The Sun. — London, England, 1866-08-13 00:00:00

THE AUSTRIAN AR: (From the Times Special Correspondent) TYROL, Aug. 7. I have already mentioned the object of my -visit to Verona, but was obliged to suspend the account of my visit to the battle-field of Custozza for another opportunity. Early on the morning after our arrival at Verona we starte d for the battle-field, which is some nine miles outside the city, in the direction of Solferino. Outside t he city, o n the road of Somma Campagna, we drov e at a good pace . through the rich but most dreary expanse of Indian corn an m ulberry trees. The parade ground beyond the mo a t was, for a wonder , free of parades, and the dense columns of men just visible in the gloaming last night as they wheeled and marchdeds o afbout units,` s, ear were stat i on, scattered into thousan i preparing for a quiet parade or two before the heat of the sun drove them under . cover. Then came the forts—grey or black or white—with ram parts just topping the summits of the mulberry trees, each in its own plot of cleared ground, with trees cut down to the proper height. None of the forts are very large. There are no long curtains to be attacked. Many of them look as if they were counter sunk, so that the embrasures are very low, others stand high and have a good command. All have, I am told, deep scarp and counter scarps to the moat, whiCh is generally very broad also, and well swept by low flanking fire. It would be difficult to reach the faces of the works below the level of the glacis, but the parapets and embrasures are, of course, exposed to artillery fire, and some of the redoubts look like shell traps. There must be some people to gather the mulberry leaves and the Indian corn, but they -were in the distant villages probably, as those near the lines of forts were not much occupied, and there were not half a dozen men, women, or children on the road in the first three miles of the drive. At about 40 miles out from Verona there was a soli tary soldier on guard under a tree near a dilapidated farmhouse by the roadside, and some 10 or 12 men were stretched on straw in the shade by their piled arms. This was the Austrian outpost. Beyond was neutral ground, but where the Italian posts lay no one could or would inform me. The driver pulled up, and the sergeant of the guard with one of the soldiers came forward to examine our passport. I doubt very much if the worthy Croat quite under stood that Col. Baker, of the 10th Hussars, of the English army, Lieut. Russell, of the same regiment, and a third person mentioned in the document sub mitted to him were permitted to proceed from Trent to Verona within the Austrian lines, or that he was particularly familiar with the signature of Gen. Kuhn or Gen. Jacobs, for he examined it very much as an antiquary would investigate a new sort of Celt, and at last drawing out a pocketbook, and taking from it a very much worn out card, inquired if we had any of these. The mention of Gen. Jacobs's name did not so much improve our position as might have been ex pected, but at last his attention was called to the large wafer stamped with a seal on which a double-headed eagle might be constructed with a little aid from the imagination, and the sergeant gave a gruff " vorwarts" to the vetturino, and shaking his head as one who knows he is doing wrong, but can't help it, looked wistfully after the vehicle with its three mysterious strangers, boldly advancing towards the Piedmontese lines with leave and licence of his betters. As we journeyed onwards the churches and houses of the Somma Campagna on a gentle rising ground came in sight above the mulberries, and the hil locky undulations which indicate the lapse of an Alpine ridge into a plain gathered in our front and shut out the low grounds towards Mantua. The heat and the silence were oppressive. Birds there were none to sing or chirp—not even a solitary sparrow protested against our passage through this village, and the crack of the vetturino's whip and the rustle of a lizard among the dry leaves were quite sensa tions till we came to the outlying houses of Somma, Campagna, and saw some villagers marching to church. Here there were traces of the fight of the 24th of June, or of Austrian preparations to meet another attack, for the walls and houses were loop holed, though not up to the mark of General Kuhn's operations in that way. Somma Campagna, which is so familiar to us all by name, is a large village on on the top of a very moderate elevation, and is tho roughly unlike tne Ideal of e would form ou%, tvt name—a poor, broken-hearted, ruinous-looking aggregation of big, tumble-down, and yet solidly built houses, overhanging tortuous streets, and melt ing away into hovels and shed,s,amid vines, mulberries, and maize. In a few minutes we came out on a sloping ridge, across which the road gently ascended towards a small edition of Somma Campagna, and the traces of the fight, now so many weeks old, grew and multiplied, for the farmhouses were torn and wrecked with shot, the trees were split and shattered, and the loopholed walls and the hedges by the roadside were still bordered by cartridge paper, pieces of leather, torn cloth, here and there a knapsack or battered shako, letters, and odds and ends left by men in battle. As we crept in the grilling heat up the hill, a bright-eyed, intelligent lad came out of the shadow of a house, and, in reply to a question as to the scene of the fight, told us he knew all about it, having been on the spot throughout the day. To be sure, he admitted afterwards that he spent his time in a drain or a cave in his father's house ; but as he came out and saw the field when the Italians retreated, and knew the country well, perhaps he was as good a guide as we could get. So, putting the horses in the shade, we proceeded to go over the scene of the fight which has done so much to aggravate the bit terness of the Austro-Italian quarrel. When the battle was fought I was in Vienna, on my way to the head-quarters of the Feldzeugmeister Benedek, and I never read any account of it. My com panions were equally ignorant of the details, and we, therefore,, proceeded to construct a theory of the tactics of the day out of our internal conscious ness, assisted by local evidence and such aids as trampled fields, heaps of burnt cartridges, graves, and battered houses and wounded trees could render. It was an interesting, but a very hot and exhausting ramble. From the highest part of the village of Cus tozza a widespread plain is visible on the left and in face, which is full of remarkable places. This plain is green with maize and the inevitable mulberry, an d villages and churches stand out on its surface like islands and rocky pinacles from a sea. Then, somewhat on our left as we look towards Mantua, the domes and spires of which are plainly perceptible, are the towers of Villafranca ; to the right of Mantua is the tower of Solfexino ; behind us, hid in a dip of the ground which rises from the blue sky-like strip of the Lago di Garda, is Peschiera. As we look a few villagers come forth from their houses and talk of the battle. Some tell one story, some another ; but they all admit they were in a great fright, and that they hid in the depths of their cellars and in abstruse cor ners during the fight, though they all clung to their houses, where one or two were smashed by falling shells , and ruins, or were mutilated by cannon shot. Now the sum of their stories was this. The Italians crossed the Mincio in three columns, of which one advanced straight on the rear of Custozaa by way of Santa Lucia, the small hamlet with a church on our right down there in the o hollow. This column crossed below Peschi era , the other ur. two columns coming from the directi on o f a i n n d p V ar a a l l l l e e g l g l i i o n , e43 l — vh t i h ch e we see very plai n l y march ed one in the centre towards Villafranca, the other on the right by way of Mozzecane Their ' object was to cut in on the railroads between Mantua and Verona, and between Peschiera and Verona, and bydestroy ing them to isolate the garrisons; and they of battle to probably expec ted to find the Austrians in line cove r the ground parallel with the line between Peschiera and Verona. The Austrians were in Cus tozza the night befo re the battle, b ut they retired to some elevated hillocks, covered with vines, which extend from Guastalla behind Custozza to the ridge in rear of the village as the Italian army advanced, and formed with their right towards Peschiera, their centre on some hillocks close to Custozza, a n d notably one called Monte Croce, while their left was in front of Somma Campagna, where the re serves were posted, Villafranca being also strongly held and fiercely disputed throughout the day. The action commenced about 8 a.m., when the Aus trian guns opened on the rear and flank of the centre column, and ceased at 6 o'clock at night, when the Italians, after some signal successes, were driven from Custozza and Monte Croce by an advance of the Austrian left and centre, and fled in immense disorder. So say their peasants. " They threw away their arms, their coats, their pantaloons, even their shoes said one of our guides. " Yes, and I am wearing a pair of their breeches and shoes," added the lad. They lost immense quantities of material, and if the Austrians had pressed them would have lost still more but that the latter had had quite enough of the day's work was evident, for - • they threw up batteries at Custozza, Monte Croce, and other points of the line and covered their front with abattis. The centre column, as soon as the enemy were made known to them so disagreeably, formed in line of battle, while the right column at tacked Villafranca. The centre advanced straight upon Custozza, and, after a fierce encounter, carried it and Monte Croce, while the right was engaged with the Austrian left and centre towards Villafranca. But the column on the left seems to have been easily checked at Santa Lucia by the Austrian right, and to have done nothing to help the battle. It may have been hampered by the fear of a flank move- ment from Peschiera if it advanced too far, and, in fact, the garrison did make a formidable diversion ; but, looking at the ground, it appears very plain that if the right column had forced its way to Gua stalla at the time the centre reached Custozza and Monte Croce the Austrians must have been forced to retire from Villafranca in imminent danger of being decimated before they could reach the cover of the works outside Verona, and that they would have lost a battle and their communications at the same time. The Archduke Albrecht fought with that tenacity and persistence which so often restore the fortunes of a battle and convert disaster into vic tory. From the hills behind Custozza he swept Monte Croce with his artillery, held the column on his right in check at Santa Lucia, and maintained a resolute combat all day at Villafranca. In the villages near at hand there was desperate fighting, and in the courtyard of a house near us " I saw," said the lad, " where an Austrian and an Italian lie dead together with their bayonets sticking through each other's bellies." All the villagers tes tified to the bayonet charges and the effects of them, and were unanimous in declaring that the Italians carried Monte Croce and Custozza, advanced above and beyond them, and had full grip of the Austrian trian w centre ; and, looking at the ground a g ain, saw, if that was true, how very near they were to vic tory, and how much is due to the do gg ed obstinacy of the Austrian soldier and the resolution of his leader. The King and the Archduke occupied the same house within the 24 hours, but at 1 o'clock on the 24th of Juno his Imperial Highness must have been in considerable danger of being beaten. There is a fine old chateau belonging to a noble family of Modena, close to Custozza, which has suffered not a little from the battle, and from what was once the boundary wall of an Italian garden there is a fine view of the ground towards Villafranca. The brown patches show where men's feet have trampled away the very grass. There are hedgerows literally whitened with cartridge papers, and following them and the exploded caps, one can form a good idea of the course of the fight and the severity of ;it, for there are differences in the Italian and the Austrian bullets, and the marks in the trees tell their story respecting the side which fired from that place or the other. Doors and walls are pitted with bullet-marks, and the blackened ruins here and there point out where houses were set on fire by shell. The lines of cartridge paper advance from the gardens of the villa through the villages up to the hill over the church, where the graves lie thick. This was the furthest point reached by the Italians. The Archduke, towards the close of the day, seeing their left column effectively blocked, and their right unable to advance, although Villafranca had been taken and retaken, received a last attack from their centre with calmness, and at once ad vanced upon them towards Custozza. The Italians broke and`fied. Custozza was won, and the date of the 24th of June was added to the bitter memories which fill the Italian heart. The loss of the Aus trians is said to have been under 3,000, that of the Italians to have been 7,000 killed, wounded, and I prisoners. Now, considering the forces engaged and 1 the length of the combat, there has seldom been a battle with so small a loss ; but its results may be L greater than those of many a thrice-bloodier field. It was affecting to wanaer a - rioub °vet iaiv n.3.a.; all so quiet and tranquil now, and mark where German and Italian lay in common graves. The peasantry had scattered the contents of the poor fellows' knapsacks, and heaps of letters in German, Italian, Hungarian, Polish, and Sclavonic tongues, of various kinds, lay nestling in nooks where they had been driven by the summer breeze, some pulped by rain, others glued together by a warmer stream. One which 1 picked up uninjured, and addressed to an Italian soldier by his brother, was full of home news and gossip and affection. It was in the usual style. It came hoping to find Giacomo well, as it left the writer and his parents at present, and regretted that work was so bad and the harvest so late that there was no money to spare except the amount for warded therewith, but that he would soon send his dear brother more, and all the family would help as much as they could. They hoped they would soon have good news from him. He would be sorry to hear that a certain cousin had been called to heaven, but she should sin no more. La poverina had died. She could not survive la sua disgrazia, but she had gone from them penitent, and begged to be remembered with a thousand prayers and tears and kisses to her dearest and best friend Giacomo. Then there were home messages and adieux ; and then another mus ing and wandering over the field. It was late in the afternoon when our vetturino smacked his whip in triumph under the gateway of the " Golden Dove," as one returning from some great exploit. It is very strange ; not a man in Verona knows any thing about the battle of Custozza except the land lord of the " Colombo d'Oro," and he has been an Austrian officer ; but even he that night, in going over the map and explaining it, preferred bad French to his native Italian, and spoke in the lowest of whispers, and all, as far as could be made out, because there was an Austrian officer seated at an adjacent table in the salle-h-manger. As already stated I left Verona next day, on the morning of the 6th of August, and I reached Botzen the same afternoon, and travelling continuously night and \ day arrived at Augsburg on the evening of the Bth of August, wh ence I propose j o i n i ng th e A us t r i an head-quarte rs at Gorz if I find the news that the Archduke Albrecht has repaired there likely to be 1 wall founded. I ADTERTisrArENT.J---nollowa.y's Pills.—Belf Protection. —Great alterations of heat and cold, aided by the use of unripe fruit and unsound vegetables, always begot a ten dency to diarrhaa during summer. To prevent unpleasant consequences, the first feeling of distension, nausea, rumbling of the bowels or sensation of relaxation should bo promptly met by some such corrective as these pill; which will remove the present symptoms and avert their degeneration into choleraic dangers. With ordinary V igilance there is no fear of contractin g the p re vailing epi demicitself if Holloway's m edicine be. taken when di sor d ered digestion alarniofa fi su rs d t de m n in nocent pills have purified, cooled, regulated, and strengthened. a o n u i f t e b s r t e s a outbreak t s 9 any hoxsehold where those Du Barry's Delicious Healtt chronic complaints , bu t A D VERTISEMENT.]- -Avoid medicines: they always aggra vatefill times its cost y Restoring Revalenta Arablca Food, which yields three times the nourishment of the best me at, saves in other remedies, and invariab l y restores perfect digestion , strong nerves, sound lungs, healthy liver, pure blood , re freshing sleep, junctional regularity , and energy to the most disordered or enfeebled. We extract a, few out of 60,010 Cures :—Cure No. 58,216, of the Marc hioness de B of seven years' liver complaint, waslin.; away, debility, relta, n nervousness, with a nervous palpitation all o ver, bad diges tion, constant sleeplessness, and the most intolerable nervoui agitation.—Cure No. 1.771. Lora Stuart de Decies. Lord Lieutenant of Waterford, of many years' dyspepsia. —No. 49,832. "Fifty years' indescribable agony from dy,pepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, flatilicn y, spasms, sickness, and vomiting.—Maria Jelly."—Cu• e No. 16,270. Mr. James Roberts, of Frimley, Surrey, of thirty years' diseased lungs, spitting of blood, liver derange ment,j and parti a l d ea f ness.— C ure No. 47,121. M i ss Eli za b et h Tearn pabnedu, envravkoeunsniaamn . spirits,b s, ct ext r e me nervousness, indigestion, gatherings, low ci N es e . r — fe C lk, ure ,, N et to. in s4 d , i t g l e 6 s . ti rl e ' n he au lt d ev ie J rp a t s. dity of the liver. which had resiste 1 all medical treatment.' iCs.—Barry Du Barry an In tins, lib, 2s 9d; 21b, 45 61.• Sib, ils; 121 b, 22s ; 241 b, a, tea dealers, Co., No. 77, liegent-street, London ; at 81, William-streetGracechureh;sostr,eaend;29B4K,Cinolflaopradid.set;restreet also Phillip ; likewise street Within ; 63, Bishopsgate -54, Upper Baker-street ; 103, Tott enham-court-road zi ; 96, t r Closea n d ; , g ottin ; 2 B - 3 11 0 111 S ; ueen' Upper-street, Islington, N. Harve Brothers, 65, High-street ; and Stnbls ' John's-wood, London; and all respectable 8- terrace, St. miata.—Boware of spurious imitations grOcers and che., Railway and other Companies. GLOCESTER AND DEAN FOREST. Tho half-yearly meeting of this comany was held at Glocester on Thursday ; Mr. W. Price .in the chair. The report stated that the balance would allow the distribution of 13s. per share, and the directors therefore recommended that that amount of divi dend be declared. The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report, which was adopted. Resolutions were also adopted declaring a divi dend of 13s. per share payable forthwith, and re electing Mr. Price and Mr. Avery, the retiring directors, and also Mr. Pike, the retiring auditor. Thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. reserve fund would stand at £116,913, and a credit to the profit and loss account of £62,076. The re port was unanimously adopted, and a very strong feeling was expressed in favour of a general revision of the rates of premium. The retiring directors, Messrs. G. Booker, J. Holme, T. D. Hornby, E. Royds, and J. Torr, were re-elected. THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST 13, 1866. A Session's Changes. The Spectator thus sums up the changes in the personnel of Parliament during the past session : " The deaths of 19 peers were recorded. Their names and ages are as follows :—" The Marquises Camden, 67 ; Lansdowne, 50 ; Earls Gainsborough, 84 ; Kinnoul, 81; Bathurst, 76 ; Lanesborough, 71; Rosslyn, 64 ; Chesterfield, 61 ; Limerick, 53 ; Donoughmore, 43; Beauchamp, 37 ; Harrington, 21; Viscount Clifden, 43; Barons Glenelg, 83; Monteagle, 76 ; Clinton, 74 ; Bayning, 69 ; Ver non, 62 ; Rivers, 56. The baronies of Bayning and Glenelg have become extinct, while the successors to the titles of Clifden, Donoughmore, Monteagle, and Rivers, are minors. The Duke of Hamilton has attained his majority, and the Marquis of Or monde, who became of age on sth October last, has taken the oaths and his seat. There are thus 15 new peers by right of succession. Fourteen peers have been created—viz., his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, Viscount Halifax, Barons Barrogill, Clermont, Hartismere, Hylton, Kenry, Lytton, Meredyth, Monck, Northbrook, Penrhyn. Romilly, and Strathnairn. Five of these are creations of Lord Derby, and eight owe their rank to Earl Russell, the Dukedom of Edinburgh being a thing of course, no matter what Prime Minister was in power. Two barons of the United Kingdom, Lord Dartsey and Lord Wodehouse, were promoted by Lord Russell to a higher order in the peerage. The former now sits as Earl of Dartsey and the latter as Earl of Kimberley. Turn ing to the House of Commons we find that 31 constituencies have changed their representatives. Of these 31 places four have each elected two new members—viz., Devonport, Nottingham, East Suf folk, and Windsor. Of the members who were re turned at the general election 16 have been unseated, nine have become peers, six have died, four sit for other constituencies, two have become chief judges, two have resigned, and one lost his seat on appeal ing to his constituents for re-election. The members unseated were Sir J. Acton, Sir R. Clifton, Mr. E. M. Fenwick, Sir H. H. Hoare, Mr. G. W. Leveson- Gower, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. S. Morley, Mr. Parry, Mr. Ponder, Mr. Schneider, and Mr. A. W.Young, Liberals ; and Mr. Ferrand, Mr. Fleming, Mr. For syth, Mr. Mills, and Mr. Westropp, Conservatives. The M.P.s who have gone to the Upper House are the Earl of Brecknock and Sir Charles Wood, Libe rals ; and Lord Henniker, Sir W. Jolliffe, Hon. F. Lygon ; Sir E. B. Lytton, Col. Douglas Pennant, Lord Stanhope, and Hon. C. Trefusis, Conserva tives. The deaths have been those of five Liberals and one Conservative, viz., Lord Palmerston, 81 ; Colonel Lloyd Watkins, 63 ; Hon. J. C. Dundas, 57 ; Mr. F. D. Goldsmid, 53 ; Right Hon. H. A. Herbert, 50 ; and Sir Minto Farquhar, 57. The two resignations have been by Conservative mem bers, Mr. W. Leslie and Major-General Lindsay. Two chief judgeships have been given to Conserva tives—the Chief Justiceship of Ireland to Mr. Whiteside, and the post of Chief Baron of the Ex chequer to Sir F. Kelly. Mr. H. Fenwick, Liberal, was defeated at Sunderland on offering himself for re-election, after his appointment as a Lord of the Admiralty in Earl Russell's Government. Four Conservatives have left their former constituencies and gone to others; Mr. Gathorne Hardy exchanges Leominster for Oxford University ; Mr. Dowdeswell leaves Tewkesbury for West Worcestershire ; Sir Stafford Northcote relinquished Stamford for North Devon ; and Sir E. Kerrison forsakes Eye for East Suffolk. There are now 31 members in the House of Commons who had no seats in that assembly at the commencement of the session. They are Vis count Amberley, Mr. Candlish, Mr. M. Chambers, Hon. J. Denman, Mr. Edwards, Lord Eliot, Mr. Eykyn, Mr. Fordyce, Mr. Julian Goldsmid, Lord John Hay, Captain Herbert, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Bernal Osborne, Mr. Staniland, Mr. Vanderbyl, and Mr. Wyvill, Liberals ; aad Mr. Arkwright, Hon. G. W. Barrington, Mr. Brett, Mr. Capper, Mr. Dimsdale, Mr. Eckersley, Mr. Gorst, Sir John Hay, Hon. J. M. Henniker-Major, Mr. Hildyard, Hon. Egremont Lascelles, Sir E. Lechmere, Mr. J. Abel Smith, Mr. Walsh, and Mr. Whitmore, Con servatives. The result of all these changes is that the Liberals have won five scats—two at Devon port, one in Aberdeenshire, one at Bridgewater, and one at Petersfield. The Conservatives have gained three seats—viz., at Bridgnorth, Helstone, and Sandwich. There is, therefore, a net gain of two seats, counting four votes on a division, to the Liberals. In addition to the alterations above enumerated, there have been 36 re-elections—nine on account of the formation of Earl Russell's Go vernment, and 27 through the acceptance of office by the Earl of Derby. The seats now vacant are Carnarvonshire, Brecon, Lancaster (2), Totnes, and Reigate—the two first through the late mem bers having been called to the peerage, and the four others through the unseating of their late represen tatives." HULL AND SELBY. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at Hull on Friday ; Mr. Alder in the chair. The seal of the company having been affixed to the register of shareholders, The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report. The balance-sheet showed that £34,540 had been received the half-year ending June 30, and the directors recommended a dividend of £2 9s. 6d. per £5O share, and a dividend in that proportion on the half and quarter shares. The report concluded by expressing the regret of the directors at the death of Mr. J. R. Pease, who for 28 years had been as sociated with them as director of the company. The report was adopted unanimously, including the dividends recommended therein, and the proceed ings terminated. EDINBURGH AND BATUGATE. The half-yearly meeting was held at Edinburgh on Friday ; Mr. T. Hill in the chair. The report narrated the proceedings in the nego tiation with the North British Railway Company (the lessees) for amalgamation, and stated that the bill was lost through the opposition of a section of the North British directors and shareholders. The Bathgate directors had found it necessary to oppose the North British Wishaw Bill, which would have enabled the latter to divert traffic from their line, and the bill had been unanimously thrown out by the committee. The directors, while regretting the want of success in the amalgamation, believed they had not overrated the value of their line, and that eventually they would get even better terms. The directors relied with confidence on the increasing traffic of the line, consequent on the rapid develop ment of the mineral districts. The usual dividend of ss. 6d. per share was recommended. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said he was sorry they should have had to oppose the Wishaw Bill, which would have been a mutual advantage. He thought it was for the North British Railway Company now to come to them, and the directors would be ready to meet them on mutually favourable terms. The report was unanimously approved. BELFAST AND NORTHERN COUNTIES. The half-yearly general meeting of this company was held on Monday at Belfast—Mr. R. Grimshaw in the chair. The report was taken as read. The CIIAIR3IAN, in moving the adoption of the report, stated that the dividend, at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum for the past half-year, which they recommended the shareholders to declare, exceeded that of h the corresponding half of last year by a half per cent. He regretted that two casualties had oc curred on the line, otherwise they would have had a more satisfactory state of things. The directors thought it better to write off half the expenses con nected with those accidents at once, and to charge the balance to the summer half-year, than to distri bute the loss over a period extending to some dis tant time. Mr. E. M'NEILL seconded the motion, and it was carried. The CHAIRMAN then proposed that a dividend at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum be declared on £16,000 preference shares under the act 1858 ; at the rate of 4f per cent. per annum on £73,600 pre ference shares under acts 1860 and 1864 ; and on the ordinary £5O shares at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum for the past half-year. Mr. J. CRAMISE seconded the motion. A long discussion ensued in reference to the acci dents that had occurred on tne nne, or which the resolution approving the dividends was unanimously adopted. The sum of £2OO was voted to the directors for their services. The retiring directors were re-elected and also the retiring audi tor. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors. GREAT SOUTHERN AND WESTERN. The half -yearlymeeting of this company was held on Saturday in Dublin—Mr. W. Houghton in the chair. The report was unanimously adopted. A dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum was then declared on the original stock of the com- party. Lord Cloncurry, Judge Longfield, Lieut.-Col. Tho►npson, and Mr. hardy were re-elected direc tors, and Mr. Haughton auditor of the company. On the motion of Captain LINDSAY, seconded by Mr. George Ryan, D.L., Mr. L. J. Macdonnell was elected auditor, in room of the late Alderman Atkinson. The meeting was then made special, when reso lutions were adopted, in compliance with clauses in certain Acts, 1866, approving the purchase of the Cork, Youghal, and Queenstown Railway, and the proposal for the formation of a junction between the latter railway and the Great Southern and Western Railway ; and also for enabling the company to subscribe £13,000 to the Parsonstown and Portumna Railway. ULSTER. The half -yearly meeting of this company was held on Friday at Belfast, when the report, recommend ing a dividend of 4i per cent. per annum on pre ference stock, and 31 per cent. per annum on the original shares, was, after some opposition, passed ; also, at a special meeting held subsequently, a reso lution, authorizing the board to raise, by the issue of new shares, additional capital not exceeding £lOO,OOO, being the balance of the capital autho rized by the certificate of the Board of Trade. RAILWAY BILLS. The number of railway bills which received the Royal assent this year was 210, as compared with 276 in 1865, 209 in 1864, 150 in .1863, and 150 in 1862. The number of railway bills lodged this year was 417, as compared with 406 in 1865, 327 in 1864, 258 in 1863, and 230 in 1862. The number of bills withdrawn or rejected this year was 207, as com pared with 130 in 1865, 118 in 1864, 108 in 1863, and 80 in 1862. ROYAL INSURANCE. The annual meeting of this company was held at the central offices, Liverpool, on Friday ; Mr. C. Turner, M.P., in the chair. A long report was read by the manager. It stated that during the past year, in the fire branch, the losses had amounted to £ 31 8,940, which was nearly 77 per cent. of the premiums received. This was far beyond the legitimate p er tentage of claims which under ordinary circumstances would have accrued, though less than the amount anticipated at one period of the year; and though the t o t a l sum was 10 per cent. less than the average ratio of loss recently an nounced as filling upon three other well-known and highly-respectable establishments of large revenue during the year 1865, this combined experience af forded, together with the still more disastrous results of some other companies, undeniable evidence that the premium charged upon fire insurance was at present unremunerative. They would, however, at the same time, carefully guard against recognising more than a moderate addition to the existing charges sufficient to meet the exigency of the occasion, and no more. The insurance business in Canada had been particularly disastrous. The life branch pre sented a very different result. During the year last past they had granted assurances for £886,663. The life and annuity funds had increased by £103,146. The directors proposed the usual dividend of 3s. per share and a bonus of 4s. per share, total 7s. per share, absorbing a sung of X 34,000, after which the New B I ackfri ars-Bridge. (Front the Building News.) The casual observer of the new bridge works at Blackfriars may fail to detect any material progress therein, from an outside view. An interior inspec tion, however, will reveal to him the fact that con siderable advance has been made in the foundations of the new structure. Such an inspection was made on Friday last by the members and associates of the Society of Engineers, who, by the kind permission of Mr. Joseph Cubitt, the engineer of the bridge, went over the works. The visitors—who mus tered strongly---were received by Mr. Penrice, who represented Mr. Cubitt, Messrs. P. and A. Thorn, the contractors for the works, and Mr. F. W. Bryant, their engineer. The visit afforded an opportunity for noticing what has been done to wards carrying out this impo rtan t work. We may tg in span from 185 spans. Thement premise that the new str ucture w ill be a wrought iron ft. threibceburitdreg, to e,th i e s a s r f c t h . e t s h v e ary ab i u n piers will be of Cornish granite, surmounted by po lished red granite columns, with carved caps and bases. The bridge will be 75ft. wide between the parapet walls, and will be much flatter than the old one, and therefore much easier for traffic. Com mencing with the south, or Surrey side, abutment, we find the work completed up to the springing stones for the wrought-iron ribs, of which there will be nine in each arch. The stones are large granite blocks, some of which weigh upwards of 12 tons. In pier No. 1, that next the south abutment, the cais sons are all sunk, and the concrete and brickwork filled in ready to receive the masonry of the pier. Pier No. 2 is further advanced, the masonry having been carried up two courses. In pier No. 3 the works are less forward, the caissons are being riveted toge ther previously to being lowered into the position for sinking. At No. 4 pier the caissons are now in course of being sunk. The next point is the north or City side abutment, in which the masonry has been car ried up to within 4ft. of high water level. There yet remain some portions of the old Blackfriars-bridge foundations, on which the divers are operating ; the work of removal being carried on by day and night, as the tides permit. These old piers have been left standing for convenience in erecting staging for the new work. The ironwork is progressing favourably at Messrs. Lloyds and Foster's works, and the bridge will probably be opened in about 18 months from the present time, Before concluding, it may be as well to indicate the method pursued in construct ing the foundations of the piers. Permanent cais sons made of wrought-iron plates are riveted upon a half-tide staging. When completed these caissons are raised by powerful crabs, the staging is removed, and the caissons are lowered over the spot where they are to be sunk. They are then weighted, and exca vation is carried on within them until they are sunk tvel with the bed of the river. They are then filled in to the top edge with concrete and brickwork, and upon this a few courses of brickwork are laid to re ceive the granite piers. In sinking the caissons, so easy has been the descent, that not more than 100 tons of kentledge have ever been required for each occasion. Mr. Rawlings on England and America. A writer in a contemporary says : In your paper of the 21st ult., in connection with his proposition to arbitrate the differences between Eng land and the United States, Mr. Rawlings made some statements which the present writer, and it appears also another of your correspondents, considered so in conflic tion with true history that it was felt not improper to notice them. though with no objection to correction of the conflicting versions of tho statements in question. Instead of noticing our letters as being in any way erroneous historically, " A Britisher," in your last issue, seems to think that wo have drifted from the "point at issue," and states that " no exception can be taken to Mr. Rawlings' able and temperate letter, and his proposition that the question of compensation should be referred to ar bitration, is the honest, straightforward solution or a (11111- edify that is as much the interest of England to have thus settled amicably as it is, that of the United States." I would not trouble you with this letter, but I wish it to be understood that there was no intention to make any exception to that portion of Mr. Rawlings' very able letter, as his proposition is doubtless the honest, straightforward means for the adjustment of the differences between the two nations ; and I here claim that it was for such reasons that the United States Government pro posed it ; but why England refused it I need not inform " A Britisher." But your correspondent is rather fast in crediting me with the notion that its settlement would be duo to "a stunner." This idea may be his own vision of the future. If so, I trust that it will prove only a vision, though I have my fears that the pooh-poohing of the claim by the British Government may cost her 1 a sore amount of hard cash, or the signs of the times are hat it will provo an expensive day's work in some way or other, as it is not probable now that the United States would submit to arbitration, but take the cue from England, and aspire to the dignity of making their own estimate of their demands on others. The differences in ques tion would not be the first claim of a similar nature settled in favour of the United States without the use of the "fighting machine." A claim against France for spoliation during the last war between England and the United States was promptly adjusted, on demand, under the Administration of General Andrew Jackson—who figures in the history of that war with Packingham ; and if future events do not turn another way, England may be come disposed to afford a compensation for the luxury en joyed iu the convulsions of the United States, and the i w n c u o l n d s h e a q v u o e nb been e o , n t a h w a a t r e i d l eamountnorm ou t s o g a ai f n ar t g o r h ea e t r ar co a m un m i e t r h c a e n. by an arbitration. " A Britisher's" notions of the United States Govern ment having only "partially prevented the inroad of the Penians into Canada," conflicts not only with Mr. Raw lings's statements, but the knowledge of everybody else familiar with the case. " The gang of plunderers," or "Rowdy Irish mob," let loose, had behind them a force that would have scarcely felt the resistance of Canada ; and I think if "A Britisher" will refer to history from the defeat of Braddock down to the present time, ho will take a hint as to the inefficiency of British or any other Euro pean forces when fighting on the western side of the Atlantic. " The rowdy Irish mob" did not fear Eng land in the least, if once in possession of Canada. The statement of " A Britisher," that "had England permitted such an organisation on its territory against the United States, this country would be denounced in every journal in the Union," is simply ridiculous, knowing, as every intelligent person must have done, that England and Canada both possessed organisations composed of the many leading members of Government for no other purpose than aiding the slave-driving cause. Who ever heard of an Irish " independence association" composed. of the leading men and capitalists in the United States ? Noisy tongues, until productive of mischief to neighbours, cannot be stopped any more in the United States than in England. But who does not know that the United States has always been prompt in restoring order when illegi timate action was discovered. On the other band, who ver heard of the British Government preventing aid to the slave-driver, except at the risk of war with the United States? Perhaps "A Britisher" can name an instance. "A Britisher," says he " must say for America that it is impossible for England to act so as to satisfy them." The surprise of Englishmen that both North and South of the United States were not pleased with British treatment, though acting hostile to one and friendly to the other, must always afford a species of amusement for disinterested observers. The fact that the English people are the only nation I believe in the world who do not ple ase America, one would suspect, looks somewhat suspicious as to the tem perament of John Bull some way or other. As to how many nations on the face of the earth have a particular fondness for any more of the old gentleman than his money, this deponent saith not. The writer wishes to state that oven if it worn not for moral reasons, ho has interests in England, and of a nature that would cause him to desire her pea ce and greatest com mercial prosperity ; that he probably pays more taxes than the majority of tax-paying Englishmen, and hopes fur reasons for paying more on the same terms; but ho trusts at the same time that his interests will not bias his notions of justice.—Yours, T. S. The United States frigate Colorado, 43, Captain WYuarn, which arrived at Plymouth from Lisbon, on Thursday, August 2, left again on Friday. During her short stay Admiral G o ld s b oroug h paid a complimentary visit to the Port Admiral, and inspected the Royal Naval Arsenal at Dov on p or t , and the s t eam yard at Keyham. A HEAVY G UN FOR THE " P UR ITAN." —A 20in. gun, containingl4o,ooolb. o f metal, was cast at the Fort Pitt Foundry, i n Pi ttsburg, P enns ylvania , lately. It is designed fo r th e Puritan : now lying in Now York harbour. It is 18in. s h orter th an the one cast at the same foundry in 1864 for the Danclerber;. A New Steam Line to New York. The connection between America and the United Kingdom is monthly becoming more and more in timate. It is probable that increased facilities will soon be furnished for despatching intelligence by the telegraph, as the one now laid down is but the pre cursor of others which will quickly place the two continents in immediate communication, and give ample scope for messages. However important may be such powers of intercourse, however wonderful as an achievement of science, it can only be regarded as an adjunct to the true bridge by which the Atlantic is spanned. The system by which Liver pool and New York is joined resembles on water the junction of two cities by land. Steam and electricity are the. engines in both. Trains starting every few minutes, rushing along by the side of the still swifter telegraph wire, may not inaptly be compared to the splendid steamers daily leaving each of these ports, conveying their passengers with scarcely less speed, punctuality, and security, and passing along the whole route by the wire which connects the countries. The trade between Liver pool and New York has already obtained a mar vellous development. Already the finest steam lines in the world connect these cities. The Cunard took the lead in ocean navigation, and has main tained from the commencement the highest reputa tion. This company has furnished a model which cannot on other ocean routes be equalled ; for on no other is there anything like the richness of freight, and the number of passengers. But no one company could do the work of this traffic, and lines of scarcely less importance have been opened out. The magnificent fleet of the Inman, and the National Company, now ply almost daily from Liverpool, besides the splendid steamers between Germany and the South of England to America. These are supplemented by the Canadian line, from Liverpool to Quebec and Montreal, and the Anchor line from Glasgow. But grand as is this provision, embracing as it does by far the finest steamers built, the traffic outstrips even these extraordinary facili ties. The Americans during the violent changes and unsettled condition into which they were plunged by their civil war have for some years, comparatively, been shut up. The evil influences removed, the restless spirit of the people has gathered new force, and the passenger traffic has grown, and is growing to prodigious dimensions. Under these circumstances another great fleet has entered the field. Six new steamers, built on the most approved principles, will form this line, to be called " The Liverpool and Great Western Steam Company " (Limited), under the eminent firm of Guion and Co. The first of these steamers, the Manhattan, sailed from Liverpool on the 7th inst., filled with passengers and cargo. The Manhattan is a worthy pioneer of the fleet now rapidly approach ing completion. Her length is 335 feet, beam 421, depth 28, tonnage 2,866 gross, and 1,951 net register, horse power 350, and calculated for a mean speed of 11 knots an hour. Her rig is that of a brig, and she can spread an unusual quantity of canvas. She can accommodate 72 first-class passengers, and the arrangements for the people in the steerage are on a very improved system, com bining perfect light and ample ventilation. With all her coals on board she can carry 2,000 tons of cargo. This vessel is under the command of Captain Harris, who has been nominated Commo dore of the fleet. He has been long known and highly esteemed in the New York trade as a navi w gator and as a gentleman. Such is the first boat of the new line, and no less might reasonably have been expected from the character of the firm under whose auspices the fleet is launched. The head of the great house of Guion and Co. is a well-known American. The talent and energy of this gentle man has commanded the highest success, and it may be taken as a token of what the future passenger trade between the countries will probably be when one so well calculated to form the soundest opinion on the subject has embarked in this enterprise. APglo -A mei-icon 7-blies. Shipwreck and Narrow Escape. Intelligence has been received from Hong Kong of the total loss of the ship Libelle, while on a voyage to that port from San Francisco, having on board a valuable cargo, specie to the extent of £76,000 in dollars, and a number of passengers, among whom were Madame Ann Bishop (the wife of Sir Henry Bishop, the composer), Miss Phelan, Mr. M. Schrutz, and Mr. Charles Lascelles, of the English Opera Company, who, with other artistes, were on a musical tour. The ship was cast away on the night of the 4th of March on an uninhabited and dangerous reef, called Wake Island in the China seas. The passengers remained on board dur ing the night, the sea breaking fearfully over the wreck all the while. They were all landed with difficulty, through the breakers, the following day. After an ineffectual search over the island for water for three weeks, and suffering much privation, it became imperative to take the boats and endeavour to reach the nearest habitable island friendly dis posed to defenceless shipwrecked people. Several days were spent in finding a suitable and safe point for departure, the breakers encircling the island, which appeared to be some 20 miles in circumference. Taking such provisions and water as were saved from the wreck, the passengers were transferred to the ship's long-boat, in charge of the first mate, the captain preferring another boat, and on the 27th of March both boats sailed for the Ladrone or Mariana island. To attempt a voyage 1,400 miles, subject to equinoctial storms, calms, and a tropical sun, with short rations, and an ocean studded with hidden rocks and coral reefs, gave but poor hopes of arriv ing at a port with life. However, after encountering great dangers, and enduring horrible sufferings for 13 days and nights, the long-boat arrived off the town of Guan. An error in six degrees longitude had brought them off that place. The lady passen gers, and in fact every one in the boat, were in a pitiable and forlorn condition. His Excellency Francisco Mosoosey Lara, Go vernor of the Mariana Islands, on being apprised of their landing, directed every help and succour to be afforded them. The poor creatures were loud in their expressions of thanks for his hospitable con duct. Nothing had been heard of the other boat, containing the master and the rest of the crew up to the departure of the last mail. They parted com pany on the first night after their departure for the island. Unless the boat was picked up by some chance vessel, it was apprehended it must have been swamped, as heavy cross seas were met with that night. His Excellency has sent a schooner in search of the missing boat among the islands to the north ward, and then to proceed to the wreck and recover the £76,000 in spece. It had been saved from the wreck, and had for security been buried in the island on the beach. Letters from America. (From the Anglo-American Times.) Our last letter left us just landing at New York. Since that moment the anniversary of American independence has occurred, accompanied and fol lowed by such continuous hot weather as America has not seen for a century. In spite of this intense heat, however, the people turned out in immense numbers to celebrate the national birthday. Every thing passed off well. In Philadelphia, especially, the scene was one of unusual interest—the battle flags of all the volunteer regiments of Pennsylvania being placed that day in the hands of the State authorities. It was a stirring sight to see these thousands of returned citizen troops, led again by the officers they had followed in battle, with martial music and step, bearing aloft the insignia of their well-won victories. They were no hired soldiery, fighting at the bidding and for the ends of despotic power. They were the supporters of the Republic of their own choice, voluntarily surrendering their arms and trophies to the sacred keeping of the com monwealth, and quietly retiring to the peaceful pur suits of private life. Never did the city of WILLIAM PENN present a nobler sight of the kind, or one better fitted to pourtray the nature of the free in stitutions of America. It will be noticed that the number of Pennsylva nians coming to England is steadily on the increase. The staid character of the better class of the Eng lish people pleases the more central States. In fact, some of the best investments made by Europeans are in this immediate quarter, including Pennsyl vania, Maryland, and Western Virginia. The Atlantic and Great Western Railway, which has been so long and so deservedly popular in England, derives no small share of its marked success from the great wealth of the points indicated. As you pass on to the Maryland line, the developments of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company are worthy of special mention. This company has already so direct an interest in England that it sup ports an independent line of steamers between Bal timore and Liverpool. Grain, flour, beef, pork, bacon, oil, and other products are supplied in such abundance to the Baltimore market that it becomes a valuable entrepot for European trade. Some of the largest wholesale houses connected with Eng lish commerce are in Baltimore, and the number is steadily on the increase. New lines of steamships are being started to Richmond, Charleston, Savan nah, and other more Southern cities, whose facilities must extend the area of European traffic. From the shores of Chesapeake Bay to the banks of the Ohio river the country abounds in agricultural, bituminous, mineral, and petroleum wealth. The capital of the nation is only thirty miles distant from Baltimore. Its navigable waters are open at all seasons of the year to a large class of shipping, and steamers can always secure an abundant supply of coal at reduced rates. Let these real intrinsic merits of Baltimore have their due weight with the readers of THE ANGLO AMERICAN TIMES. Interesting topics of correspondence are constantly multiplying ; but, in accordance with previous ar rangements, each letter will be brief. Much might be said in praise of Baltimore. It is a beautiful city. The population is four hundred thousand, and daily on the increase. Its monuments, public buildings, and parks are among the best in America. It was here that GEORGE PEABODY began his suc cessful career as a merchant. Here are some of the best flouring mills in the world. The Howard street brand of flour is always popular in any mar ket. The people are remarkable for their socia bility among themselves and their hospitality to strangers. The columns of the Philadelphia _lnquirer are taken up with the names and incomes of the inhabi tants of the city for the purposes of taxation. A number of letters protesting against the expose also appear. But the Inquirer justifies the publication on the plea of necessity, this being the only means by which true returns can be obtained. It must be a profitable plan for the Government—for the mass would prefer to over-estimate their incomes than than to under-estimate them, if the figures are to be discussed by their neighbours. If such a system were in vogue in London, and the figures were quite reliable, what a wonderful expose would be the result ! What fortunes would be seen where no fortunes were looked for, and what hollow swindles would be exposed. Houses in Belgravia would become vacant, and many carriages would cease to appear on the drive of the park. A very handy text-book also would be supplied to fashionable shops; a guide would be furnish e d f or mammas, and some young ladies would be deprived of half their attractions; the occupation of a good many gossips would cease, and the pleasing uncer tainty which now envelopes so many families in mystery - would be turned into the sober realities of hard facts. COUNTRY MARKETS• NORWICH—SATURDAY. There was a limited supply of wheat at market to-day, and prices were a shade lower than last week. A few samples of new oats wero offered, of heavy quality ; the high prices asked, however, checked business. More peas and oats than usual have been grown this year, and a large portion of these have been secured in fair order, the quality promising to be good. White wheat (weighing 641 b), 55s to 57s ' • old red aitto weighing 631 b), 51s to 53s ; new red ditto (weighing 601 b to 631 b), Ms to 52s ; best malting barley (weighing 521 b to 531 b), 36s to 38s ; runs ditto (weighing 511 b to 521 b), 34s to 36s ; distilling ditto (weighing 501 b to 521 b), 30s to 32s ; oats, 24s to 26s ; beaus, 57s to 39s ; peas (maple), 3 63 to 38s per qr. Flour, 37s 6d per sack. LEIOES T ER —SATunDA.Y. Owing to the broken weather of the past week, harvest work has not made progress. The wheat crops are look ing healthy. We were well supplied with wheat and samples made quite recent rates. For barley the demand was slow, at previous prices. A moderate inquiry for oats, and prices little altered. Beans in limited request, and prices the turn downwards. New white wheat, 55s to 62s ; new red, 53s to 58s ; old , white, 54s to 58s ; old red, 52s to 51s per 36 stone. Bar ley, for malting, 35s to 40s per qr.; grinding, 30s to 33s par 30 stone. Oats, old, 23s to 31s ; new, —s to —s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 50s to 54s ; new, —s to —s per 38 stone• Fine flour, 43s ; seconds, 38s to 39s per 20 stone. YORK—SATURDAY. Wo had a limited supply of wheat at market to -day. With a low temperature and very little sun, the corn crops have not ripened much, but harvest prospects are generally fair. There was a tolerable demand for grinding barley, and recent currencies were easily supported. Oats were sparingly represented, and sales were effected at about late rates. The show of beans was limited, and there was a slow demand at recent prices. New white wheat, 52s to 58s ; new red, 48s to 53s per 36 stone. Barley, for malting, 32s to 34s per qr. ; grinding , 32s to 34s per 30 stone. Oats, new, 28s to 30s per 24 stone. Beans, new, 50s to 52s per 38 stone. Malt, 66s to 68s. Flour, 38s to 40s per sack of 2801bs. NORTHAMPTON-SATURDAY. There was an improved supply of wheat at our corn mar ket to-day, which met with a fair inquiry at extreme quo tations. Barley scarcely worth quoting. Oats a steady trade, at last week's prices. New white wheat, 54s to 595; new red, 48s to 52s ; old white, 52s to 555; old red, 48s to 52s per 36 stone. Barley for malting, —s to —s per qr. ; grinding, 30s to 36s per 30 stone. Oats, old, 21s to 31s ; new, 28s to 30s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 48s to 50s ; new, 42s to 45s per 38 stone. Peas, 40s to 43s per 36 stone. Foreign Mail Packet List. MAILS DUE. Australia and New Zealand, via Southampton Aug. 19. Ditto, via Marseilles Aug. 13. Brazil and Cape Verde, by British packet Sept. 3. Ditto, by French packet . Aug. 22. Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena Aug. 21. China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton Aug 1 9 . Ditto, via Marseilles Aug 13. Falkland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton Aug. 1 2 ' India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton Aug. 19. Ditto, via Marseilles India (Bombay), via Southampton Aug 12. Ditto, via Marseilles .••, Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton Aug. 1 2 . Ditto, via Marseilles Aug. 13 • Mauritius, via Southampton Ditto, via Marseille i Aug. 13 Newfoundland Portugal Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon.. United btates and British North America, by Bri tish packet Ditto, by United States packet, via Southamp ton Ditto, via Cork Ditto, by Canadian packet, via Londonderry Aug. 17. West Coast of Africa, Madeira, and Tenerife ....Sept, 10. West Indies and radii(' (except Bahamas and Honduras) •• • Aug. 1 3 . Cuba and Mexico Bermuda, via Halifax Aug. 29• Bahamas, via New York. Aug. 15. HIGHLANDERS' LETTER POSTING.—Queer stories are to be seen at the Post-office at Wick, especially 01 1 Saturday evenings, when hundreds of letters are posted 14 the Highland fishermen. When the penny postage W 3B first established, our then worthy postmaster, Mr. Craig, bad many a hard night's work among the . Highlanders, who illustrated their prigging character by endeavouri n g to beat down the postage to a halfpenny, alleging that the letter was a little one, and that the Highland postmaster never charged more than a halfpenny Prom the out stations beyond the daily delivery th e y would come, and while one would ask if there was it letter for him, he would answer to the interrogator . / as to his name, " Och, ye'll see it on the back of the letter," and on the name being at last communicate d, and the information given that there was no letter for hip: , Donald often put the poser, "Do you think she will be the morn ?" Donald has learned by experience, however, but at present it generally requires four Highlanders to cocaple o the modes operandi of posting a letter. One brings it to the office, wrapped up in a piece of paper, a second precedes him and buys a stamp; handing the stamp to a third, be , after various licks and manipulations, gets her Majesty S head affixed to the letter ; and the fourth, after looking int o the slip with considerable suspicion, cautiously lets it droll, and the whole four finish the performance by peeping /10 0 the slit to see that all is well with their missive. This may be seen almost daily, and especially on Saturday evenings. —Northern Ensign. Further particulars are given of the shameful massacre of the coloured people at Memphis. The number killed is stated to be 46 ; wounded, 7 5 maltreated, 10 ; robberies, 100 ; houses and cabins burned, 91 ; churches, 4 ; school-houses, 12 ; value of property destroyed, $139,081. The committee record their opinion that the state of public senti ment in Memphis is such that no punishment what ever can be meted out to the perpetrators of these outrages by the civil authorities. In view of the further fact that the city repudiates any liability for the property both of the Government and of individuals destroyed by the mob, it believes W I duty to devolve on Government to arrest, try, a nd punish the offenders by military authority, and 131 the same means to levy a tax upon the city of gee' phis sufficient to cover the loss of all the property destroyed. The delegates from Mississippi for the Phila delphia Convention: have been elected, an d 5 Convention of that State met at Jackson, 25th J ell ' Thirty-two counties were represented. The office r " were—Judge John Watts, President ; Giles 31 ' llellier, Ames R. Johnson, and J. A. I 3 o foray Vice-Presidents ; J. S. Rowe and M. S. W ard ' Secretaries. The following resolutions W ere , adopted :—Resolved, " That this Convention ap proves the restoration policy of President John sen as opposed to the Radical policy of Congress ; 311 a having been invited by a large number of dis till : l guislied fellow-citizens from the Northern all Western States of the Union, to unite in a Nations. Convention, to be held at Philadelphia on the 1 0 ' 1 of August, accepts that invitation, and will pro ceed to elect four." Senatorial delegates and two from each Congressional District, to represent the State of Mississippi in said proposed Philadelph ia ' Convention." No other resolution was passed' The delegates at large are :—Giles M. Hellier, W lll. Yeager, Wm. S. Featherston, George L. Patten. First District —H. Dockeray, J. P. Peg Second District—S. Bailey, D. G. H. Syk es " Third District—A. Murdoch, J. A. Borforcl• Fourth District—General N. Harris, A. Mele l l; Fifth District—H. F. Small, Hiram Cassiday• meeting was also held at - Mobile to appoint de le g ate is to the State Convention, and a resolution was passed earnestly endorsing the opinions put forward P.lO the Philadelphia Convention. A wig-warn 1,, course of construction at Broad and Wallace-street in Philadelphia, covering the whole block for the accommodation of this Convention, to whic h the will be three main entrances. Births. 1. CONNELL—On the Ist inst., at Bath, the wife of Lieut.-‘,° P. 0. Connoll, R.E., of a son. CORBETT —On the 10th inst., at Brooke Hall, Norfolk° wife of Capt. J. Corbett, R.N., H.M.S. Black Prince' a son. ~n a d G OTTO—On the 10th inst., at Croft Lodge, Highgate-- the wifo of Henry Gotto, Esq., of a son. the MACKONOCHIE— n the 10th inst., at Great M ar.°. ' f e wifo of James Mackonochie, Esq., b arr i s t er -at-Div , ° dawrhter • Marriages. HOPE—WHITFIELD — On the 11th inst., St. Ge () - g , 5 1 1 Hanover-square, Mr. Samuel S. Hope, of 142, N r ' / " street, to Jane Rebecca, widow of the o late Mr. field, of 44, Old Bond-street. MARSHALL—WATSON—On the 9th inst. at nob' 4.; Church, Walton, Aylesbury, Wm. H.'Marshall, Yl s t 9- 0 r of 6, The Grove, Hammersmith, to Helen, only ,laug'i— 11. Watson, Esq., Walton House, Aylesbury. Deaths. ~1 . 110 ,111 BELL —On the 11th inst., at 30 , Clon desle y -street, Bell, Esq., of Bow Churchyard, aged 74. rise, BOOT—On the 10th inst., at Eden-house, Bri:xtoll" Thomas Boot, Esq., aged 79. Erclv fli HisLor —On the 10th inst., at 50, Chester-squ are,, widow of the late General Sir T. Hislop, Bart., NOBLE—On the 10th inst., at Br i g hton, John Noble, 1-4" J.P., formerly of Boston, Lincolnshire, aged 78. on, of THOMPSON-011 the 9th inst., Mr. Jame s B. Thorars 101, Lower Thames-street, Londonf.i, ged 44. _ 03 1C8. Loudon : Printed and Pubiiehed by WILLIA.III 91Olt of . 112, Strand, Pliner. et Ti SON Ofl'o e ' Stran No d., in the Precinct t oi: the Savoy, in the Cct* Bliticilceea. —Monday, August 0,18f36.