The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-05 00:00:00

NEWS FROM INDIA.

We have received the Indian papers to date November
12th, by the Brindisi Mail. We extract the follo wino;
heads of intelligence from the Bombay Gazette and the
Times of India !
The number of candidates for matriculation under the
Bombay University, is this year 901—an increase as com-
pared with last year.
The total number of deaths from snake-bite in British
India during 1869 is stated to have been 11,416. This total,
large as it is, is, however, derived from very inadequate
returns, so that it is considered more than probable that
the annual deaths from snake-bites are not fewer than
20,000.
His Highness the Maharajah of Vizianagram has
ordered out from England a steam launch, whieh he has
informed the Benares municipality, he will give them as a
present in remembrance of his Royal Highness the
Duke of Edinburgh's visit. The launch is to be called
the Alfred. The Maharajah has further proposed to
erect a Town Hall at Benares at an expense of Rs 20,000.
These munificent gifts have been suitably acknowledged
by Sir William Muir.
Madras is to be honoured early in December by the
presence of two distinguished visitors—no other than
General Tom Thumb and his wife.
Mr. Forsyth has entirely recovered his health. He ar-
rived in Murree on the 29 of October.
Mr. Shaw, who parted company with Mr. Forsyth at
the head of the Karakosh river, in order to explore
all the country to the north of the Shyok, has arrived at
Leh.
As Syud Burgosh, the new Sultan of Zanzibar, is stated
to be adverse to British interests, and there will
probably be complications through Syud Toorkee,
his elder brother, who has lately been victorious near
Muscat, H.M.S. Nymphe, Commander Adams, has been
ordered to proceed immediately to Zanzibar, and she will
probably leave on Saturday next.
Mr. Willoughby, of the 21st Fusiliers, and Assistant
Inspector of Musketry, fell from his horse in coming
from the Ranges on Tuesday morning, November 1, re-
ceiving severe injuries. He appears to have fallen suddenly,
his head coining violently against the ground,. and the
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accident happeninc, opposite the Chief Commissioner's
residence, Cubbon Road, he was carried into the house
and received every kindness and attention. He was
immediately seen to by Dr. Bird, of the 17th N. 1., and
afterwards by Dr. Lougheed, the surgeon of his regiment.
As the symptoms were more of concussion of the
brain than sunstroke, he was able to be moved to
his own house, on Wednesday morning comparatively re
covered.
The Englishman states that Messrs. Thomas Wilson,
Sons, and Co , of Hull, are going to establish a regular
line of steamers between Calcutta and London.

The court-martial on Ensign Gilbert, of the 60th Rifles,
at Madras, began its investigation on the Ist inst., and
when it met to resume on the 2nd, it was obliged to ad-
journ sine die on account of Mr. Gilbert being laid up with
fever. At the hearing Ensign Gilbert pleaded not guilty.
Colonel Kennedy, as prosecutor, made no opening state-
ment, but appeared as a witness, and began the actual
business of the day by deposing a long statement regarding
the circumstances on which the charges of insubordination
were based. The Colonel, it appears, was practising his
battalion at the attack and defence of field works, in
preparation for a sham fight which was to take place
two days afterwards. In the course of manoeuvring
the command was given to form line on the leading com-
pany, and, the movement having been carried out, the
colonel rode along to inspect the alignment, and dis-
covered that where Ensign Gilbert's company was placed
a hollow was observable in the line. Thereupon a
series of commands was delivered by Colonel Kennedy,
which was not - responded to in the usual manner
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and which, owing to some (supposed or actual
accompanying rudeness of manner or tone, induce
Ensign Gilbert to turn towards his commanding officer,
and in reference to a given order distinctly exclaim, "
be d—d if I do," and ultimately, when arrested, fling
down his drawn sword on the parade-ground.
Lieutenant Wellman, of the 85th Regiment, Meean
Meer, has met with an accident, which it i feared will
probably prove very serious. By a fall from his horse his
spine has been injured.