The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-06-26 00:00:00

&item

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

I. —Tug DEFIAt of the Russell-Gladstone
Ministry, which determined them upon re-
signing office, is the great event of the week.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, as the case
may be viewed, the Queen area at Balmoral,
enjoying that regal seclusion which Her
Majesty during the past few years has
so fondly cherished, and she returns to
Windsor only to-day. In the interval
' which has elapsed, the wildest guesaes as to
the future of the Government have been
made, the main point of uncertainty turning
on whether or not Ministers recommend a
dissolution. The Star, in large type, indica-
ting an "inspired communication" from its
patron, Mr. Bright, says: "Nothing stands
in the way of a dissolution, and we believe
there is good reason to expect that it will
shortly be announced as the policy of the
Government." It does sot, however, dis-
tinctly assert that Her Majesty falls in with
the suggestion of Ministers—if, indeed, they
have suggested a dissolution—but it gives
some hints that such a contingency had been
placed before the Queen, and that she did
not object to it. But the Moroi*, lireralar

11.-111320E1' RIPZATI ITSZLF, we are
told; and so it does with such little varia-
tions that we are scarcely able to recognise
any event as a "new thing under the sun."
What is Prussia's secession from the
German Diet and attack upon the Confedera-
tion but a repetition, with the differences
which circumstances must create, of the
secession of the Southern States of the
American Union? And will it end as
disastrously for the seceder? That is a
question we are now asking each other. Will
Prussia be able to hold all she has obtained
by one bold and sudden movement, or will
she gradually be beaten into submission like
the American Confederacy? But, anyhow,
it is evident that she has stolen a march upon
Austria, si d has won what prize-fighters tall
"first blood." It is readily understood why
Hanover, hemmed in as it is by Prussian
territory, should have been abandoned to the
invader; but what WU Austria about to let
Sazony be occupied without resistance?
Was it sluggishness that canted her to allot
her rival such an advantage in presti,e and
material resources, or was she waiting for
Prussia to thoroughly commit herself against
the German Confederation? The latter sup-
position seems most probable; but it is high
time, looking at the matter strategically, that
Austria retaliated, and we are looking for the
news of a great battle every hour. Much
attention, too, is directed towards Italy; and
there is this curious anomaly in public feelinF,
that While °lost people Wish to see Austria
beaten in tenetia, they would gladly see her
and the Confederation triumphant in
Germany. But are the two desires con-
sistent and capable of simultaneoug fulfil-
ment? It will be a curious phase of history
if they prove themselves so.

111.-.—THZ DURATION OF 0.11. COAL SUPPLY
having caused some public anxiety, everything
tending to encourage the consumption becomes
of great interest. Some of our readers may not
know what a large percentage of the coal reamed
to the pit's mouth tomes up in the shape of small
coal or opal-dust, unmarketable except to &smell
extent for special purposes( We are told the
proportiou is some 3.3 per dent. Various m-thods
have been tried to utilize this detritus of the coal
mines, but none appear to have obtained such
success as that of the Patent Coal Company
(Limited), ineented by Mr. David Bar,ker,
manager of the Company's works it Nortlifieet.
We had an opportunity of inspecting these works
the other day, and saw the smallest coal-dust
kneaded up by machinery with • perfectly in-
offensive vegetable paste or glue, and formed
into brick -like blocks, which were afterwards
dried in heated tunnels. In fact, the operation
was performed by a brick-making machine. From
hat we saw of the effect of these blocks as fuel
they appearel to be superior. to ordinary coals
on account, may be, of their greater porosity
favouring the lib.-ration of the gases, and also
through the additional hydrogen they contained
n the fixed water introduced during the praxes
of manufacture. And this fuel the company can
sell wholesale at 17s. • ton in the Thames; but
as half of the prime cost of 12s. to them is NJ
freightage, the fuel eould be produced much
eheaper at the pit's mouth, and the carriage to
neighbouring seeporta would be much less.
There appears to be no dolibt about the great
*aide of the invention, and if operations Can be
conducted op as large • scale as we were inforrned,
not only will the nation gain by getting a Cheap
fuel, but also by considerably economizing the
produce of our coal mines.

IV. —THE REPORT of the Jamaica Corn-
mission in humiliating to us u a nation, but it
will ultimately do good by correcting that strange
land culpable propensity of Englishmen in our
Iforeign possessions to oppress infkrlor rues,
fellow subjects with themselves, of the same
sovereign. But, however mistaken, imptildent,
or even cruel may have been the conduct of some
of the white authorities in Jamaica, not many
iieople will go with that amateur committee wpo
are now trying to get Governor Eyre tried for
the " murder" of Mr. Gordon. Two blacks do
not make a white, and we cannot Me the con- '
sistency of people who are so very tender of
negro life, axing out for white blood so yin-
ditively. No, let us punish the Jsmaica
o Mali as they deserve for their 'trots of judg-
ment and oulpable conduct, but we should be as
bad as themselves, or HOMO, if we indulged in
cool blood in that excessive severity which they
unfortunately exerciud under excitement.

-
regards it as impossible that Her Majesty DORSET COUNTY LUNATIC ABYLI73III.
should assent to such a course of procedure. The anneal report of the County Lunatics Asylums has
published. The committefil/f f Toni:warm
"To intreat or command Ministers to remain spin been
in office, to give them the power of dissolu- 3Pornitdriar"tq EVll.)Pantyili:rarnian Sessions, 1866,
Lord Digbv,
tion without fl at ascertaining that no other Hon, W. H. B. *ion.. , id.p., R. B. Sheridan.
Administration could be formed, would be to RN., N. P., Rev. J. A. Templer, Rev. G. P. Ca
take sides in the party conflicts of the bridge, Rsv. C. W. Bingham, Rev. C. J. Glyn.
country. No one would be foolish or wicked , Abil"tas F"tler• It. Williams. if. Willina" H. N.
I Middleton, H. C. Hooddes, J. E. Andra J. J.
ebod,gh to impute the possibility of such 1 nroba,„,, 1..., J. Gendry, N. $. Yeatntebr W.
partisanship to the Qneen, who has always IP. Oka's, J. C. Mussel, J. C. Falwaseer, C. J.
shown the most thorough appreciation of her Parke, end John A. Dighy, Ears. They report ere
most delicate and responsible position, and nsorry. too say a larfo ge increase of
he patient. °of it: re
boa never allowed any private partialities to 'pp.', yia.atar, , union.
a which i°°°me
rms tangibly
influence her in the discharge of her consti-
n
the alleged increase of insanity in Doreetehire so
tutional duties." The Times admits a long
talked of. The total increase is 19 leaves
dissolution to be possible, but most improb- by bad 12 leutul•v), but it is bullutsd
able, "for there could be no change, ' it 1.1...b•1n 116 largestTbetham nt lb:: o;veardm'ta.konens
argues, "worth the outrage to public fteling ia- ,„ „.„1, lug.. in uno 71(30 ma„ and
and the inconvenience to public business." 41 females); the discharges, 37 (II males and 23
" 1 hen come three alternatives (continues female.) ; the deaths, 19 (11 males and 8 females).
our contemporary)—a Conservative cabinet, The health of the inmates has, happily, been good,
secendt.theirteratgbee rate of
wmtortalwitythloorwo—f Oxon
a reconstruction of the present, and as Novk 5Cr
entirely new Cabinet rather in the nature of canoed several caavieieryof eerysipeealas- • disease very
a Coalition. As to a Conservative Cabinet, common awing the labouring chines in Dorset. The
we think it more than proble that a dexte-; rate of maintensnce has fallen from Bs. 2.1. per week.
rous motion for Parliamentary Reform would ID the brat quarter, to 7a. iii. for the remainderooof
lead to the reinstation of the Whigs arrangements h.:, bbtif surplus accommodation, non. pauperm in:
next February, though we don't see mates of the oounty at 10e. per week, and thorn of
, what the reforinem are likely to other counties, at from 12a. to 14a. The pauper
get by such a motion elzept a lunatics of Poole (a town and county in iteelf, yet
return to office. Perhaps a reconstruction is . Dorset).years, at l
the favourite idea; and if Lord Russell and per haz
itreadt(eten by contract for two.
shire and °Berke, bead"es 30 of Abergareany, at
Mr. Gladstone would either retire or con 11e. Oci. for four years. With these additions there
descend to a lower position in the Cabinet is a gross total of pauper lunatics in the two asylums
that would wonderfully simplify matters of 412, and 'till room for SG more at Foretell. The
' As for the other scheme of an entirely new superintendent,
.I.l.teSiiii.inesitileivelinthyse 'tallestto °at"-
rease
Cabinet, it is one that will have to speak for the duties of the chaplain, whyo will in future reside
I itself when the names are given. If a either at Foretop or Charmineter (village), and read
neutral Premier can be found, such as Lord daily prayers, getting in addition £l2O to his salary
: Stanley for example, no doubt there are men otoei provide • bouslei;todA
I.7reww....‘rretnnt uukßi
,ic)1!
of high mark ready to serve under him, who The Oommiesioncer ha. been aPer. of Lunacy at their laste'annual
would not, and could not serve under either visit, 3rd April, report "most favourably as before
' Lord Russell or Lord Derby." This last of the state of the New Charminster Asylum.
' " eventuality"—namely,amixed and moderate £46,575 11" 241. appears to have been received, and
Cabinet—with Lord Stanley for Premier, is, .E471,21,4.2.1d1,42....9d,.3 efusrpnend:l, 11. ErewhasiAs'oLthiil.site
. we learn, a favourite notion in London clubs nag £667 Z. 7d. due to tbge treasurer. Of tii,ooo
and political circles, however, borrowed on this marmite of the county
rates £4,733 6e. 84. was repaid 29th September
last, leaving • balance then doe of £36,266 134 4d.
These are the most interesting and prominent of the
details in the report. We add a few extract. :
ISOM/Len AT THE •ITLOY.
One of the attendants was fined in a penalty of £2,
and discharged, for ill treating • patient, Another
attendant ens fined la half the expenses etteading the
re-eaptnre of • patient, for negligence, through *hie,
the escape had occurred. With these exceptions the
conduct of the attendants and servants through the
past year has been wan:tory.
THE ETAT! OF THE ACCOOIFT.

The following is the state of the amount for par.
elia log the inte, and building soil famishing, kc., the
ram Asylum :

L c d.

To Cash received of the Ban Life !niter.
alma Compsny4 on Mortgage of the}, 41000 0 0
Ciinnty Hates . .
Interest by Investments on Bzehequer Bills 1117 14 0
Sir R. P. Glyn's Donatirin, and interest .. 1102 4 6
From the Contingent Fund —stack sold }
ives 22 8
out, and interest .. ,
From Subscribers to Non•Paupers' fund ... 2060 0 0
County Tressurer . 3)0 0 0
From Non• Pauper itoonunt . 200 0 0
Balance due to Treasurer . 667 3 7

County Trewinrer

300 0 0

bet should the aside *gas TM 4is eouoty and hetet-
boorhood, so &MU me shall base Is trouble In this
Matter, bet as eirsametanese &rim we onset endeavour
to meet them to the be 4 of an power.—J. OCOTATIIII
Sibiu, Medical &perilsisland.