The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-04 00:00:00

tfjt

_-7 111" t

LONDON, FRIDAY, SEPT. 4, 1863.

The treatment of little children in this our own
country is fast becoming one of the most bitter
anxieties to every true philanthropist. Never in
any age or in any land was child-murder known to
be so frequently perpetrated. One of the last, as
it was also one of the most laudable, acts of the
late Mr. THOMAS DUNCOMBE—for so many years
the independent representative of the great metro-
olitan borough of Finsbury—was the procuring of
return (duly laid upon the table of the House of
Commons shortly before the death of the hon.
member who bad asked for it)—an appalling return,
comprising within it a lamentable catalogue
of the infanticides brought to light within
the two or three years then last past—
infanticides perpetrated in London alme or in its
immediate neighbourhood. Since that return was
issued, the frequency of this miserable crime has
in no perceptible degree diminished. Coroners'
inquests have been holden just as frequently as ever

to inquire into the cause of the death of new-born
infants, whose remains have been still dis-
covered at rapid intervals in all kinds of
likely or unlikely places of concealment. Child
murder indeed has of late years become so rife
here in this metropolis, that the question has
arisen whether it might not after all be ad% isable to
adopt the humane contrivance of the bell and turn-
table so long attached to the porches Des Maisons
des Enfants Trouves in France—to adopt that
humane contrivance here in England at the very
time when it is beginning to drop into desuetude
on the continent.

Another system long established among the
labouring classes of the French population, benevo-
lent observers in this country have yet more ear-
nestly hoped might some day be adopted here in
England—to the certain and immediate diminution
of a very large amount of infant mortality caused by
the injudicious administration of soporific draughts
such as the notorious " DAFFY'S Elixir." In Sir
FRANCIS HEAD'S delightful volume of gossip about
Franca and the French people, but principally
about Paris and the Parisians, a work oddly
titled "A Faggot of French Sticks," there may be
found a very graphic and charming description of
one of those same useful and beneficent institutions
now, and for some years past, in full opera-
tion,
daily, in various parts of the French
capital. Day-homes, they may be described as being,
for children-in-arms whose mothers are engaged,
from sunrise to sundown, in the workshops of Paris,
earning their livelihood. At these benevolent
establishments, usually presided over and tended
throughout the day by a &Nur de la Charite, the
toiling mothers, early of a morning, on their way
to their daily labours, leave their little infants in
the care of the good nuns or matrons—leave them
there to be cherished and nurtured until those
mothers shall return for them towards nightfall:
and all this for some fractional amount of money per
week; just suncient, indeed, to pay for the food,
rent, and firing required upon the respective
institutions. None of those deleterious drugs con-
sequently are the Parisian mothers tempted to admi-
nister, none of those baneful drugs administered only
too frequently by hardworking mothers here in
London—drugs employed amongst the latter to
hush into an unnatural quietude--repeatedly re-
sulting in death—the " little hindering thing," ac-
cording to an exquisite phrase applied by
GERALD MASSEY to en infant child over whose
death he is lamenting.
Immeasurably worse, however, than the infant
mortality caused hero in England, either uninten--
tcoally by the incautious administration of an over-
dose of "DAFFY'S Elixir," or designedly by the
fiendish perpetrators of the crime of infanticide—
immeasurably unutterablyworse than the actual mor-
tality thus caused among the chili-population, are
the dreadful
tional part
or I
hrnngs affecting one most afflicted sec-
et population, wrongs that, during
these last few weep,
nobly ventured :tour leading contemporary has
Only to touch upon, but boldly
to stigmatise and
ehprobate with a scorn and
eloquence not unworthy
oof the limes. Dreadful
wrongs these e -re, only requiring, here,
to be glanced eft—wrongs f tvief°l
thus casually
d infamy, here of
loathsome disease inherited,
here of individual
profanation.
_ _

Reflecting, in this wise, upon how it
has long since come to pass that so many
-
tender innocents are being dealt
with here
in England, here in London, the thought recurs
to us of the fiery tempest poured down centu-
ries back noon the cities ofi the plain, and
we yearn at I east for some tardy effort being at
length made with a view to the diminution of

those frequent. tarceitics by a vigorous interposition
on the part of the Legislature. The mere publica-
tion of a return of the nunabe? of uflntivides, within
a given time, in and about the
neighbc;urhood of
the metropolis, is as nothing. It is simply and
purely a preliminary proceeding. It should lead
to something else of a really practical character
with the intention of at least striving thereby to
bring about an appreciable diminution in the number
of infanticides, Mr. DUNCOMBE, who moved for the
return alluded to, has unhappily passed away
from amongst WS. Another must follow up the
good work, he was in this particular quite
evidently meditating. Is there no *one amongst all
the members of the House of commons, is there no
one especially amongst our metropolitan represen-
tatives. who will take up the matter where the late
member for Finsbury 1 eft it, and who will next

session plead in the Legislature for the more
effectual protection by the law of the lives, of the
bodies, of the souls of little children ?
A hideous revelation like that which has but
just now startled the inhabitants of London
" down east " into a reconsideration of this
dreadful frequency of infanticide in the metro-
polis—the discovery of the broken eoffins and
mutilated remains, of the mouldering bones
and raiment of a whole cluster of little children,
whose debris have been found festering in a heap
upon the roof of Whitechapel Church—a hideous
revelation like this ought surely at last to close the
legislative apathy in regard to a peculiar •class of
crime, a class of crime here, in one sense, most re-
luctantly alluded to ! Crimes that demand the
most stringent application of the law with a view
to their prevention or diminution, while perpetually
crying to HZAVEN for vengeance upon their per-
petrators.

The oonclusion of the Frankfort Congress makes
one reflect as to what has been done by all this stir
and commotion, this gathering of princes and as-
semblage of potentates. It would be ungracious
to say that no good has been effected, while at the
same time it would be untrue to declare that more
practical benefits might not have been gained.
The future Directory is settled to consist of six
voices. Some of the plans seem reasonable enough,
but, as usual, some objections were taken to the libe-
ral tendency that prevailed. The Grand Duke of
BADEN and otherprinces made several reservations.
These princes seem determined that it shall not be
their fault if reform gains the day, and enlightened
principles prevail in some measure over those long
in vogue. It is strange that people can be so blind
to the signs of the times, and put themselves, as it
were, out of communion with those who look to
them for help in the great work of progress now
exciting the minds of all civilised communities,
spirit
rit of and
the
identifying itself, as it were, h
age. At the close of the Conference, the Emperor
of AUSTRIA proposed the formation of a Committee
for the purpose of examining the protocols. The
Congress proceeded to elect six members for this
Committee, and fixed upon the King of SAXONY,
the Urand Dukes of BADEN and MECKLENBURG
SCHWERIN, the Elector of HESSE, the Duke of
SAYE COBURG GOTHA, and Dr. HALLER, the Bur-
gomaster of Hamburg. Unfortunately, the mem-
bers of the Committee could not come to an under-
standing, and therefore the final consideration of
the revised form could not be considered, as was
proposed on Monday. There is, doubtless, consider-
able truth in the reports afloat that the Emperor's
patience is severely put to the test by the conduct
of some of those debaters in the assembly. They
seem to ignore the purpose for which they have
been assembled, and to shut their eyes to the fact
that if they are to consider all their own fancies,
and seek only the furtherance of their pet projects,
they might as well, indeed they had much
better, have remained at home. It is idle
to come to a great national assembly intent en
private aggrandisement, sad inflated with pecu-
liar prejudices. Unless every one is willing and
able to sink personal pique, and to put aside parti-
cular views to attain general advantages, no meeting
can ever prosper, and the details and discussions
will end in smoke. " Self-denial" is not a pleasant
thing, but it is a very necessary one sometimes, and
those Princes who now abhor its mention may
hereafter bitterly regret their lost chances and
missed opportunities. One thing the EMPEROR
holds fast to, and it is not to be wondered at—he
will not relinquish the right of being at the head of
the Uerman Confederation. This is not a matter
of surprise, and, indeed, he can hardly be called to
account for his persistence, since Austria has more
claims to respect and regard at present than Prus-
sia. In other things the-august proposer of the
scheme has not shown himself unwilling to make
sacrifices, if they are such as may conduce to the
benefit of the Germans, and help to' maintain a
spirit of unity. There is great doubt existing with
regard to the question of Ministerial Conferences.
It is rumoured that Prussia will not immediately
agree to their errangements, but later on may bring
forward counter propositions. It is hardly likely
1 that King WILLIAM will have the sense, the deci-
sion, and the courage to dismiss M. BISMA.RK ; but
if he should do so, and propose a series of resolu-
tions that would offer more liberty to the States,
and give the people a truer representation, he might
yet gain the prestige for himself of being the re,
generator of the freedom of his country, and of those
contiguous States whose interests are so identical,
and whose mutual influence is so considerable for
good or for evil. It is an opportunity not to be lost
by one who would distinguish himself now, and
acquire a renown that should survive in enduring
lustre hereafter. It is to be feared that the present
ruler of Prussia has not the discernment to behold.
the necessity, nor the discretion to adopt such a
course. The general state of affairs is not altogether
as it ought to be. A reflective people like the
Germans, one would imagine, would not find
so much
difficulty in arriving at a solu-
tion of political enigmas as they have uni-
versally done. If, as has been feared in some
quarters,
some princes refuse
te to
theirsig sign
otwhoe
sohprotocol,jeets
they will be exhibiting
their inefficiency and unwillingness to meet half-
way, in any scheme for reform, and they will
also demonstrate to Europe that pretentious as-
surance and determined self-will may mar the
best .constructed plans, and render void the efforts
of Statesmen and the counsels of Preine agreedces. The
he
to
Grand Duke, it has been intimated, h
his Government joining any Ministerial Confer.
ences, on condition that both the Great Powers
agree to take part in them. This is making a
loophole for escape, since grave suspicions are
entertained that such an event will not take place.
It is a pity that Princes and Statesmen in gene-
ral should thus delude and deceive themselves.
If they can outwit this reformer, and manoeuvre to
upset this scheme of progress, they think they have
achieved a great success. Experience will show
them very different things, and the page of history,
if they read it aright, would instruct far other-
wise. It has attested through many a deathless
age how often legislators have erred, and monarchs
have mistaken their vocation in smothering the
incipient signs of reformation, For the storm has
burst, and in the cowmen ruin neither sceptre or
crown has been spared to survive the wreck. It
is the true wisdom that can appreciate the neces-
sity for a change, and at once set to work to
make it.

The cause
gentleman -
0,,
meteorologic-1.1 science is likely to
derive much
SHER. That valuable assistance from Mr. GLAl-
has, by repeated experi-
ments, effected at the
cost of some risk and hard-
ship, made a series
of observations, whose results
are calculated to afford important service. We
have of late years learned to appreciate more highly
science. Thanksledge has t o
the practical utility of this s •
Admiral FITZROY, meteorological knowledge
proved of immense benefit to our mariners and
fishermen. The seaman, no longer dependent on
his " weather eye" for judging the fluctuations of
the weather, may consult the gliss, and avoid
those sudden and disastrous storms which so
often quench the light in a humble home.
Time was when meteorology was looked upon

as one of the most purposeless and profitless of
studies by many persons, who are now startled to
find winds and waves confirming the auguries of
the man of science. But Mr. GLAISHER would ex-
tend its range even further. He employs a new
ttehrems,e;e‘
naneer.ia I
He says—""
T,"otoatsyepenifdy
a 'Pocket into the regions of the upper atmosphere
vheirstihcraalnlyehli keef
—to test n
str
um e nptesr, s o
then a I ly,
smallestand
taiiodnsofinthethneicaesirt
i
anadoet, withempe a circular
temperature—to sail
horizonail around of almost
illimitable at will in
space,
blconflictingte varia-
tililoinmsitoafae
day's extent—to
wea v
t he
irewexthhiebi d in their rise,
progress, and subsidence—to be present among
the hidden influences which direct the meteoro-
logy of a day on the earth, and to see them un-
rolled, is bringing a new faculty to bear, making
a new opening for study in the science of meteo-
rology." The risks attending such a mode of
locomotion he considers have been exaggerated.
In all modes of transit, he observes, there is some
danger ; accident and occasional loss of life are
inseparable attendants on every mode of, locomo-
tion ; and while the average number of disasters
in aerial ascents is not so greatly in excess of
those attending excursions by other means, he
complains that every single catastrophe that has
ever occurred to an aeronaut has been carefully
registered, without regard to the numerous aerial
voyages accomplished without any accident what-
ever. He cautions prudence, however, and know-
ledge of one's business—two qualifications indis-
pensable alike to the safety of charioteers, engine-
drivers, and helmsmen. A timid, imprudent, or
incapable aeronaut puts himself and his compa-
nions in undeniable jeopardy. " Mr. CoxwELL,"
says Mr. GLAISHER, " admiral of his own craft,
is the high atmosphere, seated in his basket vessel,
with his grapnel at his side, I hold as worthy of
confidence as any admiral in England to con-
duct his fleet." The experience and judgment
of so accomplished an aeronaut are not, however, to
be attained in a day, and it is to be hoped that the
late melancholy accident, which resulted in the
death of Mr. CHAMBERS, will prove a caution
against similar needless attempts.
The interesting account given by Mr. GLAISHER
of his ascent last April from the Crystal Palace ex-
emplifies some of the dangers of aerial navigation.
An hour and eighteen minutes after starting, the
aeronauts were four miles high. But, in descend-
ing, Mr. COXWELL'S experience suggested that
they might have been travelling along more quickly
than they supposed, and he deemed it advisable to
descend until the earth was again visible. He
opened the valve freely, and they came down at the
rate of a mile in three minutes. When they were
still 10,000 feet from the earth, Mr. GLAISHER, who
was busy with his instruments, heard Mr. COXWELL
suddenly exclaim, " What's that ?" He might well
be startled, for the sight which he saw was no other
than Beachy Head, betokening that they were close
to the sea, and could barely save themselves. Mr.
GLAISHER tells us that he looked over the car and
the sea seemed to be under them. " There is not a
moment to spare," cried his companion ; " leave the
instruments." We may fancy the keen regret with
which the man of science obeyed these instructions,
not only forfeiting his observations, but losing his
instruments, which were nearly all broken by the
rapidity of their descent. Thanks to the bold and
decided course adopted by Mr. CoxwELL, the dan-
ger was averted, the balloon descending at New-
haven, close to the sea, only four minutes the time,
when at an attitude of 10,000 feet Mr. COXWELL
first caught sight of Beachy Head. Mr. GLAISHER
describes the singularity of the effect produced by
their hasty down-coming : the earth appearing to
be coming up to them. On a subsequent expedition,
starting from the same spot, Mr. GLAISHER made
some valuable observations respecting the peculiari-
ties of a rainfall, the causes which regulate it, the
correctness of the suggestions which have been
already made respecting its variations, the tem-
perature of the surrounding atmosphere, and other
interesting experiments. Unfortunately his obser-
vations on this occasion were cut short by an
untoward accident, which compelled him to defer
the solution of several perplexities until another
voyage. The reason of this delay Mr. GLAISHER
professed himself to be almost ashamed to give, and
truiy it may well temper the pride and self-conceit
of humanity, possibly unduly elevated by the tri-
umphant researches of science, to
,receive positive
evidence of the malice and contemptible wickedness
that can disfigure man's nature. Some miscreant
had cut the balloon with a knife previous to the
ascent, and consequently Mr. COXWELL suddenly
detected a large rent in it which compelled their
descent. The public will be shocked and disgusted
to learn from Mr. GLAISHER that this is no isolated
event, for that Mr. GREEN had a still narrower
escape many years since, and he denounces it as a
danger to which all aeronauts are liable. Such
criminals, if they could be detected, ought to be
treated with the greatest severity, and we trust
that on future occasions a sharp watch will be kept.
The perils of aerial navigation are great enough in
the present state of experience and science without
supperadding a peril which might endanger any
traveller. The manner in which Mr. GLAISHER
describes the impression left on his mind by his
aerial flights is most instructive and startling. We
meet with none of the boastful arrogance too com-
mon among successful savans. We find none of the
materialistic train of thought which sometimes
mars the lessons of scientific explorers. In launch-
ing into the vast regions of the upper world, in
voyaging through the illimitable pathways of space,
chlal e a t manio n
dominant
yet the sense of Infinity grows upon the mortal travel.
ler, the existence of an unseen Power makes itself
felt through the harmony of the universe. The
abi
of science who has first recorded his ex-
perience describes himself as a hard-working prac-
tical man, used
feeling, t
then
o s
e logical
sense
noteof awe
curiosity
nd
as andt o sublimity
exact
results cv
va
oal -
uor
triumph in successful achievements. " I believe
it," he says,
be
Can
the knowledge" to o f
the RiEnAtTelolßec,taanadl
an
n
involuntary
faith acknowledging the immortality of the soul."

CT COURT-MARTIAL AT ST. GEORGE'S
district DIBARRACKS,STR
court-martialwas TRAFALGAR-St
commencedpreferratdthe above barracks,
lat Battalionofu of Grenadier
Major t o in
Charlesi inquire into
Fletcher,certain
theges against Sergeant
potradincslGa as-
Guar !s, regimental clerk. The followin ccers composed
the court :—Lieut.-Col. Stanley (president),
coyuc, Jarrett, Hon. Douglas Pennant, and La
Hamilton, and Lieut. Trotter. The Hon. Capt. Sackvillede
prosecuted on the part of the regiment, and Mr. Smythe,
solicitor, of Rochester. row, defended the prisoner.. Th
following is a slim wary of the charges for the inv,stigation
of which the court-martial was appointed: "For disgrace-
ful conduct in having at different times, as stated below,
when employed as regimental clerk to the Grenadier
Guards, at London, embezzled or fraudulently misapplied
sums of public money amounting to £415, or thereabout,
obtained by means of cheques on tha recruiting acconnt of
the Grenadier Guards—namely, £35 by means of a cheque
for £6O, payable to himself or order, on account of various
recruiting sergeants, on or about the Ist of February, 1860."
The other items of fraud and embezzlement were stated, the
entire deficiency amounting to the above sum. The pri-
soner, who at the commencement of the proceedings was
asked what he had to say to the charge, by the advice of
his solicitor, pleaded guilty. He said he had been led to the
commission of the offence by gambling and drink. Evidence
of previous good character having been given, the court
deliberated
be
don their judgment, which it was announced
forwarded to the military authorities for confir-
mation.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTLR'S TELEGRAMS.)

SPAIN,
THE SPANISH ELECTIONS.

MADRID, SEPT. 4.
A denial has been given to the rumours of a
Ministerial crisis.

It is said that Senor Olozaga is opposed to the
policy of abstaining from voting at the elections.

FRANCE.
THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT AND THE
PRIVATEER FLORIDA.

PARIS, SEPT. 4.

The Moniteur of this morning says :—" The pri-
vateer Florida, sailing under the Confederate flag,
has entered Brest to repair damages. Her meet);
tion was in accordance with the ordinary principles
of international law. At the opening of the war
the Emperor's Government, in accord with other
Powers, recognised the Confederates in the cha•
racter of belligerents, and declared its intention of
observing a strict neutrality between the two
parties. In like cases it is the right as well as the
duty of neutrals to permit the vessels of belligerents
to procure themselves means, not for fighting pur-
poses, but for navigation. It has, therefore, been
decided that the Florida could be permitted to pro-
cure all that was indispensable to maintain her in
a good and navigable state, without being able to
make purchases tending to recruit her armament of

war."

BOURSE, Sept. 2.—The market has again be-
come buoyant, and a good amount of business has
been done at improved quotations, Threes, for the
Account, being ❑uw firm at 69f. sc. The Railway
Share Market has been equally well supported, and
prices are up to this time generally higher. The
market closed as follows :

it per Cents .. 98
Do. end month....
3 per Cents ...... 68 90
Do. end month.... 69 05
Credit Mobilier....l2lB 75
Do. end m0nth....1217 50
Bank Shares 3385
Credit / oneier l4OO

RA IL.

Italian Loan 74 05
Do. end month 74 10
Kew ditto
Do. end month 74
Russian
Austrian
Spanish Threes —
Home Debt

rAYB.

Cash. Account.
Orleans lO4O .. 1045
Northern .... 996 25 .. 1000
-New ditto ............ : . • Lyons and Mediterranean 1047 50 .. 1050
Geneva 493 75 ..
Southern 750 .. 745
Western ......
Eastern ....
Sardinian 428 75 , . 425
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa .. 687 50 .. 690
Ditto to Barcelona .... ' '

Lord Russell and the Steam-rams in the

Mersey.

The following answer to the memorial on the
subject of the steam-41ms 'n the Mersey, addressed
by the Emancipation Society to Earl Russell, was
received last evening :

"Foreign-office, Aug. 31, 1863.

" Gentlemen,—l have received your letter, calling my
attention to a subject of very grave and pressing importance
—namely, the fitting out and equipping of two powerful
iron-plated steam-rams, which you are informed are in-
tended to commit hostilities against the Government and
people of the United States of America.
"My attention has long been directed to this subject.
Both the Treasury and the Home Department have, at my
request, made the most anxious inquiries upon the subject
of these steam-rams.

"You are aware that, by the Foreign Enlistment Act, a
ship is liable to be detained, and its owners are subject to
penalties, when the ship is armed or equipped for purposes
of war, and its owners intend to use it against some State or
community in friendship with her Majesty. It, is necessary
to prove both the equipment and the intention. But in
order to prove the equipment and the intention it is neces-
sary for conviction in a British court of justice to have the
evidence of credible witnesses. I was in hopes, when I began
to read your memorial, that you would propose to furnish
me with evi lence to prove that the steam-rams in question
were intended to carry on hostilities against the Govern-
ment and people of the United States of America ; but you
make no proposal of the sort, and only tell me that you are
informed' so and so, and ' it is believed' so and so.

" You must be aware, however, that, according to British
law, prosecutions cannot be set on foot upon the ground of
the violation of the Foreign Enlistment Act without affida-
vits of credible witnesses, as in other cases of important
misdemeanours and crimes.

" Such, likewise, is the law in the United States of
America.

" I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient
humble servant, RUSSELL.
"Messrs. Evans, Taylor, Malleson, and Chesson."

A LADLE-PULL OP PUNCH.

Apropos to the last " JOB at the Foreign Office," says
Punch, "And so Sir James Hudson is choked off to be
superseded by an Elliot I It is a wonder that Earl Russell
is not tired of finding places for the Elliots, of whom there
are so many. He must be very patient. The continual
task of placing out those Elliots is enough to tire the patience
of JOB,"

A Curious Equestrian Feat—is gravely thus announced :
"A well.known licensed victualler the other day seen can-
tering up Rotton •row upon one of his own' Screws.' "
Under the head of "Hydrostatics; How to move a body
of Water," we are told, " go out into your garden, and drag
the pond from one end to the other 1 "
"RATTIER A KITCHENY WAY OF PUTTING IT."—John
Leech funnily illustrates, in reference to this underground
confabulation :—"liousemaid.—' Oh—but it couldn't a bin
'er "—" Cook.—' I tell yerit were—she called upon missus
this morning, and she 'ad on a Pork Pie 'at, and half a
pheasant stuck in it.' "

STREETS OF PARIS.—One of the sections of the
report of the committee on the nomenclature of the
Paris streets, just presented to the Prefect of the Seine,
refers to the different terms used to designate the public
thoroughfares according to their form, dimensions, situa-
tion, 'or importance. Thus the use of the w ord Square,
which had been adopted from the English, will be discon-
tinued, and that of Place in future applied to all open
spaces, whether planted as gardens, like the ground before
the Arts-et-Metiers and around the Tower of Saint-
Jacques; or left entirely open. The Barrieres no
longer existing, that word will be abandoned, as also
those of Route, Chemin, Sentier, Chemin de
Ronde, Allee, and Chaussee. The name of the Rue de
la Chaussee d'Antin, which is so universally known, caused
the committee to hesitate a little before deciding on the sup-
pression of the latter word. The name Chaussee-d'Antin
being applied not only to a street but also to a whole dis-
trict, the determination was come to, to preserve it for the
latter, as an exception, and restore to the street the name of
Mont-Blanc which it had previously borne. That street has
in fact often changed its name, and been successively
called Chemin de l'Egout-de-Gaillon, Chemin des Porche-
rons, Chemin de la Chaussee-d'Antin, Rue de l'Hotel-
Dieu, Rue de la Chaussee-d'Antin, Rue Mirabeau, -and
Rue du Mont-Blanc. The Empress Josephine occupied
the house No. 62, before her marriage with Gen. Bonaparte,
and Gen. Foy died in the same residence in 1825. Close
by was also the hotel of Cardinal Fesch. The use of the
word boulevard is also to be circumscribed. That term
generally signifies a rampart, and should only be applied to
roads which follow the line of the ancient fortifications, or
which at least run in a circular direction, and suppose
more of less the traces of an old municipal boundary. The
wide thoroughfares which traverse the city in an oblique di-
rection, or run from the centre to the circumference, are in
reality Avenues, The designation Boulevard as applied to
some of the transversal thoroughfares recently opened in the
centre of Paris will however be retained. The attention of
the committee has also been directed to the abuse of certain
names in the nomination of the streets or public places, not
less than 18 bearing the title of Eglise, 7 of de la Mairie,
16 that of Marie, and the words Notre Dame forming part
of the appellations of 16 others. Such a state of things call
loudly for reform, and will shortly be remedied.
FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT OFF THE ISLE OF MAN.
—A fatal accident happened in Douglas Bay, Isle of
Man, on Tuesday afternoon. Six young men, visitors, of
respectable connections, hired one of the slight rowing gigs
(named the Willie) which are let to persons desirous of
visiting the numerous picturesque little creeks which
abound in the neighbourhood of Douglas Bay. The
names of the young men are Henry Whiteside, of Liver.
pool; Henry Hollands, of Manchester; E. G. Henshaw, of
Shrewsbury ; Armstrong, of Ormskirk; Byers, of
Ormskirk; and J. S. Cooke, in the employ of Messrs. B.
Smith and Sons, Back-square, Manchester. At the time
they rowed out into the bay it was blowing a stiffish
breeze from the south west. They proceeded to the
northern part of the bay, opposite the Castle Mona Hotel,
which portion of the bay, under the influence of the wind
blowing from the quarter mentioned, is generally covered
with short chopping seas, peculiarly dangerous to small
rowing boat:, especially if they are manned by -inexpe-
rienced amateur boatmen, such as these were. They
were turning the little craft, scarcely broader than a plank,
with a view of returning towards the harbour, when,
caught by a wave, she swamped, and the six young men
were thrown struggling in the water. Their screams for
help attracted the notice of a Mr. J. P. Thomas, of Man-
chester, who was in a sailing boat about a hundred yards
from the scene of the disaster. He immediately steered
his boat towards the drowning men, five of whom were
endeavouring to keep their heads above water by means
of the oars, two being attached to one oar, while the other
scrambled on to their boat, which was turned bottom
upwards, but he was washed off three times, and as often
struggled back again. Mr. Thomas, with the aid of two
harbour boatmen, named William Kernan and John Todd,
who were in his boat, succeeded in picking up all the
young men except Whiteside, who sank within six minutes
after the accident, and did not riseag The unfortunate
young man, we are informed, was an assistant in the Liver-
pool branch of Messrs. Copestoke, Moore, Crampton, and
Co. _Liverpool Mercury.
MELANCHOLY CASE OF DROWNING AT LEEDS.—
Mr. Blackburn, borough coroner, held an inquest
on Wednesday, on the bodies of two boys, one of whom was
drowned whilst bathing, and the other in attempting to save
idle life of his companion. The names of the deceased were
Squire Broadbent, aged 13, and George Edward Shippen,
aged 12. On Tuesday evening they went to bathe in a re-
servoir adjoining Mr. Parker's mill at Hunslet, and when
they had been in a short time Broadbent went out of his
depth, and being unable to swim began to sink. Shippen,
who could swim, seeing that his companion was drown-
ing, dived in to his assistance. Unfortunately, he came
en contact with Broadbent before reaching the surface of
the water, and the drowning lad seized him and held him
so tightly that he was unable to liberate himself, and
both remained under water for some moments. At length
Broadbent rose to the surface, called out " Mother 1" and
sank. Immediately afterwards Shippen was seen. On
reaching the surface of the water he tried to swim, but was
completely exhausted, and went down after the companion
whom he had so bravely attempted to save. At that mo-
ment a young man named Joshua Watkinson, who lives) in
the neighbourhood, and who had dressed himself up for a
walk after his day's work, was informed that two lads were
drowning, and he ran to the reservoir, and without remov-
ing any of his clothes, jumped into the water. The bodies
of the deceased were found lying about a yard apart, but
Bee was quite extinct, The jury returned a verdict of acci-
dental death, and it was ordered that the reservoir should
be fenced off.—Leeds Mercury.
Gitoss SUPERSTITION.—In one of the streets of
Taunton there resides a man and his wife who have
the care of a child. This child was attacked with scarlatina,
end to all appearances death was inevitable. A jury of
matrons was, as it were, empanelled, and to prevent the
child "dying hard," all the doors in the house, all the
drawers, all the byes, all the cupboards, were thrown wide
open, the keys taken out, and the body of the child placed
under a beam, whereby a sure, certain, and easy passage
into eternity could be secured. Watchers held their vigils
throughout the weary night, and in the morning the child,
to the surprise of all, did not die, and is now gradually re-
covering.-- Bridgewater Mercury.
LAUNCH OF AN AUSTRALIAN PASSENGER STEAM-
VESSEL.—Yesterday afternoon, at five o'clock, a
splendid iron screw steam-vessel, named the Nutfield, was
launched from the premises of the builders, Messrs. James
Ash and Co., Isle of Dogs, Poplar, in the presence of a large
number of spectators. The ceremony of christening was
performed by MI s. Stewart, and after the launch the vessel
was removed into dock, to be fitted with her machinery
and boilers: previous to being forwarded to her owners in
Australia, where she will be used for river passenger traffic.
The Nutfield is 1,770 tons burtheia ; length, 215 feet; and
`breadth, 25 feet 6 inches.

Naval and Military Intelligence.

THE NAVY.

The following vessels have been chartered by the
Government for the conveyance of troops end stores
to India and the colonies, namely the Canning, 923
tons, and the Percy Douglas, 781 tons, for Bombay;
the Saladin, 865 tons, for Calcutta ; the John Bon-
field, 508 tons, for Hong Kong ; the Fontabelle,
537 tons, for the Cape of Good Hope; and the
Frances, 310 tons, for Trincomalee.

The French Imperial screw yacht Jerome Napo-
leon, Captain Da Boisson, at anchor off Ryde, Isle
of Wight, hed her steam up at seven p.m. yester-
day, in readiness to convey his Highness Prince
Napoleon over to Havre or Cherbourg. The Prince
was expected to embark from Ryde last evening.
The following appointments were made yester-
day at the Admiralty :—Commander Chas. A. J.
V. Robinson, Inspecting-Commander of the Coast-
guard, to the Ajax ; Commander John Murray,
Inspecting-Commander of the Coastguard, to the
Cornwallis ; Thomas H. Hayman, master, to the
Indus for the Royalist ; and Friend Stow, chief
engineer, to the Indus for special service_