The Express. — London, England, 1866-12-14 00:00:00

• TIM., EEC, FRIDAY EVENING, %, DECEMBER 14,.. THE Idea of December seem destined to be as memorable as the Ides of March. On the 13th of this month Rome was free from foreign troops. The evacuation of the Castle of St. Angelo, and the departure of the last French soldier from the Papal territory, open a new era in the history of Rome and of the world—not leas momentous, perhaps, than that which dates from the assassination of CJESAR. Then, as now, the timid friends of order feared the approach of revolution and chaos. But as the fall of its founder established the Empire, so, probably, will the virtual cessa tion of the Temporal Power of the POPE aggrandize rather than diminish the moral and spiritual influence of the Church of Rome. It is not to be expe_ted that the authorities of that Church, and, less than any, its venerable Head, should at once he able to accommodate their feel ings to the new situation on which they are about to enter. The leaf is being turned upon a great past, which cannot be parted from without emotion. A future of vast possibilities is before them, but it is all uncertain. The memo ries of a thousand years of sovereignty are real. The transition from the old to the new, from the familiar to the strange, is always solemn ; and those in whose persons the Church of Rome is making this change may be excused if they are overpowered by the occasion. What is to be regretted is that the feelings to which ex pression is given by his Holiness should seem to be those rather of passion—even of personal pique and irritation—than of reverential acgr•es cence in the Providential decrees. Much allowance may be made for the querulousness of age, im patient and fearful of new things ; and the allow ance is certainly required. Sir ()gown BOWYER has informed the world, in correction of a very general error, that the Pore blesses, but does not curse. His blessings, however, are sometimes so like curses that it is easy to account for the popular mistake. His prayers for the Emperor of the FRENCH resemble indirect maledictions; and are as near an approach to an interdict, and an absolution of the French nation from their alle giance, as a nineteenth-century Pope could venture to make. The insinuation that while the French are a Christian nation their Sovereign is not a Chris tian ruler; the doubt thrown upon his title tot e called the Eldest Son of the Church, and the inti mation that consciences will not (that is to say ought not to) be satisfied, amount to a defiance and menace. The POPE replies with these words to the withdrawal of the French troops, as two years ago ho replied with the Encyclical of the Bth December to the Convention of September 15. His Holiness strangely forgets the power by which he was restored, and the conditions on which his sovereignty was guaranteed. He was brought back by the French Republic, which, if the doctrines of the Encyclical be true, was a go vernment illegitimate in its origin, constitution, and acts. The Foreign Minister who was the instrument of his recall was the illustrious ex pounder of the principles of democracy, M. nz TOCQUEVILLS, who in the Legislative Assembly declared that the only safe basis on which the tem poral power of the POPE could rest was that of poli tical reform. The PRESIDENT of the REPUBLIC was even more explicit. The conditions on which the Prince LOUIS NAPOLEON undertookthe restoration of the POPE are contained in hie celebrated letter to M. Ewalt NEY. They are summed up in these words: " A general amnesty, secularization of the admi " nistration, the Code Napoleon, and a Liberal " Government." The world knows how far this understanding has been complied with on the part of Pies IX. Every remonstrance and represen tation has met with the unvarying reply : Nun posatimua. It is not strange that at last France should have caught up the phrase, and used it in answer to the appeal for continued intervention. The only reproach which can fairly be addressed to the EMPEROR, who was not responsible for the first design of intervention, is that he should have persisted in the fact for years after it had become apparent that the conditions which he bad pre scribed would never be carried into effect. The beldneaa of the POPE'S language is itself a proof that the independence of the Holy See is in no respect bound up with the maintenance of the temporal power. Pies VII. was never more thoroughly master of himself than when he was a prisoner at Savona and Fontainebleau ; and Pius IX. has never been leas subject to any earthly superior than at this moratt fancier desertion by the Powers of thkfter Oa% bable, indeed, that his Holiness lmelrTeil than any one else at Rome the extent of the dependence into which his temporal sovereignty plunged him. The deference paid by all to his august office, en hanced by the true respect which his personal cha racter awakened, kept harsh realities at a dis tance. The forms of submission were not un likely to be taken by him as signs of substantial authority. His Ministers, who had to combat and yield to exactions, to submit to humiliations, and to make the beat terms they could with over bearing protectors, knew better the real position of affairs. The result of their n egotiations alone C ame to the POPE, without any acquaintance with the process ; and be may have fancied himself to be acting of his own free will, as an independent sovereign, when he was merely yielding to a decently-veiled coercion. In assert ing the necessity of the temporal power to spir;tual independence, the POPE contradicts facts notorious to everyone but himself ; but there is no reason to suppose that he himself was fully aware of his sub jection. He may learn how complete it was when he becomes cognizant of the greater freedom which his emancipation from the restraints of sove reignty confers upon him. To take an example a Pope who is simply the Head of the Church, and not a sovereign Power in diplomatic rela tions with the schismrtic Court of St. Peters burg, need not economise the expression of his sympathies with the persecuted Catholics of Poland, as his Holiness has more than once been obliged to do. If now he feels humiliation that during his papacy the temporal power has been practically annulled, he may one day feel it matter of pride that under his pontificate the Church entered upon a new career of more vigorous, because less fettered, spiritual life. This result is not improbable. The fact is notorious that where the separation of the civil power and of the church is most complete, there the Roman Catholic religion is seen at its best. The Reformation, as Dr. NEWMAN contends, gave it new life. There is more zeal, and piety, and purity of manners among the Catholic priesthood and the faithful of France, with its equality of all creeds before the State, and its Galilean traditions, than in Spain or in Italy; and in Protestant England and the United States than in France. Where the POPE'S temporal power is least his spiritual authority is greatest ; and when he ceases to be even in name sovereign of an Italian State his pastoral supre macy will be more heartily and w'dely revered than ever. Protestants cannot safely indulge the illusion that the political embarrassments and decline of the Papacy are in any degree likely t weaken it as a Church. On the contrary, the principles of the Reformation will probably need more strenuous assertion against an invigorated adversary. OUR CONTEMPORARIES. (THLS DAY.) 1 NE RLOROANTMATION OF THE FRENCH ARMT. The Times describes the now organisation of the French army as a scheme which is due to the example of Prussia. It pro% idee, not any material augmentation of the regular army, but a strong reserve of disciplined soltliers, who, while available at call upon any emergency, shall nevertheless be detained for as short a time as pos sible from the rank+ of civil life. The new reserve force of 400,000 men ICU differ little from our own militia — their duty not extending beyond instruction in the ru diments of military discirline. These arrangements will certainly pro% :de the materials of a most powerful force, especially under the condition of military service in the French erupi^e, for France, it must be remarked, has only one great dependency to garrison. The moral of all this is that war is a more likely contingency than ever ; that in these days regular soldiers, numerous as they are, do not suffice for the purposes of a state. That the ini tiative in their rivalry of force is taken by the most thrifty and best educated people in Europe, should teach us to mistrust most seriously the effects of modern en lightenment in diminishing the liability of nations, or preserving the peace of the world. The Tclegrnph thinks that now perhaps the action of our own government will be quickened. France is about to arm 1,200,000 men ; Prussia at least 1,000,000; and Austria upwards of 1,000,000. It is impossible not to feel the pressure of those gigantic hosts. We cannot re frain from considering what would happen to us should it turn out that, in spite of the best intentions, they were arrayed directly or indirectly againat us—used to hurt us, or to hurt our old friends. Compared to these conti nental armies we have nothing, or next to nothing ; yet we allot more than forr .een millions a year to the main tmance of our little army. The French ICI pay only nineteen millions sterling, and the Pr assians yet less, for their respective million of soldiers. The actual force we possess lacks the sae.' princ'ple of organisation ; and every military arrangement, if we are to be abreast with the time, from the relation between the Horse Guards to the supply of the commonest necessaries, must be fully investigated. eolleg., mutt the auiss ion of Ills• ashcans lIISCEILLNEOCS TOPICS. Auturnng that no irregularity occurred in obtaining warrant in Ireland against Meany, the Times insists that his arrest in England and removal to Ireland, on the order of a London magistrate , is in exact accordance with a pro. vision in the Act 11 and 12 Vic., cap. 42. That the Habeas Corpus Act should be suspended in Ireland does not affect what was dons in London. Whether the Lord- Lieutenant might have availed himself of it to imprison at his own discretion a Fenian arrested in England, it is quite superfluous to discuss. An act of this kind, if tech nically justi fi able, would certainly be morally indefensible, but no set of this kind has been done or contemplated. Had it been, Moray would never have appeared in • Dublin police-court at all, nor would the intervention of a magistrate have been needed. As it is, he was arrested, has been committed, and will be tried at the next assizes, and not the remotest analogy exists between his case and that of Gordon. Noticing the discussions which are taking place regarding political demonstrations, the Daily News observes that the working men lose more than others by them ; and it is only their exclusion by want of votes from every legi timate form of expression whichforces them to this peculiar one. Moreover they are urged to it not lees by the argu ments of their opponents than by the necessities of their position. To say to the working men in one breath, you shall not have the franchise because your not agitating for it shows your indifference, and in the next, you shall not have it because your agitation for it shows you to be dan gerous--is an evident mockery of justice and oommon sense. The demonstrations are an evil, but it is their opponents that make them a neoesami evil, by declining to receive any other evidence. This being the case, it is obviously the interest of all honest politicians and all quiet members of the community that they should be made as short and as safe as possible. It is plain that all these ends would be better ful fill e d by giving the use of Hyde-park than by refusing it. There would be easier ac cess, a shorter procession, less waste of time, less crushing, more rapid dispersion when the business was done. The reviews and inspections, distribution of medals, and similar proceedings, of which the park is frequently the scene, interfere with the purposes of recreation quite ea much as a reform meeting would. The rinses advises Austria not to yield to the Hungarian demand for • restoration of the constitution of 184$. If she does this she will be pulling herself d0v..1 without building up Hungary. So long as Austin is what she is, her real element of strength lies in her German provinces. It is in that element that, in extreme cases, she must seek her salvation. 41Wilemgivellolleam .14"aritrodsthe r- irhe Court. WINDSOR CASTLE, DEC. 13. The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, accom panied by Princess Louise, and her Majesty walked in the grounds this morning, accompanied by her royal highness. The Princess Beatrice rode in the Home Park, and Prince Leopold went out walking. The Dowager Lady Cowper bad the honour of dining with the Queen and the royal family yesterday. A Committee of the Lords of her Majesty's Most Ho nourable Privy Council sat yesterday at Whitehall on the subject of quarantine. The lords present were—the Right Hon. Spencer Walpole, the Right Hon. Sir Staf ford Northcote, and the Right Hon. Horatio Waddington. Mr. Harrison attended the couunittee. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat yesterday. The lords present were—Lord Justice Cairns, Sir E. V. Williams, Sir it. T. Kinderaley, Sir J. Colvilo, and Sir Laurence Peel. Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial office from the Governors of Tasmania, Hong-Kong, New Zealand, Labuan, South Australia, Victoria, Na•al, and Malta. Despatches were sent to the Governor of Canada. THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES. DISS, TIII7R-SDAT AFTERNOON. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales left Oakley-park, the seat of Sir E. C. Kerriaon, Mart, M.P., this afternoon, and returned to Sandringham house by a special train, which started at 3 p.m., and ran on direct to Teowae (Norwich), proceeding thence after a delay of three minutes to East Derehaan and Lynn, whence it paused on to Wolf erton (Sandringham), whore it was due at 3.15 p.m. The special train was in charge of Mr. Robert son, general superintendent of the Great Eastern Rail way, and Mr. T. Stevenson, district superintendent at Norwich ; and the arrangements for the comfort of the Prince and Princess was all that could be desired. His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh also left Thorn ham-hall, the seat of Lord Hartismere this afternoon, and accompanied the Prince and Princess of Wales on their return to Sandringham-house. The Countess of Macclesfield was the lady-in-waiting on the Princess of Wales, and Lieutenant-Colonel Keppel was in waiting upon the Prince of Wales. The Duke of Edinburgh was attended by his equerry, Lieutenant Haig. During the stay of the royal visitors at Oakley and Thornhain about 5,000 head of game has been killed, about 3,000 having been shot on Sir E. Kerrison's estate, and the balance on that of Lord Hartiamere. The Prince of Wales has been unable to participate in the sports of the field, although to-day his royal highness is much better. He has suffere I from fatigue, a slight cold, and a boil in the neck. Her Majesty sent a telegram to Oakley park yesterday to ascertain the state of the Prince, who forwarded a re-assuring reply. The festivities of last even ing were a concert at Oakley-park, and a servants' ball at Thornham, generously given by Lord Hartismere, At the concert at Oakley-park. an operetta by Mr. Gelman Reed, LrisArn and Frit:Mtn, was per formed, Mr. Sydney Naylor acting as conductor, while the principal parts were sustained by Miss Robertine Henderson and Mr. Whiff en. The operetta was followed by some songs from the Wvlow BeicilM-d, and the even ing, in the course of which refreshments of an elegant character were served, concluded with dancing. The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the distinr i oiahed guests staying at Thornham-hall, as well as those, of course, at Oakley-park were present, besides a select circle of the clergy and neighbouring county families. To-day • dinner has been given at Oakley-park to a large number of school children, and the festivities of the week will terminate with a dinner for Sir E. Kerrison's tenantry at Eye, at whicb the hon. baronet will preside. The royal visitors were escorted to the station this afternoon by Sir E. C. Kerriaon, Lady Caroline Kerrison, Lord Hartismere, the Hon. J. Henniker- Major, M.P., Lady Alice Henniker-Major, &c. The I'rince and Princess arrived in an open carriage, and the Duke of Edinburgh, who appeared in shooting cestnane, having pursued the sports of the field to the last, arrived with Lord Hartismere. The Diss Volunteers were in at tendance at the station as a guard of honour, and bravely faced the rain which fell. Mutual adieux having been exchanged by the royal visitors and the hosts and hostesses, the special train moved off amid the cheers of the spec tators. To-morrow morning her Majesty, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess Chris tian, Princess Louise, Princess Beatrice, Prince Leopold, and Prince Henry of Prussia. and attended by their suite, will take their departure for Osborne, where they will arrive at '2 o'clock to luncheon. The court will not return to Windsor before February next. _ The visit of their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Christian to the Earl of Derby, at Knowsley, ter minated yesterday, when they returned to Windsor. Their royal highnesses, accompanied by the Earl of Derby, left Huyton station in one of the royal saloon carriages, which was attached to the express train which leaves Liverpool at 11.30 a.m. A large crowd was ataacted to Huyton station in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Princess, who was scarcely visible in the dark station on the night she arrived. During the Toesday and Wednes day their royal highnesses were at Knowsley the male visitors slaughtered 1,944 head of game, of which 650 were pheasants. His Excellency the Prussian Ambassador and the Countess Bernstorff have returned to the Prussian Em bassy, on Carlton-house-terrace, from visiting Viscount and Viscountess Holmesdale at Linton, Kent. _ Lord and Lady Alfred Paget have arrived at Brockleiby Park, on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Yarborough, from their seat in Norfolk. We (Devizes Gazette) are glad to hear that the health of the Lord Bishop of Beth and Wells is slightly improving. LATEST 411 TELLIGENCE.• - SPAIN. A letter from Madrid of the 9th says The Minister of Justice has just published to the Gaze& an ordinance requiring M. Oloesga to present hiutself within thirty days before the military tribunal sitting at Madrid. The chief of the ultra-progreselst party, who has attired at Florence, as is known, is proceeded against as a conspirator. A former journalist, M. Fernandez de los Rios, who has disappeared,is also cited to appear to answer a similar charge and illicit retention of arms. The Duke de Vengua, the direct desoendant of Christopher Colum bus, has just died here. Although by direction of the de ceased no invitations were issued for the funeral, a con siderable number of persons, amongst them several minis ters, senators, and the Pope's Nuncio, followed the bier. The title of First Admiral of Spain, granted in memory of his illustrious ancestor, does not expire with him, as be heir. (Ravree's Tali:mums.) BELGIUM. BRUSSELS, Dec. 14. A royal decree has been issued appointing General Baron Goethals;aide-de-camp to the King, to the poet of Minister of War. CHINA. (By overland telegraph from Gale.) HONG KONG, Nov. 15. The French expedition in the Corea has pene trated to gang-char without meeting any reels- tance. Advices from Japan announce that the civil war is suspended. ----- LNOTIIF.R DREADFUL COLI,II DY EX mosiow NFAR TUNSTALL, STAF , FORDSHIRE: NEARLY ONE HUNDRED LIVES LOST. (From the Manchester Guardian of this day.) About 11 o'clock yesterday morning an explosion of fire-damp occurred at the Talk-cf-the4.lll Colliery, near Tunstall, by which, as far as could be ascertained last night, nearly 100 lives were lost. The colliery is situated in the parish of Talks, about a mile from the Harecastle station ; it belongs to the North Staffordshire Coal and Iron Company (Limited), and has been worked about 18 months. The coal which it produces is known as Banbury coal. From the mouth of the shafts—two ' in number—to the bottom of the pit is a depth of 350 yards, and the workings extend about 600 yards in various direc tions. The number of men and boys employed was about 150. These poor fellows demanded the pit at 5 o'clock yesterday morning, and engaged in their hazardous occupation till 11 o'clock. About that hour a smothered report was heard by those standing on the pit bank, flames rushed furiously from the mouth of the pit, and an instant afterwards the surface of the country for • great extent on all aides was covered with thick soot. The shock caused by the explosion was felt at the distance of half • mile. Quickly the colliery was thronged with anxious relatives, who, in the thought lessneu of their trouble, would unwittingly have hindered the attempts which were at once started to rescue the perilled miners. Mr. G. Johnson, the company's m anager, got the pit bankcleared as soon as possible, and the cages were lowered into the mine. In a short time about 50 terrified men and lads were brought to the surface by way of No. 2 shaft. The efforts at No. 1 shaft were not so successful, several men who were raised at that point being burned more or less severely. The scene at the time of the early rescues was most touching, the joy of mothers, wives, and children being intense and loudly expressed on finding that their relatives were only burned. The needs of the injured men were promptly met by Messrs. Barnes, Bruce, and Greatorex, surgeons, who, together with the incumbent of Talks, the Rev. M. W. M'Hutchin, were quickly on the scene of the catastrophe. The latter gentleman was particularly active in his efforts to relieve the poor fellows. Through out the afternoon the search was continued, and as from the suffocating atmosphere within the pit, offrequent relays of assistants were necessary, u the serrices those who had isition. The willingness with esca ped were called into req which they came forward was, as Mr. MMutchin informed us, truly admirable, while their sympathy was such as only those acquainted with the dangers of their calling could fully appreciate. They bravely descended the depth from which they bad •onarrowly escaped with their lives, searched for their mates, and, placing those they found in the cage, were with them drawn up No. 1 shaft to the outface. The exploration rendered the searchers almost unconscious, and as each one came to the surface every means were taken to revive him. Some of them re mained for a long time half insensible, while others, on whom brandy and chloroform had a more salutary effect, soon came round, and were ready for another descent. The bodies brought up from time to time were examined by the surgeons, and were, with few exceptions, pro. flounced dead. The fatal word was sadly heard by the men at the pit bank. At this time women and children had been prohibited from approaching the shaft, and thus many painful demonstrations were prevente:. Additional melancholy was given •• to the poems at the pit mouth by the shadows cast upon the grimy faces of the deceased by the lurid glare of the fires which had been kindled to assist identifi cation. The latter result was attained in very few instances, smoke and disfiguration rendering it difficult. Once a looker-on ventured to guess that " it was Dick So-and-so," while another aeon lad that it was " him as worked with Jack Knowles." In pairs the bodies of the unfortunate men were placed in carts and conveyed to the Swan Inn. Along the road many women anxiously asked about their husbands and sons, but seldom could their questions be answered. One poor woman pushed forward to a cabin near the pit, and plaintively put the doubting question that she " reckoned they'd heard nowt o' Jim yet I" The scene in the pit is described as frightful. Bodies and limbs lay apart, and several headless trunks were sent up. The total number found in an injured state up to 8 o'clock last night was 13. The dead bodies numbered 43. a ft e r-damp was the cause of death. Deducting the unin jured, the horned, and the dead, there must then have remained in the pit between 40 and 50 men, and, as none of those brought up towards the end of the day was alive it is but reasonable to suppose that these, too, have perished. This is the first explosion at this colliery, although it is described as of a very gassy character. All the most recent methods of ventilation were in use, and the cause of the explosion is not at present known. During yester day afternoon the government inspector for the district ' Mr. Wynne, descended the pit. The pi t stable, we are informed, caught fire, and it is supposed that seven or eight horses have been destroyed. One collier who had aided in the extrication of the dead, told his comrades, on reaching the pit bank in a fainting state, that he had seen foe- men lying dead in a heap. Several who, like this man, had become worsted by their labours were ordered to remain quiet upon one side, but the brave fellows insisted, in tones and with the appearance of drunken men, occasioned by the gas, that they " could goo again." After the bodies had been washed, a number of the de ceased were identified. The marriage of Lady Victoria Cecil, youngest daughter of t•te Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter, and the Hon. William Evans Freke, second brother of Lord t!Hrberi, 11.11 be celebrated to-morrow at Burghley House, Stamford. The death is announced of Lady Anna Maria Dawson. for many years Lady of the Bedchamber to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. Her ladyship was the only surviving daughter of John, Earl of Portarlington, and granddaughter of the Earl of Bute, Prime Minister to George 111. The Rev. W. J. E. Bennett, the vicar of Frome Selwood, has, by the advice of his medical attendants, left England to pass the 11 inter months in a milder climate. The Committee of the Corn Exchange have re solved that that establishment shall be closed on Monday, the 24th, the day preceding Christmas Day. Among the Manchester and other wholesale houses which will not be open for business after Saturday, the 22nd, until Thursday morning, the 27th, are Messrs. Leaf, Sons, and Co. ; Caldecott, Sons, and Co. ; W. and R. Morley ; Arthur, Kay, and Evans ; Vyse, Sons, and Co. ; Field and Sons ; F. Goodyear and Co. ; S. Maw and Son ; and Norton and Townend. The following Girls will observe the 2Gth, Boxing-d►y, as a holiday:—James Shoolbred and Co., Marshal and Snelgiove, Debenham and Freebody, Grant and Gask, Hailing, Pearce, and Stone, Redmayne and Co., Farmer and Rogers, J. Allison and Co., C. and H. Dickens and Jones, \V. C. Jay, Peter Robinson, Horiitt and Co., Spencer, Turner, and Boldero, D. B. Johnstone and Co., Harvey, Nicholls, and Co., W. Tarn and Co., Atkinson and Co., Olney and Sons, Hitch cock, Williams, and Co., John Harvey and Son, J. Spence and Co., A. and W. Allan, Capper, Son, and Co., John Sharland, T. Simpeon and Co., T. Venables and Sons, W. and H. Clayton, and G. Davenport. There seems to be no question that the 26th will be the holiday generally observed in all trades. The preparations for the Chancery litigation in the case of Overend, Gurney, and Co. are, it is stated, proceeding vigorously. A special commission has been sitting at the Law Institute for the last seven days ; Mr. Roxburgh, instructed by Messrs. Maynard and Sons, ap pearing on behalf of the liquidators ; Mr. Mathew, in structed by Messrs. Young and Co., for Messrs. Gurney ; Mr. Clement Swanton and Mr. Montagu Williams, of the Common Law bar, instructed by Messrs. Clark, Son, and Co., for the shareholders. On Wednesday, Mr. Birk beck, one of the partners and directors, was under cross examination, but he ref used to give further evidence unless he had the protection of counsel, and accordingly counsel were summoned, the business being adjourned for that purpose. Yesterday the examination was rammed with increasing interest._ _ _ --- - The gaming tables of Spa are condemned "in principle," as M. Vandenpeereboom has lust declared at Brussels, in answering a question put by M. Kenya de Lettenhove in the Chamber of Deputies. But in order not " to communise the intestate " of the watering-place, those establishments wit be maintained until 1876. THE COLLIERY CNTASTROPTIER. Some of our contemporaries express this morning the sympathy and horror which fi'l the public mini at the intelligence of the fresh colliery calamities in York- shire and Staffordshire. More lives than have furnished the sacrifice of some famous battles hare been destroyed, auil this, all agree, must appeal irresistibly to the humanity and charity of the county. It will be seen that the Lord Mayor of London has already begun to organise a Relief Fund, and the example, there can be no doubt, will at once be followed throughout the land. It it observed that the same colliery was, ex►ctly twenty years ago, the scene of an accident in which more than 70 people lost their lives. The public mind, it is added, will not be satisfied unless the inquiry into this particular accident is soon supplemented by a general investigation into the whole subject of mining discipline, conducted by an efficient commission. It has long been held as a truth amongst the men themselves, that the present government inspectors, although eminently scien tific and conscientious officials, do not suffice to perform the amount of examination and supervision required, and that their hands ought to be strengthened by the appoint ment of several subordinates, men practically acquainted with all the details of life in a mine. UNIVERSITY REFORM. Attributing its doe impel Lance in the educational pro cess to the social intercourse which enters so largely into the Oxford system, the Doily News points out that there are counter -balancing disadvantages which interfere very seriously with the primary purpose for which Oxford has been supposed to exist—such as the time occupied in pby sical training and recreation, and in luxurious and expen sive amusements. The advocates of university extension, therefore, refuse to consider it an unanswerable objection to their schemes that they involve some sacrifice of the social training which Oxford has so long given. The method which seems to the Daily News to meet most thoroughly the growing need, is that laid down in the report of the committee upm extension by affiliation which has just been printed, and the substance of which is that any chartered college in England and Wales may, upon certain conditions, be affiliated to the Univeasity of Oxford, regular attendance at a college so affiliated during the first two years of the undergraduate course being counted as residence at the university. For that part of the student's education which give* a special character to the university course, and requires the special appliances of a university pro fenoriate, be will still have to go up to Oxford. The difference will be that the duration of hie university career will be shortened by one half, and that by this change more than one source of expense, or temptation to extra vagance, will be removed from his path. Among other arguments which may be mentioned is favour of the scheme, are the beneficial influence it will exert on the 'APPIN BROTHMS.—Established A. D.lBlO. CHESTSof SILVERPIATE for the COLONIES, ____---------- CUTLERY sad BILVIR PLATT doe - APPIN -BIiOTHI2/3, LONDON-BRIDat. 'APPIN BROTH:MIS, 2ZI, REGENT STRUT. ENSON'S WATCHES. 18 sad OD, Ladotorblll; 81, Old Dodd-Wed. nd POLSONI3 CORN FLOUR BROWN a for CHILDIM'S To obtain extra profit by the sale other kinds ewe seinetimee offend instead of BROWN and FOLSOrff. John Brown," "John Pollan," le wiped by the maskers on each packet. L _ xTTS'S CHEAP DIARIES for 1867 are fr e u ell nted wan tt i o o f ve m r ec so different form.;;.audanadr ee e misery Catalogue' gratis of all booksellers. Ehe erprefSlS. TO COEILESPONDKET B . Adverti s ements Intended for " The &pram," London Evening , must be at the Mice. 10, Bouverie-straet, by T wo =it on the day of publication. DRURY LANZ. TELI Erenunn, AS YOU LIKE IT. lir. Walter Mont gomery and Mum Helen nude. —And KATHERINE AND PE TRUCHIO. Mr. T. siwinbourne, Mr. J. Robins, and lila Isabel Adana. HAYMAILLET. 1113 Enduse, A GAME OF SPECULATION. Messrs C. Mathews:Chippendale:Rogers:dz.: Mesdames PltwllDam, Laws, dr. -ANTON Y AND CLEOPATRA. Messrs. C. Mathews, Camp ton, ; Mesdames Mathews & HAL-SHOCKING EVENTS. - - - PRINCINVB. Till TeWM, BA&NABY BUDOK News. I. Whams, F. vuuers, J. G. Shore, ezo. ; Mn. John Wood, Mires Annum+ Thomson and Katherine lodgers, Mrs. H. Vining, and Hi► C. Borsman.—Preceded by TUN lIISTRESS OFT 7; Ll (TOW s grams, BRUTUS AND COAlt Miss Hamada —And M TUE LONG STRUM Hewn Emery. Widdicomb, coirper. Fitz patrick. Reynolds, and ]foreland alias lienrade.--Coacluding with TWICADLE lON'S TAIL COAT.—Cummeaca at 7. - STRAND. Tm zreprso. NEIGHBOURS. Venire rarselle, Belford, and : Mesdames Bwanborongh, Johnstone, sad Ilughe3. KKS I LWORTH Masers, James, Tneme, k enton IlesdAnns bwaßbOrougg Bayoham.—ead BOOTS AT THE SWAN. - - HOLBORN. TIII9 SoriCum), at 7, FAMILY JARS. Mr. WWI Puri and Miss C. Itsuaders.—And FLYING SCUD. Messrs. Neville, Rei mers, Blke, Voila/re, ate. Mesdames F. Josephs, C. datuidme. Dude Foote, kidded, Lennox, Itsymond, de. BRITANNIA. Tins ETilmo, LAURETTE'S BRIDAL; OR, MORE TITAN MEETS THE RYE. Mrs. Lane. —Mr. " Danchig Mad" Bryan Mr. Laturnum ; Dngw .r. the Indian Juggler —BRLINDA BRA- Mr. OR, THE BETRAYER. AND IT., VICTIM. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE rim DAT —Morning, 6h. 15rn Afternoon. Ch. 3&L To 711. bn Afternoon, 7h. SW. LONDON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14. ; EXPRESS FROM PARIS. EXTRAORDINARY LAW SUIT. ACTION FOR DAMAGES BY FRENCH CONFEDERATE I 3 ISER. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, THURSDAY EVENING. A lawsuit extraordinary, of very great interest, was heard yesterday in a preliminary stage before the Civil Tribunal of the Seine, presided over by M. Benoit Champy. The plaintiff is Andrew Johnson, President of the United States ; and the defendants are M. Arman, the great shipbuilder of Bordeaux, a member of the Corps Legislatif, and others. The circumstances of the case fully appear from the declaration filed by the President of the United States, which is as follows : Whereas in the course of the year 1861 several states belonging to the republic of the United States of America took up arms against federal authority, and attempted to form a separate confederation under the denomination of the Confederate States of the South ; and whereas the French government did, it is true, recognise the said states as belligerents by an imperial declaration published in the Moniker Uninersel, of June 30, 1861 ; but whereas the said declaration positively prohibited French citizens from taking any part whatsoever in the manning or arming of any ship of war or privateer belonging to either party, and moreover strictly enjoined all French subjects to re frain from any act whatsoever which, in violation both of the laws of the empire and of the law of nations, might be considered as a hostile act towards either party and contrary to neutrality ; and whereas in defiance of the precise terms of the above declaration, and of the vari ous laws on which it was grounded, and at the risk of most seriously compromising French neutrality, • joint-stock company for the purpose of supplying verse's of war to the so-called Confederate States was formed in France under the inspiration and direction of the defendant Armen of the one part and the defendants Voruz, Joilet, Babin, Dubigeon, and Mazeline of the other part ; and whereas by verbal conventions agreed upon in Paris on April 15, 1803, M. Armen contracted with one Bullock, a Confede rate agent, es well to build in his own docks two ships of war for the Confederate States as to obtain from MM. Voruz, Joilet, Babin, Dubigeon, and Mazeline a contract for the construction of two other similar ships ; and whereas the price of the four ships aforesaid was fixed at 1,800,000 fr. each,or. 7,200,000 fr. in all, the money to be payable in Paris ; and whereas it being impossible that these contracts could be otherwise than provisional so long as permission for the sailing of these armed ships was not obtained, 31. Amman did, on June 1, 1863, solicit the Minister of Marine for permission to take away the ships aforsaid, armed with from 12 to 14 guns, alleging that they had been ordered of him for the account of a foreign merchant, who wanted them for a mercantile packet service in the Pacific and Chinese seas, and who moreover looked forward to the possibility of selling them as ships o: war to Chi's or Japan ; and whereas the Minister of Marine, deceived by the above false and fraudulent allegation, granted the permission required, on June 6 ; and whereas, on the very same day, on the ministerial authorisation being communicated to him, M. Flisell [Qy. ? Slidell], who assumed the quality of Con federate envoy in Paris, confirmed the contract which bad been made by Bullock on the preceding 15th of April ; and whereas tb-ee days after this ratification, and on June 9, M. Erlanger, a banker in Paris, end a financial agent for the pretended Confederate government, under took for a commission of 5 per cent. to guar.intee If. Armen the payment of the first two-e`ths of the stipu lated price for the four ships ; and whereas the adhesion of MM. Voruz and Co. to the verbal convention of April 15 was obtained by M. Ar man ; that Armen and his co-defendants received accordingly, in the course of the year 1863, at least two-fifths of the price, i.e., 2,800,000 fr.; and whereas the French government being informed by the American government of the real destination of the four ships aforesaid, did, in October, 1863, expressly withdraw the permission which had been obtained from it by fraud and sum price, and upon the faith of which alone the payments on account aforesaid were made to Armen and his co-defendants ; and whereas it appears from the facts above stated, that Armen and his co defendants are now holders, without any lawful right or title, of the sums of money handed to them in pursuance of an illicit contract, and which sums they ought to refund; and whereas the government of the United States is the only party entitled to call for the restitution of the sums of money aforesaid; and whereas Armen and his co-defendants bating acted in bad faith in receii• - ig the sums aforesaid are bound to refund the same 'A Lt h interest ; and whereas the said defendants have by their conduct done most serious damage to the United States, and in particular did, so far as depended on them, prolong the duration of the rebellion by contri_ basting to accredit the belief that the French government favoured the cause of the Southern states, and was eien a ,out to recognise in them a distinct nationality ; and whereas the government of the United States is therefore justified in suing the defendants jointly and severally for reparation for the damage done as aforesaid ; and whereas the sum of 2,600,000 fr., with interest, can only be considered an extremely moderate esti mate of the damage so caused—May it please the court to condemn the said defendants to pay to the government of the United States the sum of 2,800,0001 r., with costs of suit, and without prejudice to any further claim for damages, or for larger sums which they may be proved to have received on account of the said ships. The interlocutory motion made yesterday by M. Lacan, counsel for the defendants, was ono simply of course that President Johnson, as a foreigner, suing in a French court, should give proper secu rity for costa (judicators solri is the French term) in case of his losing the action. The only question before the court was what that amount should be, and upon this the estimates of counsel on either side differed widely. On the one part it was contended that registry dues for the transfer of the various ships in question which had been sold, ought to be provided for by the caution money • while, on the other, it was said that these dues, being incurred subsequent to a fraudulent transaction, could in no event whatever be charged to the United States, and that it would be a great libel upon the assumed cheapness of French law to fix the security for costs at more than 5,000 fr. The court, however, gave the defendants the utmost sum they asked for, and " condemned " Andrew Johnson—con demned being no doubt the matter-of course and appropriate word—to pay 150,000 fr. (6,0001.) into court. --• At the Bourse yesterday's prisms were fully maintained. THE CONDUCT OF JAMA THE ICA. NAVAL OFFICERS la A parliamentary paper just published contain s extracts of correspondence between the Board of la, nay with " mind H o p e And others relative to this ses ject. Witfi regard to the ease "of Gelled lamothe,ll.-: Haytian, who complained of gross maltreatment, Me. I, mains, writing On behalf of the Admiralty, lap " Making every allowance for the peculiar eire s ... stances of the case, my lords consider it was the duty d those racers to have ascertained what was dus to Ili position of the prisoners oomodtted to their charge, ...a to have taken special care that their property cos lost or made away with." The paper contains a b 4 random random of revised instructions, br which, as far an h id circumstances admit, Admir a l Holz* ie to be goys in the event of it at any future time Ming q qa . sary to land parties for t h e suppression of dikes antes, or otherwise, in any British colony or element within the limits of his comer ; In a despatch of the Admiralty, dated July 6, the enw e a of Captain de Horsey, Lieutenants Brand and Lieutenant O'Connor and others, in carrying Z i t military measures is highly praised ; but their lorwa 4 in typing to the proceedings in which naval °M oen part in punishing the disturbers of Me public p eeeo ,y ea ., that they are unable to v i ew those proceeddXsitiTh" same satisfaction." Lieutenant Brand in the • yi duty as president of the courts-martial at Monist y pears to have been actuated be au earnest do n g e ir satisfy himeelf of the truth or falsehood of the co. e brought against the prisoners ; but my lords regret n o li should have been satisfied with evidence that, la e ns cases, would not have been admitted before any cos nary tribunal, end in others would have been thee* insufficient. The responsibility of carrying int o sue, tion the sentences recommended by the courts don art rest with him, since it appears that the whole pr om ',, fogs were in every case submitted for the considassin of the superior military authority, by whom the nimb i carrying the sentences Into effect were given. With reps to the proceeding of Lieutenant Oxley, you have ale i th acquainted that officer with your opinion upon them, have pointed out the mistakes he committed, and my h o s have only to express their entire concurreses in n o views you have expressed." In a despatch to the Cases office on the same subject, Mr. Romaine, on the part of s e Admira l ty, observes, "These officers were ascemay young and inexperienced in the conduct of such p i n Lions • no definite and detailed instructions were e ra them for their guidance, and their minds we e necessarily acted upon by the alarm and nin► ment which everywhere prevailed around them Ie the majority of cases in which punishments o n awarded, and sentences carried out under the odes d naval officers during the prevalence of martial kw, O s proceedings of the courts-martial over which i tr uz sided, or of which they were members, were for confirmation and approval to superior Ma w authority. This was notably the ease in the tot of George William Gordon, which was presided me by a naval officer ; the proceedings, and and its execution received the confirmation and of the Major-General and the Governor of the With regard to other acts committed by meg officers, under the authority of military law, who wt as they were to the exercise of their own judgment, sy lords will not fail to express their reprehension of say men of cruelty or needless seventy. Looking to the rely dal. cult position in which these young officers were plead, away from the superior officers to whom they wets nen tomed to look for instruction, my lords do not dram -*wary to order any further steps to be taken." An address, signed by seventy-five occupiers cd land in Wiltshire, whose average occupations 6 thousand acres, has been presented to "S. G. 0.• (the Rev. Lord B. G. Osborne), thanking him west for his late letters against the ritualiatic pse tires. "We also desire to declare," they add, "es alarm at the tone of the letter which has, in COLO quenee of this protest, been addressed to your Indiipby the Bishop of Salisbury, and we would express =hi belief that if the doctrines inculcated in that letter ens to be generally adopted by the clergy throughout en die cese, the consequences to the cause of real scriptural ligion must be serious indeed." A bibliographical rarity, the library of Ludovits Manini, the lad Doge of Venice, will be brought to GI hammer at Leipsia in the course of January next B contains 2,355 works, many of them of great Mental interest. The Emperor Napoleon has distributed to tie cabinet ministers a quarto volume containing some done tions of his own concerning the army adminittratica. The Grand Duke of Hesse has prohibited pamphlet advocating German unity under Pitman as. picas. The Society of the Jardin d'Aeclimetation(Beig de Boulogne) have recently added to their colketim pheasants by some splendid (Crosoptilon Anita), from Mantchonry ; by the Switilioe, from the lead d Formosa ; the Prelate, from Cochin China ; lad S. Houppifere (Enplocomus Lineatus), from Ennui. The versi-colour pheasant of Japan was sold five years Nod these gardens, at the enormous prices of 1,500 fr. si I ' 2oofr. the pair ; whereas the species Is already a acclimatised in France, that birds of this kind are en sternly shot by sportsmen in the imperial and all preserves. The Jardin d'Acclimatation has at this scowl 1,500 pheasants of rare kinds in one aviary, all the birds is splendid condition. The ground is thickly strewn vdk leaves, so that the pheasants spend their time peck* si the dtbris as though they were in their own woods ed perches sheltered beneath sheds keep the birds *Nib • dry in bad weather. One compartment of this avieyii occupied by a splendid breed obtained by nee* de verai-colonr and common pbeasant. " Italian tourists," says the Spurt, "cosuslui• mite the most melancholy conjectures respeetieetaLl yet, inexplicable disappearance of the Countess of Schee burg. Two months back she left Enghien, wheels had passed the summer, and went to make woes excursions in Upper Italy before retching IIiI. She set out one morning with some friends for sash in the mountains, and when about half way so es beset by such sorrowful presentiments that she took ed her diamond earrings, which she always wore, sad Pss them to ono of her companions to tako care of, sync dos was afraid of encountering robbers. A few steps finder on, she separated a little from the party, and fee di moment it was found impossible to discover the smallest trace of what bad become of her. The belief is that ski • must have fallen over a precis ice ; hut hitherto the sisst . minute search has been made without result." The establishment of two fishing companies Bremen has been speedily succeeded by a similar rotas prise at Hamburg. The cattle plague has exten ded to Lower for An d; and Moravia. The Zollverein imports leas 100,000 head of cattle a year, partly from Antes sai partly from Russia, in both of which countries the Ma' lence is again beginning to manifest itself. The Weiss • disease has shown itself lately at Auras, in Silesa. eli• near Stettin. But the cases are isolated, and do * awaken much apprehension. T H E LATE BARONESS FERAND PE ROTES. DIN cult:D.—One of those terrible calamities which owe sionally visit the lying - in r oom has just plunged 1 11 ._ members of an esteemed family in the profouudest tion. On the 4th instant the liaroeess Ferdinand de Rothschild, whilst in the first stage of W ar ' was suddenly seized with convulsions, and died ailed instantly. Dr. Farre was in att ',dance, and S. assistance of Drs. West and Priestley was also eke tamed. Delivery was accomplished , but the childto .ele dead. The lamented lady was the ...motel daughter el Baron Lionel de Rothschild, member for the City of le* don, and this was her first confinement. It is at loin satisfactory to feel assured that no human foresight net have prevented the sad occarrence. and that in t ow I of the accomplished physicians mentioned nohing skill and experience could suggest was left undcant—le Lancet. I THE FUNERAL OF lin. EDMUND FRY.-7A.n was buried yesterday afternoon to the churchyard st em• Barnet, near which he bad been lately residing. AMA those present were Mr. Charles Gilpin, M.P., Mr. ow" eiety ; Mr. L. A. Chamerovzow, sei real" of the A* B Th a i iritt e, , e lte nin v g . Henry Richard, secretary of the Pesee Slavery Society ; Mr. T. 11. Smithies, editor of the Now Workman ; Dr. Ellis, tee. SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY, E• wen. Mendelssohn's Elijah will he given . a ue Meal vocalists Madame er L. Sherrington, Mademe Sr: Dolby, Mr. T. Hold (who will make his tint appoo at Exeter-hall), and Mr. Santley. The 101' RITUALISM IN TUE UNITED STATES.-.--,110 lowing is a description, in a New York Pe er ' manner in which the church service is performed le Alban's Church, in that city, every Sunday meriting::: There the sitar is brilliantly illuminate d, and the ealf, are preceded by a grand procession of priests choristers in vestments, led by a crucifer bearings& emblem of the Redemption. When the chantonis. ree; the clergy, acolytes, and people make genutietuic the centre of the altar, and during the Holy 1. ken"; t o te cia m t a i n n n g er pri of es a t n " cie rea nt di sac h r i i s fic h es a . n6 intoned, all present facing the Ritualistic east. Iful_.,*.;: of the scene of the labours and su ff erings ot the le7e ; Redeemer. The people kueel when the "blessX__, given, and at every repetition of the natne is ssysed. they reverently bow their heads. The chiles with a paten and an embroidered cloth bearing a c"' .. Toh7TNtiochen•Chtliwecr....l_, This Ina • of 15,0001•, orunPunY• 111 Orb of August 10th of Novem oompany; an d m and I n retiltlrwmamr igh airenidieeir:::bosi,d t .eams ouo:)boun asilweyoo li tsubmi a th ve nconesktu.o ti ft had obtained zirthit") dealing. „„ d claim nails bl the bills upo the first i Mr. and a num the petition. The Vice- - uP r•q] should ruqvu The petitic ootopsnY up d ra wn, the p stated that ti in Fors' of struotaon. Vb. Glasse end Sir R. 11 After term the 1 LATLAND the This WI" for nu stitch se Kr. • for the were eau %Before t The Bob to • Ye abinenf• LB had lost th transit lading to • meantime tiff, and t 'erred tbe impossible altimsgh t they could fore, had Verdict Sittings a 1 The pla and the d phreys an the plain and ware mained OM was capita.' were site damp inonstran their thi plane. and the this sum Mr. Pr plaintiff the defe In the the evi occupy a would hops to sea der Under that the verdict ref ere n Dr. Si Mr. Seel The p Ehtederl had si .I‹ nunrried reupond letter ol peat wee to be m charged her affu dis a and kel tack of 1 greatly twice co told het for whi respon alleged eeparat al Tho ease hi 'mete to thei retie! furthe Aft His biliti in more inoon the ap be gee; As Tr ►eceni 3,8001 Rai 'EAU