The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-01-22 00:00:00

THE KING. THE eagle had folded his golden wing On the height of a mountain lone, And proud was the eye of the feathered king, As he gazed from his lofty throne. For in many a nook, and by many a brook, He saw his subjects rest, Entwined in dream, while love's sweet stream Stole softly through every breast. The owlet did wail, and the nightingale Poured forth its tuneful numbers; The linnet and thrush, 'mid the myrtle bush, Were hushed in breathless slumbers. The timid dove, with her mated love, Was mingling chastest sighs ; The grey seamew to his wild bride flew, Seeking love in her mirror'd eyes. And the humblest of all, when it uttered its call, Was repaid with a glad caress; But his high state had no fond mate To soothe with her gentleness. As the rain by the cloud, as the corpse by the shroud, He was bound by the pride of place ; As a noble mind soars above mankind, So he soared above his race. And the monarch wept o'er the humble who slept, And envied their low degree ; For he knew that Power could boast no dower Like the love known by Poverty. The Monarch proud his haughty crest bowed, On the height of the mountain lone ; For he could not bny one tender sigh With the wealth of his lofty throne ! LITERATURE. Recollections of a Zonate before Sebastopol: Col lected by Dr. Felix Maynard, Ex-Sanitary Doctor. Paris : Libraire Nouvelle. London : Triibner & Co. The volume, containing these recollections, is a lively repertory of personal adventure, spiced, in no trivial degree, with that peculiar spirit of egotism, which, while giving zest to the recital of stirring exploits, enters also largely into the composition of that singular compound denominated, ironically, " a traveller's license." The recollections of the Zouave, of which this volume is composed, were picked up by Dr. Maynard, on board the steam-transport Nile, as she steamed her way homeward from the Crimea with a complement of wounded heroes. The narrator, from whose lips the recollections have been gathered, was one who, from the peculiar garrulity of his taste, and the lively and picturesque style of his stories, had contrived to make himself an object of great interest to all ranks of his fellow invalids. His popularity as the reciter of incidents in which he himself principally performed a leading part, attracted the attention of the Doctor, who, from a casual listener, was converted into a deeply interested inquirer, and ultimately into the transcriber of the Zouave's narrative. The book, which consists entirely of sketches, makes no preten sion to an intimate knowledge of the strategy which guided or ought to have guided the various operations of the siege. It pretends to nothing more than being a recapitulation of adventure, in which the narrator participated, and a sensible, lively, and light-hearted recapitulation it is. In the fulness of their narrative enthusiasm, these sketches make the reader familiar with many of the moral peculiarities of the Zouave, which render them more valuable soldiers than de sirable neighbours ; and prove them to participate largely in those mental adaptations and moral obliqui ties which are reckoned among the natural peculiari ties of those wandering tribes, also of African origin, who, under the names of Bohemians, Gitanas, and Gipsies, have from time immemorial formed objects of interest and fear, and also of persecution, to the nations of Europe. Fertile in personal resources, and unscrupulous in their application for individual benefit, they are, nevertheless, animated by a deeply rooted esprit du corps—actuated by great personal and collective bravery—and conspicuous for a coolness of intrepidity and a hardihood of daring savouringstrongly of temerity. These sketches abound with incidents illustrative of the varied peculiarities referred to, and are in every page and scene redolent of the brave, self-possessed, and cunning Zouave. The annexed sketch, though somewhat long, is far from tedious, and is moreover so full in its delineative traits of character, that it may almost stand for an epitome of the book. It may be called THE ZOITIVE IN A NIGHT ATTACK. General Bosquet, who was to support the night attack with several brigades, had, as he passed us, recommended that we should march to the Russians silently till we came close, when, raising a wild cry equal to the voices of a hundred thousand men, we should fall suddenly upon them. Then, addressing me and my comrade Fritcher, he added, " Play a polka, a gavotte, the pastorale, a waltz—anything you please, save the retreat."—" All right, General."—And he went away content, for he knew us both well : we had already sounded the charge for him more than once in Africa. At the appointed time a fire-swallow—as the Turks call our fusees gave the signal, and we advanced from our parallel. The night was as dark as the bottom of a cave. We advanced silently, in obedience to orders. If the Russians hear us approaching, they cannot count us, at any rate. In the dark, a handful of men is as large as a battalion—a battalion as a regiment —a regiment as a brigade. As soon as we had traversed two-thirds of the distance, at a wolf's pace, the cap tain cried, " Halt !" and divided us into two sections. One, under his own command, was to attack on the left; the other, under the lieutenant, on the right. There was nothing apparent —nothing stirring yet on the Russian side; and we could not have believed ourselves close to an enemy's post had the " enfants perdus" not surprised it the night before, and its whereabouts been traced by daylight. The " Meals" (Zouaves) were about to throw themselves upon the ambus cade, howling like demons, and I had my lips to my instrument ready to sound a charge—the joint composition of myself and my comrade Fritcher—when suddenly an infernal discharge of musketry from the Russian side, and only a few steps off, sent balls whistling about our ears, while the flash of the dis charge disclosed a long line of Russian riflemen. It was too late to begin with a war-whoop. We must fire against the Caucasian sharpshooters. The captain's troop opened fire ; while that of the lieutenant made a flank movement to try an assault. The captain then gave me the order to advance, and seek shelter. I obeyed ; and our men distributed, and pro tected themselves according to the rise and fall of the ground; while the enemy, first advancing, then retiring, wasted their balls in the air. If we could see them by the light of their discharges, it was impossible for them to discover us, as we had not yet fired a musket. But, when I sounded the com mand to fire, the affair became at once sharp and bloody. For more than a quarter of an hour we returned the Muscovites shot for shot; and our balls, unlike theirs, were not lost in the darkness, for I could see the fellows in their white coats fall ing on all sides. Oar men, skilful and cunning, could see the enemy as in broad daylight. The night was no impediment to them. They never left it to chance to turn their cartridges to account; and always ready, their hand upon the triggers, they marked out instantly the Caucasian who discovered him self by the flame of his discharge. It was thus I saw these white phantoms fall, as they aimed at us. All was going on well, and we were gaining ground foot by foot, as the Russians fell back towards their ambuscade, when a sergeant, of the lieutenant's company, arrived from the right, and whispered something to our captain. "To the right flank !" the captain exclaims; "to the aid of the 7th !" and he ordered me to sound the pas gymnastique ! Our men massed in column, rallied the 7th company,that was giving way. Soon afterwards, to the sound of the charge, blown by myself and my comrade Fritcher, the invincible " jackals" fell like a hurricane upon the enemy's ambuscade, and passed right over it. Only two sword-bayonets on this occasion kept free from Russian hides —mine and that of my comrade Fritcher. We could not do everything at once, for two hands are wanted to hold a gun, and one to sound a charge. The Russians had retreated, and we were already engaged destroying the ambuscade, so as to get back quickly within our parallel, when a dense and enor mous black mass appeared to be descending the steeps from the town. It advanced rapidly, swelling every moment, and making a heavy, continuous noise, like that a multitude of men would make upon hollow ground. The besieged were evidently making a formidable sortie, and were at that moment passing over a mine. What was to be done ? Try to defend the position we had just won so valiantly? Why, they were five, six, ten thousand strong perhaps, and we hardly numbered one hundred and fifty! I have since heard that this Russian column was twelve thousand strong. We were compelled to evacuate the post, and retire to the battalion remaining within the trenches. We executed this manoeuvre, but without taking flight, step by step, firing always upon this living wall, which continued to advance. We took care not to sound the retreat. Had not General Bosquet told me and my comrade Fritcher, " Sound anything you please, except the retreat ?" The battalion that had remained in the trenches supported us, then advanced beyond the parallel, followed by a battalion of infantry, then by another, then by a French brigade, then by an English brigade. A great fight was about to take place. Two or three bounds brought us up with the Russians, who still advanced The shock is imminent; and the 6th and 7th companies, which have kept their position at the head of the column, will fall upon the enemy at the point of the bayonet when I and my comrade Fritcher sound the charge. Our elbows touching one another, and the lips ready, we wait the order, drawing a long breath in advance. At last the order is given; I sound the charge, and my comrade Fritcher continues it. I want to go on, when, suddenly, I receive a violent blow upon my left shoulder, that makes me spin round 1 and fall. It must be a ball, by the sharpness and depth of the pain. The companies pass —the battal ions pass—th e b r i ga d es pass—and I remain there, upon the ground, stunned for the moment. Presently I rise furiously, forget my pain, and listen. I can hear, amid the rattle of musketry and the clamour of battle, the notes of my comrade Fritcher. My first idea is to reply to him, by sounding another charge for those who remain behind. Impossible. In my fall I have choked up ray instrument. I look for my pin—it is gone ! I have left it in the camp. Well, my knife ! It is lost. "Comrades, com rades !" I cried to the soldiers still pressing forward, , knife !" But they all ran past, without noticing me, in their impatience to join the combatants. Still a longing to sound the charge once more possessed me, and I tried to suck the earth away. At last, however, when I saw myself quite alone, I began to think that I should be very stupid to trum pet when all our people were engaged, for it would draw upon me the fire of the Russian scouts who were prowling about the neighbourhood, and make me lose my life to no purpose. A minute or two afterwards I felt something that was warm at first, and then cold, trickling down my breast. I slipped my hand under my waistcoat, and withdrew it wet all over. The darkness prevented me from seeing; but I knew by the smell that it was blood. This struck my legs from under me and I sank to the earth. " H e l p, comrades !" I cried, in a faint voice ; " help, Zouave s 1" B ut already there was nobody within hearing. The brigades were marching further and further away, repulsing the sortie of the Russians ; and I could hope for help only at the end of the combat, or, perhaps, of the night, I suppose my blood ceased soon to flow, for I felt my strength returning to me. You will perhaps think, gentlemen, that I gave myself up to lamentations, seeing myself wounded and beyond the reach of help. Not a bit of it ! On the contrary, I kept repeating the bono besef, our " all right," of Africa, and taking the road which our com panions had taken in issuing beyond the parallel, I tried to make the best of my way to the ambulance in the trenches. Jes bono besef, our African slang ; these were the words that came from my lips when the horn fell from them. Thanks, gentlemen of Russia; you send me on my convalescent trip. Thanks to your cylindrical ball, I shall return to my native place, my old mother, and my friends. Bono besef. Nobody had seen me, or at least nobody had appeared to pay any attention to me when I fell, except the sub-lieutenant of the company, who, feelinc , the point of my sword-bayonet scratch his thigh, feared that I might rip his trousers. But when he was assured that his trousers had not suffered, he began to laugh his loudest to hear me cry bono besef, and then he dis appeared amid the whirlwind of the fight. The next day I saw him carried upon a hurdle into the operating tent of the 3rd division. He was not laughing then, while I was smoking my pipe." The hero of the preceding narrative, as well as of the book, so far as can be learned from its pages, is still in Paris, where his light-hearted viva voce nar ratives continue to secure for him a popularity as earnest as that which he established for himself among his wounded comrades on board the Nile. His native lightness of heart has not been subdued by the severity of his wound, and he brings one vividly in recollection of those veterans whose peculiarities have been so strikingly and pleasingly immortalised in the fictitious characters delineated by Goldsmith and by Smollett. Every line of the volume suggests the reckless light-heartedness of the individual who strongly feels that " Glory is the soldier's prize, The soldier's wealth is honour." The Island Spectres ; and Something More, but Nothing Worse. By Alban Rosse, A.B. Bir mingham : M. Billing. The " Island Spectres," is an allegory, in which the author, by various well-contrived means, inculcates the advantages to be derived from the active exercise of moral courage. The text of the allegorical homily is conveyed in the subjoined distich, which forms the concluding advice of the monitor to the hero of the tale : "But if you should meet with a snare, Let not your courage fail : Whilst life you have, do not despair, Be firm, and you'll prevail." The admonition is delivered by a spectre, who represents one of the victims allured to destruction by the varied temptations by which the " Island Spectres" seduce the unsuspecting objects of their malignity. Like others whose facts are narrated or symbolised, the hero of the tale, Lomond by name, is caught in the toils, but at the critical moment, recall ing the strangely-conveyed advice, he, amidst perils and difficulties, applies it to practical use and escapes the machinations of the demoniac enemies by which he is surrounded. Besides the principal poem, the volume contains several minor effusions marked by considerable sweetness and fancy ; and it is embel lished with engravings, several of which are cleverly executed. The Works of Joseph Addison ; with Notes by Richard Hurd, D.D., Lord Bishop of Worcester. London : H. G. Bohn. The works of the Right Hon. Joseph Addison, though not reaching far into the profound depths of philosophy, nor embracing a systematised consideration of any very important branch of human science, are nevertheless so fully permeated, in all their details and generalizations, by a spirit of acute mental perception, as to be eminently useful in completing a course of liberal education. To the valuable qualities implied in this consideration must be added the beautifully chastened style of his writings ; the combination leading to a conviction of their real utility as a col lected series. The collection has now, so far as we are aware, been nearly completed for the first time by Mr. Bohn, and published by him under the able and judicious editorship of the Bishop of Worcester. The works are to consist of six volumes, the first four of which are now before us. The first volume contains the " Poetical and Dramatic Works," the " Dialogues on Medals," and the " Remarks on Italy." The second, third, and fourth being occupied by Addison's contributions to the Tatler, the Spectator, the Guardian, the Lover, the Whig _Examiner, and the Freeholder : together with his " Essay on the Present State of the War," and one or two others of minor note. The fifth and sixth volumes will be oc cupied by letters, state papers, and miscellaneous literary essays. When finished, the series will be by far the most complete of any which has yet ap peared, as it will also be the cheapest and most judiciously compiled. It will constitute a highly creditable feature in the set of works published as " Bohn's British Classics." Blackwood's Magazine. Edinburgh: Blackwoods. The first number of this magazine for the new year opens with an article on "The Gold-screw and its con sequences," in which the effect of the restriction upon the currency, by the Bank Charter Act of 1844, is treated at some length, and with considerable ability. We may not coincide with all that the writer has ad vanced, but his argument is entitled to careful con sideration, more particularly as the necessity for a change is urgent, and must be forced upon the atten tion of the legislature at the earliest opportunity. A vicious system has created a necessity for gold which ought not to have existed, and the demand becomes the greater at the very time when there is the least ability to satisfy it, while the burden has to be borne by the mercantile interest, who have had no hand in causing it, in oppressive rates of discount. " The new Peace Party" is a dialogue between Irenceus, Tlepo lemus, and a friend, on the present position of the war and the desirability of a return to peace, in which the subject is handled with much ability. The evident leaning is in favour of a continuance of the war until the objects for which it was commenced have been fully accomplished. The first part of " A Military Adventure in the Pyrenees" gives goodly promise for interest in the remainder, the story being told with great spirit and humour. An article on " Lancashire Strikes " is entitled to much serious attention both by manufacturers and operatives, as, without taking the part of either, the writer offers much wholesome advice to both, on the errors of which they have been guilty, and recommends that unity of action which ought to spring from community of interest. As in most quarrels, both parties are somewhat to blame, and each should make some concessions in order to promote a satisfactory settlement of their differences. A paper on " The Inns of Court and the Bar of Eng land," which is said to have been written by Mr. Samuel Warren, Q.C., contains some valuable sugges tions on a subject which is entitled to more public attention than it has yet received. At the same time we cannot agree with the conclusions of the writer as to the necessity for a preliminary examination for law students. Indeed he, himself, adduces the evidence of several very high authorities against the practice which he recommends. The paper is chiefly a com mentary on the Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the arrangements of the Inns of Court and Inns of Chancery, for promoting the study of Law and Jurisprudence. " Wet days at Bryn Cefn," is a very agreeable reminiscence of pleasant days in North Wales, reminding us of the celebrated Noctes of Christopher North. After an article on " Drinking and Smoking," containing much sober reasoning on a subject which has often led to much intemperate discussion, the number concludes with some ably written comments "on the state of the British Army," a subject which at this time is one of peculiar interest. The Train. No. L London : Groombridge and Sons. This quaintly-titled periodical starts laden with a goodly company of pleasant literary gossips. It is a new shilling serial devoted to light literature, and, judging by the first number, it promises to be a wel come as well as a valuable vehicle of that kind of mental pabulum. Many of the papers contained in it give indications of a higher aim than the mere sur face frivolities which of late years have been suffered to usurp the place and take the name of light litera ture. The work is profusely, and in not a few in stances cleverly, illustrated by wood engravings. If continued in the style in which it has been commenced, it will deserve popularity—the only sure way of ulti mately securing it. The Lord Our Shepherd. London : Seeleys. Some time since we directed attention to a work by the Rev. John Stevenson, vicar of Patrixbourne, entitled " Gratitude," being an exposition of the Hundred and Third Psalm. The work before us is of a similar character, the theme being the Twenty third Psalm. The author has divided his subject into three parts, the Fold, the Banquet, and the Con clusion, sub dividing each into the several heads which suggest themselves in the successive verses, so that the book forms a se r i es of practical sermons on the several th p oug orti onsformi of the psahn, each one complete in ng a part o f th e w h o l e. I t i s h almost impossible to speak t oo hi g h ly of this ex position, which shows throughout th e earnest piety of a t the e w w e writer t a e s r ;t the while eo t u h e e n f t e c it language in whi c h the y and va r i e t y of illustration, argu ment is couched, leave nothing to be desired. There is a total absence of all sectarian feeling, or any of that party bias which might tend to raise objections to the views of the writer. He appears to have founded his opinions on purely scriptural auth or i ty, and to have given utterance to them with an earnest ness of purpose, and beauty, yet simplicity of diction, which cannot fail to attract the reader. Next to the Bible itself, there are few books more specially adapted for Sunday reading than the one before us ; and we have great pleasure in commending it to our readers as one that will well repay perusal, affording comfort to the afflicted, confidence to the wavering, and much real delight to the believer. THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. THE WAR. FROM the Crimea the intelligence which continues to arrive is but little varied in character from that which has been received at intervals during the last two or three months. The correspondence still speaks of preparations of magnitude, as if for the opening of the spring campaign. Immense quan tities of shell are being daily landed in lighters at Balaklava. Both the British and French have now splendid batteries con structed on the south side of the harbour of Sebastopol ; and every present appearance gives indication of a vigorous bom bardment of the north forts at no distant day. The Russians, it is believed, are not by any means fully aware of the mag nitude of the preparations which have been made for following up the advantages which the allies have obtained over them. In the absence of active military operations, all kinds of spe culations are freely indulged in, among the troops. These generally turn quite as much upon the partialities as on the knowledge of the speculators. One useful inference, at least, may be drawn from those frequently wild enough conjectures, and that is, the degree of favour in which the different leading officers are held by the soldiers. Taking this as a test, Sir Colin Campbell appears to stand high in general estimation, and many stories corroborative of this feeling are current in the camp. Among others, the following story shows this amount of popularity : Sir Colin Campbell is coming out again ; we are all glad of it, and look on him as a pillar of strength. He first went to Lord Hardinge, it is said, and told him he had come to give up his command ; afterwards to Lord Panmure, the same. Lord Panmure argued ; but it was of no use, the resignation was given in, and Sir Cohn Campbell left, thinking himself a free man. Then came a command to go to the Palace. There all was attention, a- suite of rooms given up to him, and at dinner he was directed to hand in the Princess Royal. After wards a Highland piper played behind his chair, " The Camp bells are coming. The next morning the Queen saw Sir Colin in Prince Albert's study; and who could resist the gracious desire which followed ? At any rate, Sir Colin will have gained court favour, which he never had before. The absence of an immediate apprehension of danger from the enemy appears to give zest to anything promising excite. ment. It is to be hoped it does not also induce habits of care lessness. The correspondent of the Morning Herald, writing on the 28th December, reports as follows, relative to a FIRE AT BALAICLAVA. We have just escaped a great danger. About three o'clock this morning, the sentry stationed near the Ordnance Wharf , on the east side of the h ar b our , o b serve d sparks flying from the chimney of Mr. Young's storehouse. Knowing that is was usual not to leave any one on the premises at night, and that all fires ought to be extinguished about sunset, the sentry im mediately raised the alarm, and it was then found that a rafter left by the builders in the chimney, and which must have been smouldering for days, was in flames. By the great exertions of the military and blue-jackets, the fire was confined to the roof, but this was destroyed. The stores were all removed to a place of safety. Had the fire not been discovered when it was, the probability is, that some of the immense stocks of fuel and forage in the immediate vicinity must have caught, and then many huts and ships would have been inevitably lost. The rapidity with which the engines were brought to this fire, proves that the authorities are thoroughly well prepared to meet any danger from fire that may occur by night or by day. The same correspondent, writing on the 31st Dec., gives tho following view of MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. AT THE PHILHARMONIC HALL, Thomas's shilling concerts continue to offer their manifold attractions to the public; but, owing to the extremely unfavourable state of the weather for the greater portion of last week, we regret to say the attend ance has not been commensurate with the exertions made to deserve success. The vocalist of the week was the accom plished, versatile, and devoted artiste Mrs. T. G. Reed, who, under her own name of Miss Priscilla Horton, won such general and deserved favour. During the week she read and sung the musical portions of several of Shakspeare's most in teresting dramas, including " The Midsummer Night's Dream," with all of Mendelssohn's music : this was performed twice. She also gave selections from the musical .portions of the "Tempest," and "Macbeth." Besides these, Mrs. Reed gave her fine collection of the "songs of all nations," in all of which entertainments the gifted daughter of song displayed her wonted fine taste and variety of power. The orchestra, as usual, was full and efficient, and, on the whole, the concerts of the week, like those of its predecessor, consisted of a high musical treat. The chief vocalist for this week is Miss Thirlwall, who is new to Liverpool. She made her first ap pearance last night. The programme for the week is highly attractive, and it is to be hoped the musical people of Liver pool will avail themselves of the opportunity of enjoying first class performances at so low a rate of charge. AT THE THEATRE ROYAL, "Harlequin Steam" continues as attractive as ever. This favourite pantomime has been per formed nightly to crowded houses; and on Saturday last, the morning performance got up for the special edification of the juveniles was, as on the two previous occasions, a bumper. AT THE ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, the splendid equestrian troupe continue the exhibition of their wonderful and pleasing feats of skill and dexterity to crowds of admiring spectators. Many of these feats are of a highly interesting character, and elicit warm plaudits from all parts of the house. AT THE ROYAL PARK and the ADELPHI, the pantomimes belonging to these establishments still maintain their place in popular favour, and are welcomed nightly by delighted crowds. NO ENVOY TO PARIS. (FROM THE PRESS.) "It is right that I should mention," said the Premier, at a recent Cabinet Council, "that the propriety and advantage of the presence of a member of Her Majesty's Government in Paris during the deliberations of this Council of War have been suggested to me from more quarters than one." " To be ready to give information, and possibly advice, if needed," said Lord Clarendon. " Very sensible. But who is there that could go ?" " That consideration made me reject the idea," replied Lord Palmerston. "As to that," said Sir Ch ar l es W oo d , " I cou ld go, eas il y. " Not more easily than we could spare you, my dear fellow," said the Premier, laughing. " But what good would you be ?" " If this is to be a naval campaign on the part of England," returned Sir Charles, "the head of the Admiralty might have something to say in the matter." " Without unduly depreciating the value of so dear a head— tam cari capitis—Charley," replied his Chief; "it won't do. We must not be laughed at. Panmure might, and ought to have gone, and would, but for an unlucky word of four letters that keeps him away." " Gout ?" asked Lord Granville. "Kars," replied Lord Palmerston. " Yes," said the War Secretary, placidly, " it would be very disagreeable to have th a t A rm i n i an p l ace fl ung i n one ' s face. ' " Armenian, Pan," said the Premier, not Arminian. Though, to be sure, its d e f ence showed the efficacy of good Works." " How can you ?" said Sir George Grey, deprecatingly. " Why did not Granville go ?" asked the Colonial Secretary. " He speaks French like a native." " For that very reason," said Lord Palmerston. " There might be many questions asked which it might be incon venient to answer without reflection, and Granville would not be believed if he replied, as Johnny Russell used to do, ' May, mosieu, je ne comprong par totallment.' " " The same objection would apply to me," said Mr. Labouchere. " That—and some others," replied the Premier, smiling. " It is pretended, not real, opacity that one wants in an envoy." " thank you," said the Colonial Secretary. " Pooh, pooh, don't look angry," returned his chief. "You are much too clever a man to be afraid of a joke. Why, you were not afraid to take the Colonies, the best joke of our whole career." " I trust the Colonies will not find it a joke,"'• said the im placable Labouchere. " I'm afraid they won't," said the Premier, rather more earnestly than is his wont ; " b u t su ffi c i en t for the day is the deevil thereof, as we say in Scotland." " Why did you not suggest my going over ?" asked the President of the Board of Control, trimming his finger-nails with an ivory instrument. " Because the Frenchmen would have called you Smeet,' my dear Vernon, and I would not willingly expose a man who is particular about his name to so barbarous an outrage." " India may be attacked next year," said Mr. Smith, lan guidly drawing on his white glove. By that time you will be more at home in your Indian Sceptre Exercises, and able to defend it," said Lord Palmer ston. " Meantime, I can't afford to spare so invaluable a colleague." " You flatter me," said the pleased Controller. "By Jove, do I?" returned the Premier. " Your advice is most salutary. I never bought such good perfumery and tooth-brushes, until you told me what shop to go to." " Frederick Peel might have been sent to Paris," said Lord Panmure. " Kars could not have hurt the pachydermatous Fred." " Couldn't send a clerk, my dear fellow," replied Lord Granville. "Else, I agree with you, he would not have felt the sore place. On the contrary, he would have looked up arguments to prove that Kars ought to have been sacrificed, that it was not worth keeping, that the black basalt of the houses made them unwholesome, that the river Arpa was dirty and spread malaria, and that in his eminently military opinion the conquest of the town was a loss to Russia." " " There is nobody else, you se e ," sa id L or d P a l merston, whom one could, with any decency, select. Argyll was good enough to say that he would go and set the Council right, but only on condition that he had a seat and a vote, which they could hardly accord to a civilian, even though he wore the red coat of a postman." " I said I would wear the uniform of Vice-Sheriff of Argyll shire," said the Duke, angrily. "I fear even that splendid array would not dazzle the soldiers in Council. Remember what they are in the habit of seeing." "Bat his oratory would," said Lord Panmare, mischie vionsly. " T'ant pis," replied the Premier. "On the eve of a cam paign men should see clearly. On the whole, I preferred to keep him at his letter-box." " - I think you were right," said the President of the Board of Trade, sententiously. " Praise from Sir Philip Stanley, of Alderley' and so forth," quoted Lord Palmerston, laughing. "Perhaps you would have liked to go yourself ?" " What for ?" " For the same reason that brought you into office." " And what w " I really don't know," said the Premier, " and I never could find anybody to tell me. But there's one riddle that may probably occur to you all, and that is, why, at such a momentous crisis, I did not run over myself, and discuss what will be about the most important campaign ever projected." " Yes," said several voice s , " w hy did y ou no t ?" " Do you give it up ?" "Yes, yes." " Because I didn't choose." " Connu," said Lord Granville, and the Council broke up. GOLD IN VALPARAISO. TIIE Valpariaso correspondent of the Panama Star and Herald reports the town to be quite in a gold fever, and hundreds were rushing to the diggings, —a distance of about 15 miles. Considerable quantities of quartz gold had been found and some nuggets, the quality being equal to the pro ductions of either California or Australia. The following is an outline of the commercial news : "At Valparaiso, during the 15 days ending November 30th, but few arrivals of foreign merchandise had taken place; the sales were, consequently, limited, being confined principally to purchases for the Bolivian market. A large sale of 60,000 gallons of sugar caused holders to advance their prices ; bat the advance is looked upon as temporary. A cargo of 500 tons of coal per Gem of the Nith was sold at $lO, deliverable at Caldera. " There has been some animation in the flour trade. Owing to exports for New Holland sales were effected at $9 50c., but the price afterwards rose to $lO 37, $lO 50, and $lO 75. The export of this article has caused a scarcit ' that will probably keep the price up until the new crop comes in. " Copper is not supplied in proportion to the demand, and sells at $2l 50. " Saltpetre has been sold (20,000 quintals) at 20 reals for delivery in December ; but for quantities delivered later this price cannot be obtained. " FREIGHTS.—MetaIs from the Coast of Chili to Liverpool, £4 10s. ; guano, Chinchas to Havre, £4 10s. ; flour to Australia, £4 10s. ; saltpetre, from Iquique to Hamburg, £6 ; flour to Melbourne, £4 10s." A letter from Valparaiso, referring to the extraordinary ex citement springing up there in reference to the newly-reported gold diggings, has the following : "We see almost daily the old familiar sights of San Fran. cisco, and gold washers, cradles, long toms, &c., are `tooted' along, as well as picks, crowbars, and sieves. The sailors even are off to the mines. The southern diggings near Conception do not tarn out so well as those in this vicinity, and conse quently we hear southern prospectors are coming this way. "Considerable quantities of quartz gold have been found, and some nuggets. The quality of the gold is fully equal to any I ever saw eithe r i n C a lif orn i a or A us t ra li a . "Several vessels have sailed from here for Australia with samples of gold ; and in six months' time we may look for a small increase of our population, which will astonish the na tives of this republic. A person to dig has to pay some $3 or $6 for a site ; and if the mining laws of Chili are so liberal that a miner, if he has any reason to believe that gold exists even in a gentleman's garden, or in his cellar, can lay claim to dig there by paying his $3, and taking out his certificate of the location. "To give you an idea of the vicinity and reality of the gold, I would state that a well-known merchant of this city offered to bett $5OO that he would leave Valparaiso at six a.m., and return at six p.m., with an ounce of his own digging. From what I can see of the diggings it seems to me that companies of determined men cannot fail to do as well as in California, if not better." CAMP LIFE. Deserters will not readily escape as they have done, for under Captain Baines, our military magistrate, an excellent corps of " road police" has been formed of picked men, and they have already proved very useful. They caught a man the other day, from the simple description that he had "an inflamed right eye." They have not been organised long enough to trace out the perpetraters of the several murders that have occurred within the last two or three months. The letter seems to have miscarried in which I informed you that an Armenian was found dead in a ravine behind the English head-quarters, his skull literally smashed in. The murderer of the seaman at Kamiesch has not yet been discovered, and now the body of another sailor has been found within the same port with marks of violence upon it. It is thought the latter was killed on shipboard, and thrown into the sea. The former was stabbed at night in the streets, and his belly ripped open, presenting one of the most sickening sights that could be imagined. Footpads still infest some of our routes by night, but the new passport system and the permis de sejour are working wonderfully well in the Crimea, and will gradually root out these ruffians. There is, however, no persuading people at Constantinople that any difficulty exists as to settling at Balaklava. Such difficulty, nevertheless, exists; and this very week a Frenchman, who had arrived at Balaklava with his wife and family, was refused permission to live there by the Provost Alarshal. The winter is also driving away many of the lower orders, who, once again at Stamboul or Smyrna, will find it almost impossible to obtain passports for the Crimea. So much the better. A good deal of telegraphing is still observable along the Mackenzie Heights. A good deal of festivity has reigned in camp during this Christmas; and to-night a grand banquet will be given at the Highland division, to see the old year out and the new year in. The huts, both of officers and men, are daily becoming more comfortable, but crockery and articles in tin and iron are still much wanted. And, to use a mercantile phrase, blankets are also "inquired for," as are " long boots," and " bullock trunks." Our roads are improving fast, and on most days the pedestrian now has the advantage of the equestrian. It is no joke to ride over ice. The weather is, of course, bear able, but at times the cold is indescribably piercing for many hours in succession. We may well cry out with Hamlet, " It is a nipping and an eager air." Another fertile source of interesting consideration among the gossips of the camp is the progress made in destroying the docks. Under date of the Ist January, the special correspond. ent of the Daily News, writing from the camp before Sebas topol, says, in reference to THE FURTHER DESTRUCTION OF DOCKS AT SEBASTOPOL : It had been the intention of our engineers to blow in a portion of the English half of the docks last Saturday ; but, owing to the prevalence of water, all could not be got ready for that purpose before yesterday afternoon. It was at six minutes to one that the drum was beaten by the French sapper for the 39 French and four English engineers to light their port fires. At 54 minutes the drum beat two taps for all to be ready, and at 44 minutes to one the drum beat one more tap to fire ; in 64 minutes afterwards the charges in the side and bottom of the French east dock exploded almost simultaneously. Shortly afterwards the large charges in the piers of the entrance and behind the steps leading down to the dock blew up. These three charges shook the ground all round terribly, and propelled large stones perpendicularly up in the air to the height of at least 900 feet. In 94- minutes the English charges exploded, causing a very neat- demolition of half the side wall of the basin ; but the powder was, I think, run a little too fine. After the smoke had cleared away, it was evident that four of the French charges and one of the English had not gone off, the four French charges being two in the entrance pier to their west dock, which was not blown in by them on the 21st, and two in the side wall of the basin, adjoining our charges. The demolition of the French east dock—or Steamer Dock," as it is called, for it contains the remains of the paddle steamer, which was brought from Sinope and set fire to by the Russians on the 9th September— was complete. The quantity of powder expended in blowing up this dock alone was 10,0001b5., with 33 charges in all. The 12 side charges were each 5001bs. Behind the steps leading down to the bottom of the dock there was one charge of 10001bs, and two of 5001bs. of powder each. The-remaining charges—l mean those under the docks and the floodgate— averaged about 1101bs. each. After the Russians had fired a few badly aimed shells, and the French and English engineers had examined the debris, the former again fired the four charges that had not gone off. After the lapse of a few minutes, these exploded, and thus the west and east docks of the French half, together with:the left side of the large basin even to the gates, were completely destroyed. Our three docks, on account of being about four feet lower than the two French docks and entrance, have about half a foot of water in each of them. As a result of this, great difficulties have had to be contended with, and, owing to the severity of the weather, the sappers have suffered terribly both by night and by day. In the bottom of the dock were ten charges, each of 1621b5. These were connected by electric wires to two cables, making five wires for each cable, and these two cables, with an electric wire inside, ran up the hill through holes in the wall to Mr. Deen's bunk. At 20 minutes past five o'clock, just before dark, Private Sulley, tinsmith by trade, of the 10th company of Sappers, was ordered by Major Nicholson to connect the ten wires to the two cables. In another two minutes all had cleared away. The moment the word " All right" was passed up to Mr. Deen, eight of the ten charges blew up, which were quite sufficient completely to destroy the bottom of this dock. The latter was 191 feet long on the stone skids at bottom, 40 feet wide, and 29 feet deep. At top it is 238 feet long, and 95 feet 4 inches wide. The revetment at top was 6 feet 8 inches broad. Our centre dock, which in all probability will have its bottom blown up to-morrow even ing, is 236 feet long, and the west dock is 233 feet. There is every reason to expect that in another fortnight the whole of the Sebastopol docks will be totally worthless for any pur pose whatever. The French appeared to be much pleased at our engineers being so successful under water. ACCEPTANCE OF PEACE PROPOSALS BY RUSSIA. TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCHES. VIENNA, WEDNESDAY, 10 P.M. Russia has unconditionally accepted the propositions of the Allies. This is authentic. Her Majesty's Government have received the following telegraphic despatch from Sir Hamilton Seymour :—" The Russian Government accept the Austrian proposals as a basis for negotiation." PARIS, THURSDAY, Jan. 17. The following telegraphic despatch was received here at 12 30 this morning, and was immediately posted up at the Bourse by order of his Excellency the Minister of the Interior : VIENNA, Jan. 16, 11 15 p.m. THE MINISTER OP FRANCE TO THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN A SF.LIES. Count Esterhazy writes to-day from St. Petersburg, that M. de Nesselrode has just notified to him the unconditional accept ante (l'acceptation pure et simple) of the propositions con ained in the ultimatum, which propositions are to serve as preliminaries of peace. BERLIN, THURSDAY, Jan. 17. Russia has accepted Austria's proposals. Official men attribute this to the urgency of Prussia's re presentations and remonstrances. A despatch received from Dresden announces that an ex traordinary supplement of the official journal of Dresden has been published, in which it states, on reliable authority, that Russia has accepted unconditionally the Austrian proposal?. The Paris correspondent of the Times reports that at a reception at the Court of Vienna, on the 9th instant, the Emperor Francis Joseph declared to a member of the Diplo matic Corps, that the moment had at last arrived to get out of the situation they were in one way or another ; and to the Swedish Minister he observed that the treaty of his govern ment with France and England had produced the greatest effect at St. Petersburg, and would be powerful in hastening the termination of the crisis. The Press, of Saturday, says :—" We are in possession of some authentic details, not yet placed before the public, con nected with the acceptance by Russia of the Austrian pro posals. The journey of Baron Seebach, the Minister of Saxony at the court of Paris, to St. Petersburg, has excited much spe culation. On his return to Paris, M. Seebach brought back from the cabinet of St. Petersburg an unqualified acceptance of the Allied propositions, on the condition that France and England would treat directly with Russia, and not through Austria. This proposition was favourably regarded by the French Government. The Cabinet Council, on Wednesday last, was held to deliberate upon it, when, we have reason to believe, Lords Palmerston and Clarendon insisted, against the opinions of the majority of the cabinet, on the Seebach pro positions being rejected, as, in their opinion, another campaign was desirable. The astonishment of these statesmen at the acceptance by Russia of the Austrian propositions, after their rejection of the Seebach overture, may be imagined. The Paris press expresses its views on the all-absorbin; topic of the clay. The De'bats thus pronounces itself : have arrived at the preliminaries of peace; this is a happy, an immense fact; we may also say it is the peace; for at this point we cannot believe otherwise than that the preliminaries of peace must necessarily lead to peace itself." We The Union contains the following :—" If this intelligence is not peace, it is at least a great step towards a pacific solution." The Pays offers the following observations :—" If, as we hope the adhesion of Russia is without second thoughts, if no difficulty is raised in the application of those principles, peace will speedily be re-established." The Sikle is alone incredulous, and thus expresses itself: —" We shall be considered very incredulous ; it will, perhaps be repeated that we wish for war at any price, that we repel even the very hopes of seeing the termination of hostilities, which cost France so many men and so much treasure. This in justice will little affect us—it will not prevent us from saying, as good and loyal patriots, to the Governments of France and England : ' Do not let yourselves be defrauded : be on your guard ?' We would also say, not to speculators, who inspire us with no interest, but to honest and serious mer chants, 'Be calm in the midst of feverish• agitations of the Bourse. Await the result of the negotiations, and think of the fate of the past negotiations.'" The IndePendance Belge observes, "Undoubtedly it is not peace which has been signed at St. Petersburg, but never has peace been so near. In these conferences that which will occasion the most delicate discussion will doubtless be the Fifth Point of the Austrian propositions ; giving the Western Powers the right to produce special conditions, besides the four guarantees, in a European interest. `Y,' the Paris cor respondent of the same journal, advances as signs of the high position in Europe attained by France under the Government of the Emperor Napoleon, the (alleged) facts that it is from French valour that Russia has suffered most, and that it is through the influence of France that England consents to re commence negotiations for peace." COUNT ESTERHAZY'S INSTRUCTIONS. Le Nord publishes the text of Count Buol's despatch to Count Valentine Esterhazy, serving as his instructions when conveying the Austrian propositions to St. Petersburg. The following is the note : " VIENNA, Dec. 18, 1855.—The words which your excel lency has had the honour of hearing from the Emperor's own lips must have again confirmed to you the intentions that have invariably guided the policy of his Majesty during the different phases of the contest now weighing so heavily on Europe. " Convinced, on the one hand, of the sincerity of the decla rations so repeatedly made by the Emperor Alexander, that he was willing to assist in arriving at any peace not repugnant to his own dignity and the honour of hiscountry, his Imperial Majesty has felt himself called upon to employ his best efforts in order to ascertain what degree of reciprocity might await those inclinations at the Courts of France and Great Britain. His Majesty deigned, in consequence, to entrust to me the duty of sounding the Cabinets of Paris and London on the subject. But while we found them most firmly resolved not to initiate any pacific overtures, we nevertheless have, to our great satisfaction, found in those cabinets a disposition such as to inspire us with the hope that they will not refuse to examine and accept any conditions of a nature to present all the guarantees requisite for a serious and lasting peace, and to adjust satisfactorily the question that gave rise to the war. "Not merely this : we believe we are authorised in expres sing the hope that these powers, while maintaining in its full force the right of presenting such conditions of peace as may seem fitting to them, would be no less disposed, at this present time, not to deviate from the principles they laid down at the commencement of the contest, which was not to prosecute any private advantages, and to limit their demands to the sacri fices necessary for reassuring Europe against the return of a state of things so deplorable and involved as the present. "Encouraged by these signs, the imperial cabinet has not shrunk from the task of conscientiously taking the present state of affairs into serious account, and of stating the bases on which, in its opinion, the structure of a solid peace might be reared. The four principles already accepted by Russia have always appeared to us to be the best initial point. Only, for the sake of warranting the work of peace, and especially of avoiding the rocks on which the last conferences were wrecked, we have deemed it indispensable to develope the four principles in such a manner as to render them consonant with the general interests of Europe, and facilitate the final agree ment by a more precise definition. " The fruit of this labour is contained in the document subjoined, which, from the fact of its acceptance by the bel ligerent powers, will acquire a value tantamount to the preli minaries of peace. The signature to these preliminaries would be immediately followed by a general armistice and definite negotiations. " This labour having been honoured with the approbation of his Majesty the Emperor, your excellency is charged with its presentation for acceptance by the court of Russia, adding, while doing so, the most pressing entreaties that it weigh well its contents and communicate to us its determination, which we consider of the greatest importance to know as soon as possible. If, as we hope, our propositions meet with a favour able reception, we shall lose no time in warmly recommending their acceptance at the courts of Paris and London, expressing, at the same time, the confidence we feel that they will not use the right of eventually presenting special conditions at the negotiations, save in the interest of Europe, and to an extent such as will not raise serious obstacles against the re-establish ment of peace. " We believe we are now interpreting the wishes and true requirements of Europe. It remains for us to appeal to the exalted sentiments of the Emperor Alexander, whose supreme determination will decide the fate of so many millions of beings. " His Imperial Majesty will, we are firmly persuaded, choose the part which appears to us to be the only one consistent with the real interests of his own people, and with the wants of humanity, " Receive, &c., "COUNT B170L." The Spectator remarks :—" The expression in this depatch , that `a general armistice' will follow the signing of the pre liminaries, does not mean that an armistice will follow the signature of the Austrian proposals by Nesselrode and Ester hazy, but that it will follow the signature by the Western Powers. At present the Western Powers are not represented in the diplomatic field; as yet the ' conferences ' are only between Russia and Austria." AMERICA. By the steamship Pacific, which arrived on Thursday, we have intelligence from New York to the sth instant. The Senate continued unorganised. The House of Representatives persisted in refusing to receive the President's Message until Congress was properly organised. The state legislature at Albany was in a similar predicament to the senate, the mem bers not being able to agree upon a speaker. Further riots had taken place at Kanzas, the mob having gutted a govern ment newspaper-office, thrown the type into the river, and burnt the paper. Advices from Havana report several poli tical arrests, the prisoners being shipped off at once to Spain. Mademoiselle Rachel had arrived at Havana, in a very bad state of health; her medical advisers had prohibited her performing for several months to come. A duel of a desperate character had taken place between Senors Villagos and Paredes, mem bers of the board of directors of the Cienfuegos RailwarCom pany. The weapon used was the broad sword. The immense strength of Paredes enabled him at the first cut to break down the guard of Villagos, and to cleave his skull nearly in twain. At the last accounts he was still living, but in a hopeless state. Advices from the city of Mexico to the 18th alt., state that the primary elections for the election of deputies to the constituent congress had taken place. Great enthusiasm pre vailed on the occasion, but no disorder disturbed the polls. Guadalajara localities had s e Tapic had pronounced aga i ns t th e ex i s t i ng government. Guanajuato, also,it is sa d Puebla, pronounced,oaja c a S a i r d r a t G h o e r d a , .a n other smaller had followed the example. The pronunetcomentoe seemed to be principally the work of General Uraga. In most of th e revolted points the National Guard had triumphed over th e insurgents. At Cuantla de Mo re lo s the Indians bad com mitted many outrages, assassinating and pillaging the inhabi otaf an nts ii L b e u t s t r s ofxropmediLtioolnveronCdaelir a fornciaorcsoimoamn,unniacmateed ztheerdroefaeoat, by the Mexican forces under General Blancarte. Another ex pedition, a naval one, against Mazatlan, had also been dis persed, and the vessels captured. Speaking of the difference between the English and the United States governments re- I spectmg the Central American question (the Bulwer-Clayton treaty), the New York Tribune forms the opinion that Mr..' Clayton's (the U.S. plempotentia,ry) asseverations to uc hi ng theintentions of the negotiators of the Clayton and Bulwer [JANUARY 22, 1856• treaty must be taken with several grains of allomance,:„O' our own part (it sa y s ), we believe that it was never t!" ~d . ; tion or expectati on o f th e B r i t i s h negot i ator o f the tr'74 , surrender the protectorate of Great Britain over the P¢ tos. We believe th a t M r . Cl ay t on never approac h e d te ic i e o in his negotiations w ith M r. B u l wer, knowing Alll4O position which that ministe r occup i e d on t h a t po int; ;6{ lie cautiously avoided it, intending to obtain, by inu and diplomatic wiles, what h e k new wou ld n ot be' ingly yielded in unequivocal terms. We have rel believe that Mr. Clayton chuckled not a little at Pl, deemed his success over the British, diplomatist , as,„,o not altogether complimentary in the terms be ;"If to the astuteness o f th a t f unc ti onary. Mr. elnetid tered himself on his ph raseo l ogy i n th e t rea t y, and he" he had Mr. Bulwer fast on the point of surrendering tectorate. Mr. Bulwer came with prestige as a s h3 o knowing man in diplomacy, and Mr. Clayton clainl honour of having out-generalled him. Mr. Clayton l' e p or professed to believe, that the terms used by bin l rb treaty, by which G rea t B r it a i n was not to ' co l on ise, "V or exercise dominion in Central America,' included be r 4 quito protectorate. But Lord Clarendon denies the f 3 O denies the intention, with what we believe to be gr, e3t oo, fulness. And he inti ma t es very di st i nctly that Nl' knew perfectly well, during the negotiation of the treavV, neither the British Government nor 1. r. Bulwer ever be intention of relinquishing the protectorate. As betweqA two diplomatists, we think it is a plain case of the biter vi bit. Mr. Clayton thought he had entrapped Sir Hen r littl wer, while the fact is that the boot is on the other leg. ;, a struggle for gene ra l s hi p i n th e use o f terms, which bbl the chief contest of diplomatists. Mr. Clayton tha,,t , ft won, but it turns ou t b u t t oo p l a i n l y t h at be did 11°".,,P treaty does not excl u d e an d d es t roy t h e pro t ec t o rate,Pp that particular thing is to be done, the job will lla ce .:% begun de novo. A new t rea t y mus t b e made, an d, 19 It, end aimed at must be called by its true name." IRELAND. THE Tenant League denies that it is d ea d, an d sura toov have been issued to several members of the body to l' l _o 1 conference in Dubli n , ' on th e 22 n d i nst. The charg e ;0 Tenant Right Bill is to b e t a k en f rom S er j eant Shee, contumacy in refusing to meet the council of the league' Sr BRITISH AND IRISH STEAM-PACKET COMPAI O 9 shareholders held their annual meeting at their offices , quay, Dublin, on Wednesday. The directors declared 'lt dend at the rate o f 5 p er cen t . per annum, for the hale' ! ended the 13th of June, 1855, and they now rece lo3 V dividend for the past six months at the same aate, 3l/ heretofore, free of income-tax. P° CAUTION TO NEWSPAPER CAR RIERS.— At the ,- p ad ti court, on Saturday, a l a d name d J ames D av i son was by Mr. Kelly, of the Northern Whig, with having ne er fe, to deliver certain numbers of the papers at Saintfield, tP c io disappointing the subscribers, and committing a br ea d' contract. The case w as p rove d , an d t h e misdemeana n i t m mitted to prison for o ne week.—Belfast Northern ri n V, FIRE AT THE B ELFAST B ARRACKS.— B y the disas t r o'd which broke out o n T ues d ay, i n t h e quarters of the e gic the Cheshire Militia, now encamped in hutments in the 1, rack-square, Belfast, a lo ss o f proper t y to a large anloultetso, been sustained. Th e l oss o f Li eut. Hamilton is very ' I ft amounting to £9,000 or £lO,OOO , pr i nc i pa ll y cons i s ti n g (0 luable deeds ; and Lieut. Reade and Ensign Gale ar e sufferers.—Belfast New Letter. THE MURDER OF Miss HlNDS.—Seven persons (saY e# Dublin Evening Mail) have been lodged in CavalW charged with being c oncerne d i n th e murder of Miss Pe They are, with one e xcep ti on, t enants on the estate o f tu fortunate lady. A man named James Murphy, fc' 9l %^.; county of Leitrim, is a ccuse d as a pr i nc i pa l , and Thoma s D to is charged with bein g th e c hi e f consp i rator and condo-tothe diabolical offence. THE SHIPPING AT QUEENSTOWN.--For thirty sea- dp have not been so many British ships lying windbonnd 0 4 1 orders in Queenstown harbour as at present, and for n e ':tlt month back. They appear to be jammed up one agail' s '•te other, from Pass age d own t o C am d en Fort. They P 3-„, , t. over 300, with about 25 foreign ships, and five menif t o manned by over 4,000 seamen, o f w h om 2, 7 00 are merchant sailors, 300 fo re i gners , an d 1,000 men-of.war'S,; A FEW days since, about two miles on the other sinp Castleblaney, a portion of the line, about 30 yards, sunk, 313 a manner, disappeared. The substratum wanted solidity e ye passenger trade is not interrupted. Parties travelling hi e it line have to walk ab ou t seven t y yards, and then resume th ole places in the carriages. Sir John MaVeill will have the sc ot , rectified by one of hi s ingenious processes on MondaY ; 3 0 4 when the traffic t ra d e w ill go on as briskly as ever.—f Examiner. .„ tot!, CHANGE OF LANDED PROPRIETORS.—In referi 4 wt, s ir operations of the Encumb ere d E s t a t es C ourt, t h e Balli'1" „ o, Star remarks, that " o f th e coun ti es o f Galway and ,y ib comprising nearly three millions of acres, or about one-se c pl of the whole kin g d om , one -f our th o f the superficial extent t he changed owners," and adds, " It has been stated that majority of the purchasers of the properties offered for se; have been English a n d S co t c h. Thi s, h owever, is not the citto of two millions of m one y i nves t e d i n thi s way, not mor e ",0 £400,000 has been a d vance d b y cap it a li sts from acr oss , channel." f W l6 IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.—MT. W. G. Plunkett, o. and J. C. Bower, Esq., have obtained a patent for the 01 , 3 04. facture of paper and t ex tibl e f a b r i cs f rom the following P I3 ttf viz., the yellow iris, or common flagger, the burdock , ,f, coltsfoot, and from the l eaves an d s t ems o f re d an d w hite t r , and mangold wurzel ; also from the stems of Swedish, ft' el deen, and other turnip bulbs. We have seen specimen s of paper and millboard manu f ac t ure d by hand from sever al the foregoing pla n t s; an d f rom fibre from the iris or Se; 4 l flagger, which appears to have all the properties of 'the t, flax. The iris cont a i ns a l arge proport i on, at l east 7 5 pe r cc' of paper material.—Boyle Gazette. t IT is stated that th e L or d Bi s h o p o f C or k i s abou t t institute proceedin gs , i n th e E cc l es i as ti cal Courts, f o r t purpose of declaring the p ar i s h o f I nn i scarra vacant, b y reasr i of the conviction and sentence to transportation for forgery, of its rector, the Rev. William Beresford• Th of proceedings, it is said, will be defended by the creditoiseeo the convict. The pari s h h as f or a num b er o f year s b der sequestered, and the re venue co ll ec t e d b y a receiver 11 t the court, for the ben e fit o f th e cre dit ors, whose de b ts arecn t , to a very considerable sum. The defence which, it is nu de . stood, will be set up, i s a d en i a l o f vacancy, on the g r° that the incumbent is not dead in law, as the prerogative $ the Crown may a t any ti me be exercised in his behal f granting him a free pardon. „ i AN IRISH PAT RIOT ' S PROPHECY.—An ultra-Liberal Roman Catholic journal, nauseated with the squabbles, ,P c .:„D tical and religious, which h ave ren d ere d t h e name of anjl;sep popular representative a by wor d o f merr i ment, if no w° reJ finds consolation in raking up an old threat of Grattan, utt e pl at the eriod of the union. " Well," said the indigila the patriot, "Ireland will have h er revenge; she will send into 11, British Senate, and into the bosom of her councils, 105 of : L e biggest rascals that any age or coun t ry h as ever produce, Horrified at this fancy sketch, the journal piously ejaculate s ' o f " Thank God, it has not come to this; for there are many e the Irish members an honour to their native land; but policy acted on of lat e by those dubbinithemselves our lea► would very soon have verified the prediction of our imule r countryman." • FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. SWEDEN. A Baron Stierneld, the S we di s h Mi n i s t er o f F ore i gn gat A a has addressed to all th e S we di s h envoys a circular, -01 December 18, respecting th e recen t t reaty w i t h the Wes:ol Powers. He says that Sweden, entertaining apprehensly (founded upon remembra nces t oo we ll k nown t o need rePet4o, tion) of Russian encroa c h men t i n ' th e nort h , h ad, at t he tl posal of France and England, entered into a defensive trey of alliance, designed t o assure th e i ntegr i ty of the gl'ir, kingdoms of Sweden and Norway. He points out, hoWe l ic iil that this treaty will n o t b e o f any pre j u di ce t o Russia; not, in fact, come into application, unless through aggres on her part ; and he adds, that it does not imply a ny chai l e ;, in the actual positio n o f S we d en , f or h er d ec l aration o f 1 3 ji g trality still subsists, and will continue t o b e a dh ere d to hitherto. All hope of military as s i s t ance f rom S we d e n an d Denmark in the coming spring would appear, therefore, t° at an end. 0 , TER DANUBE.—By a telegraphi c d espa t c h f rom Galati; d the 31st December, we learn that th e i ce i n th e Danube tp,s'l become firm, and at that place and Ib ra il a a b out fifty i were frozen in, as well as all the others between those P 136 ,.:0 and Sulina. At the S u li na mouth, there were lying bets ve o f 400 and 600 vessels, w hi c h , in consequence of a deficiency lighters, and contrary winds, could not go to sea. PORTUGAL —The Madrid mail steamer which left Gib' _, 3l .do t° on the 7th, C a di z on th e 10th , Li s b on on the 12th, and V. on the 14th inst., has arrived, with specie value £4,500. Lisbon an immense fall of rain had done considerable data? Some of the Cintra railway works were destroyed. Exel°l l :, unaltered. At Opo r t o f re i g ht s were s t at i onary, ow i ng t o flooding of the Douro. Wine s hip men t s were slack. Exell3 n v ; 11 ., irregular. The ste amer P eru , w ith mac hi nery damaged, 'rai off Beleu on the 12th, waiting for pratique. The Rospil e r, was at anchor, havin g coa l e d a t Li s b on. V ery heavy weetab, The Minto steamer put into the Tagns. Spoke, on the the screw-steamer Imper a d or , w ith t roops f or the East. oi Ripon, steamer, left Gibralt ar f or S p ith ea d on th e 7th. SO' p 0 1 casualties had occurred, owing to the severe weather, Gibraltar. Exchange on London, 61 3-16. WEST INDIES.—The steam-ship La Plata arrived on w er f nesday, with the usual ma il s . At J ama i ca fever waslre prevalent, and the mortality great. At Demerara some hension was felt with respect to the limited supply of il° o 7 s o grants expected this yea r . At G rena d a th e wea th e r favourable for sugar operations. From Chili there is no Pry ticular intelligence. In Peru every symptom of another r! 3 D, lution was apparent. At V a l para i so a go ld fever preyaPtit and hundreds were rus hi ng t o th e di gg i ngs, a di s t ance o f apv fifteen miles. arr T iv h e e d L AUSTRALIA. I senger 45,000 ounces of go ld , an d a genera l c argo, including uo, " i in th Whitee bales of wool, 300 bundle s o f rags , 2,400 hides, 4,600 h°,. l. &c. The Ben Ne v i s l e ft P or t Phillip Heads on th e 19th Lr, m St e a r r s ' e ' y cl o ip n pe Th r ü ß r e s n day N , ev w is i , th C B a o pta p i as n of October, having arri ve d a t Melbourne on the 4th o f Octob er , The Ben Nevis arrived off Cape Clear on the I s t o f J a na" and had been beating about in the channel ever since. I The " White Star" clipper Shalimar arrived out on the 1 6 5 De I of October, having left Liverpool on the 20th of July ; the was expected to leave for Liverpool o n th e 16th of Novenor; e The Champion of the Seas was to sail for Liverpool on 25th of October. The papers contain n o news of importance. All l e gislat lye business in Victoria had been suspended till the new cons° tion, which arrived out in the Shalimar, had been diselll e r and *claimed. Lola M on t es was to dance the " Sqler• Dance" at the G ee l ong Theatre Royal, on the 17th Oet°„ca Some fresh gold an d copper " diggings " are said to have "" discovered near G ee l ong. I Considerable ill•feeling appears to exist between Young, the governor of Tasmania, and the executive of at Diemen's Land, on the subject of tra ns p or t a ti on, the Peilli e o, issue being a question of privilege betwe en th e t wo a utherl!„o which was ab ru ptly t erm i na t e d b y the governor ' s prore g' the session. • 0 The price of gold was 75 5. 9d . th e ounce. 30,000 ding y e t were at the Fiery Creek diggings, and had partly brouo down from 8,000 ounces. The yield from quartz has gr e oth increased Bendigo. During the wee k en di ng the c 1 October, the escorts from M oun t Al exan d er, Ballarat, '- , Beechworth brought 64,181 ounces down to Melbourne. of At the Melbourne wool sales, on the 11th October, the P r i , of were in advance of those of last season. A superior fief' o l. , wool in the grease was sold at Bd. per lb. The hide ali". ii g low markets quiet, arid no changes to report since the s 3 l of the Donald Maay. Freights to Liverpool on Ivo per lb.; tallow, 302. I 0~ 88; 4: 1 4,0 Re 4er 1 1 % 211. . e