The Express. — London, England, 1864-12-30 00:00:00

..+. ... -c / 7 6, ~ 4, 7 1,,.. "1 „ : ,. , ,, .. L. .. e., , ,, / ~ No. 5,740.] 7.: - AM /EOM LIVERPOOL OA QUEENSTOWN 119 NEW YOKE. :is LryntpitiOi., - - law YORK, sad PIFILAORLFRIA RTEXII4IIIIP 001/PANY Wend &a lert" their tall-powered rlydedmAlt Iron km, Ilessmdildph eitug the ratted Bastin; mails. FROM LITF.RFOOL tor ICEW TORW. CITY Or RALTIIIORK, Wednesday, Jan. IL CM' OF LI II LRICK, Saturday, Jan. 7. %Li every Wednesday and every alien/ass Saturday. ~..., passage by the mail steamers sailing every Wednesday, .*, and 21 guineas, according to the accommodation. Cabin ;,,,...:e by the Saturday's stamen, ls guinea'. forward passage .. ._, as, Including all previsions cooked. Passenger s for 0 ...5, the United Rates, and British Columbia. booked through ~ry advantageous torms.-1. or further particulars apply to i•II.:All INMAN, 21 W..teratreet, Liverpool ; at to RIVE." 4. .. lIACEY. in, King Willians-sirset City. BREMEN. —Direct Route to Hanover, Bruns ' and Central Germany—Oar of the North German .• •ne tint clam screw steamers ADLER. IIOWN, or i . alig will be despatched from Horselydown, every r ley morning /weather permitting). at 10 a.m., calling at „w all Pier ter parmsngers at 12 noon.—Payee to Bremen, Cr return tickets, L 3 and LI BM—Apply at CHAPLIN'S Grace Regent-circus. W. : or to 2.I,UPg, gmAygg. PPA sad Co.. 11. looddriam LO. 4±BERT INSURANCE COMPANY Limited . trIRE ant MARINE) invite (tarred estimated by the individual rift: the .t liberality maintained In every transaction. Agents Ilneh-lane. sod;. Waterloo-place, Pall-mall. MuYELL THEOBALD, Manager Flrr Department. :rill. IMPERIAL MERCANTILE CREDIT AsSOCIATION Capital subscribed, .5,000.0410: paid up, 6100,000. 1•11:T.CT0ILS. CustRIIAN—JOHN CHAPMAN, Est. nr‘ph..n Haiti. Eat. Charles Belson, Lg. t 1 i!oleman, Esq. 0. 0. Macpherson, geq. Mr Alderman Dekko. W. Scholeneld, Y.P. Dickson, Esq. Sir S. D. Scott. Bart. • P. Harlow, Eaq. H. D. Seymour, Esq., M.P. .. Hannon, ay. Joseph Thornton, kaq. s . II ilartord, Esq. Y. 0. Westmorland, Esq. F. Holroyd, Esq. Allred Wilson, Eaq. haq Y. Zarin, Esq. ran J. Gilbert Johnston. Slavaqtas—Henry J. Harker, En., and T. Frame Sandeman, Esq. _ Ash:,rst, Morrie, and Co. ; and Mims. Eds Ards sad Co. receives money on deposit for fixed periods : v advances on approved !wet/title,: • lutes loans, and undertakes general financial business. W. C'. WINTIERBOTTOM, Secretary. y Moue, LS, Blehopagate-street Rabbi. C.I3IODORE NIL;TT and MINN LE WARREN. • I J tMESS HALL, PICCADILLY.—THIS DAY, and -• . t'. Holidays, THREE GRAND LEVEES DAILY at 11. • o clock •• Natures smallest Edltloa of her choicest . • • Ise:hake and Rene of mature age, oot larger than - • ,:dt • At 11 o'clock they appear to the Identical wedding .• • •• worn by them at the marriage of General Tom Thumb. v also perform swum duets. loaves, dc., giving several t.erw cations, with an entire change of programme at each They will be drawn to and from St. James's Hall in their .tyAn carriage, by four of the smallest ponies to the world, i to them by Genend Tom Thumb. Hon-office open : 4 o clock. Adineeion. Is. and h . reserved sesta, Si.. ..lf.price to the L. and 3s. seats. I:EAT ST. JAMES'S-HALL.-LAST WEEK IT lil•T ONE.—Professor ANDERSON, WIZARD of the ' 111 p sitlrely ten:Windy hie most prosperous Demon on • the :th Jan.. lek.S. The WORLD of MAGIC, SECOND the Rope-tying Jlystery, sad the Monster Chriatmes sal he exhibited LC EllY EVENING during the week at S. "Pedal slat performances on Saturdays, at S o'clock. To •;• .et d,appolotasent stalls tor these attractive entertain ahoild be secured without delay at Mr. Mitchell'. Royal 7.1 r). 33, •di Bond-street, and at the Hall. Admisalon, Is. THE OXFORD.—ORPHEE AUX ENTERS, .denhaelia beautiful Comic Opera, and the NEW CAN 1. KING CHRISTMAS. written by Lichfield Momley, Esq., mpw.,d by Herr ile)vr Lutz expressly for this establish ..t ad) he performed Every Evening until further notice. •rd and Canteibury ito i Compeny (Limited). I WOOLPACK TAVERN, St. Peter's-alley, TV Con hill —A eapaciotte and handsome Room, with I". RI blitstN ot. the first door. has been late:y opened, when estrous, Linhere, and every requirement are served erlth ...1. , .. same excel:, oft that has obtasned tor the house Ita high ei atation. N.ll—Tae best SMOKING ROOM la loodoe. TORTNUM, MASON, and Co. respectfully .1 11212 , 410Cii their ANNUAL SELECTION of CONTINENTAL ~.‘ ELTIV, consisting of FRUITS and fiIiNWINS, in elegant i , tee sad basket., suitable for presents, likewise every variety ‘: boutonniere tic., adapted for German trees awl table decors t e They Lam also received then season's importations of Deserved sad dried fruits, for desert and culinary purposes. • -. MI 18110,111:1ent of comestible, for the breakfast, lancbeoa. • ,r. and supper table —iilitElliN WAREHOUSE. 1* Pie . ', W CHRISTMAS POULTRY. YEEtsoNS WISHING TO BECEIIII GOOD GENIE AND In EVS should go to I N. and J. E. TAYLOR S. SA LITTLE PYLTENEY-STRELT, I ~: .:enaquare. W. ihd J. E. T. beg to inform the public they ..n stow a carefullyael,ctcd stock of 10,000 English Gear tat Thrksyl. lIIIIENnE SUPPLIES OF GAME EVERY DAY PER RAIL. SAUCE. —LEA and PERRIN/3' WORCIOTERSIII RE SAUCE. This delicious condiment, prosoniu-ed by eenacteseas ••TML ONLY t.uul) SAI L}," Is prepared solely by LEA and PERRINS. The pubit: are respectfully cautioned afralutt worthless Bolts tons, sod should bee that Lea and Perrin/ maws are on impper, lestCe, and stopper. ASK for LEA and PERRIN'S' SAUCE. told wholesale and for export by the Proprietors, Reroute& • Venni. *Atone* and BLACKWELL: Mews. BARCLAY we toN,.Lendoo. Re.. Ite.. and by sewers and ()Omen universal's TABLE GLASS, CHINA, dr CHANDELIERS. J. DEFRI ES and SONS '4] , t just added FIVE NEW :410W ROOMS to their Manntae• ry. where the largest assortment In the world of these gooda 'their manntauture may be seem —l4l, Hoandadtteh. LAMPS • E INDIA. FIELD'S celebrated UNITED SERVICE SOAP TABLETS, 4d. and ed. each, sold by all chandler, and ewers throughout the kingdom: bat the public shoald ask r Yield's, and see that MI. name of el. C. and J. FIELD la a each packet, hex, aad watt. Wholesale sad for exportation tin, Works, UPPER MALAN, LAMBETH, LONDON, S., white ter, may ba obtained &new Prise Medal Parable Paella& I r IYAM and Co.'s ATTIRE for GENTLEMEN, 66 and 67. Osfoed•street, W. All the latest productions in Ci/ATINGA, YKSTINO3. and Th. iI'AERINGS, for Gentlemen Autumn and Winter Attire. 'Le new patterns for Trousers and Vesta. which are displayed in 'Nat variety, are specially recommended. Hymn and Co.'s Fashionable Overcoats. 21a to 635. limam and Co.'s Faidsloaable Winter Capes, 21s. to 701. Hymn and Co.'s Fashionable Jackets, 21s. to 425. liyam and Co.'s Fashionable Dress Coats, 30a. to 70a ilyam and Co.'s Fashionable Frock Coate, 3014. to 70a. II) am and co.'s Fashionable Dress Vests. 6s. 6d. to 21s. /Dam and Co.'s Yashimoble Sulu. 42. a. to Pia Spitftla 4.t quality and economy 1. strictly adhered to in all ttr saions .kportimats. south F.tablialiments—Birmingham, 21, 2.1, and 23, New ,irevt Leeds, 42, Briggste : and.Lieersbury, Westgate. CRISTDIAS PRESENTS and NEW YEAR'S Ulla: , be all who court the Gay and Pestle. Swam LoIVLA lk LIACASSAII OIL, s prewerver and beautityer of the haw I•tyotid all prevedod. Rowlands' Kalb dor, for imP•rt• obc radiant I•LeAu to the complexion, and a softnese aoti yI. • ti.e b.!, arms, at•• 1 neck. Rowlands' Od•ottn, or Pearl I.e t.t:frl• e. f r tiring a yearblike whiteness to the teeth, and Ira :1-0,, t• the breath. The ibitrtmage nt royalty throughout I_r.l•, it • • bend use by rank and fashion, and the salver irn••.:, • inacy of these articles, give them a celebrity an at 20, Hatton•gat dab and by enemata and per- MM. It —.1.. b I • Boa Lu.d. " u ticks. AMI:ERTS ASTHMATIC BALSAM, au :ty tual rereetly. .ithoot eote:nine the bowels or 0 , ell , g Ikr Lra,l , truly ettirnri..us eadsa.wt. b a d m itt e dcol ds Ee tho t es t me d ic i ne f or tame d ate l y relieving muff'''. ee".. as EEI asthma. and incipient consumption. It Ire .l. .. tly cures persons whom the faculty pronounce Incurable, 4 - .Cloys tie which provokes frequent roughing. .mo o lung consumption lis effects are truly IseneliciaL de, et deprive,' of sleep or even 'lib.: down tnt fear of suit." rime depend on nowt It; a for minutes after taking It.— s.ouly awl sold lEy N1141.1:T. chemist, n. King Wil. E., Are. t. Charingrrie.e. Lontoo, and 14 all dfillMi.ia• In 1314., awl three I pantill. of one, In, Pd. 11. particular ok for imabert s Asthmatic Balsam the name awl Wilma :r • E..:raved on the stamp. trONIC BITT E R 8. W %TEES' QUIN INE WJNL The most palatable and wholesuute bitter Inexistence: AN kIVILIENT TONIC. An unequalled stonachle. and a gentle stimulant ny ,rucers, ItalLw warellmisemrn, wine nierckuusts, con fectiouerc amt nth.•,.. at au*. a dozen. Manufactured by auBEKr WATERS, ?.. Martbielane. Canuonetreet. Leaden,. holesak Agenta. L Leek and Co.. Worcester. .1 1. lateit of this unusually pro d.:J.l aeeterday afternoon for a Drewitt, of a, .1 Toe distance nuke at Putney to the Ship at owed in outrigged boats. Sines th, , men have both been in active oniiiieeceil his preparation with sin:. for the lut fortnight taken 's. ▪ where Tom King is • ai ...Li until the Nth lost., hr lest tiers, Wandsworth, being ninieiton. in whose company the cement, cud was freely backed it lie rowed in a new boat e it:ewitt rowed is the boat in en, built by .lewitt. The race 27th instant, but was peaSpen•d ith steenlecbases, which, ou a:conut of the frost. Two race, L and the Childs the umpire+ and referee. The 4, and ni.ally 2 to I being laid. i,ppointed referee, C. Wilcox itt. and ti. liauonertou for the men, tivitompanied by their tiou.. 31:1:1,iiinev, who won this a .1. raisins was in the bow of )1-icier otti,i.,ting for Matkinney. ere observed to lie in hrst-rate They got uff to an excel. 1,.;.!, 51.,,ilitnuev. who was the et art:, his sculls, showing in • iposite Kelly's Dimwit, opponent, and at the pier had tin. row iLst, with great strength tii•Si s tor iniuute. At Sun lit', had los, boat's length..and nee Lint the benefit of his lut met with no re. eel I , rea:tt was half a clear a little at the ▪ with a lead of two • reached by Drewitt is inis.,iiee of his opponent, who • alibough evidently out iu the Soap Works h pre , sittio for a few strokes, • by about six lengths. ▪ this Portion of the distance ~ no i..aterial alteration in Hammersmith and kiuney tried several spurns, the ,uperior style and strength :anis., r.dge in 21 min. 35sec.. I.,ke 2ii in:a. 15 sec.—tivw thus hoishinc a very mac h,+ not trained a loser this ceediii4ly hue, there being rErs. —Tile market was la. .4.: January. 41e. :Q. ; 4. ; tktnber to Do.•ember, '.. 2i.—There has been a u.: temleuey to price.. The .;,(0.1 are for 'inoculation ::. - ..1. to 254; L'CN.O Pernam, m. :17t.1.; :;110 Sleceio and •yptoto, ?Ad, to 30d.; 30 . 23,1.; Jlaalraa, Isla. to caina, DA. to Itiid.; ke.. '—The amount of business I the last week bas been very e a fair supply of most de- o of the year. and no alters )n (being Christmas rdeuba::. There wu • mall supply of were le. higher. Spring Ivo. 3;s. to 3'..e.; white, w, 378. to 38s. l'ens, 22x. market was thinly at. ,f A holiday character, and e on the week as wheat and sack •)ate and oatmeal sans fully as dear. re as as. Indian corn 3d. to Trade was brisk to mu; plies were abort. Beef tt.o, is. tid. to tis.; veal, 4s. 6.1., per stows of sibs., est Hartley. 20..C4. t I livkwall. 245. 6.1. ; Walla r. South Hatton, 245. L ; 'all. Fad Kenos, Vs. tkl. ; s. t. 1.: Walls End South ket, •.:2; sold, 22. RNS. !ter- Total. Total per,. enamtlae. 1464. WM 14 4 ;;4 :An 5,019 4.;$ 61111 114 44 3..174 47,113 30524 s• 7 3,714 3,310 7 3.43/ 3,A9 3,007 4,931 073 1.11t7 1,610 1. 3:4 3 :,523 3e,013 r •21. IN 40,143 31,0e9 5 31.1 A 72,553 65,333 21,741 37,400 117.974) .41 1,796 7,778 •'1.38) 11.9.03 9:. 4 .2 6 CUT 2C170 1'.7'1 1%491 17,ne M - : 1.40 1,08 1 i.S2 4,615 3..61 1.3:3 2,t20 !Alt 'be Allan Com e Liverpool to-day the Cemedian and be received at the try. mitil 5.30 p.m. teamer China will tiled States. The will be open for LIM, and ria tX.—Yester- Tool, leg:imbed • fie* asrs. Thomas Oar& for the East Jodie irsetjee Etudes*. 1,200 0.34. This 3. during the year. la, and 20.yoirs is AND OINT• . gurhines. palpita ,Ar WI All • i rCiRII.I. .) s grand 'verities r,omes fdeady and ter an/fitsoin of the nih3trugnieut Dre w...l.lre eensohility, r inherent in the te th , •hilibts of r.eohr ,: , :dy. free tirtinaltle. With o the paralysed ant ▪ u t -P1 • rl t 4.. 44. ta, I West 11 kkewell, South I 'all. End 44. 1.1. : bet, *.:2; URN! C.. Cum 4 4.7; 4.3 4 3,..11 1.0 OS!1 I. 3:, 31.1:d 21,741 244 13.233 1%324 44. 1 1 leave with th; , will b oderry. .'..tea be roit ilia, o'clo.f4 1N1.1.13 trrpool, Mown ed tot e Kura reg. 1,; 4 Soo. PII I, .1. r 1 1„.• • o•• Ilk Its l m ! I 4r..• • .rn t I) II r,y to ND 1 r . I f I • I at II••••pr. a. 4 A I . lii I. 3 41 • . s. 11 .t vl D DEATHS. r I K .11.111. t .11. II 0 %I. 111 esex, th wife t t... wife of H . 1. lb. w:f • .1. - o' N. :'. at tli• rathh f II .110.11,1, to - I E-1, of • •*KA, n chiln A, by I. • , . ..f khan. to II —prr, fleet. t• -t Kati . A ,r i. la, 11 . —1 J. Mar;zaet .....• I . i-nlly. wife [ ) 4' ,0. , t ~.,..,,,Ittcr of rilllE INVIGORATIVE NERVINE ESSENCE • ,z Ile most wientillcally prepared and most powerful mitt+. 1 • • •. • . b.-I:era's- • • rliel ever introducol; restores to their normal condition • L • • --retione, on the integrity of which perfect heatth de l-. - It tv a spreille for debility of all kinds, and from Ito aun ty .tr •-t, Mr.. finches, 4 .-.!. Among other ingredients, pepsine and phosphate of soda, ;.r...t higtly benercial to the nervous and dlepoptie. , . ,tw. Nes vr 41 , • •• for bottle, or tour quanUties in one for tle. Solo `, •• 11..-era Baumgarten and Co., 520, Ozlostl-stmet, W.C.„ II . t •:. ltvb,ic-,,, 4 .44. honchurch-strect, EC , London. re. -ht. klenel!, hits I/ZEAL:II COPARINE MIGE, successfully !! tr.- Ito the Parts and Loco4on hospitals. under the Cu. of . 11/ 1.1 .. of No. 8. !' ' , , ulloner, Iticord. Lloyd, Poland, and Legroe Clark l•••.. I'i I istort. at lON , et: N..v. 0, 1562 . effects a cure In an average of els days t.. I of V. I. ter, sars.-• O. o cord or chronic dlsemes. —4s. 6d per bottle, by poet - ' .0 I • .111 ZEA 1 - S, French chemist, 49, Haymarket, Loadee, ' ..... Boulerart liagelitii, Perla ; - t - , pHILPOTT'S CRINOLINES. 7s. 9d. pHILPOTT'S CRINOLINES. 10s. ea p HILPOTT'S CRINOLINES. 12s. Gd. pHILPOTT'S CRINOLINES. 15a. 6,1. pHILPOTT'S CRINOLINES. 18s. &I. pHILPOTT'S CRINOLINES. 21a. Od. pHILPOTT'S CRINOLINES. 25.. Od. PHILPOTTS CRINOLINES. 30s. Od. I -a pauroTrsat CRINOLINES. 425. Oa. PUNCH'S ALMANAC K for 1885, Illustrated by J. E. Maims. &&, Jo= Tnattn C. Ellota. Y. W.u.ica, aad 0. Dasereuta. Is sow rawly. THE COMPANIES ACT, 1862. The Form s and Bement Books required tinder the above Let else MI other Muds of Lemma& Books, with every inetionery le mnsite for Public Comptnfee, the Counting-hosse, do., nip gilLel on the best terms. Wag of eiree7 description. Certtatates latpraved sad Printed: 011oial deals de signed and executed. Ask sad Flint. ea liestaerest. LC., 'ad laadowbrielge, ILE. LITERATURE. To-day. By JOHN HOLLINOSEELD. 2 volumes. Groombridge and Sons. Mr. Hollinphead has in these volumes collected from magazines and journals to which he is a con tributor about eighty essays on the social pheno mena of the day. Those who are acquainted with Mr. HoUingshead'e earlier published writings know what they have to expect when he takes pen in hand—great knowledge of the world, vigorous thought, and a hatred of all false pretence. There are some hard hits at popular weaknesses in these volumes, and some amusing exposures of the classes who live by pandering to them. There are very few readers whom these volumes would not instruct, and none whom they would not amuse. In our judgment, " To-day" is the best of Mr. Hollingshead's published works. DRAMA. ADELPIIL A slight piece of absurdity, intended to ridicule the spiritual pretensions of the Davenport Brothers, was produced at this house last night, some time between eleven o'clock and midnight. The author is Mr. Stirling Coyne ; the farce is called Dark Doings in the ettphoard by Me Knotting 'em Brother,. The humour is nearly all of a prat. tical order, and Mr. Toole plays the chief character. alias Woolgar helps to give value to the trifle by appearing as a servant-girl, and both these excellent scion, as usual, worked very hard for their author. Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. Billington, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Stephenson, and Mies Seeman are thrown into the cast, but they have little to do that might not have been done by supernumeraries. The piece nomea a little late is the day, whoa the juggle it is intended to ridicule has lost its novelty. NAVAL AND MILITARY. ADMIRALTY, DEC. 29.—Arpownsmns. Lieu- Minot—T. liamabotham, to the Royal Adelaide. Paymaster—J. C. Meagher, to the Meander. Surgeon—G. H. Ry►n, to the Shannon. Midahipmaa—R. D. Clements, to the Hector. Naval Cadet—G. B. Long, to the Achilles. Naval Cadet (nominated)-11. D. Phelps. PORTSMOUTH. Mr. 29. The Victory, Captain Francis Scott, flag ship of the Commander-in-Chief, will be paid out of commission on Saturday and re-commissioned on the following day • as also will the Victoria and Albert, royal yacht, Cap tain his Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningen. The Achilles, 20, iron screw frigate, Captain E. Viussittart, made • further trial of her speed at the measured mile in Stoke's Bay yesterday, and by trimming the ship fear heels, by the stern and using the best hand-picked coals, the realised an additional speed over her former trial of nearly • knot, the average being 14.240 as compared with 13.419 during the previous run. This result is, of emirs., at. tined under the most favourable conditions, and the test can scarcely be considered other than • fallacious one. rho ship is made to attain • degree of speed at the measured mile which she cannot realise at sea, where it is impossible to obtain only hand picked conk, and to regulate the trim of • ship to an inch. During the final run yesterday, the speed of the ship be came suddenly checked with an accelerated motion of the engines. She anchored at Spithead, and on examisatioe it was found that two of the four bladed of the screw had broken off. To repair the damage, it is necessary to dock the Achilles, but, as there is no accommodation for her in this dockyard, she is to be sent rimed to some other port. • The Royal Alfred, armour-plated weasel, in course of construction at Portsmouth, is to be completed according to a design which shows considerable deviation from the original plans. Instead of being plated throughout with 41-inch iron, she will be coated amidships with iron plates 6 inches thick, forming • sort of box, which is to mania the armament, cousis.ing of ten 300-pounder Armstrong guns. The DOW arrangement. however, will not necessitate any material addition to the aggregate weight of the armour plating. It is reported that Captain G. W. Prosily, C. 8.. of the Hector, iron-screw frigate, will be appointed to the coin. maod of the Excellent gunnery ship at Portsmouth, and governor of the Royal Naval College, vice espial' A. C. Rey, C. 8., who has been appointed chief of the new naval ordnance department EALING STEEPLE. ki Asy.s.—Thers are at lest strong symptoms that these steeplechases, so frequently post pcoed on account of frost, will come off. The promoter of the meeting informs us that in consequeoce of the decided thaw which bee set in. there is every probability of the sports being held on Tuesday and Wednesday nest, lied the meeting is once more put off to those days. Owners and trainers will thus have time to send their hones to the ocean of action. _ DEATH rime FIRE. —Last evening an inquiry was held by Mr. John Humphrey', Middlesex *wooer, at the Frampton Arms, Wellatreet, Hackney, respecting the death by fire of Mrs. Mary Ann Backe, aged 36 years. Mr. W. Backe, 51, Palace-road, said that he was an artist, and he was also pantomimist at the Sadler's Wells Theatre. The deceased was his wife. She wan* &Tomo s.. bat had not an tat the time of her death. On Tuesday engagement attar 6 o'clock, he left boom to go to the theatnt Deceased was thee a little the worse for drink. He grieved to say that at times, for tea years past, she pee way to habits of intemperance. His preoccupation with his ben. bees prevented his taking the precautions be otherwise would have adopted. Emily Cape, • little girl, maid that at half•past 7 o'clock on the night in question, Mr.. Backe seat her for • quer. tare of gin. Witness fetched it, and then left the deceased by herself in the back-room, and went away. Deceased wag not at that time so tipsy as she bad been. Mrs. Laura Pastel said that she resided in the next house, and at half-past too o'clock on Tuesday night she was alarmed by a dreadful smell proosedine from deceased's house. She raised an alarm. Hawes, 44 N, said that on being called to the house be found the smell of fire so strong that he at once broke in. He forted the deemed deed on the floor, but the flesh still burning. He had to throw water over her to put it out. The bones of her arms and chest were laid bare and charred, the &eh being all burnt off. The whole of the dress of the upper part of the body of the deceased was consumed, and he therefore inferred that she set her clothes on fire either by falling against the grate or by leaning over the candle, which was still alight on the table. She had set fire to a chair, and the room was filled with thick smoke, which rendered it almost impossible to breathe. Dr. Meade said that when he was called in be found the deceased just dead from her dreadful burns. He had never seen a wore terrible case of burning ; some of the Loess were completely denuded of flesh. She must have been burning a long l ime. Mach sympathy was expensed in court for the husband of the unfortunate deceased, who fainted while giving his evidence . The jury returneda ver dict of " Accidental death by fire." DEAD Lvrreas.—The report of Postmaster Den nison shows en extraordinary amount of carelessness on the part of the letter-writing community. Three million five hundred sod eight thousand three hundred and twenty ' five deed letters were received during the pant year—over nine thourand a day. Many of these letters emitained money, deeds, bills of exchange. drafts, cheques, jewellery, and other valuables. Some of them were misdirected , others tot directed at all, others unstamped, sad others only partially directed. Thousands of these dead letters were returned to the writers, but the great majority had to be destroyed. This statement ought to teach the public to be more careful in their correspondence, for the amount of sofferiag caused by these lost letters is incalculable.— New York paper. Tte Ofprt%%. LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 30, 1864. FASHIONS FOR JANUARY. (From Le F01k , .) There are so many materials in rogue for the present season that surely all tastes must find something with which they c►n be pleased. Linsey " knickerbocker " flannel, and composite materials, such as silk and woollen reps, or woollen poplin, are made into morning dresses and robes de chambre. Silks, moires, satins, and velvets, are only applicable to toitettes de ville, and dinner-dress or ball-room wear. Tulle or tarlatan., crape, and Cliambiry gauze are worn over satin or silk skirts. The flannel" now worn io and out of doors are of a much thicker musks than those to which we are accustomed, and are called molletoo. The most fashionable are of scarlet or bright blue, with small designs in black. The pattern of the material is simulated in the trimmiogi ; for instance, should the drone be scarlet, with narrow black stripes, narrow braids will be employed to ornament it. If with spots or squares of black, buttons of the same form will be used am trimming. Many dream and cloaks in these simple fabrics are trimmed with rows of round cord, or tubular braid, on which are sprinkled small steel or jet beads. Thole cords are placed in rows round the skirt, and carried up each breadth as high as the lame ; or, in some mese, straight up the middle et the back. Morning dresses thus trimmed are g enerally made with a round plain body, and small bisque behind only. The sleeves of these balsas are always small, with elbow-seam. With thews dresses it is enstomary to wear a pettily:ma of the same, over which the skirt is raised ; they are also accompanied by cloaks of the same, short half•6tting psi.- tots or camas, with or without hood. This style of dress and cloak alike is now considered only suitable for more* toilette, and is rarely sees in any dressy materiel with the exception of velvet. For toilettes de visite, moire. satin, faille silk (that is unwatered moire), taffeta antique, and velvet, are much worn. The figured moires are mill in fashion, and require very little trimming. Passementerie with beads is much worn with silk ; fur, lace, or feather trimming is more suitable for satin and velvet. Double skirts am often moo either for wilting, dinner. or ball drew. If closed all ro und, they are generally looped up ; if open, the opsoings are at the hack, as well as at the front. In many cases these skirts are made of different colours and materials, such as moire, or sates over velvet, or two shades of the same colour. This families of wearing double skirts is much adopted for ball dimes, the under. skirt generally being white and the tunic of colour. The low body with coat bemuses will be much worn if the dress is of silk. This corsage can be made of black velvet, hand somely trimmed with jet beads or seed pearls. The sorties de bay have not altered much in form, the circular being the favourite shape. This, it mule in white plush, with a thick Llama or chenille fringe, is very ele gant and suitable to the @ramose. Many opera cloaks that we have seen were of scarlet, trimmed with black lace, or embroidered in black sod white doss silks. The little hoods uow worn over the head-dress during the transit to and from the carriage are very pretty, sod in many owes becoming. We give the preference to the Marie Stuart shape, with • deep curtain falling over the shoulders. If these are made in lace on some transparent materials, they are, of course, lined to match the dress or cloak which they accompany. The moot elegant cloaks for morning wear are made of the " Mount St. Bernard" cloth ; the half-fittieg paletot being the moat fashioaable form for this materiaL U made in white, these cloaks are excessively distioguis, but only suitable for carriage and quite dress wear. Mantles of velvet pile or cloth are trimmed with passe menteria, or the curly Astrthan ; other furs and feather ornaments being reserved for velvet. Beaded passementerie is v$ successfully employed with guipure on both dresses and cloaks. Lest winter the cloaks that were trimmed with far had one radian only. This season the cloaks are edged with a deep bead of far ; the revers, collar, sad epaulettes are also of fur. We have IMO one half-fitting pakdot of violet velvet, trimmed with a broad baud of Chinchilla ; a deep polities of the same, pointed at the back end front. Small epaulettes and cuffs of the same fur. This palatot was lined with quilted white silk, and was intoned to be worn with a violet velvet dress, trimmed with a band of Chin chilla, carried round the skirt and up the back seam. The bonnet was of violet velvet, the crown being formed of drooping white feathers. The muff of violet quilted satin, edged with Chinchilla. The boots of violet velvet, with band of fur round the iambi. Bonnets have not altered in form since we last wrote on the 'object, the curtains having entirely disappeared. Ball coiffures are more elegant then ever ; holly, with berries and icicles of glass, forms a very pretty SIMI suit. able head-dress for this season. In fact, no wreath or flower headdress ie considered complete without flees icicles or dew drops. For elderly ladies the feachon of lace over flowers and bloods is the prevailing style. We me a great quantity of quilted velvet and satin both for bowsaw and muffs ; the latter, if made of only plain for, are considered quite negligis, excepting for young ladies. The rule for young ladies' dress is the same that always has been, and re suppose always will be in vogue— viz., what is demi-toilette for married ladies is visiting dress for young girls; moires, velvets, and satins being worn by any young unmarried lady with the least knowledge of the art of drew . . _ . There is no alteration in the form of cull's and collars at present ; thee are still embroidered with white or coloured bees, butterflies, flours de lie, The most Cisbionable ornament at the present moment is is the shape of a swallow. Crests and initials are sometimes embroidered on cuffs and collars, as well as handkerehiefs, the latter being very handsome, though our elegantes have at length understood that these articles are fur the pocket, and no longer display them in the baud. Small veils are muell worn, and appear likely to continue in favour. -- We are very happy to MO the decided return of neck laces ; they are tot confined to evening wear, but accom. racy morning toilette', though. of course in a modified form. The long chains of beads have be come excessively vulgar ; one row close round the throat, with a medallion, is sometimes worn. But the most elegant of these colliers are of plain ribbon velvet, fastened with a soap, and orna mented with gold coins, small sprays of steel-work. Cameo or portrait medallions are much worn ; they are suspended from the collier or from a small chain. The 'ease Ruses are much in fashion ; they are made for either simple or elegant toilettes. We have seen several drosses of moire or light satin, made with these jackets. accompanied by the chernisettes Ruses. These, if intended to be worn with silk or dressy materials, are made of tulle, or very time muslin, with lace insertions ; or with frills of lace and open-work insertions, in which are cerise coloured velvets. Some are made of black sod white lace, others entirely of Eoglish point, If intended for demi-toilette, they are in foulard or cachernire, trimmed with the cache mire braid so much in vogue. Lingerie for toilettes de villa is still linen or ballets, em broidered with simple Valenciennes, either edging or loser. Lion, the collars still very small ; the cravats of silk in cashmere pattern. The shape of sleeve now worn has of course had the effect of simplifying the under sleeve, only a small portion of the cutf round the wrist being seen. The dams for evening dress are very pretty sod graceful ; they are made of white tulle. The Foroarina form is trimmed round with white blonde, placed over coloured velvets, the same velvets passed through the openings of the insertion. others/. made drape lipeys'anne, with cerise velvets. A deep lace is placed all wood, beaded by a eerie, velvet rculesu. This iichu, after crossing on the chest, is carried rotted the waist. aad (astound babied in a square barque. Young girls still wear white bodies with light silk skirts ; these should be trimmed with velvets of the IMO colour as the silk. _ There's nothing very new in the form or style of patti• costa. For evening w.ar they are gored and bounced, the one neat the dress being of muslin. For toilettes de •ills the most elegant jupons are made of white poplin or rep., embroidered in coloured silks, with a very narrow white or coloured eluted flounce round the edge. For demi-toilette they are of course more simple both in style and materiel On Wednesday, Lord Wodehouse ' accompanied by Captain Musters, visited the Albert Model Farm. His Excelleacy was shown over the several domestic apartments by Mrs. M•lroonell, the matron at the institution ; and after viewing with much ioterest the arraogemeota for the sccommodatioo sod instruction of the pupils, and the dairy and poultry departments, his Excellency was then conducted by Mr. Hoyle, the agriculturist, through the farm buildings, where sevesul of the pupils were busy at work feeding stock, A.c., and after remaining about an hour making himself acquainted with several particulars relative to the working of the institution, be left for the Viceregal Lodge shortly after four o' clock.—lrceman's Alarmed. An interesting ceremony took place last night at the Crystal Palace, io connection with Edmonds's (late Wombwell's) Windsor Castle Menagerie. A massive silver claret jug, manufactured by Mason. of Canterbury, was presented by Mr. M. Brown, the manager of the menagerie, in the came of the employt'a, to Mr. and Mrs. Ednioads, the proprietors. The Very Rev. Dean Graves, who has for some days past bees the guest of the Earl and Constar. of Roam, at Birt Castle, Pareonstown, was on Wednesday afternoon walkieg across the ball, when his foot slipped, and en deavouriog to Nave himself, he fell heavily on his left arm, breaking it a little above the wrist. I TBZ DISCHARGE NOTE IN THE BUILDING TRADE. A meeting of the bricklayer of Birmingham was held in the Odd Fellows' Hall, to take into consideration the "discharge note," as affecting their own particular branch of the building trade. Than was a large atteodanoe. Mr. Henry Anthony was called to the chair, and having expressed a hope that the proceedings would be properly conducted. he called upon Mr. James Stacey, who moved the following resolution :—" That we, the operative brick 'army of Birmingham, regret the steps taken by the General Builders' Associatioe, by trying to bring into operation the discharge note, which we wander is an innovation on the liberties of the operatives, and we pledge ourselves Dever to accept or acknowledge any such document when tendered to us." (Applause.) He considered the dis charge note no-English and uncalled for. Even the general public could not usasestead the realism of its introduction, and were on their aide. He pointed out the disadvantageous operation of a similar document io the gen trade, and mid that it would work worse in the build ing trade, from the uncertainty of employment and the fre queoey of change. it had been said that the masters had acted In a gentlemanly manner in giving the operatives a month's notice of the discharge note ; hut he did not think it was gentlemanly to give any length of notice of an angels tlemanly thing. (" Hear, hear," laughter, and applause.) The discharge note was essentially a bad thing, and no length of anise could make it good. It was se infriege meat of their liberties—such an infringement as had ant bee. ;imposed to the trade for centuries. It really was no every-sky question ; it would be tremendous if they had to one nub to the dicharee note. Their only policy wee to resist It to the last. He, for one, meant to do so. and he t i Zti ad r p h :her hricklayen would do the same. ("Hear, lease.) Mr. J. LUCAS seconded the motion. He thought M wee indeed to be regretted that they had to take up such a position of antagonism. These quarrel' between masters and sees generally left desolation behind them, and would he lamented by every right-thinking man ; but in this lasiebill. the men were left no alternative. They were sup ported in the struggle by the moral consciousoess that they were not to blame. It had been said that good men had oo reason to fear the discharge note, This might be true if 'eters were always good masters. (Hear, bear.) But be showed that different masters had very different ides of the same men, and therefore argued that it would be dea ✓ness to allow them, as • body, to establish a discharge aces of character for the mss. It would put the men under the hopeless control of the mailers, and leave them no redress, since any opposition on the part of a workman to the proposal of • master in any matter would ensure the displeasure of the master, and an unfavourable dis charge note. Mr. J. J. Hums eupported the reeelutioe. He said it might be Eased what the bricklayer were to do if they did not accept the note. They had not struck, and did not immediately intend to strike, and how were they to oppose the Dote? Simply by refusing It when offered. The answer, "We don't recognise it," would be quite sufficient for the men. But what about their being unable to get work without a note? That was • question for sub. sequent consideration. They would go ou aa long as they could in a position of passive resistance ; but if the worst came, they would take steps for decided warfare. Their present attitude was different from what was anti. ciliated, and not perhaps what the carpenters and joiner. wanted; but there was wisdom in their policy. if they eould not step into the actual field of warfare, they might form a reserve guard to assist those on strike. (Hear, hear.) It must not be said that because they had not entered the field they were therefore cowards. Dis cretion was sometimes the better pert of valour. It was better in many respects if, by fighting by discretion they overthrew the masters, instead of impoverishing the funds of those on strike by stepping into the field. (" Hear, hear," and applause.) He hoped the carpenters and joiners would, after this, understand their position. The resolution was then carried. Mr. H. St:mums then moved : " That, while ad mitting the right of the Builders' Association to frame and make laws for their protection and guidance, we most dia. tioctly deny their right in making laws for the operatives, without the operative, having a voice in the framing of there laws." He stated that when the operatives had an► alteration to make in their rules affecting the masters, they invariably consulted the masters, and be thought the operatives were entitled to the same courtesy. Hs made several comments on the letter of Mr. Alfred Stintoo, and ooncioded by moving the resolution. Mr. J. Farr-gag seconded the( resolution, which was supported by Mr. J. J. Horns. Tb• latter gentleman remarked, in answer to the objection that working men's societies were founded for benevolent objects, and sot for trade combinations, that the funds of their societies had never been appropriated to any purpose but the alleviation of sickness or death. He contended, however, that the support of men under strike against such an iniquitous im position would bo within the "benevolent" objects of the society. (Hear, hear.) The resolution was then carried. Mr. J. J. Monte moved, •• That we respectfully solicit the Builders' Association to reconsider the attitude they have taken towards the operatives by adopting the discharge note, as itbegets • spirit of bitterness and opposition where harmony sympathy ought to exist." He hoped the masters would not mistake this resolution for a sign of going in. It was bat the expression of their desire that the cause of their grievance should be removed—ii firm but respectful representation of the fallacy of the position taken by the masters. The mss should the discharge note whatever the COOMNINUOINI might be. The speaker made several remarks on the desirability of some rules being adopted between masters and men for the settlement of all future difßculties without strike. Mr. A. FULDING seconded the resolution In a nest speech, in which he showed that the operation of the dis charge note would prevent casual offenders from recovering their characters and position. The resolution was adopted, and a vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman, after which the meeting separated. MANCHESTER CHAMBER OP COMMERCE. A meeting of the directors of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce was held on Wednesday, Mr. H. ASHWORTH presiding. The following commanicatiou were received from the Foreign Oflin:—A letter, seclosi•` a summary of opinions expressed by various chambers of commerce in Austria on the projected unit, commnaiested to them by the Austrian government, December, 1563 ; • letter, forwarding a copy of the craft of • new tariff of the Dutch colonies in the esatern seas ; a letter (orienting • oopy of a tras•letion of a treaty, signed in June and J nly, by which Bavaria, Wortemberg, the Crud Duchy of Home, sod Nassau Thad acceded to the renewal of the Zolleenin ; • letter, forwarding extracts [of • despatch from a charge d'affaires at Stockholm, including a translAtion of new trade laws meetly promulgated by the Swedish govern. meat affecting the rights of foreigners to trade in Sweden ; • note informing the chamber that Mr. Ward, C. 8., chute d'Affaires at H►mburg. will shortly visit Manchester; • letter from Earl Reseal, advising an alteration in the export duty upon rags from France ; and • further letter on the seine subject, stating more precisely when' the alteration will come into operation ; • letter from the same department with respect to the reduction of the French import duty on silk ribbons ; • letter from Earl Russell in reply to a letter from the chamber on the sub- 1 ject of the adoption by maritime nations of • uniform system with reference to the law affecting general average in marine insurance, and stating that the matter had bees referred to the Board of Trade ; • letter from Earl /teased, introducing Mr. /terries, her Majesty's secretary of lega tion at Turin, to the chamber, in order that the directors may have an opportunity of conferring with that gentle man os the Italian tariff ; • letter front Earl Russell. on tie differeatial duties levied by the Netherlands govern ment on yarns and sugars. Mr. Roes said be had given the latter subject much attention, and he was not yet sstisbed with the position in which it stood. The sub ject was referred to a sub-committee. A letter was read from the Board of Trade, forwarding the copy of • letter from M. V. N. Ss:vim*, with respect to the injury inflicted on commerce by certain of the recent customs' regulations, and requesting the obiniou of the Chamber thereon. The letter was referred to a sub-committee. Another letter was read from the same department, for • the copy of • report drawn up by her Majesty's secretary of legation at Beres, on the Swiss ribbon trade. It was remarked as a gratifying circumstance that recrossed attention was apparently being paid to commercial matters by the Foreign-office and the Board of Trade. The chamber had had more documents from the F'or►igo-office during the last four months than it had in the eight preceding years. A letter from the India-office was read, referring to a memorial respecting the introduction of a gold currency into India, and stating that • despatch had been forwarded to the government of India desiring that • proclamation might be issued to the effect that sovereiges and half sovereigns, according to the British and Australian standard, should, until further notice, be received in all the treasuries of fedi& as value for ten and five silver rupees respectively, and that they would, unless objected to, be paid out again at tie same rate.—A letter was read from the Dublin International Exhibition Committee, 1565, asking the Chamber to support it by its iiiithenos. A reply, which had been sent by the secretary (11r. Fleming) was approved.— A letter from the Belfast Chamber of Commerce was read ; it supplied, at the request of this chamber, statistics relative to the realties. lion and importation of flax.—A letter was read from Mr. H. 0. Shea, Biarritz ; be forwarded • sample of fibre which he coosidered might be useful as a substitute for cotton. The secretary reported th►t he had forwarded the sample to the Cotton Supply Association. A letter was read hem the Association for the Abolition or Itedoc. Coo of the Duty on Fire Insurance, asking for the aid of the chamber. It was rewind to memorialiae in faeour of the abolition of the duty. A letter was read from Mr. Ayrtoo, commissioner in bankruptcy, acknow ledging the receipt of documents presasted by the [Stamped. Id. Additional.] chamber 011 the bankruptcy law. A letter was read from the Manchester Law Association, inviting the aid of the chamber in obtaining, in future, • winter civil assize for Manchester. It was resolved that the council should afford its cordial co-operation in aid of the object in view.—A letter was read from Mr. Thomas Spence, barrister-at•law, on the law effecting endorsements on cheques or orders drawn epos bankers ; be suggested the repeal of section 19 of the 16th and 17th Vie., c. 5.1. The matter was referred to Mr. Oliver Heywood, with whom Mr. Spence was invited to confer.,-The Secretary read • notice he had received from Mr. P. B. Ferguson of his intention to move, at the next monad meeting of the chamber, " That the Manchester Chamber of Commerce do henceforth hold an open meeting once in each month, at which the members generally be invited to attend for the consideration of com mercial questious."—There was no other business trans acted. CRIME IN SCOTLAND. At the Glasgow Winter Circuit Court, before Lord Ardruillan, on Wednesday, several serious came were tried. The most serious eases was that of Mike M'Glitichy, labourer, who was charged with the cnme of rape on Miss Adis, on the 16th of July last, on the Broomloan or Saody• holes Rood, in the parish of Govan, under most revolting circumstances. The prisoner, who was defended by Mr. M•Kie, advo cate, is apparently between 25 and 30 years of age. and exhibited not the least trace of agitatioe or excitement while seated at the bar. He is a comparatively mild. looking mac, his count/ounce having moos of that espies. rion of brutality which might be expected considering the circumstance; under which the outrage took plain. Lord Ara:Lillian bevies asked the prisoner whether be was guilty or not guilty of the mime laid to his charge, the latter replied, in a clear sod distinct voice—" my lord." Mr. Mooorieff, the Advocate Depute, addressing Lord Ardmillao, said—lt ia certainly, my lord, neither my duty nor my inclination to say one word that would in any way make the crime to which the prisoner has pleaded guilty appear worse than it does on the face of the iudictruent I rise to say, which I do with pleasure, that in this case, alter very deliberate coesidemtion, I think I am acting consistently with my duty in following the coons which in all oases of repo has lately been usual in this country. of restricting the pain of law. I therefore relieve your lordship from what I know would be to your lordship a painful duty; bat I think it right further to my that this coarse has been adopted certainly after very deliberate and careful coasideration, and not without considerable dif. . . • Mr. Eve then called the following witnesses to speak to thscharscter of the prisoner - John Boyle--I reside in Golan, and lived with Mrs. M'Loskey, in Victoria-street there. I remember Friday, the 15th July last, being the day before this event occurred. I don't remember whether it was pay day or not. I met the prisoner at the corner of the Salteurket on the Satur day afternoon, the IGth, and we had some whiskey in a public-house. We went into a show, sod on coming out had another dram. When I left the prisoner, between four and five o'clock in the afternooo, he had three or four glasses of whisky, and was pretty hearty. Margaret M•leekey—l reside in Govan, where I keep a lodging-house. The prisoner lodged with me. I think he lived with me between three and four months. He was as quiet a lad as ever resided in ray home. He wu an in offensive lad. He paid me regularly. I bad a daughter who lived with me. He attempted any freedom with her in any way. I never heard him use bad language. He made use of no uncultivated language at all which anybody oonld heed or see. While he was with me he went across to Londonderry to serve in the militia. He *erred there, but I don't know how lasi. That wee the fiat or second time he went away from the period he was enlisted. The prisoner said he had a father and mother alive, and that he gave most of the money he got for serving in the militia to his mother, and some to his little brother. Lord Ardruillan—That's nothing. . . John Macgoncigt•—l know the prisoner at the bar, mad have known him sines he came to Scotland, more than eight years ago. I worked with him ou the railway. He wee a good workman; and the character which he held amongst his brother workmen was that of • very agree able person. Everybody who wrought with him liked him. He was quiet—very quiet ; and was • modest lad. I never beard him use bad tannage is my company. I saver met worn., with him oe the road ; bat I have bees with him when women would be passing on the road, and I never heard him use an immodest word to any one, or saw him put out his band to attack any of them. lam aware that he served is the militia, and he told me what oing array that he was going to Irelaad, and would be back agate. I belong to the county of Derry, and know his paresis. His father and mother wan still liviag, sad be had brothers aid sisters. His father was a your labouring man, and reared his children as well se heoould on hie small wages. I have heard that his mother came over to see Lira since this affair happened. Mr. M'Kie then addressed the court for the primrose. He said—My lord, the prisoner bee Flooded guilty to a very serious charge of rape, with very serious aggravations , and although your lordship is only aware from the face of this indictment of the nature of the charge. I hope, in passing senteoos, you will take into cosaideration that, upon the night in question, the prisoner is proved to have been, at least so far as we can make out, to • oertain exte;t affected by drink. It is, I think, in consequence of that drink that he was led, I. an unguarded moment, to make the assault sod commit the crime upon this unfortu sate woman to which he has pleaded guilty in this iorlict. meet ; but I think if your lordship will consider the past life of the prisoner at the bar—that he has never bee. con. Tided, so far as we are aware, of any crime—that he has led • quiet, laborious, and inoffensive life—and that the only witnesses we can get to speak in regard to his character have given him • character somewhat above that of the rgenerality of people in his condition of life—l hope your ed . :I: I go will take these things iotoconsideratioo, or at least allow them to influence you. And although in general, drink is an aggravation of an offence ; yet in a peculiar case of this nature—a case caused by excitement of passion—it might have been in a moment of almost what one might call temporary insanity that he was led to commit this most brutal and unjustifiable assault. The prisoner is young, sad certainly may yet on that account, ootwithetandieg • very lengthened sentence, have • period allotted him is which he may be led to reform. If your lordship will take into account that, notwithstanding the long sentence which must be passed in this case. the prisoner may yet hawse's opportunity of making amends to the society which he has injured, and also to law by • reformation of life, provided that in your lordship's discristioa that opportunity is afforded him, I would hope, although the crime is • moat aggravated one, and he has pleaded guilty to the charges in the indictment, that in the whole circumstances of the case your lordship will consider that the ends of justice will be satisfied by • sentence lees than that of pewit servitude for life. Lord Ardmillan then, addieeeing the prisoner, said—Mike letilinehey, it is • great relief to my miod, sod I am sure it is • great relief to your mind, that the public proeecator has felt himself, after careful consideration, although not without difficulty, entitled, is the discharge of his duty, to markt the pains of law to se arbitrary punishment. At. cording to the law of Scotland, as still unaltered, rape com mitted under circumstances such as the present is a capital . . charge. You may consider younielf wit extremely fi;rtu. nate that the prosecutor has felt it to be his duty cot to de mand • capital sentence. Had he demanded that, I would have had no alternative but to have prosouooed it. As it steeds however this is • confession of rape—completed rape—upon the person of a woman, and committed under circumstances of the provost and most aggravated character—an outrage such as has rarely happened in Scotland. In the midst of summer, ere daylight had altogether departed, • respectable woman walking alone—having retired to no Wooly spot, but walking where she was entitled to expect to be free from such outragee—ie seized.attacked, aod samulted in the to 3st f Grimm , grievously iojured, and revished contrary to her will, and notwithstanding her resistance. The law of this country protects the honour of • woman as much as the life of human being ; and there is no graver offence than wilful, violeri foiciog of the honour of a woman. But the com mission of this act under the circumstances here set forth and well known to you, was accompanied by violence of such a character as to make this one of the most fearful outrages that this country has ever seen ; and therefore the renteoce of the court in your case must be one which protects the public io all time oomieg from your violent* ; and it most further be one which will duly warn all others in whom violent passions isflamed by drink might produce such fearful consequences. Having said this, I have not soother word to add to pain your heart under these circum stances. But if you have • heart at all, I would, io one word, pray you to remember that whatever may be your guilt, and although now human law can do no more fur you than close you up in penal servitude for the remainder of your life, there is a law which you have broken in regard to which mercy may be obtained; and I pra► you to re member that your crime, bad sa it is, is not beyond the retch of God's merry. I earnestly beseech you to pray that you may be forgiven one of the gravest crimes which I have ever known to be committed. Pray that you may get • new heart, and that the evil passions which led you to this crime may, by the grace of God, be overthrown in your heart ; and if that be the result, even penal servitude for life will be a blessing to your soul. The sentence of the court re, that you suffer penal servitude dories the whole period of your natural life. The primmer was then removed from the bar. Tai COAL SHIPMENTS MON BIRKINENAD ♦`ID LIvERPOOL—Last year 331,606 toes of coal were sbipp•d bum Birkeehead, being an Mums* of 82,656 tons over the previous year. Of this quantity 72,000 tool passed over these. mechanical coal smote, the quaritity the previous year Wog 58,000 tons. The amount of coal shipped from the Liverpool side of t h e Mersey last year was 100,000 t 0... [TWOPENCE CHRISTMAS IN ITALY. (nor ova ruiux cosszeromerr.) In catholic countries, and more especially in Italy, Christmas is grand indeed. The curious mixture of profane and sacred custom gives to the far-famed midnight mass with which this great religious festival in commemoration of the nativity of Our Lord begins a fantastic splendour such as is seen on no other occasion. Rich draperies hang from the marble pillars of the churches, myriads of wax candles adorn the numerous altars, coloured banners wave from the pointed or elegantly carved arches of Gothic or Roman roofs ; soft and rich carpets, woven centuries ago in the old Florentine or Genoese manufactories, cover the white or red marble pavement ; silver or golden lamps, the work of Cellini, or of some other far-famed Italian artist of the sixteenth century, gentlY'swing from the roof, reflecting a blaze of luminous glory, and flashing with tremulous light. To the right of the transept, amidst the shining light of thousands of candles, rises the group of wooden figures in which are represented the infant Jesus lying on a bed of straw between the two animals which are said to have warmed Him with their breath. The Holy Virgin and St. Joseph, the Three Kings from the East, ands host of shepherds, all kneeling in adoration of our Redeemer, are also represented, more or less worthily according as the figures are old or new. The exhibition is adorned with fresh flowers offered to the church by the faithful of the parish, and the floor is covered with a sort of carpet of dark green shrubs, which grow even in winter along the edges of irrigated meadows. At about half-past 11 o'clock at night the churches are thrown open to au eager crowd, who are attracted by various motives to this traditional ceremony of the nativity of our Lord. The be liever enters the church with a bright glow of faith lighting up his countenance ; the indifferent goes for pleasure's sake • the ignorant, from superstition. But there is scarcely a person, whether in the large towns or the small villages, who would not leave his bodge to bear, as they say, the midnight mass. All high masses are very much alike, and there is there fore no great difference in their ceremonies. The costumes, however, of the officiating priests and canons are richer than usual ; their long albs, half-concealed under the large folds of the spotless purple mantle, are of the finest lace ; their pianetas and funice/las of gold or silver woven brocade, em broidered with intertwining flowers, and trimmed all round with gold lace, are the richest the churches possess. Music and singing add to the attractiveness of the fife. The mass once over, people think of anything but religion. Noisily do the throngs wend their way homeward, intent upon jollity and good cheer. Men who au hour before were kissing the floor of the holy shrine andbeating their breast at the foot of the premix, are now to be seen seated round the groaning table on which the traditional supper of Christmas eve—though it might as well be called the early breakfast of Christ mas-day—is served. Now, too, in strange contrast you may see a curiousblendiug of profaneand sacred custom ; fur wide all is gaiety and merriment around the festive board, every now and then some dish makes its appearance which has been specially blessed beforehand by the rector of the parish. The frugality and sobriety of the Italians are well known. Drunkenness is scarcely to be met with, especially in the southern provinces. If a man by any accident gets drunk there, be is looked upon as a curiosity. As for the gentler sex, there are whole villages and even towns in which a woman would be looked upon as the vilest of creatures were she to be seen in a state of intoxication. The poor people of this country may be really said to live upon a crust. But on a Christmas-day, as on two or three other religious fetes, this daily rule is put aside, and even poor people must get a good dinner, or an excellent supper, according, of course, to their notions of goodness and excellence. Ita lians adhere so closely to their culinary customs that though the calendar of the Roman catholic church does not actually publish the menu of the dinner for each solemnity, yet the tradition is so well kept in the families of the faithful that the merest child knows that at Christmas the table must be laid with such and such dishes, awl that Easter must be sanctified by others. At all these fetes, but more especially at Christmas, Italians believe they may indulge in the luxury of copious libations. The gates of the temple of Sobriety are shut, and those of Bacchus are thrown wide open for twenty-four hours at least. Thus last night I met with nume rous parties of wen whose whiskers were bristling with long icicles, which gave them the appearance of Norse gods, and who were all shouting, singing, and rolling about the streets and porticos to prove to the more sober passer-by that they had properly performed their religious duties. /Cow and then these roysterers were met by girls and women coming from church, who were not the less merry and talkative. These are in the main the most striking pictures of Christmas-eve in Italy. CHURCH RATE CABIL-.—At the Petty Sessions, on Tuesday last, Mr. J. Taylor, of Oak House, near Wel. Harlon, was summoned, at the instance of the church wardens of High Ercall, to show cause why be bad negg. lected to pay a certain church rate, amounting to 61. its. Mr. Smallwood appeared to support the ease, and Mr. N. M. Taylor defended. The various witnesses were examined as to the laying of the rate, the posting of the notice, Sce.. and Mr. Smallwood then asked the magistrates to make an order for payment. In crces-exarnination of one of the witnesses, it transpired that there iris one house in the pariah not assessed to the rate, sod Mr. Taylor raised this as au objection to the validity of the rate. Be contended that inasmuch as the whole of the property had not been assessed, it ousted the jurisdiction of the magistrates, and the rate was irrecoverable. He also further argued that the notice bad not been posted on all the chapels in the parish, a proccedurg which the act of parliament stated was necessary. There were minor points raised, but upon the two mimed the defence wan mainly rested. In answer to the theory set up for the defame. Mr. Smallwood said that it had hue decided in the Court of Arches that io case the amount not included in the assessment was incoosiderable, theo it did not render the rate illegal ; trivial errors, it was held, did not loyal. date the rate, and clearly the case now before the court came under one of these categories. A lung argument ensued as to the question of the pasting of the notices upon dissenting chapel•. Mr. Smallwood arguing that the chapels mentioned were not those used by dmientflre. but belonging to the established church, whilst Mr. Taylor took an uppo site view. The magistrates filially derided that the 4 4,ss e . lions were not toes fide, and ordered the rate to he paid, with the ante.—Birminyhani Post. SINGULAR AND FATAL AcCIT.F.NT.—OR Tuesday morning. *servant man, earned fiernimed, in the employ meet of Mr. Flint, Ochiltree, parish ut Linlithgow, was ea his way to Edinburgh, in charge of a milk-cart. Oa reach ing Wiechboiel Canal Bridge. about 2 o'clock in the morn ing, the young man having, it is supposed, ps-eviously fallen asleep, the horse, which &toes time had been is the habit of going to tho tilework in that locality, instead of proceed ing eastwards turned off to the north by a road does to the bridge; and at that place the cattier/ over which the bridge is cant being somewhat deep, the animal, left to its own guidance, seems to have approached ton near the edge of the mine, and hone, cart, and man were at once precipie Sated Dot only to the bottom of the cutting, but into the canal. The crash was such that while non person in the im mediate neighbourhood was awakened out of his sleep, it was also heard by some boatmen nearly half a aide distant. In 'bodement. the trams of the cart having been snapped in two, the horse was liberated, but what with the impetus of the cart and the milk barrels, both horse and man were carried into the canal. Shortly afterwards the hone, little injured, was by the aforesaid boatmen found standing above the voung man, iu whom life was extinct. He was found with his boots off ; but it seems to be the custom of some men employed as he was to take eft their boots, in order to keep themselves more comfortable by wrapping their feet in stra w.—Scotsman. _ REDLVTION OF RAILWAY CIIAROC4 TO AND FROM LIVERPOOL—The Loodoo and Nuith Waters Compsoy have at heath yielded to the loos and loudly-expressed rsmon•trances of the meresatile oommuuity of Liverpool, sod announced their intsotioo of reducing the drrup oa goods to juiced towns from Bs. 4d. • ton to tis. &I. It is hoped that the company will follow this op by equalishig thecharges upon other products with those made upon the traffic from sod to other pats. The Roman catholic Bishop of Rosa has threatened to ecoommusieste all those who took part in the burning of Mr. Collies, the priest, in effigy, so Skihhereea, sinks, they make ample reparation labia a given time. Z 1