The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-27 00:00:00

The Loss of the Mail Steamer Athens,

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LONDON, THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1865.

In all probability the Prussians will find that the
final settlement with Austria will be the most
awkward part of the whole affair, for there was
no chance of their not getting the best of jt in war,
but in diplomacy there seems every chance of their
failure. It is true that they attempt too much and
expect the lion's share, but with one thing and
another there is no prospect of a speedy settlement.
It has been agreed at Ratisbon, at the Council of
Ministers held there under the presidency of the
King of PRUSSIA, that " definitive proposals" are
to be made to the Austrian Government. This,
however, may not serve to conclude the affair,
because there have been made so many last
Proposals and ultimate decisions come to, and
yet no conclusion is come to. A semi-official jour-
nal in Berlin has given an account of the Ministeria
Council at Ratisbon, and remarks thereupon that
the recent negotiations with Austria have not
afforded any prospect of an ultimate understanding
respecting the Duchies being arrived at. In conse-
quence of the unsettled state of things affairs have
gone on in the Duchies in a manner not in accord-
ance with the rights of Austria and Prussia ; and
therefore Prussia considers it necessary to re-esta-
blish things on their former basis before proceeding
to discuss the other matters. All this may be very
true, but if so the intelligence only confirms the
notion of a long time elapsing before any solution
be arrived at.

• Meanwhile Saxony and Bavaria have given notice
iii the Federal Diet that they will demand from
Austria and Prussia some information respecting
the measures they have taken since last April to
arrange about the Schleswig-Holstein question, and
the purpose to divide the expenses of the war with
Denmark between the members(-of the Diet, and to
incorporate Schleswig with the Germanic Confede-
ration. This motion will be considered by the Diet
on Thursday, and will doubtless cause more compli-
cations in this intricate affair. The fact is, that
Herr BISMARCK has not displayed his usual saga-
city in this Schleswig-Holstein affair. lie has
been spoiled by success, and fancied that he could
carry all before him ; but he forgot that the pre-
judices of others would match his own presumption,
and that many would join him as allies in making
the conquest, while they would be rivals very diffi-
cult to dispose of in settling the division of the

spoil. The Duke of AUGUSTENBERG has been made
a regular tool of by the Prussians, and it is no
wonder that he and his party are not very easy to
deal with in this new and unexpected turn of
affairs. There are few characters more hard to
play than that of a dupe, and the odium attached
to it is so great that it is not surprising that many
energetic efforts should be made to counteract the
attempts made by the unscrupulous partisans of
Prussian policy to subvert. A more unwarrantable
claim than that of the Illerlin Cabinet has seldom
been made to any people, and the Kingdoms and
States of Germany will show themselves wanting
in self-respect and proper spirit if they accede
to it.

A melancholy and fatal accident has sadly
chequered the gay season of the tourist and pleasure-
seeker, and has attached a mournful history to the
first ascent of the Matterhorn. Of late years
Alpine climbing has become an established occupa-
tion, or recreation, as it is called, though in reality
it chiefly consists of difficult ttnd dangerous labour.
We have had books written on the principles that
should govern it, and the objects to be gained.
We have had as many records of adventures, ex-
ploits, and experiments, as would serve to describe
an unknown country. No doubt it is one of the
most fascinating pursuits to the vigorous and
energetic traveller who has youth, and health, and
activity enough to brave the inevitable hardships,
and sufficient coolness or courage to be willing to
incur no inconsiderable risk. It has a freshness
and vitality about it that completely eclipses the
routine conventionalities of the road or the rail, and
the sense of personal exertion, of
_faculties exer-
cised, of difficulties overcome, and conquests
achieved, render it peculiarly fascinating to Eng-
lishmen, who, in spite of the languid indifference
which it is fashionable to profess, like nothing
better than hard work when they are not obliged
to do it. . The fatigue and exertions
undergone by a good many lords and
gentlemen during the last few weeks has
been fully equal to the toil of climbing a mode-
rately high mountain, and, after all, the object of
the struggle has been to incur the obligation of a
good deal more toil and trouble which they are not
compelled to undergo, except by their own choice.
Ihe slopes of the Alps have the same attraction for
a limited class that the rifle match and the volun-
teer review have for a larger circle. In an age
that is too much given to mental high pressure, and
is growing every day more and more absorbing in
in its demands upon the brain and nerves, it is re-
freshing to take up some pursuit which is physically
recruiting without any ulterior object. Physiologists
assured us that the patriotic fervour in defence of the
country would be most beneficial in its effects upon
the public health, since it called forth into vigorous
action those classes who from various causes were
too much engrossed by sedentary occupations. It is a
natural and creditable thing for a young man to take
pleasure in an active and healthy exploit, even if it
be accompanied with some degree of danger. Rid-
ing, boating, swimming, shooting, driving, yacht-
ing, have all some possible'risk attached, only with
proper caution the risk is so small that the positive
advantages and pleasures of the pursuits far out-
weigh the possible mischances. The same may be
said of Volunteering itself, since we seldom have a
great meeting without some casualty, but the casual-
ties are not inevitable, and the proportion of them
is so slight that no one could denounce Volunteer-
ing as dangerous. The question is how far this fas-
cinating pursuit of climbing mountains comes into
this category. Where is the limit at which positive
advantage outweighs possible risk, and where the
danger is sufficiently real and great to make courage
' pass the bounds of rashness?
The achievements and adventures of our Alpine
climbers have, for the most part, been tolerably
fortunate, but this year a terrible accident, in which
the lives of four persons have been sacrificed in the
most sudden and terrible manner, has startled
English readers, and before the general sorrow and
consternation had half expended itself, came the
news of the violent death of another
tourist under similar circumstances. A lengthened
communication from a friend of Mr. WHYMPER, the
sole survivor of the unfortunate party of English-
men who ascended the Matterhorn, gives a full ac-
count of the qualifications and experiences of that
gentleman to whom, as leader of the party,
no blame can be attached. That gentleman, his
friend observes, is remarkable for his prudence,
since he always insists upon the use of the ropes,
even when the guides declare them to be unneces-
sary, and he is always careful to provide his own
ropes, which are of extreme and unusual strength.
He is also careful, according to this au-
thority, to give the guides no spirits,
even during the excitement of gaining the object
aimed at, bearing in mind the perils of the descent.
The gentleman who writes thus is well qualified to
speak on the subject, having himself accompanied
Mr. WHYMPER on a mountain expedition a few
weeks since. Mr. WHYMPER has, it seems, achieved
wonders in Alpine explorations, and his feats have
excited the enthusiasm of the guides. But if so
brave and prudent a man has incurred so terrible a
risk without having gained an enduring or substan-
tial advantage it remains to be asked whether
Alpine climbing, carried to such an extent, is not
an achievement too perilous for any reasonable and
conscientious man to undertake ? The answer must
certainly be in the affirmative. Men have no right
wilfully to peril their lives unless for some great
end, the upholding of a principle, the defence of
their country, the good of their fellows. None of
these ends are gained by climbing to the summits of
the highest and most inaccessible Alps. No one
requires to be told that Englishmen are not lacking
in courage, in enterprise, and endurance. They
have proved it in harder trials than the fatigues of
an Alpine ascent—they have shown it in feats less
exciting but more trying to the moral and mental
stamina. That Englishmen will go when and
where the native guides refuse to go is nothing
wonderful or otherwise than characteristic of the
nation that never owns itself beaten. But why
should any man incur great danger unless for a
scientific object or some other direct purpose ?
The old story about the man who went down the
mine for the sake of saying he had been there
is realised by our Alpine climbers, for the mere
fact of standing on the summit of Mont Blanc
or the peak of the Matterhorn gives no other actual
gain' 'We should think Mr. WHYMPER, after his
terrible experience, would be disposed to rest on his
laurels ; but there is too much reason to feu that
the recollection of this tragedy will soon pass away,
and that the daring exploits of our mountain
climbers may again be pushed beyond the limits of
prudence. There is no reason why Alpine climbing
should be altogether abandoned; but those inaces-
Bible peaks should be left to their solitary glory.
There will always be some point man cannot reach ;
and assuredly in these difficult and dangerous but
profitless ascents discretion is the better part of
valour.

The position of the unfortunate esptives in
Abyssinia has been brought before both Houses of.
Parliament during last session, but to very little
purpose, for Earl RUSSELL persisted in his do-
nothing policy, although those best informed on the

subject declared that their condition was a very sad
one. La France has recently published a letter
which contains full information on the subject, and
the particulars are most unsatisfactory. A series
of mistakes and blunders have taken place from the
outset of this affair. The writer of this letter
declares that the English Ministers have erred from
the commencement of the dispute. They misunder-
stood the character of the Emperor, and gave
him great offence by their mismanagement.
The cause of the arrest of the Consul is
here attributed to two things, which are
the indignation felt by the EMPEROR with Lord
PALMERSTON'S answering an autograph letter which
he sent to Queen VICTORIA, and the consul having
become acquainted with some prince who misrepre-
sented him to the EMPEROR. According to the
accounts here given, the unfortunate Colonel
CAMERON has been led about like a wild beast with
an iron collar round his neck and chained to the
arm of an Abyssinian. He has now been imprisoned
in a place called Magdala, with some other
Europeans, which may fairly be supposed to be
some alleviation of his sufferings ; but it is men-
tioned that the rage of the EMPEROR seems to,
know no bounds, and there is no knowing what
he may do if he is provoked. Whenever
there has been any application made to him
concerning the release of the consul, he has
said, "If the I j English want Air. CAMERON
let them come and fetch him." It was stated in
another account that Colonel CAMERON had got
mixed up in some disputes between the authorities
and the missionaries. From one thing and another
it appears very probable that he may have acted
with imprudence, and not displayed that tact and
judgment which his difficult position called for, but
that is no reason -whatever why he should be left to
his fate. The aspect which the affair has now
assumed is serious as regards the safety of the pri-
soners, and important in its bearings on the
character of England. It will never do if the rulers
of these remote and barbarous places are led to sup-
pose that they can vent their rage with impunity
upon those who are so unfortunate as to offend
them, and subject an envoy from this
country to the same rough treatment as if he
were one of their slaves and sycophants. The most
noticeable point in this affair is, not how the EMPE-
ROR was offended, nor how he may be appeased, but
why our Government have suffered things to remain
in such an unsatisfactory condition for so long a
period. With the best intentions it is impossible to
prevent misunderstandings taking place occasionally,
but it should be distinctly understood that wherever
emissaries or agents are sent by the Government of
this country they should be treated with respect.
If it be too much trouble, or considered to much
risk, to defend them when attacked they ought not
to be sent at all, for this lax manner of conducting
affairs, and this tame reception of insults and indig-
nities,is calculated to lower our character in the eyes
of foreign nations, and is totally unworthy of our
reputation.

Foreign Courts.

PARIS, July 25.

A Brussels letter says :—" Many of the Belgian
journals have announced that the King is at the
last extremity. Such is not by any means the case.
Four days ago his Majesty had a violent spasmodic
attack, which threatened suffocation ; all were im-
mediately on foot in the Palace of Laeken. The
crisis lasted several hours, and there were serious
apprehensions of a fatal issue, but at last the august
invalid again emerged safely from a very dangerous
crisis. The doctors no longer consider the dropsy
as more than a secondary malady, the principal one
being disease of the heart. An exact idea of the
strength of the King's constitution may be formed
from the fact that on the morrow of the above-
mentioned attack he walked in the Park of
Lacken."

A letter from Kissengen has the following :—" The
Empress of Austria, of whose beauty you must at
least have heard, is still here. I saw her the other
evening holding her circle in the open air, near the
spring. A great crowd was present to witness the
numerous presentations. Count Koenig, her Ma-
jesty's master of the ceremonies, presented to her
Count Walewski, the Prince of Tour-et-Taxis,
Count Pourtales, Count de Goltz, Prussian Ambas-
sador at Paris, Baron Bonnemann, who represents
Mecklenburg at the Court of the Tuileries, Baron
Endmansdorf, chamberlain to the King of Saxony,
and many other personages of high rank. The
ladies were presented by the Princess Kcenigsegg,
grand mistress to the Empress ; among them were
the Countess Walewski and the Countess de Labd-
doyere ; likewise a number of Austrian and Russian
ladies, including Countesses Waldstein, Lichy,
Fergen, Esterhazy, &c. The Empress had a long
conversation with the •Countess Walewski. After
the presentations, her Majesty walked for some time
with the reigning Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz,
who, as you are perhaps aware, is blind ; and he
was pitied more than ever as he walked in turns
with Countess Lab6doyere and Walewska, whom
he alone, could not see. Observers who consulted
their watches state that the Empress conversed
exactly a quarter of an hour with Count Walewski,
and only one minute with Count de Goltz."
The Empress of Austria is to leave Kissengen in
about ten days to return to Ischl, which will also
be visited by Prince Frederic of Holland, with his
wife and daughter, the Princess Maria ; as also by
the Archduchess Sophia and the Queen Dowager
Elizabeth of Prussia.

The Countess of Dunmore, who arrived at her
residence on Carlton-house-terrace a day or two ago from
♦isiting Lady Herbert of Lea, at Wilton House, Wilts,
left yesterday for Dunmore Park, N.B.

The marriage of Madlle. de Smirnoff, daughter
of M. de Smirnoff, Privy Councillor and Senator of his Im-
perial Majesty the Emperor of All the Russia; with Mr.
Granville Saurin, son of Admiral and Lady Mary Saurin,
is fixed to take place on Wednesday next, the 2d proximo•
His Excellency the Russian Ambassador and Baroness
Brunnow will give the wedding breakfast at Chesham
House.

THE STRIKE IN THE BUILDING TRADE.--In pur-
suance of the resolution adopted at the meeting of
the masters on Monday last, on Tuesday printed notices
were posted in the various firms that, on the 28th August
next, the advance of id. per hour would bo given to the
men on condition that the strike against Messrs. Cubitt's
firm was withdrawn by Monday next, the 29th inst. Last
night a delegate meeting of the carpenters and joiners was
held at Cambridge Hall, Newman-street, Oxford-street, to
take the above notice into consideration. There were 216
delegates present, representing nearly every building firm
in the metropolis. The delegate from Jackson and Shaw's
occupied the chair. Tho delegate from Cubitt's men on
strike stated that a meeting of the mon had been held that
morning, and he was instructed to say that they were will-
ing to resume work on Monday morning next, on the under-
standing that the advance of id. per hour was conceded to
them at once, a six months' notice to be given for the other
id. They did not think, so far as their firm was concerned,
they ought to go back to work upon the same terms against
which they had struck. (Cheers.) They, however, were in
the hands of the meeting. Several delegates then gave in
the results of various shop meetings called to consider the
proposal made by the masters. Some few of the delegates
were against accepting anything less than the id. advance
at once, but the great majority were for accepting the offer
made by the masters of id. advance on the 28th August,
with a six months' notice for the other id. There was,
however, a general opinion that, so far as Cubitt's mon
were concerned, if they went to work on Monday they
should receive the id. advance at that time. It was also
the general feeling that Cubitt's men should be supported
until a satisfactory arrangement was made between them
and their late employers. After a long discussion, the fol-
lowing resolution was ultimately unanimously adopted:—
"That we, the delegates, on behalf of our constituents, ac
otherte rs , oind the 2hBotuhr )01
gAi August
to:et ,
cept the advance of id. per hour, as offered by the mas-
b
ocfolindiarteihonnetxhtat;
atuhde
lostn
also providing that Cubitt's men be paid the advance of id.
per hour upon resuming work on Monday morning next."
It was also resolved that deputations of the men in the re-
spective shops wait upon the employers this (Thursday)
morning, and inform them of the above resolution, re-
questing a reply by Friday morning. The meeting then
adjourned.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

ITALY.

TURIN, JULY 24.

The Italia contains the following :—" Informa-
tion from private sources confirms the news that
the clergy and their adherents will take part en
masse in the approaching elections. Meetings of
priests have actually been held in all the Italian
provinces. For the motto, ' Neither Candidates nor
Electors,' adopted in 1860, the clergy now substi-
tute for a watchword the loudest war cry of the
Church Militant. There were only two clerical
partisans in the last Parliamenf—Signori d'Oudes-
Reggio and Cantu ; the first, as the public are
aware, went recently to Rome, where he had re-
peated conferences with the Pope and the principal
political personages of the Pontifical Court. Signor
Cantu will shortly make the same journey with a
similar object. These two personages reckon upon
being at the head of a numerous party in the new
Parliament. The principal objection that this new
resolution of the clergy meets with among the par-
tisans of the abstaining policy is, that to take part
in the elections, and send the elected to take the
oath of allegiance to the King before the Chamber,
would be a formal recognition of the now order of
things. This consideration, however, has not pre-
vented the great majority of the clergy from
deciding upon using the liberty left them by the
Court of Rome to take part in the elections."

FLORENCE, JULY 24.

On the 22d inst. there was an increase in the
number of persons attacked by cholera in Ancona.
There were, however, only three deaths.

The Nazione of to-day says :
" News from Ancona announces that some cases
of cholera continue to occur in that town. During
the last few days there have been, it is stated, four
or five cases a day. It is observed, however, that
the malady has not the violent character which it
has presented in Egypt."

The subjoined details have been received at Lloyd's
concerning the wreck of the Athens mail steamer,
belonging to the Union Steam Navigation Company,
during the great gale off the Cape of Good Hope :
" At this time there were lying upon the beach,
more or less dismantled, 15 sea-going vessels, be-
sides smaller craft ; a tremendous sea was rolling
in, threatening every moment to carry away the
few vessels remaining at their anchors. The barque
City of Peterborough and the steamer Dane were
dragging their anchors, and signalling in vain for
more anchors and warps. The steamer Athens was
also showing signals of distress, and letting off large
quantities of steam, showing that she was prepared
at any moment to put forth her full power. The
Dane and Briton likewise had their steam up. The
officers and men of the port department were en-
gaged in taking off the crews of the various stranded
vessels by means of lines from the shore, the vessels
furthest out being reached by rockets fired from
Manby's apparatus ; and before dark all were safely
brought ashore, the great majority of them in utter
destitution. There was every prospect of the gale
increasing, with a probability that ere morning
should break there would not be a vessel remain-
ing at anchor. Mr. Anderson offered £5OO for an
anchor to be run to the Dane, and Mr. Searle
£l,OOO for one for the City of Peterborough,
but without effect. No boat would incur the
risk. Directly afterwards the Athens signalled that
her last anchor was gone. After the sun had set the
fury of the gale increased. The barometer continued
to fall. At nine in the morning it had stood at
29.72, at three in the afternoon it had fallen sixth-
tenths, and the most dismal apprehensions for the
safety of the people on board the vessels remaining
in the bay were entertained, and but too sadly were
those apprehensions realised. After losing her last
anchor, the Athens endeavoured to steam out of the
bay. She was seen passing the breakwater under a
full pressure of steam, apparently making headway.
Whether her engines broke down, or her fires were
extinguished, or whether, when she got to the mouth
of the bay and endeavourd to wear to the westward,
the tremendous sea that was rolling in overpowered
her, is not known, and never will be known. But
certain it is that, about seven o'clock, she was carried
broadside on upon the rocks at Green Point be-
tween the lighthouses, and very rapidly broke up.
The calls for help of those on board of her could be
distinctly heard upon the shore amid the roar of the
breakers ; but the crowd of persons whom those cries
attracted were powerless to aid. All that those on
shore could do was to light a fire and thereby indicate
to those on board that their peril was known. There
was not a rope nor lantern at the lighthouse, no rockets,
nor Manby's apparatus within a mile or two of the
spot ; and yet for two hours a continued wail of
anguish and appeals for help came from the
steamer, which occasionally could be seen lying on
the rocks broken-backed, but still above water, with
masts standing, until after nine o'clock. Fragments
of wreck washing ashore then bore testimony that
the ship was rapidly breaking up. About 10 o'clock
the cries ceased, and thick darkness gathered over
the scene. Nothing remained of the vessel except
her engines and boilers, which have been carried
some distance from the place at which she is be-
lieved to have originally struck, and nearer to the
Mouille Point Lighthouse. All the way from the
reef to the breakwater the shore is strewn with
fragments of wreck ; even the masts and yards have
been snapped into short lengths ; and the lighter
portions of the ship have been literally smashed into
matchwood. During the morning two bodies were
recovered, both very much bruised from pounding
against the rocks, and both were stripped, with the
exception of under drawers, showing that before
taking their final plunge the unhappy men had
calmly prepared themselves for a last struggle for
life. The following is a complete list of those on
board the Athens when she left the bay :—Captain
D. Smith, J. Heath Curtis, M.D. ; C. Downer, first
engineer ; T. Brown, third engineer ; Mr. Baker,
second engineer, of the Dane, on board at the
time ; George Baker, steward ; W. Sharp,
cook ; W. Chiney, butcher ; C. Palmer, baker ;
Louis Burchill, saloon boy ; E. J. Lus-
combe, stewardess ; W. Doughty, cook's mate ;
J. Bernard, W. Butler, and J. M. Clintock,
waiters ; J. Cunningham, carpenter ; R. Stone
and A. Mitchell, able-bodied seamen ; J. Leeson,
W. Lutton, F. Young, G. Baker, W. Bagshaw,
and J. Derrick, firemen ; G. Godbold and C. H.
Bennett, waiters; J. Windebank, A. Corbis, and
Robert Miller, ship's boys.
" While this tragedy was enacting at Green
Point, scarcely less disastrous occurrences were tak-
ing place at the opposite extremity of the bay.
Shortly after nightfall the City of Peterborough
finally broke adrift, and about seven o'clock she
struck on the reef opposite the Military Hospital.
The cries of the crew for help could be distinctly
heard, but it was found to be impossible to render
assistance. Attempts to communicate with the
vessel by means of Manby's apparatus were made,
but without success ; and shortly after ten o'clock
she went to pieces, all hands perishing. The follow-
iug is a list of those on board :—Joseph Wright,
commander, aged, 39, of Lincoln ; Mrs. Wright and
child ; Joseph Keslake, mate, aged 26, native of
Devon ; Tidmarsh Coverdale, cook, aged 51, native
of Falmouth ; Daniel Williams, able seaman, aged
28, native of Swansea ; John Chamberlain, ordinary
seaman, aged 16, of Lowestoft ; William Jones,
aged 29, able seaman ; William Smith, aged 27
(Swede) ; Henry Rogers, aged 31, of Donegal ;
John Crew, aged 20, able seaman, of Dublin ;
William Crozier, aged 21, able seaman, of Sunder-
land ; Charles T. Pike, aged 23, able seaman, of
Liverpool ; John Whitehouse, aged 22, carpenter,
of Sunderland ; John Burroughs Edmund, William
Fenn, William Jarvis, and George Martin, appren-
tices, all of Wisbeach."

MADAME TUSSAUD'S.—The Chamber of Horrors,
in Baker-street, has just received an additional
effigy, life-size, of the notorious criminal, Doctor W. E.
Pritchard, who has been found guilty of poisoning his
wife, and sentenced to death. The culprit has since con-
fessed his guilt, and also that he poisoned his mother-in-
law. The likeness is considered to be most truthful.

DROUGHT IN YORKSHIRE.—The farmers in the
north and east of this county are very much in-
convenienced by what is now regarded as a repetition of
the drought of last year. Except a few and very partial
thunder showers in the early part of this month (the bene-
ficial effects of which have quite disappeared) there has
been no general rain since the 26th of May. Pastures and
seed fields in grazing have for some time been burnt
brown, and the " fog" of the meadows has hitherto totally
failed. In several places farmers have not only to lead
water for their stock, but they have also to give them new
hay and oilcake in the fields. This is tending to increase
the price of fat cattle, by limiting the number of head
taken up, and it depresses the price of lean stock by the
necessity for curtailment of the usual complement per acre.
Wheat is coming in fast, and here and there rye i■ ready.
Barley will be a very light crop, and oats are very short in
straw. Turnips on light lands are bad, and have been
repeatedly sown. In the hills they aro a fine crop, but
want rain. Harvest will be on early in August.
DESTRUCTIVE LIGHTNING.—Though the number
of persons killed by a single flash of lightning may
have been greater, there are probably not many instances
on record of it having covered so great an area as in a
family at Eastbourne. The coachman and butler were
outside the house. The former was struck dead, and the
latter was so much affected by the shock, that, without
being hardly conscious of what he was doing, ho went
into the house. Hero he found his master insensible, and
as it turned out, very much hurt on the loft side. In the
pantry he found the footman lying dead on the floor; and
a further examination of the house showed that the light-
ning had been through all parts of it. Everywhere the
windows were broken, looking-glasses shattered, articles of
furniture torn to splinters, cornices and ceilings cracked,
bell-wires melted, and so forth. The owner's daughter
had a wonderful escape. The electric stream entered into
the room where she was dressing, and splintered the bed
she had just left, besides doing other damage. It is evi-
dent that this was not a case of a small stream passing
from one object to another, inasmuch as the coachman was
struck dead outside the buidling. But, large as the area
was over which this extended, it was not equal to that at
Reich9nbach, which town was fired in so many places that
the inhabitants had the greatest difficulty in escaping into
the country, without being able to save any part of their
goods ; even a regiment of cavalry quartered in the town
were unable to save any portion of their baggage.—All the
Year Round.

CRYSTAL PALACE.— ONE SHIILLING DAY, Wed-
nesday, July 26.—Admission payment, 5,905 ; ditto by
season tickets, 2,l6B—total visitors, 8,071 •

HER MAJESTY.

OSBORNE, July 26.
Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by their
Royal Highnesses Princess Helena, Princess Louise,
Princess Beatrice, and Prince Leopold, went on
Board the Racoon, screw-corvette, Captain Count
Gleichen, off Osborne, yesterday afternoon.
Her Majesty embarked at 6 o'clock in the barge
of the royal yacht Victoria and Albert, and was
rowed to the Racoon.

The officers on board had the honour of being
presented to her Majesty, after which her Majesty
went over the ship.

On leaving a royal salute of 21 guns was fired.
The suite in attendance consisted of the Countess
of Gainsborough, the Hon. Emma Lascelles, Major
General the Hon. A. Hood, and Major-General Sir
T. M. Biddulph.
The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone arrived at
Osborne, and had the honour of dining with the
Queen and royal family.