The Sun. — London, England, 1868-12-24 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNATS The Timesli ves a long notice to the decision which has been arrived at in the Court of Appeal on the case of " Martin v. Mackonochie," in which some of the most characteristic practices at St. Alban's, Holborn, were challenged, and the result is that Mr. Mackonochie is con demned upon every one of the points raised, and is required to pay the costs both of the original suit and of the present appeal. This decision, the Times remarks, is as important as it will be satisfactory to the public. After going fully into the case, it observ.s that the judgment of the Court of Arches condemned the use of incense and of water. It admitted, however, the law fulness of lighted candles, and considered the kneeling a minor point of order, which, if raised at all, should be referred to the discretion of the Bishop. Now, however, the Judicial Committee have ruled that kneeling during the Prayer of Consecration is contrary to the Rubric, and that lighted candles are not admissible. There remains, therefore, not a single point on which the defendant has sustained his case. In conclusion, it is remarked that the public may be heartily congratulated upon such a plain decision. It is a most satisfactory point in this lucid judgment that any Englishman may understand it from beginning to end, and may distinctly apprehend the law by which his Church is regulated. In this respect it offers a favourable contrast to the judgment of the Dean of Arches, which conducted us through a perfect body of divinity to King Edward Vl.'s Injunctions, and ' to "Primitive and Catholic" customs. From these mysterious authorities, and from the subtleties for which they afforded occasion, we are now completely relieved. All the ornaments that are lawful in the Church are to be found mentioned in a single book, and that the first Prayer Book of Edward VI. As to ceremonies, nothing is lawful which is not prescribed in our present Prayer Book. After all, it is , proved that Parliament, acting with the concurrence of the clergy, is the real authority for our forms of worship, and that it has, in fact, expressly prohibited all ecclesiastical customs which it has not itself expressly approved. If this principle is a relief to the general public, it ought, we think, equally to be a relief to the clergy. The other principle would have plunged them into an endless controversy, and would have been equally fatal to uniformity and to peace. The Times remarks that a proposal to summon a con ference,of the Great Powers, to meet at Paris, on the subject of the dispute between the Porte and the Greek Government, has found favour with more than one of them, and, though the matter is not yet decided, it is probable , that the " Eastern question " will once more be discussed personally by European diplomatists. The first impression we receive from this intelligence is that such a Conference is likely to waste a good deal of time, and that, perhaps, it is not without a regard to this object that it has been de signed. The three protecting Powers from whose tuition Greece professes no desire to emancipate herself might undoubtedly compose the quarrel easily and at once, and we believe that two of them sincerely desire to effect such an' accommodation. But the third, Russia, is 1 / 4 unwilling, and it may be unable, to join with them in the only possible course—that of addressing such strong remonstrances to the Greek Government as will induce it to recognise and fulfil its international duties. Not until this is done can the Powers demand of Turkey that it shall desist from the prosecution of its claims by war. After a sketch of the present position of the affair, it is remarked : The Great Powers, Of course; will not act, whether before or after the Confe rence, until they have determined the p - recise character of their interference ; nor does the public desire action so hasty that it might chance to be ill advised. But yet there is danger in delay both to the belligerents and to the European bystanders. The influence of general opinion may, perhaps, cause the Greek Ministers to moderate their pretensions ; but till the matter is really settled the turbulent demands of the people, who know nothing of the miseries and burdens of war, may urge the little king dom into a conflict. In reference to the new Chancery appointments, the Post observes that it is gratifying to notice that Sir G. M. Giffard owes his promotion entirely to merit. Although a Liberal in politics, he was selected by Lord Cairns for the office of Vice-Chancellor in succession to Sir W. P. Wood, and the manner in which he has discharged his judicial duties amply justifies the further promotion which he has now received at the hands of his political friends. As regards the mode of appointment, the Post says it may be observed that the popular belief is that all judges Eire appointed by the Lord Chancellor, but this ie incorrect; all chief judges—the Lords Chief Justice, the Chief Baron of the Exchequer, the Master of the Rolls, the Lords Justices in Chancery—are appointed by the Prime Minister, who no doubt in all these matters consults not only the Lord Chancellor but the other members of the Cabinet. The Vice-Chancellors and the Puisne Judges are appointed by the Lord Chancellor. Mr. James's elevation is thus approvingly scolun of : The new Vice-Chancellor, Mr. W. M. James, is a lawyer of great experience, and an able and accomplished gentle man. He has never, we belive been in Parliament; and therefore he owes his promotion to professional, not to political claims. Recently, be has been engaged in two great ecclesiastical cases— as counsel for Bishop Colenso iu one, and as counsel for Mr. Mackonochie in the other. Upon the whole, the Prime Minister and the Lord Chan cellor may be safely congratulated upon the appointments which they have made to the first high judicial offices which have fallen to their gift. The Star, in reference to the remarks of the Times on Mr. Mill's letter to Mrs. M`Laren— more particularly that portion of it relating to Governor Eyre's case-- saYs : Our contemporary instances what it calls Mr. " antimony " in• the controversy with reference to 'Mr. Eyre. 1 What is " acrimony " according to our con temporary's definition.i. The atrocities perpetrated in Jamaica excited the deepest indignation in Mr. Mill's mind, and he has given appropriate expression to that manly feeling in various speeches and pub lic documents. We are not aware that the Times, which has itself made large admissions with respect to what was done in Jathaica arid to the conduct of the principals, has ever cited one statement made by Mr. ~Mill on this subject which it could allege was untrue, or which by - its exaggerations or personal injustice betrayed an acrimonious temper. In regard to the remarks Mr. Mill made on the part taken by many women in the Eyre controversy, and the arguments directed against this portion of Mr. Mill's letter, it is observed that Mr. Mill's argument is that the women to whose conduct he takes exception belong to the class who have not been taught to think , about matters of politics, and that they afford one more evidence ".that the renunciation of masculine intelligence gives no security for womanly kindness." The Times doubts the logic of this proposition, and thinks that women sympathised with Mr. Eyre because they supposed him to be the victim of persecution. No doubt there is a measure of truth in this statement ; but is it not a fair inference that misdirected sympathy is due, in the case in point, to that ignorance of facts of a public nature which is the characteristic of so many women who are brought up under the present imperfect system of education ? Remarking on the disagreement of two of the leading Liberal papers, the Standard says : Who is to decide when doctors disagree, is an old difficulty ; only, unfortunately, it is one of those ancient things of which modern progress, despite its wonderful benefits, does not rid us. We sup pose the same perplexity may be held to subsist when doctors' assistants disagree. That is the case at present. Mr. Gladstone and his colleagues are the cunning leeches called in to treat the Protestant Church in Ireland, and it is understood that there is no difference of opinion among them as to what is the matter with her. She has a most unfortunate connection with the British Crown ; and as the average income of her clergy, not counting curates, whom the clergyman has to pay out of his cure, amounts to £260 per annum, it is also equally obvious that she is suffering from over rich blood. So far there is, we believe, complete unanimity among the con sulting circle. The question, however, remains, how are the remedies for this melancholy state of things to be applied ? The profane outside world say that none of these gentlemen have the slightest idea, and that with the habitual shrewdness of one of the learned professions they shake their heads, close their lips, and take refuge in impressive silence. This is all very well for practised doctors. Doctors' assistants, however, cannot be expected to be so discreet. KnoWing still less, they are a trifle more confident. Moreover, they have no particular repu tation to lose, and there is, therefore, nothing surprising in there being a good deal more garrulous than their employers. Referring to the state of affairs in Manchester and the cotton district, the Daily News thinks that the resolution to work half time will throw a gloom over the Christmas holiday in all the manufacturing towns of Lancashire. Hitherto the chief loss occasioned by the bad condition of the market has fallen upon the manufacturers ; now the work-people must consent to share it. This time, too, the fault of the bad situation does no', lie at the doors of the manufacturers. It is not said that the markets of the world are full, and that they have made a winding-sheet for their trade by weaving more cotton cloth than would be needful to wrap up the planet itself. On the contrary, cotton goods are everywhere wanted, but they are wanted at a lower price than that at which ilfanchester can make them. There has been over-production; not that more has been made than the world wants, but whore than the world can buy at the price. The supply of the raw material is not equal to the demand. The cotton spinners have gone on spinning more than they could sell at a profit, and by doing so they h ave l owere d the value of manufactured goods by over supply, and raised the price. of the raw cotton by over demand, and so have burned their candle at both ends till they hay4egull tQ burn &lurk MARRIAGE OF EARL PERCY AND LADY EDITH CAMPBELL. The marriage of Earl Percy, the eldest son of the Duke of Northumberland, with Lady Edith Campbell, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Argyll,was celebrated on Wednes day in St. George's Church, Campden-hill, Kensing ton. The anxiety to witness the ceremony was so great, that not only was the church crowded t, excess, but hundreds were unable to obtain admittance. Amongst the more distinguished personages who attended the wedding was Mr. Gladstone, the First Lord of the Treasury. The Lady Edith, who wore a white silk dress trimmed with Brussels lace, and a Brussels lace fall decked with orange blossoms, was attended to the altar by twelve bridesmaids—Lady Elizabeth Campbell, Lady Evelyn Campbell, Lady Frances Campbell, Lady Mary Campbell, Lady Edith Ashley, Lady Elizabeth Grosvenor, Miss Stuart-Wortley, Miss Blanche Percy, Miss Susan Drummond, Miss Portal, Miss Campbell of Islay, and Miss E. Labouchere. The officiating clergy were the Rev. Henry G. de Bunsen, M.A., vicar of Lilleshall ; the Rev. Edward Probert, M.A., domestic chaplain to the Duke of Northumberland ; the Rev. G. W. Portal, M.A., rector of Aldbury ; and the Rev. George Bennett, vicar of St. George's, Campden hill. The wedding breakfast was given at the Duke of Argyll's residence, Campden-hill. In the afternoon the bride and bridegroom left for Albury Park, Surrey, one of the Duke of Northumberland's seats. Balls in honour of the marriage were given in the evening, at Northumber land and Sion Houses, to the members of the Percy house holds. THE PRINCE OF WALES "ON THE RAMPAGE." The correspondent of the Morning Pose at Stockholm writes as follows :—" It has truly been said of old that there is no rest for the wicked,' and it may with equal truth be affirmed now that there is no rest for princes,' more especially when they are either hosts or guests. The Prince of Wales and the Crown Prince of Denmark, who left Copenhagen on the 15th, arrived here by railway on the following evening, from which it will be seen how much travelling by sea and land has now been rendered expeditious even in these hyperborean latitudes. On the arrival of the princes at the station here their Royal Highnesses were most cordially received by the King and his brothers, the Prince Oscar, Duke of Ostrogothland, and the Prince Augustus, Duke of Dalecarlia, and all the anticipations which had been indulged in as to the enthusiastic reception that would be given to the heir-apparent to the British throne have been far exceeded by the reality. All interest in everything else, indeed, seems to be absorbed by that which is felt in this royal visit, and yet all has been so well and so quietly arranged that there is comparatively little excitement though all are delighted to have an opportunity of seeing the royal guest, and of testifying to him how welcome his Royal Highness is in the capital of Sweden. But while such are the universal sentiments of thl Swedish people, there is not one among them who enjoys what is now passing here more than the warm hearted and hospitable King, who appears to have cast all else aside that he may render the stay of his illustrious guest as happy as possible ; while, in doing so, all seems to be done most naturally and without effort, which must only render it the more agreeable to his distinguished visitor. Nor is t'le Queen less desirous to make the Prince feel quite at home, which is a labour of love in which Prince Oscar and Prince Augustus are willing coad jutors. The- day after the arrival of the princes was chiefly occupied in the paying and receiving visits, and in the evening there was i grand banquet at the Royal Palace, to which all who are in any way distin guished at the Swedish Court were invited. Yester day there was a similar assembly at the palace of the Queen Dowager, from whence there was an adjourn ment to the Opera, where L'Africaine ' was performed in splendid style. Plans are laid for parties of various kinds, in the arrangements for which Prince Oscar is most fertile in his resources, although the season is too far advanced for some of those field sports from which it is known the Prince of Wales derives much enjoyment. It is, however, intended that extraordinary efforts should be made to afford his Royal Highness some gratification of this kind, and Mr. Oscar Dickson, who is alike renowned as a merchant and as a sportsman, and whose attempts to introduce grouse into Sweden promise to he successful, has been invited to attend at Court on this occasion, that his experience of the field sports both of England and Sweden may thus be rendered agreeably available. Hitherto the weather has been mild and open, but there are now evident symptoms of the approach of winter, and it is understood that the Prince has made up his mind not to prolong his stay beyond Tuesday, the 22nd, as his Royal Highness is desirous to join the Danish Royal Family party on Christ mas Day, which he might not otherwise. at this season ' able to accomplish." LAW AND T OLICE. ---.0- NO DAMAGE 3 ALLOWED.-In the Common Pleas the Great Northern Railway successfully resisted a claim brought against the company by a canvasser for a coal company, named Tunn. The plaintiff, in entering one of the company's carriages at the Seven Sisters'-road station was thrown clown in consequence of the train moving off, and he sustained serious damage from falling between the carriages and the platftrtn. It was shewn, in defence, that before the plaintiff opened the carriage door the signal to " go on" had been given, and that he was himself entirely to blame for the accident. Mr. Justice MOntague Smith and a special jury decided that the defence was satisfactory . and judgment was, given 'for the defendants. 7 DRUG STEALERS.—M the Middlesex Sessions, on Wee:- nesday, a gang of drug stealers Pleaded guilty. Two of the prisoners were in the employ of wholesale druggists, and had for a' length of time plundered their masters. Two others (one of whom was the landlady of a beer-shop, whose husband was now suffering a sentence of penal servitude) were regular receivers of stolen property. The judge sentenced each of the prisoners to five years' penal servitude. CHARGE OF CHEQUE STEALING. -At the Mansion House the charge brought against Mr. iliffe, a London merchant, who was out on remand, was finally disposed of on Wednesday. The defendant was alleged to have appropriated to his own use two bankers' cheques of the value of £6OO, entrusted to him for a special purpose ; but it having been proved that a large portion of that sum had been paid by the defendant pursuant to the usual practice of brokers, plaintiff's counsel, Mr. Metcalfe, stated that after the explanations given there were no grounds for criminal proc'eedin;g,s. Alderman Finnis consequently dismissed the summons. LOOSE WAY OF DOING PUBLIC BUSINESS.—A calm heard at Bow-street Police-court on Wednesday shews the loose manner in which the business of an important branch of the public service is carried on. Two men were charge with having by means of a forged order obtained a cheque for £856 13s 3d. from the Paymaster- General's office in Whitehall. The order, which purported to be for the payment of pension due to one "J. Audrey," and to be signed by Francis Derry, for ten years an examiner of claims in the office of the Paymaster-General, was presented by one of the prisoners to a clerk in another department of the same office, and by him exchanged for a cheque on the Bank of England. It turned out afterwards that John Audrey, whoever he may be, is not, nor ever was, entitled to pension ; that orders of the kind to which the signature was forged are easily obtainable at the office by any person choosing to ask for them ; and that the signature was not at all like that of Mr. Derry—at least so said the official in his sworn testimony. DR. MACDONALD ON "HAMLET."—This accom plished gentleman has delivered the last of the winter course of lectures in the Lodge, Shaw street, Liverpool. In discussing the play •of "Hamlet," the lecturer said that the interest was all centred in one man. He denied that Hamlet was out of his mind, as men had supposed him to be, and neither did he con sider him to be a man incapable of action, though he did not act on ordinary occasions. He exhibited great powers of mind by his conduct, in feigning madness to avoid danger, and in carrying out his schemes against his enemies under cover of this ruse. After observing that the famous soliloquy was never rightly delivered on the stage, Dr. Macdonald concluded by declaring that the present condition of the stage was not satisfactory, but that some time it might be made the means of grand teaching. Tin ltorn-TYnia TRlCK.—Everybody knows that the rope untying trick was the specialty of the Davenport Brothers, but everybody may not know that I it was done infinitely better by the Indians of the Upper I‘lissouri, long before either Jackson Hartz or the I.%aven• ports were km]. A friend of ours, now residing w ho spent many years of his early life as an r:nlian trader in the Yellow Stone Region, inform, •• that the Assiniboin tribe were remarkably ski:fal ; thi s "spiritual manifestation." Hellas frecinently seen t • ilef "thedic:ne man " allow himself to be stripped tt :reech clout. tied at eve ry joint, from toes' to neck, Nvitli ;ufralo thono's, then rolled in a blanket and tied again, then rolled - in a buffalo robe and tied the third time, until he was apparently as helpless as a log. In this condition the "red-skinned medium " was placed in a small tent surrounded by a ring of spectators, and an Indian drum, flute, and a gourd of water laid by his side. 'Within three minutes the drum and flute would be heard, and at the end of five " Mr. Lo" walked out untrammeled. And the men who tied him were whites, who had bet heavily against the performance of the Louis Republican.. FOREIGN • NOTES. SPAIN. General Cialdini has arrived at Madrid "on private business," His wife is a Spanish lady, and he is the guardian of the late General Fanti's children, who also married a Spanish subject. There is every reason why the interests of his wards and nephews should require his presence in Spain ; but, unfortunately, General Cialdini is aide-de-camp and intimate friend to King Victor, is an officer of the highest rank in the Italian army, and is on the best of terms with all the revolutionary generals. The story of his mission, though plausible, is believed by few. He has visited Madrid, it is asserted, to establish a final understanding with the Provisional Government respecting the candidature of an Italian prince—the Duke of Aosta, the Duke of Genoa, or Prince Carignano. There is no doubt, says the Times correspondent, that General Cialdini would be the best possible envoy for such a nego tiation, and it is likewise notorious that King Victor, his own regal troubles notwithstanding, greatly desires the Spanish throne for his second son. But the task of securing a candidate who will please the Spanish people has become much more difficult than formerly. It is no longer possible to smuggle a king into Spain. The Spaniards are not quite sure that they want a king at all, and they certainly will not have one who does not answer to their beau ideal of a monarch. At present the Duke of Montpensier is the ridicule of all parties, and the Republican leader, Castelar, dealt the Duke of Aosta a mortal blow when he declared that the last time he saw this mode] candidate he was entertaining a select company with sleight-of-hand tricks. The difficulty is all but in superable, for every prince that can be mentioned is opposed by the Republicans and by the partisans of every other candidate. It is not, surprising, however, that the King of Italy should desire his son to succeed Queen Isabella, or that his wishes should be echoed by many of the Spaniards. Tha alliance would make the two countries a most formidable Power in Europe. AUSTRIA. The Posen Journal states that the concessions demanded by the Diet of Galicia in September last, and which were then declared to be inadmissible, are about to be accorded to the Poles. The Emperor himself has now become the friend of the divided nation. The Polish deputies without exception gave their support to the Military Bill, and the Emperor has declared his belief that the remarkable success of that measure was largely owing to their assistance. In accordance with Francis Joseph's desire, every effort will be made to induce the German majority in the Reichsrath to withdraw their opposition to the Polish claims. Serious attempts will also be made to establish an agreement with the Czechs. MARRIAGE OF THE KING OF BAVARIA. The marriage of the only daughter of the Czar, the Grand Duchess Maria, with the King of Bavaria, is now finally decided upon. The Liberte says that the religious difficulty has at length been disposed of—the Grand Duchess will accept the Catholic faith. Hitherto, none of the Imperial Family of Russia has abandoned the orthodox religion of the country. An envoy has been sent to Rome to arrange this conversion. AMERICA. President Johnson's Message caused a panic amongst the holders of American bonds, but the action of Congress has dissipated all alarm. The quotations have.recovered all that was lost, and, in addition, have risen considerably. The Senate, after declining to hear Mr. Johnson's Message, has consented to the reading, leaving it to be understood that the first refuzal was merely a vindication of the dignity of the Legislature of the nation. We shall now probably hear no more of repudiation. The Americans have decisively rejected it, and of all material securities none is greater than the fact that the greater part of the debt is owing to the people of the United States them selves. The savings banks of New York alone hold bonds to the value of forty-nine million dollars. If, as unfortunately seems probable, Mr. Reverdy Johnson's recall be decided upon, it is reported that Mr. Stanton will succeed him. So far as England is con cerned, this will not be an auspicious commencement of General Grant's Presidency. On the Alabama question Mr. Stanton is vehemently anti-English, is not disposed to accept any compromise, but to insist upon the letter of Mr. Seward's original demand. It is also thought likely that Mr. E. B. Washburne will supersede General Dix at Paris, and that Mr. Motley, the historian, will be the Ambassador at Vienna. As to the Cabinet, Mr. Adams is spoken of as the successor to Mr. Seward, and Senator Sherman is assigned to the Finance Department. The appointment of Mr. Adams as Foreign Secretary is in all respects to be desired. He would be likely to devote more attention to the great work of establishing good relations with England, and less to advantageous bargains for volcanoes and desert islands, than the present Minister. The Mr. Washburne spoken of as the new Ambassador at Paris is not the diplomatist who got into trouble in Paraguay. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. TIIE BALLOT. Mr. Cardwell has followed his chief on the .ques tion of the Ballot. Like the Premier, the Secretary for War prefers open to secret voting, but, like the Premier, he considers that the first and most essential requisite is freedom of voting. Therefore, if open be inconsistent with free voting, it is the first that will have to give way. There can be no doubt that the new Ministry, while declining to bring in a Ballot measure on their own account, mean to offer no opposition to it if introduced by a private mem ber, and, if we mistake not, will give it an actual support. WAREHAM ELECTION. As was generally expected, Mr. Drax has triumphed over his opponent, Mr. Calcraft, by a considerable majority. There is very little doubt that had the Conservatives been united at the late general election, the_present member would then have been successful ; but the Conservative party was divided by the candi dature of Mr. T. F. Fremantle, who polled 68 votes, againstCaptainCakraft's 314 and Mr.Drax's 301. By the election of Mr. Drax, who will probably take Mr. Baillie Cochrane's appellation of " Alphabet" Drax, in conse quence of having no less than five Christian names, the Conservatives gain a seat. There is onlyone seat — South Derbyshire —now vacant, but it is extremely probable that when Parliament meets a new writ will be issued for Nottingham, Colonel Ichabod Wright having intimated his intention to resign on account of ill-health. A CONSERVATIVE ON THE REFORIE STRUGGLE. Among the most amusing speeches which we have had of late have been those of Conservatives on Reform. The facility with which they claim credit for the triumph of principles which everybody else thought they had been opposing all their lives, " takes the . wind " out of easy-going people. Lord Malmeabury was at a Conservative demonstra tion at Christchurch a few days back, and was called upon to propose . " The health of the working men of England." He declared that no one in the room had a better right t o p ro p ose th e t oas t th an he. For was he not a member of that Government which had 'given the artisan the " boon and privilege ?" Very contemptuously did he speak of the quibbling of " other political parties " as to whether it should be £9, £B, £7, or what not. The thing approached very near to a perfect farce. We suppose "real comedy " began when Mr. Disraeli declared 'that the question of Reform had passed out of the region of party discussion ; when he " took the House into his counsel," educated that side of it which he led, and proposed a bill such as the most democratic of Mr. Gladstone's followers would have brought in. Here is Lord Malmesbury explanation of that matter. It will do as well as another. The quibbling, however, from £9 down to £4 in later times became so inconvenient that it was felt no such test should be laid down, and that the franchise should be at once given to all who paid the rates, and therefore had some interest in the taxation and in the conduct of the affairs of - this country. Thus it was that the Conservative Govern ment for the first time proposed and carried house hold suffrage. Only, how was it that the hope of the Conservative party, Lord Stanley, attempted to throw out the Russell-Gladstone Government by substituting £8 for £7 ? 'mR. - DISRAELI'S RESIGNATION. The Morning Advertiser gives currency to a strange account of the retirement of the late Prime Minister. This second " leap in the dark " is said to have been taken in consequence of the course pursued by two members of the late Cabinet, Lord Cairns and Mr. Hardy, who threatened to resign alone if .Mr. Disraeli did not consent to let the Ministry resign en bloc. The Government could not stand any further secessions, although it had survived the resig nation of Lord Salisbury and his friends the year before. Nor was it worth while to give rise to a scandal for the sake of retaining office for a fortnight. So the late Premier yielded to the representations of his Chancellor and Home Secretary. THE NEW LAW OF BRIBERY. A correspondent of the Post expresses a hope that in the course of the trials on the bribery petitions the judge will down clearly the law on some points at present doubtful. Ile asks what constitutes agency; and whether a member of a parliamentary candidate's committee who canvasses for him, who presides over a meeting at a public-house where wine, beer, and refreshments are dispensed free of charge, and who obtains promises of votes, and possibly signatures, is to be regarded as an " agent," and the feasting over which he presides " treating," within the m ean i ng o f th e Act He suggests that the fact of being on the committee of a candidate should constitute agency, and that the supply of any refreshments by one voter to another without payment in the interval bgtive .. 9A tie issue. of Frit and the declaration the poll Mould be regarded as" treating," and all votes so obtained should be void. The agents for the petitioners against the election of Mr. Smith for Westminster have published a statement of the prcunt condition of the law, with the view, evidently, of inducing witnesses to come for- • ward. They quote first that part of the old statute which prescribes the penalties imposed on briber and bribed, and they add Section 32 of ate - Act, which entitles every person wno gives lun and satisfactory evidence before the judge to receive a certificate of indemnity. Another section, which allows all reasonable expenses to such persons, is also given in this notice, for the encouragement of reluctant witnesses. THE RESIGNATION OF MAJOR-GENERAL TItAVERS. Major-General Travers, C. 8., has tendered his resignation as Inspector-General of Marines , and in ac cepting the resignation the Lords of the Admiralty have notified their intention not to appoint a successor. This event has caused great excitement in the service. The voluntary resignation of the highest prize in the profession to which General Travers belongs is believed to be an unprecedented act ; and it is. supposed that he has taken this step in order not to identify himself with the intended reduction of the Marines. Already the first step has been taken:towards this reduction, 18 sergeants and 350 gunners of the Royal Marine Artillery having been ordered for discharge at Portsmouth. As - a:specimen of the obstacles which Mr. Childers will have to encounter m reducing the estimates, the Times publishes from day to day angry criticisms from its military and naval correspondents unon the measure in question. IRISH VAGARIES. The Irish people are still "amusing " themselves. Threatening letters are sent hither and thither, to the no little consternation of the receivers. Here is an announcement in a local paper. "We regret to leant -that Mr. Alexander Craig, of Pegsborough, Tipperary, has of late received, through the post office, several threatening letters of a very violent and atrocious character, the evident purport of which is to compel that gentleman to leave the country. Two policemen are now stationed constantly at his resi dence." Fancy having to live with two policemen at one's doors perpetually. If this be the result of elections, Ireland would hardly petition for short Parliaments. IMPROVED PROSPECTS FOR. THE OCEAN POSTAGE SYSTEM, We recently commented on the new postal con vention effected between this country and America, urging in the, course of our remarks that the advocates for an " ocean penny postage" had no cause for despair. The subject seems likely to be .taken up in serious earnest, and the anticipations we formed of the new arrangements with America speedily leading to greater concessions, really appear to have a very fair, chance of being realised. This expectation we found .on the fact that Mr. Hadfield, M.P., and Mr. Bazley, M.P., have initiated a memorial to the American Minister, requesting him to lend his aid in advocating among his countrymen the adoption of the ocean penny postage. Mr. Reverdy Johnson has received the memorial with expressions of the greatest pleasure, and has promised to lend all the aid in his power towards forwarding this desired object in America. The memorial adds nothing new in the way of facts or reasoning in favour of trying the system of cheap oceanic postage, but it urges all the old arguments with great force. It must, how ever, be observed that it is something new for the subject to be so earnestly taken up by the members of our legislative body. The memorial, it should be added, is signed by about fifty members of the Com mons, and there can be no doubt but what it would have been signed by all the members, without ex ception, had there only been time to apply to them for their signatures. MR. MILL ON THE TREATMENT OP CRIMINALS. Mr. ➢fill has given his opinion on the best manner in which professional criminals may be dealt with by the police. He lays great stress on the importance of making efforts to " root out " the receivers of stolen goods. "Without receivers these professional thieves could not exist, and casual cases might easily be dealt 'with. The law in respect to the detection of these receivers is at fault. Mr. Mill is of opinion that it 'would be beneficial to change the practice which .prevails. of not putting questions to the prisoner, and' in doing this to avoid the evils of the French system, where the judge, instead of the counsel, interrogates. To place those who have com pleted the term of their sentence under police surveillance would not, he thinks, be wise, and the ends of justice would be better answered by other means. One point which Mr. Mill. insists upon is, that no one in the police force should be allowed to receive money from private individuals. This rule, rigorously enforced, would, he things, effect a great deal. He objects to the plan of employing policemen for private purposes, because they - mist neglect their general work if they are paid extra for particular services. Perquisites exercise a . most pernicious influence, and. Mr. Mill believes that they have acted in an inju rious manner on the moral character of the police force. The best men, at the least, fear the prevalence of this system, and these are apt to get discontented, and leave the force when opportunity offers. A complete change of system must take place in order to remedy existing evils and to remove the abuses which prevail in some quarters. HUMANITY IN BATTLE. A recent conference in Geneva has amplified the code drawn up in 1864 for the protection of the sick and wounded in battle. Eight articles have been adopted with regard - to naval battles, all tending to the same humane and desirable result of lessening the horrors of war. The principal points are as follows :—The hospital ships having on board sick and wounded are to be neutral so long as they carry no unnecessary craft military forc e or war ma t er i a l . Th e small which after an engagement receive the wounded and drowning are included in this article.. The staff of the chaplain and the hospital depart ment belonging to a captured vessel are also neutral. Such officers s h a ll con ti nue th e i r functions on board the captured vessel, but shall be at liberty to return to their own country when no longer needed. Wounded or sick non-commissioned officers shall be returned to their own country at the first opportunity, on condition that they do not carry arms again during the war. Hospital ships fitted out by benevolent societies shall be considered as neutral, and protected by the belligerents. They and shipwrecked of both distinction, but must not bweilllliger aid en impede in any way the movements of the combatants. Persons received on board these vessels cannot be claimed by either of the belligerents, belligerents the without t ed but they will have to guarantee not to bear frills again during the war. • These neutral ships are thus based on the old principle of sanctuary, with the exception that their good offices are reserved for the shipwrecked and wounded. THE CLAIMS OP NEEDLEIN:O3II N. Miss Barlee, the hon. secretary of the Metropo litan Institution for Needlew omen , has addressed a letter to the Times, in which she advocates the - claims of needlewonien .at . this charitable season, and prefaces her requests with the intimation that the changes in the War Office have transferred the greater part. of the labour of the society to soldiers' wives in garrison towns. A great deal of work has been done. by 'this society since the year 1860, and as much as 860,000 has -been earned by the workers, but now they are' pnprovided with employ ment. Miss Barlee observes that the union is open to these unfortunate persons ; but as a large postion of them have seen better days, and they would rather suffer want than seek such support, one object of this appeal is to provide an asylum for sane Of the most respectable and infirm among these self-dependent women. In urging this upon the publiC, Miss Barlee declares that she has for nearly ten years endeavoured to fight the needle women's battle against oppressive hiro; and now, under the failure of: contract work, she can but direct public attention to the condition of the workers, in the hope that something may be done to ameliorate their position. In conclusion, she' states that the - Charity Fund has always been quite inde pendent of their trade operations, and is devoted to the assistance .of distress, without any deductions being made from it. MADAME RACHEL'S CONVICTION. The Telegraph comments upon the awkward posi tion of affairs with regard to Madame Rachel, of " beautiful for ever " celebrity. It remarks that the legal point upon which she has been admitted to bail is .of a much wider appli ca tion than to this particular caner. It is contended on behalf of the prisoner that not only must an alderman always sit with the pre siding judge, but that no trial can be valid allies/. Inc same alderman. shall be present on the bench throughout the proceedings. Should this plea prove to be sound in law, Madame Rachel's conviction must be null and void, as on the several days of the trial at the Old Bailey different aldermen sat with Mr. Kerr. The consequences of the decsion w ill be still more extraordinary, since it is probable th a t i n h un d re d s o f t r i a l s a t th e C entra l Criminal Court there has been a change of aldermen during the pro cee di ngs, an d i n many o f t h ese cases the prisoner has, consequently, been illegally con- , victed and conde mne d— per h a p s t o pena l serv it u d e, perhaps even to death. The Telegraph takes the well-known instance of Muller, the German murderer of Mr. Briggs on the North London Railway, as an examp l e, an d as k s if that criminal was illegally put to death. It further suggests that if a ny con v i c t s con d emne d by a like informality are now suffering at Portland they can claim to be liberated on bail like Madame Rachel. Who is responsible for this informality, or is anybody responsible ? "In a word, has the chief criminal court of the kingdom been for years passing sentences which are as illegal as they :would have been had a mock prisoner been tried by a mo c k ~,av,r anii wan f itulsta ?" Twill speedily be settled under the writ of error. itt is clear that in the meantime the Telegraph will prove itself hostile to Madame Rachel, as it did throughout the two trials. We have no sympathy with this woman, but we cannot see that she deserves writing down more than the baby-farmers whom the Tele graph daily puffs in its advertising columns. CEUTA V. GIBRALTAR. "R. A.," writing from Woolwich, does not ap prove of Admiral Grey's proposal to exchange Gibraltar for Ceuta. Spain has no less right to Ceuta than we have to Gibraltar; if we gave up the second we ought to give up the first. The climate and the water supply of Ceuta are bad. It would be very difficult to erect a pier there, or to defend the place against attack. On the other hand, "B. A." holds that a very small expense would make Gibraltar impregnable. THE WEATHER. The Registrar-General's returns for last week shew an extraordinarily low barometer and an extra ordinarily high thermometer. The mean height of the first was only 29.47 in., the mean of the second was 47.5, or no less than 7.5 deg. above the average of the last fifty years. There was nearly an inch of rain during the week, and the excessive wet of the present month has brought the rainfall of the year nearly up to the average, in spite of the long drought in the summer. Oxford-street tradesmen are in a state of high indigna tion because Mr. Hawkesley, the engineer, has proposed to make an underground railway from the Marble Arch to the City. They say that the construction of the work will render their thoroughfare impas sable, though Mr. Hawkesley promises that they shall know nothing about it ; and• they urge that it will have the effect of taking West-end residents into the City, where they will be able to do their shopping more cheaply. Here we see exactly the same selfish spirit manifested, though in a different way, which made land owners twenty years ago the great obstructors of rail ways. - Each class thinks that the public advantage is to be sacrificed to their individual profit, and that they have a vested interest in difficult locomotion. The late Duke of Buckingham gave a grand dinner and burnt a large bonfire to celebrate the rejection of the Great Western Railway Bill. Mr. Snelgrove, of the firm of Marshall and Snelgrove, is leading the opposition to the Oxfqrd-street Railway. Human nature is the same in all classes and at all times. Meanwhile it is satisfactory to know that the system of. underground communication is extending rapidly. The new section which will connect Padding ton with Westminster Bridge will be opened on Christmas Day, and on New Year's Day the South Western Railway will be accessible from the north side of the Thames, so that passenger* by that line will no longer be compelled to hire a cab and pay a 2d. toll at Waterloo Bridge. In literary circles the event which excites most curiosity is the transference of the copyright of Mr. Tenryson's works fri?m Mr. Moxon to Messrs. Strahan. Messrs. Strahan are comparatively new men, of boundless energy and courage, who have always done business on the principle • of giving large sums to first-rate authors. IC is under these circumstances that they , are able to announce as contributors to Good' Words dining the coming year Mr. Gladstone, the Duke of Argyll, the Bishop ofOxford, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dean Alford, George Macdonald, Pro fessor Kingsley, Miss Edwards, and Mr. Helps. That they should have succeeded in alluring the Laureate from the old-established house in Dover-street to the new house in Ludgate-hill is an event which offers boundless speculation as to the terms by which they have tempted Mr. Tennyson. I should add that there is really no Mr. Moxon. The second of that name, son of the founder of the business, died in middle life about eight years ago: His widow survives, and the business is carried on by Mr.. Bertrand Payne. Another of the Piccadilly houses, Mr. Murray's, must look after its clients. Dean Stanley is becoming a frequent contributor to Macmillan's Magazine, and' the forthcoming number will have an article from him on the late Dean Milman. Mr. Glad stone, in spite of political differences, adheres to Albemarle street, and his " Chapter of Autobiography " has reached its 9th thousand. We are evidently to have a " green " Christmas. I wish my readers a merry one—better still, a happy one. THE COMIC PAPERS. (From Punch.) . . FLIES IN AMBER.—Yetlow Cabs. FAsHiors.The 'ladies are still wearing " diadem " bonnets. They have long only worn crowns? No APPARENT CONNECTION.—Mrs. Malaprop, whose head is still runnine , on politics, cannot make out why the new Ministers are obliged to go and be elected again be cause of a statue of Queen Anne ! POT AND KETTLE.—Friend : Well, Stuffins, what did you think of the cattle show ?"—Mr. Stuffins: " Pretty fair. But the way they feed up those poor beasts I call a disgrace to humanity !" THE EASTERN BORE.—It is said that " when Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war." Never mind that; but, for the peace of Europe, let us hope that when Greek meets Turk the case will prove otherwise. WHAT'S IN A NAME?"— Waiter (to nervous invalid) : " There's the old church, sir, close by, but some visitors goes to St. Wobbleoe's, sir. There the clergyman preaches distempery ! " (Cleary not the place for him, the old gen tleman thinks, with a shudder.) THE RETORT COURTEOUS. —The French Bar gave a dinner to the English at the Grand Hotel. M. Gravy pro posed " The health of the foreign barristers." Mr. Hud clleston' Q.C., responded to the to as t. B r av o ! If the French Bar gave the English Gravy, the English Bar gave the French Sauce in reply. TOAST OF TOLERATION.—The season for dinners of a specidlly festive character being now at hand, people who shall have dined may be expected to be uncommonly facetious. , Very likely if the right honourable gentleman the President of the Board of Trade should happen to be present at a Christmas feast of which the founder is a buffoon, that buffoon will venture to be so absurd as to propose the toast of "Ministers of all Denominations," coupled with the name of Mr. Bright. MASTER •OF THE SITUATION (?) !—(Scene—Mr. Tether short's sanctum: Enter Mrs. T. and her Cook.) Cook (with her- usual promptitude—she never kept anybody waiting) : •" Oh, if you please, sir, I wish to complain of missis ! which she come a dictaterin' and a hinterferin' in your kitching in a way as I'm sure you wouldn't approve on, &c., &c., &c." ! ! [T. confesses he felt (for the first and last time) a delicious sensation of being apparently master in his • own house. She was an admirable conk, and altogether'a most excell— But, however, she had to go !] (From Fun.) TRAP Dooms.—The doors of too many limited liability companies. HARD MEASURE.—Jenkyns, who is really musical, and unfortundtely lives next door to a young ladies' school, declares it is tao bad : as soon as he gets rid of the daily scales he gets the nightly waits. VERY STRANGE. Mr. Bentley seems to have takes to a sensational way of advertising' his authors of late. One is rather startled to read in the Athenceum that— Lady Fullerton's " Too Strange Not to be True," 6s. Could not testimony have been borne to her ladyship's veracity, without a charge of eccentricity being brought against her? Then again we are assured that — Edmund Yates's " Broken to Harness," 6s. We should like to know if he will go quietly in the shafts of wit, and very much doubt whether he will let anyone get the whip-hand of him. We trust he will pardon this allusion, and not think that we have any idea of "putting him at cheek," as the coachees say. . . (From Judy.) MOTTO FOR. MINERS.—I'II tike my Davy. A NEW NAME FOR SIR R. MAYNE.—Dog-bury. A PROPER COSTUME FOR CHRISTMAS.—A Beefeater's. OR WE'RE A DUTCHMAN !—When Mr. Disraeli comes to tackle Ministers in the " House," we guess that there'll he more than . one !` Quaker " in the Cabinet ! WHAT IT MUST COME TO.—There is every probability, February, from recent events, that Sir R. M a y ne w ill, nex t February, summoli the Speaker of the House, of Com mons before a Magistrate, for keeping a disorderly night house ! DISTRICT VISITING.—Lady Visitor: Well, and how's baby to-day, Mrs. Cloggings ?—Mrs. C.: Well, mum, she's pretty comfortable. The powder as you gave her don't seem to have done her no hurt yet. CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS. By an Old Bachelor. Domestic love may be very sweet, but when I look at my brother's family, it strikes me that it is also very dear. The complexion of a girl of the period differs from a railway season ticket— the one is, and the other is not, transferable. I love to see little children eating unaccustomed deli cacies, and my heart rejoices as I think of the Nemesis of the fatnily docto - r awaiting them. Mistrust the woman who, when a glass of wine is spilt over her dress, smiles, and says it doesn't matter. The taste for sweets prevails in all of us long after child hood—nay, even in old age, every one wishes Co be worth a plum. •• Curious how this life resembles billiards—kisses and misses are . generally found near together ! The greenness of the mistletoe is only exceeded by the verdancy of the persons who amuse themselves beneath it. • We hear much of the balance of power, the balance of happiness, and the balance of comfort ; but, to my think ing, the most effective balance of all is to be found at your bankers'. A cramped waist generally betokens brains in a similar condition. When I look upon a party of young people, I console myself with the thought that, after all, my skull is as good looking as any of theirs, and that's what it must resolve itself in at last ! A complimentary dinner to Mr. Leftwich, De mocratic congressman elect, was given at Overton. Tenn., on Monday night, Nov.. 30, and was marked by a meet-: ing of men of 'alf parties for the first timo since the war. DosvILLE and Co., Belfast, are the largest holders of Whisky in the world. Their ma Irish Whisky is re commended by the medical profession in preference to French Brandy. Supplied in casks and cases for home use or exports, tion. Quotations on application to Messrs. Danville and Co., Belfast; or 4, Beaufort-buildings, Strand, __London AV.Q —[Acl ! vortisementa SPORTING INTELLIGENCB. RACING FIXTI JAN RES FOR 1869. ARY. Manchester 1, 2 GARY. FEBIC Streatham 11, 12 Lincoln l6, 17 Harrow lB, 19 Mansfield 18 Nottingham Spring 23, 24 Chelmsford 25, 26 Derby Spring 25, 26 MA Liverpool Spring 2,3, 4 Shrewsburf Spring 5, 6 Warwick 9, 10, 11 Kingsbury l2, 13 Northampton l6, 17 ICII. AP. Bromley 1, '2 Aldershot l, 2 Cat ter ick Bridge... l, 2 Thirsk ... 6 7 StreathaM.. 8, 9 West Drayton . 18, 19 West Somerset 18, 19 Margate . 29 Durham 29, 30 Epsom 30, 31 11L. Chester 4, 5, 0, 7 Winchester ll, 12 York 11, 12 St. Albans Salisbury l3, 14 Doncaster 13; 14 I Newmarket Craven...l2, &c.I Eastbourne l9 Lewes 2O 21 Croydon 22, 23 I I Newmarket Ist Spring 26, &c. AY. West Drayton l7, 18 Bath 18, 19 Manchester l9, 20, 21 Croydon 20, 21 Harpenden 2l Epsom Summer .. ...`25, &c. JUNE. Croydon, 2,3, 4 1 Newcastle 22, 23, 24 Newton 2,3, 4 Oldham 22 Ascot • ....8, 9, 10, 11 Bibury Club 23 Liverpool Summer ...15, 16 Stockbridge 24, 25, 26 Windsor 15, 16 Chelmsford Hampton l7, 18 Sutton Park .....29, 30 Worcester l, 2 Newmarket July 6, &c. Kingsbury .. 9, 10 Pontefract 12, 13 Nottingham l3, 14 AUG Brighton 3, 4 Brighton Club 5 Lewes 6, 7 Egnam lO, 11 Wolverhampton lO, 11 Windsor 12, 13 St. Albans Stockton lB, 19, 20 Reading 15, 16 Huntingdon 2O, 21 Southampton 22 23 Stamford .. 22, 23 Goodwood 27, 28, 29, 30 IST. Oxford Canterbury . . 24, 25 York 24, 25, 26 Plymouth.... Windsor August l2, 13 Derby Summer ..,31, Sep. 1 Weymouth 31, Sep. 1 SEPTEMBER. Warwick... 7, 8 I Western (Ayr)........22, 23 Abingdon 9, 10 1 Kingsbury. 23, 24 Doncaster 14, 15, 16, 17 I Monmouth... 23, 24 Richmond 21, 22 I Newmarket Ist 0ct....28, &c.Lichfield OCTOBER. Bedford 5; 6 - Edinburgh 6, 7, 8 Leicester Newmarket 2d 0 c t...11; 7 tic B . I Chelmsford l9, 20 I Cheltenham l9, 20 West Drayton 2l, 22 Hereford 91, 22 Monmouth 23, 24 Newmarket Irtou —25, &r. N OVE MBE R. Worcester 2,3, 4 Shrewsbury Li, &c LiverpoOl 9, 10, 11. 12 I Leamington Hunt ....23, Scc IRISH. MARCH. Baldoyle First Sp r i ng is, 19 MAY. 11, 12 Baldoyle Second Spring STEEPLECHASE FIXTURES. • JANUARY. HopgrOve. 1 I Coverdale 6 Manchester l, 2 St. .Albans l9 FEBRUARY. Birmingham - 9 Harrow lB, 19 Lincoln 16,'17 I Derby MA: Liverpool 3 Rugby (Grand Mil.) 8, 9 Kingsbury 12, 13 RC II Cambridgeshire M 18 West Drayton lB, 19 Ore wkerne lB, 19 IL. • Aldershot Bromley 1, AY. 13 I West Drayt0n........ 17 JULY. ,9 Croydon 22, 23 St. Albans Kingsbury.. St. Albans.. West Drayton.. AUGUST. OCTOBER. WATERLOO ME: (Over 21, 22 1E T G -FEB. 17. Rear.) Patron -Right Hon The Waterloo Cup, value £l, of '.£25 each ; 64 subs; the the second £2OO. 1. Mr C. F. Allison 33. Mr J. Ingleby 2. Mr J. F. Armistead 34. Mr R. Jardine 3: Mr J. Bake 35. Mr F. Johnston 4. Mr W. J. Barden 36. Mr J. Johnston 5. Mr F. Bartholomew 37. Mr H. B. Jones 6. Lord Binning 38. Mr W. J. Legh 7. Mr J. Blackstock 39. Mr S. C. Lister 8. Mr J. S. Bland 40. Mr J. Lonsdale 9. Mr G. Blanshard 41. Lord Lurgan 10. Mr W. G. Borron 42. Mr S. Mallabey 11. Mr T. Brocklebank 43. Mr C. E. Marileet 12. Mr J. Brundrit 44. Mr W. H. Massey 13. Mr IL B. Carruthers 45. Sir C. Molyneux 14. Mr C. J. Chesshyre 46. son. C. C. Molyneux 15. Mr W. H. Clark 47. Mr T. Neville 16. Mr E. Croft 48. Mr R. Paterson 17. Mr J. Cunningham 49. Mr T. L. Reed 18. Mr W. D. Deighton 50. Dr Richardson 19. Mr James Dunlop 51. Mr J. Savage 20. Mr J. Evans 52. Mr N. Saxton 21. Lord Garlies 53. Lord Sefton 22. .Mr J. Gibson 51. Mr T. Smith 23. Mr W. M. Gilmour 55. Mr J. Spinks 24. Col. Goodlake 56. Lord Stair 25. Mr A. Graham 57. Mr E. W. Stocker 26. Mr T. Green 58. Mr S. Swinburno 27. Mr C. A. Halley 59. Mr G. A. Thompson 28. Capt. Hathorn 60. Mr R. Todd 29. Mr J. Haywood 61. Mr B. W. Trinder 30. Mr J. Hodson 62. Mr R. C. Vyuer 31. Mr J. Hole 63. Mr R. 11. Williams 32. Mr J. Hyslop 64. Capt. Wyndham. The Waterloo Purse, value £260, in specie, taken from the Cup Stake, for the 32 beaten dogs in the first round for the Cup; the winner to receive £lOO. The Waterlos Plate, value £lOO in specie, taken from the Cup Stakes, for the 16 beaten dogs in the first ties for the Waterloo Cup. The Great Waterloo Cup, 64 subscribers, at £25 each the money £1,600 -to be divided as under 1. Winner to receive ... 1. Second ditto 2. Dogs to receive £5O each... 4. Ditto ditto 30 ditto... 8. Ditto ditto 20 ditto... 16. Ditto ditto 10 ditto... the Earl of Sefton. ,600 in specie, by subscription wiener to receive £5OO, and .. £5OO ~ 200 . 100 ~ 120 . 100 ~ 160 1,240 The Waterloo Purse and Waterloo Plate 360 £l,OOO The Waterloo Purse, for the 32 dogs beaten in the firs course for the Waterloo Cup, amounting to £260, to be divided as under:- 1. Winner to receive ... 1. Second ditto 2. Dogs to receive .£l5 each... 4. Ditto ditto 10 ditto... 8. Ditto ditto 5 ditto... £lOO 16 £260 The Waterloo Plate for the 16 dogs beaten in tho second ties for the Cup, amounting to £lOO, to be divided as under : 1. Winner o receive ... ... 1. cond ditto ... ... 2. Dogs to receive £7 lOs each 4. Ditto ditto 5 ditto ... £lOO COURSING FIXTURES. JANUARY. Border Union (Longtown) .. 5, &c. Kenilworth (Warwickshire) 5, 6. - Lancashire , . Neptune Open (Lytham) Coola (Cork), Ireland Annan, Dumfriesshire B, 9. Wigtownshire Club 12, Ste Third South Lancashire 13, &c Aitcar Club, Lancashire 13, &C. Mere Down, Wilts . . 14, (Sze. Baldoek Club, Herts 20, 21. Spc'thorn° Club (Ashdown Park) ~.21, &c. Barton-on-Humber, Lincolnshire 25. Ridgway Club (Lytham), Lancashire 27, &c. Creagh Opeti, Ireland 27. FEBRUARY. Powderham Everleigh Club, Wilts 2, 3. Rufford Open, Lancashire Cardington, Beds Wenvoe Castle 3, 4. Ludham, Norfolk 11, 12. Brampton, Cumberland ll, 12. Waterloo (Altear), Lancashire l7, &c. MARCH. Ashdown Park, Herts Fourth S. Lancashire (Champion) County Louth (Champion), Ireland 18, Bco. 80 &c.Scottish National Open, Lanark ...... OCTOBER. Ancaster and Willoughby, Lincolnshire 5 , 6 . Ormesby 19, &c. Huntingdon Club.. 26, 27 _ NOVEMBER. 2, 3. 9, tka Sundorne, Salop Cothan and Eaton .. The Philadelphia school-officers have resolved to eliminate all reading books from the public schools, and substitute daily newspapers for the use of the schools. By this means they say the rising generation will bo made acquainted with "Congressional debates, State affairs, wars and their causes, accidents, floods and fires, t public improvements, &c., subjects upon which the youth ful mind will feed much more profitably than upon boast ful orations or pathetic fancy writing." Jesse Thompson has been arrested at Vietsburg on the charge cf being the assassin of Gen. Hindman. Admiral Wilkes is in Washington to further his claim to the flag officer's share of the prize Peterhof; cap tured by the Vanderbilt. His claim was disallowed by every authority, as the Vanderbilt was not attached to the Admiral's squadron when she captured the Peterhof, but he intends to lay the matter before congress. ANNUAL REPORTS. (From Me Anglo-Aterican Times.) The Commissioner of Agriculture, in his annual report, says—" It is gratifying to observe the evi dences of vitality in Southern agriculture, which is progressively and successfully marching the forces of recuperation, and gradually dispelling the de spondency resulting from the losses of civil war, the change in the labour system, disruption of fa milies, and the impoverishment of estates, A sys tem of internal agricultural exchanges has been established with many of the GoVernments Of Europe, Asia, and South America already, includ ing Austria, Prussia, China, Japan, India, Guate mala, and British Honduras. Arrangements have also been made for valuable exchanges of rare seeds, plants, trees, and various products of agri culture, with the botanical gardens of Kew in England, and Melbourne in Australia, the India Museum in London, the Cape of Good Hope Ag ricultural Society, the Botanical Department of the British Museum, the. Commissioner of Patents of the Argentine Republic," and the_ Central Agrono mical Society of the Grand Duchy of Posen. The production of grapes for table lige and for wine making has become an interest of great importance . The introduction of new and improved varieties is rapidly cultivating a discriminating taste in the general public, which must be gratifying to those who have laboured long and faithfully in its die" semination. The distribution of plants from th e experimental garden during the past year embraced thirty thousand plants. Many thousand scions and cuttings of fruit trees have also been disseminated . Great care is taken to preserve the nomenclature to guard against errors in the numerous varieties al' tivated. The following exhibits the disposition made of the seeds, u n d er th e a pp ropr i a ti on , from the Ist of Decemb er 1867, t o th e I s t o f D ece mber! 1868 :—The total numb er o f p a p ers an d p a ckage distributed was 592,398, whi c h i nc l u d es 32,12 9 sacks of Winter wheat, i m p or t e d by th e pre sent Commissioners, as• follows :—LTo mem b ers o f Con gress, 223,672 ; to agricultural and h or ti cu ltural societies, 98,861; to statistical correspondents! 86,391 ; to individuals on application, 183,470. Total, 592,398. • The Report, though brief, gives a view of all branches connected with the Depart ment of Agriculture. Professor John A.. Nichols, of the College of th e City.of New York, died at his residence, Nov. 28. lle had held the chair of Mixed Mathematics there since 1832, an had previously held the chair of Experimental PhiloseP l ° as successor of General Wm. B. Franklin. The Secretaiy of the Treasury has rejected the nomination of Gen. Comely, of Dayton, Ohio, as visor for the southern district of Ohio. Comely was recoil' mended by Gen. Schenck, and his nomination has be en pending a long while. It is probable that C o mmission e ' , Rollins will not Col: Crane of Cincinnati for th e place. Crane is recommended by some of the best 13103 in the Government service. General Spinner, of the Treasury, writes favonr ably in his report of the women clerks employed in hi : bureau, and recommends eq ua lity i n sa l ary w ith the 5°- of liko qualilidation. This will make a considerable cw, ference to the well-informed and intelligent women e : 61 0 0 - ployed, as the lowest grade of the men receive ilc e per annum, while the highest grade of the women re e ' . but 6900. -eat Weston reached Belfast, Maine, on his-g e ed pedestrian tour, on Tuesday night, Dec. 1, and 1 05 , ; through Belmont, Scaremont, East Palermo, Washing ° . Somerville, Windsor, and Augusta next day, reachlij° Hallowell at night. ce Whelan has been removed t o T or o n to to the case as to whetivar a new trial sh a ll b e gran ted to I'l discussed. The trial of Mrs. Cle m i n th e C r i m i na l Court 5t Indianapolis, for the murder o f Ja co b Y ou ng an d 4 wife, is creating considerable excitement. Tho Court p•-' hibited the publication of the testimony ; but the afte b ; noon newspapers pubHslied it, taking ground th at t d order of Court is arbitrary, and without authority law. Secretary Seward has instructed American c° l3 ; suls on the isthmus of Darien to see that American citizen, be not forced to contribute to the treasuries of rival la"; tions, stating that American naval commanders O n e i tt a c to side the isthmus have been ordered to afford con3P' protection to Americans whose persons or property 11*, be in jeopardy. „ot It is said that O'Baldwini the prize-fighter, over to America to study the penal system. lie is OW gaol. General Seymour is in New York, and who p supported at his hotel on the 2d instant by those who p supported him for the Presidency. first A portrait of the Hon. John Greenwood , - Judge of the City Court of Brooklyn, has recently d ip placed in the court-room. The court was establishoho 1849, since which there have been four judges, viz. , j° , l (l Greenwood, Erastus D. Culver, G e orge G. Reynolds, ti the present incumbent, George Thompson. ba g B. Davis Nixon, jun., of Syracuse, it is said , been invited by Mr. Hoffman, the Governor elect, t ° : 00 cept the position of Private Secretary ; General Fra n ", 1, Townsend, of Albany, has been designated A.djut.-CTe ne ; and Gen. James Al'Quade, of Utica, will be, it is tboth, the Inspector-General. , The Hon. H. C. Newcomb, editor of 7he Ch ic "o Journal, has retired from that newspaper, and, if 'it s° of to -the United States Senate, will resume the prac tw " his profession. ' Mr. A. H. Jackson, of New York, show s ~ cost of Indian wars, and what the sum will be for ex te , r 4 : 6 nating the existing tribes of savages. He appears t° A t imagined his figures. ' Re estimates past 0 ' 3 , 1 100 $1,000,000,000, and the same sum as the cost of the! iu " ones. iLlja [ADVERTISEMENT.] Holloway's Pills.—Seal l i P Vigour—To the most regular livers occasional distf ances of digestion will occur, which may be correc t° oo lo once by these famous Pills, the alterative an d doi e powers of which cannot be too highly extolled. pt; now and then will prove salutary to every one ; o liv• continued course must be .taken by the confirmed IB roaes , It is wonderful how the appetite and digestion la., r o'4 as the Pills exert their wholesome influence o v , e b fio animal economy. They angment muscular streaP os se mental vigour. Holloway's Pills frequently cure cf the digestive organs after all other mediciaq,,d7 failed to afford relief, and they are especially s erTl' in disorders of the liver and kidneys. ga oo, • LADVERTISEUENT ]—Consumption, and all nervous, r oy stomach,and liver complaints in every stage are only agg r fec`t. and accelerated by drugs of every description, but P: fo ol curable by Du Barry's health-restoring Revalenta Arabic as proved by thousands of cases which had been c 0 .,%, O ge . hopeless; such as indigestion (dyspepsia), cough, asth'Sersu sumption, habitual constipation, diarrhoea, all gastric oti oe w ments, hwmorrhoids, liver complaints, flatulency, nery,,icls, s. biliousness, fevers, sore throats, diphtheria, catarrhs , c '' t if 6s, fluenza, noises in the head and ears, rheumatism, i9 90_,, e rities, eruptions, hysteria, neuralgia, irritability, sleeP dror;S acidity, palpitation, heartburn, headache, d e bility, cy °r est , cramps, spasms, nausea and sickness, even in preg o l. o cb sea, sinking fits, bronchitis, scrofula, tightness 0 1 ;00, 4 1 pains at the pit of the stomach, and between the eh o Z . Bat . We quote a few.—The Pope's health restored by 1/% 0 0%11 Food. Cure No 68,413.—" Rome, July 21, 1866. —The ivd '9 the Holy Father is excellent, especially since, aband oo 33l l lo other remedies, he has confined himself entirely to 1341 ,fote, l l Revalenta Arabica Food, of which he consumes O ' tl o , , at every meal. It has pro laced a surprisingly b ile effect on his health, and his Holiness cannot PT )1 1 7r excellent food too highly." From the "Gazette u ‘ , ll ta, 4 , July 25. Cure No. 46,270. Mr. James Roberts, dal luo chant, of Frimley, Surrey, of thirty years' diseaseaso9oV spitting of blood, liver derangement, and partial de + ol,o Cure No. 1,771. Lord Stuart de Decies, Lord Li eu Waterford, of many years' dyspepsia.—No. 49,83'''cosa:oci years' indescribable agony from dyspepsia, n. er ti ess;o4 asthma, cough, constipation, flatulency, spasms, lotliew 0 0 1 vomiting.—MariaJoly." ImportantCaution.—Beware o unsavoury and more than sloppy imitations to vitic b ,i a che i s , authority, Baron Liebig's name is most audaciously !," . 1 1 ,00' In tins, at Is. 14d.; 1 lb. 2s. 9d. ; 2 lbs. 4s. 6d.; 5 lbs, 1 1; Qtro 225. ; 24 lbs., 40s.—Also Du BARRY'S RETALENTA ARA-B' s LATE POWDER is packed in tin canisters ; for 12 cups a„ - ,57 6 '0 0 cups at 3s. 64., for 48 cups at 68., for 288 cups at 305., ,-',, 55 0 ,40 at 55s.—being about one penny per cup. The 305. au ,',O are sent free of carriage in England on receipt of "_ e t, 1 , " irder.—BAßßY DU BARRY and Co., No. 77, Regent-Wu don; and all Grocers and Chemists. Bihs FIENNES —On the 20th ins r t.t. at . 16, Queen's gate-teroe, Lady Augusta Viennes, of a daughter. nref 111° H OP ETOUN—On the 22d inst , a t 29 , B e l gr ave-squ at Countess of Ilopetoun, of a daughter. o f f 0 . MILMAN—On the 29th Oct., at M aur iti us , the Wif e jor-General Milnian, of a daughter. Marriages. O ele' She BLACKBURN—ROBERTS—On the 22d inst., I" t)e v ''r 4 ef daughter of J. B. Robert., Thomas Blackbur n , of Doncaster, to Ainy, ) Sh e Es of Broomgrove' 4yo, eld. , „. o e• s TH fi OMAS—WALLA CE—On the 17th , inst., at 13ouloes.0A 4 , q Mer, Edg ar H as ti ngs Th omas , C a ptain Made . Pw - Christian Jean, eldest daughter of Alex. \V al late of Calcutta. TOP sii Deaths. Bixxs —On the 21st inst., at 4 , Newland-1) 10°1 " JA ,4 , ton, Henry Binuq, aged 3d. ~ r oe, BEIIFORD —On the 21st inst , at Fernhill, Laug u " e P Ifedford, Esq., aged 46. o+ De DOWNES —On the 23d inst., at 25, St. George's -13 ' 1 Do° gent's-park, Gertrude, wife of George Hooton , r Esq., ot he Stock Exchange. o GOODWIN t — On the 23d inst., at 22, Great Colle g e Ott rp a, Mr. Thomas Goodwin, aged 47. rot te SALMON —On the 21st inst., at Manor house' Devizes, Colonel Harry salmon. - 10 /' ND 1 1 1 London : Printed and Plblished by WILLIAY; II - i ,/o 0 of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Thz SUN 0 1— '004 , 4 strand, in tns Precinct of the 6e voy, xn the Middlesez.--Thursday, December 24,_1808. Tin' Till e c Prize Me It pi Sold ii the Agen 8, Obsery ban's LL M° ADVAN hold or : able wee Forms fi MA: APOI added.— and iron till ten p /t o, Christ change D. Da V . F rington, and a he James will she] CAN E entire new at Direct() &slants Baiterh • Stage 3 sequenc will be at SevE of admi is. ; reE AR . Rooms 1 and Co. an attra Dance 3.1 PH S PATENT had of SON, 10' pHE 10.5, Fie GLAS WI The Pa. T AB -a- ex for Za ra , every di ftAR us ,allies' and Co. Street, C W - u Fleet-sti • 'tient, Cl With Pri AV r t ° s , 5 , Tho O 1 D Advances the whol ii / Ar a i at all prl< Orders fn tztt, tr) i iesse-s9 Disti SEAT off i IVaticns, The r t 879 leF SUBS William the Sect street, I Quail , Govern( EST The I fessiona , .Weekly °bled w establisl This wised .1. 1, d it ; 'ady I Carotin( AIII tier' or p Subs( Treasul I\TArl Bader tb Whereby Girls of the ki n „, b The a ush oduc itod . b an ' 1, 1130 pre suitable The C( entirely Office, II E ALT'. Du ' tc 14, B 1 THE SUN; rONDOS, THURSDAY EVENING, ,DECEMBER 24, 1868.