa. from Meurs. Schilezze and Co. ; 51. 54. from Mr. James Rees ; and 21s. from " H. G.," for the poor-box. BABY FARMING IN ST. LUIZS. INQUEST.—LIS DAY.) This morning Mr. Jo hn Humphreys, coroner, held an inquiry at the Crown Tavern, Whitecran-street, St. Luke's, relative to the sudden death, while at nurse, of Alfred Johnson, aged four months. Mrs. Matilda Thorne, 7, Regent-street, City= said that she was a widow. She received the d child to nurse, a fortnight before its death, from its mother. The mother told her that she was the wife of • soldier, now on duty in Ireland, and that her reason for putting the child out to nurse was that she was obliged to go out to earn her living at paper-bag making. She paid witness ss. a week for the a ippurt of the child, and she said that after she paid her rent she had only 10d. a day to live upon herself. At 3 o'clock on Christmas morning witness was awoke by another child crying, and she found the deceased very In fact it was as nearly dead as it could be. She kept it in her arms ti l 6 o'clock when she took it to the mother's address, but the mother was not at home. She had been at work all night. The child was then quite dead. Wit ness brought the body beck again, and Dr. Steadman was sent for. Her object in taking it to the mother's at 5 o'clock in the morning was that the mother might see a doctor who she said had previously given some medicine for it. The Coroner—How many children do you keep at one time, Mrs. Thorne' Witness—Generally three. I never keep more than four, for I find it impossible to manage so many. I have one little boy of my own. I have no means whatever of supporting myself and my son but by what I am paid for these children. The price is generally ss. • week each. The child of • man and his wife that I have now is paid for at 6s. a week. Another child is that of a Derma. girl, who pays ss , a week for it. That child is illegitimate ; indeed, they are neatly all illegitimate. The Coroner—You, no doubt, advertise for children? Witness—Yes, sir, in the Clerkenwell paper. I have only been engaged in minding children this way for twelve months. Coroner—And how many children have died during that time! Witness—Three altogether. One was brought to me in • dying state to see if I could bring it regrind. One of them I had from birth. It was the illegitimate child of • young lady, and it lived for five months. It was born at my place. I had advertised for a baby and the lady and a gen tleman came and asked me as a favour to allow the confine ment to take place in my room. That was the only case of the kind. The other two children died at four months old. I do not adopt children, nor do I intend to do so. I have one room for which I pay 3s. 6d. a week rent. The mother of this deceased child was very fond of it. and used to come twice • week to see it. I fed it on milk and Robb's bis cuits, and the top crusts of loaves of bread. It was ailing a little on Christmas-eve, but not sufficiently to make me send for a doctor, as I always do when the children get ill. Mr. James H. Steadman. M.R.C.S., said that he was called to the deceased on Christmas-day. It bad been long deal There were no marks of violence on the body, which was, however, very much emaciated. Witness ha d been frequently called in before by Mrs. Thorne to see children. He bad attended the young lady at her place. Witness thought she was generally a careful, respectable I woman, who attended to the children as well as she omit& The foreman said that whatever Mrs. Thoine might wish to do with regard to the children, it was clear that the system of baby farming was a bad one, for, by her own showing, she had to support herself and her son, and three or four other children and pay the rent of the room out of the 15s. or 11. • week she was paid for the support of the infants. It was manifest that somebody mast rafter, for all could not be supported on such a pittance. Mary Anne Johnson, • paper bag-maker, said that the deceased was her illegitimate child, by • soldier who was stationed in Ireland. She put out the chill to nurse in consequence of not being able to support herself and the child on 7s. • week, which was all the money she made while she lityl the child to take care of. Seeing Mrs. Thorne'. advertisement in the Clerkr, Nees, she took the child to her. After that she made Vb. • week out of that she paid ss. a week for the child, and 2s. 3d. rent. She supported herself on 4a. • week. She often eat up working until 10 and 1? o'clock at night. " Many a day," said the witness crying, " I have lived upon a penny roll, end bed nothinc else to eat. I did th,t to annport my child. I could not support myself and chill on 7e. a week." Mr. Steadman, surgeon, said that the deceased had died from congestion of the lungs. A child in that state would require extra care, and it had only received one-fifth of the attention that it ought to have received, for Mrs. Thorne had to take care of five children, and she could not give a mother's care to the deceased. The Coroner having summed up, the jury returned the following verdict :—" That the deceased died from con gestion of the lungs, from want of natural nourishment and care on the part of Mrs. Thorne, she having four other children to attend to, and the jury are of opinion that some steps ought to be taken to alter the system of baby farming, and they request the coroner to write to the Home Secretary and lay before him a summary of the evidence in the case of the deceased child." FATAL FIGHT NEAR STAFFORD.-011 Saturday, at noon, a young man named William Fodeo, a black' smith, was charged before Messrs. 3. H. Webb and W. T. Locker, at the police-office, Stafford. u . dh the manslaughter of William Ratchford. The prisoner was simply brought up to be remanded. but as Mr. Enough, who appeared for the defence, indc,d for bail, the bench wished to hear the evidence of one of the witnories ; and Noah Evans, lehourer, WO" called. He said that at about one o'clock on Friday after noon he was at Edward Martin's public-home, Houghton. William Rotchford and William Simmonds were fighting in the rick-yard. They fought shunt four rounds, and then Ratchford struck Sininionds, while lie was down. A man of the name of Cockayne picked the latter up. and as he was doing 90 was struck by Ratchford. The mionler and this well not for when Ratchford attacked him also, hitting him in the fere. There was DOW a fight between these two, hut they bad only two rounds. At the end of the second round Ratchford fell to the ground, and witnew went to hit assist/woe. He noticed that his lips and eyes chano7 o4 colour, and his face became yellow. As witness was hold ing his hands in water he sighed deeply three times end expired. There was a scar on his left side. There was also a little blood issuing from his nnerils. Deceased never spoke after be fell. He e'rip,...l t o fight. This Well all the evidence produced. The bench remanded the prisoner for a week, consenting to take boil. SUDDEN DEATH IN WORCESTER CATHEDRAL —A case of sudden death ocannvd at Worcester, yesterday (Sunday), ender very melancholy circumstances. 141 ..• I Brookes, builder and undertaker, of Springlardells. ll 9 - tannia•equare, attended morning service at the catbnill". and during the service expired in an apoplectic fit, Mt. Bmokes's death occurring so suddenly, and whilst hers taking part in divine worship, created • very sad feeling throughout the city. r. It L. L W. It , Nairn . . 30.44 r 8.8. W. Absrassa .4;r.16 Leith Ardramaste 30.:: 341 G LI. vaientla 30.2.6 r 1 cape Clear 30.20 r 44 ILL Roches Pt 30.20r Kg& Liveipool 30.44 49 8.1. flotylmed .36r vs.s. Pamsac• ,10.33r 401 _N.E. .. Ind l3OlO Itoolsatori 30.00r 7 L.E. 4 Plymouth Weymouth 34r L 6 Portunoalh .34r IL 3 London Yarmouth 37r 37 LK 4 Scarborough .1137 L. 3 6111444 130.40 r 40 LAS. 2 Hadar l3O 32 33 N.E. 7 - OUR CON TEMPORARLICEL (THIS DAY.) YR. MATTHEW ARNOLD AND HIS CRITICS. The Daily News compares Mr. Matthew Arnold, when in the field of political controversy, as in the current number of the Comilla( Magazine, to the swan on land. His writings have been a refreshment of the spirit to numbers of busy and thought-taxed men, and he has often, with true aim, launched his satire against the narrowness of mind which is the' besetting danger of practical politicians and philosophical system-builders. But he does not himself escape the narrow. ness which absorbs the prophet in a few truths, sod renders him unable to understand aught beside. He has now addressed himself to the function of the State in human life, and expresses a theory which is a medley compounded of the doctrines of Oompte and Carlyle, and the practice of French imperialism and the ancient democracies. Ho would make the state the organ of the oomnion reason of society, but how can he be certain that reason will be the quality which will be embodied in it Mr. Arnold would apparently leave it to the executive to decide what demonstrations and meetings and processions are in ac cordance with right reason and shall be allowed, and what conflict with it and must be suppressed. The meetings of the Reform League and the Fenian processions would have been put down in le t;7 ; but so certainly would those of the Anti-Corn Law League and the Catholic Association and the Anti-Slavery Society in past times. Right reason, acting through the organism of the State, would have suppressed free trade and maintained the penal laws and negro slavery. The truth seems to be that, though Mr. Arnold, in the Cornhill Magazine, is largely occupied in attacking the school of Comte, he bas adopted unconsciously their views of the functions of the State, and is on the high way to their doctrine of an Intellectual Priesthood and a Supreme P on tiff of Humanity. Like many other eminent men he is afraid of the effects of tory democracy, but as in the na tural, so in the social world, light, sweetness, and order must be the result of a balance of forces, attained not by artificial suppression, but by freedom of development, and, it may be, occasional storm and conflict. THE FINTANS. l Anticipating a suspicion that the gunpowder explosion ' at Faversham is a work of the Fenians, the Times reminds its re►ders of the fact that no attack has yet been made, or outrage oommitted, except with the view of releasing imprisoned Feninns. The crime has always hitherto been perpetrated for a direct and specific; purpose, and that pur pose the liberation of alleged Fenian In or on their way to gaol. The slightest act of carelessness—and the most prudent workmen sometimes fall into the commission of such acts—might easily have mused the explosion at Faver sham. Fenianism must be condemned for what is proved against it, and the vigilance of authority in every quarter. public and private, must not be relaxed ; but there is not the least necessity to encourage a sense of insecurity by ascribing to Fenianism accidents which are susceptible of ordinary methods of explanation. The Herald insists that if the executive an get at the LATEST INTELLIGENCE. AND MARRI AGNS. The Journal des Nbats contains the following comment on a portion of the speech made by Marshal Niel in the Corps lAgialatif last week : If the official position of the Minister of War did not absolutely forbid the supposition, we should have been tempted into the belief that there was an ironical meaning in the manner in which he spoke of the soldiers who are to form part of the reserve. We most take literally, therefore, the opinion expressed by Marshal Niel—that young men who are exempted from military service on account of physical infirmities are good enough to make pretty fair husbands. Doubtless there are exceptional cases of this kind, and more than one instance is to be found of them, but still it is to be feared that the larger portion of marriageable women have not the same indulgence for the one-eyed, the one-armed, the humpbacked and the gap-toothed, &c.—an indulgent* which is only the result of a mild philosophy. To al sure • man can be happy with one arm or one leg, and it is not absolutely necessary that he should have two eyes to see clearly if the eye he has is sound. The instance of Marshal de Raman suggests itself as a confirmation, on many points, of the theory of Marshal Niel, for the former knew not the luxury of having his corporal machinery all right, and, no doubt, he would consider it a superfluity to possess two eyes two arms and two legs ; since, having pretty well but the half of these luxuries, and being, moreover, eighty years of age, he did not fear to marry. But everyone is not possessed of the courage or moderation of Marshal de Ransom, and it cannot be expected that all one-armed or one-eyed persons should be heroes. Besides they are not all marshals of France, and therefore are not in a posi tion to dazzle eyes which might be inclined to try too minutely their physical imperfections. Marshal Niel would not certainly have written the graceful poem, "Love's Young Dream," nor any of the romances founded onthe old theme of " • well-matched pair," and which speak of "love in marriage." He cannot be reproached with having desired to inspire young girls with romantic ideas. His speech at all events will not produce this effect, and the reading of it may be recommended as a wholesome refri gerant to maidens who are too much inclined to reverie and poetic mysticism. But perhaps it may be dangerous from a different point of view. In a period when materialism is so much talked about the considerations of Marshal Niel, without perhaps his knowing it, incline to the most positive materialism, and, if we mart speak out, we wa fer we have never seen marriage thin reduced to • simple question of the reproduction of the human species. Can • oneearmed, a oneeyed young man produee healthy children? Yes, says science. The question is then settled, and what have young girls to complain of! Such is the meaning of the argument of Marshal Niel. It simply makes of man a reproductive animal. But, then, what becomes of the moral aspect of the question! What! for Christians so devoted to the national religion, as M. Thies says,—for these zealous defender of the Papacy—la marriage degraded to • mere physical union, and are we the persons to be accused of propagating materialist ideas and denying the rights of the soul and mind? But even from the exclusive point of view adopted by Marshal Niel, objections might bettrged, and physiologists, as well es spiritualists, would not quite accept his theory. FRANCE. PARIS, Dic. O. The Emperor received yesterday the Papal Nuncio, Monsignor Chigi, in a private audience. His Majesty also granted an audience to General Saloman, the Haitian minister, and to Baron von Peres', the Bavarian minister, who presented his letters of recall. M. Leplay has been appointed a senator. GREECE. ATHENS, bre. 29. The ministerial crisis continues and the new cabinet is not yet formed. WEATHER REPORT.-(THIS DAY.) MONDAY, D 10111331 30, 8 &IL REMARKS. The decrease In barometrical prewar, noticed on Saturday coutinutd In the s. and E. yesterday morning, and amo•uted at Heider to three-tenths of an Inch. Since then a general Increase has occurred, which has been greatest In the Northesstern dis trict. The highest readings are reported from Scotland. Tempe rature has vaned ; they are lower in the north but higher else where than they were on Saturday. The north's ly winds of yea. tenlay, which were general, have almost disappeared this morn lug, and K and S. E. winds ,the latter strong In the S. of Ireland` Ire now prevalent. Weather is overcast, and some rain has fallen In the N. E. The Duke of Hamilton, who returned to town from Paris last week, will leave Hamilton House to-day on a visit to the Marquis and Marchioness of Hastings, at Donrington Park. The Earl and Countess of Yarborough will en tertain during tho week a select party at Brockleaby. The noble earl's hounds will meet at the mansion on Wednes day, when the customary hospitality will take place. Lady Elizabeth Wahlegrave, elde►t daughter of William, eighth Earl Waldegrave, died on Friday last ►t Hastings, of hem. diocese. The marriage of Miss Louth's Milbank, daughter of Mr. and the late Lady Margaret Milbank, grand niece of the Duke of Cleveland and the Earl of Wemyes, and niece of the Earl of Stamford, with Mr. Francis Arkwright, eldest son of the late Mr. Ark wright, of Sutton Scarsdale, will be solemnised on Thursday next at St. P►ul's, Knights bridge. The funeral of Maria Countess of Harrington is appointed to take place on Fridaynext, at Elvaston.Chureh, Derbyshire. Mr. Thornton, C. 8., the newly-appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States, leaves town for Washington the week after next to enter upon his diplomatic duties. The Times states that from the accident to Mr. Gladstone which we described on Saturday the pain was very severe, and at first it was feared that the sight was imperilled. Our contemporary is glad, however, to learn that the only effect will be th►t for a short time it will be necessary to use the eyes very sparingly. The Liverpool ilerctery of to-day says that though apprehensions were entertained at the time that his sight might be endangered, a subsequent examination showed that the wound was very slight "and • few days' rest restored the right honourable gentleman to his usual health." The Dean of Winchester took part in the ser vice at Winchester Cathedral on Christmas-day. The dean is 92 years of age. A paper called Lea Antilles, published at Marti nique, has just been suspended for one month. It had previously received two warnings, and intimated to its readers that in consequence it would for the future eschew all political controversy, and replace its leading articles by " elegant extracts from the French poets," and it forth with commenced by publishing Lafontaine's fable, "The Wolf and the Lamb." The Governor of Martinique evi dently considered this personal, for next day the fiat issued prohibiting the publication of the paper for one month. I: