The Press. — London, England, 1858-03-20 00:00:00

IH E PRESS, MARCH 20, 1858. in order that he might walk barefoot to execution, he exc l a imed, " Luckily, I washed them yesterday." . At seven o'clock precisely, after the usual judiciary for malities relative to the reading of the sentence, the gates of the prison were thrown open, and the crowd assembled in front immediately saw the two condemned men ad vancing with naked feet, the head and face covered with a black veil, which descended to their breasts, and their bodies covered with a large white tunic, under which their hands were bound. Each of them had an executioner by his side. Pierri walked in front. Both mounted the steps of the scaffold with extraordinary firmness. Pierri chanted the air known by the name of the " Hymn of the Gimndins," and which commences with the following words.-- Mourir pour la patrie, C'est le sort le plus dot's, le plus digne d'envie. On their arrival on the platform, the executioner who accompanied Orsini made him turn his back to the instru ment of punishment, while the other executioners were taking the veil from Pierri's head. At, moment Pierri cried with a loud voice, " Vive la Republique," and then he recommenced his song. Orsini, without turning, was then heard to call out to his companion in misfortune, "Du calme, du calme." At that moment Pierri was at tached to the fatal plank, a second afterwards the axe fell, and his head dropped into the basket. The second execu tioner then lifted the veil which covered Orsini's fac'. He appeared at that moment just as he had appeared during the process—resolute, energetic, and intrepid, but without the slightest show of ostentation. He looked at the assembled crowd with an earnest but calm regard ; and he then turned his face a little aside that he might look upon the head of Pierri, which the executioner bad at that moment taken up and placed in the basket into which the body of the culprit had just been Rung. He then cried out with a firm voice, " Viva Phalle ! Vive la France !" At this moment he was in his turn extended on the plank, and in a second afterwards he had ceased to live. The opinions of the French press upon the diplo matic correspondence which closes the late " painful misconceptions " is that of satisfaction at this friendly result. An intemperate article in the Univers of Monday has, however, considerably startled public feeling. The Univers, in a violent article against England, recommends us not to provoke the public and unanimous sentiment against us ; and alluding to " Waterloo " as the one word which speaks to the hearts of Frenchmen, warns us not to incur the risk of learning " what France can effect in the hands of a Bonaparte." The article is signed by "Louis Veaillot." The Moniteur of Thursday publishes a formal denial of certain statements reflecting upon the courage of the Emperor and the inquisitorial conduct of the French police, contained in the Times of the 15th of March. The Moniteur also justifies the demands of France upon Piedmont and Switzerland on a principle of international law observed recently towards France by Switzerland and Spain. M. Pietri, Prefect of Police, has retired from office. He is succeeded by M. Boitelle, the Prefect of the Yonne. Prince Jerome is confined to his bed by a severe attack of influenza. BELGIUM AND HOLLAND. The three editors of the newspapers Proletaire, Crocodile, and Drapeau, have been condemned, for the publications of libels upon the French Govern ment, to imprisonment for terms extending from thirteen to eighteen months, and to fines varying from 100 to 1,200 francs, and expenses. The Ministerial crisis in Holland is at an end. M. de Rocbhnssen has constructed a Liberal Cabi net, of which the King approves. The Baron de Holstein acccepts Foreign Affairs, and M. Van Bosse is to be Minister of Finance. PIEDMONT. The director and the responsible editor of the Pensiero, the Radical journal of Oneglia, in Sardinia, have been condemned to fifteen days' imprisonment, and 200 f. fine, for an article offensive to the Emperor of the French. A Ministerial crisis, in consegnence of the rejec tion of the Conspiracy Bill, is probable. DENMARK AND HOLSTEIN. According to the Gazette de la Croix, the Danish Ministry is desirous to submit to the States of Hol stein certain proposals on the position of Holstein, in relation to the monarchy in general, and after wants to discuss the question with commi s sioners from the Diet, Hanover being excluded. WESTERN PROVINCES OF TURKEY. The disturbances in the Herzegovina are extend. lug, and becoming very serious. Austria is concen trating a powerful corps of 25,000 men on her fron tiers, and 4,000 Turkish troops left Constantinople on the 9th for the scene of disturbance. Le Nord of the 19th publishes a powerful article protesting against any interference by Austria between Turkey and her revolted provinces. SPAIN AND MEXICO. Tsturitz, in a speech delivered on the I Itb, upon the Mexican affair, formally announced that general Zuloaga, the new Mexican President, had promised to give Spain every satisfaction, and to despatch a new envoy in the room of M. Lafragna. THE UNITED STATES. The City of Washington has brought advices to the 4th instant. General Walker had been arrested at New Orleans, and given bail to appear before the court in Aptil. The Louisiana House of Representatives had passed a bill authorising a company, already or ganised, to import 2,500 free blacks from the coast of Africa, to be indentured for not less than fifteen years. The Kansas Investigating Committee of the House of Representatives had adopted a report urging the speedy admission of Kansas into the Union as the best means of pacifying the country and putting an end to the agitation. Cntrt ant) las4ion. Her Majesty the Queen and Court arrived in town from Osborne on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday her Majesty held a levee, which was very numerously atttended. On Thursday her Majesty gave a children's ball at Buckingham Palace. _ _ The Earl of Derby had audiences of her Majesty on Wednesday and Thursday. Valittrai. CABINET Cormcn.s were held on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday last at the official residence of the Chancellor of ,the Exchequer in Downing-street. The Miuisters present were—the Earl of Derby, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Salisbury, the Earl of Hardwicke, the Right Hon. B. Disraeli, Mr. Secretary Walpole, the Earl or Malmesbury, Lord Stanley, General Peel, Sir John Pakington, the Earl of Ellenborough, the Right Hon. J. W. Henley, and Lord John Manners. Previous to the Cabinet Council of Tuesday about 180 members of the House of Commons had a conference with the Earl of Derby and the Chancellor of the Exchequer at tho official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury in Downing-street. Letters from upwards of sixty members were read excusing their attendance owing to their absence from town, but expressing the warmest confidence in the noble earl at the head of the Government. THE following changes hare recently been made in the diplomatic department Mr. Eric Farquhar, unpaid attache to H. M. Legation at Berne, has been transferred in the same capacity to H.M. Mission at Vienna. Mr. Ernest Clay, unpaid attache at Madrid, is trans ferral in the same capacity to the Embassy at Paris. Mr. James Russell, unpaid attaché at Berlin, is trans ferred in the same capacity to the Mission at Dresden. Mr. Percy Mitford, unpaid attaché at Dresden, is trans. ferred to Berlin. MR. WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR writes to the Times this week, with reference to the generally circulated report that he had offered a reward for the assassina tion of the Emperor Napoleon, to say that he had never countenanced " any assassination whatsoever," and that so far from desiring the overthrow of the Em peror Napoleon, he should regret the loss to Europe of the most energetic and sagacious potentate that ever governed any portion of it. He also expresses his opinion that the Emperor Napoleon is "the most legitimate sovran in Europe," and that he " heartily " wishes him " a long life and a long suc cession." MR. CAIRD'S AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS BILL has been printed. It requires the Board of Trade to take measures to obtain returns of land produce from all occupiers in England and Wales, who will be called on to fill up forms and schedules to be left with them by the inspectors. The lands of occupiers neglecting to make returns may be entered upon and inspected without their consent. Ax INTERESTING LETTER from the Bishop of Perth (Australia) appeared in the Daily News of Thursday, complaining of the desperate character of the convicts sent out to that colony, and describing his " experiences " of the systematic insubordination of the prisoners during the passage ont. The bishop declares that if the officials in England, whose duty it is to select prisoners for transports. Lion, persist in sending ont desperate characters, men utterly unfit for the purposes of the colony, transportation must be put an end to. rttragalit an. A MosT EtocitrENT SERYON was preached on Sun day last at SL Saviour's, Upper Chelsea, by the Rev. J. T. Manley, Incumbent of Mortlake, in aid of the Hospital for Consumption at Brompton. Having described the great amount of good effected by this institution, and mentioned that eighty beds were unfortunately empty for want of means, whilst 200 patients were demanding admission, the preacher concluded his earnest and touching diszourse by calling upon the congregation to gladden the hearts of the committee by assisting them to liquidate the heavy debt now crippling the usefulness of this interesting charity, and so enabling them speedily to admit a large number of very urgent cases. The sum of 851. 16s. Bd. was collected after the sermon, which was preached from the 38th chapter of Isaiah, and was listened to with the deepest attention. ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.--Evening meeting, Monday, March 22nd, Bi, Burlington-house, Sir Roderick I. Murchison in the chair. Papers to be read :-1. " Contribution to the Knowledge of New Guinea." By Dr. Salomon Muller; communicated by John Yeats, Esq., F.R.G.S.-2. "Latest Commu nications on Australian Explorations." By Captain Freeling, R.E., Surveyor-General, and Mr. Stephen Hack ; communicated by the Colonial office. THE ECLIPSE OF THE SUN, in consequence of the unfavourable state of the weather last Monday in London and throughout the greater part of Eng land, offered few opportunities for observing those remarkable phenomena which render an annular, solar eclipse so imposing a spectacle. A bright, clear, sunshiny morning was succeeded by a dull clouded sky, which, with the exception of a break or two, about one p.m., when a silvery crescent of sun appeared for a moment, completely obscured the sun during the whole process of the eclipse. The accounts from Manchester and from Birmingham, and other districts of England, bear testimony to the fact that the view of the eclipse was similar to that obtained in the metropolis. An immense number of observers, armed with co!onrea class, telescopes, ea., were gathered in the different parks and pnblio places, and in all the eligible situations in and around London. Generally throughout the country similar interest was excited and preparations made. THE ROADWAY OF NEW CHELSEA BRIDGE is now complete and ready for opening to the public. It Was crossed for the first time on Thursday by their Royal Highnesses the Prince Consort and the Prince of Wales, accompanied by their attendants. Mr. Page, the engineer, and Professor Faraday r e cei v ed the Royal party and accompanied them along the bridge. A TERRIBLE FIRE occurred on Wednesday morn ing at the corner of Devonshire-square, Bishopsgate street. The premises were very extensive, and were occupied by a Mr. Dulin, a Mr. H are , a Mr. Graff, Mr. Selunnitz, and a Mr. and Mrs. Handzell. The ,fire-escapes and engines were promptly on the spot, but the fire spread so rapidly that the lives of the first-named inmates were barely saved. Mr. and Mrs. Handzell made desperate efforts to get out of the attic windows on to the roof. Mrs. Handzell happily succeeded; her husband was burnt to death before he could escape. The premises were almost entirely destroyed. Vrobintial. THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF ROCHESTER have unanimously agreed tl the mayor's proposal for the opening of the Cathedral for Sunday evening ser vices. Various clergymen of eminence will be invited to preach the sermons. The services will commence earl.y in May. A SERIOUS FIRE occurred at Maidstone on Thurs day morning in Mr. Tindall's sawmills, which were totally destroyed, a.s well as a timber yard and granary adjoining. SIR JOHN TROLLOPPE AND MR. BASS have both had severe falls this week while out with the Attesmere and Ingram bounds. Mr. Baas was much shaken. Natu ad Volta. BERNARD'S examination, renewed on Saturday last, terminated on that day in his committal for trial on the double charge of misdemeanour, and by his hiring Radio and instigations &c., with being acces sory to the murders committed in the attempt of the 14th January last. THE Two ()REEKS at Swansea, convicted of the murder of a fellow Greek, will be hanged this day (Saturday) at Swansea. A written application was made to the sheriff by a resident in Swansea, who tendered his services in the capacity of executioner, offering to dispatch the two men "cleverly and well" at a reduced charge upon the tariff of Calcraft. Cal craft, however, has been engaged. THE BLACKLANDS BtiR6LARY CASE was tried at Exeter on Tuesday, when the three prisoners, Bagburst, Brown, and Coleman, charged with break ing into the house of, and brutally attacking Mr. William Braddon, were tried, convicted of burglary only, and sentenced to penal servitude for life. jcISFP/1 SHEPPARD, charged with the murder at Halifax on 13th January last of Bethell Parkinson, and John Barwell with the murder at Linton, Devon, of Maria Blaclmiore on the 18th December last, have both been convicted and sentenced to death. "WI