The Sun. — London, England, 1870-01-11 00:00:00

ANOTHER. rORM OP CUMMING. A speculative 11=In, is (says the Pall Mall Gazette) It full swing at Naples, under a form which is remarkable fot its simplicity and attractiveness, as well as for the universe; ruin which the bursting of the bubble is sure to cause. Some years ago, when gold was at a premium of 18 pet cent., a certain fast living nobleman, of the name of Ruffo Scilla, who bad run through his patrimony, hit upon the device of offering to pay in gold at par in twenty days for all loans made to him in paper, There was at once a rush of lenders eager to press advances upon him at a rate of interest which was really equiva lent to above 200 per cent per annum, and the continuing supply enabled him duly to keep his word. When gold fell to a premium of 5 per cent. he enlarged the time for repayment to a month, but the crowd of lenders still con tinued. Tne civil authorities grew alarmed, and applied to Scilla for information as to the principle of his opera tions He replied that he fulfilled his obligations punctually and therefore was not subject to any interference of the law, and declined to accede to the request for further ex planation. The Cardinal Archbishop next menaced hint with excommunication unless he desisted. But he retorted that he was guilty of no religious any more than of any civil offense. A large proportion of his clients consisted of religious persons and corporations, wh were rapidly enriched by the promo, and he cm descended to explain that it was by Bourse specu lations he made the money by which he was enabled to carry on a system profitable to himself and his creditors. The Archbishop reported the matter to the congregation of the holy office, and that body by rescript declared Signor Scilla's proceedings legitimate, and authorised ali ecclesiastical persons to lend their money on the terms he offered. This sanction gave a new impetus to the trade, and competition quickly sprang up. One Costa offered 25 per cent. per month to all who would entrust him with their money. Other establishments hays been opened offering still higher rates, and as yet all have kept their engagements. The lenders, of course, have made immense fortunes, and this spectacle draws more and more eager crowds, consisting i of every class of society, into the vortex. Of course the 1 obligations incurred are only made good out of the fresh deposits that come in, but everyone is in hopes that he will not be the last in the race. The Liberal papers in vain warn all concerned that the system is a swindle— their voice is powerless to check a mania which carries the whole population into its net. A tremendous crash will come ere long. LAW AND POLICE. SINGULAR CONFESSION.—A man named Hardy has been charged at Marlborough-street, on his own confession, with setting firo to a house for the purpose of gaining the reward for calling the firemen. The fire in ques tion took place four or five years ago, and the prisoner said he was induced to make confession from remorse, and that he had set several houses on fire for the same reason. He was remanded for further inquiry. EMIGRATING TO THE MORMONS. A policeman's wife applied at Clerkenwell Police-court for an order to protect her property. It seemed her husband had joined the Mormons at Utah, and had married again. Sir Richard Mayne, on investigating the matter, had allowed her a small pension. It was ten years since her husband started for Utah, and she had not heard of him since. The order was granted. ATTEMPTING TO 'UPSET A RAILWAY TRALN.--SaMllel Hilditch, who was said to be respectably connected, has been committed for trial at Shrewsbury on a charge of placing an iron chain on the rails of the Shrewsbury and North Wales Railway, He was seen in tho place whero the chain was found, and when questioned why he put it there, he replied that the land belonged to his relatives, and as they had never been raid for it, he thought he would stop the line. A plea of insanity was put in. A CASE FOR FARMERS.—A farmer, named Pile, has sued a man, named Crocombe, at Williton, Somerset, to recover £5O damage sustained by him through the improper use of a preparation for dipping plaintiff's flock of 600 sheep. Plaintiff proved that his sheep were dipped by defendant on the 25th of August last, and two days afterwards seventy of the sheep were dead. Within a week 200 died. Defendant refused compensation. Judg ment was given for the full amount claimed. The powdel used was believed to contain arsenic. HABITUAL CRIMINALS.-At the Surrey Sessions, two habitual criminals have received severe sentenees. One of them, who was only 22, was charged with stealing a watch, and eleven previous charges were recorded against him, on only one of which ho had been acquitted. He was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude and eight years' supervision by the police. The other had stolen two shillings from an elderly woman, and had been imprisoned eight times previously. He received the same sentence. REFRESHMENTS AT TSIEATBES.—A Case has been heard before the Croydon magistrates of some interest to managers of theatres. Mr. Solomon, proprietor of the Theatre Hotel, which is attached to the theatre, was charged with permitting drink to be consumed on his premises at half-past one on Christmas morning. The dcfcnce was that on Christmas morning there vcre 120 persons present at a private rehearsal of the pantomime. The bar was not open during the night, but the persons whom the police found at the bar had been invited by Mr. Solomon to take some refreshment as they complained of the cold. He was fined £1 and 16s. costs. THE JEWEL ROBBERY AND THE CUCKFIRLD MIIRDER.— Another investigation respecting the Croydon jewel rob bery, which is believed to have some connection with the Cuckfield murder has taken place before the Croydon magistrates. Suspicion of the robbery, it will be remembered, fell upon a painter and glazier, named Greenhead, from his having sold several of the missing rings. He was found afterwards murdered in a ditch near Cuckfield, and it has been ascertained that he frequently visited a man named Rowlands, who lived at Croydon, and obtained money from him, sometimes by threats. Rowlands has therefore been arrested on a charge of complicity in the robbery, and, after some evidence had been taken, he was remanded. THE EXPENSES OF LORD MAYOR'S DAY.—The City Press says the total amount expended in connection with Lord Mayor's Day was £2,787 19s. 4d. Of this sum the dinner and wines cost £1,225 ; the decorations, £84919x. sd. ; the procession, £215 ls ; the music in Guildhall, £5O 195.; printing and stationery, £lB3 55. 11d. The "general expenses " reached a total of £293 145. Amongst the items are sixteen guineas to the bellringers of eight churches, £3B 10s. for the hire of plants, and £2O for the "scenic representation of Constantinople," and the statuary and pictures involved an outlay of £55 158. 6d. Of the amount thus expended, £1,293 19s. Bd. was paid by the Lord Mayor, 4 '646 19s. 10d. by each of the Sheriffs, and £2OO by the City Lands Committee. CRUELTY TO FAT ANIMALS.—ThO Chamber or Ayriculture Journal has the following remarks on this subject :—The tricks and dodges that are resorted to for reducing unfortunate fatting wethers within the 2001 b. limit are not very commonly known. The animals are walked ; they are sweated, and, tell it not to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, they are starved. We believe that one pen of sheep which took a prize in the Agricultural 1141 last month was kept for forty-eight hours without food, and, by this ingenious development in the art of preparing show animals, just came under the official limit on the weighing machine; while a pen of sheep of another exhibitor who was not so clever (and, * shall we add, not so cruel ?) was disqualified because one of the three animals weighed 2Jllb. We need not add another word to chew the absurdity and uselessness of the restriction. Keep on the light-weight premiums if it be thought desirable to give the tails or culls of a good flock, as well as the biggest and heaviest sheep of that flock, a chance of winning prizes ; hut pray do not let us encourage diminutive Leicesters, or ask ➢lr. Overman to reduce the size of his magnificent half-breds. LONDON AND Stnrni3AN CllMlClTES.—Alackson's " Guide to the Churches of London and its Suburbs" (for 1370) gives the following interesting particulars respecting the churches s ituated within a radius of twelve miles froni the General Post-office:—The "Guide" contains in fermation as to 651 churches, but for statistical parposes the number is reduced to 630, correc tions not having been received from the cl ergy of the remaining 21 churches. There is a weekly celeb ra ti on of the Holy Communion at 169, more than one-fourth ; daily celebration at 20, nearly one-thirtieth; early inern i n , celebration at 159, one-fourth; evening celebration at 97, nearly one-sir.th; afternoon celebration at 5 ; choral cele bration at 63, one-tenth; service on saints' days at 193, nearly one-third ; daily service at 132, more than on e _ eclz-day serriee at 1011, one-sixth; fully choral service at 123, more than one-fifth; srid . partly choral t 115, nearly one-filth, Living a proportion of nearly half. where the psalms are chanted; surpliced choirs t.t 137, mere than ; paid choirs at 83, nearly one-seventh; vulentary choirs 'at 231, more than one-third ; Gregorian tones are exclusively used for chanting at 46, one-fourteenth : the weekly offertory is the rule at 128, one-fifth; there are free but appropriated seats at 141, nearly one-fourth ; free and open seats at 65, more than one-tenth ; the eucharistic -vestments are 'worn at 20, one church in every thirty-one; incense is used at 7, one-ninetieth; the surplice is worn in the pulpit at 83, more than one4ighth; and 26 churches aro open daily for flab; no Service FOREIGN NOTES. FRANCE AND PRUSSIA♦ The North German Correspondent refers to ite recent allusion made by the limes to the supposed compact be tween France and Prussia at the time of the war with Austria in 1866. It gives a flat contradiction to the assumption that Prussia ever made any offers. to the Cabinet of the Tuileries as the price of French neutrality in a war between Austria and Prussia. It declares that no one can believe in the compact referred to who recollects the decla ration of Count Bismarck, that "no German Govern ment is so superior to public opinion as not to be crushed beneath the charge of treason to Germany should it concede a single spot of German soil to a foreign potentate." The North German Correspondent has the best grounds for believing that at no time has the French Cabinet claimed territorial compensation from Prussia. CARDINAL SCIIWARZENBERG. The Vienna Presse denies the statements that have been made as to the attitude of Cardinal Schwarzenberg, and maintains that he bad never been so completely recognised as the leader of the opposition that he could fall into the predicament of refusing his co-operation in the execution of a programme elaborated under his auspices, thus spreading dismay am( ng the antagonists of Papal Infallibility, and at last ingloriously yielding to expiate his supposed weak ness in a monastery. It adds that the true leaders of the Austrian opposition are the Bishop of Diakovar Stress mayo. and Bishop Kovacs. PERSIA AND TURRET. The Pioneer states that a somewhat serious misunder- standing exists between the Persian and Turkish autho rities on the subject of the Kurdistan frontier. A relation of the Shah of Persia invited one of the Kurd chiefs to a conference, and then caused him to be strangled. In con sequence of the disputes that arose, the Turkish frontier was closed to the Kurds for a time, but the Turkish and Persian authorities disputed between themselves, and the Turkish forces were withdrawn, so that the Persian Government lost nearly all the advantages they had gained from their long operations against the Kurds. The conse quence of all these events has been that the relations between Bagdad and Teheran are anything but cordial. RETRENCHMENT IN INDIA. The Bombay Ga:ette says that the Government of India has not done with retrenchment yet, and that the latest. order aims at a reduction of expenditure on guaranteed railways. In order that public economy may be secured ; it is declared necessary that all outlay on guaranteed railways should be subject to the same check as is applied to other State expenditure. Local governments are re quested to act in concert with the railway officials in order to secure the desired end, and the most rigid economy is to be exercised in the establishments. Other retrench ments said to be in contemplation are a reduction in the number of High Court judges, eight of whom, it is said, will be knocked off the list. A Cal cutta paper says the opinion prevails in official circles that retrenchment is contemplated in the educational de partment. It is expected that all periodical increases of salary will be stopped in those departments where the system of classified appointments have been introduced. MR BIIRLINGAME'S CREDENTIALS. The discussion raised in the East respecting Mr. Burlin game's authority in China has been set at rest by the pub lication of the Chinese text of his commission, which proves that the translation formerly published was materially correct. The following is the substance of the document. The Emperor of China salutes the Queen of England, and declares that as China and foreign nations are members of one family, he i 3 cordially desirous of placing their friendly i elations on a firm and lasting basis. In proof of this he has " specially selected Anson Burlingame, formerly residing at Peking as Minister for the United States, an officer of integrity, ability and wisdom, and well acquainted with the relations of this and other nations, to manage all affairs pertaining to our two kingdoms, one who can be looked to explain on our behalf whatever is straight or crooked." The official English translation, though inaccurate in some points, is correct in its rendering of "friendly," not tributary, states. Two officers of the second rank—Chih-Rang and Sun- Chia-Ku—have been ordered " to accompany Mr. Burling hams to Great Britain, who have both been specially designated as high ministers with important functions, in order (further) to prove (our) sincere intentions and amicable feelings." Great importance is attached to the exact wording of this document, respect ing which there has been so much dispute, and all the versions of it are compared in the China papers. It is complained that the Emperor does not employ a suffi ciently dignified term in addressing the Queen, and the Overland China Mail, which has a leader on the subject (for in China such trifles are of the gravest importance), cornm lains that the use of the wrong term originates with n mistake of the English Foreign Office at the time of drawing up the Treaty of Tientsin. SIR RUTHERFORD AT.COCK. Sir Rutherford Alcock is returning to England, and has taken formal leave of Prince Sung, who said to him, " Now you are going home, I wish you would take away your opium and missionaries." A Protestant missionary thereupon suggested that the prince's objection to Chris tianity was probably chiefly political. TIM RED RIVER REBELLION. The Provisional Government of Rupert's Land issued their declaration of independence on the Bth of December, and the full text has now appeared. They state that the country had until recently been ruled by a species of government inaugurated by the Hudson's Bay Company, but that the latter had surrendered to Canada all the rights it had in their territory, and they maintain that the Company had no right to transfer the people to a foreign Power. After declaring that they consider the people of Rupert's Land and the North-West to have been free and exempt from all allegiance to the Govern ment from the day it transferred them to a foreign Power, the Council adds :—" Be it known, therefore, to the world in general; and to the Canadian Government in particular, that as we have always heretofore successfully defended our country in frequent wars with the neighbouring tribes of Indians, who are now on friendly terms with us, we are firmly resolved in future, not less than in the past,to repel all incursions, from whatever quarter they may come." In conclusion, the Provisional Government s.ty that they are ready to enter into such negotiations with the Canadians as may be favourable for the good government of the people. THE NEUTRALITY OF OCEAN CAI3I ES. The neutrality of ocean cables is a question which has Dean lately under discussion. A circular was sent to the American representatives at the end of Novemler, stating that the President thought the present moment a favourable one for the negotiation of a joint convention of the maritime powera for the protection of submarine cables. The United States has particular interest in their protection, and its commercial position entitles it to initiate the movement. The President suggests that provision be made for protecting cables in peace or war from wilful injury, such as that inflicted during the present year on the cable connecting Cuba with the United States. Such acts are to be declared piracy, and punished as such. Provisions are to be made to encourage the future construction of these lines, no exclusive concession of a cable being made hereafter without the joint action of the two Governments whose shores are connected. Thirdly, pro vision is to be made against the scrutiny of messages by Government officials. Instructions have been sent to the American representatives at twenty-two courts, and each representative is to propose to the Court at which he is that its Minister at Washington be empowered to enter into the negotiation. Some favourable answers have been received, but the question is how far the great Powers will be willing to resign their control of the cables in time ct War. IMAM ATIC LITERATURE. The wailers over the decay of the drama cannot complain of any falling off in the numbers of new works brought upon the stage. According to the Daily I 62t8 no less than 154 new pieces were pro duced in London last year, distributed among thirty four theatres end other places of entertainment. To these, if we add eighty-three pieces produced in pro vincial theatres, we have a total of 237, or not very much less that five a week. The classification of these productions is not an easy one, and is, besides, open to question. One hundred and fifty-four of the London pieces, however, may be set down as "drama," 21 were burlesques or extravaganzas, 16 were comedies, 7 comediettas, 15 farces, 4 operettas, 2 comic operas, and 17 pantomimes. The provinces get very few plays which are afterwards presented in London. Among, however, those first played "in the country," and after wards brought out "in town," were Mr. Robert son's "My Lady Clara," afterwards called "Drea ms ;" Messrs. Toni Taylor and Dubourg's "New Men and Oli Acres ;" Mr. Spedding's burl es qu e o f "I no ," an d Mr. Wybert Ree ve ' s " Won at Last." KIDNAPPING AND ENSLAVING YOUNG AFRICANS, Official correspondence has been published relating to the alleged kidnapping and enslaving of young Africans by the people of the Trans vaal Republic. Despite the convent i on made in 1832 between th e South African Republic and her Majesty's Executive against slavery, there exists a law of the former Government by which children and youths called orphans can be registered as ap prentices for a term of twenty-one years, and can dur ing that time be sold from hand to hand as a marketable commodity. The information reached our Govern ment chiefly through the missionaries of South Africa, and, according to their statements, it is a extuttuntiatalayalumblicaalagalitigati.2l young eanres, wno nave oeen renaerea orpnanr through the murder of their parents by German and other foreign slavers. It is computed that there are up wards of 4000 of these children now in bondage, which, unless the reveal of the law can be obtained will only end with their lives. If these harrowing details be true, and the despatches published leave little room for doubt, the deepest interest must be felt in the endeavours of the British Government to prevent the continuance of such atrocities. rHE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 11, 1870. THE THORNOLIFFE OUTRAGES; More details are now to hand of the serious disturb ances which have ftrigen among the colliers at ThornclitTo It was reported for several days that the looked-out miners intended to attack the men engaged to 6_ll their places, on the first opportunity. On Thurs day. night one of *the non-unionists was attacked and beaten, and on the day following a general attack on the houses of the "blacks," In non-unionists, was resolve& upon. The unionists were, it seems, especially incensed at a meeting being held by the . " blaoks,"with the object of forming a Free Labour Society. The authorities at Barns ley and Wakefield, on hearing of the proposed outbreak, sent down the whole available constabulary of the West Riding to Thorncliffe. Soon after eight o'clock on Friday the steam buzzer was heard sounding the alarm, and a strong posse of constables went off quickly to the pit. Mean while 400 men, armed with knives, bludgeons, and other weapons had assembled in Tankersley Park, and started for the colliery. On their way they overtook two con tables, and severely injured one of them, the other escaping. The unionists were proceeding towards a block of houses occupied by 150 non-unionists, when they learned that the latter were on their guard, aided by 50 constables. They therefore abandoned their intention, and though a strict watch was kept they were not detected in any attack on the houses. They did, however, serious injury to the engine - house of the conq any, and also did a great deal of damage at the pit shaft, by throwing down " corves" filled with bricks, stones, Sm. It was feared on Sunday that a fresh outbreak would occur respecting the preparations made for an inquest to be held on the body of a non-unionist who was killed by an accident last week, but it was happily avoided. As the non-unionists are armed and are much incensed against their rivals, an open collision would probably lead to very serious consequences. EXTRAORDINARY CONFESSION OF A MURDER COMMITTED TWELVE YEARS AGO. At the . Bow-street Police-court, George Dyer, aged 47, a clerk, of diminutive stature and peculiar appearance, was brought . up before Mr. Vau , :han charged on his own confession with causing the death of George Wilson at the Loddon diggings, Victoria, in Australia. James Jacob Thomson, a superintendent of the Metro politan Police, deposed that at eleven o'clock last Saturday night, Inspector Hubbard brought the prisoner from George-street Police-station, where ho had delivered him self up, to Bow-street. Witness asked the prisoner what he wanted, and he replied that he wished to make a statement concerning a murder that he committed at Loddon diggings. Witness duly cautioned him, saying that whatever he said would be taken down and might be used against him. The prisoner then made the following statement :—" He resided in Hilliford-street, and was in the employ of Messrs. Brown, Shiplake, and Co, ship merchants. He was married and had children. He left England for Melbourne with them, and arrived there in August, 1853, and stayed there till May, 1855. His wife died, and he sent his children back to England. He then went to the gold diggings at Loddon, took up a claim and wasted it there. About a month before Christmas, 1857, he met a man named George Wilson. As they each wanted a mate, they joined t nether to work the said claim. They got on very well for nearly a month when a quarrel arose between them in the prisoner's tent as to the quantity of gold realised. It led to mutual recriminations, and Wilson drew his sheathed knife. Prisoner to defend himself took up his spade and struck down Wilson. He split his head clean open and he died immediately. Prisoner t'irew his body into a well about fifty yards off a tent c intaining some Cornishmen, amongst whom he afterwards retired to rest. They were both perfectly sober when the quarrel took place. The Cornish party asked him afterwards what had become of his mate " George," and prisoner replied that he had gone off by the " Inglewood Rash" He (prisoner) afterwards left the scene of the murder, and ultimately returned to England—this was some years afterwards. During that period he had stayed at many places. On arriving in England he lodged with Mrs. Axtens, his married sister, and also at his son's residence. Not a soul knew of the murder but himself. He was perfectly calm and rational as he raf..da ibis statement, and fully realised the situation in which he stood by such a confession. The fearful event bad preyed upon his mind ever since; and he had had no rest. When wandering in the street he gave himself up at a place where he saw the words " Police•station" written" up."—Witness said that the prisoner had been examined by this date. The medical certificate was in court. In cross-examination, witness said he did notice a slightly wild expression about the prisoner's eyes. He did not emplain that his son had attempted to poison him.—ln spector Hubbard, E division, gave similar evidence, and added that ho had been to see Mrs. Al ten, and he said there was no douLt that the prisoner was greatly affected by some delusion-ever since he returned from Australia.—Mr. Vaughan said he should remand the prisoner in order that the police might make minute inquiries concerning the case, and also that medical testi mony might 1”. produce :1. THE SPANISH amis. The Spanish Government crisis is over. Marshal Prim has resigned only to take office again. Once more he is at the head of affairs, and has formed a Ministry. For his Minister of the Interior (his Home Secretary) he has appointed Senor River° ; his Admiralty will be Fe sided over by Admiral Topete, the Minister of Marine. Senor Montero Rios has been made Minister of Peace arid Justice, and Sagasta "Minister of State." Such is the list unanimously given by the correspondents of the several Tapers. It is simply a return to the old revolutionary provisional government. TIIE E3IDEEOD'S GOOD LNTENTIONS. The Times' able Parisian correspondent gives the Emperor great credit for his good intentions. He sa3ms thoroughly convinced that the new line of constitutional government is the only res-mrce left open to him, and is accordingly determined to persevere with it. "Everything is quickly known in Paris, and it is already acknowledged by all that the Emperor is conducting himself in his new Council of Ministry in accordance with strictly Constitutional principles, as he did during the Ministerial crisis." The writer adds that the Emperor is now believed to be perfectly sincere, and to have made up his mind as to the altered conditions under which alone he could retain his power and entertain serious hopes of trans mitting it to his son. He is in ill-health, and, what is more important, disheartened by the ill-success of those foreign enterprises which have been at all times an inducement for a French Sovereign to seize or retain personal power, and in which he had so long hoped to find a lasting prestige for his dynasty. The Times' Parisian correspondent further expresses the belief that the present corruptly elected legislature will not last at most longer than a session. WHO HAS BELLED THE CAT? When we had passed our Reform Bill, an amusing party contest arose as to who had been its designer. Something of the same thing is taking place in France : now that the Empire has got a constitutional Ministry, a discussion has commenced regarding its founder. Palpably, say M. 011ivier's friends, the new Minister of Justice was the politician called by the Emperor; he drew the different leaders to him ; he is practically Premier. Not so say others. M. 011ivier tried and failed. The Count Daru, the new Foreign Minister, is the real centre of the Administration. He—the whilom Orleanist, the opposer of the Empire, the sufferer by the coup d'etat —he was appealed to when 011ivier broke down. It was the Count who chose M. 011ivier, not M. 011ivier who chose the Count. Thus the Orleanist leaning of the Cabinet is accounted for. Which of these stories is the true one ? NEWSPAPER FREEDOM. The new French Ministry, or rather the new sys tem of government, has begun well by allowing all newspapers, without restriction, to be sold in the streets. Some of them, of the _Revell and Rappel type, were interdicted from sale in public places. This move is to be followed up by another, if we ma credit the Paris correspondent of the Standar j y • The stamp duty is to be abolished, and the system of caution money as well. Then the French press will be absolutely free. _ _ The Earl of Derby is suffering from a severe cola, and has been confined to his residence for two days. Mr. Gladstone will return to town from Hawarden on the 17th instant. The Princess Mary Adelaide of Teck gave birth to a prince at eleven o'clock last night. Her Royal Highness and the infant prince (according to the latest bulletin) are doing perfectly well. The January session of the Central Criminal Court, which was opened this morning, is remarkably destitute of cases of interest. There are no cases to be tried involving the loss of human life; but there are two indictments of Lad cases of attempted murder. The American correspondent of the Echo men tions a rumour, which, however, he discredits, to the effect that it is intended to prosecute Mr. Beecher and Mr. Froth ingham for being accessories to a felony, to wit, an act of bigamy, on account of the part they took in the death-lied marriage of Mr. Richardson. Josiah Hurst, a butcher, carrying on business in Ashburner-street, Bolton, was sent to prison for three months, by the magistrates, on Saturday, for having in his possession the carcase of a cow so diseased as to be perfectly unfit for human food. The animal bad been purchased by the pr's ner for 455. The death is announced this morning of the Rev, Philip Cell, vicar of St. John's, Derby. Mr. Cell was a member of the Evangelical party. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree in 1305, being sixth senior optime in the mathematical tripos. One of his sons is the Bishop of Madras. Dr. Ainslie, Master of Pembroke College, Cam bridge, died last night, after a week's illness, from paralysis, with which he was struck down on Monday last. Dr. Ainslie has been master ever since 1828—he graduated at Pembroke in 1815, when he was eighth wrangler. The R3V. Joseph Power, one of the senior Fellows, and the Rev. Professor Stokes are spoken of as his successors. During the pantomime in Southminster Music hall, Edinburgh, on Saturday night, a bag, containing oxy gen gas, sw:d nly exploded behind the stage with a loud noise. The gaslights were extinguished, and there was much excitement among the crowded audience. Mr. Levy, the proprietor, fortunately succeeded in restoring order be fore anything serious happened. It appears that the' steamer run down off Flam borough Head, as reported by telegraph on Saturday, was the Saint Bode, of Newcastle, Captain Brcwn. She was bound for Spain from Shields with iron and coke. After the collision with the screw steamer Black Swan, also of New cas le, one man was picked up by tho fishing-smack Thomas. His name is James Denning, and Lc believes he is the oLly person saved. There were about twenty cm board. The Countess Delawarr (Baroness Buckhurst) died last night at her residence in Upper Gro:venor-street. Lady Delaware was the last of the noble house of Dotst t. She was the youngest daughter of Join Frederick, third DLIto of Dorset, and descends directly from Thomas, first Earl Dorset, who was created Baron Buckhurst Bth June, 1567, but that barony and other titles became extinct on the death of the Fifth and last Duke of Dorset in 1843. The return of Mr. W. 'Tipping, M.P., was cele brated in an enthusiastic manner by the Conservative Aaso elation of Stockport, at Manchester, on Saturday. Although it was a chilling January day, upwards of 2,000 iersons attended. Mr. G. A. Fernley, chairman of the associat:on presided, and the cLief speakers were Cecil liaikes, M.P., Mr. Tipping himself, Mr. Ambrose (the unsuccessful cat. di date at the last election), and Mr. Cawley, M.P. Mr. Sergeant Dowse, M.P., has addressed his constituents at Londonderry. Precautions were taken by the authorities to prevent an attack on the building where the meeting was held, but all passed off quietly. Mr. Dowse said that a good Land Bill would be as beneficial to the landlord as to the tenant. Ile believed such a bill would be passed next session, after which they would be in a position to say that full justice had been done to Ireland. The nomination of candidates for the representation of Merionethshire has been fixed for Wednesday next, and the polling will take place on Saturday. Only two gen tlemen seek election to the vacant seat—Colonel Totten ham, Conservative, and Mr. Holland, Liberal. It is plea sant to hear, eays the Liverpool Courier, when alleged evictions are so widely spoken of by Liberal members for Welsh constituencies, that Mr. Price, of /Writ's, and other prominent landlords, have nobly asked their tenants to vote in the contest according to their convictions. A colliers' strike or lock-out appears to be immi nent in this district (says the Manchester Courier). Large numbers of men met near Bolton and at Farnworth on Saturday, and after strongly denouncing the conduct of the colliery proprietors for not raising their wages at the time they increased the price of coal, resolved to commence the "half-stint" system this morning. A miner's agent s named Halliwell, assured the men that if the masters resorted to extreme measures with them in consequence of their resolu tion, they would be supported by the union. A threatening letter has bcen addressed to Mr. Davies, corn dealer and malster, of Duffryn, in the parish of Llangranog, county of Cardigan. The effusion was found by Mr. Davies under the outer door of his house on Tues day morning last. The Western Mail publishes the follow ing translation out from the Welsh :—"Th ffryn.—Mr. John alYiefy I do inform you that, if you will not give some thing at the collection of the oppressed, there will be some thing revengeful done before lon g. The cow or a horse, or a lead bullet to you yourself. Minot :her! otherwise it will be so." A correspondence which has taken place between the hen. secretary of the National Education League and Mr. W. Simmons, hon. secretary of the Merthyr Education Committee, has teen published. Mr. Simmons withdraws from the League, en the ground that he considers the bill proposed by that body to be very objectionable. He says that one of the principles of the League was that all schools aided by local rates should be unsectarian, but the bill is in direct antagonism to this principle. He expresses his opinion that the Lcague will either die by its own hand, or willittszuellatUthighilAkUNQYjacaailat-lai._. COTTON IN THE SOUTHERN STATES. The Aeto York Herald of December 17 publishes a letter from "a shrewd and experienced cotton planter in the South," as it describes the writer, which contains informa tion, if in all respects trustworthy, of no little interest to all who are seeking for means of forming a judgment as to the yield of the American cotton crop of 1869. The planter says that in all the estimates hitherto made, the crop of 1868 is taken as the basis of comparison, but in his opinion that of 1867 should rather be chosen. His reasons are that in the spring of 1868 many of the planters were either bankrupt or were going into bankruptcy on account of the heavy losses which .fell them in . the preceding year, that they regarded cotton growing with free labour a failure, that they were unable to obtain the usual advances from the factors, who were themselves• involved, and that, therefore, they not only planted late, . but they planted much less than usual. In 1867 and 1869, on the contrary, the stimulus of high prices induced early preparations for large planting, e3pecially in 1869 ; in both years, more particularly in the Latter, there was plenty of capital; and, consequently, in both all the land was planted where there was any hope of cultivating. 1867 proved the wettest season that has been known for one-and-twenty years--in large districts extend ing from North Carolina to Teias, one-half, and even two thirds of the crop were swept away yot there was a return of 2,500,000 bales—that is, about 150,000 bales more than iu 1363. Assuming that there was the same acreage planted in 1369 as there was in 1867—though, the planter says, it is generally admitted there was an increase—he claims for the year just closed "5 per cent. advantage for the more prosperous condition of the plant ing interest, the better organisation of the labour after two years of additional I experience in managing free negroes, the very large amount of fertilisers used, and the improved political condition of the country." " I claim, also," ho adds, "10 per cent. as the difference in the growing seasons of the two years, one (1867) being probably the worst in the memory of man, the other (1869) being probably one of the very best. Nineteen out of twenty men who planted both years will say there was more than 10 per cent. in favour of 1869. There was an 'increase of 800,000 bales in 1859 from 1858, caused mainly by a good and bad sea son. And lastly, I claim five per cent. increase in 1809 or. account of the pretty general exemption from caterpillars. I'think four States could be named that would make up this amount. In all, I claim 20 per cent. increase, esti mating the crop at 3,000,000 bales." This estimate, the planter argues, is borne out by the receipts at the shipping ports up to the time at which he was writing. In 1868 one- Vika of the crop was received on the• 10th of December, and on the 10th of December, 1869, a fraction over a million of bales had been received. It is objected, however, that exportation is brisker this season than last, and that, therefore, the analogy from last year does not hold: The planter denies the assertion. He says the Southern people generally expect a repetition of the last two years' experience —a sudden rise of prices in the spring; and that, therefore, there is a disposition to hold back cotton on the plantations. Ho adds that the streams leading through very extensive cotton districts have been unnavigable, making the receipts light where they were expected to be largest. Letters from Charleston, Savannah, Augusta, Macon, and Colum bus, he states, say planters are holding ley. e, and will not sell at the prices offered. Hence he infers that the crop is larger than is estimated, and that the receipts will be greater in the spring thazi they are now. He concludes with the assertion that " in twenty-five years' observation I have never known a very wet or caterpillar season but what was very much over-estimated, nor a very dry season but what was very Rauch under-estimated. 3 The liabilities of railway companies for damage done to pictures and frames has formed the subject of an inquiry at the Liverpool Court of Passage. A painter and paperhanger sought to recover compensation from . the North-Western Railway for damage dono to fifteen paint ings and frames, which he valued at about £4OO. The parcel containing them was delivered to him upside down from a lorry, and when he opened it he found the contents were seriously damaged by water. For the defence it was contended that the company was not liable for the damage done to. either pictures or frames. Some witnesses said that the pictures had been badly packed. The jury found for the plaintiff, fo r £25 damage done to the frames, leave being given to the defendants to move in the Exchequer of Pleas for a nonsuit, as it was argued that the plaintiff not having deciared the frames . to be di4- #4O a9rgt4b.44.40 right to CiSl4 99W2V111491, RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS. (From the Anglo- Amerwan Timm) The Report of the Hon. Moen? A. WELLS has been published, and we now learn under his own hand his views on the resumption of specie pay ments. He considers that unless resumption implies contraction, little good can accrue. Were it possible to substitute seven hundred million dollars of coin for seven hundred million dollars in paper there would be the same inflation of prices, the same dis proportion between imports and exports, and the same inability to dispose of the products of domestic industry in fore,,; markets, if, which is impossible, the gold could be retained in the country. That it would rapidly be exported is certain ; and wherein, asks Mr. WELLS, would that reduction differ from ' the reduction of the present paper currency through a judicious and well-ordered withdrawal. IL is this tendency to move abroad which constitutes the difficulty, not in resuming, but in continuing specie payment. The last dollar, Mr. WELLS adds, would long ago have left the United States had not the bonds of the national Government been available for the adjustment of adverse foreign balances. This is a wild statement, and one we regret to see made by such an authority. As the import duties must be paid in gold, gold must be retained in the United States to pay them, or, importations cease, when there would be no adverse balances, and as the United States is a gold and silver producing country, the precious metals would then accumu late. They are only wanted by the Republic to pay the import duties imposed expressly to secure the means of paying the gold interest on the bonds and to settle any foreign indebtedness. But gold, like other commodities, is an article of barter, with a tendency to flow to that spot where the de mand is greatest. There is no great demand for it in the United States, but whenever that de mand does arise, and the Republic has anything, other nations value to give in exchange, it will flow there ' fast enough, therefore the country could never be depleted iu the way Mr. WELLS describes. It is a curious fact, that in an elaborate statistical pa per from so skilful a financier, he should wholly have overlooked a consideration of vital import ance. He has estimated the excess of freights ' carried in foreign bottoms and the personal expen diture of Americans travelling abroad, but no where can we see in the report before us an allusion to the large influx of coin brought into the country by immigrants. Had Mr. WELLS instituted a search , ing inquiry he would have found a portion of his adverse balance met in this way, and a very large and growing portion met in another ; that is, by European investment in America, otherwise than in the purchase of the national bonds. An increasing 1 foreign indebtedness with a country of boundless, undeveloped resources like the United States is a sign of progress, not of decay, and its healthiest . period is while foreigners most freely embark their capital, though a proceeding signifying an increase in American foreign indebtedness. Mr. WELLS argues that seven hundred million dollars in paper could not be kept redeemable with less than seven hundred millions dollars in gold, because that amount is an inflation, of which the effect is to de preciate the paper whereby its holder is urged to exchange it so as to realise the premium on gold. We cannot see this, for the realization would very quickly annihilate the premium, gold speedily partaking of the depreciation of the paper in accordance with the rule correctly laid down by the Commissioner. The difference simply is, that gold being the circulating medium of the world, and greenbacks being confined to the Ueited States, the one would flow abroad leaving the other, where by a disparity would be created which would again, and in proportion to the disparity, raise gold to a i premium, after the inevitable discontinuance of re sumption. It is this tendency of gold to leave the country which is the barrier to American finan ciers in the way of specie payment. The Nation i I says the ability- of the Treasury or the backs to resume specie payments does not depend upon the Treasury, or the Banks, or Congress, or the will of the whole people, but simply on the amount of gold likely to be required for export ; and it also argues • that nothing can enable the United States to main tain resumption, except an annual produce of gold ( i in excess of its annual export. The same reason ing is used by the Nation as by the Commissioner, 1 that the ability- of the country to maintain specie payments can only be regulated by the export of gold ; it is in discussing the means for resumption, that where they differ is apparent. Mr. WELLS con siders $700,000,000 in paper to be inflation, while $400,000,000 is not in his estimation beyorat the wants of commerce ; it is not the ratio between gold and paper that needs to be regulated, but the paper circulation with the volume of production and exchange, of which it is the instrument. His object is so to reduce prices that foreign nations will find their interest in exchanging product for pro duct, to accomplish which there must be contrac tion, for with $700,000,000 of irredeemable paper prices cannot be permanently and equitably re duced. Hence he advocates direct and undisguised contraction as the one necessity of the situation. Now itisevidenttheCommissionerbelieves that contraction would so lessen the cost of producing certain American staples that they could be exported with profit, the usual adverse foreign balance being thus adjusted. The Nation, on the contrary, considers the amount of gold to be exported, roughly stated, is the amount by which the imports alone do not make up the dif ference. " It: is necessary that the exports continue the same. If the exports diminish as much as the imports the balance to be covered by the export of gold would remain unchanged. Now nothing can be more certain than that the ability to export largely depends on a large domestic production ; that the only stimulus to domestic production is found in the prospect of a profitable sale; that con traction and forced economy diminish . the prices of all products, and diminish conEquently the prospect of a profitable sale of products; diminish the stimulus to production, and consequently diminish production itself. But if the ability to export largely depends upon s large production, will not diminished production diminish our exports,and will not smaller exports of products compel a larger ex port of coin? It is evident that contraction will not diminish the export of coin." The Nation wrote before the publication of the Report, and has arrived at an opposite conclusion to a political eco nomist it holds in high esteem. It is certain that contraction will have the effect of enforcing eco nomy in the style of living. Indeed, it has already had this effect, for trade is greatly depressed ; im ports arc declining, the consumption of foreign luxuries has been much curtailed, and as gold, in consequence, is not required to adjust adverse balances it is accumulating in the United States. That Mr. BOUTWELL so far agrees with Mr. ELLS in considering it desirable gradually to contraee the currency is shown by his own Rep ort, and it was the principle upon which his predecessor .: Mr. M'CUL men, steadily worked. Senator Sueinit's plan for resuming specie payments is contraction dis guist d, and it may be concluded that those most conversant with the subject agree in considering contraction of the paper currency to be the prin cipal step on the way to specie payment. But is there not a very effective contraction already in operation in the dissemination of greenbacks into new channels? What was an inflated currency for the North before greenbacks were in circulation in the South, must be less so after a large portion has been drawn off to supply the total want of currency 1 , for so considerable a part of the Republic; and. 1 according to Mr. BOUTIVELL'S Report, the depletion of the North is increased through the demand on the Pacific slope canted by the Union Pacific Rail road, through which California and her slater States are gradually substituting greenbacks for coin. Be this as it may, the fact is undeniable that, from whatever cause, the value of greenbacks has greatly risen within the last two months, and in their rise prices have so shrunk that the people have half realized the coming change from an inflated currency to specie payment. Although the best known financiers in the United States urge con traction to produce the very effects now being pro duced without one dollar of contraction, there are many able men who maintain the proposed remedy to be a delusion. They point to the fact that affairs are settling themselves, and that any aid or inter im= might precipitate a calamity which the . undisturbed natural course of events would avoid. The actual circumstances give weight to their asser tion ; hut a close inquiry might devolope the fact that these effects have in truth been produced by kind of contraction ; for is it not c‘intraction, if the growing wealth of one-third of the people has enabled them to absorb and retain for their own use a considerable amount of the $700,000,000 of paper before confined to the Northern and Western States ? and is it not also true, that new States and Territories have almost been created since the con clusion of the war, requiring their share of the cir culating medium ? The real question is, What amount of currency does the United States require? a question more easily asked than answered, nor when fixed will the question be finally settled, for the Union is like a groq jog child, whose well fitting garment of to-day is out of proportion next year. Perhaps the wisest course would be to leave the currency alone, and await events, for this is evident, that no one foresaw the late rapid rise in the value ( f the irredeemable paper, and no one pro fesses to tell what will be the result. BRITISH COLUMBIA. (From the Anglo-American Times.) The telegram from Washington, of the 31st Decem ber, with its details of a memorial from British Columbia to President GRANT praying him to open negotiations with Great Britain to procure the transfer of that Province to the United States, has been received by London journals with incredulity, or as a bogus petition got up by resident Yankees. To us it bears a very different aspect ; partly for the reasons specified by the memorialists, and partly for other weighty reasons which we have for years pro pounded in these columns. Any one who glances at the map will see that British Columbia must, as as serted,in cur many political and commercial disadvan tages, from its present isolated position. To the north-west lies the newly-purchased American ter ritory of Alaska ; to the south is Washington Ter ritory, and back, eastward, is the impenetrable wil derness which separates British Columbia from the nearest civilization acknowledging the sovereignty of the QUEEN. British Columbia then is shut off from all real connection with other British territory, while it is almost everywhere bordered by that of the United States. Nor is this all ; the similarity of their products would, as the memorialists state, lessen the value of any connection with Canada which could be established. Canada may desire the erection of an empire rivalling the United States, with itself as the central power, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the United States to the North Pole ; but British Columbia may not be at all fascinated by the picture so attractive to Canadians. In the first instance, the same objection would arise with the Columbians, as with the Red River settlers, to being the colony of a colony. Next, they have no connection, no sympathy, no trade with their eastern fellow-subjects, and never could have much, therefore the successful establish ment of the Dominion would neither gratify a sen timent nor benefit them in a material way. Nor do we think a well-connected Dominion can be created out of such territory as the British Possessions, to make up an homogeneous empire. The Union em braces the cream of North Auasrica, and the British Possessions, although they may be a fine field a cen tury hence to the increasing population of the States, are now but skimmed milk which people can not be induesd to take s,, long as the cream is obtain able. Through so iuhospitable a region, that system of communication cannot be established which ena bles a central Government to rule over a very wide• spread domain. It can and has been established in the United States, for nature has not there raised her winter barriers, and no district is better ac; quaints d with the fact, that Canada is in pursuit of a chimera in its empire, than these British Colum biana who now decline to have lot or part in it. On the otter hand, their trade, intercourse, aspira tions are all with their Southern neighbours of Washington Territory, of Oregon, and California; the capital, the enterprise, the progress are all South. Behind them is a howling wilderness, to the right are SEWARD'S icebergs stored in Alaska, but before them spreads out the broad Pacific, and down South are the sunny climes of- California, the gay and busy city of San Francisco, the centre of Pacific commercial life, and the spot whence radi ates the telegraph, whence steamers ply, and from which they must take their departure if they desire to cross the Continent to the Eastern States. It is vain to suppose that a province thus situated could look for a connection in any other than a sou:heru direction. Canada is nothing to the in habitants of British Columbia ; California is every thing, and it means, the United States. 'There are, I , too, other obvious considerations which must weigh heavily with the property-holders of the colony. Why should this isolated tract be subjected to inva sion and conquest from a quarrel occurring be tween a European nation and the Eastern States, of which they know nothing, and in the settlement of which they have neither voice nor interest? Yet this might occur almost before they were aware that such a difficulty had arisen. Why should they have their trade hampered by the restrictions imposed upon foreign commerce with the country where their trade mainly centres ? Why should they be deprived of the advantages derived by the U. S. Territory to the south and Alaska to.the north, from the fostering care of the Washington Government? England can do but little for them ; Canada, nothing; but the Republic can do a great deal. Is it, then, sur prising, as some London papers appear to think, that the inhabitants should endeavour to get the Province enrolled into the territory of the Union? They must, too, see that Great Britain, under no circumstances whatever, can derive a shadow of ad vantage from extending its sovereignty over their country. There is no part of that dominion, upon which the sun never sets, more isolated from the rest than is British Columbia. By two ways only can it be reached—either through the United States or by that longest and most difficult of all passages round the Horn. With the great chain of the Rocky Mountains rising along its north-eastern bor der, its back, with an impassable barrier, is turned towards the British Empire, while but an imagi • nary and disputed line separates it at its most popu lous spot from the United States. The most satisfac tory point of the memorial is the feeling expressed in it towards the old country. It is the force of cir cumstances which makes the memorialists desire the change; no grievance against British rule, and this is openly avowed in the attachment and loyalty professed for the QUEEN. Such is the spirit we desire to see accompanying the inevitable transfer of colonial dominion, and in it England will as suredly reap her reward. The colonial policy, of GEORGE 111. was the most injurious blow ever given to the Anglo-Saxon race, and the remedy, after a century of bickering as well as of war, may be found jn such friendly severance of the colonial con nection as the inhabitants of British Columbia now propose. On this point we have often and earnestly endeavoured to express our views, and although it will take many years to change a deeply rooted feeling in England, yet with a more America, knowledge of the Continent of North advantage of the policy will, we hope, be unids colony before it is too late. To Great Britain this is worse than Useless,thoumghploetfinvgalutehetior tchoeasSttalitenes of the Pacific slope, as co Islandfrom B e hri n must g' of s course Strait h Diego, it. T f o h r e V v a a I n u c e o u o v f e t rh' the possession to the Eastern States doubtful however, bul taadv a a n u oti g te e. r matter, and one perhaps of outf The Pacific slope must soon l become s connection, a ve very its p olvcr u 1 sec tion of the Union. trad ing ports, the races with whom it comes into con tact, differ altogether from those of the Atlantic aertbeard. The former looks west and sees one view, the latter looks east and sees quite a different v i e w ; hence the necessity for a strong bond of union to preserve the unity of th e Continent, of p a triotic devof foil to the flag, of moderation and good muse in legislation. The task to fuse all the Continent into compact nation is perhaps the highest ever gii' to statesmen to achieve, and it M in , as weell as people a can only be achieved by c ultivating law, th a love of equity a nd respect for cu pugh at all times (not national sentiment strong merely during a great peril to the Country) to forego selfish designs '0494 411 gtai ud - 13 L' ue way c f the public wall, ••••••• ALASKA AND ITS FUR SEALS. The Report of General George H. Thomas has been published, and in it the truth about Alaska is plainly told. It is dated San Francisco, Sept, 27. He left Portland for Alaska July 6, and arrived at Sitka July 22. After describing the causes of the Indian discontent, and the acts to which it led, he goes on to speak of his travels to Kenay, a hundred miles up Cook's Inlet, Chogatchio Bay, Englert, Kadiak, and the islands of St. Paul and St. George, and thus he summarises the result :—" I see no im mediate prospect of the country being settled tiP. I The climate is too rigid ; there is too much rain and too little sun for agricultural purposes. At most of the posts there are gardens, in which are raised ra dishes, turnips, lettuce, and other watery vegetables, and fair pot a t oes , th oug h t h ey will not keep an y time. The moisture of the climate is so great that these vegetables continue togrow, but do not ripen. The same difficulty has attended all attempts to raise barley, oats, or wheat ; the stalk grows a re, n and rank, but the seed does not come to maturity or ripen. There is comparatively little land suit able for agriculture; the largest tract and best climate known is the plateau on the east side of Cook's Inlet, extending from Kenay to Chogot shaik Bay. The soil is an alluvial sandy loam, very rich and deep, but the summer, though pleasant while it lasts, is not long enough for suco.ssfel farming. Though the timber is of the finest quality, and in many places conveniently located, still the supply in Oregon, 1% ashington Territory, and &l ash Columbia, is equally good and abundant, and much better located for a market. The fishing banks along the north-eastern coast of the Aleu tian Peninsula and islands are very extensive and bountiful, and salmon abounds in all the streams. In addition to the coal mentioned as being at Chogotshaik, there are many other known localities of coal ;. Kootsnou Harbour, on Ad miralty Island ; Camden Harbour, on Kou Island ; Kaggaan, on Prince of Wales Island, and. Kat may, on the Peninsula of Alaska ; but the remarks as to the supply of timber around the Puget Sound country will also apply to coal." The General's account of the fur-bearing seal is curious :—" About the last of April or early part of May the old male seals arrive at the islands of St. Paul and St. George, and go on shore at the places regularly frequented by them, called rooker ies; they make a thorough examination of the ground, which occupies some days; then the great body begin to arrive, and in a short time all have come and occupied their several positions. The fe males come up on shore, and are collected together in communities or families by each one of the old seals, who possesses sufficient powers to maintain his ground and guard his family ; the young males and superannuated old ones are forced to take their place outside of the area occupied by the families, and if they attempt to interfere with the domestic arrangements described they are suminarily driven off by the heads of families. In these troubles many terrible affrays occur.. 'this ,arrangement of the animals on and around the rookeries make it very simple and easy for the na tive hunters to place themselves between the fami lies•and the young males, from whom only the skins are taken, which, when they want to kill, they do in parties of 40 to 50, all armed with clubs. They get between the families and the young males, then drive them inland some two or three miles distant, letting all not wanted for slaughter drop out by the way; these return to the rookeries. After getting only as many as they Cua skin and salt in one day to the proper places, they are killed by striking the noses of the animals with the clubs. The next day is devoted to packing for shipment. By this means the families are not disturbed, and remain to breed and rear their young. As far as I can judge, the business of the old males is to compel the females to take care of their young until they have grown sufficiently to take care of them selves ; they then appear to give up all control over the females, who are permitted to leave their young and go into the water, the old male still guarding and overlooking the young. in Sept. all are permitted to go into the water, where they swim and sport during the day, coming up on the shore iu the evening to rest during the night. At this period all • move further inland and mingle together indiscriminately. If the autumn con tinues mild they remain on the islands till the latter part of October, when they disappear very suddenly within a day or two, and have been seen going through the passes between the Aleu tian Islands, travelling in a southerly direction- Nothing more of them is seen until next spring, neither is it known where they pass the winter. The number of seals on the island can only be estimated. In the height of the season, after the young are born, they are estimated all the way from 5 to 15 millions ; but they are countless, lying in the rookeries, covering hundreds of acres, like sheep in a pen. The habits of these animal's are sucb that if permitted to be hunted by everybody at random they would be very soon driven from the islands: This has been proved by the Russians, who totally destroyed some rookeries before they learned by experience how to treat them. If it 10 desirable to protect and perpetuate the fur-bearitig seal, one or two plans should be adopted. One is, to confine the killing to the natives, permitting none others but authorised agents of the Govern ment to live on the islands, and permit traders to visit them to purchase only after the skins have been prepared and the seals have left for the south. This course would necessitate the stationing of au agent on each of the islands, to guard the interests of the Government and prevent the demoralisation of the natives by such unscrupulous traders as would not hesitate to furnish them with liquor for the purpose of cheating them. The other plan IS to sell to the highest bidder the privilege of pur chasing the furs taken and prepared by the natives, requiring the successful bidder to keep On the islands a good supply of food and clothing, and furnish them to the natives at fair rates." * The Times of yesterday asserts "that this Governor Hoff man is the personage to whom, as the executive power of the State of New York, Messrs. Gould, Fisk, and Lane are to attribute their permanent control over the Erie Railway, and the bondholders of that concern the consequent loss of some millions sterling." A fair specimen of that journal on American affairs! In the first place, Governor Hoff man was nat the executive power when the Erie clique obtained control ; in the next, what control can he exer cise ? Does the Times suppose that the Governor Can march a platoon of soldiers to the Opera House and turn Fisk, Gould, and the rest out of the Erie office ? He might veto objectionable bills passed by the Legislature affecting Erie, but we know of no other power whatever held by the Governor to interfere, the appeal in America, as in tng land, being to the regular courts of law. CHRISTMAS PRESENTS AT PARKINS AND GOTTO'S.-- - Portrait albums, dispatch boxes, writing cases, dressing cases, dressing bags, envelope cases, blotting books, inkstands, desks, stationery cabinets, bookslides, work boxes, tea caddies, hand bags and reticules, card cases, purses, scent bottles, cigar cases, card trays, pocket books, ornamental articles in china, bronze gilt, and elegantly mounted for mantel shelf, drawing and library tables ; bagatelleboards. indoor croquet and indoor games of all kinds; Bibles, Prayer-books, and Church Services in every type. Thousands of the above articles, all perfectly new and fresh. Small articles carefully selected and sent post paid upon pr.' payment. Catalogues free. _.l ADVERTISEMENT. I -Consumption, and all nervous, Odious, stomach, anl ivor complaints in every stage are mill aggravated and acc3l3rated by drugs of eve y description, but perfe tly curable by Do BARRY'S health•restoring Revalent* Arabica Food, as proved by thousands of cases which had beet' considered hopeless; such as indigestion (dyspepsia), coug' l, asthma, consumption, h bitual constipation, diarrhma, all gastric' derangements, hemorrhoids, liver complaints, flatulency, ner" vousness, biliousness, fevers, sore throat, diphtheria, catarrhs , colds, influenza, noises in the head and ears, rheumatism, goat, impurities, eruptions, hysteria, neuralgia, irritability, sleepless ness, acidity, palpitation, heartburn, headache, debility, cramps, spasms, n susea and sickness even in pregnancy or at sea, sink ing fits, bronchitis, scrofula, ti. htness of the chest, pains at the pit of the stomach, and between the shoulders, do. We quote * few: -The Pope's health restored by Du Barry's Food. Cure No. 68,413 "Borne, July 21, 1866. The health of the Holy Father i 0 excellent, especially since, abandoning all other remedies, he b.se confined himself entirely to Do Barry's Revalenta Arabica Food , of whiehle consumes a plateful at every meal. It has produce d a surprisingly beneficial effect on his health, and his Holinese cannot praise this excellent food too highly."—From the Gazette du Midi, July 2 Cure No. 46,270. Mr. James Roberts, timbal' merchant, ptti y, of thirty years' diseased lung'' , g o f derangement, and partial deafice.g. Car e spitting blood, of o F d r o liverm ley , N 0.1,77 . Lord Stuart de Decies, Lord-Lieutenant of Nt aterford , able f m many years' n y dyspepsia,dyspepsia. No. 40,83 "Fifty years' indescrit e nervousness, asthma, cough, con stipation, flatulency, spasms, sickness, and vomiting. Marie' Jolly" Important"Caution.—Beware of the many unsavour9 and more than sloppy imitations to which, without authority; Baron Liebig's name is most audaciously attached In tins, at Is lid; 11b 2s 9d; 2 lb Os 6d; blb Ils ; 12 lb 220 24 lbs 4 Viso . p BARBy's ItimAr.aNTA %name Cnocot,Al o POWDER is packed in tin canisters : for 1e cups at 2s, for 24 cup* at 3s 6d, for 18 cups at 6s, for c ups at 30s, for 576 cups at sss B —being D a i b zr o ß u A t n on a e y p a e n n d ny co pe ., r N c o u . p 7, . 7 The ueg e 3 u o s t s a t n r d e 0 5s tins London;are 8 free of carri age i n E ng l an d o n receipt of Post Office Order. all Grocers and Chemists. : c al BIRTHS. BEACH—On the 7th Jan. , at Oakley Hall, the wife of W . Beach, Esq., M.P.. prematurely, of a daughter, stillborn . MunitAy-0 n the 7th Jan., at 4, North Park-terrace, Glas. gow, the wife of A. Erskine Murray. Esq., Sheriff-Sub stitute of Lanarkbhire, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. EDWARDS—LEGGE— On the 6th Jan., Allington Church. George John, youngest eon of James Edwards, RA., 0 f Bridport, to Mary, eldest daughter of Thomas Legge! E mi ., of The Villa, Allington, Bridport. MACPHERSON—NAPIER - On the 27th Nov., at St. Andrew 'S Church, Sinnpore, Ronall Macpherson, Lieut.-Colone l R.A., and Lieutenant-Governor of the Straits Settle ments, to Minnie, daughter of William Napier, Esq., O f Spring Grove, Middlesex. DEATHS. HERBERT—On the 7th Jan, at the University School , Nottingham, George Herbert, Esq., F.C.P., F.R.G•S•' aged 56. MACPIIERSON—OD the 6th Dec., at Bargany House, Singa pore, the Hon. Ronald Macpherson, Lieut.-Colonel R.A.7 and Lieutenant-Governor of the Straits Settlement s / aged 52. London : Printed and Published by WILLIAM ANDREW!: of No. 12, Strand, Printer, at THE SUN Office, .. 0.112, Str and ' in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the County of BliddleseV" Wwwlay, Jougazy 11,1870. AIM hold able Port Con cele Ron Wh also nnu of 01 fee; Wee bint este DIRE and Lad Car