The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1864-12-06 00:00:00

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

An interesting interview hes taken place be-
tween Secretary Seward and the French Am-
bassador at Washington. The latter expressed
the desire of his Government to facilitate the
restoration of peace. To this Mr. Seward replied
that the idea of peace with the South had always
been the fundamental idea of his Government
the only difficulty in the way was how to reads
it ; that the United States could not accept a
humiliating peace, but that wheoever &proposition
to that effect, maintaining the dignity, interests,
and honour of the nation, would be offered he
would not hesitate in supporting it with all the
influence and power he could command. To this
the representative of France replied that it was
impossible to ascertain whether or not such •
peace was attainable unless the Government
should take the proper steps to approach the
South and open negociatious on that subject.
He further added that although the Government
of the Emperor had not been fortunate in its
efforts to open relations between the North and
the South, it had never needed • step from its
opinion in the matter, and that it was still of the
opinion that this war could not end without try-
ing at least the ways of diplomacy before
plunging again tote the uncertainty and perils of
unendless war. To this Mr. Seward replied by
the remarkable admission that his Government
had been mistaken in the character and conse-
quences of the war with the South; that he had
never imagined that the rebellion was endowed
with so much resolution and vitality; and that
he was ready to acknowledge himself in error on
that subject The French Ambusador placed
the services of his Government unreservedly at
the disposal of Mr. Lincoln, adding that the
Emperor Napoleon was willing to spars neither
time, trouble, nor money if he could thereby
facilitate the opening of negotiations with the
South; and the interview closed with an intima-
tion from Mr. Seward that after • consultation
with the President he would see M. Threillszd
again. In the mean time the war news is not
without importance. At the latest date no
certain intelligence respecting General Stierman's
movements had been received; but it is positively
%warted that he evacuated Atlanta after destroy-
s ag al I the fortifications, public works, aad railways. ,
It was said that Confederate General Hood had
concentrated his forms on Florence, and it wail

also mewled that • large body of Confederates
under General Beauregard, was advancing from
Corinth towards Memphis. Confederal General
Breckinridge had defeated General Gillem at
Bull's Gap, in East Tenneco, and taken six guns
and 400 prisoners. A rumour that the Con-
federates had captured Morganticain Louisiana,
with 1,000 prisoners, had been transmitted from
Mobile to Richmond. The fighting had not
been resumed in the neighbourhood of Richmond
or Petersburg.
An Imperial decree has been issued from St.
Petersburg, closing • large number of convents
in Poland, and ordering that all Roman Catholic
monasteries and convents having lees than eight
members, and all those whose participation in
the late insurrection had been notorious, or
since proved, to be immediately closed. The
inmates were to be at liberty to enter other
religious establishment*, or to go abroad at the
public expense. It also states that the religious
establishments which are not suppressed by the
decree are forbidden to maintain relations with
either the provincials or generals of their orders.
Moreover, the confiscated property of the monas-
teries and convents is to be exclusively devoted
to ecclesiastical, educational, and charitable pur-
poses. In accordance with this decree, seventy-
one monasteries and four convents have been
closed on account of not possessing the requisite
number of inmates, and thirty-nine other re-
ligious houses, on account of participation in the
Polish insurreetion. We thank the suppression
of these celibate establishments will be found •
public good.
A few days since there was every symptom,
according to the telegrams, that the conquerors
of Denmark were going to get up • quarrel
among themselves, relative to the division of
the spoil. Prussia was getting angry because
the troops of Saxony and HILLIOver, which were
occupying the Duchies in virtue of the Federal
execution, were not ordered by the Diet to
withdraw. Prussia threatened to push matters
to extremities; bounoed mightily; gave so many
days for the fulfilment of her demands, the can-
sequences of non-compliance being obscurely
hinted at In this emergency Austria, who had
not joined in the dictation of Riese, proffered
' its mediation, which it is understate' has been
accepted on both sides; so let us hope the col-
leagues in assassination may be spared from
murdering one another: : . -

The dr:ft of the address which the Lower
House of the Austrian Reichsrath, in reply to
the Emperor's speech, has just been published.
In many respects it is a remarkable document.
It ventures on an expression of the hope that
the Hungarian and Croatian Diets may be con-
vened after the close of the session ; and even
asks that the Venetian and the Gallician Diets
may not be very long delayed. In allusion to
the Sleswig-Holstein question, the addrees urges
the Government to aid the Duchies in establish-
ing their rights with regard to the succession, and
in effecting an independent settling of their own
afairs. It then makes the bold declaration that •
measure establishing ministerial responsibility is
necessary to the completion of tna Austrian
constitution. This document shows that the
members manifest a firm and courageous in-
terest in constitutional principles. Enlightenei
liberty is evidently making quiet headway in
Austria.

The Australiau colonists have carried out their
threat to reship to England all convicts whose
term of service has expired, and to free their
country of ticket-of-leave men. The first batch
had just been sent off when the mall left
Melbourne. Of course, when the neWs arrives
that transportation to Western Australia has been
abandoned, the irritation of the colonists may
give place to • feeling of satisfaction at the
victory they have achieved over the Government
at home. It is evident, however, that the
decision of the Ministers has not been arrived at
a moment too soon.

There is again unsatisfactory intelligence from
New Zealand. A number of Maori prisoners
had escaped from the captivity in which they
had been placed by the British troops and the
colonists, and were engaged in fomenting the
rebellion. A rising of the natives at Tannuga
was anticipated. From Japan we also learn that
Prince Nangato, undismayed by the destruction
of his forts, has refused to pay the indemnity,
and that in consequence his palace has been
destroyed.
....

There have been three Cabinet Councils during
the past week, and all our contemporaries are
speculating as to what can be the meaning of so
unusual an occurrence at this time of the year
when Parliament is not sitting, and all the
members are supposed to be lecturing their con-
stituents on the growth of turnips and the menu-
facture of meat. Well, perhaps Her Majesty's
advisers are busy drawing up a programme of the
coming session; or perhaps they are agitated
about differences of opinion iu regard to foreign
questions ; or perhaps they are discussing the
details of a new Reform Bill; or, if rumours
speak true, Lord Palmerston may be preparing
the way for his retirement from active service;
or it may be none of these. We of eourse, don't
pretend to know ; but the holding of three or
four cabiuet meetings a week have set politicians
on the qui rive of speculation.
The massive and elegant sarcophagus from
Aberdeen, and destined to contain the remains of
the late Prince Consort, has been brought to the
mausoleum at Frogmore, but it will be some
time before the necessary preparations can be
made for placing it in its permanent position,
when the coffin of the Prince Consort will be
transferred from its temporary habitation to its
final resting-place. The sarcophagus is of dark
Scotch granite, and is of sufficient dimensions to
contain two coffins. It is in two parts, which
weigh together about thirteen tons. The recum-
bent statue of the 13rince Consort, *hick is to be
placed on the top ot the sarcophagus, will, it is
understood, be the work of Baron Marochetti
The mausoleum itself is nearly finished.
It is reported that the Bishop of Exeter, who
is now 86 years of age, and who has held his see
33 years, has communicated to the Government
his desire to resign, but hos coupled with the in-
timation certain conditions which they may or
may not be disp(eed to accept. One condition
is that the diocese shall be divided into two, and
a new bishopric for Cornwall created. This pro-
position' it,. affirmed, ministery have positively
declined. Then the bishop, as an alternative,
asks for the appointmeut of a suffragan bishop,
cuss jure succeuionis, to which, it is understood,
there is no moral objection, though certain legal
difficulties are apprehended. The matter has
been referred to the law officers of the crown.

DORCHESTER. Prrcum. CORN Ilt•BRIT,
&WHIST, December 3.—A abort supply of wheat.
Dry and heavy parcels made late rates. Barley was
offered freely, and a large quantity was disposed of
at from 255. to 275. per quarter—% eight 55 to 57
lba per bushel. Oats fully maintained late prima
FAIRS DURING THB WElL—Tuesday (this day),
Creations* and Sydling (Dorset). Friday, Crick.
lade (Wilts).—Saturday, Chippenham (Wilts);
Saturday, Peterstleld (Hants).
LiCTURIL —The Rev. William Barnes, rector of
Caine, delivered • most istereetiug lecture on
" Home and House Life," on behalf of the Working
Men'. Institution, at the Townhall, on Tuesday
evening. There was • very numerous audience,
who testiffed their appreciation of the lecturer's
remarks, and especially the posma he rendered in the
Dorset dialect, by repeated applause The Muir
was occupied by the Mayor, J. P. Aldridge, Esq.,
and at the ooncluaion votes of thanks were awarded
to the lecturer and the chairman.

BAD NEWS FOR POACIUSA —A eornespohd. h., ander
the signature of "Pleentor." informs us that It la In
oontemplation to strictly preserve the river From* and
It. numerons branches and t.ibutariee in the inmediate
vicinity of Dorchester.
At the animal ezhibitiso of stock held at Taunton on
Friday, sre observe that that enterpriaiog breeder. Mr.
J. A. Smith, of Bradford Pi verelf, was awarded tbe
first eriss la silver cup) for the beet breeding so. and
offspring; and the first prim (tS) for the best breeding
eon. .

-
A Luca az) Wive &ration. —At the Hants Winter
Assizes, held at Winchester on Friday, before Mr.
Baron Channel', Joseph Oliver was indicted for
stabbing Jane Oliver, his wife, with intact to mur-
der her on the 26M of November, at Aldershot. The
parties are natives of Dorchester. Mr. Gunner pro-
muted, and Mr. Carter defended. This was a MOGI
singular as well as painful me- The prisoner was •
sergeant in the Royal Engineers, and was living with
his wife outside the camp at Aldershot. He had
been out for parade on Sunday, the 26th of Novem-
ber, and returned home about II o'clock in the
morning, and took his baby out for • walk. He
came in soon after one, and was in the letting room
when Sapper Thompson mune in and told him that
his captain was going to report his, and that be had
better take his cap and be on. The prisoner upon
this took up his cap and nut up the street ui a met
excited manner. His wife followed and tried to
• him to come back, but he refuted to do so.
persuade
• went for aesistme, and he Ma cam
hack, and he and his wife went into the hones to-
gether. The wife eat down on a chair, and prisoner
went up to her, and she felt blood !lowing from her
seek. She did not feel anything, nor did she see ,
any weapon. The wife, a my reepectable-looirdng
woman, in aroes-ezatninataus said that they had been ,
married three Tem. They had knows sash Mee '
from &Mimed. He had always beat a very 4K
and kind hothead, and an alitetimans father.
had bad no quarrel whatever, nor had there bees
anything to met an ill-feeling betweea the., He
had been very Masse daring ow math Its had bean

at Aldsnhot. Hs did not like the work hi had to
do. He was Dot like the same man; be
much depressed, eras very
and walked about in the night
talking to himmit He was a very sober man. and
she had never men him drunk. The table was
Laid for dinner. She wee uot aware that her husband
inflicted any wound upon her. She could not tell
whether the wound was iollicted by him or herself,
ea she was in a very excited state at the time. Thig
prisoner waa taken into custody on • charge of
drunkenness. He was then insensible and unoon•
scions. He could not walk and was conveyed to the
hospital. The surgeon mid it was possible that the
woman might bars inflicted the wound herself.
Prisoner was apprehended the next day on this
charge, when he said that he knew nothing about it
until then, it We. the drink that did it, and be
supposed be should have two vars.—Hr. Carter
submitted that there we. no cue to go to the jury.
-The learned judge said it was • case for the jury.
The evidence of the wife had not proved anything
until the last statement made by prisoner, and be
thought that sae for the jury and could not stop the
case. The jury mid they bad no evidence to
eattell them, and acquitted the prisoner.