The Sun. — London, England, 1871-02-24 00:00:00

FOREIGN AFFAIRS. M. CARTWRIGHT inquired why the despatch of Sir A. Buchanan, of September 9, reporting a communication by the Emperor of Russia to General Fleury, and which was referred to in the correspondence respecting the Franco- German war, was not given in that volume. Also, when papers would be presented in continuation of those laid before Parliament last session in respect of the measures taken for bringing to punishment the Greek brigands implicated in the murder of our countrymen. Lord ENFIELD said Lord Granville regretted that through an oyersight reference was made in a public des patch to one of a private character. It referred to a des patch between Russia and the French Ambassador, who mentioned it to Sir A. Buchanan, who afterwards com municated it privately to the Government. They could not therefore produce it without being guilty of a breach of confidence. (Hear, hear.) ADULTERATION OF WINES, Sir JAMES LAWRENCE asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if wines of a superior quality were adulterated, with the knowledge of the officers of the customs, in the docks ; and, also, whether the officers of the customs had received instructions to afford every facility for such adulteration, provided the owners declare that it is for the purpose of fortifying the wines. Mr. LOWE said his attention had not been called to the matter, otherwise than by the question. He found that no adulteration took place with the cognisance or permis sion of the Customs ; they had not given any orders on the subject, but the owners of the wines had the privilege while they were in bond of fortifying them— (a laugh)— which was necessary, and in case of wines becoming clouded, to fine them. Sir J. LAWRENCE said he: should move for a return of the quantity of alcohol and other spirits used in the docks. THE UNIFORM OF VOLUNTEERS Captain DAWSON-DAMER asked the Secretary for War whether he had considered the necessity of forming a second arsenal in a central position in England, such as Cannock Chase ; and, also, whether all volunteers, with the exception of the artillery corps, should be clothed in scarlet. Mr. CARDWELL said no provision had been made in the estimates for another arsenal. As to clothing volunteers in scarlet he had already said he did not think it desirable to interfere with the present arrangement. IRISH MAGISTRATES. Colonel STUART KNOX desired to know from the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Mr. Robert B. Daly, auctioneer and publican, had been appointed to the Com mission of the Peace for the borough of Drogheda, and on whose recommendation ; and whether the rule now in force for preventing the appointment to the magistracy of dealers in spirits is now'set aside, and on what grounds. The hon. member prefaced his question by a statement, in which, however, he was constantly interrupted by cries of " order." • Mr. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE said that as he was responsible for the appointment of the gentleman referred to by the hon. member, he would answer the question. He gave the license from his own knowledge of Mr. Daly, fortified by high authority—(laughter) —and he certainly had no reason to believe at the time that Mr. Daly was a publican, nor had he any reason to believe so now. He had since ascertained that Mr. Daly, who, a few years ago, was Mayor of Drogheda, was a member of a large grocery establishment, both wholesale and retail, and that he also held a wine license. He was in no other sense a Publican, and he did not even hold that license now, having transferred it sometime back to a member of his family. He (the speaker) might also state that three Years ago, Mr. Daly was offered a commission of the peace for the borough by the lord-lieutenant of the county, but he was not appointed, because it was considered that the number of acting magistrates was excessive, which was not the case now. He might also inform the douse that this respectable gentleman had been honoured with the confidence of his fellow citizens by being ap pointed to a variety of local offices, one of which was re- Inarkable, for, although he was not a member of the Established Church, he was elected a member of the select vestry. (Hear.) It might be added that the paragraph Which had filled the hon. member with consternation had been withdrawn, and that the newspaper in question had since followed it by a highly complimentary article. (Great laughter-) SALE OF DOCKYARDS. Mr. CUBITT asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the sale of the Government Dockyard to Mr. Austen had been completed, and if so whether Mr. Austen still remains owner of it; also whether the Go vernment had sanctioned the scheme for establishing a foreign cattle market on the site of the dockyard. Mr. BAXTER replied that the dockyard had been trans ferred to the Corporation of the City of London. The Admiralty had nothing whatever to do with the proposal to establish a cattle market site. THE IRISH CONSTABULARY. Mr. PEEL DAWSON asked the Secretary for Ireland whether the Irish constabulary would be employed in carrying out the provisions of the Gun Licences Ace, and whether he was aware that there was a strong feeling among the local magistracy in several districts in Ireland, that without the co-operation of the police the Act would remain ineffectual and useless both for the purposes of revenue and social protection. Mr. ARTHUR PEEL replied that the provisions of the Gun Licenses' Act with respect to the constabulary were Permissive, and not obligatory. The action of the con stabulary was limited : they could only arrest a person using or carrying a gun without a license, who declined to give his name or address ; and in the event of the person giving his name and address, they could only give information of the fact to the local authorities. There were several objections to imposing upon the con stabulary this duty, for they were regarded in the public estimation as common informers. Mr. MAGNIAC inquired of the Postmaster-General Whether he would endeavour to procure from the foreign governments through whose territory the mails for the East, via Brindisi, have to pass, a reduction in the pre sent heavy postal charges. Mr. MONSELL stated that none of the rates paid could be considered excessive, and as the arrangements had been so recently made, there would be no use in making an application for their modification. THE EDUCATION ACT. Mr. DIMSDALE asked the Vice-President of the Council ° l l Education when those managers who have memorialised the Committee of Council for assistance towards the cost 15 f erecting school buildings may expect to receive an 4 nsvier to their application. Mr. FORSTER replied that there were two classes of ap plications, one being for enlargements and another for new B ehools. Each was taken in turn according to the date of t he application, and was being dealt with with the utmost Possible dispatoh ; but it was out of his power to state W hen the whole would be disposed of, as would be readily co nceived when he inf orme d th e H ouse th a t no l ess th an 6 „, 30 0 applications were made in the c ourso o f l as t year. "-tear.) JURISDICTION OF STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATES. lylr. MELLY asked whether the Government intended to "Nig in a bill to extend the jurisdiction of stipendiary /12agietratt-6 in districts where the increase of population fees it, an d t o c h arge th e sa l ar i es , a ft er d e d uc ti ng eeB and flues , up on th e C onso lid a t e d F un d, th us re li ev i ng th e Provincial ratepayers from burdens not borne by the t4tepayers of the metropolis. Alr. BRUCE said a bill whieh he intended to bring in 110111 d facilitate th e ex t ens i on o f b oun d ar i es , b u t h e cou ld 4° t venture to insert a clause charging the cost on the Con aolidated Fund. VOLUNTEERS IN IRELAND. Air. BAGWELL inquired whether the Government con :rtiplated the extension of the volunteer system to Ire- T; and if not, why n o t. 1 863 le Marquis of lI ARTINGTON said that in 2 the Governm en t o f Lord Palmerston had thou ght it not advisable t o extend the volunteer " r ganisati on to Ireland, on the ground that a 4° l l g religious dissensions exist e d i n that country, d th ere was a danger that the body might assume a Bctain character, which might be praduclive of breaches of th e h „, peace. He hoped that these circ u m s t ances would —44 continue permanent obstacles, but he Was unable to say that at the present time he saw reason to alter the decision come to in 1863.. (Hear, hear.) PARLIAMENTARY WITNESSES ON OATH. Mr. TORRENS asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government intended bringing in a bill this session to carry into effect the recommendation of the select committee of 1869 for conferring on the House of Commons the power of examining witnesses on oath. Mr. GLADSTONE stated that it was the intention of the Government to bring in a bill on this subject during the present session. ____ nne ned Go the tate had Loos tion any imer was At 00 in rents had tided was ation the :very Lem. spect any her a, field. pMrt ation imes. ; • diAl Mary rhole. been alone t that given it the again •ed as Df the !, an 3 oppo - pOIiCY as_drig Lem 10 d, wag by not mdred urged I cha about being' of be le de' d been bock of pebble fore it ;invent' so 3 COW' ages it' is kind lefinit over' Landed , systeol al allo pentll of dis gged to 78, a nd misted De ls ' (;o four seved orWic h i rley 311' :S. iittee do ' ,, hat t" daYr d two Ua order 4 4 ffice LSE TO % , )re afte r ' e twofi'ttl, ',her° ft , 4 11,,00 q 9 ' f t he o to _ v rig 0 6 be 10- 1 00 e%PI te o tilt es ° e O O ake NS T° ! a- P U 1 I • l'e q ti° ll° o ,i - bi °' nag ero i aa' I 0 t 0 0 011° ea t6 : O O p 10 1° - #• army of those candidates who passed their examinations in the autumn of last year. Mr. CARDWELL said those who had passed examinations would not lie required to pass another examination, but on consideration of the advantages they would receive by ob taining a commission without purchase, any regulation which was imposed to ensure competency would not, he thought, be considered unreasonable. RIFLED GUNS. Sir Jomq HAY asked the Secretary for War if he would lay upon the table of the House a return continuing and completing the information contained in the return of August 1869, respecting rifled guns, up to the Ist of January, 1871' Sir HENRY STORKS replied that the return would be laid on the table. THE ALBERT MEMORIAL. Mr. HARVEY LEWIS inquired whether it was in contem plation to take any portion of Hyde Park on the south front of the Albert Memorial for improving the Kenning , ton-road, and for what purpose the work at that point was now being carried on. Mr. AYRTON said that the alteration in the road was part of the original design, and was absolutely necessary for the completion of the work. An arrangement was at one time arrived at with the Westminster District Board of Works to complete the road, but that had fallen through. The matter was now in the hands of the Com missioners. SALMON FISHERIES. Mr. DODDS asked the Home Secretary whether a Bill would be introduced during the present session for giving effect to the recommendations of the select committee of 1869-70, on Salmon Fisheries. Mr. BRUCE said the Government would introduce a Bill on the subject if time would permit. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. Sir G. JENKINSON asked whether the Government in tended taking steps during the present session to carry out the whole of the recommendations of the unanimous report of the Royal Commission of 1860 on capital punishment ; and also, if they contemplated dealing with the latter portion of that report which involved the questions of (1) an appeal on matters of fact to a court of law in criminal cases ; (2), the mode in which the Crown was advised to exercise the prerogative of mercy by the Home Secretary ; and (3) the present state of the law as to the nature and degree of insanity which was held to relieve the accused from penal responsibility in criminal cases. Mr. BRUCE, whilst fully admitting the importance of the subject, regretted that the time of the Government would be so fully occupied as not to permit their embark ing in a matter of so much interest this session. Sir G. JENKINSON then gave notice of his intention of bringing in a bill during the session. THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1862. Sir ROBERT PEEL inquired of the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it was not the case that the special and extraordinary expenses of the police em ployed at the International Exhibition held in London in 1862, amounting to £21,521, were charged to the country, and not debited to the account of that undertaking. He also asked whether the latter principle would be acted upon in the case of the forthcoming exhibition at the Ken sington Central Music Hall. Mr. BRUCE said the country was not charged a single penny for the expenses of the police employed at the Ex hibition of 1862. The total amount paid for police expenses was £19,455, five-sixths of that was paid by the Commissioners, and the remainder out of the police rate. With respect to the Exhibition of 1871, a similar arrange ment would be made with regard to the interior of the building ; but no arrangement had at present been made with respect to guarding the approaches to the exhibition. THE MASSACRE AT MARATHON. Mr. SOMERSET BEAUMONT asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the charge against Mr. Frank Noel had been entirely dismissed,- and whether, seeing that Mr. Noel's generous conduct in the affair of the massacre at Marathon had been fully approved, Mr. Erskine was instructed to protest against the charge. He also asked whether the papers would be laid on the table. Lord ENFIELD replied that Mr. Erskine had telegraphed to the effect that all proceedings against Mr. Noel had ceased, and that instructions had been sent by the Govern ment to Mr. Erskine to afford adequate protection to Mr. Noel on his trial. THE BALLOT. Mr. FORSTER, in reply to Mr. H. Bentinck, said as the Ballot Bill had only been placed in the hands of members this morning, the Government would not press the second reading on Monday next. INDIAN FINANCE. Mr. GLADSTONE moved for a select committee to inquire into the finance and financial administration of India, and said the Government had come to the conclusion that there should be a joint committee of the two Houses. They adopted this course believing it would be the means of econo mising public time. One of the chief reasons in favour of it was that the other House was particularly strong in the matter of Indian experience, and could, therefore, contribute greatly to the efficiency of the inquiry. It was also necessary, in an inquiry of this kind, that the official element should be represented, without giving it undue influence, and it so happened that in the House of Commons there was only one official member who could take part in the work. He proposed that the committee should consist of eleven members of each House; so they would see that the independent element would have a large share of the seats on the committee. Colonel SYKES complained that the Government had limited the inquiry to the subject of finance, and so the result would not be satisfactory to either the European or the native population of India. Mr. C. DinnsoN thought the Government had done well to limit the inquiry, but objected to the joint com mittee. Mr. GILPIN moved as an amendment that the commit tee be composed entirely of members of the House o Commons, and several hon. members spoke in favour of this scheme. Mr. DISRAELI gave the Government credit for their proposition,but could not help feeling that the objections to the course suggested were very weighty. He should be sorry to see anything like a division taking place, and hoped the Government would reconsider their proposal. Mr.. GLADSTONE said the proposition had not met with the general approval of the House, and as the condition of his introducing it was that it would not be pressed un less redeived with something like unanimity, he should not ask for a joint committee. The motion for a committee of the House of Commons only was then agreed to. UNIVERSITY TESTS BILL. On the order of the day for the third reading of this bill, Mr. FAWCETT, who had threatened opposition, said he found the only way of gaining his end was to move that the bill.be recommitted in order that new clauses might be inserted, and as this would endanger legislation on the subject at all during the session, he had come to the con clusion not to resort to this course, although he protested against the piecemeal legislation which was taking place on the subject, After 11 few words from Mr. GLADSTONE, and an inti mation from Mr. GATHORNE HARDY that he should divide the House, the bill was read a third time. ECCLESIASTICAL TITLES REPEAL BILL. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the bill, and said the Act of 1850 enacted that the assump tion by any person without lawful authority of any eccle siastical or territorial title subjected the offender to a penalty of £lOO. The Act, however, had been a dead letter, and had never been enforced, and he therefore saw no advantage for maintaining it in the statute book. With regard to the wording of the bill, the Government pro posed to send it to a select committee. Mr. CHARLEY moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months. He said it didnot press harshly on anyone, and it was desirable that territorial titles should not be assumed by anyone who thought fit. The Attorney-General argued that because the penalties under the Act were not enforced, the measure should be swept away ; but he reminded the right hon. gentleman that it was his own fault if the penalties were not enforced, for it was his duty to proceed torecover them. Mr. NEWDEGATE argued strongly against the repeal of the Act. After a few words from Mr. Sherlock, Mr. Gilpin, Mr. T. Chambers, and other members, The House divided— For the second reading 137 Against Majority for MINES REGULATION BILL On the order of th e d ay f or the secon d reading of this bill, _ _ Mr. MAGUIRE urged the Government to postpone the second reading as the bill had not been in the hands of members sufficiently long to enable them to form their conclusions as to its details. After a lengthy debate, Mr. BRUCE said that plenty of time wonld be given between this stage of the bill and the committee for hon. gentlemen to fully master it. The Bill was read a seco n d ti me w ith ou t a division. INCLOSURE LAW AMENDMENT BILL. ' Considerable discussion took place on the provisions of this bill, and ultimately, on the motion of Mr. Fawcett, the debate was adjourned. _The remaining order s having been disposed of, the House adjourned at twenty five n4z tutes. past twelve o'clock, LATEST INTELLIGENCE. SUN OFFICE, 8 A.M. THE CONDITIONS OF PEACE AGREED UPON. BORDEAUX, February 23. The conditions of peace have been agreed upon between the German and FreLeh pleni potentiaries. The only points which are still to be settled are the guarantees to be given for the payment of the war indemnity, and these, it is anticipated, will be determined during to-day, and the treaty will most probably be initialed ne varietur by the plenipotentiaries to-night. THE ORLEANS PRINCES AND THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. BORDEAUX, Feb. 23 (3.16 p.m.) M. Gr4vy, President of the Assembly, has received letters from the Prince de Joinville and the Due d'Aumale, in which they state that, having been chosen by the electors, they are desirous of fulfilling their mandate, but having been informed that the verification of their powers has been reserved, they await with deference the decision of the Assembly.— Lombard Telegrams. THE PEACE PROPOSALS. PARIS, Thursday, February 23 (Noon.) Peace is certain. All is settled except the question of money. Germany demanded two milliards of thalers, and France offered one. Three-quarters of a milliard have been allowed by Germany for requisitions, fines, the debts of Alsace and German Lorraine, cost of billetting, maintenance, &c. The Germans, however, still hold out for the other milliard and a quarter. The difference is a large one, but both sides will probably give way, and a friendly arrangement may be anticipated by Saturday. I understand that somehow dr other Count Moltke's plan of a further campaign submitted by him to the Emperor, and approved by his Majesty, leaked out, and reached the ears of two eminent statesmen, whose anxiety for peace at any price it magically stimulated.—Telegraph Telegram. THE GERMAN ENTRY INTO PARIS. PARIS, February 23. According to present arrangements, the truth as to the terms of peace and the progress of the nego tiations will be known at Bordeaux to-morrow. M. Thiers and his colleagues, after several interviews• with the German Chancellor, take their departure for Bordeaux to-day (Thursday). They will confer with the National Assembly to-morrow. They will return to Paris on Saturday, and, the armistice end ing on Saturday night, they will have their decisive interview with Count Bismarck in the course of that day. What the terms are no one knows, but it is confi dently expected here, in circles likely to be well informed, that Paris will be saved the humiliation of the entry of the German Army within its walls. There is all the more need to arrive at such a decision as another seizure of bombs was made yesterday, and it is quite certain that the authorities cannot lay their hands on all. DISBANDING OF THE GARIBALDIAN CORPS• BORDEAUX, February 22. The Journal de Macon announces that General de Ponhoet has been appointed to the command of the Army of the Vosges, with orders to dissolve the Garibaldian Corps, pursuant to the general measure that all the free corps aro to be dis banded.. NEWS FROM BRUSSELS. BRUSSELS, February 23. M. Laurier denies that he has purchased the Grand Hotel. The .Eeho du Parlenient learns lrom Hanover that preparations are making in Germany for the return home of the French prisoners. The arrival of Garibaldi at Caprera is announced. There has been a rise in the French funds to-day.—. Daily News Telegrams. The following telegrams come through Reuter's agency : THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. Nothing positive is yet known in Paris as to the Prussian conditions of peace. . Nobody in Paris be lieves in the assertions of Prussia's moderation which are put forward by the Figaro, which announces. that M. Thiers believes Bismarck's intentions to be conciliatory. A telegram from Berlin published by the Lae piendance Beige states that the Treaty of Peace will contain no articles relative to Luxemburg or Swit zerland which could give reason for the intervention of the London Cabinet. No sanction of the foreign Powers will be required for the Treaty of Peace Prussia maintains the principle of non-intervention. The Gau/ois states that Lord Lyons is awaiting an order to leave Bordeaux for Paris, in order to afford M. Thiers his moral support in the peace negotia tions. It may also be that England has accredited an envoy extraordinary with that object. It is believed that Chevalier Nigra will follow Lord Lyons, Italy being very desirous of proving her good will. MM. Thiers and Favre have decided not to fill the vacant diplomatic posts prior to the signature of peace. The Etoile Beige mentions that reports were circu lating on the Bourse that the immediate annexation of Alsace and German Lorraine was not contem plated at head-quarters at Versailles, but Germany would claim to occupy these provinces for five years. when the population would be allowed to decide their destiny by a plebiscite. A. general belief prevails at Bordeaux that peace is certain. The Bordeaux papers mention rumours, which, however, are not traceable to any authentic source, that the Prussians are willing to meet the Alsace and Lorraine difficulty by proposing the neutralisation of those provinces. Other rumours mention the pos sibility of the transfer of the Assembly to Versailles or Fontainebleau. THE INDEMNITY. The Moniteur Ofliciel of Versailles quotes an article frora the Spener Gazette, intended to justify the war indemnity demanded by Germany, amount ing two milliards of thalers. The Moniteur points out the example of the United States, and observes that France will soon recover her losses, provided she restricts her military and naval forces, and abandons the ruinous game of war. ME SUN, 'LONDON, THE FRENCH MINISTRY. News from Bordeaux of the 22nd, says that M• Caismis Perrier is president, and the Marquis de Talhouet vice president, of the committee of the Assembly on the financial position of France. Count Daru is president of the committee on the state of the military forces. The president of the committee on the internal administration of the country is M. Baze, and the vice president the Duke D'Audiflret. M. Pasquier Lecesne, president of the Armaments Commission, in reply to charges set forth by certain newspapers, has written to M. Thiers asking for an inquiry into the acts of the com mission. M. Buffet has declined the portfolio of Minister of Finance, chiefly from fear of the susceptibilities DAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1871. which might be awakened by the political part he played, and the functions he filled, under the Empire. NEWS FROM PARIS. PARIS, February 23 Information reaches hero from Versailles that a portiun of the Prussian troops will pass through Paris on their way back to Germany. It is said that M. Thiers continues energetically to oppose this project, pointing out the serious dangers which might arise, and the grave responsibility which would rest upon the Prussian authorities should they persist in so perilous an intention not withstanling the warning they have received. The Francais says a red placard was posted up on Monday in the students' quarter, calling upon the inhabitants to make a last struggle if the Pruesiaus entered the city. Fresh Orsini bombs have been discovered. . NEWS FROM BORDEAUX BORDEAUX, February 23. General fincrot, and MM. Lanfrey, Segris, de Forcade, Picard (? Pinard), have arrived here. Menotti and Ricciotti Garibaldi, Canzio, and the majority of the officers serving under General Gari baldi, have sent in their resignations. Vice:-Admiral Penhoet has been appointed to the chief command of the Army of the Vosges. Colonel l3ordone remains attached to the staff. The headquarters of General Chanz3 are at Poitiers, and his army is encamped around the town. BORDEAUX, February 23. The Afoniteur announces the prolongation of the armistice until the 20th instant at mi Inight. It says the rumours which have been current here of the demands of the Prussians are entirely without foundation. The two negotiators have preserved an absolute silence on the subjects of their conver sation. NEWS FROM DIEPPE. DIEPPE, Feb. 22 (Evening. An advance guard of one thousatuf Meckten burgers came in this morning, and were lodged on the inhabitants. The remainder of the Bth Army Corps will arrive to morrow and the following days. It is said that they will embark direct for Hamburg should peace be proclaimed. Generanlanteuffel, accompanied by three aides de-camps, came this afternoon, but stayed only a few hours. The Prussians have sold about 250 tons of old iron, broken cannon, &c., taken from the Castle, to a German merchant. It will be shipped by steamer to Newhaven and carried thence by a sailing vessel to Holrand. The large guns will not be taken away, but all are spiked. THE RETURN OF THE EMPEROR TO GERMANY. BERLIN, February 23 (5 p.m. . . The New Prussian (Cross) Gazette of this evening says it is expected that the Emperor of Germany will return to Berlin immediately the preliminaries of peace are concluded. Count Bismarck, Count Moltke and Ilerr von loon will return later. RESIGNATION OF GENERAL TROCIIU, PARIS, February 22, The Moniteur says that General Trochu has re signed his functions at the request of M. Thiers. lie has retired into private life, and is now residing at his hotel in the Rue Lille. The buildings which wero used as the offices o the Provisional Government have now been given up TURKEY AND ITALY. A telegram from Constantinople on the 21st says that conPerptent upon Italy's menacing attitude against Tunis, the Porte has addressed a note to the Great Powers, imputing to Italy the provocation of a conflict upon insufficient grounds, with manifest intention to acquire Tunis by conquest. (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.) LOSS OF A BARQUE. On Wednesday evening the barque Jane Kilgom, of London, with coals, struck on the Cross Sands, off Yar mouth. She was seen by the Caistor headmen, who put off to her assistance ; but it was found impossible to get her off. The crew were brought ashore, and landed at the Sailors' Home. The barque is a fine new vessel of 464 tons. She will become a total wreck. Messrs. George Henry Dawson and J. E. Meßluish, scholars of Wadham College, Oxford, have been elected to the vacant Greek Hody Exhibition at that Society, and Mr. Henry C. Richmond, scholar, has also been elected to the vacent Hody Exhibition at Wadham College. THE STRATFORD MURDER. Tire is little doubt that the police are on the right track in this case, " information " having, it is said, been furnished to them in the first instance by a near relative of one of the gang. The Government reward of £lOO has been supplemented by a similar amount from the parish authorities of Stratford, and by £5O presented by Colonel White on behalf of the 3rd Essex Artillery Volunteers, of which corps Mr. Galloway, the murdered man, was an honorary member. PROVIDENT CLERKS' BENEVOLENT FUND, 'l held 'h o e n th wr irt e i d e o th ee a d n ay nu e a v l e g n e in n g era a l t m t e h e e tin L g o o n f d t o h o is T so a c v ie e t m y , w t a o s receive the annual report and transact general business. The chair was taken by the treasurer, Jervoise Smith, Esq. (son of the late respected J. A. Smith, Esq.). The report stated that the income of the fund for 1870 was, from subscriptions and donations, £1,726 Bs. 6d. ; from interest on investments, £1,562 3s. 3d. ; making a total of £3,288 11s. 9d. The annuitants now upon the fund were 103 in number, who were receiving collectively £2,080 per annum. The board recommended that seven additional annuitants be elected during the present year. It was with the deepest sorrow that the board had to report the heavy loss the fund had sustained by the decease of their highly esteemed treasurer, Mr. John Abel Smith. Mr. Smith's connection with this fund dated from its formation in 1840, and from that time until his death he was its constant, warm, and untiring friend. The board announced with a satisfaction which they were sure the members would share, that Mr. Jervoise Smith, the eldest son of their late respected treasurer, had' consented to fill the office rendered vacant by his father' sZecease. —The Chairman in moving the adoption of the report,said he hoped that they would carry it with the same unanimity as they had done on previous occasions. It needed no recommendation from him , but it proved that the prosperity of the Provident Clerks' Benevolent Fund had increased, and was constantly increasing. The present was the thirtieth annual meeting, and, thanks to the board of management, it had passed through many difficulties with great success. In 1842 it was enabled to have but one single annuitant--vhereas in 1870 the number was 100, and this year a considerable addition would be made. They would therefore allow him to offer his hearty con gratulations on the history of the past, and to express his hope that for the future they would meet only to hear of the prosperity of the Provident Clerks' Benevolent Fund. There , was one paragraph in the report which deeply touched him, and that was the allusion to the death of his lamented father, expressed in such touching and affectionate language. It was not for him to say anything on such a subject, but he could confirm every line in the report as to the interest evinced in the society by their late treasurer, and that the number of years with which he was connected with it served only to increase an interest that ceased only with his life. lie moved the adoption of the report, which was carried unanimously.—Resolutions for the election of the additional annuitants, thankine, the directors for their exertions, and appealing to th e public for increased support by way of legacies and bene factions, were also carried unanimously. C RYSTA L PALACE.—Oue Shilli ng Day—Thurs day,rY 23, 1871.—Ad m i ss i on b y season tickets, 1,589; on payment, 970 ; t o t a l v i s i tors, 2,559. F eb dittoru a THE NEGOTIATIONS AT VERSAILLES. The Telegraph correspondents forward the following by special despatch VERSAILLES, February 22 (Evaning), Thiers, accompanied by Barthelemy de St. Hilaire and a French General Officer, arrived here at eleven o'clock yesterday, and drove to Count Bismarck's, with whom he held a long conference. He returned to Paris at half-past four this morning. He came back again with fifteen Deputies of the National Assembly, and paid another visit ° to the Reichskanzler. It is believed that the terms of peace will be definitively settled to-day. Nancy will not be included in the portion of Lorraine made over to Germany. It will be a French frontier town. Great pressure has been put upon Count Bismarck from Germany with respect to a demand for Cochin China, but it may be reasonably hoped that the Chancellor will not yield to popular feeling so as to materially alter any part of his pro gramme. The German troops will probably enter Paris on Friday or Saturday from several points of enceinte, to familiarise the populace with their presence. They will receive billets from the mayors of the arrondissements. The triumphal entry will probably be delayed for some days, perhaps till the middle or end of next week, as the German troops from various points will all march to Paris, and the occupa tion may last two or three seeks. The Ger man commanders believe • there will be no disturb ance. Last night the King gave a grand banquet to the Crown Prince, on his return from Orleans. All the Ger Man Princes and Commanders wete invited to meet him ; 120 covers were laid. Captain Hozier paid his respects yesterday to the Crown Prince. He was charged with messages from her Majesty, the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Cambridge, of felicita tions upon the successes won by his army. These messages have given the greatest satisfaction to the highest personages and the superior officers at the Imperial Quarters, and have brought abovt a salutary change in the feelings entertained by the German military authorities towards the English. Last night two Mobile officers, who were captured in the affair of January 19th, were released on parole. The French authorities here consider this a strong symptom of approaching peace. A requisition was levied upon Versailles yesterday. It was at first fixed at a million francs, but upon a representation of the poverty of the inhabitants, the Germans reduced the de mand to 300,000 francs. They ordered 100,000 francs to be paid before 5 p.m. With great difficulty this was done, and the other 200,000 francs must be paid by Saturday. A requbition of ten millions of francs has been made on the department. New uniforms are arriving for the troops, who will all have them before the entry to Paris. When the King leaves for Berlin, the Crown Prince will accompany him. It is poisible that instead of the King visiting each of the South German Princes, be may take up his residence for a short time at Carls ruhe with his son, and there receive the visits of the Kings of Bavaria and Saxony, having previously seen the King of Wurtemburg at Versailles. The special correspondent of the Daily News tele graphs : Rut's, February 22, (half-past 9 p.m.) The armistice has been extended till Sunday next, the 26th, at midnight. M. Thiers passed the greater part of yesterday at Versailles, in close conference with the Prus sian Chancellor. This intelligence appears in this mailing's Officiel. With respect to the entry of the Prussians into Paris, Count Bismarck is reported to have strongly in sisted upon it, and to have retorted, in relation to the terms of peace, that the general tone of the Paris press, and of the extreme Republican party, rendered it abso lutely indispensable for the future security of Germany. that Prussia should obtain substantial guarantees for its own safety ; that, in fact, France should be bound down, under the heaviest penalties, to keep the peace. SUSPECTED GAROTTE ROBBERY AND MURDER. Mr. William Carter, the coroner for the eastern dis- trict of Surrey, opened an inquiry, at the Wellington Tavern, Bermondsey, respecting the death of John Robinson, aged GO, Police-constable Henry Martin, 32 M, said that about 8 o'clock on Friday evening last he was on duty in Long-lane, Bermondsey, a public thoroughfare lealing from Loudpn-bridge Railway steps, when he was informed that the deceased had been disco vered lying on the ground in the neighbourhood. The wit ness proceeded to the spot, and found deceased lying on his back against the railings of a gentleman's house, eurrounded by several people. As he appeared ill he asked him for his address, which he gave, and was immediately taken to his residence. When he was lifted up he could not walk, and had to be carried home. He then became insen sible, and died on the following morning. Mrs. Sarah Robinson, 50, Eastland-street, Bermondsey, said the deceased, her husband, had been latterly employed at London-bridge as an omnibus con ductor. On Friday afternoon he left home in good health. She did not see him again until the evening, when he was brought home by the last witness. She placed her hand in her husband's pockets to get some money to give the constable for his trouble, but she could not find any, and then she felt quite satisfied th&t he had been attacked and robbed. He was seen with money before he was brought home, and she expected it from him, He carried it in a leathern purse, which was also missing. A juror said he had seen the deceased just before he was toned. He then had money in his pockets, and appeared in perfect health. John Dowling, timekeeper at London Bridge station, said that he had known the deceased for many years, and on Friday night last, about half-past seven o'clock, witness saw him at Loath n bridge station. He was then in good health, and appeared to have had a little to drink. He shook hands with witness, and went towards his residence. Mrs. Robinson was recalled, and said deceased often took a little to drink,ibut never had too much. Mr. Charles Downs, surgeon, White-street, Borough, stated that he saw deceased just after death. He had made a post-mJrtem examination of the body. All the organs were healthy, and upon opening the head he found a fracture of the skull and about half a pound of blood under the injury which caused death. rhe coroner here said it had been reported to him that the unfortunate man had been robbed and murdered, and under the circumstances he thought it right to adjourn and get further evidence. The jury agreed, and the court was then adjourned. The Indepenciance Beige publishes a telegram from Ber lin containing a denial of the statement that the Powers of the Conference had agreed to authorise the Porte to admit into the Dardanelles the armed vessels of all states, Russia and Roumania alone excepted. The Swedish journals speak of the Prussian design of acquiring Carlscrcona as a harbour of refuge for the Prus sian fleet in the Baltic. Some Prussian engineer officers have lately been exploring the neighbourhood on various pretexts. Semi-official statements announce that the Prussian Government is willing to give the Swedish Government pecuniary compensation for Carlscrona if they will cede it. Her Royal Highness the Princess Beatrice, the Ladies Campbell, Lady Caroline Barrington, Colonel De Ros, and suite, honoured the performances at the Adelphi Theatre last evening. The armour-plated turret-ship Magdala, for the Lefence of Bombay, arrived at that port on the 9th inst., laving passed through the Suez Canal, and made a good iassage. Mr. Ashbury's new yacht Livonia is being built by the' same yachtwright as the Cambria, but is much larger, and upon an entirely new design. Only a drawing could adequately indicate her peculiarities, but a 280-ton schooner that carries masts above sixty feet high, and four times the area of canvas of the Captain, is evidently meantsto race. A fresh series of despatches relating to the pro ceedings arising out of the massacre of Messrs. Herbert, Vyner, Lloyd, and others, at Marathon, last year, has been issued from the Foreign Office. The correspondence closes with a sharp despatch from,Earl Granville, in which he strenuously opposes the proposed mode of investigation into the massacre. The death is announced of Sir William Hanmer Dick Cunningham. the seventh baronet. He was born in 1808, and succeeded his father in 1849. He was formerly a lieutenant in the Ist Dragoon Guards. He is succeeded in the baronetcy by his son, Robert Keith Alexander, who was born in 1836. He entered the 93rd Highlanders in 1855, and became lieutenant in the following year. He was present at Lucknow and other engagements in India, and has received the medal and olasp. He retired from the army in 1863. The medical officer of Birkenhead Workhouse, Dr. Downing, has made the mistake of supposing that one of the perquisites of his office was the right to employ pauper labour in his garden without paying for it. ''his innocent error has brought him into trouble with the Guardians. lie has been censured a and required to pay 3s, 6a. per mau yer day for the paupers be has employed. OUR COTEMPORARIES—This Dlorning OUR NATIONAL DEFENCES. The Times considers thai Lord Carnarvon made him self yesterday the spokesman of all those who have been declaiming during the recess against things in general. Complaints of the smallness of our army, the want of weapons and stores and munitions and trans port and fortifications, have alternated with ad- __- vice, more or less open, that we v should give something more than goodwill to struggling France. That we are utterly unfit Tor war, and that we had only to threaten hostility in order to strike terror into the armies of Germany, are propositions which have been re ceived with almost equal favour during the last few months; so that some people rather dreaded the meeting of Parliament, lest all these mighty discontents would gather to a storm, and impel Government to some act of folly. We did not share these apprehensions, for a con siderable experience has taught us that the meeting of Parliament generally puts an end to all the vague expectations and feverish agitation of the recess. It is hardly necessary to follow Lord Carnarvon into the details of the alleged mismanagement of the Army. There has been no proper gunpowder ; there has been only one torpedo, though a committee had recom mended torpodoes ; there has been great delay in supply ing breech-loaders. Woolwich still exists, though a Com mission some years since had recommended a central arsenal at Cannock Chase. The Government works and stores are at the mercy of an enemy. The education of the officers is bad, and they are as much unlike as possible to the strategists of Moltke. Unfortunately, there never has been a time when accusations such as these could not be brought against the War Office, or the House of Commons, or whatever authority is held to be responsible. Certainly they have been launched so long as we can recollect against every suc cessive Government, and, whatever reforms may be devised, we believe complaints of the kind will never cease. There is, in fact, very little chance of such a state of perfect military preparation, accom panied by strict economy,as shall ever satisfy a censorious Opposition. Indeed, we believe that successive Govern ments have done their best to keep things in order and efficiency, and that they have, to a great extent, succeeded. Considering that they have not had the aid of a strong popular impulse, they have done better than could have been expected, and the Army is, on the whole, very superior to that of the old days pre ceding the Crimean war. There probably will never be a time when something in a machinery so little under stood and so carelessly watched by the nation at large will not be falling out of gear, and give the opportunity of criticisms having a certain plausibility and finding a wide acceptance. The Standard observes :—The House of Lords took up, in its turn, last night the great question of the day. The Earl of Carnarvon criticised, in a long and able speech, the policy of the Government on military matters, and de_ monstrated the complete inadequacy of the scheme of reorganisation by which Mr. Cardwell has undertaken, at the cost of an additional three millions, to secure the defence and maintain the influence of the country. The main point taken by Lord Carnarvon, and it is one which must be insisted upon, is this. This Government reorganisation scheme is substantially nothing more than one of those increases of the number of men and additions to stores which have been so common since the Radical party gained ascendancy in Parliament. What the country wants is a system which will be permanent and pro mises to be efficient ; a system which will re lieve it from the grave inconveniences of credulous security and sharp panics ; a system which shall be really economic because making the best use of the great resources England undoubtedly possesses. What are we to get for the fifteen milions sterling we are to pay if these estimates are accepted ? asked Lord Carnarvon. The price is an enormous, not to say an extravagant, one. Lord Carnarvon considers that the military Pxpenditure now proposed by the Government is far higher than would be necessary for the defence of the country if the State would make use of the free, or, as we would rather say, obligatory, services of all or of a large portion of the able-bodied men in the militia. The Government scheme only professes to give the State these services at a time when, as the experiene of recent wars shews, they would hardly be worth having. Lord Carnarvon 's objections appear to us to have been established, and the whole proposal of the Government to put the country in a state of security amounts substantially to an increase of men and an increase of charge which whenever a Lib era l G overnment h as next need to bid for popularity it can propose to strike off. THE NAVY ESTIMATES. The Daily News remarks :—Although the Navy Estimates shew an increase of 2385,826 upon the vote for last year, it is refreshing to compare a total of £9,756,356 to be expended on the maintenance of that service to which the British Empire owes its existence with the total of 215,851,700 to be expended on the forces which, were our naval supremacy once suc cessfully disputed, might become as unavailing and unprofitable as the last reserves of an invaded province or a beleaguered city. The British Army, with all its proud traditions and its glorious memories, would cease to be available even for defence after the loss of our maritime supremacy. In *round numbers, the Army Estim a t es f or th e year 1871.72 amount to something less than sixteen millions ; the Navy Estimates to something less than ten millions. Where are we to look for the cause or the explanation of this enormous difference? Why, in the nature of things, should an efficient navy cost five or six millions less than an in efficient army ? It is not in additions to the effec tive strength of our land forces that the reason of the difference between ten and sixteen millions is disoovered. The Navy Estimates shew similar or analogous additions, and, proportionally speaking, larger additions. The whole increase in the Navy Estimates is on the " effective ' item, while there is a considerable decrease on the "non effective items. If the War Minister promises more soldiers and more guns, the Admiralty undertakes to fur nish more and better ships, more machinery, and snore stores. We must build and launch as many ships as we want far immediate necessities on the best available models of the present day, No naval administration can. do more or better than this ; and we may hope that the the constructors of the future from irreparable errors that there is Committee of Designs 110 W sitting will at least save and preventible disasters. The country will so e , w i t h !p e c o re e as et e ive is s i t;,lse Estimates e Royal Marines ; while the coming year to be no dimmutio • • •n in the number of seamen and boys, satisfaction that the is the prancip • ' al items of decrease are due to the pervading a B ll i t h r t ,initiated by Mr. Childers, of maintaining ft . . and in that admirable corps of constant minimum standard of efficiency, matersa both • i . and perso.ial ; of getting rid of useiess and anti quated rubbish throughout the establishments, ashore an d afloat ; of clearing the civil and militar branches of the Navy o f a ll t h at d i does not repre y sent real strength. Such is the simple secret of the difference of little more than six millions between the Army and the Navy Estimates. It is by the red un d an t cost of administratio n , an d t h e superfluity of " non-effee tives " in the army organisation, that the contrast is ex plained. Official navy reformers 'spending are less than ten millions, and giving the country its money's worth; official army reformers are spending nearly sixteen millions, and then asking for eight millioni more to begin their reforms ! TIIEBR7A TON i. RITUAL CASE. The Teleg rap 4 says u:ll:l:Teianti Committeese verityofgreatof h t ha: been pro nounced by the " Privy Council against Mr. Purchas, and the showy cere monial which was one of the great sights of Brighton must henceforth be discontinued. The general result of the litigation is that, with reference to most of the prac tices impugned, the judgment of the Arches Court was adverse to the clergyman ; and the appeal has resulted in a still more comprehensive con demnation. It would be altogether unjust to the High Church party to regard the sentence as one directed es pecially against them ; for it is well understood that the extravagancies of St. James's Chapel at Brighton were generally disavowed be the recognised leaders of the Ritu alistic movement. Indeed, it is scarcely too severe an observation upon Mr. Purchas's performance *call it a parody on the service of the Church ur to of England. Vhat with the processions, the incense burning, the bell - ringing, the exhibition bambinosof and other figures, the carrying of lighted appeals to tQ the ol essesiTil'atitp'ovint as sa i ll n the service the clergyman had reached. The Rubrics of strangetlie the Prayer Book certainly afforded no clue to the puzzle. but tapers,impossible gild d other f for o The Liturgy was so overladen with extraneous ornament that all trace of the original was lost. The highest ecclesiastical tribunal has declared that these excesses shall be, uc longer tolerated, and has condemned M. Purchas in the cost of the proceedings, It would be idle to affect any commiseration for him. If ever a man deliberately and wilfully brought a legal penalty upon himself, this rash clergyman has done so.. Trustinq probably, to the law's delays and the cumbrou sness and inefficiency of ecclesiastical procedure, he has made an experiment, and has failed. It is quit e plain that, with reference to the English clergy, there must be a, limit of toleration somewhere, We recognise the z,e-al and diligence with which many of the High Church party perform their duties among the poor of their flocks, the undauntee courage with which they visit fever-laden dwellings and the haunts of vice and ruffianism, at the risk of insult and violence. We admire, too, the real scholar s hip w hi ch is frequently to be found in their works, and most readily acknow ledge their sincerity and integrity of purpose. But C in bu g r r u o b tes of qu E e ng ex la t u ra d v r a u g b a r n i c os e, p n er o m p i for the men who have littl e l earn i rg, and who run riot permit er n y ee c d on be si d e f r e at e lati tude even in matter& of . ceremonial ; but a limit exists, and the doings at St. James's Chapel shew that it is quite time that limit 'ere clearly defined. Mr. Purchas him self, on calm reflection, will, we hope, be grateful for the authoritative interpretation now given to the law of that, church whote commission he holds.