Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-01-03 00:00:00

THE GREAT SHIP COMP/iANY.

Mr. Camphell, the chairman of the Great 'Ship Com-
pany, has issued a circular to the shireholders against
certain misrepresentations and misconceptions with
regard.to the history of the Great Eastern. Its general
purport is to the effect that every inquiry will be courted
at the meeting on the 11th of January; that much of
the present trouble in connection with 'the undertaking
arises from dissension at the board, fomented by persons
who are seeking " their own personal aggrandisement
even at the risk of ruining the enterprise," and that the
work requisite to fit the vessel for a long voyage cannot
involve any heavy amount.

The following letter has been addressed by the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer to Mr. Campbell :
",Downing-strect, Dec. 5, 1859.

"Mvy dear Sir,—lf I rightly understandjour letters
of the qoth and 2nd, you have not. failed ;yourself to
perceive that there are reasons which must prevent the
government, at the present moment, from entertaining
any proposal for the employment of the Great
Eastern. Among these . reasons are the intention to
propose the renewal of the select committee on subsidies,
.the general duty of the Government. to avoid antici-
pating the judgment, or fettering the hands of Par-
liament, in a matter which it , has taken . under
speCial consideration, the heavy demands from other
sources upon the Treasury; and, lastly,. the .as yet in-
complete condition, according to documents in the pub-
lic journals, of the great ship herself.. The; questions,
what are the claims of the old ocean route compared with
that by the Mediterranean, and again with the isthmus
of Panama, deserve a more open and careful inquiry than
can Well be undertaken by a Minister or a department
in the course of its ordinary duties. , I hope they will
receive this full examination at the hands of the coin-
niittee. You ask for an it,surance that no new fixed
subsidy shall be given for Indian or for Australian ser-
vice until the result of the Great. .r.astem's voyage
shall have determined certain questions. My-answer,
is that it is the desire, anti so far as, it depends upon
them, the intention of the Government to avoid all
engagements which might embarrass and prejudge the
future, until thet themselves, and until Pailiameht
shall be in a condition to take a comprehensive view of
the -whole subject as to routes, as to cost, and the mo e
of meeting, it, as to the proper object of subsidy fr
the Government, and as to its died upon the co -
peting enterprise of private parties and upon the mastery
of difficulties and improvement of sternit
remain, my dear sir, faithfully yours,
(Signed) • " IP. E. GLADSTONE.
" R. J. R. Campbell, Esq." . :

ARREARS OF BUSINESS IN THE DIVORCE COURT.—
it is said that there is now an arrear of (00 divorce
cases,. and 150 probate and administration cases.
EXTENSIVE BURGLARY IN THE CITY.—On Satur-
day information was received by the police of an exten-
sive burglary at Mr. Thomas ReicPs, gold and silver
refiner, No. 9, Skinner-street, Snow-hill. The stolen
property consisted of gold, silver, diamonds, jewellery,
and other prpperty, to a considerable amount. A search-
ing investigation is being. made by Mr. Inspector
Lennard, and little doubt is entertained that the guilty
parties will shoitly be in the hands of justice. A reward
is offered for the apprehension of the thieves.
• DEATH OF MAJOR RIVERSDALE GLYN.—We regret
to announce the death of Major Riversdale Glyn, orthe
Rifle Brigade, on his way home from India. All
through Oude, up to the Teria, through the summer
and winter campaigns, through the subsequent marches,
he went on foot with his men till the dispersion of the
rebels brought to him and his brigade a short rest,
which only developed the seeds of the disease planted
by exposure. The voyage home came too late. He is
one more of the soldiers who have died after the battle
was won of wounds gained in the struggle.
THE CASE OF THE HON. Mn. ROWLEY AND HIS LATE
WIFE.—The charge of perjury preferred by the Hon.
Mr. Rowley' against his late wife, for alleged perjury
cornmittecr by her in the Court of Divorce, has been
arranged, and will not be.further proceeded with. At
the adjourned hearing on Wednesday, before Mr. Paynter,
at the Westminster Police Court, the charge will be
formally withdrawn, counsel on both sides making a
statement in explanation of the course adopted.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE ROYAL NEW YEAR'S GIFT,
YESTERDAY.—Yesterday morning, the distribution or
the royal New year's gifts amongst the deserving poor
of the parishes of Windscr, New Windsor, Clewer, and
the Holy Trinity took place in the Royal Riding School.
The money value of the articles distributed is, altogether,
about £6OO, made up as follows :—£loo from the Lord
Chamberlain department, to which is added £350
subscribed by the poor themselves in weekly payments
throughout the year,
,and £l5O from thearl of St.
Germains, Lord Steward of the Houiebold, which was
expended in beef, coals, calico, blankets, flannel, and
other useful articles of clothing.

THE POLICY OF AusTRIA.—If Austria were capable
of acting a truly magnanimous, perhaps we should•say
a romantic part, theremight still be a hope for her
future. When a high-minded upright gentleman has
been, through inexperience or accidental causes,
reduced to comparative poverty, le straightway dis-
poses of his carriages and horses, dismisses his
establishment of harpies, and accommodates himself •to
his altered' circumstances. In like manner, if the
Austrian Government, could be brought to a proper
understanding of its position,. it would perceive the wis-
dom of adapting itself to the times, and of propitiating-
adverse fortune by dignity under reverses, and by the
inauguration of a new and conciliatory home 'policy.
At the present moment Austria is on the verge of ruin.
Her finances are fearfully involved; trade and coin-
, meree are languishing ; the aristocracy are incom-
petent, prejudiced, and arrogant; the lower classes
are discoyering their own, strength and value in the
state ; and Hungary. •is on the eve of a revolt:
There is but one course to pursue, and that is one
._wholly_oppesed to .her past traditions. ;It, is spontane-
ously to dismantle Mantua and Peschiera, and give them
up to Piedmont; to declare Venice. a free city, and re-
taining only Verona, to withdraw entirely from Italian
oil. She would thus be enabled to apply her concentrated
energies to, the removal of Hungarian grievances,' and
the social amelioration of .her own people. The Em-
peror of the French, indeed, has said that a great power'
cannot be asked to make concessions without holding
ottt an equivalent. But in this course there is more
than an equivalent, for salvation is. offered in lieu of
bankruptcy, revolution, and disintegration of the empire.
Irnifcrsal Review for January.