The Sun. — London, England, 1869-01-18 00:00:00

PROCEEDINGS AGAINST TH' DIRECTORS OF OVEREND. GURNEY„ AND CO. The criminal suit agaiist the directors or Overend. ttuy ney, and Co. (Limited) was resumed in the Couri„zol Queen's Bench, at the London Guildhall, on Saturday, before the Lord Mayor and Sir Thomas Gabriel. The court was again crowded. Mr. Lewis, jun., conducted the case on behalf Dr. Adam Thom, the prosecuting shareholder, and the six defendants (who occupied seats below the counsel) were represented as follows :—For Mr. J. H. Gurney, Mr. E. H. Gurney, and Nir. R. Birkbeck—Mr. Serjeant Ballantine and Mr. J. C. Matthew appeared ; Mr. Barclay was represented by Serjeant Parry and Mr. Montagu Williams ; Mr. Gordon by Mr. Serjeant Sleigh and Mr. Ledgard ; and Mr. Rennie by Mr. Hardinge Giffard, Q.C., Mr. Poland, and Mr. Gardyne. At the commencement of the proceedings, Mr. Lewis said he wished to examine Mr. Howell with reference to the £71,000 withdrawn, but it was postponed till later on. Robert Palmer Harding, an accountant in the firm of Harding and Whinney, Old Jewry, said he was appointed with Mr. Turquand as official liquidator the day after the stoppage of the company. The shareholders had then paid £1,250,C0). Two calls of £lO per share were made, and the amount received in respect of them £1,652,400. The first call was made on the 20th August, 1866, and this had produced, including interest, £816,500; and the second call,xn the 3rd June, had produced, including interest, £805,941. That had been distributed amongst the creditors. Mr. Lewis : Is there any probability of any of that money being returned? Witness :My impression is there wfll not be. Over mit], Gurney, and Co.'s liabilities, after the expenditure of this9noney, are £950,000. The indebtedness of the limited company on the 31st December last was £050,000 after what had been paid. The liquidators determined yester day to make a call of £5 per share more, and it is found that they could not meet what falls due in March next otherwise. This call will amount to £500,000. The calls of J. H. Gurney have not been paid. The old firm o f Ov,erend, Gurney, and Co. filed a deed of inspectorship after the failure of the limited company. They were indebted to the limited company to the amount of 22,070,16 g, without any of the calls which have since been made on the shares of the defendants, which amounted to i 3-1,000. Mr. Giffard objected to this sum as being attached to the defendants, as some of them had been so low in the market. Mr. Lewis : There were the 16,666 shares originally held by the defendants ; 8,000 shares had been sold at a premium, and the other 8,000 remained unsold, and in respect of those shares the calls of £2O per share had not been paid. Mr. Lewis : How much has the limited company bene• flied by the deed of inspectorship ? Witness : £,595,973, and it is estimated that there will be another £lOO,OOO of available assets. Examination continued: The present call of 2N per share is not in any way affected by the present proceed ings. There were assets outstanding due to the limited company which were expected to realise £1,051,000, which was more than the present indebtedness of the company, The Atlantic Royal Mail Steam Packet Company owed £848,000 at the time of the failure ; it had been reduced by a transfer to a total indebtedness of £837,372. Nothing further was expected from that source. By Sir Thomas Gabriel : Do you know whether any securities were handed over by the Atlantic Company, and whether anything was paid besides what you have mentioned ? Witness : That belongs to the excepted accounts. By Mr. Lewis : 'Was not your partner paid a fixed sum every month by the Messrs. Gurney to liquidate the accounts? Witness : No, that is not so. Our firm was paid £5,000 by Messrs. Gurney and Co. for the expenses of going over the accounts of the Atlantic Company and the East India Shipping Company, in July 1865. Since the stoppage of the Atlantic Company, except the payment in May 1866, £572 only bad been paid in cash to the limited company. Mr. Giffard suggested that counsel should be allowed to cross-examine on each item, and, with the leave of the court, the witness was asked what was the nature of the securities of the Atlantic Company, and he replied that his partner (Mr. Whinney) had liquidated, but he believed there were four steamers. Mr. Lewis then asked whether the East India Corn. pany's debt at the date of the transfer was £406,000, and at the stoppage whether that had been increased to £578,000, to which witness replied in the affirmative. Witness explained that the East India Company had transferred several ships of the value of £150,000, sub ject to mortgages, however, for a sum of £239,000, money lent by the Messrs. Gurney, who were the transferees. Vice-Chancellor Kindersley made the order for the dis posal of the East India Company's ships to the Messrs. Overend, Gurney, and Co. in June 1865, whereby the latter accepted the mortgages, which the limited company had paid. The ships had been sold and realised £98,500 ; the nominal amount forwhich theywere sold was £126,500 but allowances had had to be made. By Mr. Lewis : The limited company had paid £52.000 as mortgages ; and of the £406,000 no money had been received by the limited company. The Overend, Gurney, and Co., had at the winding up taken the ships of the East India Company, in respect of their debt of £139,000, and the amount of total indebtedness of the East India Company was increased by their taking shares in the! new company on which nothing had been received. Mr. Giffard cross-examined witness with the view to chew that no ships had been sold a considerable sum under their value. Witness said his firm had the sale of the ships, and they could not realise the amount of mortgages on these, viz., £52,000. The Atlantic Company's vessels held as securities by Overend, Gurney, and Co., had a mortgage on them for £250,000, and as the ships could not be sold for snore than £120,000, it was agreed to hand them over to these mortgagees. The ships remain unsold at the present time. Re-examined by Mr. Lewis. [The endorsements on some documents were shewn to witness, to identify the signatures of the defendants, but witness could not swear to them.] Letters were then put in and read. The first was a letter written by Mr. Daniel Gurney to Mr. J. H. Gurney, his nephew. It was dated July 1865, and referred to the effect of becoming security when the transfer was made to the new company. Mr. D. Gurney said, "in the event of a real catastrophe all his family and himself would be in a state of total destitution, or nearly so." In another, Mr: D. Gurney asked, "Is there any condition that we must not sell our shares in the new company under a certain time ?" Alter the reading of these, Witness's examination was continued : The Greek and Oriental Steam Navigation Company appeared in the books of the new limited company as debtors to the amount of £144,144 ; this had been transferred by the old company. Witness had not been able to find any office of this company, but his colleague, Mr. Turquaud, and himself, had been otherwise occupied. Some small sums had been received. Sir Thomas Gabriel : Why have not steps been taken? Witness : They were not considered necessary. If we thought we could have realised, steps would have been taken. Sir Thomas Gabriel : Did you learn the truth from the directors by ascertaining the nature of the debt; and, if so, tell us what you learnt ? Witness : My colleague will be able to answer. The Lord Mayor : We expect from a liquidator a plain answer to a plain question—(applause)— and you must he able to give us some information. Witness : There were £19,000,000 at the failure, and we have not been able to get all the particulars of accounts. By Mr. Lewis : There was in 1864 a debt of £42,686 due from the Greek and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. Mr. Lewis : How do you account for that being in creased to £144,000 in 1865? Witness : On the 3rd July, 1865, 'here had been a transfer of £lOl,OOO. The interest had been calculated from July 1862. After this transfer there was no interest in the books. Sir Thomas Gabriel : You say you are the liquidator of that estate, and you have not given us any reason why you have not made inquiries about that large sum of £144,000. Witness : It is not in existence. Sir Thomas Gabriel: How do you know it does not exist? Witness : I have an impression- Sir Thomas Gabriel (interruptingly) : How do you know that it does not exist? Witness : From what I have heard. Sir Thomas Gabriel: You must know. Witness :My colleague knows. Sir Thomas Gabriel : Have you spoken to any one of the directors? Witness : I do not know that I have. Sir Thomas Gabriel repeated his question, and witness said : I am not aware that I have, but I :vill not swear that I have not. Sir Thomas Gabriel : Were there any securities held by the limited company ? Witness (who always addressed his querist, " Well, Sir Thomas"): I have some difficulty in answering your ques tions after what has passed. Sir Thomas Gabriel : I have put plain qnestions. Witness: My colleague, Mr. Turquand, is satisfied there is nothing of any value to he got from them. At this stage the court adjourned for a quarter of an Hour; and, on resuming, The witness said he had learnt since the adjournment that Btotivigo was the perm who reDresented the Greek and Oriental Company. He had learnt that from lame evidence given before the House of Lords. Sir Thomas Gabriel (to witness) : But what we want is to have the evidence from you. Witness : I have no personal knowledge of the Greek and Oriental Company's affairs. By Mr. Lewis : Have you read anything in respect of Thomas Howard's account, which shews liabilities to the limited company of £331,768 ? Witness : The limited company has not received any thing from the date of the transfer. No securities are held , n respect of that debt. A deed releasing Mr. Howard in 1863, by Messrs. Over end, Gurney, and Co., was then read by the chief clerk. [t set forth that Mr. Thomas Howard, of Chester, cotton manufacturer, conveyed his business to the Messrs. Overend, Gurney, and Co., in satisfaction of all claims of the latter ; and the Messrs. Gurney indemnified Thomas Howard from all claims in respect of such deed of release. By Mr. Lewis: Have you had any conversation with any one of the defendants about that account? Witnesss: Yes ; with Mr. Bois. Mr. Lewis : He is not a defendant ; you know that. tell us what you know. Witness : I cannot charge my mind with having spoxen to any one of the directors. I ascertained that the securi ties were not worth anything ; and this deed of release precluded us from taking any proceedings. Mr. Lewis : Did you and Mr. Turquand talk about that affair. Witness : There was nothing to talk about. Mr. Lewis : You call that £331,000 nothing Examination continued : Referring to the account of Kelson, Tritton, and Co., witness said there was due at the time of the stoppage of the limited company £197,000. The limited compaii7 had received in respect of that sccount, £12,500 ; this had been received in different ways. Became aware of duplicate bills of lading whilst liquidating this account. And some were in the names of Messrs. Overend, Gurney, and Co., but was not aware whether they were dur,licates or triplicates. Sometimes saw one of this firm as to toe securities held by them for the debt of Kelson, Tritton, and Co. Mr. Lewis : Was there anything wrong in respect of the bills of lading? Witness : I learnt that duplicate bills of lading had been used by Kelson, Trittot, and Co., with the knowledge of Messrs. Overend, Gurney, and Co. I did not ask them any questions ; if there was anything improper, that was for the directors of Overend, Gurney, and Co. Messrs. Gurney and Co. had advanced about £20,000 upon these duplicate bills of lading. The bills of lading were not in witness's possession. Mr. Lewis : Did you retcr to any single creditor about this transaction; or did you take any proceedings against them? Witness : It was not thy place to do so. Ido not make It generally known. At the time of . the failure in 1865 Messrs. Nelson, Tritton, and Co. were indebted over a million. At that time Messrs. Overend, Gurney, and Co. proved as creditors for £220,000 ; and then that was after wards increased to £291,000 in July 1865. Mr. Lewis : What was realised between the 31st July, the formation of the limited company, and its death on the 10th cf May 1866? Witness : There are very numerous items with regard to securities. The total received up to the present time from Kelson, Tritton, and Co. was £140,000. The conversation with the directors in regard to the bills of lading took place before the formation of the limited company. J. E. C. Koch were indebted at he date of the liquidation in the amount of £335,000. The securities had not been realised upon up to the present time ; the nominal value of the securities was £86,060. We cannot find a market for these securities ; they might be sold for £25,000. Ey Arr. Lem:s : At the date of the stoppage the liabili ties of Mr. Koch had risen from £243,000 to £335,000. Mr. Lewis : How do you account for that? Witness: I know nothing but from the books. Mr. Koch had filed a deed. Witness, on being pressed, said Mr. Koch was the nominee of Messrs. Overend, Gurney, and Co., and he (Mr. Koch) had originally introduced himself. Was in formed so by Mr. Robert Birkbecir. Mr. Lewis: This was a debt of Mr. Gordon's; have you taken any steps to realise? Witness : No. The Millwall Iron Works liabilities to the limited company was £510,000, and 10s. had been received on it. (Disapprobation.) There were other securities ; there was the Norwich propel ty, which might realise something, but witness did not think it would. Lawrence and Fry had failed in 1564, and they owed £148,000, on which the company had received £7 1 515. Did not think there would be anything further to be got. There was clue from one of the securities of Lawrence and Fry about £5,000. David Leopold Lewis's debt to the limited company was £331,000 at the time of the transfer ; had received £37.000 in respect of it. There were securi ties of the nominal value of about £70,000 in a Cork rail way. Mr. Turquaud, my co-liquidator, is winding it up. We expect to realise about £125. Emmanuel and Co.'s liabilities were £83,423, and nothing had been realised. Sir Thomas Gabriel : Hew is that? Witness : They suspended payment in 1F63. By Mr. Lewis : There does not appear to be any divi. dend from Emmanuel and Co. Cecil, Alexander, and Co.'s liabilities transferred to the new limited company were £107,000 ; and there had been realised £6,250. Mr. Lewis : Did not they dishonour their hills? Witness : They had been allowed to realise ; and it is probable that this estate will realise 10s. in the pound. Leopold Bruzewitz's liabilities were £135,000, and the company had been benefited to the extent of £23,000. Believed ls. in the pound had been paid by Bruzewitz in the bankruptcy. There was a transfer of £54,000 to the limited company, and that had been increased by £84,000. Carlisle, Parr, and Co.'s indebtedness was £26,000 to the company. They failed in 1864. Nothing had been received from them. since the stoppage. T. and G. Garraway's liabilities were £192,000, and £30,000 had been realised from them. Halliday, Fox, and Co. failed in March 1865, and they owed the limited company £63,000, and they had com menced with £34,000 ; £785 had been realised in respect of that—this was dividends from their debtors. C. Reynolds was indebted in the amount of £15,000, but nothing was received ; he believed he was a relative of one of the Messrs. Gurney. The amount was in respect of shares in the Mwyddy Iron Company, in which over £6,000 had been realised. Knew this from Mr. Bois. Had not asked the defendants about it. Mr. Samuel Gurney had some. thing to do with the shares, and the £15,000 is in respect of calls. W. Chapman's debt was £14,000, and nothing had been yet received. There were some guarantees on which they expected to realise. The Ebbw Vale shares were down at £48,000 ; the limited company hold 2,030 shares, and their present market price is £l5 per share, which would make £30,000, being a loss of £28,000 upon what were first taken Over. The Lord Maycr : In whose names are the shares? Witness : John Henry Gurney ; and we have dealt with them as the property of the limited company. Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Sleigh : What would be the value of the shares if they were sold at par, viz., £27 10s.? Witness : The loss would be the 2,300 only. John Jones's debt was £61,000, and £4,000 was received on it. Had not received anything in respect of M'Cormick's debt of £13,000. Mr. Lewis said he had gone through the whole of the items. They amounted to £4,000,000. The court will sit again on Friday and Saturday next, when it is probable the case will be closed The Marquis of Bute has given £5,00u towards the now Roman Catholic Cathedral about to be built at West minster. The last of the men injured by the Rainford col liery aceidont, Michael Drown, expired on Thursday night, and thus the number of deaths is increased to nine. An attempt, it is said, is about to be made to ,:rose the Atlantic in a balloon. The bold adventurer is M. Alexander Chevalier, a well-known aeronaut, and he expects to make the journey in three days and nights. He will start from New York. THE BISHOP OF SALISBURY.—We regret to state ',hat the Bishop of Salisbury has lost ground in point of iealth since his arrival in London ten days ago. The affection of the heart from which he is suffering has increased, and within the last two days symptoms have appeared which justify grave anxiety as to the event of the illness. Although the bishop was slightly better on Sunday than on the previous day, his condition is still very precarious. " THROUGH COALBROOKDALE WALKS."—Here it was, I should state, that one of the most curious disco veries yet made in the Dale was made by the men engaged in rock-getting. When some portion of the stone fell there stood revealed to the eyes of tl.e astonished workmen three trunks of trees completely petrified. The upper part of the trees had apparently been sawn off, but the remaining portions, buried several feet deep in the rock, were as perfect in form as the trees H rarishing in their foliage around them. Not a feature was missing ; the roots, the bark, an 1 he cling li c ; ivy were es perfect as Nature herself, but the block of wood had been turned to stone ! There were three of these curiosities dis eivered ; the one, my friend said, hal found its way to the residence of Mr. H. Whitmore, and the others had gone he knew not whither. I can only hope that they have been carefully preserved. How they came into the position in which they were found is to be accounted for, I should imagine, by some vast upheaving of the earth, burying t'r,e timber beneath the massive rocks ; and centuries have :ompleted the marvellous work of converting a substance full of sap and life into a block of atone.—" S. A.," in the Wellinulon , Journal. THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 18, 1869. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. THE ENCROACHMENTS OF TH.& SEA. Byron, in one of the most magnificent of his poems, recounts how man's control stops with the sea shore—and apostrophising the." dark blue ocean," he invites it to " Roll on." But for the people of Hythe and Folkestone, the sea has been rolling on at rather too tremendous a pace, and they have begun to cry " Hold." Indeed, Father Neptune has 4Qt been content with his own dominion, and those who live near the land he leis acquired by force of conquest have held a meetinc , to protest against his tyrappical proceedings. True, while he is taking away between Sandgato and Hythe, he is giving some land to those who live at Romney. But what he is taking away is good land, and what he gives is low-lying sandbank and shoals, to which we might almost say he is welcome. But, at any rate, the people of Ilythe have determined that they will stand him no longer, and that they "will take measures to resist his encroachments." Seeing that he has been carrying away large masses of rocks, which slide off as "a ship launched on tallow planks," the people who live in Kent will have their work to do. Ulerk to the uouneu, ana (we mean no pun) autaor of "Friends in Council." The second step to which we have referred is the letter from Mr. Mackonochie, in which he points out that the recent judgment involves breaking off from Catholic tradition, which he considers to be the only foundation for the Reformation, and urges Church men to insist first upon a reform of the Court of Appeal, and then to agitate for the dissolution of the union between Church and State. This union he considers an anachronism, inasmuch as the Church and State are no longer coextensive, and injurious to both parties. There is no doubt that this letter will give rise to a great deal of discussion. of 1870, as Congress will have to make an appro priation for-the purpose, and the subject excites much curiosity. Indeed a rough census has al ready been made, and Vie population is counted at 37,000,000. To-day there were grand receptions, that at the White House being attended by the army and navy officers, the Judges of the Supreme Court, the Secretaries of the Cabinet, the Con gressmen, as well as the Diplomatic Corps, and all the most distinguished persons in Washington. Though General Grant was in Philadelphia, having left Washington on Wednesday, he was represented by General Dent and others of the staff. The day was wet and stormy, and deterred some who would otherwise have called. The President occupied the Blue Room, where he received his visitors. Among these gentlemen was General B. F. Butler, who cordially shook hands with the President, and ex changed good wishes with the ladies of the family. Mr. Johnson was presented with a fine hickory care, cut from Lookout Mountain. It has a gold head, appropriately inscribed. The giver is an old per sonal friend of the President. Generals Howard, Ileintzelman, Townsend, Ramsay, Zeilin, Senator Morton, Stanberry, and many others called at the White House. Gen. Butler received several friends at his residence, assisted by Mrs. Butler, and his daughter, Miss Blanche. All the Secretaries also had numerous visitors ; so had Gen. Parker of Grant's staff. The Chief Justice also received, even in the absence of the ladies. The residences of several Senators were thronged, and there were many receptions at the National Hotel. It is said that the District Attorney at Washington is taking testimony with a view to a new indictment against John 11. Suratt. The Whelan case came before the Court of Errors and Appeals at Toronto yester day. A question was as to whether the mode of pro cedure should be on a writ of error or an appeal arising, the Court adjourned until Monday, to decide the point. The newspapers tell us that Senator Chandler is sure of re-election to the Senate, and that ex-Secretary Stanton and Sena tors Sumner and Wilson have written letters vouch ing for his character, and urging his re-election. Our would-be Vice-President elect, Frank Blair, jun., reached this city on the 24th inst., and had many inter iicws with the President about the Union Pacific Railroad, of which he is a Govern ment Commissioner. He left on Tuesday, to exa mine the new sections extending to the 1,120 th mile west of Omaha. Another great talker, but as unsuccessful in politics, has also gone to Omaha, to see, as he expresses it, if the railroad bridge drop ping down on his lots in that city is damaging to real estate. lam rather surprised that George Francis Train should forego the delight of abusing John Bull to large sympathetic audiences in New York to look after any property, but perhaps he hopes to kill two birds with one stone, lecturing along the line on which his estate lies. Frank Blair has been tamed by his defeat. He is now quite meek, and learning another lesson from Grant—the value of silence. The latter went to Baltimore as Mr. Albert's guest previous to his present visit to Philadelphia. Longstreet is out in a sensible letter of advice to the Southerners. If they would but follow that General in peace as eagerly as they followed him in war things would have looked brighter down South at this day, though, on the whole, there is no such cause of complaint in that section of the Union, as the restoration to material prosperity has made very decided progress, notwithstanding the political troubles. The police made a dash at the Canterbury Hall on the night of the 26th inst., suddenly terminating the " cancan" and other per formances, to which strong exception was taken on the grounds of morality. The performers were dismissed by the magistrate on the understanding that they were not to resume business there, but the proprietor and manager did not get off so cheap. At the same time a strange affair occurred at the Olympic Theatre, New York. The pipe carrying the gas along Broad-street burst near the building, and the gas, which had got into the vaults under the side walks, was ignited by a man with a light. The flames issuing from crevices in the walls and jets everywhere burning, caused intense heat, which was kept under by a few firemen until the audience had left the house at the usual hour, quite unaware of the danger. The presence of mind of the men is deserving of great praise, as a panic would have ensued if the accident had become known, and pro bably many lives would have been sacrificed. An drew Johnson, President ex-officio; S. J. Bowen, Ist Vice-President ; Ulysses S. Grant, 2d Vice-Presi dent ; W. W. Corcoran, 3d Vice-President ; J. B. 11. Smith, Treasurer ; John Carroll, Brevet Secretary of the Washington Monument Society, have signed au appeal to be read in all the churches of the Union on the Sunday preceding the 22d February next for contributions ; at least the appeal is to the pas tors to bring the matter before the congregations, and I suppose the American tourists in Europe will have the opportunity of sending their contri butions to the Treasurer, invited by me if not by the clergy. The whisky fraud row continues, and is not likely to die out as long as a big pole is in the hands of Mr. Binckl e y to stir it up. He has written a two-column letter to show up General Van Wyck and the work of the Congressional Committee in New York. The letter is supposed to be au answer to the Congressmen's report, but it is a strong attack on that gentleman, who is accused of collusion with the "ring." From the arrival of the Committee in New York, Mr. Binckley found his difficulties greatly increased, when he says" per sons implicated in frauds were growing bolder ; hordes of new spies and detectives dogged my steps and distracted my attention at my rooms by pretended formation,irnpertinentsolicitations &e. My agents and adherents were threatened, corrupted, and se duced." Finally, he resulved to test Mr. Van Wyck. Having rearranged my plans with great care, I called upon him and acquainted him with the exist ence of the documents, their uncommon gravity, and the important fact that I knew them to be in immediate danger of destruction. [ offered to bring these documents and the witnesses before himself forthwith if he would place the Sergeant-at-Arms under my direction for one hour. At this proposal Mr. Van Wyck was visibly startled, but responded in some rambling expressions about not having time to attend to it then." You had your Marseilles poison case. Well we have just had our little horror, for we will not let effete Europe beat us in any line known to human nature. The widow White when dying confessed to her fellow members of the Methodist church, of which till then, the 26th Dee., she was held to be a light, that about seven years ago she poisoned her infant child, then she finished off her husband's father, when she had to wait till her hus band returned from the war, but then she lost no time in giving him a finishing dose. Thus lived this vile wretch, respected by those around her in Lafa yette, Sussex County, New Jersey, till on her own death-bed she determined by confession to make her peace with Heaven. We had a lively duel here on the Christmas -day, which of all others was selected by Mr. Phil. Forney, son of the Hon. John W. Forney, who was twice wounded in the affair of honour he was carrying out with an officer of the regular army, belonging to the 12th Regiment, who was once wounded ; Richard L. Shelly, well known as a correspondent, was Forney's second. The weapons were pistols ; distance 20 paces, three shots being exchanged, when the seconds stopped the proceeding, but not., it is thought, till Forney will lose his hand. The quarrel occurred in Willard's Hotel, with a lady as a mat ter of course at the bottom of it. Strong efforts are being made to abolish the franking privilege which Congressmen are said so greatly to abuse as to injure materially the power of the post office to pay its own expenses. Liberal as are the franks, yet the signatures are forged, and even great pub. list=ing houses are accused of using signatures thus obtained to forward circulars. The Senate resist the only effectual means of stopping the abuse, viz., by abolishing it, which the Postmaster-General as strongly advocates. NEW YORK, Jan. 2, 1869. Another New Year's Day has passed, and sustained has been the debauch thereon in our highly moral city, which religiously adheres to all rowdy customs, and manages to degenera' e into revelry what ori ginated in sanctity. A great effort was made to stop some of the drunkenness, printed circulars I being scattered over the city, app ea li ng t o th e ladies not to supply their visitors with intoxicating. ~, drinks, and verses from the Scripture were ap pended to show the sin of strong liqu)r. Little boys have been thrusting these into the hands of every passer, but all in vain, had not Providence come to the rescue. Snow and sleet fell in driving showers, and the wind whistled through the streets, carriages went up to famine prices, and some of the New Year callers had to pay 25 dollars an hour. Still the police roll of captures is considerable, and the howling done last night in New York leads me to believe that the police let the majority of the cases pass unnoticed. Oar weather has not been pleasant of late. A few days ago a thaw came on, and the streets were in a fine condition ; slush under foot and a dense fog over head so bad on the river that the ferry-boats were delayed. Chief Justice Chase passed through on his way to join his family at Rhode Island, and he presided over the great banquet to Professor Morse, of which I dare say you will hear enough. With reference to the President's proclamation on Jefferson Davis's case, he is said to have intimated that the country had heard the last of it, but that if Mr. Davis would consult his own self-respect he would spend the rest of his days with his friends in England. The billiard match between Dion and Foster, at the Academy of Music, ended in the presence of about one thousand spectators, in favour of Foster, whose score was 300 against, Dion's 296. The city letter carriers have turned out in their uniforms, of course first parading through the principal streets headed by a band of music. The Broadway-bridge has at last finally disap peared, the framework having been left standing for many weeks, but it is now for ever removed. An atrocious murder was perpetrated on the side walk opposite 42, East Twelfth-street, on Thursday morning. While an old and respectable citizen, Charles M. Rogers by name, was sweeping the snow off the walk in front of his dwelling, an unknown ruffian came along and applied to him some offen sive epithet. A quarrel ensued, in the course of which the former drew a knife and plunged it into the abdomen of the latter, when the murderer fled, leaving his victim's purse and watch, which for a MQ ment he had succeeded in getting hold of. A Ger man sailor, named John Paskell, was murderel in an affray which took place in a dance house in Grand-street, near First-street, Hoboken. The poor man took no part in the revel, but simply went to remonstrate against so much disorder, when some ruffian drew a knife and stabbed him to the heart. Eleven of the dancing party, men and women, are under arrest. A Prussian named Clause Junge has been identified as the murderer. Numa Faten, a Frenchman, was arrested for some petty theft on F. Watson, jun., 25, John-street. At the station-house he committed suicide by hang ing himself from the upper part of the door with his pocket handkerchief. He had been for some time in Watson's employ, and is said to have five sons living in this city. At Briggs Bros., on Wed nesday night, 150 fine horses, valued at $200,000, were burnt, besides a great number of carriages, their gear,andimtnense quantities of hay, straw,and grain. The artists, painters, sculptors, engravers, cbrotno - lithographers, and photographers lately met for the purpose of initiating a movement for the better protection of the rights, assigns, and inventions of artists and others. It is a curious fact that an artist has now no absolute title to his own productions— anybody that chooses may appropriate them with out incurring, as in copyright cases, the penalty of the law. The 'Westphalia sailed with sixty passen gers, among whom are G. Kaliokowsky, of Phila delphia ; P. Friedrich, of Pittsburg ; and Captain Avery, of Newburyport, Massachusetts ; and the Rev. Mr. Lyman left on board the Australasia. A chemical analysis has shown of what the " fine old whisky" called Bourbon is composed : Fusil oil, rancid lamp oil, green tea, prussic acid, winter green, and strychnine ; and brandy and gin were found to be made up of compounds quite as vile. Newspapers have in vain exposed this, but, as sen sational paragraphs, they attracted little attention. This, however, coming officially from the Board of Excise official ovill probably open the eyes of thepublic to the poisons that are palmed off on them. The case of Blaisdell and Eckel, charged with defrauding by ille gal removals of whisky, was, as usual, adjourned, some informality having been discovered on the trial being called in the United States Court. The new Mayor, A. Okey Hall, was inaugurated yester day, and Governor Hoffman at Albany. The latter was a grand affair, concluding with a dinner at Dela van House, where the retiring staff dined with the in coming staff, The new Governor was escorted to the State Capital by the 9th Brigade, (the 16th and 26th Regiments), with a company of Artillery. In the libel case of Mrs. Wilkinson against the Chi cago Tribune, the jury has awarded $7,500, the da mages claimed being $lO,OOO. A new trial has been asked. The libellous statements were made by that journal during the progress of a divorce suitito which the woman was a party. Immigration to America has lately somewhat fallen off, the decrease for 1868 being nearly 30,000. For 1868 the total was 212,959, and for 1867 242,731. PARIS, Jan. 14, 1869. Sift,—ln your article of last week on the " Wes tern Route to China" you scarcely do justice to the advantages of the road across the Continent. Per haps, Sir, you are not aware that a firm in Chicago have got the contract for supplying the Union Pacific Railway with passenger cars, made on a principle which will enable the traveller to live as he journeys with little less comfort than he would on board a steamer. lie gets his berth as there ; his breakfast, dinner, and supper. He can call for a cock-tail, sherry-cobbler, and smoke his cigar as he hurries along at the rate of 25 or 30 miles an hour. Europeans imagine that they are to sit in a row opposite, as they do in an English carriage or another omnibus, on the journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and they picture days and nights of misery, whereas the wayfarer will either be soundly asleep in bed or discussing his chop with a bottle of claret as the train goes rushing on. The cars are beautifully fitted up with all the conveniences the fertile Yankee brain can contrive, and they will be a marvel of a multum in parvo. Nor will these com forts add much to the expense of the journey. Two dollars extra are to be paid, I believe, a night for the bed ; and the tariff for meals will be about $5 a day. Two through trains are to start from the one terminus on the Atlantic to the other on the Pacific, and the rates will be far under that now paid for the sea voyage round by Panama. The expense then of the trip to Japan from London by the Western route will not, I believe, be half that charged for the Eastern ; but, of course, where the lines intersect the difference will lessen in a progressive ratio in the journey onwards to Hongkong, so that the cost to that island may not be much less than by the Peninsular and Oriental Company.—Yours respectfully, A TRAVELLER. [We may add to our correspondent's remarks an extract from the New York Express, which gives news of the railroad from Omaha, Nebraska, Dec. 24, 1868 :—‘, The following facts will be interesting to your readers in New York and the East. The two roads will probably meet at Monument Point, on Salt Lake. The California Pacific Railroad is now built from Sacramento. _ _ July 15, Bond of the Truckee October 23, Reese River December 24, Maggie Creek This is 188 miles west from Monument Point and Salt Lake. The Omaha Pacific Railroad is now from Monument Point only 138 miles. Thus only 318 miles part the two roads, which distance both companies are building on night and day. At this rate of working the two roads will meet in April.] An American club has been started at Rome, chiefly through the artists, grand apartments hav ing been taken in the Palazza di Gregoria, near the Palazza di Spagna. A meeting was held to sanc tion the rules, and Buchanan Reade was voted to the chair. The following gentlemen were elected to form the committee :—Mr. Cushman, Mr. Reade, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Mozier, Messrs. J. 11. and W. S. Hazeltine, Mr. Rinehart, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Inman, and Mr. Welsch. That this club, conducted after the Century Club, New York, will add to the at tractions of Rome for Americans, is ovidcut, and ' we give the following letter, just received from 3 correspondent, to show that they have already be gun to carry out the intention announced : ROME, Jan. 11, 18 69 . A grand reception was given on the evening of the 6th instant by the American Club, at the G-regoria Palace. The spacious rooms were filled with an assemblage of American ladies and gentle' men, among whom were many well-known per sonages. The dancing and reception halls were beautifully decorated with flowers, paintings, O ci ts statuary ; and the suppe r t a bl es were l oa d e d wit' choice delicacies. A band o f mus i c was e ngage" for the evening, and the selection played was excel lent. Among the gentlemen were Commodore In man, of Philadelphia; General Darling, of Ne t York ; Iron. E. C. Cushman, U. S. Consul fo r Rome ; Dr. Gould, Messrs. 111ozier, Rogers, Rice' hart, Reade, Freeman, Baker, Evans, and Grail'' Among the ladies were Mrs. Mozier, Mrs. Roger s ' Mrs. Maxwell, Mrs. Reade, Miss C ushman, 'M iss Chandler, Miss Talbot, and Mrs. Folsom. 13,fore the close of the seam]] the American Club w ill pro' hably give a grand fancy dress ball, and two or three more receptions similar to that given 03 Wednesday evening. Roo- The number of " curling" clubs in and around Ne w York now reach upwards of a dozen. Curling is the um ° for a Scotch game play e d w ith l arge s t ones on t h e i c e. l ib° oldest of these clubs in New York is the Thistle. 9. 3 Christmas Day this organi za ti on v i s it e d P a t erso n, there to play a prize-game with the Paterson Club, for an emblem known as the District Medal, awarded by t b , e , Royal Caledonian Cl u b o f S co tl an d . Th e P a t ers on proved victors by the following score :—Thistle—n i " No. I—Robert Mitchell, jun., lead; Robert Mitchell, 03 ' second; James Pickens, third; Alexander Phillip, skip score, 17. Paterson—Rink, No. I—William Aitken, / 03 " ; William Tinnock, second; James Watson, third; Abraer ham Collier, skip—s c o re , 34. Thi s tl e —Ri n k N o , 2---er° , 7 C. M‘Gregor, lead; John Pickens, second; James Sli 3 mers, third ; James Thompson, skip —score, 18. Pater s° —Rink No. 2—William Ingalls, lead ; Patrick Slattery' second ; J. M. Richmond, third ; John R. Smith, skir . score, 25. Thistle—Rink No. 3 —Andrew Barr, sr., lead ; John Reith, second; Andrew Mitchell, jun., third ; 1 "7., /11eikel, skip—score, 15. Paterson—Rink No. 3--John Bolton, lead; Robert Smith, second ; A. N. Horton, thi rd ' James Peacock, skip—score, 21. 'total for Thistle, 5 ° total for Paterson, 83. On S a t ur d a y , D ec. 26 , the silv er medal awarded by the St. Andrew's Club was won by 'A ir ' John Dunlop, president of the club, he having scored le g points. This medal serves as an annual prize, and b 35 been held s i nce 1860 b y t h e f o ll ow i ng gentlemen :- 10be e rt Gordon, Willi am B ran d , R o b er t Ni c h o l , J o h n C. L°°n";', William Hogg, John Bryden, and Al e x. D a l r ymple. `— the 2d rest. a club match was to take place at Paterson between the Paterson an d C a l e d on i an Cl u b s . The gain e between the New Jersey Thistle and the Paterson Ol nbe on Monday, Dec. 28, was won by the former. Galveston, Texas, now claims 25,000 inhabitalltg' It boasts of 600 business firms, six lines of steams bi . „ 9 "., five of sailing s hi ps, t wo b anks, s i x private ban k er s, insurance companies, and three cotton press compan ie6 ; In spite of all the se b us i ness int,rests, th ere were l e ` than a dozen gentlemen p resen t at t h e annua l me eting 11f 5 the Galveston Chamber of C ommerce. Of t h ose one W 3 a painter, two were reporters, and one a retired nia' Dir facturer. Although the B tden and Homburg tables a re not likely to be abolished for some time to come, the s, tables will not be allowed after the year 1870. At lea :, a bill is now before the B e l g i an Ch am b er o f Represen t- tives to abolish gaming thereat. An account of the by ceipts and expenditure for the past season, as verifie d ; 0 the Court of Accounts, shows w h e t i mmense chances fi o against the players. The losses at the roulette t sl mounted to 37,831 f., and the gains to 939,641 f, or ba s lance of profit of 902,810 f. ; for the tronte-et-un the figu r e { are 380,839 f., and 1,233,864 f., or a net produc e 852,995 f. in a period of thr ee mon th s on l y . The share°ro the treasury in the profits was 848,560 f., or 155,108f. 1110 . 0 than in the previous year. Yet, notwithstanding t b ieo facts, there are flats who believe that the chances bet the players and the bank are nearly equal. The population of Minnesota, it is asserted , n amounts to 420,000 souls, an increase of 70 per cen t ' 1 0 three years upon the State censu s o f 1865. This W° l2 oo give an increase of about 20 per cent. every year uPc 3 th e population of the preceding year, and 44 per cent. at 3, end of two years. At this rate Minnesota, it is estint it :t will have a population of 600,000 in 1870, when the 11 , , 0 g United States census is taken. Improvements are b O l3 made rapidly in the town of Stillwater, Minnesota , than $250,000 having been expanded on resida..o breweries, mercantile buildings, and public edifices dur!ol the past season. A largo emigration is a t present b 31 ,t1 l directed to this rapidly rising State, of whi c h we bell soon give some interesting particulars. On New Year's Day the tunnel t inier l e t Chicago river, otherwise called the Washington S tr . o ; Canal, was opened. It is 1,605 feet long, and the V I contracted for was $328,100. A t Illinois is forming a State Geological Muscly-1i Springfield. Etch county will be represented in rug t h e order, and a stranger eaa see, almost at a glance' mineral resoure@s of tho entire Stat 3. is estimated that the total benefactions of 00(r: Peabody in this country and America exceed £1,600,gi Foreign Mail Packet List. MAILS DUE. „., 3 3 .ietralla and New Zealand, via Southampton. ••••--.2j J Ditto, via 'Arseilles .7' Ditto, via Pi.....arna razll. Buenos Ayres, and Monte Video Feb," .'2. Ditto, by French packet JA' , - !ape Verds. by Bra z il p aez Feb' ' et ..... 'Jape of Good Ll , pe. Ascension, an d St . Helena.— •J a ' ,, . 35 , Tina, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton. •J' aii. iii ibraltar, via Southampton Jan 1 1 india, via Southa m p ton ••••.. Ja n ' ~.• vitto, via Marseilles Malta, egypt, & c. .. ........ .... JO • 1 1 Jan' Ditto, Marseilles Nlauritius, Cape of Good Hope, and Natal, Vi S SoutharaT ton Ditto, Mars e il les Jan ' 10 Feb •ewfoundland ...... ..... eortugal •• United States, anada, California, &c., by British . I' , packet .. . Ja °-. 0 Jo Ditto, by Canadian packet .. Ditto, by I_. silted States packet Ditto ditto (Baltimore) West Coast of Africa, Madeira, and Tenerin ..•• • ‘7 ., West mules and Pazific(except Mexico and Baha" ~ i ,i a,' 3. mas) , . 0 3, Falkland Islands ..Ja n j). Cuba and Mexico le e b. , Bermuda, via Halifax...... B.naahas, via New York THE DICTIONARY CLUB.—The members the select literary club, established by the contributors WO "Dictionary of Christian Antiquities," held the ir , ar jer, annual dinner this season at the United Hotel , C h o . o oci street, St. James's-square, whose central situation,r7 fa cellar and cuisine, have made it a favourite res°ooto similar entertainments. Among the gentleme n 11 sirSi' were the Dean of Westminster, Canon Wescott, DrilevS' Smith, Mr. Isamberd Brunel, Mr. John Murray, ° e l 0 4 F. Garden, A. W. Haddam, Fenton Hort, S. 3 13nse many others. 1/ ADVERTISEMENT.I—HoIIoway's Ointment and to 4 , 8 Constant Success.—No diseases are more trYl'l,loo "to temper or more exhausting to the constitution ors 1 1 + pains in the muscles and joints, caused by wet or cold. Wherever the seat of suffering it `„.,' ,vs" ; • - g . bo necessary to foment the affected part with war' — ov 'S dry thoroughly, and immediately rub in Holles%';',ol, estimable ointment to obtain ease. Gout, rhen''d tn",l neuralgia, and ticdo]oreux are soon relieved , a Ti l mately cured by the use of this unequalled ungTjben e iii Holloway's purifying and aperient pills. " no sai l „id persons subject to gout or rheumatic gout feel 11 ; 004 1 0 threatenneTus, resortw eak, exhausted , tothithis tr e s o t m r e o n u t t , of sorts, 0 1 % 0 4 ed attack. which w i a r t t T h h t I t o . BULL- On the 14th inst il , ft dbill, s errel' the wife of Henry Bull, Esq of a daughter. moil° rnlands, e CLARKE -On the 13th inst.,” - s ville `" the wife of H. 3 P C4* Esq., Bayswater, of a dathter. 0 , 10 ° TUCKER-On tile 14th hist gat Gloucester, the 1 A. Tucker, Esq., of a daughter.. Marriages. i, 0 3 1 BAIRD -DAVIDSON -On the 14th inst , at Lipt °ll ,„o 14 0 1 East Lothian, Alexander Baird, Esq.,. of Itebes;iiter Pembrokeshire, to Lizzie Helen, st P ljz ' younge cc lit HenrM. Davidson, Esq. , i s tai SLEIGH-BIGNELLOn the 15th inst., at C ,r ,; ( )/-, -- a 0 , Turnham Green, Warner Sleigh, Esq., of '7 - clo' Teinpir, barrister-at-law, to Emma Alice, G re co. R. R. R. Bignell, Esq., of Stile Hall, Turnhout Gr tr Deaths. Vl' t o Or f t CURTIS -On the 14th inst , at East Cosham,. D O l o mouth, Sir Lucius Curtis, 13 I F C• l3 . iltilal Si t at ~ ‘.. • , Fleet, aged 83. w ire , , 1 0 1 1 EnLis -On the 15th inst , at 24, Bedford- gate Ellis, Principal Librarian of the British ~4e, aged Henry '92. t ro eeN JEAKINS— On Thursday, the 14th inst., at Let t S o . ,s ,t r e illt ) Uxbridge, William Noble Edwin ,leakins, ef d Vr o Manchester, the eldest son of John Bishop 31 ' 0 101/ Jeakins, in his 27th year. inst., , Id 9 ' MANLEY- On the 12that B °lll3 edf 01A, " , 1 01 l Esq., aged 52. 80 1 ' gr• STRINGER—On the 14th • tln ins t., atStreatha m ' Stringer, aged 57. London : Printed and Pabliehed by WILLIAM i* O ,A of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at fits SUN O'l le. 'ooo 3t ' Strand, in the Precinct of the Se coy, 1n i" Middlesex —9londay, Jatiltaly la, 1869, THE WILLENITAM POLICE CASE. Mr. Hudson, of 'Wolverhampton, writes to the 7'inrcs on a case which has already attrteted some attention—that of the little lads who were com mitted for a week's imprisonment in Stafford Gaol for " tossing " and obstructing the thoroughfare. They were " fined " 6d. each, and ordered to pay the costs, or suffer the term of imprisonment. These costs amounted to 775., or lls. each. The parents could have paid the fines, but the costs were far beyond their means, and the unfortunate youths would have been dragged to prison had it not been for the interference of some gentlemen. Four :out of the seven lads were but thirteen years of age, and their homes were so poor that the penalties might as well have been pounds as shillings, since in every case it was impossible for the inmates to pay them. The Rev. Mr. Fisher has written to the Birmingham Post explain some particulars of this affair. He states that the facts of the case were not exactly reported. Some of the boys had been convicted before, and none were under fourteen years of age. He adds _that well-grounded complaints have been made for some time past upon the obstruction of the footpaths by idle youths, and that the lads in ques tion were charged with a similar offence, added to which their language to passers-by was insulting and disgusting. Under these circumstances, the magistrates imposed a small fine with the security for payment provided by the statute. THE CHIVALRY OF THE " YOUNG MAN OF THE PERIOD." We live in a matter-of-fact age, and look upon Chivalry as in most part a splendid dream; but we still hold in theory the creed, as to the protection of the weaker sex, which in later romances, if not in reality, marks the knightly character. But the practice in many respects differs from the creed. The Daily i'Vezes very forcibly complains that in the metropolis it is a thing quite impossible for a pretty girl to take a walk alone. Is it that the teaching of some of the theatres and certain "fast " periodicals is bearing fruit in this way ; or what is it that has created this evil ? For it un doubtedly exists, and men who call themselves " gentlemen" do not think it beneath them to demon stratively stare at, follow, and accost a girl who dares to walk alone in the public parks. There is, perhaps, something to be said for the fact that very few respectable young ladies do walk alone. But to what a state matters must have come to have brought about this consummation ! ORDNANCE. SURVEY OF SINAI. Captains Wilson and Palmer have forwarded further communications respecting the progress of the Ord nance Survey of Sinai. Captain Wilson reports that the observations of the survey are completed, and the computation will be finished by the 12th of December. He expects shortly to send a diagram of the points and traverses. He adds that the " poling " and observing have been very hard work, and he and Captain Palmer have had much to undergo in making their observations. Roughly speaking, he should say that the special survey will be completed by the end of April. He hopes that the money in the fund will soon reach the estimate, which will not be too large for the work to be done. Captain Palmer's letter was written for the purpose of filling up gaps, and he declares that during the survey their habits have been more like those of goats and ibexes than anything else. The observing for triangulation was finished when he wrote. He trusts that Serbal will not prove so serious an undertaking as Jebel Musa, but at any rate they will go to their work with the experience they have gained, and in good training for the mountains. NEWS FROM AMERICA. " Shalcspere wrote good plays," poor Artemus Ward used to say, " but he would never have succeded as a "Washington correspondent of a New York daily paper. Ile lacked the requisite imagina tion and fancy." And certainly our friends acrogs the great lake do fall upon some most extraordinary canard& A.story went the round of the press the other clay which made many of Mr. Charles Dickens's admirers murmur a little. It was to the effect that his brother's wife had just died in Chicago in great want and privation. This, so soon after the announcement of Mr. Dickens's arrangements as to his readings, and, considering the character of such readings, rather outraged our idea of propriety. Mr. Dickens, how ever, writes to say that the whole thing is a hoax ; his sister-in-law is still living, and is a frequent guest at his house. GIBRALTAR on CEUTA. Those who advocate the exchange of Gibraltar for Ceuta have some serious questions put to them by Rear-Admiral Ommaney, in a letter to the Times. Starting with the premise that it would be impolitic to give up Gibraltar without some equivalent, he points out that at great expense we raised Gibraltar from a mere rock to a fortress ; and he asks shall we give it up for a fort whose fortifications are behind the age ? Or should we give up at all such a strong fortress as Gibraltar, which might be used against us in case of war ? As to Spain fortifying Ceuta, the whole revenue of a year would bo required to do it. Is it likely that they would expend it ? " Moreover," exclaims the Admiral, " what a base of operations would Gibraltar be for civil war in the hands of the factious Spaniard." The Admiral puts down the argu ment as to justice as " weak " and " sentimental," and concludes by asking whether France will let us take Ceuta. The objection to giving up Gibraltar on the ground that the "factious Spaniard" might use it in case of civil war implies that this strong hold is like a knife to a young child. WOMEN'S CLUBS. Lady Portsmouth has withdrawn from all active support of the proposed women's club in London, owing to a difference of opinion between herself and the members of the committee. Lady Portsmouth is opposed to the admission of gentlemen to the visitors' room, which the committee propose to ELECVON PETITIONS. The Liberals have n o t on l y d rawn first blood in the !sguries now being held into our election purity, but have followed up their victory by another in Scotland. The petition presented against Sir Sydney Waterlow, who won Dumfriesshire from Major Walker, the old Conservative member, has fallen through. Sir Sydney was first charged with bribery and intimidation, and the seat was claimed by his opponent. About a fortnight ago, however, the petitioner applied to the Clerk of Court in Scotland, to withdraw the pleas of bribery and intimidation, but persisted in claiming the seat, on the ground that the London alderman was a partner in a firm which held a Government contract at the time of his election. It appears that the gallant major has made a terrible blunder some where, for it is now announced that notice has been lodged of an application for leave to withdraw the. whole of the petition. The ground alleged for the withdrawal is that the petitioner is now satisfied that it would serve no public purpose to go on further with the inquiry. It is not yet known whether Sir Sydney was eligible for election, but in the event of his resigning he would probably be elected again by a larger majority. The Western Morning .2.Veivs states that it should not be surprised if one or both of the Cornish petitions fell through, "as the result of second thoughts as to the question of expense." The two petitions presented from Cornwall are—Bodmin,where Mr.Wyld is endea vouring to get the seat now occupied by Mr. L. Gower; and Falmouth, where, in consequence of the Liberals being too sanguine of the result of the elections, the Conservatives (Messrs. Fowler and Eastwick) won an unexpected victory. From Falmouth the security of 21,000 has been deposited ; but from l3odmin the defeated candidate himself has been obliged to become surety for £250 in order to make up the amount. THE RITUAL QUESTION. Two fresh steps have been taken in the contro versy which is now distracting the Church, and is likely before long to vex the State. An Order in Council was made on Thursday by the Queen at 'Windsor—the Lord Chancellor (Lord Ilatherley), the Lord President (Earl de Grey), the Lord Chamberlain (Lord Sydney), and - Mr. Goschen being present—by which order the Queen expresses her approval of the late judgment. The document, after setting forth at length, and in technical language, the circumstances of the suit of Martin v. Mackonochie, thus concludes : " Her Majesty, having taken the said re port into consideration, was pleased, by and with the adviceof her Privy Council, to approve thereof and of what is therein recommended, and to order, as it is hereby ordered, that the same be duly and punc tually observed, complied with, and carried into execution. Whereof all persons whom it may con cern are to take notice and govern themselves 'accord in2Le___Tho order is eizned 15' XL Art4urfielve, THE NEW CANON. Mr. Gladstone is to be congratulated upon his first important ecclesiastical appointment. Mr. Mozley, who is to be the new Canon of Worcester, is one of the ablest writers in the Church. He was educated at Oriel College, Oxford, took his B.A. degree in 183,1, was appointed by Magdalen College Vicar of Old Shoreham, wrote in 1855 a " Treatise on the Augustinian Doctrine of Predestination," and in 1856 on " The Primitive Doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration ;" but he is best known by his Bampton Lectures. One of the most hopeful signs of the times is the contrast Which there is between the Church dignitaries now dying out and those who take their places. Between the epoch of the late Dean Howard, of Lichfield,and that of the present Dean Champneys, between the epoch of the late Canon Fortescue and that of the new Canon Mozley, there is all the difference between a Church whose preferments were given to the scions of great Whig families and a Church whose preferments are given to learned theologians. In the one case, Church preferment was bestowed to secure political support ; in the other, it is bestowed to reward eccle siastical research. SCHOOLS FOR THE MIDDLE CLASSES. The Low Church party in the Church of England have desired to establish schools and colleges in various places for the purpose of promoting the education of the children of the middle classes. A committee was appointed last May, and it decided that an association should be formed in London, and a paper has been circulated to ascertain if the plan would be supported. Offers have been made that exceed £l,OOO. A meeting was held on the 13th January, which was well attended. Letters of approval were read from the Archbishops of Can terbury and York and others. An association has been formed and a committee appointed to carry out the original scheme of promoting the establishment of middle-class schools in connection with the Church of England. THE COMMISSION ON MILITARY EDUCATION. Earl De Grey and Ripon, having become - a member of the Cabinet, resigns the chairmanship of the Commission of Military Education, and Lord Stanley, whose appetite for work is no longer capable of being satisfied, will take the vacant place. MILITARY ECONOMIES. It appears that the authorities at Whitehall have introduced in the new volume of Army Regulations some restrictive rules for the better government of officers' messes. The object of these rules is to keep the expenditure within reasonable limits ; and commanding officers are enjoined to bear in mind that as it is incumbent on every officer of the corps to be a member of the regimental mess, whatever his means, the ordinary expenditure should be regulated with regard to those officers whose incomes are the most limited. In order that every officer may have a voice in any proposition for regulating the expenses of the mess, it is now for the first time ruled that mess meetings shall be held not less than once in every six months for the purpose of auditing the accounts. ' as well as for authorising any special outlay of the funds. It is to be hoped these regulations will assist the younger members of the corps to avoid the money-lender and the Insolvent Court. FOREIGN NOTES. AUSTRIA. A letter rrom Vienna gives a most encouraging 'account 1 of the progress of Austria during the last two years. First of all, the new era of prosperity has been inaugurated by two very abundant harvests, and the constant labour upon the new lines of rail Ways renders the produce of the soil day by day more valuable. A great impetus has been given to industry and commerce. Hefice the duties of the Treasury have been lightened, the taxes have been collected with far less difficulty than for some years, and yet the imposts in same cases have been diminished. All the public securities have risen during the period of reconstruction, in no case :us than three, in many as much as five per cent. The lomparative equalisation of revenue ._ and expenditure has diminished the amount of annual borrowing, and hence the capitalists turn their attention to the railways. Between last April and November an enormous sum— luite without parallel in Austrian finance—has been invested in shares and debentures. Nor has this capital been sunk in profitless undertakings ; for though the exportation of wheat has fallen off somewhat, the general receipts shew a large increase. The share quotations have uniformly risen. Numerous banks and credit establish ments have been founded in different parts of the country. This account of the results of July 3, ISGG—the day on which Austria was defeated in battle and saved as an empire - suggests some imprlrtaut considerations. It goes to confirm the opinion we have often expressed, that the progress of Austria under her, new form of government has been ;enerally underrated, and that too much has been made ,f her prostration by the disasters of 186 G. The calcula tion that Austria will not enter into war now because war would be ruinous to her is much too sanguine ; the mili tary strength of the new monarchy is far in advance of any other European State except France and Prussia. The security for peace on the p ar t o f A us t r i a does not lie In her inability to fight, but in the unwillingness of the people to pay for fighting. U n d er the new laws, the Austrian Reichsrath and the Hungarian Diet have great control Dyer the finances, and so have the Delegations—the Par liament composed of representatives from the Diet and the Reichsrath. Economy is the great electoral cry of these popular representatives, and in order to keep the favour of their constituencies they pare down the expenses to the most parsimonious limits. The Government at this moment cannot construct coast defences, because the votes for the money cannot be had. A people animated by this spirit will always act as a dead weight upon the warlike designs of the Government, if it entertains any. It would be well for Europe if such liberty were known in France or Prussia. GERMANY. The Temps says that great activity has prevailed during the last fifteen days in the Prussian military departments. Great quantities of munitions of war and supp lies of food have been collected at Magdeburg, Hanover, and Minden. rt is expected that in several co7ps d'arntle a part of the reserve is about to be called up. It is to be presumed that the state of affairs at Paris induces the Prussian Govern ment, without, perhaps, any immediate expectation of war, to make ready for eventualities. It is not a little odd that the astute Count Bismarck should have first pro posed the Conference, and then, after the ambassadors have blundered for a week, set to work to get his corns d'armie in order. SPAIN. The relations between the Provisional Government ana the Tuileries have become somewhat unfriendly. The intention of the Spanish Ministry to send a corps d'armee to the northern frontier, to hold in check the Carlists and Isabellists, is said to have given offence to the Emperor. It is certain that the Emperor has given offence to the Provisional Government. After the Madrid loan had been ,ffered for some time in Paris, an order was suddenly riven to remove all announcements from the Exchanges, and all possible obstacles have been thrown in the way of the sale of the bonds as contrary to law. Senor Olozaga is much offended at this proceeding, which he attributes to the influence of Isabella. The Madrid correspondent of the Constitutionnel gives an amusing account of the result of the municipal elections g Cadiz. This great triumph of Republicanism secured the return of seven councillors who have fallen, at some period of their career, under the jurisdiction of the criminal iaw, three who are neither electors nor eligible for election, Due foreigner, and nine who will not accept the greatness which has been thrust upon them. The remainder are not sufficient to form a council, and there must be another election. THE WAR IN PARAGUAY. It is generally believed that the news of the overthrow If Lopez is substantially true. It comes, indeed, from Rio Yaneiro, and Brazil has been so much in the habit of recording great victories just as the mail was steaming out for Europe that a liberal discount is always needful. But there is one great reason why this last intelligence should be correct. It had become absolutely necessary that Brazil should finish the war, or the war would finish Brazil. The burden had become intolerable, and the Allies were utterly weary of the contest. It is likely, therefore, that Caxias has struck a great blow, and has succeeded. THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT. Later advices from the Red River do not report any improvement. 'Up to the end of November the weather bad been favourable, and the roads, upon which the pre servation of the colonists depends, had been pretty good. Unless they could be kept open throughout the winter, so that relief from without should not fail, the entire settle ment would be in danger of starvation. Even with the aid of good roads the distress was deplorable. 433 families, representing 2,342 persons, required assistance at the end of November, and were likely to require it tbroughout the winter. Many have eaten their horses, and one family killed and ate a domestic cat. (From the Anglo-American Times.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 1869. Already measures are being taken for the COUSUe