The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1867-05-07 00:00:00

Sortign Intelligtnct.

A NATIONAL acientific expedition to explore Russian
America is being organised M Waabington.
THIL Queen of Spain is mud to have sold almost all her
jewela in London, a single diamond watch chain basing
found a pnrehwer at .C 24.000.

Tee retez or Rosales MakICA.—A report is
current that the cession of Ansaiati America to the
United States is to be paid for by tbe transfer to Russia
of the vessels oomposing the Americas scinntiron no. in
the Mediterranean wsters.

The Prussian Chambers were opened on Monday by
the King in person. it was generally believed that
allusion would be made by the King to the present
position of the Luxemburg question, but .his Majesty
preserved an ominous silence in regard to it. The pro-
tection of Federal territory, the care of their common
rights, sate the prosperity of the Confederatic
King William. would henceforth be guaranteed by the
collective populations of Northern Germany and lbetr
Governments in firm community. His Majesty si4.li-
Scantly hinted that although the newly-formed Con -
federation at present only included the States et
Nothern Germany, an intimate national community
would always unite them with the South Germain
States; and he concluded with the following peasants,.
which has not a tone altogether pacific :—"The vivid
.

consciousness of the South' German' Governments and
populations of the dangers of German dissension, and
the necessity of firm national onion which constantly
finds more decided expression throughout the whole of
Germany, will sexist to hasten the solution of that
important task. The united strength of the nation will
be entitled and be competent to guarantee to Germany
the blessings of peace and effectual protection of her
rights and her interests. With this assßllllloll, my
Government will devote itself to averting any interrup-
tion to European peace by every means compsitikie with
the honour and the interests of the Fatherland. The
German people, however, strong in its unity, will he
able calmly to face the vicissitudes of the future if yen,
gentlemen, will aid in completing the great work of
national union with that patriotism which has alwasre
been displayed in Prussia in serious times."

A Doo KMLIED Br Ram—Near one of the grain.
warehouses situated on the river-bank at Millwankre.
Was., large swarms of rats have been in the habit of
feeding on the wheat which has been scattored around,
A few days ago • black and tau terrier, getting wind of
the rendezvous, made an attack upon • couple of rate
that had ventured too far into the open air. Seizing
one in its teeth, it shook it vigorously. The rat
squealed piteously, attracting to the spot • dozen or
more companions. These on seeing the situation of
affairs, joined in raising the alarm. In lees time than
it takes to tell the incident, the Me around was bleak
with swarms of rate, numbering several hundreds. The
terrier, after despatching the first victim, charged into
the swarm with the evident determination of serving
the remainder in like manner. But for once a terrier
was doomed to meet with fight from the poor animals
he had so long devoured at plmsnre, and in • trim he
was surrounded on all sides by • swarm of ferocious
brutes serious to ha avenged for the death of their
companion. Then ensued the most frightful scene
Imaginable, The rats swarmed around their adversary,
and fastened their slaws and teeth in his flesh. The
dog enraged by the pain, fought bravely, killing scores
of his enemies in the oontest for life. But their odds
against him were too great, and, after • short coolliet
which lasted about fire minutes, be was forced to
atiocamb. Hi. body was literally devoured by the rate,
they seeming to take a savage pleasure in tearing their
vanquished enemy piecemeal. Scarcely a Tootle of the
animal remained behind. The terrier died pme, how.
ever; there were about half • hundred rata left upon
the field, bleeding and mangled, and as many more
more or lees injured —New York World.