The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-13 00:00:00

SWITZERLAND.

BERNE, JAN. 12.
The Federal Assembly was opened to-day. No
speech was delivered by the President in the
National Council, but in the Council of the Estates
the President touched upon the apprehension that
might be entertained for the future. He regretted
that Europe is not yet convinced of the truth that
the happiness of nations is not founded upon
dynastic interests, but upon spiritual and material
progress.

Without entering into particulars of American
Affairs, the President expressed a hope that the
Union would be able to maintain its vitality with-
out foreign intervention, as was the case in Switzer-
land during the period of the Sonderbutid.

The Right Hon. Sir John Pakington presided
yesterday at the annual meeting of an institution
established in Birmingham 12 months ago, as a free hos-
pital for the relief of sick children. The right hon. baronet
was supported by Lord Lyttelton, the Mayor of Birming-
ham, the Rev. Dr. Miller, &c. The report of the past year's
operations was of a very interesting character; it showed
that in the course of the year upwards of 7,300 children had
received medical aid; of that number 214 had been in-
patients of the hospital. As a proof of the large need for
such an institution, it was mentioned by the chairman that
the number of applications for medical assistance to children
requiring aid has been at the rate of GO per day, or nearly
19,000 per annum. It is proposed to establish in connection
with the hospital a department for contagious diseases.
MR. J. A. TURNER, M.P.—With reference to a
paragraph wh:ch has obtained currency, we (Man-
chester Guardian) are authorised to state that Mr. Turner
has no intention of retiring from Parliament, and that there
is nothing whatever in the state of his health to render it
desirable that he should.

A GENTLEMAN GARROTTED ON THE MANCHES-
TER EXCHANGE.—On Friday evening, about five
o'clock, Mr. W. Brooks, of Talavera-place, lower Brough-
ton, was garrotted on the steps leading to the Exchange.
He was ascending the steps from Bank-street, and when at
the top ho was suddenly seized from behind, an arm was
thrown round his throat, and he was pulled roughly back-
wards. The garrotter, however, had reckoned without his
host. Mr. Brooks laid hold of the adjoining pillar, and re-
Fisted the ruffian's attempt to put his hand in his left waist-
coat pocket. A violent struggle mimed, and the fellow
took to his heels. An alarm was raised ; a cabman knocked
the runaway down; and Police•constable Sutton, who had
heard the outcry from a neighbouring street, walked the
offender up to the police-station. The whole transaction
was witnessed by a newspaper boy. It was stormy at the
time, and there were but few persons in the street. The
prisoner was brought before the city magistrates on Satur-
day, and was committed for trial at the sessions. He were
a prison dress, and said his name was James Pearson. in-
quiries will be made as to who and what he is.
DENSE FOG.—This morning the metropolis was
for some time enveloped in so dense a fog that the
aid of gas was indispensable for carrying on the trading
business of the day. About 12 o'clock it commenced to
clear off, but previous to that time the greatest caution was
necessary in the principal streets for the prevention of
accident.

REMOVAL OF NEW PALACE YARD.—Yesterday a
large number of workmen were cc! to work to pull
down the two or three remaining houses which stand east-
ward of the King's Arms Hotel, in Palace-yard, in order
to carry out, as far as possible, the new approach to the
Houses of Parliament, from the end of Westminster-bridge,
before the commencement of the session. There seems to
be some difficulty about the remaining houses of the gratter
oup;
and with regard to one of them, Vendall's Hotel,
the m
is still understood to be in dispute between the proprietor
and the First Commissioner of Works.
THE YELVERTON CASE.--We understand that
notice of petition to appcal to the House of Lords
has been served upon the pursuer by the defender's ages'",
in this case, The petition to the Rouse 0r..,s can only
be of L
be lodged when the house is Bittina
involving
a question of status uut the case
sego"- no doubt be taken up early
~..,,,,•—.Edinburg4 Courant, in the