The Express.
London, England, 1855-10-23 00:00:00

(Stamped Id. Additional.) [TWOPENCE.

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

The following gleanings from our file of Australian
journals ars supplementary to the intelligence given in the
Daily New, on Friday last, when we were enabled to anti-
cipate the arrival of the Memo Polo and Mermaid:

AN AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENT.
A schuss has been suggested, and is by no means without
supporters, for multi,' an Australian contingent to join the
allied armies in the East. There is amongst us a large slues
of adventurers and enterprising young men who can find
lure no opining suitable to their tastes, or possibly to their
indolence, to whom the ptospects of a Crimean campaign
l
would have very considerable attractions. Others, a ,
who in the bush have been inured for years to a lie of
haidslips, exposure, and tisk, would gladly change the
sous of their adventures for a season, and would,we apnea
hand, be readily converted into admirable soldiers.
It hes been suggested, end the suggestion seams to
u a good one, that those of the eontiogent who
returned front the seat of war should receive grants of land.
We should thus be neared spinet any considerable prow
neat loss of population, and we should also have provided
the eolosy with a set of men who would make a good
nucleus for say militia, or citisea soldiery, that it may
hereafter become necessary to organise for our protection.
At present we should not be found very well prepared in
case the Russians took it into their heads to pay us a visit—
• sloop of war Gamed the Electra, ractuatiog 14 guns, and
some companies of the 12th and 40th Regiments, with about
a couple of hundred voluoteer riflemen, constituting all our
regular defences. It is said, indeed, that the Cur has no
ships that we need fur in these seas ; but an ingenious cor-
respondent has suggested that the Rural.= having obtained
a foothold is Manchuria, are very likely at this moment
building ships far inland on the banks of the Amoor, with
which to pounce down upon us some day when we least im-
post it.—Mslbossnia Argus.

THE DIGGINGS.
(Prom tbe . BeedlgoAdvetlaer.")

Bisistoo.—ihe late heavy rains having for a while
passed away, and been succeeded by beautiful bracing wea
ther, the miners in all directions are busily employed in
their avocations. At the diggings above Kangaroo Flat,
Wags look mach brisker than they did a week ago. Many
persons have left them dissatisfied, but there is a strong
impression among some of the old miners that the lead
extends for some distance down Bendigo, and that the
workings will ultimately connect with those at Kangaroo
Flat. We have nothing new nor very favourable, we regret
to say, at present to report with regard to the diggings at
Epsom. Numbers of holes latterly have been deserted, bet
a large number of people are still steadily engaged in
working their claims. It seems that the lead was very
narrow, and hu been entirely lost ; whether at
will be again hit upon, or has altogether worn out, is a
matter for time to determine. The accounts from the
Whipstieks continue to be by no means of that cheer-
ing aster" which the success of the early prospector
bad led us to expect. The rush at the foot of Ironhark
still continues, bat nothing of any moment has been effected
in that locality. In Spring Gully, as reported in our last,
gold has been struck in remunerative quantities, but to no
great extent, and only a few parties have become possessors
of plying claims. Several new puddling machine' are being
erected in various localities, and, as we have before stated,
steam machinery is spoken of aa likely soon to be applied to
this branch of mining. The whole of our quarts crushing
machines are said to be progressing favourably, and we hear
excellent reports of the yield g Ily obtained by them.
The Berdan and the Benoigo quarts crashing machines have
lately undergoes important alterations, and are again at
work in an improved style. It would really require more space
than we can possibly devote to give a detailed account of all
the numerous machines at work at present in this district.
In addition to those already here, we are informed that seve-
ral are of the road from Melhoume to this district. Of the
reefs, we may briefly say that the reports generally are
most satisfactory with regard to their yield. We may men-
tion that the New Chum Gully reef hap, after a great dial
of labour and expense, been hit upon in the bed of the gully.
The workless is much impeded by the groat influx of water,
but by means of slabbiog and constant pumping it seems
likely to be sufficiently kept tinder to allow the miners to
proceed with their operations. Oust hopes are entertained
that this portion of the reef will turn out exceedingly rich.
The reef at the very head of Long Gully, on wbfch an
immense amount of labour has for a long time been uselessly
expended, has been at last struck, ands said to be highly
auriferous. We have this week bad much pleasure in
inspecting a quantity of beautiful gold, the produce of some
quarts from toe well-known claim of M . Hessler,
Lathers, and Co. This splendid claim seems to be yielding
better than ever. Up to yesterday mornine we understand
that about fourteen hundred persons had taken out the
miner's right.
The following is the latest intelligence from the other
gold fields, gleaned from various sources:
Mouxv Faurro.ur.—The population is about As same
as last week, and the late heavy r,.ins have caused some ac-
tivity in the working of sluicing claims. The quarts vein
' lately opened on Spring Creel is turning out very well, and
the gold obtained is remarkably heavy.
FILYZIed CREIX.—Tbe rush on Kangaroo Hill, Loddon,
is yielding satisfectorily. Several leases of quarts reefs have
been taken out fa o,rinan Gully.
Monter BLACCWOOD.—The population of this gold field
may now be estimated at 10.000. Several parties have very
recently left, but those who have resided here any length of
rime look forward to a large increase in the population at
I the approach of summer. Large races are being eat, to turn
the bed of the creek, and this operation is expected to de-
'slop a rich deposit.
CASTLIMAINII,—A piece of very rich ground has been
discovered amongst the old workings at Steel's Fiat, Forest
i Creek, bat the spot is of very small extent. Some tolerably
remunerative soil's being worked gs Montgomery's Hill, at
a depth of about six feet, and puddling meshing are wash-
ing the surfer* soil from fife same briff to geratitclaantlige.
Some deep sibling is going on at . Campbell's Creek. bet so
new ground has been due .sered there. The road at Camp.
bell's Creek is still in a very dangerous condition. The
popelatioa at Barkie's Creek h on thee nave's*. ' •
Mudx..t.seon.l).;The porelatipra of, these diggioge has
rather fallen off daring-the lat few days; OM 111 still,
however; k great deal dangler a quiet way; nod the gold
is more evenly diettribsts4 anamaget Mag-liiis at
some otter fields. TO" greater portion of tae gold pro-
Idismid fikda limey into COfferniine? bat thoee storekeepers
,at Nnekleford who give the Cutlemain• price for gold have
nimble qdantities offered to them. As regards the yield,
it seems pretty certain that eighteen ounces to the tub have
been mated in one instance, whilst other Ands scarcely leas
inferior are spokes up.
MARTIIOII.OOOII.—The quartz veins continue to yield
very large returns. Number of miner's rights issued dur-
ing the week indium July 7, at Marlborough, was 86; ditto
at Avon*, 27. The gold per Escort, from Maryborough,
was 5,783 as. 10 dwta ; cash, 10,2391. ; geld sent from Am-
herst, 687 oz. Deposits for the week, at Marlborough,
gold, 392 ox. 10 darts.; cash, 3251.; at Amherst, gold, 635
is.; cash, 4,1001.

'for their use. A party, on whose evidence I can rely, in-
formed me that all the guns at Daisy hill were being bought
up by them at exorbitant prices, holders of this description
of goods having taken !advantage of the disordered state of
the diggings to raise the pricy of these article/. The ' Tips'
seem determined not to be behind the Allies in their pre-
parationi for any outbreak that may occur."
MELBOURNE THEATRICALS.

"In matters theatrical," says • local journal, " Mel-
bourne is little behind any second-rate town in the United
Kingdom. We have Mr. G. V. Brooke, for whom Mr.
Coppin has expressly erected a theatre in oar city, and whose
performances on his first visit here—for he has only during
the week returned from Sydney—were moet extensively
patronised. The abilities of this fine actor are thoroughly
recognised here, and Mr. Coppice's speculation, upon which
our English friends hare been already enlightened in the
columns of their own press, b ds fair to be an extremely pro-
fitable one to him, as well as to Mr. Brooke himself. Mr.
Coppin'e theatre, a part of which was opened a month since
let the performances of Mr. Jacobs--of whom more sam—
bas bee, very elee.ntly fitted up under the superintendence
of Mr. William Pitt, formerly attached to the Lyceum
theatre. The whole of it is expected to be opened to the
public for dramatic entertainments In • fortnight, and
we may, we think, in respect to this building,
fairly claim for the mechanics of our city a Ist&
character as workmen, for It is scarcely three
months since the theatre—a very small portion
of which is composed of the iron materials imported by Mr.
Coppin from England—was first commenced. The compo-
sition of Mr. Coppin'e 'company will be appreciated when we
mention that, in addition to Mr. G.V. Brooke, it includes
Miss F. Cathcart (tow, however, Mrs. Heir—her husband
being also • member of the corps), Mrs. Brougham, Mr. R.
Youngs, and Mr. Coppia himself.
But decidedly the moot remarkable feature in respect to
colonial theatricals is the opening of the new Theatre
Royal. This munificent establishment is in respect of
dimensions scarcely inferior to Drury-lane Theatre; and
although it hu been finished in somewhat • hurry, the de-
corations and general appointments are upon • corresponding
seals of splendour. The audience portion of the theatre
has capacity for accommodating over three thousand per-
son ; and the stage, which has been laid &An with every
intuition to recent improvements, is, for extedt and adapt-
ability for the purpose intended, equal to that of the
great national establishment to which we have referred.
Seats are provided for 3,000 persons, and doubtless on
crowded nights, nearly 600 more than that number would
find places upon the benches. The private bones (17 in
number) accommodate nearly 100 persons; the dress circle
about 400; the stalls about 120; the upper circle cf boxes,
about 600; the slips, about 120; the pit over 1,000, and the
gallery about 7uo. The audience, on the opening night,
appeared to find abrndance of entusercent in observations
on the extreme beauty aad unexpected grandeur of the new
theatre, and although it was nearly eight o'clock before the
curtain rose, very little impatience was manifested, end at
any time only by en iefinitesimal minority. MIN Hayes--
who left for Sydney on July 21—war recognised in one of
the proscenium boxes. Throe cheers were called for for
Mile Hayes, and were enthusiastically given. At about five
minutes to eight the acting manager's signal was heard, and
the curtain rose upon the company, about forty in number,
and the national anthem was sung, Mrs. Tester leading,
end the audience in the boxes remaining needing during the
same, as is customary amongst the assemblies of the loyal.
NEWSPAPER LITERATURE.
Melbourne is developing an increased taste hr journalism.
Two weekly papers—the Telegraph" and the " Pictorial
Times," have recently appeared. There are three monthlies
—" The Monthly Migssinc," "The Rural Meerazine, ' and
" The Gardeners' Chronicle." " Melbourne Punch, jun.,
Esq.," promises his weekly appearanze on end after the god
of August ; and • " Medical Casette," and a " Builder,"
" conducted by the originator of the London publication of
the same name," were promised.
The Melbourne Age says of the forthcoming Punelt—" We
do not anticipate that the editor or editors of the Australian
Purvain will have to complain of • psucity of contributors
to the literary department of their periodical. Our only
misgivings are on the score of its artistic illustrations. There
is, unfortunately, but one Leech, one Gsvarni, one
" Chain," one Hablot Browne, one Richard Doyle, and
one Tenniel in the world; nevertheless, we have seen
amateur elute'ss and caricatures circulating in private
circles in this city which indicated the existence of • con-
siderable amount of artistic talent, only requiring careful
culture for its perfect development. We hope that in the
infancy of the new periodical, those who are really com-
pennt to adorn its pages with their graceful or mirthful
fancies will do so, as well for the sake of illustrative art, se
of those higher objeete which art ought to subserve in the
columns of the Melbourne Punch."
A letter from Forest Creek diggings says The demand
for weekly papers end English periodicals is very great;
the rivalry in selling them is greater still—hope of all ppm,
and men of all nations., are employed in their disposal, sod
even from C etlemaine an agent started on horseback, with
parcels of Punch, Lloyd's, Illustrated News, &c., armed
with a brazen trumpet, through which he shrieked forth
the titles of his journals in en improved penny whistle
style."
A MURDERER'S CONFESSION.

The subloinedconfeTsiunOfa Wiernel,iiit:(3ezecnted in
Tasmania, will show how desperate the villeins are, whom
no legislation of ours has been sufficient to keep from the
Australian shores, and may aceount for our crowded gaols
and stockade'', our army of p.)lioe, and the atrocious nature
of the crimes which appear en our calendars. " And we
would remark," says a Melbourne contemporary, "that it
little becomes England, which hes long forced such men
upon us, with a cowardly cruelty almost unparalleled, to
taunt us with the extravagance of an expenditure' so large
a proportion of which is paid in the control of her
criminals."

ROCKY WHELAN'S STATEMENT.

" Hobart Town Gaol, 25th June, 1855.
" I, John Whelan, alias Rocky Whelan, condemned to
suffer tomorrow morning for robberies on William Kearney
sad Richard Carpenter, which I acknowledge to have com-
mitted, With deep sorrow; and in order to make what re-
paration I eau, do solemnly declare that ktlit ',ad Aloha
then alone, commit the following 'soviets:—
" 1. An eldt fly roan, between Brown's Riser and North-
west Ray, about tyro usentka ego. I bog him 1*
the bud
and robbed him.
" 2. A poop Mild (I learned afterwardi'his 'else
Duna), on the Huon track, about six nr seven 'weeks's:ter
Carpenter's robbery. I shot him in the head, and struck
him on the head with the butt of the pistol, then robbed
. . . . _

" 3. Au elderly man, at Bagdad, six or !MR weeks ago.
I shot him in the head, and then robbed him.
•

,
"4. A young man, on the Westburproad, about a week
after the last murder. I shot him in the head, and took
away • few shillings.
"6. A hawker, near Cleveland, about three days before I
was taken. I shot him in the head, and took away Neural
things, most of which are now at the police office.
" The full particulars of these murders I have given to this
Very Rev. W. Hall, Vicar G I, acid the Rev. W.
Rood, hoping; that the bodies yet undiscovered may be
found.
" I meet humbly and sincerely beg forgiveness of the
friends of these victims of my cruelty, and hope that the
Almighty will have mercy on my poor soul.
"his
"JOHN 04 WHILAN,
mark."
" Taken before me, in the gaol at Hobart Town, this 26th
June, 1855, at 6ve minutes before seven o'clock is the
evening, having been just read over to Whelan, who
declared that the same is true.—W. T. CHAN e."

We would aek our English readers to p hie state-
ment, and say if anything equal to it in the degradatiom
and brutality of character—the complete indiffaence to
human life which it exhibits, has ever appeared in history
or is &tins. The presence among us of even a few sash
men as Whelan is enough to account for nearly all our
crime; end the knowledge that there were thousands of this
ChM among us, and that many more would have come lathe
colony if they could, juitifies the large ezrenditure far the
repression of crime and the •ensitivenese of the colonists a
to the immigration of criminals.

MR. MACAULAY'S HISTORY OF ENOLAND.—A
correspondent of the Ltverpool Alban, speaking of the new
volumes of the above work, says It appears that up
to today (Saturday) andondon subscription alon• had
reached 20,000 copier,l4,ooo for the provinces—total,
74,000 copies ; and the list not closed yet. By the time it
is closed there is now every probability that the subscrip-
tion will roach to 40,e00, so that the advertised day of deli-
very, December 4, will have to be considerably pronigned„
as the number cannot be produced in the time. Some
curious ideas are suggested by the contemplation of this
great feet." The cat to the public of these 80,000
volumes (40,000 copies), the price of the work being 11. 16e.,
would be 70,1001. ; and if placed in a line, side by aide, the
thickness of each being two inches, they would extend
more than two miles sod a half, the Sant length being
13,333 feet four inches t Piled one upon another, they
would tower to au altitude which would be to the highest
pyramid at Giseh as One to a wart," and more than three
times the height attained by the aeronaut Gainerin when he
made his parachute descent. It is olflicialt to convey an
easily realised notion of what the height of such a pile waled
be, es, if St. Paul's Cathedral, the Monument, Pompey's
Pillar, and the Great Pyramid, were all placed one upon
another, their height would not amount to more than a
tenth of that of the books. Their weight, estimating sash
at Sibs., would be 71 toss, 8 cwt., 64 tbs.—about eight times
that of the great bell of St. Paul's and Tom of Lincola
together, and considerably more than that of the great ball
of At. Ivan's, at Moscow, the largest in the world, *seeps
that of the Kremlin, which has
though many engaged in the attempted operation have
boss bang!"