The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-26 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 26, 1870.

SKETCHES IN PARLIAMENT.

WEDNESDAY.

Members mustered strongly yesterday afternoon, for
there was to be an ecclesiastical debate, and when
theology is combined with politics, there is a double attrac-
tion. Quite early, for the catechising was unusually
short, Mr. Watkin Williams rose to move his resolutions
for the disestablishment and the disendowment of the Es-
tablished Church in Wales. Who is Mr. Watkin Williams ?
He is the son and the grandson of Welsh parsons ; he was
educated at Oxford and London Universities, was called to
the bar at the Inner Temple, and he married the daughter
of Mr. Justice Lush, the first Protestant Dissenter on the
English bench, if I remember rightly. He is forty-two
years of age, rather tall, with dark curly hair,
smooth face, and somewhat ruddy countenance. He
is a new member, i.e., he was first elected at
the last general election, for, going down to
the Denbigh boroughs, formerly represented by Mr.
Townshend Mainwaring, he took that very staunch Church-
man by surprise, and beat him by 374 votes. When Mr.
Williams rose the benches below the gangway occupied
by the Radicals were thronged to overflowing. The Min-
isterial benches were fairly filled, Mr. Gladstone, Mr.
Cardwell, Mr. Bruce, Mr. Forster, and Mr. Glyn being
present. The anti-Ministerial bench was almost empty
for the greater part of the debate, Mr. Disraeli especially
being conspicuous by his absence. Mr. Williams is an
average speaker, but no orator. He gave us the history
of the Welsh Church from the very earliest times, and
was, it must be confessed, somewhat tedious. Now and
then he diversified his archaeology with a mild
joke, which was eagerly greeted by a House hungering
for a few plums with its somewhat heavy pudding. He
made a good point when he thanked the Premier for
having put an end to that disgraceful state of things
which had continued for just 125 years, and under which
not one of the Welsh bishops appointed since 1745, until
Dr. Hughes was appointed to St. Asaph, had been ac-
quainted with the Welsh language. He spoke for about an
hour and a quarter, and after intimating that he
did not intend to press for a division, sat down
amid a very hearty clamour of " hear, hear,"
from the Radicals, which, however, was quickly
changed into " move, move," when it was seen that Mr.
Williams had resumed his seatwithout moving his resolution.
That omission supplied, it was seen to the delight of many
M.P.'s, that Mr. Gladstone was up. Surely then the debate
would be short. The Premier did not seem at first to have
his ideas well in hand. He hesitated for a while and
then was very diffuse ; but at last he warmed to his
work, and put his foot down on established churches as
being institutions sanctioned by Scripture, and desirable
in themselves. He was sharp enough to take advantage
of one of Mr. Williams's admissions, that much of the
alienation of Welshmen from the Church was due to the
appointment of non-Welsh-speaking bishops, and remem-
bering his own late appointment, he was able to urge
with some 'force that a better state of things might be
anticipated. He concluded by calling upon the House
in emphatic language to give the motion a direct
negative.
But though Government had thus early declared its in-
tention, the Welsh members were not going to let the
House off so easily. Session after session has been occu-
pied about Ireland, it was surely, then, rather hard
that Wales should not have a few hours
of one evening. So up rose Mr. Osborne Morgan.
Now this very rising Chancery barrister accomplished in
Denbigh county the same feat that Mr. Watkin Williams
performed in the Denbigh burghs. Going down suddenly,
without local influence, he did, by force of his political
principles, so please the Welsh that, though he could not
of course oust the great Sir Watkin Williams Wynne,
he did beat the Adullamite Colonel Biddulph, who
had held the seat for no inconsiderable time. Mr. Mor-
gan is a readier speaker than Mr. Williams, but though
he spoke well, the House was very impatient. It was
known that there was to be a division after all, and it was
close upon'dinner time. Now, hon. members exceedingly
dislike being called away from their meal by the alarum.
So as Mr. Morgan went on there were cries of "'Vide, vide,"
of which he took small heed. Occasionally he was
listened to, and he excited ironical cheers when he quoted
speeches from eminent Liberals and Conservatives assert-
ing that the position of the Welsh Church differed in no
material degree from that of the Irish. Then he
began to perorate, and just as he was reaching
the climax of some grand simile, an hon. and
mischievous member shouted " 'Vide " louder than
ever. But Mr. Morgan was not disconcerted. He wound
up in proper style, and having wound up, went down.
Now at last, then, we shall get into the division lobby,
and then into the dining-room. Not so fast : up rises a tall
grey-haired gentleman from the first bench below the gang-
way on the Opposition side. His rising is the signal for an
angry roar of " vides." But Mr. Scourfield is perfectly
indifferent. This is a Welsh subject, and he is a Welsh
M.P., and he means to have his say. Several times he
declares, by way of placating the irate House, that he has
one more remark to make, and at first this prospect of a
speedy end has its intended effect, but when the trick is
found out, when it is discovered that his promise to stop
is made merely that he may go on more easily,
M.P.'s get very angry indeed, and their chorus
gets very loud. Woe to the man who
persists in speaking after 7 o'clock, when a division is immi
nent. Even Mr. Scourfield did not venture to do this,
but sat down just before the sacred hour. Then came the
usual form of putting the question, the declara-
tion that " the Noes have it," the loud answering
'challenge " the Ayes have it," and the clearing
of the House for a division. Great laughter was
excited, when some members, who had dropped
in through curiosity, found themselves shut in, and after
hammering vainly at the door in the hope of getting
out, learnt that they must now, very much against their
will, vote. The division took more than a quarter of an
hour, and it was . a quarter past seven before
the tellers marched up four abreast (Sir Wilfrid
Lawson by the way, being one of the tellers for
the bill), to the table. Among the first to re-enter the
House from the lobby were handsome Mr. Charles Reed,
and venerable Mr. Hadfield, both of them Dissenters of
Dissenters. I do not know if Mr. Williams was satis-
fied with his first division-45 against 209. If so " his faith
is large in time, and that which shapes it to some perfect end."
While this debate was going on a strange and startling
rumour reached the press gallery. It was that Sir John
Trelawny meant to call the attention of the Speaker to the
fact that there were strangers in the gallery, the object
being to get rid of the ladies during the debate on the
Contagious Diseases Act. There certainly was no reason
to suppose that they would voluntarily withdraw, as in
truth they had come down expressly to hear the debate.
As soon as the division was over and Mr. William Fowler
and other M.P.'s had presented a number of petitions
against the act, a giant far away under the gallery got up,
and, looking very sheepish, said,. " Mr. Speaker, I
rise to order. I beg to call attention to the
fact that there are strangers in those galleries"
(pointing to the Speaker's and strangers' galleries). This
was really too bad. It was not Sir John Trelawny, but
Mr. Crauford, M.P. for Ayr, who made the " observa-
tion," and he did it in such a way as to involve the exclu-
sion not only of the ladies, but of all the male visitors.
yea even of the reporters and able editors.
So there were cries of " No, no," and the Speaker
said something which I could not hear. If it
was an appeal to Mr. Crauford not to persist
on his decree of banishment, the appeal was in vain. Mr.
Bouverie, who is great in all little technicalities, sup-
ported his fellow-countryman, and then the Speaker,
amid cries of " Withdraw 1" said to Mr. Craufurd,
" Does the hon. member persist ?" Mr. Crau-
furd, without rising, and simply taking off
his hat, said, " I do, sir." " Then the galleries
must be cleared." And cleared they were, to the
great delight of the reporters, who thus got a most
unlooked for half-holiday, but to the great disgust of the
able editors, deprived of an expected topic for a leader,
and to the loudly-expressed indignation of the forty and
odd ladies who by this freak of the Scotch giant
were not only forbidden to hear the debate,
but would be prevented from reading it this
morning. Even the very door-keepers had to leave, and
some curious reporter being seen to peep through the
glass door of the press gallery, excited the wrath of some
hon. member below. It was twenty minutes past seven
when we were all turned out, and the prevailing im-
pression was that the exclusion would last for two hours.
It lasted double the time. Mr. Fowler alone is said to
have spoken for two hours. Both Mr. Bruce and Mr.
Gladstone are reported to, have strongly censured Mr.
Craufurd's conduct, and it is probable that when
the debate comes on again a month hence, M.P.s
will not again be suffered to sit in camera,
but the discussion will take place with all the safeguards
which publicity can give. Somewhere about midnight
there was a very interesting discussion upon horse-racing
in which Lord Royston of fox-litter celebrity took part,
but I had not thiPAMS#l.'hitibtikaggifiq

MALICIOUS;INJURY TO TELEGRAPH

WIRES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SUN."

Sia,—l am directed by the Postmaster-General to address
to you the following remarks, in the hope that you will give
them publicity in your paper.
The telegraphs of the United Kingdom are now the pro.
perty of the nation, and every member of the community is
interested in their maintenance and preservation They are
subject to continual injury from the wanton attacks of idle
and mischievous persons, chiefly boys, who,,amuse:them-
selves by throwing stones at the insulators on the telegraph
posts.

- The following statements will show how great is the
damage done to the telegraphs of the nation by this wanton
and mischievous conduct. One of the engineers of the de-
partment reports of the telegraphs in the neighbourhood of
Newcastle, that, "although the whole line had been gone
over by a repairing gang and every chipped insulator had
been replaced, 500 insulators had been wantonly broken
in the course of six weeks." Another engineer, in quite
a different part of the country, reports that "it
is a Sunday morning's amusement of idle persons to
throw stones at the insulators on the lines outside towns
and villages." Another officer of the department reports
that "at a point between Canterbury and Dover he found an
iron band a yard long, with iron nails in it, thrown over the
telegraph wires, and placing at least two of them in con-
tact." The engineer of the department in South Wales re-
ports that, "as fast as new insulators are put tp, they ar
uroken by the boys with stone throwing, and that a
large number of new insulators must be at once put in."
The engine r of the department in the south of Scot-
land reports that within a fortnight from the time at
which he had reinsulated an important line "a
large number of the insulators had been wilfully
broken." Another engineer, in describing a large num-
ber of breakages wilfully caused,in the immediate neighbour-
hood of London, adds, "most of the contacts, which, of course
cause interruptions of communication, are brought about by
the breakage of insulators by atone-throwers." Another
engineer reports that whereas he had "entirely reinsulated
the line between Loughborough and Leicester, within six
weeks from the time of the reinsulation no less than 150
insulators had been broken by stone throwing."
Under these circumstances the Postmaster-General, in
whom the property is vested, with the assistance of the Home
Office, has taken steps to have the telegraph lines watched,
and to have persons detected in the act of wilfully injuring
them prosecuted under the Malicious Injuries Act, 24th
and 25th Victoriarchap. 97 ; and he has obtained under this
act several convictions,of which public notice has been given.
It occurs to Lord Hartington, however, that much incon-
venience and much expense would be saved if the public
would co-operate with him, by acting, as it were, as the
guardians of their own property. There can be little doubt
that a great number of persons who perpetrate this wilful
damage are ignorant of the extent and nature of the mischief
which they do, and it is very much to be desired that the
more intelligent members of the community should exert
themselves for the protection of the national property by
warning any one whom they may observe to be engaged in
injuring that property of the effects of his misconduct,
and by reporting the same if the warning fails to produce
the desired result.

It is especially desirable that schoolmasters and all those
who have the charge of youths should issue admonitory
warnings of this kind, and thereby prevent the boys under
their charge from subjecting themselves to a prosecution at
law.

The importance of perfect telegraphic communication to
the whole of the community is now so generally admitted,
and the inconvenience resulting from interruptions of that
communication is so serious, that the Postmaster-General
does not hesitate to ask for the co-operation of all the
intelligent members of the community with him in the
preservation of that property, without which that com-
munication cannot be maintained. I am, Sir, your obe-
dient servant,

FRANK IVES SCUDAMORE.
General Post Office, London, May 24th.

WOMEN'S DISABILITIES BILL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SUN."

SlR,—Having the permission of the writer to publish the
subjoined note from a member of Parliament, assigning his
reason for voting against the Women's Disabilities Bill, I
beg that you will give it a place in your columns.
It was written in reply to one which reminded him that
he had, both during his candidature and since his election,
positively promised to vote for such a measure, and asking
why, notwithstanding these pledges, his name appears in the
list of Mr Bouverie's majority against going into committee
on the Women's Disabilities Bill.

How far the motives so frankly avowed by the honourable
member for Carnarvonshire may have influenced other mem-
bers of the Liberal party to vote against a measure of en-
franchisement, it is, of course, impossible to conjecture, but
since these considerations w re strong enough in one in-
stance to cause the violation of distinct pledges, it is not un-
reasonable to imagine that they may have prevailed with
others not so bound.

erhaps they may afford some explanation of the deter-
mined though tardy opposition of the Government and of
the apparently capricious rejection by the House of Com-
mons of a measure the principle of which had been accepted
after a full debate on the second reading.
Both friends and opponents of the bill will doubtless
agree that in a question of justice in regard to them
women have a right to expect that the votes of members of
the Legislature should be given on the merits of the case,
and not out of party considerations.—Yours respectfully,
LYDIA E. BECKER.

(Copy.)
House of Commons, May 18, 1870.
Dear Madam,—ln the county I represent, Carnarvonshire,
the women are all Liberal in politics and Nonconformists
in religion—i.e., and this may be said of all North Wales.
On the other hand, in Fngland, and particularly in
boroughs such as Bath, women are Conservative under
great clerical influence, which always tends to fetter free-
dom of thought. I reluctantly, for these reasons, voted
(against my own interests) to prevent women being made
capable of what I consider political wrong in many places
e., voting against the Liberal party.— Yours faithfully,
LOVE Jos PARRY.
Miss Becker.

THE NAWAB NAZIM AND THE AFFAIRS
OF THE NIZAAIUT.

Our magnificent Indian Empire, the arena of so many
sanguinary conflicts and such grand military triumphs, the
history of which has all the interest of romance, is con-
tinually furnishing us with some lesson ; past experi-
ence has illustrated, not only native character, but
that of the conquering race. It is impossible not
to recognise the distinctive marks of each, impossible
not to see that while all the untold wealth, the gor-
geous splendour, the unbounded influence which the East
has poured into the lap of Britain, there are also, with all
these rights of conquests, the rights of nations and indi-
viduals. It is of the utmost importance that our national
honour should be unsullied in every transaction, especially
should we maintain inviolably treaties made with those who
have been our firm friends and allies. No blot should be
allowed to rest on the chronicles of the past, their pages
should be free from every stain of dishonour, every mark
of impolitic and unjust prejudice; justice, impartial and un-
erring, should be meted out with the most careful yet will
ing hand, while all that statesmanship can secure, all that
honourable diplomacy obtain, all that truth can effect
and power bestow, should, with generous and unsparing
liberality, be granted. Justice, in the truest, noblest
sense of the word, is not only the debt we owe, but
that which we canrot, dare not, withhold without losing our
prestige as a people, and our self-esteem as a nation. When
his Highness, the Synd Munsoor Ullee, Nawab Nazim of
Bengal, Behar and Orissa, one of India's princes, illustrious
in descent, still ranking high among the Eastern represen-
tatives of Royalty and loyalty, comes to lay his claim be-
fore the people of England, we may be sure that he will re-
ceive, as he deserves, a patient and fair hearing. It is not
the custom of England to ignore " numerous and valued
services rendered ;" it is not the rule to strangle all hope of
justice to those who seek it at her hands, and if the meanest
subject of the realm feel this, how much more, when those
whose position and wealth demand a hearing, should there
be prompt and careful handling of the balance of justice?
The claim which the Nawab presents against the Govern-
ment is entitled to, and should without doubt receive, im-
mediate consideration.

It is not becoming our dignity as a nation, neither is it
consistent with our national hour ur, to delay a decision
fraught with so much importance. Whatever the traditions
of the past may have taught us, and whatever the require-
ments of the present may demand, ought, undoubtedly, to
have due weight, and great responsibility rests upon those
in authority to see that strict and impartial justice should
go hand in hand with generous recognition of past services
rendered.

That we should be without fear and without reproach in
dealing with every question relating to India is a fact which
ought to be fully recognised in all our dealings with that
magnificent empire, and no circumstance whatever should
be allowed to tarnish the fair fame of England or lessen the
renown of English justice, as well as English generosity.

The digest of endowed charities issued yesterday
morning shews that in the county of Stafford the total
gross income therefrom amounts to £29,332 is. 9d., which
is expended in this manner :—Education, £11,552 14s. 3d.,
apprenticing and advancement, £834 2s. id, ; endowments
of clergymen, lectures, and for sermons, £2,118 3s. sd. ;
Cnurch purposes, £1,500 10s. ; education of Dissenters,
£3l 6s. 2d. ; public uses, £1,905 13s. 2d. ; support of alms-
houses, their inmates, and pensioners, £3,887 3s. Bd. ;
distribution of articles in kind, £2,605 Os. 2d. ; distribution
of money, £3,952 is. 11d. ; and the general uses of the
poor, £830125. 4d.

---of
Lord Granvi e' s announcement a coming
report from the Ritual Commission probably, after three
sittings, has not been confirmad. But it is now understood
that an attempt will be made on Friday to move certain
rasolutions, the presentation of whic'i may se .ve as a
k.,.ostitute. Unanimity is not, however, to be expected,
aid "the I )vv Church minority" has been sadly
eaker ed by illness and other causo. The Archbishop
C:.n.3rbury, the Bishop of St. David's, the Dean of
Lincoln, Lord Portman, and Mr. J. A. Smith, are at
present incapacitated by indisposition ; whilst Professor
Payne Smith is detained at Oxford by his acedemic
duties.—Record.

THE REPEAL OF THE UNION.

A section of Irish Conservatives (a corresporident writes)
are toying with the Repeal question. Some ®f this party
are no doubt sincere. They argue that the disestablish.
ment of the Church and the theory of exceptional legisla-
tion for Ireland have virtually dissolved the Union.
They profess no longer to have occasion to fear
Roman Catholic supremacy in a native Parliament. Other
Conservatives vehemently oppose the idea, believing that
their position, " bad as it is, would be worse " if the
Union were repealed. The Freeman's Journal doubts the
earnestness of any section of Conservative Repealers : and
the Roman Catholic Whig party are averse from repeal
in such company. There is a movement going forward
quietly to produce a demonstration of Conservative
opinion in Dublin on the subject.

THE FEMALE MEDICAL SOCIETY AND THE
GOVERNMENT BILL. •

The sixth annual meeting of the Female Medical
Society was held yesterday at Exeter Hall, the Right
Hon. the Earl of Shaftesbury presiding. The society was
established to promote the employment of pro
perly educated women in the practice of midwifery
and the treatment of the diseases of women and children.
The meeting was well attended, the audience being com-
posed chiefly of ladies. The Hon. Secretary (Dr.
Edmonds) read the balance-sheet, which was of a satis-
factory character. The report stated that of the eighty-
seven ladies, who had availed themselves of the
teaching operations—forty-six were single, twenty-
three marrried, and eighteen widowed ; most of them
intended to gain their livilihood by practising
as midwives. Two of the students were studying at
Edinburgh for the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and mar y
of them were relatives, wives, or widows of clergymen or
medical men. The report concluded by saying that the
impending legislation as to a State examination for
medical licenses would probably remove many existing
anomalies, and the committee submitted that all degrees
and licenses should be open to both sexes ; that a distinctive
qualification should be established for persons intending so
practice midwifery in small districts and country towns ;
that there is no necessity to enforce any special curricu-
lum of study upon candidates for a license to practice
any branch of medicine, inasmuch as the examinations
might be so arranged as amply to test the practical skill,
as well as the medical and scientific knowledge of every
candidate ; that freedom to acquire medical and scientific
knowledge in the way most convenient to candi-
dates for a license would greatly facilitate access
to the profession, and thus largely benefit the public,
while destroying the present monopoly in favour of pri-
vileged schools, and would remove abarrier to the improve-
ment and cheapening of medical education. If these
principles are adopted in the forthcoming Act there will
remain no difficulties in the way of women who wish to
evote themselves to the practice of medicine in any one
or all of its departments. Dr. C. R. Drysdale in moving
the adoption of the report expressed the pleasure it must
be to all to see the progress they were making
Colonel Henry Clinton seconded the motion, which was
carried, as were also the suggestions of the committee,
which concluded their report, and which appear above.—
The Noble Chairman said if they could add to the profes-
sion a number of educated and able women, fitted for
special purposes, they would be conferring the
greatest blessing ever given to the country. He
was very glad to say that the bill introduced
did not exclude the female sex. The word " person" had
been used throughout the bill very carefully, and person,
in Parliamentary language, meant to include both
sexes. That, therefore, which was conferred upon
the male professors would be conferred equally
upon females. He maintained that the ladies
had a full right to enter into the competition.
Either men and women must study together in the present
schools, or others must be established for the female sex
separately.—The noble chairman said this point had
previously been brought under his notice, and he had
agreed to point out the fact to Lord de Grey—(hear,
hear),—and he hoped the desired effect would be obtained.
—The meeting shortly afterwards terminated.

PROSECUTION OF THE MONARCH
INSURANCE DIRECTORS.

The further examination of Major the Hon. A. G. F.
Joscelyn, Mr. G. E. Bulwer, Major J. W. Carnegie, and
Mr. J. Taylor, Directors of the Monarch In-
surance Company, on a charge of conspiring
to obtain large sums of money under false
pretences was resumed yesterday morning at the Mansion
House. Mr. Hodges the manager of the company, and
Messrs. Wright and Herward, two other directors, sum-
moned, did not appear. It was stated that the manager
had absconded. Mr. Hale Swetnam stated that under the
articles of association of the Monarch Com-
pany he was to receive £6,000 as promotion
money. He assisted to "get up" the company;
and was to receive the sum mentioned for
procuring director. He induced Captain Bulwer
to join as director. He did not pay anything for his
shares. Witness paid for them on his behalf. Captain
Bulwer for being director of the company, was to
benefit by having the directors' fees. Witness
himself endeavoured to obtain shareholders and fixed his
own remuneration at £6,000. He was not aware who pro-
cured Major Joscelyn or Major Carnegie to be appointed
directors. He was security to Mr. Bayley for advertising
the prospectus of the company; Witness was formerly
connected with the Oceanic Telegraphic Company, and
he was described in the prospectus of that company as of
Wandsworth Common, landed proprietor. He had not
received any money whatever from the Monarch Company.
The witness went on to say that he had not upon any
occasion demanded payment of the sum of £6,000. He
was employed as a clerk in the offices of the company at
a salary of £2OO per annum from the time it commenced
business until it stopped. He said he was unable to give
any information as to what had become of the £1,300.
He held fifty shares in the company, and the name of an
uncle of his was put down for one thousand shares. The
uncle he referred to was a man of property,. and he had ro
doubt that he could be found at the address in the share list.
It was understood that Captain Bulwer was to be quali-
fied as a director without his paying any !Loney, and he
believed this was a very usual proceeding. He was not
aware of any printed balance sheet of the aflairs of the
Company having been published. Further evidence was
given, and it was shewn that the indebtedness of the
Company to Mr. Bailey, the advertizing agent, at Christ-
mas, 1869, for advertising and stationery was about £1,700;
although, according to the balance sheet, the only in-
debtedness appeared to be £6B. The inquiry was then
adjourn( d till to-day week, and the defendants were
afterwards admitted to bail.

The execution of Lawrence and Mary Anne
Shields, who were convicted some time time since for the
murder of Patrick Dune, at Philliptown, is appointed to
take place on Friday next at Tullamore.
THE SUEZ CANAL.—Advices received in Liver-
pool state that the steam trade through the Suez Canal
is rapidly increasing, and that the rates of freight
have scarcely undergone any diminution since the last ac.
counts.

A farmer, named Sullivan, residing near Kanturk,
in County Cork, purchased some poison for dressing
sheep a few days since. On Tuesday a servant used some
of this poison for making bread, mistaking it for soda,
and shortly after dinner the whole family, manifested
symptoms of being poisoned. Medical assistance was
promptly obtained, but the patients are not yet out of
danger.

A gentleman writes that on Monday evening,
about nine o'clock, his house, which is situated in the
busy thoroughfare called the Leytonstone-road, near
Stratford, and is so well-known by visitors to Loughton,
Woodford, and Epping Forest, was entered by burglars
at the front door with & false key, and some cash and
articles of clothing, and silver abstracted. The occupant,
who had only left his house for a short time at eight
o'clock, adds, •` it was a cheering sight fer me to witness
the zeal of the police, who, to the number of six,
gathered round me, and inquired and noted down the
particulars which I could give them of the affair after it
had occurred."

THE FRENCH TREATY. The Macclesfield
Chamber of Commerce has discussed the operation of
the commercial treaty with France on the silk trade. It
was resolved as follows :—" After careful con-
sideration as to the policy of sending represen-
tatives to Paris to the inquiry now being held
there, it is considered more advisable by this chamber
that advantage should be takenof Sir Louis Mallett's visit
to Macclesfield at early date to inform him of our wishes,
so that our own Government may be fully apprised of the
injury which .Macclesfield manufacturers suffer by the
imposition of the existing duties on mixed fabrics, which
form a large portion or the productions of Macclesfield,
and also to the necessity of removing the duty on spun
silk and spun silk fabrics."
THE POLICE AND THE THIEVES.—" They manage
things better in France " is a text on which many a
sermon is spoken at English officials, and we are reminded
of it in reference to the snggestion recently made by the
Chief Commissioner of Police to establish in this country,
with a view to the more easy detection of crime, a gallery,
a photographic Valhalla, of our. criminal population.
Colonel Henderson—or was it Mr. Bruce ?—hit some
short time ago upon the idea of photographing the large
roll of criminals incarcerated in our gaols aid convict
establishments. The Paris thieves have hit upon a better
idea from their point of view. Photography has its
limits, and it is easier to identify one of sixty detectives
than one of six thousand convicts. Every. Paris thief
has, it seems, his little album, and knows a detective, by
sight, at once. Should the " idea" cross the Channel,
Colonel Henderson will be " winged " with an arrow from
his own quiver.
AMERICAN AND ENGLISH MOWING MACHINES.—
Reaping and mowing machines have now become standard
implements on English farms ; but in France they are
still regarded somewhat as innovations; the lower rats
of wages across the Channel having hitherto acted as a
barrier to the introduction of labour-saving ma-
chines in agriculture. Wages, however, are rising
in France, as in most other countries, and the
attention, therefore, of agriculturists is directed to the
best form of reaping and mowing machines. Several inter-
national trials of these machines are announced for the
coming summer. The first came off last week at Bourges
123 miles south of Paris, at which there was a very sharp
contest between the English and American machines.
After a long and careful trial the award was given in favour
of the English machine of Messrs. Howard, of Bedford,
which, in mowing an acre, beat the far-famed American
machines of Mr. W. A. Wood and Mr. M'Cormick by
eighteen minutes.

CLOSE OF THE MiFA.RLAND TRIAL.

The M`Farland trial was ended yesterday afternoon by
A verdict of not guilty, and immediately thereafter, the
prisoner was discharged from custody and would have
one forth a free man had it not been for the fact that he
was at once imprisoned in the arms of his friends and
3ongratulated on his triumphant acquittal.
The jury retired, after receiving the charge of the Court,
at two minutes after three o'clock. The Recorder left the
Bench and the assembled spectators disposed themselves
reely about the room, conversing upon the all-absorbing
..opic. The District-Attorney left the room, and did not
again return. The ladies, who have been most patient in
their attendance during the trial, and have taken the
Liveliest interest in the case, did not in the least abate
their anxiety while waiting for the verdict. One
after another came forward to where M`Farland sat
and expressed to him their wishes for his speedy
deliverance. The defendant was anxious though he
did his best to compose his feelings and appear
calm. Little Percy felt that the trying hour had
come and remained by his father doing his best
to comfort him in his affliction. Mr. Graham sat in his
chair calmly conversing with friends, occasionally turning
to his client to cheer him up, and, when sometimes left
to himself, sitting absorbed in thought and evidently
anxious for the fate of his friend.

Two clergymen, whose presence in the Court-room
yesterday was well timed, sat near MTarland, and by
their conversation kept the mind of the defendant em-
ployed, though, from his answers to their observations, it
was manifest that his thoughts were absent from the
scene around him. The minutes sped onward. Those who
had watched the trial carefully, and were therefore com-
petent to judge, calculated—and calculation at such a
time is pardonable—that the jury should agree upon a
verdict in half an hour from the time they left the jury-
box, and that any prolongation of that period might be
considered an indication of disagreement—a conviction
was not for a moment thought of. The half hour passed,
and the anxiety of M`Farland's friends—which included
all present, as subsequent events proved, Mrs. Calhoun,
Mr. Runkle and Mr. and Mre. Sinclair having retired
after the charge of the Court—increased. The
two brothers of M`Farland sat near each other eagerly
watching every moment of the throng near the door;
General Graham and Mr De Witt Graham, brothers of
defendant's counsel, sat near the counsellor, and occasion-
ally conversed with friends ; Mr. Gerry, the able junior
counsel in this case, and Dr. Vance aasociated together,
and both were anxious as to the result. The throng
behind the rail were so excited that they stood upon the
benches as if in that position they could hear the result
sooner. The multitude outside, who had not been able tc
gain admission during the day, felt they were fortunate in
being where they were, for they would be first, at least, to
learn that a verdict had been agreed upon.
An hour passed, and still nr) verdict ; the moments be-
came hours to the waiting throng. Every movement at the
door was regarded with significance, but still no jury. At
twenty minutes past four the gas was lighted, and the
process of illuminating the room was watched as closely
as if the person performing it was shedding some light
upon the dark subject. Mr. Graham's anxiety was at
this tune intense, as was evident from his nervous
manner, and Mll'arland was suffered to remain
undisturbed by his friends, and left to commune with
his own thoughts—and what these must have been none
can realise save those who have been placed in like trying
circumstances.

Meanwhile, " heaven's artillery " added a solemnity to
the scene• The storm which had been lowering all day
burst forth into a thunder-shower of unusual violence lot
this season of the year, and flash after flash of lightning
shot through the sky, followed by peals of the grandest
thunder. Amid this disturbance of the elements without,
came presently a scene within which will not soon be for.
gotten by those who witnessed it.
At 4.50 o'clock there suddenly rose upon the then
hushed stillness of the court-room the loud orders of the
officers, " Hats off in court, gentlemen ; take your seats.'
The effect was electric. The audience scrambled for the
nearest chair or bench, order was restored in a moment,
and then one by one there filed into the room the twelve
men who had just passed upon the fate of the prisoner foi
weal or woe. At this moment Mr. Graham's fortitude
gave way, and he wept like a woman. M'Farland, too,
was almost unmanned, but he had yet another scene
to take part in, and he sustained himself for the ordeal.
Little Percy now clung to his father even yet closer than
he had ever done before, and furtively glanced towards
the jury, as if his youthful mind could divine the secrets
which yet reposed in their breasts. Amid silence almost
as deep as that of the grave the Recorder entered, took
his seat upon the bench, and the venerable clerk of the
court, Mr. Henry Vandervoort, called the names of the
jury. M'Farland was directed to stand up, and did so,
supported by his chair, and the formal question was put.
The answer came promptly, in a clear tone of voice, from
the lips of Mr. Richardßrown, the foreman—" Not
Guilty."
As the words escaped from his lips, the crowd, who had
stood with every nerve strained to catch the result, re-
sponded with cheer after cheer, which demonstration no
effort on the part of the officers could repress—if, indeed,
any was made. The Recorder sat unmoved on the bench,
and unreproved by him, cheers were given for Mr. John
Graham with a vigour even exceeding the former.
Little Percy leaped npon a chair, and, waving his hand-
kerchief, joined in the popular demonstration. Every-
body was wild with excitement, and women and men were
not ashamed to shed tears—indeed, there was scarcely a
dry eye in the room. A rush was made toward M'Farland
by those anxious to congratulate him, but the officers kept
the throng back, for there was yet one more formality to
be taken. Order was restored for the moment and Mr.
Vandervoort put the usual question to the jury requesting
them to hearken to the verdict as it was recorded. Then
Mr. Gerry rose and requested the discharge of his client,
which the Recorder promptly granted. M'Farland was
from that moment a free man. The Court was imme•
diately adjourned and then the multitude thronged about
hira and Mr. Graham and Mr. Gerry, warmly congratu-
lating each of them upon the result. Percy was all
smiles and was hugged andd kissed by the ladies—
indeed, everybody was in a state of emotional
excitement. The jurymen came in for their share
of congratulations, and replied that they felt that they
had simply done their duty, and were thus absolved from
their os- he. After a little time the Court-room was
'seared, M'Farland was taken to his brother's

douse, .ast night slept, if he slept at all, surrounded
by loving friends and relatives.
It is stated that the jury stood ten for acquittal and
two for conviction of one of the grades of manslaughter,
when they first entered the jury-room. The matter was
discussed for some time, and finally the two jurors yielded
and a unanimous verdict was agreed upon. It is further
stated that the names of those two jurors were Richard
Brown, the foreman, and Thomas Scott, the seventh
j uryfu an.
Messrs. Graham and Gerry have been crowned
with laurels by this verdict, and, as District
Attorney Garvin truly said in his address to the
jury, the names of the recorder, counsel and jurymen
will be handed down by history in the records of great
trials, and made measurably immortal. Mr. Graham
paid a just tribute, in his address; to the faithful services
which had been rendered him by Mr. Gerry in preparing
this case, but none can tell, nor perhaps will the public
ever know, the sacrifices which both these gentlemen
have made for their client from the very commencement
of these proceedings. The 10,000 dolls. fee which Mr.
Graham receives for his services is small compensation
compared with the mental labour which he has bestowed
upon the case. He has been up night after night during
the trial, has not entered his office—proceeding from his
home to the Court-room direct, and returning immedi-
ately after the day's labours were over—since the case
commenced, and has undergone mental fatigue which
would prostrate almost any other man. Yet he is happy
now in winning success in a case in which he has taken
the warmest interest, " sticking to his client as close as
his skin," as Mr. Graham truthfully remarked in the
course of his summing up,
What effect this verdict will have upon the community
can well be imagined. It is rumoured that MTarland,
intends, encouraged by this decision, to bring legal pro-
ceedings against his wife in the nature of a divorce.
Some persons entertain an idea that the civil suit
against Richardson will be prosecuted against
his estate. Whether this is true or false cannot
now be determined. While this trial was in progress,
Mrs. M`Farland, under the name of Abby S. Richardson,
as guardian for the children of deceased, took proceedings
to sell the property at Woodside, New Jersey, and it is
possible that these steps may be enjoined.—From the
New York Times of 11th May.

MRS. MPARLAND-RICHARDSON'S STATE-

MENT.

Mrs. M`Farland-Richardson has given to the public,
through the Tribune, a statement of her trials and suffer.
ings as the wife of Daniel M`Farland, the causes and in-
strumentalities of her separation, her relations with A.
D. Richardson and her opinion of. M`Farland. It thus
appears that her trials and sufferings as the wife of
M`Farland were those of a faithfu: much enduring and
long forbearing woman bound to a savage monomaniac
addicted to drink; that at last her tortures, humiliations
and constant dangers and terrors became too heavy to be
longer endured, and that her relations with Richardson
throughout were studiously prudent and void of offence.
"As to Mr. M`Farland," she says, " I believe now, as I
have believed for years, that he was a man born to do a
murder. The fact that he was always uttering threats of
bloodshed does not so much convince me of this as the fact
of his temperament, which, partly from hereditary causes,
partly from his nationality, and partly from bad educa-
tion, had become one of uncontrollable violence. I believe
he feared this himself." She says much more to
justify the plea of insanity set up in his defence.
From her statement at large, after discovering the
dangerous Character of this man, her great mistake was
was in continuing still to live with him. With due
allowances for the vivid colouring- of her personal vindica-
tion, we are inclined to think that she was " more sinned
against than sinning," and that to her imprudent friends,
to whom she is so grateful, she is indebted for the un,
ham consequences attending her separation from
arland, and the still more dreadful surroundings of
her marriage with and separation from Richardson. It
is a melancholy story, but let us hope that the surviving
parties concerned will henceforward go their several ways
peao).—New York Herald.

THE MISSOURI DlSASTER.—Nineteen persons nave
been killed, and thirty severely injured, some of them, it
is believed, fatally, through the driver of a freight train
" supposing " that he could reach a certain station with-
out meeting an express train, which he knew was on the
line at the time. His supposition turned out to be in-
correct, and the passengers were left dead or dying on
the ground as the penalty of his mistake. Does not negli-
gence such as this amount to manslaughter ?—New 'rant
Trite.