The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-03-22 00:00:00

THE BIRTHS OF THE NAPOLEONS It will be interesting, at the present moment, of r evert to th e c i rcumstances attend i ng the bi rt h each of the members of the Imperial family of Bonaparte. NAPOLEON I d • f Ille family of the B ona p ar t es w ere of some s tinction in Italy in the middle ages. They are t ill , e of Tre v i so ; b u t w h en Nap men tioned in th e G o ld en B oo k o f B o l ogna, an d i n e Peera g Gruoleon the of re at was t o ld of such descent, he was ill the habit of sa ying that he " was satisfied to be the Rudolph Il aPsburg of hi s race, " or t h at h e " d ate d hi s "hili tY from Monte Notte." C arlo Bon a p arte was born March 29, 1746. H e studi ed the l aw at the University of Corte, an d soon beca me the leading avocat in the small town of Aiae • th elo• The re ,i n 1764„ he marrid Letitia Rainolino, ell 14 years old, the most beautiful girl in the Pla ce • The R amolino ' s belonged to the Gc,.. Part • Y 11 1 Corsica ; Carlo Bonaparte belonged to the becam e of the P atr i ots, under Paoli. Carlo Bonaparte Genoa Paoli's secretary. In 1768, the state of sold their r i g h ts over th e i s l an d o f Corsica li o k rliti ee• Such a sa l e, th e b ar t er o f a f ree people , e a herd of cattle, was a violation of all national th w ' The Corsicans resisted, and sympathy for e , ' ca use spread all over Europe. Paoli, andF Patr iots of Co rs i ca d e te r mined to resist the h et ric h• They could not prevent their landing ; st r riZ the 9 th of May, 1769, they determined to p a blow f or li b erty, an d t h ey res i ste d th e Nu el v ise n es „°f the French at the Bridge of Ponte Ilere the Patriot party of Corsica were pelf:eri-t'bede Rt a blow, and Corsica lost its freedom. battle of Ponte Nuovo, Carlo .Bona raour,,_all,d his Wife fled to a villa they had in the P reu - rins of Corsica, called Monte Rotondo. Ili t e in the mountains however, sent a flag of truce to the patriots tow n - tu,ollutains, inviting them to return to t e to - C arlo Bonaparte was sent by the patriots , Corte,ty and he came back with passports of se u relib.„„:", 4 e patriots then began to return to their ool7re homes. In crossing the river Liamon i e, Tire ) . e ' r Way from Monte Rotondo to Ajaccio, t le p ert - was found to be swollen, and Letitia Bona- Aj ee e e . Was nearly drowned. On getting back to Pre - „ 1 1 ., ° ' Paoli, who was ordered into exile by the . to Wished Carlo Bonaparte to accompany him Preu n „ g : a n,d• The condition of his wife, however, 15% - n ",;'e n Q him ; she NS , as near her time; and on the r etu "' August, 1769, only a few days after her rn i Napoleon the Great was born. th e 1 5,';a had attended mass ou the morning of so c i d " ll August. On her return home she was bed eil lY Seized with labour pains. A temporary tap e ;7" Prepared for her in a room hung with oicl tep est r Y; and those who have since exam ined the th e CY , have declared that it gives the history of eNee Pole oit lof the Iliad. Such was the birth of ,noese T h b . NAPOLEON 11. tta .irth of the " King of Rome" (Napoleon 11, Cro w , Is designated, though he never wore the af ter took place in April, 1811, a short year and th e marria ge b etween th e Emperor Napoleon 114 r „ alar ie Louise, which took place at Vienna, 18C., 11 , 1810, was consumma ted at Compiegne, 1810, h, and re-celebrated in Paris, 2nd April, too, N apoleon's first marriage, with Josephine, Place 9th March, 1796. The ito ni circ umstances of the birth of the King of e are thus described by Southey The bath wi s h es were crowne d b y the bi rt h o f a son • cal a i rt h was a diffi cu l t one , an d t h e nerves o f t h e medi tbohettrEolpilecirallort,s h Wo were w s a h s aken. `s She is but a woman," said present, " treat her as you would a 4111: 18 g e °Ise of the Rue St. Denis." The accoucheur, at a anti demanded moment, withdrew Napoleon from the couch, he s :"'anded whether in case one life must be sacrifi , ced, tam nici prefer the mother or the child ? The the e l e a :: 8 '" he answered, ‘, it is her right 1 " At length the l a "d appeared, but without any signs of life. After lat ant Pse of some minutes a feeble cry was heard ; the by CO t hought to be dead, was awakened from its lethargy Nah.ie discharge of one hundred and one pieces of cannon. fa ti v m ° , l eou entered the ante-chamber in which the high the;"ollaries were assembled, and announced the event in v vords:—.“ /c a King of Rome:' te _ae birth of the heir of Napoleon was received with as at tend de monstrations of loyal enthusiasm as had ever Ip a nded that of a Dauphin ; yet the joy on this occasion „ 4 far frora universal. The Royalists considered the bi ti t as fatal to the last hopes of the Bourbons. The am t,ous generals despaired of any dismemberment of the o-, ti The old Republican's who envied Bonaparte 's fo-,otic power, as th e progeny of the revolut i on , l oo k e d of.7:fard with deep di strust to the rule of a dynasty , f on d ho use the bl oo d of the haughtiest of all t h e royal e ok s „ e s of Eur ope , and consequently more likely to make P e i -4 ° l l cause with the little band of the hereditary ~soveh ot , t han with th e people. Finally , t h e title, of had be Put an end to the fond hopes of the Italiai f i t s e , r vi i; s de at kou taught by Napoleon to expect thata_ i froniztheir country shou!dseparate possess a government . bitte rf ra u,oe ; nor could the same title fail to excite some u nder th e i h ee : lll ,gs in the Austrian court, whose heir-apparent the °KI Empire had been commonly styled " King - 13 Ut th WW I ? float interesting event of all connected Alij a 418 birth i s t h e l etter o f t h e d i vorced J ose hu B b e t O the E mperor, h er st ill d ear l y -b e l ove d k oth a ild, on the birth of this child, and for whose , n e r she had been discarded. This truly affect ° vPistle runs in the language following • NAVARRE. SH tz r ecei vo r7Anaidst the numerous congratulations which you n Pr% 'rorn all parts of Europe, and from every tow , n bl voi en 0 , and every regiment in the army, can the f‘e e t O list,, a , woman reach you? And will you condescend and to her who so often consoled you in your sorrows, t Zl s y lle 4 so stl t g li e o d the pangs of your heart, when she speaks happiness which has just crowned ei tati Being no longer your wife, dare I offer my Sir"OftiOr on your becoming a father ? Yes, doubtless, hors tt?Y soul renders the same justice to y.ourse as readeo mule : I conceive what you now expertenc . tho as You divine my emotions on this occasion, seParated, we are - united by the sympathy which defiance to events. 110 14 3 p e r tlid have been:gl;or to learn the birth of the King . of a tt i2 ei p c :r te ` rer a Yourself, and not by the Canon of Goreux, or t Lt ; : eet, envi er , b ut lam well aware t h a t your fi rs t your ,orks are due to the members of the corps diplonzatique te_anst realised family, and above all, to the happy Princess who h er uerlv - Your dearest hopes. She cannot be more veltdevoted to you than I am ; but she has had it in 'wer to do more for your happiness by assuring the Ar st !e of France ; she has, therefore. a right to your e onl ,s7en.timents, to all your cares ; and I who was your macte'ottnen misfortune only, can claim but a far inferior . You „„,!(), that Marie Louise occupies in your affection. You t .'" l " have watched round her bed, and embraced You r tr . , before you take up your pen to converse with It i s Z t friend. ill wait that ,2 uowever, impossible for me to defer telling you n 'uore than any one on earth I share in your joy. You b e i n °t doubt in my sincerity when I say that, far from of all, afflicted with a sacrifice, so necessary to the repose atone. that it has been made, now that I suffer only I .,,uifer, do I say ? No since you are contented, my how da. r et is, that I have not yet done sufficient to prove You are to me! Loui s NAPOLZON of t h. "aPoleou Bonaparte, the present Emperor at t i; F rench, was born on the 26th April, 1808, (4 4 '-te Tuileries. His mother was Hortense, 1 4 ,„ e ." of Holland, the wife of Napoleon's brother T h " l s, to whom that kingdom had been assigned. marriage of Hortense and Louis was most S` ir ortunate; they did nothing but quarrel, and in eptembe r 1807, t h ey finally separated at Amster -4,1)a, and Horte nse returned to her mother in Pa r i s . Amster `,',4,l)a, the present Emp eror was born, and it is here that he and the Kin of Rome were t h e i ° 3 11 3 7 two persons of the family g of Napoleon whose 4 11 ths we re r eceived with milit ary h onors and the " l age of the people. f T here is one circumstance connected with the a te of this family which historians have not yet obs erved but which is well worth mention. Na paoleon the Gr ea t se t aside his devoted, best friend tO C ouncillor, Josephine, to obtain an heir to the 4 1 ;° 11 ? of France. He married a Princess of th —tri n, and by her he had a son. That birth was e r cu lminating point of his pow er and his digni ty . ro oa thence h e did no thi ng b ut d escen d . H e died hi e xile —hi s son also. Who succeeded to his name , 11,,, f nnle. his power ? The child of Hortense, who the 11J child of that Josephine ! In the person of o f e .,„ l 'mpero r of the French, we find not the offspring di s a . Poleon the Great, but the offspring of his or ti l l il deLl wife. What an illustration of the truth G o e a dogo,—" That it is man who proposes but Wilo disposes 1" t o ell mP.—Tho se w h e may be subjected in the that excr utiating pain c a ll e d cramp, w ill b e doubta.s glad i: learn that by tying any kind of bandage tight round the „A,lnutediately a b ove the knee the unpleasant sensation ", be inetimtaneOnely removed, of time GOOD FRIDAY.-THE HOLIDAYS All the public buildings and shops in town were closed yesterday, according to the usual custom observed on Good Fridaj. The day was peculiarly fine and warm, and great numbers of town-folk availed the opportunity of a walk or jaunt to the country, or across the water—i❑deed but few remained in town. The churches of all Christian denominations, were open as usual, and the service appointed for the day was observed. The Greeks have a custom (pat ticularly sailors) of treating'an effigy of Judas Iscariot with indignity, and this custom was observed by the sailors on board the Greek vessels in port. To some persons who were not aware of the ceremony (if it can be called such) the proceeding looked strange enough. The railway trains were regulated the same as on Sundays, and in consequence vehicles were in good demand, for besides the solemnities observed, thousands sought pleasure in the rural districts. Throughout the day the landing stage was thronged with persons endeavouring to obtain a passage in the steamboats to Eastham, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, Egremont and New Brighton. The boats were each gaily deco l ated, and on board some were bands of music, which, by their cheerful notes:amused the company on their way ; indeed, i - is stated, that never before, on the opening day of the season, did so many persons visit Easthana to enjoy the pleasnre of a roam through the beautiful gardens and woods, and the pleasure of the visitors was much enhanced by the accommodation and attention afforded them by the proprietor of those While so many were thus enjoying the pleasure of trips by rail, and excursions on the bosom of the Mersey to places far and near —a treat which was duly appre ciated, was in store for those who stayed at home, namely, a visit to the Zoological Gardens, where the spirited proprietor, Mr. Atkins, had procured the attendance of the Bosjesmens," or dwarf savages, from the wilds of South Africa. From an early hour in the morning the roads leading to these delightful gardens were crowded by persons, anxious to obtain a view of these extraordinary grounds. specimens of the human race, who are described as being remarkable, not only on account of their vernacular tongue, but on account of their format i on differing so materially from all other members of the bnman family, yet discovered alive. So remarkable, indeed, and without exaggeration, that their attempts to communicate with each other is more like the noise of machinery, or the chattering of monkeys, than the language of men. It would be futile to attempt a description. The imagination cannot conceive, fancy cannot depict, nor the pen, pencil, or device, convey an adequate idea of them. You cannot behold these strange types of humanity, without feelings such as you never before ex perienced. As the Bosjesmens have previously been exhibited in Liverpool, a further description is unnecessary ; but those who have not yet paid them a visit, we should strongly recommend to do so, on Monday and Tuesday next, when, according to an advertisement in another column, they will again be exhi bited ; and to those who have seen them on the previous occasion, we should still recommend them a re-visit, for then they will be enabled to see that none of the three have made the least progress in learning any language—which, it is said, it is impossible for them to do. Be sides these " won ders of the world," the gardens themselves have been rendered more attractive, by having been most tastefully laid out, and by the introduction of several specimens of natural history, including some of the finest lions ever exhibited. From the success which attended this, the commencement of the season at these gardens, and by the great preparations that are being made, including a pictorial subject, which is in a forward station towards completion, and from its present appearance bids fair to be most magnificent, with the additions to the gymnasium, there can be but little doubt but that the exertions made by Mr. Atkins, in catering for the public, that great success will attend the ensuing season, and that these gardens will be the resort of the public during the summer. Although so many of our working population made this a day of recreation, and the many thousands that availed themselves of the holiday thus afforded them, to take cacti) sions sea and laud, we have not heard of a single mishap or accident, which is mainly attributed to the care and attention paid by the s officials of tue several railways, and managers of the ferries. SOME PARTICULARS ABOUT THE NEW LANDING STAGE FOR LARGE STEANIERS. The great inconvenience and delays daily witnessed on our river, through the want of better accommodation for the landing and disembarking from channel steamers, which arrive too early, or too late, on the ;tide to be at once admitted into dock, cause considerable interest to be felt in the progress of the new monster landing stage, which is intended to obviate these difficulties. That is, to obviate them as far as they can be overcome, i❑ a port lying on the banks of a river with such a considerable rise and fall as occurs in the tidal waters of That the new construction will be a vast accom modation to the travelling public, as well as to shippers and proved in the case of the present the Mersey steam ship owners, is SIIIIF Lding stage used by the ferry steamer the smaller one e Princes pier, to which only the channel steamers, in the ion already referred to, have access, as things are. The necessity of having to under ake this great work, in addition to the epiendid range of docks which line the margin of the stream, is, however, a very gratifying proof of the large prosperity and still increasing business of the port, in connection with the rest of the United Kingdom. The new stage is being constructed by Messrs. Thomas Vernon and Son, the well known iron ship builders, NN ho are sub-contractors fora London firm. The works occupy several acres of land between Tran mere and Rock Ferry, and the rapid progress that is being made is visible to all who pass along the river in that direction. To give an idea of the amount of work to be accomplished it carrying out this great design, wo have collected together the following facts. The length of the stage will be 1,000 feet, — or three times that of the largest steamer afloat, the Persia, — and its width eighty feet. It will be moored parallel with the southern half of the Prince's parade, with which it will com municate by means of four hinged bridges similar to those of the present stage at St. George's pier. Indeed, the principle throughout is entirely that of the latter, but carried out on a much larger scale, and with more regard to strength and soli dity. It will, therefore, consist of a massive wooden platform, resting upon pontoons, sixty-three of which altogether are to be used in the structure, each, with two exceptions, ten feet wide and five feet deep. Forty-nine of these pontoons are eighty feet in length, the exact breadth of the stage, which they will support transversely, and in order to insure strength and buoyancy in case of accident to any part of the pontoon itself, each pontoon is divided into five whole and four and a half half-width compartments. Twelve of the pon toons measure ninety-six feet in length, and intended to project beyond the shore side of the stage, in order to support the ends of the bridges, which alight otherwise unnecessarily depress one side of the stage, and also give the deck an inconvenient incline. These very long pontoons are each constructed with six air and water tight compartments, in addition to five half bulkheads. There will be one pontoon to support either end of the stage, eighty feet in length, by twelve broad, and five feet depth, thus making sixty-three in all. Along the whole length of the stage, over the pontoons, and immediately beneath the desk, there will run five rows of hollow iron girders, or kelsons, tho three central rows five feet and the cuter ones four feet in depth, in order to give the deck the required convexity of form. These girders will be firmly rivetted to the pontoons. Although the tube principle is adopted in the iron work, in order to combine lightness with strength, the amount of metal used is something enormous. The kelsons will require 1,100 tons, and the pontoons about 1,000 tons of iron. The facts will show what a buoyant power will be required in the new stage, to carry its own weight alone. The extremities • of the stage will be somewhat depressed, in the form of broad steps, for the purpose of accommodating tug steamers and small boats, when necessary. The principle of the deck framing will be the •same as is adopted in the present stage ; the fabric, however, being much stronger, and the diagonal larrangements of the planking more frequent. As regards the progress of the work, we may state that twenty nine of the pontoons are already completed, and placed in position. Several others are under the sheds receiving the final touches, and the pontoons are turned out of hand at the rate of six per month. Very shortly, 200 men (50 of them joiners) will be employed upon the new stage, which is to be completed next March, twelve months hence. It is expected that the whole structure will be launched in four pieces, and then mad ee f m t haey present b e e easily l put together an d completed. What the capabilities of the a besegne will be y e t i a n f e e r a r t e d Ge f e ro rg m es th p e ie u r ses hi w th h e i r c t h e h e a e v e e . `'sidered the Levi a th an of g tl Mersey , " but . which will be completely eclipsed by its monstrous the present large stage was originally l e l ompet!tor. Although generally used only by, ferry steamers, designed h for, and the largest vessels in the world laid ' alongside sv o n f s i e t e t n some ofk troops and horses, and moved away again as easily a o s embar gig, including the Cunard paddle steamer Arabia the n river screw transport ship Oneida 2,500 tons, and thegreat Hi malaya, than than which the Persia alone is a larger steam ship afloat. The `new stage is said to be intended for channel steamers merely, but there is no reason why it should not be used also f or th e accommodation of ocean steamers, on their arrival and departure for either landing, or embarking mails and passen net's. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—The rumours relative to the opening of Her Majesty's Theatre for operatic performances this season are without the slightest foundation. Mr. Balfe knows nothi ng o f hi s re ported appointment as musicaldirector. THE NORTHERN' TIMBS.-LIVIERPOOL I SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1866 THE N\TIONAL COST OF CRIME The estimates for the " civil service" for the ensuing year dis close some startling facts connected with the cost which the commission and punishment of crime entails upon'the country. We find that the general law charges for England, Ireland, and Scotland (the last providing the cost of its own constabu lary),atuotints to £1,350,709. It must not, however, be sup . - posed that the above sum includes all the expenses of our law courts ; there is a further sum of neatly £400,000 chargeable on the "consolidated fund." The proportions in which this vote is distributed to the three kingdoms will at first sight surprise one. The total estimate for England is only £-170,000; fur Scotland it is only £135,000; while for Ireland alone it is £745,000. The large sum required for the sister island is due to the fact that, besides a grant of £35,000 for the Dublin police, £639,000 is required for the Iris.' consta bulary. In England the charge for police is confined to the metropolis, and the sum required is one-fifth of that required for Ireland. The expense of the metropolitan police courts for the ensuing year is calculated at £29,000. This is exclusive of £28,000, the salaries of twenty-three police magistrates, which are charged on the consolidated fund, and it includes the salaries of twenty-three clerks, of fifty-one ushers, gaolers, and messengers, rent, coals, and other small items, together wtth the cost of the Police Gazette, which is £3,688. The charge for the police force itself is £415,000, of which £102,000 is to be voted by the House of Commons, the rest of the expense being defrayed by parish rates and by those departments which require the services of the force. The force consists of 5,807 persons, who receive pay amounting to £314,500, besides clothing, that amounts to £34,300, and other benefits,—coals, for example. The coals supplied to sergeants, constables, and Fohce stations cost £6,169. The pay of each individual varies from £5O upwards. The pay of inspectors varies from £Bl to £2OO, the majority receiving £llB. In Ireland the remuneration is on a lower scale, and begins as low as £24. The great mass of the constabulary receive only £27 14s. a year. While our law charges are raised for the increased expense of police, the prison and convict services require £11,001) less than in the previous estimates. Tile expenses of transporta tion, fur example, are, as might be expected, not half what they were last year. Last year the estimate was £59,000 ; this year it is £25,000. In the same way the expenses of the convict establishments in ihe colonies aro £286,000, or £ll,OOO under the estimate of last year ; while, on the other hand, tiro Government prisons and convict establishments at borne become more expensive in almost the same proportion. Last year they cost £375,400 ; this year they are set down for £40,000 additional. The vic tualling of the prisons alone is to cost £11,000• more than last year. In these it may be observed that the cost of feeding each inmate varies considerably in the different establishments. In the Perth prison it is as low as £7 Is a-year for each ; in the Portland prison it is as high as £l2 lOs for each. At all the prisons for females the charge is £8 for each ; it is so at Millbank, where the charge for male convicts is £9. The clothing for prisoners varies equally. At Millbank the rate for male convicts is 55s annually ; for females, only 40s. At Newgate the cost is 22s 6d ; at tiortsmouth and Chatham it is highest of all-70s. It is true that £l2 lOs for victualling each one of 1,500 prisoners appears not to be au extravagant sum, but it may be extravagant when compared with the £7 Is. of Perth, the £8 of Brixton, or the £9 of Newgate. In themselves these items may not be very inte resting, yet, indicating as they do, not simply the cost of crime, but also the amount of luxury enjoyed by the prisoner in his confinement, they open up questions that aro really momentous. SINGULAR AND DELICATE INVESTI- GATION At the Lambeth police court on Thursday, Mr George Lewis, of the firm of Lewis and Lewis, attorneys, in Ely-place, Holborn, attended before the Hon. G. C. Norton on behalf of Miss Jane Oakford, a lady residing at 98, York-road, Lambeth, to meet a charge of felony, preferred against his client under the following somewhat singular circumstances : Mr. Lewis said that in the course of the afternoon of the day before a policeman was brought to the residence of his client by a gentleman under whose protection she had been for some years, and she was given into custody of the officer, when she requested to be allowed to put on her bonnet. This permission was granted. The lady managed to lower herself by means of a rope from the back window, and, having gained the street, got into a cab and drove to his (Mr. Lewis's) office. She then instructed him (Mr. Lewis) to write to the gentleman, to say that she should be in attendance at this court at two o'clock on that day to meet the charge of stealing the watch or any other charge he might think proper to prefer against her, and that the reason she left her home was, that she did not like to be in. carcerated in the cell of a police station for a whole night. William Oaks, 30 L, the officer engaged in the affair, said that about one o'clock on the day before the Rev. Mr. Harris, a clergyman belonging to the church of England, whose livings, he understood, were in Wales, or close to it, but who was residing at 98, York-road, Lambeth, called at the Tower-street station and said he required the assistance of an officer respecting the loss of his gold watch and ap pendages, arid he (Oaks) was ordered by the inspector on duty to accompany him and make the requisite investigation. On reaching the house the rev. gentleman told him that on coming down to breakfast on that morning he left his watch safe in his bedroom, and on his return he missed- it. He then examined Lis boxes, and missed several articles of property from them which no one but Miss Oaktord could have taken, he should therefore give her into custody for stealing his gold watch and appendages. The lady declared that Mr. fiatris had given her the watch, and said she had been living with him as his wife for some years, but wished to get rid of him. At this time the lady went into the back palour, and, having remained there some Liiuutes, Mr. Harris knocked at the door several times and called out " Jane ! Jane !" but received no answer. Ho (Oaks) asked the rev. gentleman whether these was a possibility of the lady making her escape ?—and he replied not, for that the windows of the apartment were at least twenty feet from the ground. Witness went outside, and seeing a rope dangling from the window at once concluded that the bird had flown. Mr. Harris, finding that the lady had effected her escape, gave him and another constable who was present at the time orders to apprehend her wherever he found her. Mr.. Norton thought the best course was for the officer to proceed to the house in York-street and inform the gentleman that Mr. Lewis was in attendance to meet the charge. Oaks accordingly started on his mission, and on his return said he saw both the rev. gentleman and the lady at the house, and apparently on the most friendly terms ! and the former said that it was not his intention to pursue the matter further ; thus has ended this delicate though—to a clergyman—not creditable affair. FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE AND HER PATIENTS At Stamford, on Monday evening last, Mr. Augustus Stafford, M.P., delivered a lecture which comprised a recital of his own personal experiences in the Crimea. From that lecture we cull a tributary gem to one iwhose services and exertions in the cause of suffering humanity serve as an example to her sex. Mr. Stafford remarked thrt he was at Scutari in the Autumn of 1854, and then he saw the horrors which all had heard described, and which be would not attempt to describe again. He was there in the autumn of 1855, and all was changed. Con fusion had given place to order, filth to cleanliness, the aggravation or neglect of every human suffering to the mitigation of all the evils of war. But there was one thing not changed. He found among our soldiers the same good feeling, the same noble demeanour, the same heroic spirit that he had witnessed the year before. And there was another thing not changed ; for in the same little room, with no luxuries and very, very few comforts, engaged in her ceaseless work, there he found Florence Nightingale. Considering the difficulties she had to contend with, she had been one of the the few that had not disappointed England. He was in the French tent hospital at the front of the camp, and they owned that in the comforts and luxuries supplied to the sick and wounded, they could no longer compete with us. He asked Miss Nightingale, " What do you think of the soldiers now ? " She said, "They have their faults, and those who, in their several positions in life may feel that they have a little neglected the educa tion of the lower orders, will be the last to blame those brave men for the faults they do possess ; but they res pond to kindness, and they recognise discipline, and, for ourselves, we have never heard from them one word or seen one gesture that might not have been fitted for the drawing-room.—They have been to us, and to all the ladies, and gentlemen Christians." He asked one poor fellow what he thought of Miss Nightingale, and the reply was—" Well, I hope she will go up to Heaven before she dies." A Piuza SCROONER.—We find the following in the Waterford News :—The steam tug Rattler, Captain Barnes, of Liverpool, brought into this port (Waterford) on the 11th inst., the schooner Effort, of Glasgow, from Charente, with a cargo of brandy, having picked her up off Tuskar, aban doned, waterlogged, and on her beam ends. The crew of the Effort having recently arrived in Liverpool and reported the loss of the vessel, a steamer was sent to look for her, but failed to find her, The Rattler while engaged in towing an Australian mail packet down Channel, saw the vessel, and asked the captain of the Australian bound ship to give him his discharge, which we are told he declined to do, aae. Captain Barnes, sooner than lose his prize, cut the hawser, proceeded to the schooner, and took her in tow. Tan CONCORDAT.— Foss's Gazette of Ber:in contains a letter from Vienna, which says :—" The concordat bears every day fresh fruits, and the control given to the clergy over schools of all kinds is felt more and more. A. total reform in the University of Vienna is already spoken of, as well as a revision of the statutes given to it in 1849 by the Minister of Pnblie Instruction. This rumour appears to be the better based, front the fact that the organs of the ultra montane party do not cease reminding their readers that the university, founded by Rudolph of Hapsburg, should be, aceordinir to the intention of the founders, a nursery of religious doArine and ascetic life, and that, consequently, the colour of the science taught there—philosophy, theo logy, niedicine, and law—ahould be in conformity with t te instruction aof the Roman catholic church." MAE,RIA.GE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER Earl St. German's bill to amend the law as to marriage with a deceased wife's sister, has just been printed by order of the House of Lords. It is entitled " Marriage Law Amendment Bill." There are eight sections in the measure. The preamble declares that it is "expedient " to amend the law as to marriage with a deceased wife's sister or a deceased wife's niece. The bill proposes to repeal so much of any act or acts of parliament as renders void or voidable any marriage celebrated between a man and his deceased wife's sister or niece. Such marriages before the passing of this (intended) act are not to be " void or voidable " by reason only of the affinity of the parties thereto. To enable such marriages to be celebrated under the 6 and 7 Wm. IV., e. 85, the affinity stated is to be no lawful impediment. There is a provision as to ex cepted cases where marriage was already illegal, and another provision as to property, which has already be come vested in consequence of the impediments now existing with respect to marriages with a deceased wife's sister or niece. The act is not to affect settlements of personal property under wills or testaments administered to before the passing of the same. The law and discipline of the United Church of England and Ireland, or of the Church of Scotland, are not to be affected. Neither of the parties to any marriage between a man and his de ceased wife's sister or niece by reason of the affinity between the parties is to be liable to any censure or pun ishment. It is not proposed to extend the new law to Scotland. The bill stands for the second reading on the Bth proximo. MR. LAYARD AT ABERDEEN On Thursday Mr. Layard, M.P., was reinstated a Lord-Rector of Marischal College and University Aberdeen. In the morning he was entertained at a public break fast, and had a most flattering reception. On the subject (f the war he said, "There is every probability that by the end of the month we shall have a treaty of peace signed. Very few public men desire war, and peace in the abstract is certainly more to be wished for, but I have no confidence that the present peace will be upon the whole a satisfactory one, and tuere is scarcely a man to be found from the the Land's-end to John-o-Groat's but would like another year of war. (great cheering), and for these reasons—first, the political aspect of the question does not warrant us to expect a lasting peace ; and, second, because there is a general impression that, now we are fully prepared for it, another year's war would show the world that there is that in Englishmen which would conquer every difficulty. (Cheers.) If we have peace now matters will be left pretty much in the same state as that in which we found them. (Hear, hear.) True, we have protected Turkey against Russian aggression in the Black Sea ; but, so far as the great questions of civil and religious liberty are concerned, they remain pretty much the same as they were before the war began, and therefore, I think, the peace will be premature." The installation took place at two o'clock in the great hall of the University, and was a most successful affair. LIMITED LIABILITY ENTERPRISE.—Three new compa nies have been registered this week under the Limited Liability Act, called the St. James's Hall Company, for providing Concerts at the West end ; the London Una dulterated Food Company ; and the National Joint Stock Library Company. At the Antrim assizes, three men, of the Orange party, were convicted of stabbing two persons in some riotous pro ceedings at Belfast, in which the prisoners formed part of a mob who shouted "To h— with the Pope." One of them was sentenced to two years imprisonment and hard labour, and the other to a similar punishment for six months. Mr. JOHN BRIGHT, M.P.—This gentleman is on a visit for a month at Ben Rhydding. His general health is good, but the undue strain to which devotion to the public interest has exposed his mental faculties is now evident from his inability to attend to these familiar subjects without pain. He is, therefore, very wisely giving his overtaxed brain the repose which it requires.—Leeds Mercury. A barrister in a court of justice, examining a female witness, said—" Facts are stubborn things." Witness : " Yes, sir, and so are women ; and if you get anything out of me, just let me know it." Barrist.r : "You'll be com mitted for contempt." Witness : " Very well; I'll suffer justly—for I feel the utmost contempt for every lawyer present." THE LZE PS POISONING CASE.-Mr. William Dove, charged on the coroner's inquisition with the murder of his wife, at Leeds, by administering to her a quantity of strychnine, was safely lodged in York Castle on Tuesday last. He will be tried at the next summer assizes for the county of York. It is understood that his solicitor, (Mr. J. M. Barrett, of Leeds,) has already retained Mr. Serjeant Wilkins, and Mr. Robert Hall, barrister, for the defence of the prisoner. THE IRISH JUDICIAL BENCH. —The grand jury of the county of Galway have presented their address to the Lord Chief Justice Lefroy. Irrespective of the compliment thus paid on a circuit with which his Lordship has no professional connection, the address is remarkable, as containing the signatures of no less than 11 Roman Catholic gentlemen, including the two county representa tives and one of the borough members, Mr. Anthony O'Flaherty. _ . . . " REDAN MAssv."—The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland honoured the United Service Club, in Dublin, with a visit on Wednesday. Upon entering the coffee-room his Ex cellency observed Lieutenant (Redan) Massy, of the 19th Regiment, who has just arrived from the Crimea, and is now quite a military lion in Dublin. Lord Carlisle con versed with the young officer in his usual affable manner, and expressed a warm interest in his progress towards recovery from the wounds received on the memorable Bth of STtember : 1835. THE ASSYRIAN EXCAVATIONS.—The public are to be excavations, of abou twilic l l l o a or etons f s e c o u n i g p r t a u t r U e la f t r e o d m upon consi dered the finest specimens of art hitherto found , ha v ing nAsts the e ria s n are ar been brought home by Messrs. S. Lynch and Co. in the Christiana CarvAl. There has been much anxiety about these interesting relics, in consequence of the loss sustained by the French nation of a much larger quantity, which was sunk near Gorlab, on the Euphrates, by the Arabs last year. The condition of women in society is one of the measure ments of the progress of nations ; exactly as civilisation advances does woman's condition rise, and woman's influence in society increase. The equality of woman with man is a natural fact; in woman's own special sphere, man is inferior `n woman ; iu man's own special sphere, woman is inferior to Thu domestic sphere is feminine ; the political sphere a masculine. The two spheres are alike important and ndispensible, but they cannot be compared. Even if mau has a stronger head, it will not make him superior ; intellec tual is pot superior to moral character. THE TIPPERARY JOINT STOCK BANK —A Tipperary paper g ives it as an on arit that the case of the depositors in the Tipperary bank is not at all so hopeless as was at first supposed. A wealthy railway director, a private banker, and a stockbroker of very considerable personal were, it is added, sh are h o ld ers; and not having property, y red their shares within the time prescribed by the Bankers' Act, are therefore liable for the debts of the bank. It is understood that a promi se was g iven to Mr. James Sadleir, previous to the examination, that the proceedings would be strictly private, and that it was on that condition he consented voluntarily to come forward. The rumour that Mr. James Sadleir would not be forthcoming, turaed out to be a most unjust one. ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF ARMS.—A discovery and seizure of arms has been made in a proclaimed district of Ireland. Within the last few days Sub-inspector Haves, of Eden. derry, concentrated the police force of Killmalogue, Por tarlington, and Kill stations, and made a diligent and su ccessful search for firearms in the barony of Ballycowan, which islunder the provisions of the Crime and Outrage Act. Four guns, some pistol barrels, bullet moulds, gun stocks, &c., were found and seized on the townland of Chevy Chase, near Portarlington. A. regular depot for arms was discovered in the dwelling of a man named Phinn, who, with several others, have been summoned to appear at the next petty sessions of Portarlington, to show cause wlay informations shall not be taken against them, for having arms without, being duly;lieensed, in a pro claimed district. THE DESTRUCTION OP COVENT GARDEN THEATRE.—Mr. Anderson replies,: in a cotemporary, to a statement at the Covent Garden renters' meeting on Saturday, that three theatres had b een b urne d d own w hil e i n hi s osses sion H . e says :—" I have performed in almost every m m y i even ne o . w o theatre in Great Brit a i n , in most of those on the Conti a I n ) c t es one ; of and Conti nent, and on ne ar ly ever y s t age in America, One only, h ewasthen m it e b wr u ia r es n a e n d n ot d th o e w ad n turre N i v n h ign i 1 any s w t h i ephme per formances 'at occupationi-dm that appeared was destroyed during my occupancy, or while I was in that country. The one theatre, and the only one burnt whilst in my possession, was the City Theatre, in Glasgow. It was built by myself, at a cost of £15,000. I had effected its insurance for £6,500, the whole of which was paid, as far as it would extend, in satisfying the heavy liabilities I had incurred in the erection of that theatre." UNIVERSITY DEGREES.—In the present ministry there are etgnt first-class men—Sir Cornwall Lewis, Sir Charles Wood, Sir George Grey, Lord Harrowby, Lord Wodehouse, Labouchere, Lowe, and Sir R. Bethel'. The Lord Lieuten ant of Ireland, Loid Carlisle ; the Governor-general of India, Lord Canning ; and the Governor-general of Canada, Sir E. Head, were first-class men. If former administra tions be regarded, we have lately bad Sir Robert Peel, Gladstone, Cardwell, and Sir F. Ba rin g . Of the last eight Chancellors of the xc h e quer, five have been first-class men. The permanent Under-secretary for the Colonies, Herman Merivale ; th e permanent Secretary to the Admiralty, Tho mas Phinn ; the Chairman of the Board of Customs, Sir flionns Fremantle; Vie late Deputy-chairman, George Dawson ; the Receiver-g en eral of the Customs, Sir Fra ncis Doyle ; the Secretary of the Poor-law Board, Lord Courtnay ; the Sec:etary of the Council o f Education, Ralph Lingen ; the Emigration Commissioner, Sir F. Rogers—were all first ohm men. SERIOUS RIOTS IN BRITISH GUIANA The Demerara Royal Gazette publishes the fol lowing narrative of serious disturbances which have broken out in that colony : We regret to say that serious disturbances have taken place during the past week throughout the colony, and . the shops of the Portuguese traders have been pil laged and destroyed by the negro population. There has been for a long time existing among the creole negroes, a latent feeling against the Portuguese immigrants , who are a thrifty and industrious race of people, an this feeling is also prevalent among the African immigrants and negroes from the islands who come to reside here. This feeling of jealousy would not have broken out into active hos tility but for other circumstances. About the end of the past year a man, named John Sayers Orr, better known in England and in America by the cognomen of the " Angel Gabriel," returned to this colony, of which he is a creole, and took up his abode with his mother in this city. Raving discovered that there was a considerable degree of smothered jealousy and ill-feeling existing between the negro population and the Portuguese, he seized upun it, and mixed it up with his attacks on the Roman Catholics. In this he was only too successful; like a spark dropped upon tinder, hostility against the Portuguese spread rapidly throughout the city, and was soon communicated to the country district's, In Georgetown the Portuguese were assailed by men, women, and children, with cries of "Down with the Portu guese Down with the Pope ! " The Portuguese exhibited very considerable forbearance, and, however much they may have been annoyed, they did not commit any breach of the peace in resenting the insults offered to them. Thus matters went on until Sunday, the 10th of. Feb., when Orr mounted the tow❑ pump, in front of the Sta brock-market, armed with a dagger and life preserver, and addressed a large crowd of persons in a most inflammatory manner. For the seditious language used by him on that occasion, and for convening a large assembly, he has since been arrested and comm , tted to take his trial before the Supreme Criminal Court in April next. On the 17th, Orr was prevented from preaching in the streets; and ite then proceeded to his mother's yard, and there he addressed the crowd who assembled to hear him. After this meet ing, on Sunday evening, the disturbances commenced by the negroes attacking one or two Portuguese shops and pelting several Portuguese who had assembled in the neighbourhood. This row was suppressed by the police, and;the night passed off without further disturbance. On Dlon - daymorn ng, Feb. 18, the disturbances re-com menced. Orr's examination before the police magistrate was appointed to take place at 12 o'clock ; but long before that hour a large crowd assembled on the Brick Dam,-on which the head police station and the police magistrate's office are situated. Between 10 and II o'clock the crowd became excited, and a Portuguese was pursued on the charge of having stabbed a creole. The man was immediately apprehen led by the police, but not before he had sustained personal injury. Th e police turned out in force under the command of Inspector Borne. The horse police speedily dispersed the mob, and the examination of Orr was conducted and concluded with perfect tranquillity. .:The people, however, almost immediately commenced their attacks upon the Portu guese, shops in the outlying parts of the town, and by midnight there was not one in those districts which had not been completely gutted of its contents. A. large body of special constables had been sworn in to aid the police. Between seven and eight o'clock a formidable riot occur red in the Charleston district, and the military were called out. A guard of the second West India Regiment, consisting of two sergeants, two corporals, one drummer, and 40 men, was sent to the police station, under the com mand of Lieut. Drewit ; and another of one sergeant and 20 men was stationed at the gaol, where Mr. Orr, who had been unable to find bail, was confined. These guards have been continued up to the present moment. At one o'clock p.m. the light company of this regiment, under the cominaud of Lieut. St. Aubyn and Ensign Corvill, were out on picket till five p.m., and at eight p.m. the whole regiment turned out to patrol the streets under the com mand of Lieut.-Colonel Whitfield. From what has since transpired, it is unquestionable, that emissaries must have started at the same time from Georgetown to the various rural districts, exciting toe people to follow the example of their brethren in George town, and, what is more extraordinary still, asserting that they were carrying out the orders of the governor in doing so. _ A special meeting of the court of policy was summoned by the governor on Monday, the 18th, at twelve o'clock, and an ordinance was passed to make provision for more effectually repressing disturbances, and attempts to com mit breaches of the peace. The ordinance at first was con fined to Georgetown, but the disturbances spreading, a proclamation was issued by the governor the same even ing, extending its provisions to Albert Town ; and subse quently to the east bank of the River Demsrara, as far as, and inclusive of, the Craig village. The east coast, west coast, and river districts were reported in rapid succession to be in a state of disturbance, and as fast as aid could be organised and despatched to the places attacked, fresh demands came pouring in from all quarters. On Tuesday, the 19th, the Governor issued another pro clamation extending the provisions of the ordinance to all parts of the colony. On the same day the two persons first sentenced to be flogged under the new ordinance were taken from the gaol to the market place, in custody of a strong detachment of special constables and police, and there underwent their sentence in the presence of an immense crowd, who were perfectly quiet, and made not the slightest attempt to interfere. Mr. A. F. Gore, acting stipendiary magistrate, accom panied by a detachment of the second West India Regi ment, consisting of two sergeants, one drummer, and forty men, under the command of Major Gibbins and the first adjutant, proceeded up the river in the steamer Rattle nake as far as plantation Great Diamond. The detach ment returned by land in the evening, bringing with them 30 prisoners. An immense number of persons of all classes having volunteered as special constables, both mounted and on foot, selections were made, and they were armed from the government stores, and despatched as quickly as possible in various directions. The streets of Georgetown are protected by the special constables every night. On Wednesday the Tyne steamer took up a detachment of the 2nd West India Regiment, consisting of 2 sergeants, 1 drummer, and 50 men, under the command of Captain Reece and Ensign Macnamara, and proceeded to Berbice. The troops took with them three days' salt provisions, and they still remain at Fort Canje, to aid the civil power. As long as they remain there is no fear of the peace of New Amsterdam being disturbed. Detachments were also sent up the east coast to Victo ria, and to strengthen the post at Mahaica. They were stationed at the gaol, where they now are. These troops were placed under the orders of the hon. J. E. Roney and Mr. S. H. Goodman, acting stipendiary magistrates. On Tuesday night firearms were used by a Portuguese iu defending his shop, at the front of plantation Supply. An African negro was shot ; and his countrymen became greatly exasperated and vowed revenge. The stipendary magistrate, Mr. S. Bean, found it necessary to call in the aid of the military at the Mahaica post, but as this force, consisting of only eight men, was so small, that it made no impression, and the rural constables acted with suspicious forbearance. Twenty prisoners had been sent up from Victoria„ and were locked up in Mahaica gaol, but as there were only four policemen to guard them, Mr. Bean thought it prudent to let the prisoners out on bail, being alarmed at the threats used by the mob of rescuing the prisoners. The destruction of property belonging to Portuguese, at plantations Greenfield, Beehive, Clonbrook, Ann's Grove, and the Two Friends, was fearful ; and the people exhibited a feeling anything but friendly towards the white population. At plantation Good Hope, the Portu guese shop was plundered and completely gutted of its contents. At Mahaicony also very serious disturbances took place; but they were suppressed by the active exer tions of the hon. J. E. Roney, aided by a party of soldiers, special constables, and police. The destruction of property was very great, and several houses were partly pulled down. The constant cry of the disturbers his b een —" If the Governor thought we were wrong in destroying the Portuguese shops he would have sent up soldiers." When the soldiers were sent up, the insurgents were completely surprised, having been led to believe, by some cunning, designing emissaries, that the Governor approved their attack on the Portuguese shops. This impression among the negro population, was so generally diffused in the country districts, that the government felt it advisable to publish a cautionary notice, to remove such an erroneous impression. The whole of the 2d West India Regiment has been under arms ready to turn out at a moment's notice since one o'clock p.m. on Sunday, the 17th inst. In consequence of the severe duties imposed,upon the troops, the officers'and men have had only one night in bed during the week ;land some have been up several nights in succession. The conduct of the troops has been admirable. Up to the present time there has not been a single man confined for being drunk, or for any other misconduct. Nothing could exceed the cheerful manner in which all the officers, non commissioned officers, and privates of the garrison have performed their different duties. The steady, temperate manner in which they have carried out their orders has been remarked by all who have seen them. An ordinance has been passed authorising the governor to enrol and call out the militia. Serious disturbances have taken place at Queen's-town and the other parts of Essequibo, the Arabian Coast, and on the islands of Leguan and Wakenaam. THE PORTARLINOTON ESTAT as —A residue of the vast estates of the Earl of Portarlingtov, situate in the Queen's county, is to be sold on Tuesday , the 27 t h of May next. The net rental of the lands to be disposed of is close upon £1,200 a year. The agency of this property it was that, in familiar phrase, first put the late John Sadleir " upon his legs," and transferred him from a quarter session a tt orne y t o a magnate among Irish land agents. The termination of the agency, upon the estates being brought i nto t h e En cumbered Courf, was at the time a heavy pecuniary loss to Mr. Sadleir, but, as after events Droved, it was not l ong before he attained a still higher position than a mere agen t , and 'a much 'older field for the scope of his ill-applied abilities. DRURY LANE.—Tbe operatic season at this theatre com mences on Easter Morday, with an English adaptation of Verdi's grand opera 11 Trovatore, entitled The Gipsy's Vengeance, by Charles Jefferys, and a musical sketch called Marguerite, founded upon Goethe's celebrated poem "Faust," the music by Mr. J. H. Tully. We understand that the whole of the workmen belonging to the theatre have been employed for several weeks upon the production of these two pieces, and every effort is being made by the new management to secure the most complete ensemble. The artistes of last year, together with the addition of several artistes new to Drury-lane stage, are engaged. THE GRAVE OFLETITIA E. LANDON AT CAPE COAST The following is an extract from a private letter written from Cape Coast Castle, the capital of the British possessions on the Gold Coast. The melancholy story of "L. E. L.," the English poetess, seems to invest this African fort with interest. We have crossed the f ontier of a new year. It is difficult to believe in the almanac in this region, where there is so little to mark the, course of the seasons what ever there may be to mark the course of time ; and while those in your latitude are shivering and shaking with cold, we are under a burning sun, every ,day hotter by two or three degrees than the same period of last year. The thermometer in my room is generally from 86 deg. to 88 deg., at the highest temperature of the day. This settlement has been quiet for some time past—that is, since the threatened attack of the Ashantees and the mutinous outbreak among our troops in November. Both storm clouds have providentially blown over without bursting, otherwise the c ons equences w o uld have been bad. There is a perfect lull in our political state. About five months since S. M., with his wife and three children, came out here. He was a line, powerful, strong man, and she an active, spirited young woman. The other week she was seized with f.iver on the Friday, died on the Saturday evening,and was buried next morning. He died that same night, and within twenty-two hours was laid beside his wife in the grave, Their youngest child died just before them, and now the two surviving orphans are east upon the world. Poor childreni they are this moment playing under my Window, quite insensible of their loss. The day after their father's burial, his goods and chattels were sold by auction on the Battery, and these poor little creatures were going in and out amongst the crowd as if it were something got up for amusement. Afterwards they came an told we they were to ance with t on Christmas night, and so they did. The in feast in the court, and by moonlight the drum a began to play. The whole troop were jumpir and I:here, think you, but over the grab soldiers of poor L. E. L.' and her hush old ! Twelve r d squ'are red tiles cover the one, and some yellowish London bricks the other ; and the tramp of the sentry is heard over them day and night. I have deeply regretted that such should have been their ill chosen resting-place, so out of character with all associations and sympathies connected with that highly-gifted lady and her talented husband, President Maclean. But their deaths occurred before there was a cemetery at Cape Coast." NEWCASTLE AND CARLISLE RAILWAY The report of the directors of this company states that an intermediate dividend, at the rate of £2 10s per £lOO share, and so in proportion for shares of minor value, subject to deduction of income tax, was paid for the half year ending the 30th of June last; and the direc tors recommend a dividend at the rate of 24 per cent,. for the half year ending the 31st December last, payable on the 16th of Aprilnext, subject to deduction of income tax, thus making the dividend for the year at the rate of 5 per cent. The directors con.tratulate the shareholders on the revenue having been fully maintained during the year 1855, there being an increase of £1,814 over the preceding year, and during the past three years the in crease amounts to £41,535. After providing for the payment of the dividend of 5 per cent. per annum, the directors are enabled to carry the sum of £4,895 to the reserve fund. The cost of a new locomotive engine to replace the old one has been defrayed out of the revenue. The directors on taking the detailed valuation of the stores on the 31st of December, find that a considerable discrepancy has arisen; they have instituted a most searching investigation into the matter, and are adopting such arrangements as they expect will prevent a recur rence of further irregularities in the store department. DESTRUCTION_OF TWO LIVERPOOL SHIPS BY FIRE The last African Mail brings intelligence of the total loss, by fire, of the ships Martha, Captain Christie, and the Saracen both of Liverpool, in the River Bonny, on the 11th of last January. Both vessels belonged to the same owners, Messrs. Harrison and Co., of Liverpool. They were built at St. John, N. 8., in 1852, and were engaged in their first voyage. The Martha was 788 tons, and the Saracen, 1,117 tons, and were bath classed A 1 for six years. A court of inquiry was held at Clarance, island of Fernando Po, in the office of her Britannic Majesty's consul, on the 24th of January, to investigate into the cause of the fire, and the cireutnstances attending the loss of the two ships., His Excellency Governor Lynslayer presided. The following is the substance of the evidence given: John Pott.nger, carpenter of the ship Martha, deposed : On the 11th of January last, just after dinner hour, I was lying on the starboard side of the forecastle ; the boatswain was lying alongside of me, and he was the first to call out " fire." I saw the fire on the starboard side of the forecastle, in the mats composing the roof, not more than five or six yards from the place where we were both lying. I got some wet cloths to put on it. Apparently the fire only existed out side among the matting, and evidently kindled on it. The ship had just swung to the flood. I Went to the gangway to draw water, but before there was time to do anything to stop the fire, it bad gained the poop and was raging fiercely. Capt. Christie, in attempting with his men to extinguish the fire, was severely burnt about the arms and wrist. No property what- ever was saved gained the main ri In about ten or fifteen minutes the flames ng, and the crew fe the gunpowder in the hold, got into Captain Chris .voured to prevail on left the ship. men to stop by him There were upwards:of 20 oft the In about olio hotir ship she . hlew up, the ship S.,.racen wai lying at anchor, about three eahles' length from the Martha. When the off from Evlartha till board side of her main Saracen took fire I wag some dietanc, The Saracen caught fire on the ti aging. She had swung with the fl.od at the same time as the Martha. I can give no opinion as to the origin of the fire. Ido not know of any one being up aloft on any duty that day. There waq no dispute or quarrel on board. The witness was recalled at another stage of the inquiry, and added that about ten or twelve of the crow were also on the forecastle at the time; some were smoking. The boatswain and myself had been smoking before that, but not then. I have seen pipes put in the matting of ship's houses, but not on board of the Martha. Robert Smith, the carpenter belonging to the ship Saracen, was next examined. He said I first saw the fire on board the Martha, about half past one or a quarter to two in the afternoon of the 11th. Our Krooboys were sent immediately to her assistance, and we slipped our anchors in order to d►ift out of the reach of danger; but there was no wind or tide, and the result was that our ship payed round, and backed under' the Mactha's stern. We were on fire within half au hour after the outbreak on board the Martha. The sparks were wafted into our rigging, and on deck, from the Martha. Captain Christie, of the Martha, came on board, but I don't know whether it was before or after we were found on fire. Every exertion was made by all hands to arrest the progress of the fire. The hose was laid out, and the force pumps were set to work, but to no purpose, for she caught in several places. We took to tl►e boats in the cow se of half au hem or so ; the ship conti nued to burn till six p.m., when the 35 tons of gunpowder exploded. None of the crew saved any property. I have saved nothing except what I had on. I am confident tint the Saracen was set on fire by the sparks and flashes of fire from the burning of the ship Martha. The evidence of the above witness was confirmed by Fergus Irving, a cooper belonging to the Saracen. The inquiry occupied two entire days ; nearly all hands of both ships were examined ; but no additional facts were elicited. At the close of the proceedings his Excellency the Governor expressed an opinion that no satisfactory account had been adduced to show the exact cause of the fire on board of the ship Martha, but a suspicion existed that it arose through the men smoking on board. People who don't like the headache should never under.. take to come between a man and his wife while they are exchanging " smoothing irons." We tried it once, and got a black eye that cost us six shillings a week fur raw oysters for the next two months. " Amanda, does George kiss you because he loves you ?" inquired little Jack of his mother. "To be sure sonny— why ?" " Well, I guess he loves the kitchen girl too, for I . seen him kiss her mor'n forty times last Sunday when you was gone to meeting." ILLNESS OF MR. BARON PLATT.—We regret to learn that Mr. Baron Platt has been prevented by illness from attending to his duties on the Western Circuit, but his health is now improving, and at ;Jo distant time it is expected ho will be in a condition to resume his duties ; in the meantime Mr. Sergeant Channell has the honour to fill h's place. BURNING OF A FRENCH THEATRE. —A fire broke out a few nights ago in the theatre of Bourges (Cher), by which part of it was destroyed. As no performance had taken place since the Sunday previous, the origin of the fire is attended with some mystery. The fire broke out at mid night. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE —The ship Wellesley, Captain Parry, from the Cape, which she left on the 18th of Jan., landed her mails and most of her passengers at Plymouth on Monday last, and then proceeded up the Channel. Trade at the Cape is reported as very dept.( ssed ; most of the copper mines having turned out badly; and no returns had been received for very large quaL titles of goods shipped to Australia. TEE 110 VISION CONTRACT. —According to the Cork Reporter, several of the government contractors for th e i supply of beef and pork are n treaty for the disposal of their stocks to a d v antage on French account :—" The season has now closed. The frivolous and vexatious rejecting, unparalleled and unprecedented, by the autho rities at liaulbuwline, through the instr um ent a lity of the con t ro llers of victualling, leave them no other alternative. We recommend them to do as intimated, knowing how they have been treated, and leave the government their merited. , succese with,their German and American pro. visions.