The Sun. — London, England, 1867-09-28 00:00:00

THE FENIAN OUTRAGE. --- EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONERS. - MANCHESTER, Friday. After our report had been despatched yesterday the following additional evidence was taken : George Pickup, brickmaker, of West Gorton, was re-examined. He remembered the 18th ; was on a brow near Heywood's works, between the wall and the cart road. Was there about a quarter past 3. He saw a few men knocking about, and there was going to be a fight. Some were lying by the little hill, some "chucking" stones. Witness waited about till near 4 o'clock. He saw the prison van come through the archway. He ran into a barber's shop before the van came up, and came out just before the van came up. He was in the centre of the arch. As soon as the van got through there was a great many men near, about 26. He saw three with pistols, who fired at the van, at the horses, and at the men on the box. They mute from the field and adjoining beerhouses. One of these is in an arch way, kept by a woman named Pennington, the other beerhouse is close by, on the Manchester side of the arch. After that he saw about a dozen pistols. He saw a man with a white slop and greasy trousers. He had a cap on, and was close to the abutment. He was at the front of the van. He fired at the men at the back of the van. He only saw him fire once. When the shots were fired the men on the box tumbled off as fast as they could. A man with a light suit got on the van. He had not seen him. They began firing at the inside, and got stones, and were breaking it. The man on the top had a large stone, which another lifted up to the top. There was a place where there is ventilation, and a man fired in ; and a man then got a hammer and began " wiring in." The man who fired was Allen. (He pointed him out in court.) Allen shot at witness twice. He sprung from under the arch, and went back to the van and fired, and caught a man in the foot. That was one of the two shots. Witness was running up with stones to "chuck at 'em." The man with the hammer was Larkin. He did not see where he got the hammer from. After Allen fired and hit Sprossen, he fired half a dozen times through the ventilator into the van. He saw the door of the van open, and then Brett tumbled out, and then three women came out. Allen then went in the van, and brought out two men with handcuffs on. He heard him say, " Kelly, did I not say I would die for you, and lose the last drop of blood I have for you 2" The men with handcuffs then went towards the fields in the direction of the Sheffield line. Witness followed, and Allen told him if he did not go back he would shoot him. He saw Larkin caught in the Midland yard. He saw him doing nothing but use the hammer at the door. He was asked to identify any of those present, and he identified Coffey as throwing stones. (Coffey here said, " I have never been there.") He also saw Glecson throwing stones at the people. He could not speak to any more. By Mr. Cottingham—l am as certain about Gleeson and Coffey as lam about Larkin. lam equally certain about them all. There were three of us going up with stones to chuck at them. We got them off the road on the Belle Vue side of the arch. They were the stones that had been thrown at us. I saw the whole transaction from the left hand side of the arch going towards Manchester. I stood on the Manchester side of the arch. There was a shot fired at the door of the van before they began hammering at it. I was 16 yards from the van with stones in my hand. The hammer was used at the door of the van before it was opened. There were about 26 or 28 people under the arch at the time. By Mr. Roberts—l have been taken to Albert street about five times, and once to Belle Vue. I identified Gleeson the first day I went down. I was not certain of him the first time. I had no beer either at Belle Vue or at Albert-street. I do not know that Gleeson passed by me three successive times before I identified him. I think I picked him out the first day. I was most certain of him the fourth time I saw him. I told the policeman the first time at Albert-street that I " owned" him. The prisoners Allen, Shore, and Wilson declined to ask any questions ; and Gould said, "I will have no part in it." By Mr. Roberts—l went into an hotel where Coffey was, and said I knew him in a minute, and sent far a policeman. I bad never seen him before that day. _ _ Mr. Higgin then said that with respect to Gleeson the last witness was the only witness he could call before the Bench to give evidence of Gleeson's being present at the time, and he felt it would not be right on his part to press the Bench to commit Gleeson on the unsupported evidence of one witness. There fore, he proposed to place Gleeson in the same list with the others, and when this case was over he would be prepared to say what course he would take with regard to him. Mr. Fowler—With regard to the other prisoners, I quite understand that at the end of this case you will decide what course you will pursue ; but with regard to Gleeson, you say there is no evidence beyond what you have already had to connect him in any way with this charge. I feel that it is only right that you should at once withdraw so far as he is concerned. We shall be obliged to discharge him. He must be discharged to-day. Gleeson rose in the dock, and giving Mr. Fowler a military salute, said—Thank your worship. The other prisoners were then remanded till this (Friday) morning. This morning the Court resumed proceedings at 10 o'clock. The men arraigned on the charge of murder were placed in the dock. They were brought up as be fore in couples, handcuffed. Their names are— William O'Meara Allen, William Gould, Edward Shore, and Henry Wilson (undefended—Mr. Er nest Jones having thrown up his brief) ; Michael Larkin, Patrick Kelly (from Galway), Thomas Maguire, John Brennan, John Bacon, William Martin, and John Martin (defended by Mr. Cot tingham) ; John Francis Nugent and James Sherry (defended by Mr. Ward) ; Robert AP Williams (defended by Mr. Brenner) ; Michael Maguire, Michael Morris, Michael Bryan, Michael Corcoran, and Thomas Ryan (defended by Mr. Bennet); and John Carroll, Charles Moorbouse, Michael Ken nedy, John Morris, Patrick Kelly (from Leitrim), Hugh Foley, Patrick Coffey, and 'Thomas Scalley (defended by Mr. W. P. Roberts, instructed by the subscribers to a defence fund). The prisoner M'Auliffe was brought up by order of the Bench, and at once remanded for a week. M'Auliffe said, in a full, clear voice—Might I speak, sir? Mr. Fowler—Mr. Roberts defends you. M'Auliffe—Oh John Griffiths sworn—l am a hairdresser, and my shop is near the railway arch on the Hyde-road, about twenty yards on this side. On the afternoon of the 18th I went out with George Pickup. I saw the prisoner Nugent standing against the abutment at the end of the arch, looking along the road towards Manchester. The prison van had not then come up. Nugent had a revolver in his hand. I next saw eight or ten men on the bank near the arch, and noticed that they all had revolvers. Directly after wards the prison van came up, and when it had gone through the archway the men with revolvers came forward and fired at the van. The van was then brought to a standstill. I went back to my shop and put up my shutters, and, having done that, [ looked at what was going on. I SAW a man come to the back of the van and fire at Constables Shaw and Trueman. The man who fired the shot was the prisoner Allen. I and others made towards the van, and when Allen saw us coming he came forward again, this time with two pistols, and fired one of them at Constable Shaw, but he hit a man named Sprosson in the foot. 1 then saw him fire a pistol through the door of the van, and directly afterwards the door flew open and Brett fell out. Some women came out after Brett, and directly afterwards a tall man, wearing a moustache, dressed in dark clothes, and having handcuffs on, came out of the van. I did not see any other man get out. When the tall man got out the others who had attacked the van closed round him, and went off in the direction of the Sheffield Railway. One cf the horses in the van was shot. 1 saw Brett lying on the ground. He was not then dead. lie was put into a cab and taken to the infirmary. Boylan, Wm. Martin, and Thomas Maguire were among the attacking party. Martin was on the bank, and had a pistol ; Boylan also had a pistol. I did not see Maguire do anything. Cross-examined by Mr. T. Cottingham—l first communicated with the police the same night. A policeman told me I was wanted in the beer-house next door, and I went with him. I was asked to give a description of the men I had seen, and I did so. The attack lasted about 20 minutes. Pickup did not remain with me during the fight, nor did I see him after he left me. Witness was examined at some length as to his identification of the prisoners named by him, but without any variation in his evidence. George Mulholland, a lad about 12, was next examined. Ile said—l was playing near the rail way arch on the llyde-road on the afternoon of the 18th inst. I saw about a dozen men sitting about on the bank near the arch. When the prison van came through the arch a man came forward with a pistol, and shouted to the driver, " Stop, or I'll blow your brains out." That man was Allen. lie fired his pistol, and then others came forward. I had seen Allen on the bank about ten minutes be fore. When the van came up a number of men came running out of a beer house, loading their pistols as they came. Then I saw Allen run to the back of the van with a hammer, which he gave to another man, who immediately began hammering at the van door. Thomas Maguire got on the roof of the van, and I saw Larkin hand him a large stone, with which Maguire endeavoured to break the van open. There was a ventilator on each side of the front of the van, and I saw Larkin fire through one of them. Another man threw a great stone at one of the ventilators in front of the van. I then saw Allen take the hammer from the man at the back of the van and begin breaking the door in himself. One side of the head of the hammer was an axe. Allen had a revolver in his left hand. I saw a big man, whom I do not see here, with a saw in his hand, and I heard him say to Allen " Shoot that --." Allen then broke the venti lator at the back of the van. Sergeant Brett was inside holding his head against it to prevent it being opened, and Allen put his revolver to the ventilator and fired. At that moment a woman inside called out, " He's killed ; he's killed." I then saw a hand put a bunch of keys through the ventilator, and Allen, taking the keys opened, the door. As the door opened Brett fell out into the read. I saw Sprosson there, and 1 think it was Larkin who shot him in the foot ; but I will not be certain, for both he and Allen were together firing. Larkin had a pistol in each hand. I saw two men come out of the van with handcuffs on, and 10 or 12 men get round them and guarded them across the fields. The crowd cried shame on them. I identify Wm. Martin, Scully, and Brennan as having been pre sent. Scully fired at a policeman as the women were coming out of the van, and bit a policeman, just grazing his back. I saw Brennan carrying big stones to break the door open, and William Martin I saw throwing stones at the police. Cross-examined by Mr. Cottingham—l am 12 years old, and help my father, who is a brickniaker. I heard the men whose names I have given call to each other by name, and I knew their names. I followed the men over the fields. I saw Martin taken—l don't know who by. I first saw the pla card offering a reward on Monday last. I was playing behind the bank where the men were stand ing about an hour before the affray. I was afraid of the shots, but I could not get away. I was afraid of running for fear of having stones thrown at me. I could not run home because in that direction there were men running about at the corner of the paper mill, keeping people back with their revolvers. I was hit by a stone behind the leg. By Mr. Roberts —I heard Maguire's name at the prison. John Beck, a railway clerk, said he was present directly after the police-van was stopped, and was going past when a man pointed two revolvers at him, and he turned back. That man was Allen. Also saw Coffey, Ryan, Thomas Maguire, and Larkin there. Witness and some others began to throw bricks at those men. Wilson was one of the men at whom they threw bricks. So was John Martin, Gould, and Hugh Foley. The men threw stones back when witness and others threw the bricks. Larkin got on the top of the van, and tried to break it open with a big stone. Allen fired into the van. Witness heard a scream from the inside, saw the door open, and Brett fall out. Allen then ran round to the let-hand side of the arch, and pre sented two revolvers at witness and some others, and fired several times. Sprosson, who stood near witness, was shot in the foot by Allen. The men who came out of the van and the others who had got them out ran away towards the railway. Wit ness and others followed, and helped to catch Allen and Larkin. In cross-examination witness said he only saw one man on the top of the van. _ The prisoner Allen here rose and expressed a wish to address the Court. Mr. Fowler said he could not permit the prisoner to make remarks. Anything he might wish to ask should be communicated to his solicitor. Allen—l am as entirely innocent of the whole case as the child unborn. Trueman, police-constable, was next ex amined. He said—l was in a cab, following the prison van. When the van stopped I beard three shots fired, and I got out of the cab and went to wards the van. I saw several men with pistols, and ten or fifteen others with stones. Allen fired at us when we went towards the van. He was close to the van at the time. Afterwards I saw him shoot into the van through the ventilator at the back. I heard a woman's voice call out " He's shot." I saw Allen get on the step and look through the ventilator, as if he was conversing with some one inside. We made another rush towards the van, but were met by men with pistols and stones, and had to retreat. As we were retreating I received a stone on the back, and a bullet cut a piece out of my coat near the left shoulder. My flesh was grazed by the bullet, but not penetrated. It was much inflamed and swollen. Ido not know who fired that shot. There were four or five of them with pistols, which they were firing. I afterwards saw Brett lying partly on the step of the van and partly on the ground. We made another attempt to get at the van, but were again fired at, and had to retreat. I then saw Brett lying in the road, and saw some of the female prisoners get out. I then saw Kelly, one of the rescued prisoners, going away with the men who had attacked the van. I also saw Deasey get out of the van. I saw prisoners Shore and Nugent among those who attacked us. I do not know swear to any of the other prisoners. Nugent and Shore threw stones every time we made towards the van. John KnoNfies sworn : I am a grocer. I witnessed the attack on the van. I think the prisoner John Carroll was one of the men who got on the roof of the van. Ile had a large oblong stone, with which he was pummelling the roof to break it in. I saw Allen with a revolver take aim through the ventilator, and fire into the van. lie fired in about five times, and in the last shot or two he seemed to take more deliberate aim than before. I and some constables made a charge, and Allen presented two revolvers and stopped us. Larkin was there, and I fancy it was he who fired the shot that wounded Sprosson. The van door was opened and Brett fell out. I saw some women get out, and I then went home for a revolver. When I returned the attacking party were retreating towards the railway, and I saw Allen running along the top of a bank holding two pistols towards the mob, and heard him threaten to shoot any one who came near. I saw Larkin cap tured. During the affray I saw Thomas Maguire and Nugent hand stones up to the roof of the van. Nugent had a revolver. I think I saw Kennedy and M'Williams there, but am not sure. I saw Gould with a revolver. Cross-examined by Mr. Cottingharn—l brought my revolver back, and I fired one shot with it at a man ou the wall near the railway. The people said that man was going to fire at us for taking Larkin. I did not know the men I fired at, but I had been fired at several times before that. My house is only about 2CO yards from the scene of the affray. The examination was proceeding at tbe titneof this parcel being despatched. MANCHESTER, Friday Night. The proceedings had not closed y hen the cowl rose- After the remand of the prisoners to-day, the thirteen men against whom a charge of riot is reserved were brought up, when Mr. Iliggin, couasel for the prosecution, said he should pro duce no evidence against them. They were all discharged, except Moore and Morris. Wiseellaneous Foreign News. (From Correspondent of the Anglo-American Times.) PARIS, Sept. 26. I walked down to the Palace of the Exposition on Sunday last by the side of the Seine, disdaining alike the accommodation of rail, omnibus, and steamer, crowded as they were each and all with their human freight, and bracing alike mind and body by the fresh breeze and the pleasant walk. Nevertheless, I was almost alone in my glory, if I may make use of such an expression. All the world, even to the poorest classes, appearing to have the desire for other conveyance than that of their own proper limbs. I presume that the ride or wail made part of the enjoyment of their jour de fete, and that the labour of the past week rendered them in no way desirous of incurring too much fatigue in addition to th atacquired in the course of a day'sstroll through the Exposition. However, it was a morning for a walk. Such a morning as that described by Dickens in " Martin Chuzzlewit," when Martin and Tom Puck, disdaining, or unable to obtain the accommo dation of Mr. Pecksniff's gig, set out manfully to face the long walk necessary to bring them to the little country town in their vicinity. Everything was bright and bracing, there was a smart breeze rippling the surface of the river, and splashing under the bows of the little omnibus steamer, which, follow ing one another regularly at some five minutes, looked like a fleet of gunboats advancing in regular order, the dense crowds on board being easily mistaken for troops en route, the dry leaves of the chesnut trees on the Boulevards were whirling in all directions, while humorous gamins, or street boys of Paris, were busily engaged in searching and contending for the fallen nuts. The sun's eye had no longer a sickly glare, and the gaze could rest without inconvenience or effort on the bright 'blue of the sky, and on the attractions of the surrounding scenery. As I ap proached the bridge of Jena, with its plain, solid construction and splendid equestrian stone statues, even the appearance of the Palace and its environs seemed to have undergone a change. The little, tiny fleet of pleasure yachts, which lie moored near the bridge, were lying no longer listless or covered up with tarpauling to ward off the blistering heat of the sun, but rocking gaily at anchor on the ripple, their pennants blowing out in the fresh breeze, or darting about like fireflies under the management of their owners or their representatives. The Egyptian temple,. erected on the Trocadero to do the honour to the recent fete of the Emperor, was in process of demolition ; but the gay-looking little baraques yet remained, giving it the appear ance of a walled camp of the olden time. The glass walls and domes of the palace were lit up in the morning sunshine, and the whole scene gave one the idea of a Fairy Fleet moored off the Palace of the King of the Genii. A long line of vehicles of the most anomalous description now marks the approach to the Exposition, for the ordinary means of convey ance have been found inadequate to the demand, notwithstanding that the omnibus companies have borrowed an idea from the omnibuses running on the American Horse Railway, from Paris to St. Cloud and Versailles, and have built a number of the same size and form of construction. Amongst the various ingenious methods invented by the Parisians to supply the deficiencies, one has been to appropriate the carts of the farmers who attend the Halles, or great central markets of Paris, in several instances taking the horse as well. Au amusing incident of this kind occurred lately in the case of a marchand de melons, who, on his arrival, leaving his vehicle unguarded for a few moments, found on his return that horse, vehicle, melons, and all—had disappeared. A long day's search proved utterly fruitless, and it was not until late in the evening, and after the loss of his day's sale, that he encountered on the Boulevards of the Seine his missing equipage returning under the charge of a most truculent looking ruffian from the Exposition ; and it was not without great difficulty, and such a scene as takes place only in France on such an occasion, ending, of course, in a fight (the peasant being fortunately a match for his antagonist), that he succeeded in re gaining his property, the interesting borrower making his escape on the approach of an agent of police. The appearance of the Palace presented its usual appearance with regard to the ebb and flow of human life, diminished perhaps in some degree by the joint attractions of the seaside and the chase, seen only in the absence of the chairs, seats, forms, &c., hitherto placed in front of the various brasseries, cafes, and places of refreshment, the removal of which has been ordered in consequence of its imped ing the free passage of visitors, which has doubtless militated considerably against the prosperity of those establishments ; the descendants of Uncle Sam having alone succeeded in overcoming the difficulty, as the following amusing anecdote will testify. Two Americans last week strolled up in front of a restaurant and ordered luncheon " Bien, Messieurs." "We wish to have it in the open air." " Mais pas possible." " Expense no object." The restaurateur shook his head. Uncle Sam, however, was not to be daunted by such a trifle as the orders of a com missary of police. If the restaurateur wai unable to place chairs on the outside of his establishment, would he object to place the luncheon on the pro jecting window-board of his establishment? Mon sieur would do that with the plus grand plaisir. The luncheon was accordingly duly set out, the Americans withdrawing for a short time : their absence was, however, of no long duration, and on their second appearance were ensconced in two of the comfortable movable fauteuils which the company let out to visitors at the rate of 2fr. per hour each. The chairs were wheeled up to the table, and amidst shouts of laughter from the bystanders, not excepting even the gendarmes themselves, our two heroes coolly enjoyed their luncheon, lighting their cigars as they were rolled off, leaving to the astonished and highly amused Parisians a souvenir of the genius of Uncle Sam under difficulties. I cannot take leave of the Exposition with out mentioning the magnificent show of grapes which took place in the Reserved Garden, and of which no less than 200 different varieties have been exhibited, the most renowned horticulturists having made it a point of honour to send specimens. Amongst the varieties of the first order I remarked Le Gros Dames Violet, l'Olivette Noire, Le Carm chon Blanc, and La Grasse Perle de la Jeune. It is easy to see that for viniculture France has no equal in Europe. A singular ceremony took place at the Hanes, or central markets for Paris, and which is called the Crowning of the King of the Totirous. The Totiron, be it understood, is a species of melon or gourd, which grows frequently to an enormous size, and which is used in France for soup. The Vegetable King for 1867 weighed 108 kilogrammes 91 grammes, the kilogramme weighing about two pounds three ounces. It possessed a circumference of two metres (French yards), 18 centimetres, and came from the marsh lands of the Valley of the Bievre. After being adorned with ribbons, crowned with flowers, and placed upon a machine for trans port, decorated in the most artistic style, it was car ried round the Halles on the shoulders of four strong men, after which it was put up to auction. The purchaser, a fruiterer living in the Boulevard Ilauss mann, paying for it the sum of 118 francs, pro bably as an ensign for his shop, the ordinary price of these gourds or melons ranging from two to four francs. M. Thiers bas founded in France a trien nial prize of 5,000 francs for the best historical work written during that period. In accordance with this donation works will be received up to the 15th of February, 1868, when the first award will be made. The Academie Francaise has given as a subject for the prize of eloquence of the same year Jean Jacques Rousseau. The essays will be re ceived up to the 15th of March ensuing. The new postal tariff reducing to one goschen the letter postage through North Germany has been submitted to the King of Prussia, and will after wards be laid before the Federal Council. The Indian Commissioners, on returning from their councils with the Red Indians, have reached Sioux, city lowa. They are now on thejoad to Omaha and Fort Laraince to visit the hostile Southern tribes. They have selected lands on the big Cheyenne river, at the mouth of the Nebraska, as locations for Indian reservation. There are no stirring accounts of Indian fights, though several skirmishes have taken place, with considerable loss to both parties, in the mining regions of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The Nation makes some amusing remarks on the great Prize Fight for the Championship of America between Mike M'Coole of St. Louis, and Aaron Jones of Cincinnati, which Wilkes informs us came off August 31 at Rosenback, Ohio, for $2,000. M'Coole won in the 34th round by knocking Jones completely out of time by a terrific blow on the forehead—poor Aaron being used up in 26 minutes. Mike is an Irishman of the town of Ballabufay, Donegal, where be was born March 12, 1837. Aaron Jones first saw light near Shrewsbury, the capital of Shropshire, in 1833. M'Coole, after his great victory, was honoured with a grand procession at St. Louis on the 7th inst.,Sheridan's,following on the 9th, that of M'Coole being the grander and heartier of the two. The Ohio mill was an international affair, Jones representing the hated Saxon, the knock on the head and the breaking of his ribs be ing part payment for the 700 years of wrongs which Ireland has suffered at British hands. This was neatly alluded to in the address delivered to the champion by the committee of reception, where the broken-headed and ribbed Jones is spoken of as the representative " of the despotic power which has oppressed your (M'Coole's) countrymen in so marked a manner during long years of cruelty and barbarity." The Nation believes that Jones is a Hebrew, and for this reason considers the address an outrage on justice, which it is hoped the Fenian Senate will see to. The American champion's (M'Coole's) next victim is to be a genuine Ameri can names Jim Elliott, and as such may " be held to be the representative of New England fanaticism, and atone for it literally in the flesh. Ile will have his nose broken for the Quaker hanging, his eye bunged up for the witch burning, and his teeth knocked out for emancipation, the constitutional amendment, and the prohibitory law." The Republican defeat in California appears to have resulted from the Republican corruption which follows on a long tenure of office. That party gained the State in 1861 in the fervour of the war, and with a majority so considerable as to indicate the retention of power for a long period. This brought into their ranks all the lobbyists, black legs, and jobbers, from the hitherto triumphant Democratic party, and it was by their aid that, in 1863, jhe present Governor secured his nomination. A combination was formed between the friends of Senator Conness and Mr. George C. Gorham, who carried the primary elections when Mr. Gorham was nominated for Governor, while Mr. Conness was to be returned to the Senate for another term. A split was the result, which separated the Repub lican party. The people, who disliked the objects the clique had in view, defeated both Gorham and Conness, giving in San Francisco 3,848 votes against Gorham, and a larger majority in proportion in other cities of the State. From information received from those who know General Grant, we have always doubted whether that officer would not decline a nomination to the Presidency, if offered. This opinion is con firmed by a Washington despatch, giving a recent conversation between the General and an officer of his staff. Grant states that he would not be President if the opportunity were offered, that he hates politics, that he is satisfied with honours he enjoys, and his post gives him enough to do. As President he would be dragged into the storms of politics, and eventually as a politician lose the many friends he has made as a soldier. Few can doubt the wisdom of such a decision, but it remains to be seen whether it is possible for the General to adhere to the course he elects, if the nation should decree to the contrary. _ _ It appears that stories are circulated that J. Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Mr. Lincoln, is alive. A letter has been published in the New Orleans Sunday News, asserting that three credible witnesses assured the writer that Booth yet lives, one of whom had seen and conversed with him in August, 1866. A correspondent of the St. Louis Democrat says that an Alabama refugee employed in the quarter master's department at Washington in 1864 and 1865 told him that he gave a night's lodging to a beggar shortly after Booth's death, who appeared to be 60 or 70 years old, but was not, as he discovered by watching him through a hole. He overheard some conversation between the beggar and a Southerner. "What news?" he asked. " None," was the an swer. " Mr. Johnson wishes you to make haste, as he cannot breath easy till you are on board the vessel." The beggar left, but the refugee picked up the torn bits of a note in cypher, signed 4g j.w.8.” To give this story a colour of proba bility it is asserted that General L. C. Baker mur dered a man like Booth for the reward, and brought the body to Washington, where it afterwards dis appeared. The nation has its State mystery, and it is determined to make the most of it. General Butler visited the War Department on wieh Courtesy on both sides. as maybe Wednesday, the 10th inst., maki m nga brief imagined, official call was on ma G rk e e n i e rwailth ceremonial Grant, h He gave in his official report as President of the National Asylum, and asked the chiefs of the various bureaus to refer applications from disabled soldiers to the heads of the different branches of the asylum. It was thought desirable that the Republican State Convention of Massachusetts should signify the intention of maintaining the integrity of the United States financial arrangements, as General Butler is a prominent Massachusetts Republican, and his announcement, through a correspondent of the Boston Advertiser, of opinions favouring repudia tion was thought likely to damage the party. The committee on resolutions, however, took no action on the matter. General Butler announces in a letter his opinion on the financial subject as follows : —" That the Government shall offer to the country a new loan secured by interest in currency bonds payable at long date, to which all future issues of Government loans shall be assimilated, so as to make one class of Government securities only instead of the nineteen different classes we have now, and with the proceeds of such loan pay off our highest class of interest gold-bearing bonds as they become due." The essence, however, of his plan lies in these words :—" I propose," he says, "to pay him (the public creditor) in precisely the same currency or money which the Government has provided for every other creditor." The difference between his scheme and Mr. Pendleton's is that it does not tam per with the currency. Mr. Pendleton would sweep away all debts, as well as that of the Government, while Mr. Butler would confine the immediate loss to the bondholders, at a small present gain, and an ultimate heavy loss to the nation. The Springfield Republican, Sept. 7, states that the losses by fire during the week are the building at 22, William-street, New York, occupied by several merchants --loss $30,000; the upper story of the building 12, Maiden lane, New York, occupied by Frederick J. Emmerick, manufacturer of mathematical and philosophical instru ments—loss $30,000; a block of three-story buildings on First street, Oswego, New York, occupied by various parties—loss $55,000 ; the Buffalo steam en gine works and several other manufacturing estab lishments and boarding houses, at Buffalo, New York— total loss, $150,000; C. B. Cottrell's steam tannery at Stanhope, New Jersey—loss, $10,000; Stannis's fruit packing and canning factory at Baltimore—loss $20,000 ; several oil and shipping yards, and twenty cars of the Oil Creek and Empire Line, at the Boyd farm, near Petroleum Centre, Pennsylvania—total loss, $150,000; Webster and Co.'s foundry at Chattanooga, Georgia—loss $60,000 ; David Henry and Co.'s wholesale liquor store at Chicago, and part of the stock of leather of Turner, Bristol, and Co. in the adjoining building—loss $100,000; Palmer's flouring mill in Golden City, Columbia—loss $20,000; and abort one-half of Reynold's City, Montana territory. During the week, ending September 14th, fires have destroyed Luin's sash factory at Elizabeth, N.J.—loss, $20,000; three valuable houses at Jamaica, L.l.—loss, $50,000 ; Griffith's shovel factory at Philadelphia; Fell and Brothers' large spice mill at Wilmington, Del.—loss heavy ; Jackson and Wilcox's and the American Com pany's Coal Oil Refiners at Baltimore, damaged $20,000 worth; the dwelling house of Caldwell Neave at Clifton, 0., and the breweries at Chicago belonging to Thomas G. Hansom and Charles Woeffer, together with nine dwelling houses—loss, $48,000. The National Convention of Spiritualists al Cleveland closed on Friday night. It was a s!ngularl3 inharmonious and barrow affair tlawughout. 112051 part knew not wherefor they had come together, and they could agree only upon the single idea that there are spirits. The spirits themselves differ as widely on religious and moral questions as they did while in the body, and of course their disciples cannot be expected to agree. A resolution recommending reform in ladies' costume was adopted, supposed to be intended as an indorsement of Bloomerism and trousers. The meeting came very near breaking up in a row over the report of a com mittee denouncing the demonstrations of the Davenports and other vagrant showmen as impostures and a disgrace to spiritualism ; but the difficulty was compromised by de ferring action on the report till the next annual conven tion, and the harmouials separated without a square fight, but in a very belligerent state of mind. The statistics go to show a rapid increase of believers in spiritualism, but they can never become an organised sect without some stronger bond of unity than they have yet found. If Andrew Jackson Davis had been a trifle smarter he might have become their prophet and leader.—Springfield Re publican. It is alleged that Jefferson Davis will appear for trial at the November terns of the United States District Court at Richmond, but it is thought that the Government being unprepared will ask for time, and that Mr. Davis will be discharged before the term of the Court expires. The Springfield Republican of the 7th inst. Bays : —The prize fight for 1,000 a side and the championship of the light weights of America, between Michael M'Coole of St. Louis and Aaron Jones of Cincinnati, came off near Hamilton, Ohio, on Saturday last, and resulted in a vic tory for the former, who knocked his antagonist out of time on the thirty-fourth round. A crowd of 3,500 people witnessed the brutal sport, and the defeated man had two ribs broken and his frontal bong crushed in before he gave up the contest. The police authorities seem to have made no efforts whatever to prevent the meeting. Governor Geary has announced that the sum of $1,791,641 Debt of Pennsylvania has been paid and finally discharged during the year ending September 2. Some inquiring Jews in New York have organised a society and aro holding meetings every Sunday evening in ono of the rooms of the Cooper Union, to discuss the question, "Is Jesus of Nazareth the expected Messiah?" Many Jews attend upon these discussions, and much interest is manifested in them. Brown University has had five presidents, and has graduated 2,267 students. Of the latter, 583 have been ordained as preachers, and 130 wore in the Union army. The following are the dates of re-openings for the fall season at the theatres :—ltalian Opera in New York is due on the 23d, in Brooklyn on the 26th ; French Opera, at Fourteenth-streethouse, on the 24th ; Inaugural Concert at Irving Hall, on the 11th ; first concert at Steinway Hall, Oct. 3d ; first Sunday Concert at Steinway Hall, Oct. 6th ; Ristori's dramatic season, French Theatre, 16th instant ; ballet and dramatic season at Bauvard's Opera House, on the 10th; regular dramatic season at the Olympic, on the 10th; burlesque and vaudeville season at the new Fifth Avenue Theatre, adjoining Fifth Avenue Hotel, this evening; Wallack's regular season about the 10th. The following changes of management are noticed : Olympic Theatre, Mr. James E. Hayes, vice Leonard Grover ; Broadway Theatre, Mr. Barney Williams, vice Mr. George Wood ; Banvard's Opera House, Mr. James De Pol, vice Messrs. Banvard and Co. j Bowery Theatre, Mr. W. B. Freligh, vice George L. Fox ; Fifth Avenue Theatre, Mr. G. H. Garland, vice Messrs. Griffin and Christy ; French Theatre, after Ristori's season, Mr. H. L. Bateman, vice Mr. J. Gram; New York Theatre, the Misses Worrell, vice Messrs. Mark Smith and Lewis Baker. Some time since the office of the Eagle newspaper at Camden, Arkansas, was entered by a mob of Federal soldiers and knocked into chaos. Tbo outrage was com mitted by command of a Federal colonel, who in due time wrote to General Ord, commanding the military district, a letter justifying the affair. Said ho, "the soldiers are not ser vants of the people of Arkansas, but rather their masters ; and it is felt to be a great piece of impertinence for the newsapers in this State to comment upon General Neil under any circumstances whatever." The offence of the Eagle was an appeal to General Neil, a subordinate com mander, to restrain the lawlessness of certain soldiers. Gen. Ord replied to the officious colonel in the following manner: —"You will please explain why this act was not prevented by youas post commander, and if the requirements of the 32d Article of War have been complied with. Your assertion that General Neil's force are not the 'servants of the peo ple of Arkansas, but rather their masters,' is unjust both to the people and to General Neil, and unfounded in law. The laws are for the benefit of the people. The assump tion that a party of soldiers could, at their own option, forcibly destroy a citizen's property and commit gross vio lations of the public peace would not bo tolerated under a Napoleon."— Correspondence of the Standard. The first vessel of the new monthly line of steamers from San Francisco to Honolulu left on her first trip September s.—The receipts of bullion at San Francisco fcr the week aggregated $750,000 from the California and Nevada mines, and $367,000 from the Oregon and British Columbia mines. A new style of carriage appeared in Boston re contly. It was a light, open buggy, carrying two men, and had no visible means of locomotion save a slight apparatus under the box. The vehicle came along a street on the track just behind a horse car; but when the car stopped the buggy was turned asido and passed by the car, and was guided as easily as if a horse had been attached. Generals Sheridan, Hancock, and Sickles are are about to visit Washington to confer with General Grant. COMMERCIAL. NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 1867. There is a favourable turn in trade, which is growing active and promises to be more so. Goods are plentiful, both of home and foreign manufacture, but so are buyers from the West, and others from the Southern and Gulf States are looked for immediately. This is a good sign, as it will lead to a reduction of the largo stock lately on hand, which has caused manufacturers either wholly to stop their mills or work on half-time. The harvest, of course, aids this change, and leads to greater activity in the money market, which now shows signs of recovery from the late extreme stagnation. Loans on call are at 51 to 6 per cent. Funds are plentiful, but on short terms, as most expect that a rise will be established, and if money becomes stringent they desire to bo in a position to avail them solves of it. The, Ehief demand is of course for the move ment of the Western crop to market. Gold has fluctuated, but its course, though uneven, has been upwards, reaching on Thursday to 1158. There are several reasons given for this, but that which has the greatest influence is that gold in Now York is becoming scarce, and it is anticipated that there will be difficulties in meeting the supplies neces sary to pay Customs duties, which will amount to a largo bum during the fall. It is asserted that the Govern ment will not continue sellers. The aggregate amount in the Treasury at Washington last Monday was $97,633,910. The receipts in New York from the Customs have been heavy, amounting sometimes to nearly $1,000,000 per day. On the other hand, the export has almost ceased, while California continues to forward large supplies. I cannot see, under these circum stances, why a rise should bo looked for, unless the market be influenced by political considerations. There aro all sorts of rumours of what the President is going to do. Some allege that he will turn out his whole Cabinet, others that he will proclaim the present Congress unconstitutional ; but these have little influence, as they aro regarded as reports to affect the markets. This is shown by the Go vernment Securities, in which a large business has been done at good prices. Foreign exchange is dull, but firm. The rise in the price of gold has checked it. On London, for gold, 1091 to 110; American silver sells at 5 to 6; cents below gold ; Mexican dollars, 103 to 103; in gold. Tho period for converting the 5-20's is about to expire, and those that remain will be called in and redeemed at par value in currency, with six months' interest. The unfunded 7-30's amount to about $400,800,000. There has been a rise in the Railway Share Market, due to greatly increased earnings, but it has boon expected from the prolific harvest and discounted. The Panama Lino has advanced to 300 per cont. on the news that the Columbian Governtnenthas extended the charter of the company. Yesterday the Railway Market was weak, holders showing a disposition to sell. New York Central has advanced, going up during the week fully 2 per cent. Erie was done at 711. Though the earnings of the New York Central are less on passen ger traffic for August the receipts on freight have increased greatly o rer the corresponding month in 1866, leaving the line a large gainer. Two more national banks have broken—the Farmers and Citizens of Brooklyn, New York, and the Mechanics and Traders of Green Point, Long Island. These repeated failures tell against the system on which the national banks are based, though it arises more from personal dishonesty than from any other cause. Gold 1451, United States Five-Twenties (1862), 1091 to 1151, (1864) 1091., (1865) 1111, (1865, new) 1081, United States Ten-forties 991, United States 7-30 Loan 107 i, Missouri Sixes 1048, Virginia Sixes 57, New York Central Railroad 108, Erie 70. Erie Preferred 76 to 78, Reading 1031-, Michigan Central 1113, Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana 821, Illinois Central 122, Cleveland and Pittsburg 82k, Cleveland and TulTio 127 f, Chicago and North-western 461-, Chicago and North-western Pre ferred 701, Pittsburg, Fort Wayne, and Chicago IG6B, Chicago, Rock Island,'and Pacific 1041, Ohio and Missis sippi Certificates 271, Western Union Telegraph Company 431, Cumberland Coal Company Preferred 36, Canton Company 47i, Quicksilver Mining Company 29k, Mariposa Mining Company 11. (From the Wall-street Journal.) Tiuing Stocks continue to be very quiet, and the trans actions show little variation in prices. The principal business has been iu Sensenderfer, Edge Hill, Consolidated Gregory, and Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and Midas Silver of Nevada, the latter closing at 82.65, being an advance of 25c. per share. Petroleum Stocks continue in good demand, and a fair business is doing in Bennehoff Run at 85, in United States at 83.75, and in Buchanan Farm at 30c. Several of the daily papers have stated that Oren M. Beach, the Presi clout of the exploded Farmers' and Citizeue' National Bank of Williamsburgh, Long Island, was still treasurer of the Bonnehoff Run Petroleum Company, but Mr. Beach was displaced nearly one year since, and was succeeded by C. F. Timpson, cashier of the Continental National Bank of this City. The following are the closing prices to-day for Express Stocks Adams American United States Wells, Fargo, and Co 64 „ 6l , Merchants' Union Tho following dividends aro announced in the Wall street ✓ournal, Sept. 14 : —The Corn Exchange Insurance Company has declared a dividend of five per cont., and the Jefferson Insurance Company of six per cent., in both cases free of tax. Tho Savage Silver Mining Company have declared their monthly dividend for August $12.50 in gold per foot, and the Chollar Potosi Mining Company $25 per foot.. The following Pittsburg. Petroleum companies have declared dividends: the Pittsburg and Cherry Run, six per cent. for July and August ; the Triumph five per cent., and the Ralston four per cent. (From L. P. Morton and Co.'s Circular.) New York, Sept. 14, 1867. Since our last advices the trade of this port and of the country generally has progressed with a steady conserva tive movement. The very abundant crops have not pro duced that marked activity in business which some have anticipated, a circumstance which appears to be largely due to the disposition among merchants to adhere to the system of limited credits adopted during the war ; the general tone of business, however, is sound and healthy. The movement of Western produce to the seaboard shows a large increase upon that of last Fall; our local dealers, however, decline making free purchases of breadstuffs at current prices and until it becomes more apparent what is likely to be the extent of the foreign demand. The satis factory aspect of the crops has induced a very active im port movement. The imports at this port, from June Ist to Aug. 31st, aggregate $108,646,000; which is $28,222,000 in excess of the largo receipts of the corresponding period of last year. Money has continued very abundant at 3 to 5 per cent. on demand loans, rather owing to the limited wants of borrowers and to the large amount of balances in the hands of foreign bankers than to a really easy condition of the banks, which have been freely drawn upon by the Western cities. Towards the close of this week the specu lative demand has become more active, and rates wore yes terday about 1 per cent. higher. The ease of mouey here and in Europe has contributed to a further advance in United States Bonds, the Five twenties of 1862 having touched 115/. The price of bonds abroad has not declined in proportion to the rise in the gold premium, and consequently occasion has been afforded for additional shipments of Five-twenties. The satisfac tory changes in the condition of the Public Debt have had a favourable effect upon the standing of national securities. It will be seen from the official statement of the debt given below that the aggregate was reduced, during August, $18,523,061. Comparing the total on Sept. Ist with that of Sept. Ist, 1865, the reduction effected within the two years is shown to be $264,906,206, or at the rate of about 5 per cent. per annum. During Aug. the debt bearing interest in coin was increased about $38,000,000, by the funding of Seven-thirty notes ; while the amount of short obligations was reduced by funding and liquidations $79,000,000. At the beginning of the present year there was outstanding $1,100,000,000 of short indebtedness, which amount has since been reduced by funding and otherwise to $500,000,000;. so that the apprehensions of difficulty in providing for the largo amount of short obligations are found to be entirely groundless, and one of the greatest obstacles to the resumption of specie payments is being rapidly removed. The current earnings of the railroads show a very large increase upon tho corresponding period of last year; but this result having been already anticipated on the stock market there is less effort to realise a speculative advance in shares than might have been anticipated. During this week prices advanced about 2 per cent., but subsequently fell off, in sympathy with the growing firmness in money. The traffic receipts of the Illinois Central Railroad for August amounted to $684,377, against $584,715 for the same month of 1866. The receipts of the company for land sales during the month were $156,236, and the cash collections $266,211 ; making a total of receipts amounting to $1,106,824. The earnings of the Erie Railroad for the month of August, foot up $1,239,024, against $1,295,400 for August, 1866. The course of the gold premium is still steadily upward. The fact of large foreign balances being held here, and the apprehension that European complications may cause a sud den demand for their liquidation, strengthens the disposi tion to hold gold ; and this feeling is confirmed also by the prospect of largo amounts becoming due to foreign coupon holders in November and January, as well as by the anti cipation of the payment of the purchase money for Russian North America. Foreign exchange is dull, the disposition to remit being chocked by the advance in the gold premium. (From Messrs. Belding, Keith, and Co.'s Circular.) 80, Lombard-street, E.G., Friday Evening. Transactions in American Securities have taken place this week to some extent. On receipt of the news that gold had gone down in New York 4 per cent. on Thurs day 5-20's of both 1862 and 1865 issues rose per cent. on Friday, and another per cent. on Saturday, the difference between the two issues having been 2 per cent. through out. The highest point reached was, for 1862'5, 731 ; and 1865'5, 711. The improvement, however, was not maintained, and they have since receded, and close per cent. lower than they closed last Thursday, viz., 1862's 721-1, and 1865's 701 -1, and with little business doing. Illinois Central Shares touched 78 on Tuesday, but have ruled throughout the week at 761 771. Erie Shares fell 21 per cent. on Friday, and on Wednesday touched 39. They close this evenmg rather nominal, at 40 to 41. Atlantic and Great Western Consolidated Mortgage Bonds have fluctuated but little during the week, and close 22 to 23. (From E. F. Satterthwaite and Co.'s Weekly Circular, Sept. 25.) By the Cuba we have advices from Now York to the 11th inst. Government Bonds of the old issue showed an ad vance, and were at from two to three per cent. higher quotations than the previous week, but Five-Twenties of all issues were flat, though without any important change in value. The market for railroad shares had been vari able and uncertain, taking its tone from the quotations for Eries, which, after the closing of the books, declined to 67, but rallied to 68k. Panama Shares on the extension of the concession were carried up front 270 to 300. State stocks and railroad mortgages were neglected. Money remained plentiful, but an uneasy feeling prevailed in consequence of the failure of two or three banks of some standing. Gold showed an upward tendency, and was last quoted 1451, being an advance of 3 per cent. in the premium. PANAMA RAILROAD. The steamer from Aspinwall, which arrived at New York just before the sailing of the Cuba, brought the in telligence that a new concession had been granted to this company. It may be remembered that by the terms of the original concession the Government of New Granada had the power of taking possession of the entire line and roll ing stock in 1868 on payment of $5,000,000, or in 1878 on payment of $4,000,000. By the new terms granted to the company, the shareholders have the property secured to them for a further period of 99 years from 1868 on pay ment to the Government of $1,000,000 in gold at once and an annual rental of $250,000 in gold. In considera tion of these payments the company aro to have ceded to them the island of Manzanillo in fee, and they propose to extend their lino of road about three miles, so as to allow large vessels to load and unload at the wharves to bo con structed. It is estimated that the outlay for these im provements will absorb about £500,000 sterling. We are not yet informed how the necessary amount is to be raised. The result of the week's operations in American Securities on the London market shows but little altera tion in values generally since our last. The steady absorption of United States 5-20's on both home and continental account has continued, prices varying with tho premium on gold reported by telegrams from New York ; they close at almost the same quotations as this day week. Illinois Central Shares have been well maintained; but Erie, on the heavy fall in New York, reported by tele graph, have given way to 391 to F. --- (From Messrs. Bowles, Drevet, and Co.'s Circular.) Paris, Sept. 27, 1867. The market for Americas securities has been much less animated during the past week, but prices are well sus tained, the decline in gold reported from New York having a favourable influence. We quote the issue of 1862, 82f ; 1865, 801, the closing rates on the 26th inst. Latest ad vices from New York are to the 23d Sept.: Gold, 1421; U.S. Bonds (1862), 114} currency. The Route closes at 69 25 The Italian closes at Exchange on London 23 21 LADVERTISEMENT.)—Du Barry's Delicious Health Restoring Revalenta Arabica Food, which contains three times the nourishment of the best meat, saves fifty times its cost in other remedies, restores perfect digestion, strong, nerves, sound lungs, healthy liver, refreshing sleep, functional regularity, and energy to the most disordered or enfeebled, removing speedily and effectually indigestion (dyspepsia), habitual constipation, diarrhoea, hemorrhoids, liver complaints, flatulency, nervous, ness, biliousness, fevers, sore throats, catarrhs, colds, influenza, noises in the head and ears, rheumatism, gout, impurities, erup tions, hysteria, neuralgia, irritability, sleeplessness, acidity, pal pitation, heartburn, headache, debility, dropsy, cramps, spasms, nausea, and sickness; sinking fits, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, incipient consumption, scrofula, tightness of the chest, pains at the pit of the stomach, between the shoulders, &c. We quote a few out of 68,000 cures :—The Pope's health restored by Du Barry's Food.—Cure No. 68,413. "Rome, July 21, IB66.—The health of the Holy Father is excellent, especially since, aban doning all other remedies, he has confined himself entirely to Du Barry's Revalenta Arabica Food, of which he consumes a plateful at every meal. It has produced a surprisingly benefl cial effect on his health, and his Holiness cannot raise this excellent food too highly."—From the "Gazette du Midi." July 25. Cure No. 49,832.—" Of fifty years' indescribable agony from dyspepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, flatulency, spasms, sickness at the stomach, and vomiting." Maria Joly, Wortham, Ling, near Disc, Norfolk.—Cure No. 47,121.—Mi5s Elizabeth Jacobs, of Nazing Vicarage, Waltham Cross, Herts, of extreme nervousness, indigestion, gatherings, low spirits, and nervous fancies. Important Caution.—Beware of the many unsavoury and more than sloppy imitations to which, without authority, Baron Liebig's name is most audaciously attached.— In tins at Is. Ild.; 1 lb.. 2s Oil. 2 lbs., 4s. 6d.; 5 lbs., lls. • 12 lbs., 225.; 24 lbs., 40s.—BARRY Du BARRY and Co., No. 77% ategent-street, London; also Fortnam and Mason,lB2, Piccadilly ; and at 61, Graceehurch-sZrcot; 4, Chcap:,iile; 63,150, and Oxford-titreet strauct • and all ;rotes aua cLePaiolt% OUR COAST DEFENCES. The Secretary of State for War and Inspector- General of Fortifications are at present engaged on a tour of inspection of the coast, harbour, and river defences of the kingdom, more especially on the southern, eastern, and western coasts. The conside ration of the present state of these works, and of the plans submitted for finishing them, is a sub ject of no little magnitude. It is well known that opinions are vastly divided among pro fessional men as to the form and disposition of the iron plating, both for the marine fortifica tions—such as the forts at Spithead—and the embrasure " shields" for the coast batteries. The great fault in points of design in the first instance with regard to most of the works on the coast that have been expressly planned to carry armour plat ing is the evident over-crowding of each work with embrasures. These works, it must be remembered, built of granite, with an iron ribwork of longitudinal and transverse girders, and sheathing of outer ar mour, in thedisposition of which each embrasure will cost from £l,OOO to £1,500, are supposed to be building to last, not for a few years, but for all time• They can neither, when once planted in the sea—like the Shovel Fort in Plymouth Sound, the Spithead forts, or the fort on the Isle of Grain—be recon structed like a fleet, or materially enlarged upon in any way. The fact is, these forts were all intended when first designed to carry the heaviest gun then known, the 23-tonner, or, as it is generally called, the 600-pounder, which has earned such fame at Shoebury ; but now that the land batteries at the Gilkicker, at Sandown, at Sheerness, and other points are nearly ready to receive their iron plating, it is found that there will not be space for the 23-ton gun, and a lesser weapon will therefore have to be substituted. The same conclusions apply to the marine forts at Spithead and else where. The introduction of submarine mines into the system of defence for roadsteads, harbours, and rivers has, however, rendered the failure of our marine forts to carry their originally intended weight of armament a less serious matter than it would otherwise have been, as it is just possible that all such works may in future be looked upon as grand torpedo stations, with their guns protecting the nests of hidden mines lying in the water channels and on the edges of the shoals, rather than as fight ing batteries defending, unaided by any secret be devilments, the passage from the attack of an enemy's fleet. But there are faults of over-crowding bat teries with gunports in some of the works that have been, or are about to be, visited by Sir John Pak ington and Sir John Burgoyne that is really uspar• donable, and utterly without remedy unless every alternate embrasure is built up, and half the original number of guns placed in the work. Take the costly Hilsea lines, which were designed to com mand the entrance to the island of Portsea (on which stands all the naval and ordnance establish ments at Portsmouth), as an example. The embrasures have been placed so closely together that even the earthen covering for the stone fronted face of the batteries will not stand, so acute is the angle given by the short distance between the ports. As the earth is piled up over the top of these batteries the foundations also give way, and huge cracks may be seen opening up through the brickwork in all directions. The want of solidity in the base to support the superstructure is, indeed, also to be found in almost every piece of new fortifi cation now erecting, or lately erected, around our coasts. In many places this result may have been inevitable from the nature of the ground, but in many cases it has most undoubtedly been assisted by a neglect of precautionary measures, or disregard of any consideration of the condition of the soil, marsh, or shingle on which the fort was to be raised. Forts are now standing, or rather are trying to stand, which are constantly letting slip large slices of their ramparts into the ditch below. These forts carry guns, but it is almost needless to say that not one has yet been fired from their ram parts, nor could it be done with safety, for fear of the whole fort falling prostrate.—Times. COUNTRY MARKETS. LIVERPOOL.-FRIDAY. There was a fair attendance at to-day's market., and white wheat met with u good demand, advancing frcin 3J to 4d per 100 lb ; but red wheat and flour brought the rates of Tuesday last. Oats and oatmeal dull, and no change in prices. Barley, beans, and peas a moderate business, at former currencies. Indian corn inactive, but holders firm, and white made 43s 6d; prime mixed 425. S T AMF ORD-FRIDAY. We hal a middling show of wheat to-day, and cur* rencies must be quoted the same as last week. Barley in moderate show, and prices unaltered. Oats scarce, at late rates. Beans in steady request, at full prices. New white wheat, 65s to 70s ; red do., 60s to 66s per 8 6 stone. Barley, malting, 40s to 50s; grinding, 27s to 3 53 per qr. Oats, new, 25s to 31s ; old, 32s to 36s per 24 stone• Beans, 46s to 54s per 38 stone. Peas as of late. DERBY-FRIDAY. There was a middling supply of wheat on offer to-day , with a steady trade, at about the rates of last week. Oats were steady at extreme quotations. Barley was scarce, and in mod, rate request. Beans also scarce, and prices quite as high. Peas a small show. New white wheat, 66s to 72s ; do. red, 60s to 65s per 3 6 stone. Barley for malting, 39s to 46s per qr. ; grinding , 34s to 38s per 30 stone. Oats, new, 28s to 325; old, 33s to 36s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 45s to 525; new, 38s to 453 per 38 stone. WAKEFIELD.-FRIDAY. At our market to-day English fine white wheat met a firm demand, and the business done was at the extreme rates of last Friday, and in some cases rather more money Fine barley ruled firm ; inferior cheaper, and neglected. Other articles were very little changed. LINCOLN.-FRIDAY. A fair supply of wheat. Trade was quiet, and late prices fully supported. There was a slender show of barley, at late prices. For oats quotations were fully maintained. Beans a firm trade, and unaltered in price. New white wheat, 68s to 72s ; new red, 64s to 688 per 3 6 stone. Barley for malting, 38s to 45s per qr ; grinding , 36s to 38s per 30 stone. Oats, 27s to 365. Beans, 49s to 538 per 38 stone. BRISTOL SUGAR-FRIDAY. The demand for all kinds of sugar continues steady, but only a moderate business has been done this week at late prices. COAL MARKET. Price per ton at the eloseof the market. s. d. Walls End Raton 22 0 Holywell Main l7 0 West Hartley Hetton Lyons 19 9 Bradyell'slletton 2l 0 Buddle's W. ;Hartley lB 6 Pensher Primrose 19 3 Eden Main ships at marke s. d• Tanfield Moor Butes 15 0 6 Hartlepool Original Hartlepool East Hartlepool Hastings Hartley lB 6 Haswell South Hetton ,t, 38—sold, 36. A SWEET PROGRAMME.—An American has in vented a tasteful playbill for the French theatre. The programme and names of artists ar© printed upon an agreeable paste by means of juice of chocolate, so that the programme can be eaten. This is a now way of having a taste for theatricals, and "devouring their discourse."-- 7he Builder. Births. BnAvDRETH—On the 27th inst., at Cambridge-street, Hyde park, the wife of Captain Brandreth, of a son. FORSYTH- On the 25th inst., at The Firs, Mortimer, Berke, the wife of W. Forsyth, Esq., Q.C., of a daughter. SOPER—On the 27th inst., at 4, Belsize-terrace Hampstead, the wife of F. L. Soper, Esq., of twin sons. Marriages. CLARKE—RosE—Ou the 25th inst., at St. James's Church, Piccadilly, Stanley de Astel C. Clarke, Esq., Captain 13th Hussars, son of the late Colonel J. F. S. Clarke, Royal Scots Greys, to Mary Temple, eldest daughter of the Hon. John Rose, of Montreal, Canada. HUC;GETT—PITCHER—On the 26th inst., At ISICWOrth Church, Henry James, only son of Mr. Paulin Huggett, of Ailsa-road, Twickenham, and Paternoster-row, to Catherine Lydia, eldest daughter of Mr. J. H. Pitcher of St. Margaret's, Twickenham, and Newgate-street. Deaths. BATE —At 11111-grove, near Bridgwater, Somerset, Robert Bate, Esq., aged 68. BID MEAD —On the 25th inst., at 5, Lawrence-lane, Cheap side, Martha Elve Bidmead, relict of the late Mr. Joseph Bidmead, aged 83. HOLMES—On the 19th inst., at Coombe Lodge, Swans combe, Henry Holmes, Esq. MEDLEY - On board s.s. Narva, off 'Havannah, of yellow fever, Wm. E. M. Medley, eldest sou of A. 0. Medley, of lit;nsington-gardens-sqUare. WOODS —0 n the 18th inst., at Heversham, Westmorland , James Woods, Esq., of oehdale, aged 68. WATsos—On the 26th at Grosvenor House, Havelock road, Hastings, Mr. James Watson, aged 80. London : Printed and Published by WILLIAM ANDREWS , of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at True SUN Oahe, No. 112. Strand, iu the Prec:inc_;t of the Sr coy, in the County of XidinosCL—Saturday, 6eptoubor 18, 1667, [HE SUN, LON uON, SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 28, 1867