The Sun. — London, England, 1866-01-18 00:00:00

The Loss of the Steamship London. -vl ,---- A profound sensation was created among a] classes yesterday morning upon receipt of th sad intelligence that Messrs. Money Wigram am Sons' auxiliary screw steamship the London hac foundered in the Bay of Biscay, with upwarch of 200 souls on board. The fame this fine vesse . had acquired as a passenger ship partly owing to the fact of her last outward passage having been made in 59 days—was in itself calcu lated to dispel all anxiety on her behalf, ever during the late tempestuous weather, and it is be. lieved that her owners and the underwriters con• cerned were least of all prepared for the terrible disaster that has happened to her. It is a remark• able fact, moreover, that the London is the first ship belonging to the famous house of Money Wig ram and Sons to which any seriously casualty has occurred. In a century's experience, Messrs. Wig ram have enjoyed a perfect immunity from loss, with the single exception of the True Briton, which belonged to a former generation of the firm, and foundered early in the present century in the same fatal bay. The London, which has been commanded ever since she was launched from Blackwall yard, in 1864, by Capt. Martin, an Australian navigator of great experience, left the East India Docks on Thursday, the 28th of December, and dropping down to Gravesend sailed thence on Saturday afternoon under charge of Mr. Thompson, a river pilot. As the night was wild and the wind dead ahead the ship brought up at the Nore, and lay during the whole of the following day. There were two clergymen on board, the Rev. Dr. Woolley, Bishop of Sydney, and the Rev. Mr. Draper, and both of them took part in the usual Sunday ser vices. At daybreak on Monday, the Ist of January, the anchor was weighed, and the ship steamed down Channel, still against a head wind, but making fair way. While passing outside the Isle of Wight the wind increased to half a gale, and Captain Martin deemed it prudent to put back and lay to for the night in St. Helen's Roads. On the morning of the 2d inst. the London proceeded through the Needles into the open Channel, the wind being still ahead, but light. As the ship ran down Channel the wind rose and the sea increased, and a couple of hours after passing the Needles the wind blew a gale right ahead with a heavy sea rolling, which continued all'the way to Ply mouth, where the ship arrived about noon on Thursday, the 4th inst. A sad casualty occurred here. A pilot cutter put off a small boat, having on board the pilot and his assistant, to bring the London inside the breakwater. When the boat 'vas about 100 yards from the London a sea capsized her, and both the pilot and his assistant were thrown into the water. Captain Martin instantly ordered one of his lifeboats to be lowered, and with great difficulty the assistant pilot was rescued, but the pilot was drowned. The London came to an an chorage inside the breakwater at 1 p.m. on the 4th inst., and during the afternoon took on board those of her first and second class passengers who had arranged to join the ship at Plymouth. At midnight on Friday she proceeded on her voyage, the weather being at this time calm, with a light wind ahead. She had full steam on during the whole of Saturday, and the voyage proceeded very satisfactorily until Sunday morning, when the wind increased, and a head sea gradually rose. During the day the London passed several ships, and nothing occurred to create the smallest uneasiness in the minds of any of the officers of the ship. During Sunday night the wind increased to a gale and the sea rose considerably. On the morning of Monday, the Bth inst., the ship was well clear of the land, and Capt. Martin having ordered the engines to be stopped, set his topsails, and so endeavoured to keep the ship moving slowly ahead. At noon on this day, the wind having some what lulled, the engines were again sec in motion and kept steaming slowly ahead through the night. At 8 a.m. on Tuesday, the 9th inst., while the cap tain was still endeavouring to keep the ship in her course by means of the screw, the violence of the gale carried away at one sweep the jibboom, the foretopmast, the topgallautmast, and the royals. These large spars were not wholly detached from the ship, but, hanging fast to the stays, swung to and fro with such violence that the crew were wholly unable to secure them. About two hours later the mainroyalmast was blown completely out of its socket and added to the general wreck. Captain Martin, who had not been in bed since the previous Sunday night, was not at all disheartened up to this moment ; but, as the gale continued to increase during the morning, with a sea already running mountains high, the position of the ship was undoubtedly felt to be one of some peril. Still, as the wind had somewhat veered round, the engines were kept steaming easy ahead, and it is believed that at this moment no person on board felt any anxiety for the ultimate safety of the ship. About 3 p.m. on Tuesday; however, a tremendous sea struck the ship and carried the port lifeboat clean away from the davits. All that evening and through the succeeding night the wind blew a very heavy gale and the sea ran very high, but the screw was still kept steaming' easy ahead. At 3 a.m. on 'Wednesday, the 10th inst., Captain Martin sent for Mr. Greenhill, the chief engineer, and informed him of his intention to put the ship about and run for Plymouth, and he desired that full speed should be got up directly. 'lhis was immediately done. In half an hour after the ship's course had been al tered, she was again struck by a tremendous sea, which carried away the starboard lifeboat, and the same sea stove in the starboard cutter. At noon on this day the ship's position was lat. 46 48 N., 8 7 W. A very heavy cross sea was running, with the wind now dead astern of the ship, which caused her to roll heavily. But no danger was even now anticipated, and all through the evening of Wed nesday, and long after midnight, the ship continued to steam slowly ahead, the captain and his officers remaining steadily at their posts, and the passen gers appearing to have full reliance upon the skill of Captain Martin to bring them safely to port. At 10 30 p.m. on Wednesday, the ship still rolling deeply in a heavy cross sea, and the wind blowing a whole gale from the south-west, a mountain of water fell heavily over the waist of the ship, and spent its destructive force upon the main hatchway, over the engine-room, completely demolishing this massive structure, measuring 12ft. by Bf t., and flooding with tons of water this portion of the ship. Instant endeavour3 to repair the hatch way were made with a promptitude and vigour commensurate with the imminent crisis. Every spare- sail that could be got at, and even blankets and mattresses from all parts of the ship, were thrown over the aperture, but each suc ceeding sea shipped by the vessel tore away the frail resources of the moment, and not more than 10 minutes after the hatchway had been destroyed the water had_ risen above the furnaces and up to the waists of th e engineers and firemen employed in this part of the ship. The lower decks were also now flooded with the rush of waters the ship was con tinually taking in. The chief engineer remained at his post until the water had rise above his waist, when he went on deck and reported that his fires were out, and his engines rendered useless. Capt. Martin, with calm conviction, remarked that he was not surprised ; on the contrary, he had expected such a result. Finding his noble ship at length little more than a log on the water, Capt. Martin Ordered his rnaintopsail to be set, in th e hope of keeping her before the wind. This had scarcely been accomplished when the force of the wind tore the sail into ribands, with the exception of one cor ner, under which the ship lay to throughout the re mainder of the night. The donkey engine was sup plied with steam by a boiler upon deck, and all the deck pumps were kept going throughout the night, and the passengers of all classes, now aroused to a sense of their imminent danger, shared with the crew their arduous labours. Notwithstanding every effort the water still gained upon the pumps, a nd the gale c on ti nu i ng a t it s h e i g ht , cross se as with tremendous force were constantly breaking over the vessel. The motion of the ship became low and heavy, and she refused to rise to the action of the waves. At a quarter after 4 o'clock on Thursday morning she was struck by a stern sea, which car ried away four of her stern ports, and admitted a flood of water through the breach. From this time all efforts were useless, and at daybreak Capt. Mar tin, whose cool intrepidity had never for a moment forsaken him, entered the cuddy where all classes of the passengers had now taken refuge, a-id respond ing to an universal appeal, calmly announced the cessation of all human hope. It is a remarkable fact that this solemn admission was as solemnly received—a resigned silence prevailing through out the assembly, broken only at brief intervals by the well-timed and appropriate exhorta tions of the Rev. Mr. Draper, whose spiritual services had been incessant during the previous 24 hours. At 10 o'clock, the ship rolling deeply, an attempt was made to launch the starboard pinnace, but a sea struck her just as she reached the water, and she sunk, leaving a crew of five men :struggling for their lives. As the ship was lying to three of them managed to scramble up the sides of the ship, and the other two were rescued by ropes being thrown to them. After this the exhausted crew ap- ' peared indifferent to their fate, and no further effort at launching the remaining boats was made until 1 o'clock, when, the water having reached the main chains and the ship evidently settling down the port pinnace was got over the ship's side. Even at this moment the sea was so heavy that those of the passengers who were within reach of the boat appeared to prefer the frail shelter of the sinking vessel to the obvious dangers of a small boat in a raging sea. At this crisis Capt. Martin, always at hand, addressing Mr. Greenhill, chief engineer, un der whose command this particular boat was rated, said, "There is not much chance for the boat, there is none for the ship. Your duty is done; mine is to re main here. Get in and take command of the few it will hold." Thus prompted, Mr. Greenhill, with his fellow engineers and some few others, number ing only 19 souls, among whom were only three second class passengers, quitted the ship, with only a few biscuits in the shape of provisions, and not a drop of water. The pinnace had scarcely cleared the wake of the vessel, upon the poop of which up wards of 50 of the passengers were seen grouped, when a tremendous sea was seen to break over the doomed circle, who when the ship rose slowly again were discovered to have been swept into the surg ing waters. Another moment and the vessel her self, settling down stern foremost, threw up her bows into the air and sank beneath the waves. The pinnace having no sails on board could only keep afloat before the wind, and was repeatedly in danger of swamping. They had not been afloat two hours before they saw a full-rigged ship sail past them, but at too great a distance to hail. At 3 a.m. on Friday they sighted the sails of a brig, the crew of which overheard their shouts and bore towards them; but, failing to get into the track of the boat, after making several fruitless tacks, she bore away. At daybreak a full rigged cutter was observed at some distance, and, hoisting a shirt upon an oar, they endeavoured, but in vain, to attract attention. Shortly afterwards the Italian bark Adrianople, Capt. Cavassa, bound with a cargo of wheat from Constantinople for Cork hove in sight, and the captain having observed the pinnace, immediately shortened sail, and lay to, pre paring to take them on board. On reaching the ship, notwithstanding the stress of weather and straitened means for the support of :so large an in crease to his crew, Capt. Cavassa received the Eng lishmen with unbounded kindness and hospitality, supplying them with all that was necessary in their destitute condition. The exigencies of the gale had obliged Capt. Cavassa to sacrifice more than half his cargo, and during the four days' run into Fal mouth the weather carried away his rudder, and brought into useful requisition the services of his English passengers. The foregoing details having been furnished to the reporter by Mr. Greenhill, may be relied upon as strictly authentic, and the same remark applies to the annexed list of the passengers and crew of the ship : LIST OF THE CREW.—Commander, Mr. J. B. Martin ; Mr. Robt. Harris, first officer ; Mr. Arthur Treehurst, second officer ; Mr. A. C. Angel, third officer ; Mr. J. V. Faule, surgeon ; George Bates, carpenter ; Richard Morley, sailmaker; F. S.lluck stepp, captain's steward ; Francis Huckstepp, stew ard ; Grace Logan, stewardess ; John Mackenzie, chief cuddy "servant ; John Lyall, second class steward ; W. Fowler, second cuddy servant ; Jas. Bennett, third cuddy servant ; Johns Lehbond, captain's servant ; T. Ham, captain's cook ; Henry Appleton, passengers' cook ; Jas. Murphy, baker ; Robt. Gannon, butcher ; Mr. J. Greenhill, chief engineer ; Mr. John Jones, second do. ; Mr. John Armour, third do. ; John Staden, boatswain ; D. T. Smith, boatswain's mate. Able seamen : W. Daniels, A. Campbell, Jas. Butcher, R. Merritt, John King, Joseph Surgeon, Karl Scoval, Robert Thompson, Johannes Barnecker, Julius Mathews, Harman Hen sturkeg, Karl Brown, John Brown, Samuel Brown, Ben. Shields, Samuel Effingham, Hans Herman, Edward Quim, Reubin Troubridge, Martin Arnold, Auguste Dittmer, Otto Olsen, Andrew Wilson, Jas. Gough, Heinrich Butcher, Richard Lewis, H. La berg, and Andrew Andersen. Henry Jones, winch driver. Ordinary seamen—Geo. Case, R. Littlepage, Pat Short, and Win. Curries. Boys—Alfred White and Edward Logan. Firemen—John Morley, Hy. Jenkins, Thos. Purkis, Fred. Harlford, Th DS. Brown, Jas. Bramble, and Geo. Cracroft. Trimmers--Geo. Holmes, Chas. Fairbrother, Geo. Robson, and W. M. Clark, John F. Hale, fourth cuddy servant ; Al fred W. Smith, fifth cuddy servant; Morris M'Ken zie, sixth cuddy servant; and John Funnell, ordi nary servant: The following who had signed articles deserted before the ship left Gravesend:—Antonio Manzanilla,Walter Fortune, Martin Brooks, Anthony Dougherty, Edward Allan, and Wm. Johnson; and the following were shipped at Plymouth :—Edward Thomas, Charles Ausell, John Mulloney, and Robt. G. Stephens. LIST OF PASSENGE RS.—First Class. —Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Draper, Mrs. Owen and child, Mr. and Mrs. George F. Urquhart, Mr. and Mrs. John Patrick, Mr. and Mrs. G. Vaughan, Mr. and Mrs. James Alderson, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Benson, Mr. and Mrs. Fenton, Mr. A. and T. It. Fenton, Mr. G. M. Smith, Mr., Mrs., Master, and Miss Chap man ; Mr. and Mrs. Clark and son, Mr. F. Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Bevan, Dr. John Woolley, Mr. and Mrs. Debeuham, Miss Laura Maunder, Mr. James Robertson, Mr. T. M. Tennant, Miss Dovey, Mr. G. H. Palmer, Mr. T. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Amos, Miss Catharine M'Lachlan, Mr. E. Brooks, Mr. J. Ruskin Richardson, Rev. Mr. and Mrs. James Kerr, Miss Mary Cutting, Mrs. and Miss King, Mr. and Mrs. J. Thomas and two children, Mr. A. Sandilands, Mr. E. Youngman, M. H. J. Dennis, Mr. E. A. Marks, Mr. D. F. De Pass, Master W. D. Burrell, Dr. Hunter. Second Class.—Kaye Eastwood, Frederic Stone, H. J. White, Annie White, Helen Price, J. L. Wil liams, Mr. and Mrs. Graham, B. G. Rowell, J. E. Wilson, Helen Morling, Georgiana Graham, James Dothie, Charles Gough, Allan Brace, James Wood house, George Cross, William Day, D. W. Lemon, Mr. and Mrs. Giffett, George Chennells, W. A. Wood, Elizabeth Wood, William Clayson, Mary Clayson, Thomas Wood, Elizabeh Wood, Godfrey Wood, Bennett Beran, Susan Brooker, Henry Davis, Thomas V. Hagen, H. W. Hardinge, Francis Fryer, John Munro, D. C. Main, Charles Johnstone, Peter Fenwick, Ellen and Mary Ann Meggs, G. H. Camp bell, Elizabeth Marks, E. Glynn, John, Jane, Eliza beth,`Harry, Alfred, and Emily Hickman, Archibald M'Lean. Third Class.—Wm. Passmore, Hugh Millan, C. J. Chandler, Benjamin Hay, Ellen Jones, Selena and Alice Simpson, John and Elizabeth Henson, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Graham, George, Ann, and Maggie Graham, George Rolwigan, John, Elizabeth, Helen, George, and Henry Sarcombe, D avid M‘Vitt ie, David Graham, Mr. and Mrs. Flack and four children ; Richard.Trevarrow, D. Block, J. Serken Zabee Morris and Zabee Barnett, S. Bolton, Thos. Skeggs, David and Elizabeth Smith, A. Umpway, Samuel Spring (boy), A. Hogan, James Walls, Wm. Barrow ; Susan, Caroline, and Mary Lampes ; A. S. Oster, John Little, and Henry M'Covey. The Dr. Woolley mentioned in the above list is, we understand, Bishop Woolley, on his way to Syd n ey. Mr. G. V. Brooke, the tragedian, is said to be among the passengers lost. (From the Western News) It was 10 o'clock on the morning of that fatal Thursday that Capt, Martin had the terrible task 1 of making known to the 200 passengers that the 1 ship was sinking, and that they must prepare for the 1 worst. She was then as low in the water as the main chains. The whole of the passengers and crew gathered, as with one consent, in the chief saloon, and having been calmly told by Capt. Martin that there was no hope left, a remarkable and unanimous spirit of resignation came over them at once. There was no screaming or shrieking by women or men, no rushing on deck, or frantic cries. All calmly re sorted to the saloon, where the Rev. Mr. Draper, one of the passengers, prayed aloud, and exhorted the unhappy creatures by whom he was surrounded. Dismay was present to every heart, but disorder to none. Mothers were weeping sadly over the little ones about with them to be engulphed, and the children, ignorant of their coming death, were piti fully inquiring the cause of so much woe. Friends were taking leave of friends, as if preparing for a long journey ; others were crouched down with Bibles in their hands, endeavouring to snatch con solation from passages long known or long neglected. Incredible, we are told, was the composure which, under such circumstances, reigned around. Capt. Martin stationed himself in the poop, going occa sionally forward or into the saloon ; but to none could he offer a word of comfort by telling them that their safety was even probable. He joined now and then for a few moments in the public devotions, but his place to the last was on the deck. AbOut 2 o'clock in the afternoon, the water gaining fast on the ship and no signs of the storm subsiding being apparent, a small band of men determined to trust themselves to the mercy of the waves in a boat rather than go down without a struggle. Leav ing the saloon, therefore, they got out and lowered away the port cutter, into which 16 of the crew and three of the passengers succeeded in getting and in launching her clear of the ship. These 19 men shouted for the captain to come with them, but with that heroic courage which was his chief characteristic he declined to go with them, saying, " No, I will go down with the passengers; but I wish you God speed and safe to land." The boat then pulled away, toss ing about helplessly on the crests of the gigantic waves. Scarcely had they gone 80 yards, or been five minutes off the deck, when the fine steamer went down stern foremost with her crowd of human beings, from whom one confused cry of helpless ter ror arose, and all was silent for ever. After the pinnace had gone away from the Lon don, and in the brief interval before she foundered, a rush was seen to be made to the two remaining boats, but the efforts to launch them were in effectual, and the suddenness of the foundering at last—the London being an iron ship—prevented what might have been a successful second attempt to save a few more lives. Some hairbreadth escapes in connexion with this disaster are already known. A lady who was de sirous of proceeding from Plymouth with her family to Melbourne by the London had made repeated press ing applications to the owners' agents at Plymouth, and the captain had been consulted, but, fortunately for the applicant, had declared that his cabins were so full that he could not possibly accommodate her, a result that, at that time, caused her much disappoint ment. A second-class male passenger was so alarmed at the rough weather which the London encountered on her way down to Plymouth, that immediately on her arrival at that port he came ashore, resigned his passage, and went back to his home, thus unwit tingly saving his life. A young man, as the result of some family quarrel, left home and took a pas sage by the London. He was advertised for in the papers, and importuned to return, his friends being unaware of his whereabouts. Messengers were sent down to Plymouth, and an influential shipbroker in the town was employed to intercept him should he attempt to sail thence. Fortunately he was detected among the passengers of the London, and his family communicated with by the broker, the result of which was that a brother of the young man came down to Plymouth and persuaded the would-be emigrant to forego his voyage. The following is the list of those saved : John Greenhill, engineer ; John Jones, 2d ditto ; John Armour, 3d ditto ; Thos. Brown, fireman ; W. M. Edwards, midshipman ; D. T. Smith, boatswain's mate ; Wrn. Daniels, quartermaster ; John King A. 8., Benjamin Shield, A. 8., Richard Lewis, A. 8., James Gough, A. 8., E. Quin, A. 8., Wm. Crimes, U.S., A. G. White, boatswain's boy ; William Hart, carpenter's mate ; E. Gardner, second class steward ; D. G. Main, passenger ; John Munro, do. ; J. E. Wilson, do. Wreck of the Caristia.na. The Christiana, an American vessel of 800 tons, which set sail on Ist December from London, bound for New York, Capt. J. H. llammond, commander, became a total wreck on Dec. 20th, about midway between London and New York. She had previously lost all her sails in a gale which commenced on the 3d December, off the Isle of Wight. Such sails as could be repaired were replaced in about ten days, and all went on well with a fair wind till about two o'clock on Dec. 19, when a hurricane commenced, which lasted five days. About 12 30 p.m. on Dec. 20 the storm raged with fearful violence. The sky light of the cabin was firstknocked in by the falling of the spars. In about ten minutes after the main mast fell, breaking the bulwarks, and for a mo ment paralysing all on board. Soon after the fall of the mainmast the foretopmast fell, and in a few minutes more the mizentepmast. In the meantime the sails were torn to shreds. At break of day a spar fell, which broke the steward's leg. He was trying at the time to cover the hole with canvas, caused by the fallen skylight. The carpenter and one of the sailors were washed overboard and lost by the breaking of the bowsprit. A rope was thrown to try to save them, but in vain. The boat on the verandah was torn from its fastenings and blown overboard. The boat on the portside got a hole knocked in its side, and that on the forecastle was blown-overboard and lost. The lifeboat on the starboard side was only a little injured. It was after wards repaired. Both the spare spars got from their fastenings and rolled about the deck breakin g the bul warks on each side. The bowsprit was hanging by chains, and beating with destructive violence against the ship, all on boar 9 l expecting it to knock a hole in its bottom. This painful state of suspense lasted several hours, everyone fearing that thenext moment might be the last. At length a heavy sea dashed over the ship and tore away the bowsprit from the chains. The ship was now a helpless wreck. All the officers and crew were obliged to sleep in the ver andah, the other parts of the interior of the ship 1 1 being flooded with water or in ruins. Quantities of provisions had got destroyed or damaged. Several casks of water were lost, and it was found necessary to put every one on short allowance. The cook had got wounded and disabled. On the 26th December the Catherine Boyd, an American vessel, came in sight ; spoke with the Christiana, and promised to wait till the sea moderated, and take all hands off her. She was in sight next morning, but towards night was lost sight of and seen no more. An anxious look-out was kept from then till January the 7th, but no sign of another sail appeared until 9 o'clock p.m., when the first mate shouted the long hoped-for intelligence that the light of a ship was to be seen to windward. Rockets were sent up and a blue light burnt on board the Christiana, and in a short time the gratifying sight of a reply was observed from the strange vessel. At daybreak on December 8 the flag of distress was hoisted and the signals, " Send me a boat," hung out. Soon after 8 o'clock a lifeboat came alongside the Chris tiana, which bore the name of the Varuna, a very fine vessel, belonging to Smith, Fleming, and Co., 1,350 tons, Capt. Shepherd commander. At this time it blew a gale of wind, and the sea rolled heavily ; but Mrs. Cross, of Manchester, and her three daughters ; Mrs. Nelson, of Liverpool, and the wounded steward were successfully lowered over the side of the boat and got safely away. It was 11 o'clock before the lifeboat reached the Christiana on its second journey, and the swell of the sea had become so great that it was found impossible to get the boat alongside. It became necessary, therefore, that in order to get off the Christiana those on board should jump overboard with the lifebuoy. Captain Hammond went first, then Mr. Nelson, of Liverpool, and in that way all were got safely away by 4 o'clock p.m. The gallant little boat THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 18, 1866. made four journeys altogether, the swell of the sea being constantly on the increase. It would have been impossible, in fact, for the boat to have made another journey, for no sooner had the last man got out of it than a heavy sea dashed it to pieces against the side of the ship. It was one of Clifford's patent. The saving of the crew and passengers of the Christiana was one of the noblest acts of heroism ever seen upon the seas ; and, to the honour of the brave fellows who so generously risked their own lives for the salvation of others, it should be stated that the boat was com manded on its first and second journeys by Mr. Barry Ratsey, the first mate of the Varuna. On its third journey by Mr. Smith, third mate, and on its fourth journey by Mr. Wm. Mackenzie, second mate. The following seamen manned its first three journeys —viz., Adamson, Johnson, Trevellick, Lloyd, M'lntyre, and Hickson ; and the following on its fourth :—Everett, Atkinson, Brown, Ryan, and two others, whose names have not been ascer tained. As soon as they were brought on board the Varuna every one of those saved from the Chris tiana received the utmost kindness and attention, every one vieing with Capt. Shepherd in trying to make them comfortable. All the officers of the ship, with Mr. Wm. Burn, chief steward, and Mr. Ed ward Burn, second steward, Mr. Phillips, planter from Assam, India, and the Rev. Mr. Kincaide, of the American Baptist Mission in Burmah, threw open the whole of their wardrobes for the comfort of the men, while Mrs. Kincaide and her daughter, Mrs. Cowie, did the same for the women, Captain Shepherd presenting them with some linen to make under-clothing. The same kindness which was shown in regard to clothing was also observed in bedding and sleeping accommodation, and the most complete comfort was secured. The Varuna having just come off a long voyage, having sailed from Calcutta on Sept. 1, and having been 30 days longer on the passage than was anticipated, provisions ran short, and in consequence of the addition of the persons from the Christiana, the crew were obliged to be put upon a shorter allowance of meat .than usual. Nevertheless, their distressed messmates were received with the utmost cordiality by the brave men of the Varuna. Notwithstanding the extra duties thrown upon them, the stewards from the first were incessant in their kind attention to the wants of their unfortunate visitors. The Varuna was not an hour too soon on its mission of mercy, for on the 10th of January a heavy gale set in, which must have sunk the Christiana. Sunday, January 14, was ob served as a day of thanksgiving, the Rev. Mr. Kin caide officiating, the passengers and part of the crews of both ships being present. The motto on the crest of the Varuna to be seen in various parts of the ship is " Let the deed show." How bravely the men acted up to the deed of noble daring in saving the crew and passengers from the wreck of the Chris tiana will abundantly show. Though all luggage was lost, every life was saved without an accident. HEALTH OP THE METROPOLIS. (From the Registrar-General's Weekly Report.) In the week that ended on Saturday, January 13, the births registered in London and 12 other large towns of the United Kingdom were 3,995 ; the deaths registered 3,453. The annual rate of mortality was 29 per 1,006 persons living. In London the births of 967 boys and 961 girls, in all 1,928 children, were registered in the week. In the corre sponding weeks of 10 years 1856-65 the average number, corrected for increase of population, was 2,045. The deaths registered in London during the week were 1,506. It was the second week of the year, and the average number of deaths for that week is, with a correction for in crease of population, 1,675. The deaths returned for last week are less by 169 than the number obtained by calcu lation. The most fatal diseases in the zymotic class at the present time are whooping-cough and typhus, each of which is re turned as having caused 72 deaths in the week. Typhus was fatal in 5 cases in the sub-district of Poplar, and in 4 in that of Battersea. Whooping-cough was chiefly fatal in the east districts, where almost half the total number of deaths from that disease occurred. There were 170 deaths from phthisis (or consumption), 204 from bronchitis, 100 from pneumonia. On the 3d of January, at 20, Lizard-street, City-road, tho wife of a law writer, aged 42 years, died of inflammation of the lungs, accelerated by exposure and insufficient cover ing by day or night. On the 26th of D s eeember, at 31, Summerford-street, Bethnal-green, a box-maker, aged 70 years, died of disease of the heart, accelerated by want of sufficient food and other necessaries. • The following three deaths from carriage accidents in the streets were registered in the week :—An engineer, aged 59 years, run over ; died on the 4th of January, at 25, Mon tague-street, Russell-square. The wife of a general dealer, aged 43 years, run over by a van ; died on the 29th of De cember in the Royal Free Hospital. A potato salesman, aged 20 years, run over ; died on the 6th of January in Spital fields. The anneal rate of mortality last week was 26 per 1,000 in London, 26 in Edinburgh, and 31in Dublin ; 42 in Liver pool, 34 in Manchester, 31 in Salford, 31 in Birmingham, 37. in Leeds, 29 in Sheffield, 32 in Bristol, 29 in Newcastle on-Tyne, 29 in Hull, and 33 in Glasgow. The rate in Vienna was 30 per 1,000 during the week ending the 6th inst.,when the temperature was 13.7 deg. Fahrenheit lower than in the same week in London, where the rate was 26 per 1,000. The rate of mortality in Liverpool, although still so far above that of any of the 12 other towns of the United King dom, shows some reduction upon thereturn of the previous week; the 389 deaths registered last week included 45 from typhus, 16 from scarlatina, 15 from measles, and 21 inquest cases. Whooping-cough continues to be very fatally pre valent in some parts, of Birmingham. In the borough of Southampton the annual rate of mortality last week was 27 per 1,000 ; the epidemic of scarlatina from which this town has suffered during the last three months is on the decline ; only three deaths were last week referred to this disease. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 29:195in. The reading was 29.93 in. on the morning of Sunday ; it fell to 28.65 in. on Thursday, and rose to 29.83 in. on Friday. The mean temperature of the air in the week was 36.9 deg., which is 1 deg. above the average of the same week in 50 years (as determined by Mr. Glaishor). The highest day temperature was 49.6 deg. on holiday. On Friday the thermometer fell to 23.8 deg., on Saturday to 231 deg. ; on five days it fell below the freezing point of water. The mean daily range of temperature was 13.5 deg. On Thursday the range was 6.9 dog. ; on Saturilay 24.6 deg. The difference between the mean dew-point temperature and air tempera ture was 3.5 dog. The mean degree of humidity of the air was 87, complete saturation beingrepresented by 100,which point was almost reached on Saturday. South-west and west were the prevailing directions of the wind ; but on Thursday it blew from the north-east. Tho rain or melted snow measured 2.41 in. On Monday an extremely heavy gale of wind prevailed during the greater part of the day, in which a pressure was recorded of 331 b. on the square foot—a greater pressure than any previously recorded at the Royal Observatory. On the same day at Liverpool the recorded pressure was 30-41 b. on the square foot. At Greenwich, on Thursday morning, at an early hour,. rain fell heavily, but changed to snow about 4 o'clock a.m., which fell thickly till 3 o'clock p.m., accompanied in the afternoon by heaTy gusts of wind. The depth of the snow on the level was about 7in., and produced the very largo amount of 1.4 inch of water. The specific gravity of this snow was more than double its usual value, as a footin thick ness of fresh-fallen snow generally produces an inch of water. MADAME TUSSAUD'S.—Among the latest addi tional models, life-size, which may be seen at Madame Tussaud's exhil4ition in Baker-street, are those of the late lamented King of the Belgians, the late Lord Palmerston, President Johnson, &c., &c. In the chamber of horrors aro models, taken from life, of the murderer Southey, and Charlotte Winsor, whose case is now under the considera tion of her Majesty's judges. [ADVERTISEMENT.] --- Dyspepsia (indigestion), constipa tion, debility, consumption, and all nervous, bilious, stomach, and liver complaints in every stage, are only aggravated and aceeleraced by drugs of every description, but perfectly cur able by Du Barry's health-restoring Revalenta Arabica Food, as proved by thousands of oases which had been con sidered hopeless, such as-cough, asthma, also diarrhoea, hemorrhoids, liver complaints, flatulency, nervousness, biliousness, fevers, sore throats, diphtheria, catarrhs, colds, influenza, no'ses in the head and earn, rheum itism, gout, im purities, eruptions, hysteria, neuralgia, irrit ability, sleepless ness, acidity, palpitation, heartburn, headache, debility, dropsy, cramps, spasms, nausea and sickness, even in preg nancy or at sea, sinking fits, bronchitis, scrofula, tightness of the chest, pains in the pit of the stomach and between the shoulders, &c. We quote a few :-Cure No. 16,276. Mr James Roberts, timber merchant, of Frimley, Surrey, of 30 years' diseased lungs, spitting of blood, liver derangement, and par tial deafness.-Cure No. 47,121. Miss Elizabeth Jacobi, of ex treme nervousness, indigestion, gatherings; low spirits, and nervous fancies. -Cure No. 1,771, Lord Stuart de Decies, lord lieut. of Waterford, of many ) ears' dyspepsia. -No. 49,832. Fifty years' indescribable agony from dyspepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, flatulency, spasms, sickness, and vomiting-Maria Joly.-Cure No. 51,816. The Rev, James T. Campbell, Fakenham, Norfolk, of indigestion and torpid ity of the liver, which had resisted all medical treatment.- In tins, 1 lb., 2s. 9d. ; 21b., 4s. 6cl; 5 b , lls. ; 121 b., 2 s. ; 241 b. 405.-Barry Du Barry and Co., No. 77, Regent-street, London; also Phillips, tea dealers, 8, King William-street; likewise at 61, Gracechureh-street ; 4, Cheapside ; 49, Bishopsgate street Within ; 63, 150, and 298, Oxford-street ; 330, Strand ; 54, Upper Baker-street; 103, Tottenham-court-road; 96, Upper-street, Islington, N. ; Harvey, Notting-hill; Close Brothers, 65, fligh-strut ; and Stubbs, Queen's-terrace, St. John's-wood, London; and all respectable grocers and che mists.-Beware of spurious imitations. Royal Caledonian Curling Club. -~ - The first annual dinner of the Manchester (Traf ford) branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club took place at the Queen's Hotel, on Monday even ing. An influential company was present, num bering about 100 ; and Mr. J. Kerr, the president, occupied the chair. The Chairman apologised for the absence of Sir H. De Trafford, the patron, and Mr. J. Fender, M.P. He then proposed the usual loyal toasts, and " The Army, Navy, and Volun teers." Col. Broughton, R.E., responded on behalf of the army, and Major Scott on behalf of the rifle volunteers. Mr. M. Ross proposed " The Manches ter Trafford Royal Caledonian Club." He said that the Royal Caledonian Club had enrolled more members than any other in the world. The Man chester branch had only existed two years ; it was started in no spirit of rivalry, but with a desire to bring the healthy pleasures of the game nearer to their own doors. Its success was all that could be de sired. Mr. Alderman Mackie gave "The Patron, the Patroness, and the Members." He said that though he was patron of another Manchester society it gave him great pleasure to be present on that occasion. He thought the club ought to be grateful to their patron for giving them the use of a ground to play on. It was an action that few who did not know the game would have had the willingness to.—Mr. W. Gibb responded to the toast.—Mr. Alderman Curtis proposed " The Houses of Parliament." He said that though he should have been glad to see parliamentary reform lie still—(no, no ; yes),—he yet expected that the franchise would shortly be extended. He did not know that there were any grievances to be dealt with, and if there were, members of Parliament had shown by their past actions that they were ready to remedy them when they were brought be fore them. He should have been quite content, as Lord John Russell, not Earl Russell, had said, " to rest and be thankful ;" but since that statesman had got into the House of Lords he supposed he had been egged on—(no, no ; yes),—and the country would have a measure of reform. He hoped that the measure would be one in which all moderate parties could concur. He had himself been an advocate of Liberal principles, and he advocated them still, but he did not want to see any measure brought into Parliament that would give the preponderance of power to any one class of society. (Hear, hear.) He believed that a £6 franchise would place the working classes in the majority ; that it would, in fact, throw the repre sentation into their hands. (No, yes, and interrup tion.) He hoped Earl Russell would remember, and " rest and be thankful," and that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would also remember that when he was returned to Parliament he was returned mainly through the forbearance and support of the Conservatives of South Lancashire. (No, no, yes, and interruption.) The citizens of Manchester had also shown that they were in favour of moderate opinions. They repudiated extremes, and he hoped the House of Commons would follow their example. (No, yes, applause, and interruption.) Mr. C. Stewart said that he regretted the harmony of the meeting had been disturbed, and he thought it was only fair to their new member, Mr. James, that he should be protected from having to repeat a pro nunciation of his opinions. He had already expressed them on the hustings, and they were well known, and he (Mr. Stewart) hoped that Mr. Curtis would excuse him if he said that that was a meeting of members of a curling club, and that politics should not be introduced into the proceedings. (Applause.) Mr. E. James, M.P., said that was the third time he had had the honour of returning thanks forthe Houses of Parliament. Since he last discharged that duty ample time had been given him to reflect upon the great and onerous duties which the city of Manches ter had conferred upon him, and to consider upon what might be his shortcomings, and what might be expected from him, for " from him to whom much was given would much be required." (Hear, hear.) Even if it had not been for Mr. Stewart's remarks he should have been anxious to have avoided bring ing before that social board anything of the nature of party politics. He was not there for the pur pose of saying whether he was Whig, Tory, or Ra dical, but he was there as the representative of the constituency of that great city, whatever its opi nions might be, and to promise as he had done here tofore to do the best that he could in discharge of the duties that now devolved upon him. (Hear, hear.) He was called upon to respond to the toast of the Houses of Parliament, and, strange as it might appear to many, he had never heard a par liamentary debate. He took his seat entirely new to the scene in which he would appear, and he went into Parliament endeavouring to the utmost of his ability to carry out those objects which might be useful to the whole constituency, and not to one part or to one section of it. (Hear, hear.) He had the honour of belonging to one of those branches of the Legislature which had for centuries been the bulwark of the constitution, and which had been the means of vindicating to every Englishman that li berty which it was his boast to enjoy. But while vindicating the rights and privileges of the Lower House, he thanked God the country had a House of Lords—(hear, hear) —because there were times when public excitement might so act upon the minds of those who were sent to represent them in the Lower House that they required a check; they re quired their attention to be more immediately and deliberately called to those questions which were not of to-day but for ever, and it was in dealing with such questions that instances had occurred, and might possibly occur again ; so that it was well to have another House where those questions might be more seriously, and more carefully and tempe rately and at greater length considered, so that they might be arranged ultimately for the benefit of all. (Hear, hear.) He thanked those who had invited him for the opportunity of being present, and for the still greater privilege of being allowed to fix the day upon which their dinner should be held. Nor could he forget the many invitations which had been given him by his many Manchester friends during the past few weeks. In declining them he wished it to be understood that it was through no discourtesy ; it was because of the urgent duties of his profession, and because he felt that if he ac cepted some he might give offence to others. If it was said that he had attended the curling club dinner that evening and had declined other invi tations, his only reply was that it was with extreme sorrow that he so declined, and that it would afford him the greatest gratification if he could consistently with that which was due to himself appear upon all occasions when he was requested. He must trust to the good feeling of his con stituents to pardon his shortcomings. (Applause.) In proposing " The Guests and Strangers," Mr. C. Stewart said that the Trafford Club numbered more than 150 members. —Mr. C. Temple, Q.C., responded to the toast.—Mr. Al derman Curtis said that as his name had been pointedly alluded to since he last addressed that company, he wished to state that he regretted ex ceedingly that the toast of " The Houses of Parlia ment" had been put into his hands. He expressed that regret when he was made aware that the pro posing of such a toast would devolve upon him, for he felt that it must. either involve the necessity of making some little allusion to politics, or that he must give the toast without any comments. If he had said anything that offended any one present — (no, no)—he wished to withdraw the remark. Mr. R. Forrest proposed " The city and trade of Man chester," to which Mr. M. Ross responded. He said that Manchester was fully entitled to the honour that the toast conveyed. By the establish ment of parks and free libraries Manchester set a proud example to other towns. It was also to the credit of the city that its political atmosphere was pure, and that its members were returned free of cost to those who were elected. Another matter in regard to which Manchester deserved great credit was the manner in which the Central Relief Com mittee discharged its duties during the recent dis tress, and especially on account of its economy. When 480,000 persons were dependent 911 the charity of the country the committee declined to apply for Government aid, and he thought the highest credit was to be attributed to them for show ing such independence. (Hear, hear.) Mr. R. M'Ewen proposed " The Corporation of Manches ter," to which the Mayor (W. Bowker, Esq.) re sponded. Other toasts followed, after which the proceedings terminated. SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. TIMES.—" Boldness, again boldness, and once more boldness," was the motto of the terrible Dan ton, and there are occasions in life in which it stands in the place of far greater and more respectable qualities, and achieves triumphs to which they never for a moment could dream of aspiring. Germany has been for years the slave of respectable and worn out traditions, of an order of things so rotten and so hollow that the first touch might seem enough to annihilate it, and which yet went on from year to year for no other or better reason that we know of than because it had gone so long already. The triad of Austria, Prussia, andthepetty German States had nothing on earth to recommend it, except that it ex isted. It was an obstable to progress, a guarantee for immobility, a clumsy contrivance by which the en terprise of one was perpetually kept in check by the fears and inertness of two. It was not harmony, it was not peace, it was not influence abroad nor com fort or respectability at home; but, such as it v:as, it established a sort of unstable equilibrium which may go on for a very long time indeed, if no exter nal force is brought in to disturb it. The safety of each of the three Powers consisted in the inability of the others to agree upon any definite line of ac tion,- and such concord as this produced was the re sult of mutual fear and jealousy. How ill Germany thus organised performed the duty assigned to her of preventing or neutralising the shock of the other Powers of Europe we need not now describe. Her destiny, from the causes we have mentioned, has been that of a passive spectator instead of an active me diator, and her function has been limited to attaining neutrality for herself instead of deciding on the des tiny of others. She stood ingloriously by during the struggle between the Western Powers and Russia, and had nothing to say while one of her triumvirate was crushed in 1859 beneath the military superiority of Imperial France. At last a man has arisen who, if not endowed with any extraordinary perspicacity, has, at any rate, sense to see that the present state of things is worn out, and that there is room for the exertions of an enterprising and unscrupulous Power. He saw that Austria, permanently, as it appeared, embroiled with Hungary, ruined in her finances, drained by her occupation of Venetia, which she was too poor to keep and too proud to give up, was no longer equal to the position which she had hitherto held in the German triumvirate. All that was wanted was an opportunity to detach her effectually from the side of the small States, and that opportunity the folly of those States was not long in affording. The Bund was unwise enough to outvote Austria and Prussia, and to take into its own hands the prosecution of the Danish quar rel. Then occurred the opportunity made for a man like Count Bismark. A common slight com bined Austria and Prussia together ; they snatched the conduct of the war out of the hands of the smaller States, and took it entirely into their own. It soon appeared, however, for whose benefit the change had taken place. Austria was forced in all things to yield to the demands of her imperious ally, and having by her means gained an absolute superiority over the rest of Germany, Prussia was able to avail herself of the isolated position in which Austria remained to gain over her a supe riority equally decisive. Count Bismark is entitled to the credit of having clearly perceived and boldly acted on the realities of the political position, and of using the follies and vanity of his neighbours as a sure means for the advancement of Prussia. Some what similar was the policy which Count Bismark adopted with regard to her internal discords. He found Prussia divided between two powers —a King on the one side, and a Parliament on the other. To a superficial view the Parliament had almost every thing in its favour. The Press, the opinion of the nation, the letter and spirit of the Constitution, were all entirely for the Parliament. The King had the army on his side, and the same clear calcu lation which enabled Count Bismark to see so plainly where the real strength of Germany resided enabled him equally to discover on which side in this quarrel the balance of strength really lay. The same cynical contempt for considerations merely moral which had swept aside the claims of the Bund, and had first trampled on and then sheltered itself behind the title of Denmark, enabled him to see that the army was strong enough to do his work, and that the Parliament might be safely pushed aside and disregarded. Such is the Minister who has been selected by the King of Prussia to repre sent him at the opening of his Parliament—an ominous appearance, bidding at once defiance to the more liberal tendencies of the nation, giving an assurance of the determination of Prussia to adhere steadily to her ambitious and encroaching foreign policy, and perhaps intended as an answer to the reports, which have found credence in many quar ters, of the indisposition of the King to lend a con tinued countenance and support to the policy of Count Bismark. The Speech was of the kind with which the experience of the last few years has made everybody familiar. The Prussian Assembly are treated with a kind of supercilious civility. It seems to be admitted that they have a right to be talked to about public affairs, and to be told what is going on, so long as they abstain from interference. The Diet is told that during the last Session, as in pre vious years, in default of the necessary agreement between the two Houses with each other and with the Crown, the law of the Diet, as provided by the Constitution, could not be enacted. In the past year, therefore, the administration of the finances had to be carried on without such a law. There is not a word of regret or of apology of any kind. The King and the House could not agree, and so the King has over ruled the House and the law, and done as he pleases. That is all. This is the first sentence of the address, in tended, probably, to bring the Diet into a fitting state of mind for hearing the rest. The finances are prosperous, a navigation treaty has been con cluded with Great Britain, and a commercial treaty with Italy. The Government does not expect the Lower Chamber will accept its views as to military service, and therefore will n o t a tt emp t t o l eg i s l ate on the subject. Lauenburg has been ceded to Prussia, and the possession of Schleswig and the position acquired in Holstein by Prussia are guarantees that the final destinies of the Duchies can only be settled in amanner corresponding with the national interests of Germany and the just claims of Prussia. The King is determined to hold fast this pledge under all circumstances until the attainment of the desired end, and knows that he is supported in this resolution by the assent of his people. A harbour has been ob tained in Kiel ; a navy is to be formed, and a canal connecting the Baltic with the German Ocean com menced. In this singular address the Prussian people are told, in the plainest terms, that the Government will persist in violating the Constitution, but that it confidently relies on their unanimous assent to its dealing with the rights of neighbouring nations just as it has done with their own. It might have been painful to the Lower House if it had been told that Prussia meant to preserve the utmost fairness and good faith towards her neighbours, and that it was only to her own subjects that she was disposed to act lawlessly and violently. This object is entirely removed, and the Prussian Commons have the pleasure of knowing that if their rights have been trampled under foot and their claims disregarded they are not in the slightest degree worse treated than their neighbours. The King, through his Minis ter, asserts that his people are unanimously with him in his policy of aggression. If they are so, they invoke in vain those principles of right on their own behalf which they refused to extend to their neighbours. Politicians like Count Bismark, whose views are narrow just in proportion as they are clear and direct, are apt to forget that their actions have a wider influence and more extensive efficacy than the particular object to which they are addressed. Such men underrate the force of example and the danger of precedent. Prussia tastes the perfection of bliss in absorbing her small neighbour and thwarting all Europe, which stands by indig nant at the sight, and yet for various reasons indis posed to interfere. But she may, after all, be play ing the game of her most dangerous antagonist s , and setting an example which she, of all countries in the world, should be the last to establish. What Poland was in the last century the little States of Europe are in the present. One by one they seem destined to be absorbed by overbearing force, but they will perish justly lamented by the friends of international right, and will infallibly bring down with them in their fall that system of public law in Europe which, since the first dawning of modern history, has been the refuge of the weak against the strong, and a perpetual, though not always an effec tual, protest against high-handed rapacity. HERALD.—Those who, in commenting upon the recent tragedy in Jamaica, have taken the part of the Government of the island against the black rebels, considering that Government to have been abundantly justified in the severe measures to which it resorted in repressing the rising, have been re peatedly and most earnestly requested to suspend their judgment until such time as the commission of inquiry sent out from England shall have concluded its labours and made the whole case plain. But in common fairness re ti cence on t h e one side should be accompani e d b y some sort o f abstinence on the part of those who are the self constituted champions of the opposite cause. If nothing is to be said in defence of that small white colony which by the mercy of God escaped on Christmas last the horrible fate which had been prepared for it at that holy season, in common decency the champions of the negro should hold their tongues. We have no doubt that the great majority of the people of England _sym pathise most warmly with Mr. Eyre and the Go vernment of Jamaica in this painful crisis. Is it because they are confident of his complete and speedy exculpation that they suffer a brave and honest servant of the Crown to be openly and foully calumniated by a tyrannous cabal which has all the talk to its e lf ? H owever t hi s may be, it 's certain that whil e th e f r i en d s an d a d m i rers f Go vernor Eyre are holding their peace, while the cham pions of law and order in the colonies, and those who would protect the whites against a negro reign of terror, are patiently awaiting the verdict of a commission appointed by the Crown, the agitators, who denounce the Governor as a second Verres, are making the land resound with their outcries from one end to the other, and daily putting in an ap pearance in the columns of the press. Little or nothing has been done in England to afford comfort at this crisis to the 13,000 white men in Jamaica. Heaven and earth have been moved to vindicate the cause of the 450,000 insolent blacks. The murderers of Morant Bay have their paid advocates and lawyers sent out to them from England. The man who wished " to make a second Hayti of Jamaica" is compared by a distinguished orator to the martyr Stephen, because he was executed before he could accomplish his generous purpose. The Radical party, the Baptist, and the Methodists, the Anti - Slavery Society, and the zealots of Exeter-hall are banded together for the behoof of that teeming and festering population of idle negroes which the generosity of England has placed on terms of equality with those who were once its masters but are now at its mercy. It is idle to ask us not to prejudge the question. The gentlemen of the " Jamaica Committee" have prejudged the question. In their last manoeuvre they may be said to have out-Heroded Herod, that is, outdone themselves. They have positively taken the opinion of counsel in England as to whether the proceedings of Mr. Eyre and the Legislature of Jamaica were legal or constitutional, and whether it was competent for them to arraign the Governor and the officers who served under him before a tri bunal in England, by which they should be judged for their crimes. The counsel selected were Mr. Edward James and Mr. J. Fitzjames Stephen. A number of leading% questions were submitted to them, with the object of extracting answers which might appear to justify the committee in the violent and extravagant course which they seem to contem plate. The answers are, however, given with such care and circumspectio n that they can hardly afford a handle for anything of the sort. The first ques tion—" What is the meaning of the term martial law, and what is the legal effect of a proclamation of martial law ?" is responded to in a learned thesis, the upshot of which is that—" 1. Martial law is the assumption by the officers of the Crown of abso lute power, exercised by military force, fo r the sup: pression of an insurrection and the restoration 01 order and lawful authority. 2. The officers of the Crown are justified in any exertion of physical force extending to the destruction of life and pro perty to any extent, and in any manner that may be required for this purpose. They are not Ps' tified in the use of excessive or cruel means, but are liable civilly or criminally for such excess." As to the application of the power conferred by mar tial law in the case of Gordon, it depends, in the opinion of counsel, upon " whether it was neces sary for the suppression of open force and the restoration of legal authority to put him to death." Governor Eyre's despatch to Air' Cardwell contains, we are assured, no such jus tification of the sentence of the court-martial. Bob this despatch does not give the evidence on which Gordon was convicted, and upon that evidence the whole question rests. The two counsel guardedly observe that they will not go so far as to say that "no conceivable state of things could justify the treatment which Mr. Gordon received." They lealre, the case of the alleged arch rebel just as they fin' it, and do not attempt to throw any new light upon it. The court-martial at Morant Bay, they sail might fairly have condemned him to death, if they considered it " immediately and unavoidably neces sary for the preservatiou of peace and the restora tion of order." The extreme case which was also submitted to Mr. James and Mr. Stephen, of the propriety of hanging a man " for a look or a gee ture," as is alleged to have been done by one of the officers on the west coast, would depend much in their opinion upon whether " the loyal population , being greatly outnumbered by the rebellious popil - Wiwi, measures of excessive severity might be ab solutely essential to the restoration of the power 0 1 the law." This night have been the case in Jamaica, though Governor Eyre's despatch, they say, does not make it appear. As to the trial of Governor Eyre, which the " Jamaica Committee" seem to have promised themselves, being apparently anxious to- repeat on a small scale the grand drama 01 Warren Hastings, and Burke and Sheridan, the re sponse of Messrs. James and Stephen must be sin gularly tantalising. There is only one thing which can prevent any British subject from indicting Mr' Eyre in the county of Middlesex or impeaching hill in Parliame n t. Th at b ar i s the Indemnity Act 49' the Jamaica Legislature. This, however, 01 might petition her Majesty to disallow. Until dis allowed it is valid. Altogether we ought, perhaßsi to be thankful to the gentlemen who have const4 - tuted themselves the " Jamaica Committee" for having at their own private expense put these diw cult 'questions on something like a tangible footing. They understand the issue now as well as we do. In the face of the evidence which every mail brim us from Jamaica this opinion of counsel is mos t damaging to the negro party. It has called Messrs. James and Stephen, and tempted them hi rich presents to curse its enemies, instead of which , like a pair of Balaams, they have " blessed there' altogether." COUNTRY MARKETS. BRISTOL—TUESDAY. At our markets to-day there was more inquiry for w heat , and a good business was done at prices scacely obtainabl ° this day week. Barley fully as dear. Oats Bd. deare r ' Beans and peas firm. Maize drugging. LYNN—TuEsDAY. The weather since this day week has been very storm' with occasional showers of sleet. To-day's market 11 but thinly attended by growers, and the show of wheat'.' small; the best descriptions sold r e a dily a t l as t TuesdAY:4 prices; damp samples not wanted. Malting barley in Ic ; quest at full rat es ; gr i n di ng sor t s as l ast week. Bo n and oats a slow sale at late quotations. Now wheat, 46s to 48s ; new red, 42s to 44s ; old Nvbit° 515 to 52s ; old red, 46 s t o 48 s p er 36 stone. Barley f 2 malting, 34s to 36s ; secondary, 26s t o 32 5. O ats, n 0 '1 18s to 24s per 24 stone. Beans, small, 438 to 46s ; larg r l 40s to 42s per 28 stone. HULL.—TUESDAY. In the English wheat trade very little business has R e done since our last, and still less in any description % foreign. Sales, however, have not been pressed, a nd , n ot change can be made in th e quotations. At our marko to-day there was a small show of wheat, which for tu most part was in bad con di t i on, cons equently there Ve r t few few buyers, and the business done was at barely . ' tl : s week's prices. In the linseed market very little busine' was done, most crushers having large stocks on hand. , a 4. English old white wheat, 49s to 54s ; old red, 44s to T s. Barley, En g li s h , 34 s to 38s. Oats, Russian, 24s to 2,4 p Beans, new Engli s h , 43 s to 445. Peas, English blue, to 41s Od ; grinding, 40s to 41s Od per 36 stone. SALISBURY.—TUESDAY. This market was thinly attended to-day, and in couSe quence of the inundations threshing operatio ns have boti suspended, so that there was a very short supply of who a offering. Good serviceable descriptions were taken at IN: vious figures, but the trade generally ruled inactive. 135 / - ley was a much moderate offer than heretofore, and 5 though no change in price took place secondary aP,, inferior lots hung ver y muc h on h and. A limited inqui'L, prevailed for oats a t p r i ces s li g h t l y i n advance o f 01 0 ' 7 " current last week. Beans were likewise firmer. The following are the quotations :—Wheat realised frZ 88s to 52s ; barley, 35s to 40s ; oa t s , 22 s t o 32 s ; beans, '7O to 52s ; and peas, 42s to 50s per qr. Tares, from 6s to ~a 3d per bushel ; Best bread, 13d ; h ouse h old ditto, 1` per 81b loaf. Flour, 35s to 40s per sack. MELTON MOWBRAY.—TUESDAY. About the usual supply of wheat, the trade in NY-- ruled steady at former quotations. White wheat, 50s to 58s ; red, 48s to 54s per 36 stone; Barley for malting, 33s to 37s per qr ; feed, 28s to 300 11 1 30 stone. Oat s , 22 s t o 39 8 . B eans, old, 488 to 525; n et 40s to 44s per qr. Births. BRIDGES. —On the 13th inst., at Rydo, the wife of Coo l W. W. S. Bridges, of a daughter. EGERTON.—On the 15th inst., at Hertford-street, the 11°11 ' Mrs. Arthur Egerton, of a son. LEARMONTH.—On the 14th inst., at 93, Eaton-place, tl' wife of Lieut.-Colonel Learizonth, of Dean, son. ha MEADE.—On the 16th inst., a t 32 , Belgrave-squarel - t Lady Mary Meade, of a daughter. Marriages. , At JEFTERY—FLOYER.—On th e 16th inst. at at IfomcastAis St. Mary's Chu rc h, Wm. Jeffery, Esq . ., to Alice Mat, i1 ;1 - 1, eldest daughter of J. W. Fl o y er , E sq, o f M ar tin P near Horncastle. PEILE — CHADWICX.—On the 26th inst.. at St. Savi- - Church, South Hampstead, James Kenyon, eldest 0, viving son of the late S.Peile, of 25, Claranio n-gardeot ",' Maida-hill, Esq., to Matilda, fourth daughter of the I t ' Wm. Chadwick, of Grove-park, Surrey. Deaths. S 4 BRIGSTOCKE.—On the 15th i ns t. , at 7, 'riedrick Stra d ' Hanover, Wm. H. Temple Brigstocko, Esq., of I °' combe Court, Somerset, aged 46. BREWER.—On the 16th inst., at 1, Eton Villas, Havers. ° a. hill, Hampstead, Anne, widow of the late Thou s s 9, Brewer, Esq., of Li nco l n ' s -i nn, barrister-at-law, itg ° of BRIGHT.—On the 16th inst., Hugh M. Bright, third sc' o l, S. Bright, Esq., of Sandheys, West Derby, LiverPv aged 26. A ndi EVANS.—On the 14th i ns t., at Milton-place, Graves Miss Elizabeth Evans, f ormer l y of Mark-lane, L°ll - aged 74. London : P,rinted and Published by WILLIAM AND- - i , jA. of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at TRZ SUN OiliCee 14 %7 Strand, in the Preoinot of the Savoy. in the C9' l " Middle/ex.—Thursday, January' 18, 1866. to ad equ 1 Yea