The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-14 00:00:00

Z1:1 +)
) 1K"
l'.k‘-'4lViit SUIT/

LONDON, MONDAY, MARCII 14, 1864.

" Second thoughts," have, happily, jest for once
in a way, proved " better" with the Home Secretary.
His decision in regard to the convict HALL—that
rather surprising decision (surprising even from Sir
G. GREY) published in our impression of Saturday
—was fortunately revised, though it was only
revised, so to speak, at the eleventh hour and
three quarters. With the tniserab:e condemned
himself it has bee❑ a close run indeed
between life and death. This morning he was to
have duly forfeited his existence according to the
first determination arrived at by the Home Secre-
tary, and announced through the right hon. baro-
net's answer to the memorialists. Before midnight
it was known, however, that additional evidence,
backed by the names of yet more and more
of those earnest memorialists had induced Sir
GEORQE GREY to alter his resolution, the announce-
ment of the Rome Secretary haying so altered it
coming tardily, but still opportunely, in the shape
of a reprieve. The recollection of the narrow escape
effected by the wretch TOWnEY no doubt operated

powerfully, first in the one direction, and afterwards
in exactly the opposite direction, with the Home
Secretary—driving him, in the first place, to an
obdurate refusal of the petition made in HALL'S
favour—and then, again, constraining him, upon
the yet more urgent renewal of that petition,
to grant its prayer by saving the life of the con-
victed murderer. Sir GEORGE GREY would natu-
rally shrink from so acting in regard to the con-
demned murderer as to afford his critics some show
of reason in reprehending him (for so much wholesale
leniency) as another saver of murderers almost as
systematic in sparing their lives as was his pre-
decessor, the late Sir GEORGE CORNEWALL LEWIS.
Yet while recoiling instinctively from running the
hazard of so acting as to ensure to himself
more effectually this unenviable kind of reputation
and of reprobation—the present Home Secretary
would upon second thoughts shrink no less anxiously
from that other risk,almost certainty under the actual
circumstances, the risk of having his cruel refusal
of a reprieve in the case of HALL terribly contrasted
with his weak and, as we still think, most cul-
pable concession of a reprieve in the case of
TOWNLEY. Fortunately—not merely for the con-
vict, but for himself, for his own reputa-
tion as Home Secretary—Sir GEORGE GREY
decided, upon maturer reflection, upon recalling
his refusal and sparing the life of HALL. A
murderer, and apparently a very deliberate mur-
derer HALL was : but under what fearful
provocation was he not goaded to raise
his hand wickedly to the slaying of his victim ! A
slight modification of the circumstances of the case,
and he would have been held guiltless by the law,
had he slain under a sudden impu!se of fury not one
but two of his fellow creatures—his newly-married
wife and
.her:paramour ! That is, supposing, with
the arms innocently in his hands, he might
have chanced to surprise them together ! There
is an unquestionable boldness i❑ this re-
vision of his own refusal of the reprieve of
HALL, by the Home Secretary. And it will be
but justice to bear the fact of it in remembrance
in his regard, when the thought of Tow LEY
rises unpleasantly to our recollection.

The opening of a Parliamentary Session, in a
country that has the good fortune to be under a
constitutional Government, is always a matter of
same importance. There are countries, indeed,
where the gathering of representative assemblies is
nothing more than a mere form, without life or
spirit, since all parties know that nothing will be
the result but a ready acquiescence in all the pro-
posals of the ruling power. There are other capitals
in which the reassembling of the popular delegates
is a signal for the outbreak of political hostilities
between the ruler and the ruled. We have lately
had a striking specimen of such a position, when
the opening and closing of the Prussian Chambers
became sufficiently important to attract the atten-
tion of all Europe. The great fight which was to
be fought out in Berlin has now lost all its interest
in the eyes of the good people of the Fatherland in
the absorbing topic of the D tnish struggle, but in
other parts of the world it is still happily possible
to find places where the meeting of the House of
Representatives is the principal subject of attention.
Among ourselves the opening of Parliament was
this year looked for with unwonted anxiety, since
matters of vital interest were waiting that free and
open discussion which is the mainstay of our poli-
tical existence. How far we have yet profited by
the gathering of our popular representatives, and
how much information- we have succeeded by their
means in extracting from the reluctant occu-
pants of the Treasury Bench, are questions
more easily asked than answered. Pending
their settlement, however, it is refreshing to turn to
a province in which the deliberations of the Legis-
lature are encumbered by no such weighty matters
as are now perplexing the Cabinets of Europe, and
in which questions affecting internal government
are the only ones which the community are
called upon to settle. The opening of
the second session of the eighth Canadian
Parliament gives a sample of such a representative
assembly; and, to judge from the tenour of the
Governor-General's address, there is every indica-
tion of the favourable progress of the colony. The
matters treated of in the speech are of same interest,
and relate principally to the further development of
the natural resources and capabilities of the pro.
vince. Measures are, we are told, in progress for
the improvement of the means of inland water com-
munication, with a view to secure to the colony a
larger proportion of the commerce of the western
lakes. This will be an important addition to the
trade of Canada, and will exercise a beneficial in-
fluence on its revenue. An outlay for such pur-
poses is the truest economy, and the wise and far-
seeing of a poor and embarrassed State will make
it their first object not only to reduce the actual
expenditure, but to ascertain by what means the
national :income may he increased. It is most
shortsighted and narrow-minded policy to consider
all disbursements that can be avoided as extrava-
gant and uncalled for. Oa the contrary, expendi-
ture for great works of public benefit are the best
and safest investment of national capital. It is the
want of such wise extravagance that has so long
retarded the development of our Indian resources,
and which even now leaves vast tracts parched and
barren, while the fertilising waters that might be
made the source of health and plenty to thousands
flaw idly through neighbouring lands. In Canada,
happily, matters are managed on a different prin-
ciple, and the Governor expressly directs the
attention of the members to such improvements of
the Ottawa canals as will assist the development of
the valuable and extensive tracts of land drained by
the Ottawa and its tributaries. The Canadians
have certainly no reason to complain of the
lack of water, and they seem determined to
make the most of their advantages. They
are not, however, content with the means of water
communication only, but are pushing forward the
extension of their railways. There have been
various delays in the construction of the lines be-
t wean Canada and her two sister colonies—Nova
Scotia:and New Brunswick, and the survey of the
proposed route is not yet completed. The Governor
holds out hopes that it will now be shortly accom-
plished, when the expense and practicability of the
nndertakieg can be more easily considered. Another
subject of some colonial importance is the condition
of the expanse of country lying to the north-west
of the province. It is not very clearly understood
how far English rights extend in that quarter, but
the Governor has now set art inqu'zy on foot, whose
conclusion will place matters on a. clear and settled
basis. With regard to the subject of colonial mili-
tary defence, which has of late years been very fre-
quently discussed, the Governor merely remake
that he has taken steps for enfarcing
the Militia
acts of the last session, and will c ontinue to fulfil
their provisions. A large and effici.
ant militia would
certainly be a most valuable defer ce to the colony,
and we do not question that in th e hour of danger
and emergency every citizen es pable of bearing
arms wou'd be a volunteer.
B
to have energy and enthusuiat itm is a g
t l suprpeoarttetdhibnyg
knowledge and experience, and
the Canadians would
do well to imitate the exam
pie of the mother
country in this respect by f airolling a regular
Volunteer force SO far As the :e quiremente of drill

and muster roll could be complied with by the busy
colonists. The financial condition of the country
is not altogether satisfactory at present, but the
Governor promises measures which shall attain the
happy end of adjusting the happy end of income
and expenditure. Altogether England has good
good reason to feel proud of the growth and pro.
gresa of her young dependency, and we earnestly
trust that no dark cloud of war or disaster may
shadow her rising fortunes.

The reply of Mr. VILLIERS to the question of
Lord R. CECIL, relating to the subject of the recent
case of starvation in Bethnal-green, is most unsatis-
factory. It is, indeed, difficult to follow the right
hon. gentleman in his remarks, or to form a very
accurate idea of what his object can be in thus
glossing over the affair. Lord CECIL very properly
asked whether any steps would be taken to investi-
gate the proceedings. It would seem to have been
the proper and natural course to have adopted
under the circumstances; but no, the President of
the Poor Law Board informs the House that the
result of the inquiries he had made was satisfactory.
This statement does not accord with the verdict of
the jury, who found gross mismanagement to have
taken place, and instructed the Coroner to send a
report of their verdict to the Poor Law Board.
Nothing can excuse the neglect of not instituting
a special inquiry into the whole of the circumstances
connected with the case, or, above all, to note very
particularly the conduct of the relieving officer, and
to mark its bearings upon the fatal result which
ensued. The impression which was produced upon
the minds of those who perused the sad details is
not removed by the excuses alleged by those in
authority. It is very significant that no attempt is
made to extenuate the non-admission of the poor
woman to the infirmary of the workhouse. That
fact is left alone altogether, and as it is the one im-
portant point in the whole transaction, such an
omission is very conspicuous, and it is incumbent
upon all who are at all in any way connected with
the case either remotely or nearly, directly or
indirectly, to afford the most full and complete
rehearsal of their proceedings. It is very
necessary that some notice should be taken of
this matter in another point of view, and that is to
interpose a veto upon the reprehensible practice that
prevails in some districts of insisting upon the whole
family coming into the house, if but one member of
it requires relief or assistance. The very notion of
such a thing is an absurdity, and the only probable
solution of the enigma is that these laws are laid
down so arbitrarily, for the sake of increasing
the number of applicants. It is a very frivolous
plea that is put forward in extenuation, that no
application was made for nutriment. If it had
been there is no valid reason to suppose that it
would have been of any avail. What grounds are
there for assuming that more attention would have
been paid to one more than another. Besides
this is altogether begging the question, since
the poor sufferer required something more than
nutriment. It demands very little knowledge of
disease to comprehend that when persons have been
reduced by long continued want, food is not so
much what they require as other treatment, in the
shape of warmth, proper beds, an so on. If the
husband were in possession of a small sum weekly,
what might support himself and children would
not afford the comforts and luxuries indispensable
to one hovering on the verge of death. The evi-
dence o► two medical men has certified that the
deceased died from starvation, and the expression
of opinion on the part of the jury stamps the affair
with an importance that deserves credence, and
demands care and attention. The husband being
an occasional labourer in the docks could not have
received money during all the winter, severe and in-
clement as it has been, and the fact of the poor man's
employment is made to read any way that is con-
venient. He is either well to do, and should sup-
port his wife at home, or else failing to do this when
her health fails from previous privation, he must
perforce become a pauper himself, and perhaps
throw away his own chance in life, and compro-
mise the future prospects of his children by sacri-
ficing his own independence. Until it has been
explained by what right, or whose authority, and
for what reason, the relieving officer refused to
allow th© woman to come into the infirmary, the
subject ought not to b 3 allowed to drop, nor a stop
put to the inquiries on the question, It is too late
to do any good in this case, but harm may be pre-
vented from marring in many similar cases that
are sure to take place, and may even now be taking
place around us. There can be no more dangerous
precedent established than this of permitting re-
lieving officers to take upon themselves the power
to read the rules of the establishment according to
their own showing. The best way to arrive at the
truth is to clear the case of all complications, by
taking up the matter on the broad principle of
right and wrong. What are chiefs and subordi-
nates appointed for—why is public money spent if
the primary object is not attained, and a shelter
provided for the afflicted poor in their hour of
greatest need, and their time of dread extremity.
Human life is too fragile in its tenure to be trifled
with in such emergencies. While one is arguing
and another expostulating about the propriety of
removing the sufferer to the infirmary, or the de-
sirability of other modes of treatment, the precious
moments go by, and death removes the victim of
ceaseless bickering and debate to a sphere where
their cruel mockery of mercy can no more obtrude.
It is important that the whole system of admission
to workhouses in cases of distress and sickness
should be brought under careful consideration, and
until this is done effectually, there will be no end to
the voice of complaint, and the language of murmur-
ings. If the ends of succour are not met by the
present mode of procedure, it is surely sufficient
proof that a change is required, and a heavy respon-
sibility will rest upon all those who have the power,
but from one reason and another lack the will to
introduce the necessary change, and effect the salu-
tary alterations that are imperatively called for.

MR. WYLD, of Charing-cross, has just published
a clear and distinct map of the environs of Fredericia,
which will be of service to every reader of the Dano- German
war.

NAPOLEON 111. AND MAXIMILIAN. Nothing
can surpass the attention of the Emperor to the
Archduke Maximilian since his arrival in Paris. The Arch-
duke takes every occasion to express his admiration of his
Majesty, whom he looks upon as the highest intellect in the
world; and the Emperor, on the other hand, thinks that,
with time, his Imperial Highness will come up to his own
standard.

THE NEXT ANNUAL DINNER OF THE ARTISTS'
GENERAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION will be held next
month, with the Bishop of Oxford in tbo chair.
TH E S CHOOLMAS TER A B ROAD.—A correspondent
of the Gazette de Perronne communicates the following
copy of a letter recently written by a soldier to the mayor
of a village near Ham, in answer to a note informing him
of his father's death. The brave fellow has learnt to write,
certainly, and is a bit of philosopher in his way; but what
most distinguishes him is his original style of spelling :
" Te reraairei bocou mo cieu le mer de la mors demon per
sea et un petit aquecidan. qui arive dans le familie, Canta
moi Jo suit a lopital avec: tine jambre do moin avec la quelle
~
loneurre de vous salmi—S." The letter may be thus
translated ;—" I heartily t hank Mr. Mayor for my father's
death. It is a little acciden .t which happens in families. As
for me, I am in the hospital minus one leg, with which 1
have the honour to salute you."
DEATH OF A CENTHNARIAN.—A woman named
Flora Macleod, better known as Widow Macpherson, a
native of Inverness, died here on the 25th ult., at the ex-
traordinary fig() of 103 yeam aAd aeve/A paellata,--Avvriros
CVlir if 7.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE WAR IN JUTLAND,
KOLDING, MARCH 14.
The Danish infantry has embarked at Aarhuus,
for Fredericia and Alsen.
The cavalry have started fcr Viborg.
General von Gableuz has returned from Veile.

AUSTRIA.
THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN ALLIANCE.
VIENNA, MARCH 11.

The official Wiener Abendpost contains the fol-
lowing :—" The Kreuz-zettung announces to-day
that Austria and Prussia are completely agreed
relative to their u"terior action against Den-
mark ; the telegraph now confirms this intelligence,
which we greet with sentiments of high patriotic
satisfaction. We have only to add that the march
of the two great Powers into Jutland has been
provoked entirely by the attitude of Denmark.
The military position which she has assumed in
Jutland, the forces which she has concentrated
around Fredericia, have decided the Austro•
Prussian army not to limit its operations to a strict
line of demarcation, the more so as the enemy occu•
pies a flank position in Jutland, and the allied army
stationed before Duppel are constantly exposed to
serious risk. Let us add that Denmark is resolved to
continue hostilities at sea, and has taken steps for
that purpose which undoubtedly justify, and even
necessitate the seizure of some object as compen-
sation. The new co operation of the allies in no
degree changes the political programme of their
action."

BOMBAY AND MAURITIUS MAILS,
SOUTHAMPTON, MARCH 14.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
Ellora, with the heavy lortion of the above mails,
has arrived here. She brings 83 passengers, £699
in specie, and 373 packages of general cargo, The
Elora spoke the Ripon on the 10th inst., the
Magdalena on the 12th, and the Syria on the 13th.
Gibraltar, March 9,—Letters from Tangier
report the death of M. Bedard, French Minister
in Morocco.

A heavy gale visited Gibraltar on the 5h inst.
Eight vessels were standed in the bay, and numera
ous other casualties occurred to other shipping in
the harbour.

Exchange on London, 90 days, was quoted 507; ;
Paris, 5 30; Marseilles, 5 31 to 5 32; Madrid, eight
days' sight, par.

FRANCE.

PARIS, MARCH 14.

A telegram from Constantinople, dated the 13th
inst., states that Prince Couza adheres to his former
declarations upon the secularisation of convent pro-

perty.

Mehemet Ali has been appointed Minister with-
out portfolio.
BOURSE, March 12.—The market was heavy at
the opening, bat has since improved, and Threes,
for the Account, are now at 66f. 55c. Mobilier
have also advanced, being last quoted at 1,057 f. 50c.
Railway Market quiet, but fir m. The market be-
came more buoyant towards the close, and left off
as follows :

41 per Cents 93 10
Do. end month 93 25
3 per Cents
Do. end month 66 75
Credit Mobilier 1060
Do. end month 1062 50
Bank Shares 3310
Credit I, oneier
Roman —

Orlean.'

Northern

Italian Loan 67 90
Do. end month 6B 15
New ditto
Do. end month.—
Rusaian
Austrian
pani.-h Threes —
Home Pebt .. -
Deferred

Cast'. Account.
1005 .. 1005
955 .. 955 --

New ditto
Lyons and Mediterninean 922 50 .. 927 50
New ditto
S.Jutheru
Western
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian
Lowbard
North of Spain
Saragossa 585 .. 585
Ditto to Barcelona

AMERICA.

~~_ „r._._.

LB.EUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

The royal mail steamship Africa arrived at
Queenstown at noon on the 13th March. She
brings 62 passengers, and 97,234 in specie. The
Africa landed 66 sacks mails and seven passengers,
and proceeded immediately. All well.
She experienced easterly weather during her
passage.

(Via Roche's Point.)
NEW YORK, March 1 (Evening).

General Meade's army crossed the Rapidan on
Saturday (27th ult.), moving in the direction of
Ilichmond.

It is rumoured that a large Federal cavalry force
is operating in Lee's rear.
Confederate telegrams to the 25th nit. assert that
General Sherman's advance had reached the Pearl
River on its return to Vicksburg.
The Federal cavalry from Memphis were unable
to form a junction with General Sherman. They
penetrated to West Point, where an engagement
ensued, the Federals retreating to Memphis with
the loss of three guns. During the retreat the Con-
federates seriously harassed the Federal rear.
General Longstreet is still retreating towards
Virginia.
The Federal repulse in Florida is confirmed.
They fell into an ambuscade, and after a three
hours• engagement they retreated on Jacksonville,
with the loss of 1,200 men and 5 guns. The Con-
federates advanced to Baldwin, which they were
preparing to attack.

The Federals were entrenched six miles from
Jacksonville.

The loan bill reported on by the committee of
ways and means has passed the House of Repre-
sentatives.

The draft is ordered to take place in New York
on March 10.

The Bremen has arrived out.
(By Telegraph to Halifax.)
NEW YORK, March 3 (Morning).

General Meade's forward movement was a feint
to cover a cavalry raid by Kilpatrick in General
Lee's rear.

Kilpatrick is moving in the direction of Rich-
mond, thereby cutting General Lee's railroad and
telegraphic communications, and he has instruc-
tions to attempt to release the Federal prisoners at
Richmond.

It is reported that General Butler is making a
co•operation movement against Richmond by way
of the peninsula.
Nothing authentic is known of the movements of
General Sherman, Southern journals report that
on the 22d he was near Tombigbee River. Bishop
Polk has retired across the Tombigbee River, ready
to attack Sherman if he crossed.
Southern advices to the 27th ult. assert that the
Federals had been repulsed before Dalton, and had
retreated beyond Tunnel Hill towards Chicka-
mange.

The Federal repulse in Florida is confirmed.
Admiral Farragut bombarded Fort Powell, Mo-
bile, on the 23d.

In the Senate the ap2ointment of General Grant
ae lieutenant-general has been confirmed.
Money easy; gold 601 per cent. prem.
NEW YORK, March 3 (Evening).

Bishop Polk reports that on the 23d Gen. Sher-
man was retreating from Meridian in two columns
towards Vicksburg.
The Free State ticket has been elected in
Louisiana. •

Instructions have been received by the American
consul at St. John's to procure the extrauition of the
Chesapeake pirates.

The Canada has arrived at Halifax.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW YORK, March 1 (Evening).

Money easy—gold, 59-I- per cent. prem. Exchange
on London, 1743—0 n Paris, 3.23. Stocks quiet.
New York Central, 135;1—Illinois shares, 1332—
Erie, 114; 6 per Cent United States Bonds, 1101.
Cotton heavy. Middling Upland, 79c. 'to 80c. Pe-
troleum—crude, 271 to 29I—refined, 471 to 491.
NEW YORK, March 3 (Evening).

Money:easy. Gold has advanced in consequence
of the war rumours, and is now quoted 611 per cent.
prem. Exchange on London, 176—0 n Paris, 3.171.
Stocks firm, and advancing. Now York Central,
:36 —lllinois, 1341—Erie, 117-6 per Cent. United
States Bonds, 1114. Cotton steady. Middling Up-
land, 782. Flour and wheat advancing. Corn dull.
Provisions steady. Coffee dull. Sugar very firm.
Molasses inactive. Petroleum slightly firmer;
crude, 281 to 30—refined, 471 to 50.

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY AND THE
LATE JUDGMENT.—The Primate has addressed the follow-
ing letter to the Rev. W. H. Trendell, of Tan-y-Bwlch,
Carnarvon "Lambeth Palace, S., March 4.
"Dear Sir,—l• wish it to be generally understood that,
in assenting to the reversal of the judgment of Dr. Lush-
ington on the subject of eternal punishment in the case of
Mr. Wilson, I did so solely on technical grounds, inasmuch
as the charge against him on this point was so worded that
I did not think it could be borne out by the facts.
"The eternity of punishment rests, according to my
mind, on the same ground as the eternity of blessedness ;
they must both stand or fall together; and the Church of
England, as I maintain, holds both doctrines clearly and
decidedly. "Believe me yours faithfully, ,

" C. T. CANTUAR."

Loss OF THE LIVERPOOL AND NEW YORK PACKET
SHIP LUCY THOMPSON.—LIVERPOOL, Saturday.—
By the arrival of the mail steamer China on Monday last we
received accounts of the arrival at New York of several
ships from this side of the Channel in a very crippled con-
dition in consequence of the fearful gales which swept the
Atlantic in the early and middle parts of the last month.
This morning a telegram was received here by Messrs.
Galeb, Grimshaw and Co., the American emigration
agen.ts, of whose line the Lucy Thompson was one, stating
that the French barque Deo Cegnate had put into that port
and just landed eighteen of the crew of the ill-fated
American vessel. The crew were at once communicated
with by telegram, and the results of the inquiries are as fol-
lows :—The Lucy Thompson, under the command of Capt.
Crocker, with a full manned ship of forty-eight men, left
New York for Liverpool on the 16th of February last. A
few days after leaving New York the vessel encountered
very severe weather, the sea frequently sweeping the decks.
The storm, or series of storms, continued with unabated
fury. and some days prior to the 23d ult., when the vessel
was abandoned, the ship had been making water rapidly,
having no doubt sprung a leak, and when Captain Crocker
and his crew left her—both commander and crew being
much exhausted by exposure and working the pumps—she
had six feet of water in her hold, When the vessel wes
abandoned she was 800 miles to the westward of Cape Clear.
The crew were picked up by the Deo Cognate and the T.
M. Mills, the latter ship proceeding to New York with the
remainder of the crew, while, as we before stated, the Deo
Cognate landed eighteen at Queenstown this morning. A
rumour was prevalent hero this afternoon, stated to be
founded on the strength of a telegram from Queenstown,
that Captain Crocker was killed, whilst another says that
he was drowned. The Lucy Thompson was owned in New
York by Messrs. Thompson and Nephews, and was a 1,575
ton ship. We understand that the vessel was partly, if not
wholly, insured.
THE EXHIBITION OF MULREADY'S PICTURES
which was opened to the public on Saturday, at the South
Kensington Museum, will be free on the same days as the
Museum, i,e., Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays, from
10 a,m. till p.m. On Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fri-
days, from 10 a m. till 5 p in., the fee of sixpence is de-
manded. The collection is placed in two of the upper rooms,
close to the Sheepshanks Gallery. One of these rooms con-
tains about 120 oil pictures; the other about 250 frames,
containing probably nearly 1,000 sketches and studies on
paper, either with water colour, pen and ink, pencil, black,
white, and led chalks, on white or coloured papers. Among
the studies is a large number of the famous drawings from
the life, made in the Royal Academy and elsewhere, which,
as examples of the knowledge the artist possessed of form
and of the means by which he acquired that knowledge,
leave nothing to be desired; as works of Art these stand
foremost of their kind.—Athemetnit.

MR. CHARLES KEAN.—We regret to state that
the overland mail which arrived on Saturday night
brings intelligence that Mr. Charles Kean had been suffer-
ing from a serious illness. At one time some fears were
entertained as b his recovery; but letters received from
Mrs. Kean, dated Jan. 22, state that her gifted husband
was then or t of danger. The illness of Mr. Kean has, how•
ever, put an end to his engagements in Australia, the doc-
tors being unanimous in recommending that so soon as he
can be removed with safety he must leave Sydney for
the Mauritius. This would be a step in the direction
homewards, it having been Mr. Kean's original intention
to return to England IT the overland route.
DEATH OF SAM COWELL. Thiel well-known
comedian and comic vocalist expired on Friday evening, at
Blandford, in Dorset, from consumption. Deceased; who
WO 43 year leas left large family.

The Loss of the Bohemian,

--~----.

Papers received by the Hibernian give additional
particular respecting the evidence adduced at the
inquest which was held upon the bodies of some of
the unfortunate passengers who were drowned
through the wreck of the Montreal ocean steamship
Bohemian, which took place in Caseo Bay, off the
shore of Celia Elizabeth, on the 22d of February
last. Washington Stetson, a pilot on the steamer
Montreal, of the Portland and Boston line, said
they passed the Bohemian on the night of the dis•
aster, at about eight o'clock. She was apparently
heading north-east, and he thought she was farther
to the westward than she ought to be. She fired
rockets and blue lights, as was customary when
waiting for a pilot. He thought the Bohemian was
a mile and a half outside of them, and they were
about half a mile from the Cape. She appeared to
be going ahead very slowly. He thought, from
her position, she could see the cape lights, but, as
there was a haze or vapour in the atmosphere, the
lights looked further off than they really were. Had
she fired a gun they would have supposed her in
distress, as they considered her to be too near the
shore. Capt. Borland, the commander of the ill-
fated ship, stated that shortly after seven o'cicck on
the evening of the disaster he saw Cape Elizabeth
lights, and judged that they were about eight miles
from land ; but, as the weather was hazy, he went
slow and then dead slow. Having put look-outs
upon the forecastle and aloft, he went below for the
purpose of consulting his chart, it being then about
eight o'clock. He subsequently went on deck, and
just as he did so the vessel struck on the Alden's
Rock. Shortly after the ship struck the engineer
reported that she was making water very fast, and
he ordered full steam to be put on, and directed
her head for the shore, for the purpose of beach-
ing her, She had not run ten minutes, however,
before the fires were drowned out. The anchors
were let go, and the boats got in readiness to save
the passengers. When the latter saw that the
boats were being lowered, they rushed towards them
with frantic eagerness, and filled the boats before
they reached the water, the consequence of which
was that confusion prevailed, and the boat belonging
to the chief officer was swamped while being lowered
and those in her fell into the sea. The various offi-
cers behaved with steadiness, and stood to thefr
boats, endeavouring to drive the frightened pas-
sengers out of them until they were safely lowered,
but they had great difficulty in so doing. The diffi-
culty of saving the passengers was greatly increased
through the thick fog which prevailed. When the
boats were pushed off, the captain, boatswain, three
of the crew, and seventy or eighty of the pas-
sengers were left on board. Fifty of the women and
children were got into the foretop, the water
being then over the forecastle head. Although
some of the boats were not full, the crew refused to
pull alongside and take any more, and No. 2 boat
was swamped. After a lapse of three hours two
boats came back to the wreck, when the remaining
passengers were safely got to land. The captain,
upon reaching the shore, turned his attention to
see that tl.e passengers were housed and cared for.
Captain Edward Stone, of Kennebunk, who was on
board the Bohemian when she struck, gave evi-
dence upon that paint, and also a rather curious
opinion as to what he considered " interference"
with. the captain of the vessel. He had no con-
versation with Captain Borland respecting the
danger they were in, although he did express his
tears to Captain Wells, one of the passengers ; to
which Captain Wells replied that the commander
knew where he was best. He (Captain Stone) did
not consider it to be his duty to advise Cap-
tain Borland. "He would not have told the
captain if he had known for certain that she was
going on to the rocks, as it was not his place. He
would rather run the risk of his life and those of
the passengers." He was not surprised when she
struck, as he heard some one say he saw the buoy
ten minutes before. The other part of Captain
Stone's testimony agreed with that of the captai❑
of the vessel in regard to what was done after she
struck, and the effoets made to save the passengers.
He thought one or two of the boats ought to have
taken more passengers, as they were not full, or
rescued some of the drowning. He assisted in get-
ting out the boats, and retrained on board until the
last boat left. It was about half tide, and, if it
had been one hour later she would have gone
over the rock without touching. He did not see
either officers or men under the , influence of
iquor during the voyage. Mr. Trocks, the first
officer of the Bohemian, testified that he was on
deck at the time the lights were made, when they
were steering N.W. by W., and changed their course
to N, and N. by E. and ran that course half an hour
before she struck. The engines worked about 15
minutes, but he could not tell how far she went
before she sank. The cause of losing so many pas-
sengers from No. 2 boat was that one end was let
down suddenly, throwing the passengers out.
Ropes and ladders were thrown out, but the passen-
gers seemed too much exhausted to make any effort
to save themselves. A boat came round, but could
do little to save them on account of the swell.

The jury returned a verdict to the effect that
the sinking of the Bohemian was " caused by
her collision with Alden's Rock at about eight
o'clock on the evening of the 22d of February,
when running at the rate of one and one half
to two and two arid a half knots per hour. The
collision was owing, Ist, to an error in the judg-
ment of Captain Borland as to the distance from
Cape Elizabeth lights, which were then visible;
2d, that, even had thR steamer been where Captain
Borland supposed her to be, it would have been a
course of wisdom and caution to have taken a more
eastward direction than he did take, till Portland
tight was made; 3d, that said collision would not
probably have occurred had there been a bell-boat
on Alden's Rock ; 4th, that though the weather was
mild and calm, and two steamers were overdue,
while another was expected, the pilot employed by
the owners of the line was not in a position to
observe the signals made by the steamer. Most of
the passengers were drowned, thirty in all, in con-
sequence of the swamping of a boat while
launched. A boat, known as No. 6, left the
ship when but partially filled with passengers,
And, though repeatedly ordered back by the
officers, refused to return, and this refusal con-
tributed to increase the loss of life." The jurors add
that, "after the steamer struck, every officer con-
nected waS at his, post, and officers and men worked
with energy and good judgment rarely equaled,
and never surpassed, to avoid the loss of life, and to
secure the passengers from threatened death. The
Steamship Company are specially worthy of com-
mendation for their efforts for the recovery of the
bodies of the drowned, and in defraying the ex
penses connected thereupon; and the Steamship
Company, the Board of Trade, and citizens of Port-
land and the citizens of Cape Elizabeth have been
must earnest and untiring in their efforts to relieve
the sufferings of those around, and to forward them
to their several destinations."
When the Hibernian left the Bohemian was still
firmly fixed on a rock, with from 30 to 50 feet of
water under the bow and s' ern, the centre of the
vessel only touching. The arrangements were nearly
ready for raising her, and the wreckers were confi-
dent of success.

INCREASE OF PAY TO THE METROPOLITAN POLICE.
—On Saturday a notice was issued to the Metro-
politan Police, signed by Sir Richard Mayne, stating that
at his recommendation Sir George Grey had sanctioned an
increase of pay to some of the men of the above force. The
notice has already given great dissatisfaction to tho ser-
geants, who will only receive 2s per week more than the
first class constables. At present there are 800 sergeants
receiving 24s 61 per week, and out of this number 130 are
to be raised to 25s 6a per week. The other alterations are
500 moo, who joined in the year 1842, are to receive 22s per
week ; 2,688, 21a. ; 700, 20s ; and 400, 193 per week. Upoi
an average each sergeant has to pay weekly 2s 64 per week
to tha widows of deceased sergeants, while a constable only
pays one penny to the widow of a dead constable ; so that,
by this alteration, in many cases a sergeant will receive
sixpence less per week than a first class constable. The
sergeants who are to be raised the shilling per week are to
be principally those that are engaged in the duties of acting
inspectors. All men who now join the policy are told that
they will have to be in the force 30 years before they are
entitled to a pension. Formerly it was 15 years they had
t 9 serve before they ceahl claim their Peutiim.