The Sun. — London, England, 1867-01-16 00:00:00

IRELAND. DUBLIN, Jan. 15. The Dungarvan inquest was resumed yesterday morning. Major Wombwell, Lord Hastings, Sir Nugent Humble, and other wi tuesses were examined. Major Wombwell deposed that the troops broke away to go down the quay. He cried to the trum peter, " For God's sake sound the assembly ! " He was frightened lest the Lancers should hurt the people. Ile told them not to use the points of their lances. The inquiry is still proceeding. John Clancy, the shipping clerk, arrested at Kingstown some time ago on acharge of F e nianism, was released frome Mountjoy Prison yesterday in compliance with a memorial from his employers, the Messrs. Palgrave, Eden-quay, having given the required security. Mr. Joseph Whelan, a publican, of Marlborough street, was arrested yesterday, charged with having attempted repeatedly to administer the Fenian oath to a man named Healy. A new rifle and bayonet were discovered in the prisoner's house. _ . _ At Drogheda, Judith Bagnall, a woman of 70, and Mary, her daughter, aged 37, were committed for trial at the assizes by the Drogheda magistrates yesterday for having arms and ammunition con cealed in the apartment which they occupy in an almshouse. Bail was accepted for their appearance when called on. On Saturday, at Cashel, Constables Reddick and Ahern arrested, on suspicion of complicity with the Fenian crganisation, two Americans who came by Bianconi's mail car at a quarter to 1 a.m. They gave their names as Michael Murphy and Michael Morrison. The former, on being searched, was found to have a revolver and ammunition, and a number of greenbacks. The other had £32 in gold. They were unable to give any cause for visiting Cashel, and stated they came from New York, and arrived at Queenstown on Wednesday. The Hon. Mr. J. Ffrench remanded them to next petty ses sions, on Wednesday. On Sunday, Dr. Bernard, the newly-appointed Bishop of Tuam, was consecrated in the Cathe dral, Armagh, by the Primate. The assisting pre lates were the Bishops of Cork and Kilmore, and the preacher was the lion. and Rev. William Conyngliam Plunket. _ _ _ The general court-martial, under the Presidency of Col. Stuart, C. 8., reassembled at the Victoria Library, Royal Barracks, yesterday morning, and proceeded with the trial of Private Murtagh, of the 85th, who was charged with that he, having come to the knowledge of an intended mutiny in her Ma jesty's forces, did not communicate the same to the commanding officer. Lieutenant and Adjutant Drage prosecuted, and the prisoner was undefended. He pleaded not guilty. Private James Meara, late of the 85th RO9 meet, and now of the 43d Regiment, gave evidence as to the mode usually adopted to promulgate Fenianism in the army, and recited the oath alleged I to have been administered. lie also said that one of the means adopted to spread the organisation in the army was by appointing persons to make in flammatory speeches to the soldiers on the history of Ireland. In referring to the oath administered to members of the brotherhood, the witness said the latter portion was " unfit for publication." President—l think we had better hear it through. Witness—l only remember it imperfectly, sir, but it was to this effect—"A person taking the oath, in case he revealed any of the secrets of the brother hood, or betrayed any of his associates, he ' pro nounced' himself to death, forfeited all claim to Heaven, and deserved all the torments of Hell." President—Did you ever hear the oath admi nistered ? _ _ _ Witness —No ; they never allowed a third party to be present when the oath was being given. In case of a rising, all Irishmen (soldiers or civi lians) who would not take the oath would be shot. The arms of the loyal soldiers were to be rendered useless by cramming bullets into them, so as to give Fenians time to form. The forage yard was also to be set on fire to create confusion, and the horses were to be disabled. He did not know the . prisoner. He got the knowledge of Fe nianism by becoming a Fenian himself, in order that he might give information of the conspiracy. He heard several Fenian agents deliver speeches. Privates Atkinson and James gave evidence similar to what was given on the previous trial of 7 - 7 in having th© opportunity of proposing a vote of thanks to Mrs. Halliday, and also to Mr. Walsh for the terms in which he had made the communication. It would be hard, indeed, to over-estimate the value of the collection. He understood that it included 14,000 separate works, most of them of great Irish ecclesiastical and antiquarian interest. They were selected with the discrimination and scholarship that so eminently marked their late lamented brother member. In fact, it was in every way a most valua able contribution to the library. The President (Lord Talbot de Malahide) said he was sure there could only be one opinion as to the importance of the donation, and of the feelings which they ought to evince towards the lady who had been so kind as to carry out in a complete manner the wishes of her late husband. Ile had sat at the council for many years with Mr. Halliday, and he was bound to observe that he Dever met any one who had the interests of the Academy so much at heart. The Poor-law Inquiry at Bethnal-Green. Simpson. The Court adjourned till this morning. A meeting of the Dublin Corporation was held yesterday, the Lord Mayor in the chair. A report was read from the Board of Superintendence stating that, in consequence of the present system of ap pointing officers to the city prisons persons physically unable to discharge the duties had been nominated as officers, and that therefore the Board of Superin tendence could not be responsible for the safe cus tody of the prisoners. Alderman Tarpey denied the charge made in the report as to unsuitable appoint ments having been made by Government ; but Mr. Devitt and Mr. Sullivan asserted that broken down policemen had been appointed, and that it was ab solutely necessary that a parliamentary inquiry should take place to ascertain the truth of the charges that had been made against the Board. A resolu tion to this effect was adopted. We have had a very severe frost here for nearly a week. Yesterday the ice on the pond of the Zoolo gical Gardens in the Park was strong enough for skating. Large numbers of gentlemen and ladies as sembled there yesterday, and an accident occurred which was near proving fatal to many of them. Professor Iloughton, the secretary, has published an account of the occurrence, from which it appears that the ice was perfectly safe on the shallow part of the pond, but not so ou the deep end near the city. A rope was drawn across to warn the skaters and visitors to keep off the deep water, and marked " dangerous." The public unfortunately disregarded the warning, and towards 2 p.m. crowded in large numbers on the deep end of the pond, where the ice was smoothest and most dangerous. A group of ladies and gentlemen crowded together in one spot, and the ice gave way, precipitating them all into the deep water. The ice ladders and life buoys of the society were immediately brought into requi sition, under the superintendence of Mr. Carter and the men in the employment of the society, who did their duty steadily and bravely, and were assisted by 58 D, Michael Travers, who risked his life re peatedly in aiding the men of the society to work the ice-ladders. Mr. A. T. Foster, of Lincoln's inn, Mr. Stephen Creaghe, Mr. Wm. Barlow, and Mr. E. Cooper, at great risk to themselves, aided in breaking the ice and relieving the " jamb" of the ice-ladders, which at one time threatened to become very dangerous. When the sufferers were removed from the water they were carried to the superin tendent's house, where it was found that the fol lowing required medical treatment :—The Misses Owen (3), Miss Simmons, Miss Flint, Mr. P. Deaker, Mr. R. T. Foster, and Mr. Monks. They were promptly treated by Professor M'Donel, Dr. A. W. Foot, Dr. Wade, Dr. A. L. Owen, Dr. Per cival, Dr. Green, and, aided by the kind nursing of Mrs. Carter and her female servants, were shortly pronounced out of danger. At a general meeting of " the laity" of the Dublin Conservative Registration Society, held on Satur day, Mr. B. L. Guinness, M.P., in the chair, after exh(,rtitig the members to increased exertion, the D.pott stated that —" The necessity for the Conser vative party at the present eri3i.; to exert their in fluence, either by energetic personal action or by increased contributions to your society, is manifest, especially when we see the giant efforts our oppo nents are making to sap the foundations of our most cherished institutions, and, by alliances of an ultra- Democratic nature, deliberately planning the sub version of our time-honoured, truly liberal, and free Constitution." At a meeting of the members of the Royal Irish Academy yesterday the secretary read a letter from the executors of the late Mr. Halliday, stating that-- " Mrs. Halliday had decided on presenting intact to the Academy her husband's entire collection of pamphlets, tracts, and papers relating to Ireland. Having been left his property absolutely, she was desirous of paying that tribute -of respect to his memory, and at the same time of preserving to the Academy so valuable and unique a collection." The Rev. Dr. Carson said he felt much pleasute Yesterday Dr. Markham, one of the inspectors of poor law for the London district, held an inquiry, as a Commissioner of the Poor-law Board, at Bethnal green Workhouse, into the charges made against Mr. Massingham, one of the district medical officers. The facts of the case may be briefly stated. On Mon day, the 6th, an inquest was held upon a woman who died after childbirth, under such circumstances that the jury, in their verdict, said that the " con duct of the parish doctor (Mr. Massingham) was in human in not attending the deceased when the parish order was given to him, there appearing to be nothing to prevent his doing so ; and the jury also considered "that he is unfit to be continued as the parish doctor, and should be re quired to resign his appointment." The guardians immediately held a special meeting, and, having suspended Mr. Massingham, sent a report of the case to the Poor-law Board, and this inquiry was ordered. The first witness called was Matilda Grimmo, the sister of the deceased woman. She stated that the deceased was the wife of a working man, and had obtained an order for admittance to the Lying-in Hospital. The pains of labour came on at about 9 o'clock on Wednesday, the 2d inst., and a cab was sent for to take her to the hospital. The weather was so bad that the cabman would not go under a fare of ss. The money was raised with difficulty, and then the cabman would not go unless paid 7s. Time was thus lost, and the woman was confined on the floor of the room, and was safely delivered. This was at 11 o'clock. About 6 o'clock the same evening witness obtained an order for Mr. Massing ham's attendance, and she went with it to his house, which was not, she said, five minutes' walk from where her sister was lying. She told him, she said, that her sister had been confined, and he said that he could not come that night, but would come in the morning. She told him that her sister com plained a great deal of pains, and he replied that they were after-pains, for which he would give some medicine. The next morning, finding her sister very bad, she went at half-past 10 o'clock to Mr. Massinglaam's, and saw him sitting in the parlour reading the paper. She asked him to come and see her sister, who, she said, was apparently dying. His reply was, " I cannot help that ; I cannot come until my usual time of coming round." The son of Mr. Massingam came at half-past 11 ; the deceased died at half-past 12. When the son came he applied mustard poultices. He remained about 10 minutes. Mr. Massingham came about an hour and a half after the death. Amelia Fox, a nurse who delivered deceased, stated that she went to Mr. Massinghatn's on the morning of the 3d, at about half-past 8. Mrs. Massingham was in the shop, and she informed Mr. Massingham, who was in an inner room, that he was wanted. His reply was that he could not be seen for half an hour, and witness went back and sent a little girl. Annie Ferry, the daughter of deceased, aged 15, stated that she went to Mr. Massingham at half past 10 o'clock on Thursday, the 3d, and said to Mr. Massinglia.m, whom she saw, "Please, sir, my mo ther is dying." Ile replied, " Fiddle-de-dee, non. sense. If your mother was put to bed yesterday she can't be dying to-day." Witness stood crying, and he said to her "Don't stand crying here, that won't bring her back again." Mr. H. Harris, the medical offieer of the City of London Lying-in Hospital, who made the post mortem of the deceased, gave evidence showing that she died of inflammation of the lungs and effusion of serum in the bag of the heart (the pericardium). He said no power could have saved her on Wednesday; but he could not speak as to what medical attend ance could have done if she had had it on Wednes day. Mary Ann Massingham, the wife of the district surgeon, was then sworn. She remembered a woman coming on Wednesday, Jan. 2, with an order for Mr. Massingham. She said she had got an order for the doctor for a poor woman who had been taken ill. Jr. Massingham asked some questions, and the reply was it was all over some hours and he was not wanted. All she wanted was a bottle of medicine for the after-pains. She gave him a bottle and said, " I suppose you know what to give ?" and he replied " I suppose I do." He gave the medicine. She stated that it was a midwifery case. Ile asked, "Am I wanted directly ?" and she said, " You are not wanted at all." When she had the medicine, she turned round and said, " You will give her a call, doctor, to-morrow, ou going your rounds ?" Wit ness was in the shop next morning from half-past 7. No one called for the doctor until 8 30. At that time a woman called and wanted to speak to him. She was told he was not up at present. While the woman was there he came down, and witness told him he was wanted. He replied, " I shall be disen gaged in half an hour." Witness did not tell who it was wanted him, for the woman never said where she came from. Stephen Sadler, the relieving officer of No. 1 dis trict, stated that it was usual to fill up the orders, and he could not say why the one given for deceased was not filled up. The impression on his mind was that he was told the delivery was over, and he thought it was hardly right to call it a midwifery case. Had he been called upon before delivery be should have written upon the order " urgent." Ile did not consider this as an urgent case from the de scription given to him. The order represented an ordinary case of sickness and not urgent, and should be visited as soon as the medical officer could get the time to visit. Ile had visited the room occupied by deceased and her husband, and be found it com fortably furnished for a working man—that was to say, there was everything necessary. It was on Thursday witness visited the house, and the husband said he did not want anything from the parish, for that might be given to some who wanted it more than he did. Ann Searle, who stated she was waiting for medi cine when Mrs. Grimmo came in with the order, gave a similar account of what had taken place. The same story was told by Miss Massingharn, who, it appeared, was also present when the child came, and she allowed that her father said, " Fiddle-dee dee, nonsense," to the child. Mr. Ma.' , ,singharn's answer was that the order did not describe any urgency about the case, and that lie was not informed of any urgency until Thursday morning, when he was delayed from going by an at tack of he dysentery.f sa i d througi hislllisa mistakingns‘ve herrtothel forittle girlano anot h er child. Mr. Defriez, a medical gentleman, deposed that Mr. Massingham had been under his care for dysentery. The sister of the deceased woman was further ex amined, and stated that the reason she did not ap ply for the order earlier was because the relieving officer's place was closed between 11 in the morning and 5 in the evening. Mr. Howard, clerk to the guardians, acknowledged that this was the case, as the relieving officers were then out visiting, but he said an order could have been obtained at the relieving officer's residence. The poor people, it appeared, were not aware of this. The husband of the deceased woman was interro gated, and it was elicited that he, deceased, and five children lived in one room, for which they paid 2s. 6d. a week. He had 18s. a week for his labour, and to this unfortunate one. On this disastrous voyage she left Glasgow on the Ist of October last, in command of Mr. Gilbert C. Scallow, who holds a certificate of competency No. 26,380. She left port at about 4 p.m., at nearly high tide, the wind being from the westward, moderate, and the weather fine. She had a crew of 14 hands all told, and carried a cargo consisting of 550 tons pig iron, and of other cargo general 121 tons, exclusive of water and ship's stores. She was bound for New York, in Ame rica, and carried no passengers. About the third day after leaving port, when off Rathlin Island, in the county of Antrim, vessel began to make water, which, as appears by the evidence, alarmed the crew, who on two or three occasions went aft and requested the captain to put back to port, and at last insisted on this being done, and accordingly the ship was put back and reached Greenock safely. Ou the 11th, 12th, and 13th of October her topsides were carefully caulked—a sur vey having been held by the surveyor for Lloyd's, I and another—a portion of the cargo having been discharged to lighten the ship, to enable them to get at the bends, where a leak had been found out. The leak appears to have been stopped after the caulking, and the cargo was again put on board ; but shortly after this had been done it was found that the ship again began to make water, when a second survey was held by the Surveyor of Lloyd's, the Surveyor for the Underwriters, and Mr. Robert Steel, jun., shipbuilder, of Greenock. The result of this survey was that it was deemed necessary to unload the ship and put her into dry dock. On Oct. 21 the ship was docked, her yellow metal sheathing taken off, and her bottom dubbed bright, when it was found that the butt-ends were much strained, requiring caulking, and that the ship herself had sunk perceptibly amidships. It was then determined to shore the ship up, and knockout the ways under the keel, whereby the vessel appeared to recover her original shape. This having been done, she was thoroughly caulked from her keel to her bends or wales, and her bottom covered over with a coating of tar and pitch, but the yellow metal sheathing was not replaced. It was also deemed necessary to strengthen the ship, which was done by putting in seven pairs of iron riders fore and aft the ship, from the beams to round the turn of the bilge, and bolted through ; the ceiling planks were also fastened with iths of an inch iron bolts. After these repairs the ship was considered fit to re ceive the cargo which was put on board, leaving out 103 tons of pig iron, which made the total on board of ter being docked—pig iron 447 tons, and her cargo 121. tons. The pig iron on the first occasion seems to have been all stowed in the lower hold ; but on reloading the ship, at the suggestion of the surveyor for the Glasgow Underwriters' Association, 300 tons appear to have been stowed in the lower hold, and 147 tons on the planks placed in the lower hold beams for that purpose ; and the Court was satisfied that the pig iron was properly stowed ; that is, grating fashion, to raise it as much as possible to make the ship easy in a sea way. The cargo having 'been taken on board, it did not appear by the evidence, which was somewhat conflicting, that the ship was overloaded, as, in the opinion of most witnesses, she was in good sea-going trim, her draught of water being, as near as could be ascertained, about 14ft., even keel ; nor does the ship appear to have made any water d or,o tui h o ntr f et easilycoeo w n d s a e oy q fs u .i ane The egl w f,T- a h aon i nr l d e : o w c afloat k as , N p u o t m v w . ll e o l I hi o ro a i ud d n al g ef ft , et a r s G s r h e ee lyingGreenock, remained at the Tail of the Bank a few hours. She put into Lamlash Bay, the wind being strong against ship ta her. When the weather moderated she p r oceeded on Thursday,her voyage, N a o n v. and 22, appearshe having o hv e been gone pumped until out every two hours up to this time. After leaving Lamlash Bay the wind was fair and od m erate and the weather fine. On Thursday morning, when about 160 miles to the westward of Mized Head, on the coast of Ireland, it was found that the ship had begun to make water much more than usual, which leakage continued to increase up to between 10 and 11 a.m., when it was determined to steer for the nearest point on the Irish coast. At about this time the ship's head was put towards the land with all sail set, the breeze being fair and commanding, and the pumps were still kept going. Some time in the after noon of this day—the time does not appear by the evidence to be correctly known—all hands were called to the pumps, and were kept on deck taking spell and spell at them till about 4 p.m. on the fol lowing day, the 23d, when they were knocked off to clear away the boats. Shortly after 4 p.m. on this day the jolly boat appears to have been got over the side, but was unfortunately stove in and capsized in getting her round the stern. The longboat was got on the hatchway ready for launching, also the gig, the former requiring a few slight repairs, which were done by the carpenters. The pumps were again manned after about half an hour, during which time all bands had been engaged getting the boats ready. By the evidence of the carpenter, about this time, or maybe somewhat later in the afternoon, it would appear he proposed to the captain to connect the two bilge pumps to the main pumps, and work the four together, the pumps being worked by a fly-wheel and crank ; but the captain objected, upon the plea that he had not sufficient men to work them together, therefore this addi tional means of keeping the water under was not tried. By the evidence, it appears that a brig was spoken a day or two before this ; but on this after noon, the 23d, at about 3 p.m., a steamer was seen some distance off ; the smoke and mast& were visible, not so her hull. When this was reported to the cap tain, or when lie himself saw the steamer, he re marked, " It is no use making any signals of dis tress, as she is too far off." And here we may bring to your lordships' notice that the Torfrida had no signal gun, no code of signals, no skyrockets or blue lights, in fact only the British ensign and a burgee, on board. The pumps at 5 p.m. were remanned by the whole crew, and kept going until nearly 8 p.m., but they had never been able to make them suck since the evening previous, that is Thursday, the 22d, but from that time the water had been gra dually gaining upon them. Just before 4 p.m. of the 23d sail had been reduced to two topsails and fore sail. Evidently at that time there was, in the opi nion of the master, little chance of saving the ship. About 8 p.m. orders were given by the master to THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY lb, 1867. though he was obliged to acknowledge that deceased got neither meat nor beer every day, he was very reluctant to allow that the deceased was pinched. The Commissioner told him he bad apparently done the best he could for his family, and hadshown no inclination to come upon the rates. In some conversation which took place between a gentleman who said he was foreman of the inquest jury, the guardians, and the Commissioner, it was elicited that Mr. Massingham had given a certifi cate of death in this case, and on Mr. Massingham stating that be believed the woman caught cold waiting in the passage for the cab, evidence was called to prove that she was never out of a warm room. Throughout the inquiry the guardians watched the case with seeming great interest, and endea voured to elicit the whole truth. _ _ __ The Commissioner said the Poor-law Boardwould report upon the evidence taken by him. THE LOSS OF THE TORFRIDL OFFICIAL REPORT. County Buildings, Glasgow, Jan. 4, 1867. My Lords—ln compliance with your directions, we, the undersigned, Richard Stedman Cunliffe and William M'Lean, jun., esquires, two of her Ma jesty's justices of the peace for this county of Lanark, have held an official investigation into the circumstances attending the foundering of the barque Torfrida, which took place on the night of Friday, 23d November last, about 43 miles west by south, one quarter south, off the Great Skellig Light, in the county of Kerry, Ireland. In this inquiry we have been assisted by Captain Baker and Captain Swinburne as nautical assessors, and we have now the honour to report :—The Torfrida was a wooden barque of the b urthen of 415 tons, built at Southwick, county of Sussex, in 1866, and registered in Glasgow the same year. She was 133 feet in length, 28 feet extreme beam, and 16 feet 6 inches depth of hold, and she was classed at Lloyd's A 1 for eight years. The Torfrida had made one voyage to the West Indies previous knock off pumping and to get out the boats, which • was done, and some portions of the men's traps were I , put in the longboat and gig ; a few things that had been put in the jolly boat before were lost, when she capsized, among which, the captain states, was the ship's logbook. At about 9t09 30 p.m. all hands got into the boats, shoved off, and remained within sight of the ship until 11 p.m., when she was seen to go down suddenly by the head. When the boats left there was a very light breeze fair for the laud, with a considerable swell on. This swell had caused the ship to roll heavily, and to strain consi derably since Thursday morning, the 22d, tending, no doubt, to increase the leakage. After the ship went down sail was made on the boats ; they shaped a course about E. by N. for the land, which they reached at four pan. the next day, the 24th, and landed safely in Ballinskelligs Bay. Two hours after they made sail in the boats a fresh breeze sprang up, which enabled them to sail a distance of about 43 miles in 17 hours without using their oars. The crew appear to have been an able-bodied set of men, with no complaint on their part as to treatment, or the quantity or quality of the pro visions on board. The Torfrida was a temper ance ship. In revising this case the Court think there are several points upon which it is neces sary to give an opinion. In the first place, the Court is satisfied that the Torfrida was a well-built ship, and securely fastened ; and by the evidence of Lloyd's Surveyor, whose duty it was to satisfy him self that she was so, it was proved that she was in many parts more strongly built than the require ments of the rule at Lloyd's demanded, and that she obtained a certificate A 1 for eight years ; and that, although she met with so sad a fate on her se cond voyage, the Court cannot attribute it to any defect in her construction. The Court, however, came to the conclusion that, under the special cir cumstances of this case, it was reprehensible to re load the ship with so much pig iron when it was found out on her putting back in the first instance, when in dry dock, that the ship had strained very much, and actually had sunk amidships, proving, to the satisfaction of all the experts who saw her, that she was in a very weak condition ; and although many necessary repairs were carried out, and, to all appearance, the original shape of the vesselregained, it would have been prudent, in the opinion of the Court, to have reloaded the ship with a much less quantity of pig iron. No second opinion can exist as to the fact of her having been excessively laden with dead weight at Glasgow in the first instance. The Court is also of opinion that it would be more prudent if all wooden vesels, as a rule, did not take more than their registered tonnage of pig iron in addition to their cargo. The Torfrida, going on a voy age to New York, without any means of making sig nals by night or day in the event of accident of any kind, or distress, appeared to the court very repre hensible indeed, as many valuable lives and much property were jeopardised by such a grave omission in the ship's requirements. In considering the con duct of the master of the Torfrida, the Court felt bound to find him in default for want of energy in not making the attempt to work the four pumps together, as suggested by the carpenter, and also for not having hoisted his ensign union down at his masthead when the steamer hove in sight. Had he made both these efforts without success, in the opinion of the Court he would have been justified in aban doning the ship. In giving judgment in this case the court took into consideration the exhausted state of the crew and the dangerous condition of the ship when the master ordered the crew into the boats, which order was judicious, as proved by th'e' ship foundering so soon after. We have, therefore, with the concurrence of the two nautical assessors, sus pended the certificate of Mr. Gilbert Christopher Scallow for three calendar mouths from this date. -We have, &c., WILLIAM APLEAN, Jun., J.P, RICHARD S. CUNLIFFE, J.P. We concur in the above report. R. B. BAKER, Nautical Assessors, Thos. A. SWINBURNE, Glasgow, Jan. 4, 1867. The " Standard" on Impeac'Jment. A strangely-worded telegram from the Washing ton correspondent of the 7 ivies —without date— and made up, as one might expect, from a person so unaccustomed to forward telegrams as a Times correspondent in America, has here had a consider able effect. American stocks became flat and de- dined, and the Standard wrote an article, showing how " the beginning of the end" of the United States Constitution had come. The queerly-worded telegram announced the startling fact that a mea- sure directly pointing to the Impeachment of the PRESIDENT had been carried by 108 Ayes, to 38 Noes. This is the first step, the message adds, to an impeachment, which the Radicals are determined to press. " Who would have expected," exclaims the indignant Standard, " that the men who held the unpardonable sin of politics to consist in treason to the old Constitution would be in the year 1867 prepared to risk a coup d'etat in order to depose the PRESIDENT who obtained their votes in 1864 ?" We confess we cannot understand what the Standard means. What is the connection between the men alluded to in the first part of the sentence and those prepared to risk the coup d'etat? For what object is the coup d'etat to be risked ? The PRESIDENT who was elected in 1864 is, we trust, iu a better world, and we cannot see how the action of these voters could affect him. Mr. JOHNSON succeeded to the Presidency by a most unlooked-for contingency, and not by the votes of his fellow-citizens. " The world," continues the Standard, " has seen few more remarkable instances " of the versatility of politicians ; humanity has " rarely been scandalised by the exhibition of more " unblushing cynicism by the professors of Liberalism 46 an d philanthropy." A coup d'etat directed against a saint in heaven would certainly be an instance of the versatility of politicians, - and undoubtedly humanity would be scandalised by such an exhibi tion ; but, Congress vindicating its supremacy against a person who attained to the office of PRESIDENT in an unlooked-for manner, might direct its wrath and indignation without exciting all these dreadful feelings. The Standard is filled with sorrow at the destruction it predicts of the Consti tution. There is little fear of any great harm to liberty resulting from this quarrel. Liberty is the sentiment implanted in the minds of the American people. In striving to attain its fullest develop ment all sorts of blunders not only have been, but undoubtedly will continue to be, perpetrated. Often the people are compelled to grope along in the dark though the goal be clear and bright enough before them. So long as the true sentiment is firmly im- planted iu the national mind there can be little fear of the result, however greatly President JOHNSON or the Republican Congress may blunder in the steps they are now taking. Indeed, such contests do but ex pose weak points, an d l ea d t o useful renovations. President JOHNSON committed a fatal mistake in his electioneering tour, and Congress has reaped the benefit. Congress may now be making as great a mistake, and, if so, it will suffer and the PRESIDENT gain. Both parties may be taught moderation by stern necessity. We have little doubt that Con gress is quite as likely to blunder as the PRE SIDENT ; and if this step be a mistake, it will very quickly obtain the results of its own intem perate conduct. A great deal is said about the balance of power being destroyed. This again is an obvious error. The balance is in the hands of the public, who turn the scale either way by , throwing in a little of their own weight. A constitution is no Divine document, nor do the laws of the United States profess to be like those of the Medes and Persians, unchangeable. The House of Representa tives has an undoubted right to prefer charges against a PRESIDENT. The Senate is unquestion ably the body before whom such charges are to be . brought. Instead of being unconstitutional, all this is strictly in accordance with the Constitution. The Standard argues that an unjust and arbitrary PRE SIDENT should not be cited before the national tri bunal until his term of office is expired, and it con siders that the brief duration of the PRESIDENTIAL office corroborates its statement. This statement, which resolves itself into a palpable absurdity, is a good sample of the style of the article. The provision for pulling up au unruly PRESIDENT was framed to prevent the man erecting himself into a CESAR, and of all offices his was the one that ' most peremptorily required the instantaneous and forcible check. A Minister making "ducks and drakes" of the national finances could scarcely expect to see out his term of office, nor would the Secretary engaged in fomenting unpopular foreign quarrels be permitted to play out his hobby. Why, then, should that most dangerous of public ser vants—the PRESIDENT—be permitted the full scope of his four years to carry into effect the schemes he may have formed against the national liberty ? it is not Congress, as asserted by the Standard, that has thrown down the gauntlet ; it was Mr. J OIIN SON, in his Western tour, who thus hurled the defiance which Congress has taken up. Mr. JoIIN SON is backed by the Southern States, and a large and powerful minority iu the North. He com mands the army and navy and a host of public servants, but only (let the Standard bear this in mind) so long as he acts in accordance with the law and Constitution of the Unis,ed States. No doubt he may " prefer to send Messrs. STEVENS and BUTLER to the Dry Tortugas to taking up his own quarters with Mr. DAVIS in Fortress Monroe." The Standard enumerates the forces which may perhaps be controlled by each party, but it omits the very ersence of the strength of the position taken by Congress—that position is lawful and constitutional. Mr. JOHNSON'S opposition would be the act of a rebel if he resisted by force.—Auglo- American Z imes. Miscellaneous American News. By the City of Boston, New York, Dec. 29, the following items have reached us :—" It is reported that tile Radicals in a recent caucus have resolved to attempt the enforcement of the Constitutional Amendment,if it be ratified by three-fourths of the States now represented in Congress. President Johnson has expressed his belief that the Supreme Court will sustain the Southern States in rejecting the amendment. It is rumoured that a compro mise has been effected between the Governments of Great Britain and the United States, whereby the Alabama claims, and the claims of British subjects for damages during the rebellion, will be satisfac torily adjusted. Minister Campbell has been ordered to await further instruction at New Or leans. The Fenian trials at Sweetsburg are con cluded. Two more prisoners have been sentenced to death, and six discharged." Commissioner Wells hai not yet given the com mittee copies of his newly-prepared Tariff Bill. It is rumoured at the Treasury Department that he has changed the classification of bar iron, as con ceded to the Pittsburg manufacturers in the House Bill, and has greatly reduced the rates. This is done to meet the views of the New York iron im porters. . . . About forty Senators and members were to star at six a.m., Dec. 21, from. Washington, on an excur sion over the new air-line railroad, via Lynchburg and Chattanooga, to New Orleans. The Postmaster-General of the United States has sent estimates to the House for the service of the department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1868, the sum being $17,500,000. The items in clude—For inland transportation, $8,600,000 ; for foreign mail transportation, $620,000 ; and for ship, steamboat, and way letters, $B,OOO. The following amounts will be required from any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated:—For over land mail transportation between Atchison and Folsom, and for marine mail transportation between N ew York and California, $900,000 ; for steamship service between San FranciSco, Japan, and China, for one year, from July 1, 1867, $500,000 ; for steamship service between the United States and Brazil, for the same period, $150,000. Total, $1,550,000. The New York Tribune says Congress has raised the salaries of its members and of the clerks of several departments, upon the ground that the increased cost of living demanded an increase of wages. With these precedents, the Committee on Printing will scarcely report in favour of the bill to reduce the wages of the compositors in the Govern ment Printing Office, and restore the ten-hour sys tem. They now receive but twenty- four dollars a week, little enough, we think, and less in specie than they were paid before the war. They have laid before Congress an argument showing the in justice of the bill, and we cannot believe that such an unwise measure will be adopted. The war on the River Plate has for some time been taking a turn specially unfavourable to Brazil. There are indications that there may be still greater troubles in store for the South American Empire. Paraguay has long been in negotiation with Bolivia for the conclusion of an alliance, and the last mail brings a report that a treaty, offensive and defensive, has been concluded, according to which Bolivia will supply to Paraguay a contingent of 2,500 men, carry the war into Brazil, and, if possible, republicanise that country. If this report should be confirmed Brazil will find it exceedingly difficult, if not impos sible, to defend its Western Provinces, the only communication with which in former years was by the rivers now made impassable by the guns of the Paraguayans. It is also confirmed that both the Presidents of the Argentine Republic and Uruguay are powerless to aid any longer in carrying on the war. The latter may any moment be unseated by his opponents at home ; and the former is even said to be favourable to the alliance between Paraguay and Bolivia. Governor Cummings, of Colorado, has addressed a message to the Legislature, in which he argues at length against the creation of the territory into a State, " under the impression," as he says, " that there is a claim upon him for a candid statement and discussion of the whole ques tion." We fully agree with Governor Cummings as to the claim, but as to the candour with which he has attempted to discharge it there may be a differ ence of opinion. His principal argument is that the inhabitants of the territory don't want to be admitted into the Union, in proof whereof he cities the action of the Territorial Senate at their last session in rejecting the project for a State Government. We don't ap preciate the force of this circumstance, con sidering that the Senate subsequently reversed their action, and the House of Representatives likewise voted for admission. The new Legislature which has just assembled, and which certainly ought to know the sentiments of its constituents quite as well as Mr. Cummings, is also understood to be largely in favour of the erection of a State Government. Mr. Cummings's statement that the party desiring admission is only a miserable faction composed of ambitious demagogues and place-hunters, therefore lacks confirmation. GALVESTON, Dec. 20 (Evening).--Gen. Kiddoo, of the Bureau, bas announced his intention to fur nish transportation to negroes from States where there is a superfluity of labour to those where it is in demand. lie will extend unusual facilities to planters desiring labourers. The expenditures in Canada for military purposes since the first of January, 1866, have been over $2,000,000. Application was made Dec. 19, before Chief Justice Chase, in Washington, for a writ of habeas corpus in the case of Dr. Mudd, imprisoned at Tortugas, for complicity in the assassination of President Lincoln. A fire in Philadelphia (Dec. 19) destroyed seve ral large warehouses on North Broad-street, the loss amounting to $76,000. James Rolston, who was doing business in one of the houses, is sup posed to have perished in the flames. The Times has authority to state, that, in reply to a communication received from the Government of the United States, her Majesty's Minister at Washington has been instructed to ascertain whether that Government is prepared to accept the principle of arbitration upon the pending differences arising out of the late civil war, provided an agreement can be come to as to the points to which such arbitra tion should apply. The Emperor of the French has presented Mr. Bigelow with a copy of his complete works, and bearing the Imperial autograph. The widely-circulated rumour that the Chief Justicehad been offered the Presidency of the Union Pacific Railroad, vice General Dix, gone to France, is incorrect. No selection has yet been made. The following commissioners have been ap- pointed to award compensation to the loyal owners ' but to offer a premium to vice. If the ser of slaves placed in the Union army :—For Missotri vice could be so constituted that thousands —John A. Mills, John C. Billinger, and Boswell were willing to take the place of those discharged, Marsh. For Kentucky—N. S. Moore, George W. and a sentence of dismissal would be as much of a Blakely, and Archibald APAllister. For Tennessee punishment as it would be to a policeman, the —O. E. Davis, henry Thompson, and Russell whole character of the service would instantly be houston. For Maryland—William Flinn, Win. changed, and nothing could then be more easy than 11. Stewart, and John M. Miller. For West Vir- to introduce sweeping measures of reform. The ginia—Wilson P. Ames, John Ashley, and Roberts first step is to make the army popular, so that the Browne. ranks can be filled without an effort. All other A Commission was commenced at Baltimore, December, 1863, and continued in session until October, 1865, at which date it was dissolved. One was also commenced at Georgetown, Delaware, about August, 1864, and was dissolved March, 1865. It was composed as follows :—M. Gunn, Albert Curry, and Thomas Ainsey. The commission in vestigated and reported upon nearly 4,000 claims. The commissioners for Missouri (October 10th) say the negroes enlisted in the army in that State were enlisted as general recruits, when sent by the various district Provost Marshals, or the autho rised recruiting officer to the general rendezvous at Benton Barracks. They were subject to a second medical examination, but no notice was given of the assignment. Not only this, but in some cases at least which have come to their knowledge, the recruits were sent out of the State before assigned to any regiment. Many cases have been brought to their notice, in which loyal owners, living on the western border of Mis souri, themselves took their slaves into Kansas and enlisted them in the United States service. This changes, then, with regard to the men, would be easy enough. Dress, restraints, drill, and occupa tion of time are mere details which could be soon settled if that one great change could be wrought. The Government increase the inducements to enlist in such a manner that they are not easily seen by the recruit. They add a quar ter of a pound of moat to his rations, shorten the period in which " good-conduct" pay can be obtained, and allow extra articles of clothing free of cost. If money be given instead the induce ment might be more quickly perceived, but it is known that the effect would be but to increase drunkenness in the ranks. The question is a very difficult one, and will tax the powers of Parliament to the utmost ; but the people may depend upon this, that no effectual change for the better can be wrought until the service has been rendered popular; when a commanding officer can dismiss from the ranks a drunkard and other incorrigible bad cha racters on his own authority, and that punishment is felt severely by the men discharged, Army Re form will be effected, but till then all change is but often occurred before any authority to receive coloured recruits in Missouri was given. A large patching old garments with new cloth. —Anglo- American limes. number of slaves were also enrolled under the same circumstances. The following abstract shows the labour performed and the number of claims acted upon by the Commissions formerly in session for COUNTRY MARKETS. the States of Maryland and Delaware : Tho number of claims filed in the Maryland Com mission was .. 3,869 Number of claims upon which awards were made ... 786 Number of claims upon which awards were rejected, returned to claimants unacted upon, by reason of the dissolution of the Commission Total 3,867 The number of claims filed in the Delaware Com mission was 114 ; number of awards made, 43 ; number rejected, 9 ; number re,turned to claimants by reason of the dissolution of the Commission, 52 ; total, 114. The aggregate number of claims with the Maryland and Delaware Commissions was 3,981. The banquet to the delegates of the Boards of Trade of Oswego, Chicago, and Milwaukee, given by the directors of the Huron and Ontario Ship Canal Company, came off at the Queen's Hotel, on December 18—the Mayor of Toronto in the chair, supported on the right by D. T. Cepreol, president of the company, and on the left by Lieutenant- Governor Brown, of Illinois. About two hundred guests were present, among whom were L. P. Hil ford ; Captain Parker and Thomas Letour, of Chicago ; C. Ames and D. Foot, of Oswego ; Ames Young, of Milwaukee ; the Aldermen and City Council of Toronto ; Solicitor-General Cockburn ; Hon. Asa A. Burnham Thurston, the United States Consul; the Directors of the Huron and Ontario Ship Canal Company ; Sheriff Jarvis ; Dr. M'Caul, President of the Toronto University; Mr.M'Donald, and other prominent personages. The vote upon Mr. Ashley's resolution to suspend the rules of the House for the purpose of appoint ing a select committee to inquire whether any officer of Government has been guilty of acts which are in the contemplation of the Constitution, high crimes and misdemeanours, may be taken to be an indication that Congress is not in a hurry to proceed toward the impeachment of the President. The vote in favour of the resolution was eighty-eight Yeas, to forty-nine Nays, not sufficient to carry it by consent of two-thirds of those present. One hundred and twenty-seven votes, in all, were cast. The Representatives in Congress are now one hun dred and ninety-six. The House of Representatives may impe ac h th e P res id ent on t h e vote o f a majo rity, which, in a full House, would require ninety nine members. We suppose that it may be done by a majority of those present at the meeting when the question is put to vote. The trial would have to be held by the Senate, and there two-thirds of the members would be required to vote the removal. Counting upon party majorities, it may therefore be assumed that, under the present circumstances, a vote of impeachment might be got through the House, and sentence of removal be passed by the Senate. Is it likely that it will be done ? This, under the preseat aspect of affairs at Washington, may be considered doubtful. The appointment of a committee may be carried, and that committee may make report, but the impeachment would be so grave an act, and the consequences would be so serious in the agitation that would ensue, that it may be assumed that many members of the ma jority would hesitate before voting for a measure which has not been demanded by the people, and which might involve very serious consequences. Congress has power to cut down the President's patronage, and that is most probably all that will be done. Impeachment, and threats of impeach ment, will be " rods in pickle," soaking for Pre sidential flagellation, and remaining in terrorem as monitions of the necessity of good beheaviour. LEEDS-TUESDAY. Although there has not been a large business doing in wheat to-day, the trade ruled very firm, and last week's prices were supported. Fine barley sold quite as well. Oats and beans rather dearer. Average prices : Wheat, 62s 71d; barley, 38s 101 d; oate, 286 6d. SHEFFIELD-WEDNESDAY. A good supply of wheat, chiefly by sample, was on offer. At the opening of the market factors asked an advance of 2s per qr. above last week's rates, but a steady sale was effected at the extreme prices of this day week. In a few exceptional instances late terms were rather exceeded for choice samples of both red and white wheat. Grinding barley scarce, and prices in favour of the seller. No change in malting qualities. Good and sound feeding oats were inquired for, and for which there was a ready sale, at the top currencies of this day week. The com monest flour is quoted ld per stone higher. Fine flour without change. Red wheat, per load of 3 imp. bushels....23s Od to 21s Od White do do 258 Od 278 Od New red do do 2ls Cd 23s Od New white do do 24s Od 268 Od Beans do do Vs Oil 228 Od Peas, per qr. 1 - 8 6Lt I9s Gd Grinding ba ley, per qr 358 Od 31s Od Malting barley, < o ies Od 41s oil Oats, do 9713 Od 32,4 Od F10ur....1s 10d to 28 sd per 141 b, LIVERPOOL-TUESDAY. At this day's market there was a good attendance of the town and country trade, who evinced more disposition to go into stock. Wheat, with a fair sale, brought the full prices of last week. Flour was in better demand, and the best brands of French were 6d to is per sack dearer. Oats and oatmeal wero more looked after, and realised Id per 451bs. and 6d per load above last quotations. 'Barley, beans, and peas were in moderate request, the former bring ing a trifle more money. Indian corn being in small com pass just now, was sold at 47s Gd to 48s, being Gd dearer upon the week. LYNN-MONDAY. New wheat, 54s to 58s ; new red, 40s to 48s ; old white, 67s to 71s ; old red, 59s to 63s per 36 stone. Barley for malting, 46s to 52s ; secondary, 37s to 38s. Oats, nevi'', 24s to 28s per '24 stone. Beans, small, 42s to 445. Peas, 36s to 40s per 28 stone. MARKET HARBOROUGIL—MONDAY. Old white wheat, 60s to 73s ; new red. 50s to 68s per 3 6 stone. Barley, fine, 52s ; other kinds, 23s to 36s per 30 st. Oats, new, 22s to 23s ; old, 30s to 34s per qr. Beans, old, 50s to 55s ; new, 46s to 48s per qr. BRIS TOL—TUESDAY. At our market to-day there was a fair attendance of buyers. Fine wheats maintained former prices firmly, but inferiors were rather pressed. Grinding barley 661 to 1$ dearer. Oats 6d dearer. Beans and peas unaltered. MELTON MOWBRAY.—TUESDAY. White wheat, 66s to 74s ' • red, 50s to 66s per 36 ston e. Barley for malting, 40s to 52s per qr ; feed, 32s to 38s por 30 stone. Oats old, 30s to 355; new, '22s to 29s per 216 1 * Beans, old, 52s to 545 . ; new, 46s to 5Us per qr. Foreign Mail Packet List. .0- MAILS DUE. Australia and New Zealand, via Sonthampton..„„Jan. lg. Ditto, via Marseilles Brazil and Cape Verds. by British packet, Feb. 4. Ditto, by French packet Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena... Dec. 28. China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton Jan 10. Ditto, via Marseilles Jan. 2/ Faikland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton Jan. 19. India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton Jan 19. Ditto, via Marseilles India (Bombay), via Southampton. Jan. 19 Ditto, via Marseilles ... Jan. 22 Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton Jan. 19. Ditto, via Marseilles Jan. 22. Mauritius, via Southampton Ditto, via Marseilles., . • Jan. 19. Newfoundland , .... _ Portugal r 'l3. .1 Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon ... United States and British North America, by Bri tish packet _Jan. 21. Ditto, by United States packet, via Southamp ton Ditto, via Cork Ditto, by Canadian packet, via Londonderry , • Jan. • West Coast of Africa, Madeira, and Teneriffe ....Feb. 3, West Indies and Pacific (except Bahamas and . . . ....... Honduras) Jan. 14. Baharni..4, via New York. Jan I ''' Cuba aid Mexico -. Jan. 28 Bermuda, via Halifax -... Feb. 13. A collection to be sent to the Paris Exhibition being organised in Venice, to consist of objects an d antiquities connected with the history of that ea from the earliest period to the end of the 1 0 ' 4 century. The only additional accounts received in Parr respecting the earthquake in Algeria is conta ined in a letter dated Mont-Riant, near Algiers, 3 .313 ,: 2d, but it does not supply any new fact of Lunn' interest. It states that there were three shock s+ first of which was the most formidable, as, lasted 15 seconds. The noise was much more ter, rifle than that produced from the firing of a P ar t of artillery. The two other shocks followed 1 the interval of half au hour for each. Almost the houses in Algiers suffered more or less. SO6 of the public establishments were completely d e o stroyed. The weather on the day previous to ti l t earthquake was very fine, and the sea calm, b ti the barometer descended suddenly. Earthquakes seem to be the order of the d al i ' Many shocks have taken place in the Italian Ty ro ; and volcanic mountainous eruptions seem imminell At all events, Mount Baldo is in labour. Vin ce shocks have shaken this formidable mountain, 511 A, illuminated lava has rushed from its sides, porten; ing an eruption. Similar phenomena have been served in the direction of Bassano. rths ., BRADFORD—On the 14th in ßi st at . Kompsford,Fairfor, A 1 the wife of Lieut.-Col. Bradford, of a daughter. g o at ° HoLT—On the 14th inst., at 3, Beech View Villas, .- ‘ , 0 6 6 Penge-park, the wife of G. W. Holt, Esq., of twins-11t13 SAUNDERS—On the 3d inst., at Pembroke Dock, S ° .dtl; Wales, the wife of John Saunders, Esq., late Lieut . ussars, of a sonil' TAY H LOR—On the . 12th inst., at Hartshill, Stoke Al Le ro it• Trent, the wife of R. M. Taylor, Esq., of a son and Marriages. FOTnEnGILL—POOLE —On the 12th inst., at S. tholic Church, Pimlico, Wm. Fothergill, Esq., °' l , -c o o l6 t rhychdir, Monmouthshire, to Charlotte Georgien 3 ,; ‘ ,lo . " youngest daughter of the late Commander -"- Poole, R.N. - mit" KITCHENER—GREEN— On the 10th inst. at the -,,porf Legation at Berne, Switzerland, Lieut . .-Col. ICltc,a,;llio late of the 9th Regt., to Mary Emma, daughter of ta Wm. G. Green, Esq., of Denmark-hill, Surrey. Deaths. Col' BR() UGTITON— On the 13th inst., at Hastings, Lioll.oed, Spencer D. Broughton, late of the Royal Ar`l aged 50. oe' Ili 0, EVANS—On the 13th inst., at 15, Gloucester - pl ace, pra 9 park-gardens, Elizabeth, relict of the late Mr. 11 ' of New Bon-street, aged 93. GRlFFrrifs—On the 11th inst., at Norbiton, King,sr Thames, Captain Win. T. Griffiths, R.N., aged '„for'" LIALLum—On the 14th inst., at The Grove, Worreii3b John T. L. Hallum, Esq., aged 56. POI; GET —On the 14th inst., at Grovo Lodge, T° ttol3 ° Francis Pouget, Esq., aged 77. „ WelA WEBB—On the 15th DalStOrl, 1101117 B• - the Theatre-Royal Drury-lano. - --- 40 0 ..1 - 91 03" London: Printed and Published by W ILLIAM - i t o ot No. 112, Strand, Pti , iter at 'l' :ie. ',YON 0 1 " e ',,„ . ' - Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy , i n the tiv Middlesex. —Wednesday, January 10, 1807. Army Reform. Considerable discussion has been going on in the London papers regarding army organisation. A Progressive Officer " deals with the soldiers' kit and equipment; another finds fault with his drill and system of training ; a third considers the army organisation defective, and the system of officering the line susceptible of beneficial changes. Some growls come from the ranks about food and barrack accommodation, though officers in reply generally maintain the excellency of the army as it stands. The Pall Mall Gazette is the most thorough in its call for army reform. The American notion of the British army is that it is the most dandy in the world —very imposing to look at, very pleasant at mess and in quarters, but scarcely as efficient as it might be in the field. It is there believed that with less pipe-clay more intelligence and field training could be advantageously introduced ; that a looser system on parade, and less worrying and binding rules in quarters, might well be exchanged for more individual knowledge and trustworthiness. At the time the Confederate army had attained to its highest point of renown, its best regiments—in dress, discipline, and evolution—would have shocked an old Martinet Colonel of her MAJESTY'S service. " Let me see your troop go through the " sword exercise," exclaimed an English cavalry officer, travelling in the South at the time of the war, to a Confederate captain. " Our exercise," replied the Confederate, " is—draw swords, and charge." This was the exercise and tactics of several Confederate chiefs, whose raids embraced hundreds of miles through hostile States, and will long be remembered and quoted as examples of cavalry enterprise. A vast deal of the British soldiers' work, both in dress and drill, is known in the army to be superfluous in promoting efficiency in war, but is kept up to em ploy idle time, to smarten the recruit, to impose on the public, and to give an esprit to the service. The question is, how could this time be better em ployed? Many have undertaken to answer this question, tut most of the writers know little of the character of the meu about whom they are writing. The Confederate army was a levy en masse of the population. The private in the ranks might be a "mean white" or a planter of one of the bee, South ern families, both actuated by the strongest motives, and each lending his best energies to further the cause for which he was perilling life and all he possessed. Where every man's heart is wholly in the work in which he is engaged the greatest latitude of action can be safely allowed him. But the case would be very different with a body of reckless " ne'er-do-weels." The British soldier who has any money employs idle time in getting drunk, . and a few drunkards in a battalion will create a scene of confusion and demoralisation if any lati- tude were allowed them. However depraved a so. dier may be, it is almost impossible to get rid of him. Recruits cannot be obtained, and, where hundreds are anxious to obtain their discharge, to dismiss a man for debauchery would be