The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-01 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 1, 1856.

LORD CARDIGAN AT LEEDS.

LEEDS, SATURDAY.

Lord. Cardigan visited Leeds to-day, the 30th August
having been appointed for- the presentation to his lord-
ship of the sword which has been -subscribed for by his
tenantry and other inhabitants of Leeds.
The banquet took place at the Stock Exchange, the
chair being filled by Edward Denison, Esq., M.P. for
the West Riding. Upon the removal of the cloth the
usual loyal and patriotic toasts were drunk.
Mr. BRECROFT, as chairman of the committee of the
testimonial, then read an address from the subscribers t,
the fund for purchasing the sword, in which it was
said :—" It is to commemorate the events of your lord
ship's military lite in that war, and particularly that
great incident which has rendered Balaklava' a pass
Nord in the soldier's mouth (of which he will ever feel
proud), that we now present your lordship with a
sword, and invite your acceptance of it, in the name of
numerous noblemen, gentlemen, merchants, tradesmen,
:end yeomanry connected with the county of York."
The Earl of CARDIGAN, in the course of his speech.
,eturning thanks, said—Gentlemen, it is gratifying to
ne—and I think it will not be uninteresting to you to
earn that that conduct of mine; of which you have
,een pleased to approve, met with the entire sanction,
pproval, and approbation of that great general under
whom I was serving—the late Lord Raglan—under all
circumstances, even at the commencement of the opera
ions and up to and beyond the battle of Balaklava
(Applause.) Lord Raglan, the lamented general whose
• 'all lao deeply_deplore—whose memory I honour and
revere—and whose approbation and good opinion
luring life I valued more than those of any other man
living. (Here his lordship was for a moment or two
unable to proceed, from his extreme emotion. On re-
viving, he said)—l considered his praise as second only
in value to that of that great general, that great man
under whom he had so long served, and of whom he was
the friend and associate. I speak of the groat Duke of
Wellington. (Loud cheers.) (The noble earl repeated
the history of his celebrated reconnaisance on the Dab-
rudecha, with which he has several times obliged the
public. Then proceeding, he said—Gentlemen, it fell
to my lot, on the 25th October—the day of the battle of
Balaklava—(hear)—as the officer in command of the
light cavalry brigade, to attack the Russian batteries to
the front. Gentlemen, I will not go into any lengthened
letail of what occurred during that charge. I think that
the circumstances are well known to most ; but I can
not think that this opportunity, which is afforded by the
honour you have conferred upon me this day, is an in-
opportune moment for me to make one or two allusions
to some extraordinary fallacies which, if not generally
prevalent, still have been entertained by sonap, and are
known to me—l mean with regard to the duties of a
general of cavalry leading the brigade into action.
One would really suppose, from what has been said, that
when a charge of cavalry is ordered, the general officer
commanding a.brigade has nothing to do but wave his
sword, and gallop off, his men following him, and come
into personal contact with the enemy's troops. Gentle.
men, no such thing is the case. The duties of a cavalry
general, in leading a charge, are very important. In the
first place, it is his duty to keep his regiments together ;
secondly, it is his duty to lead them at such a regular
pace, under any fire to which they may be exposed, that,
when they come into contact with the enemy, they may
attack them with a, proper and full impetus. (Cheers.)
Further, it is necessary that, under whatever fire they
may be exposed during the advance, the general officer
should keep the alignment of his regiment. I believe
there is no person who was present—and there were
Many persons present who were spectators (for the hills
on all sides were covered with our own troops and those
of our allies)—but there was no one so present
who will deny that the leading of the regiments of
the Light Cavalry Brigade into the battery on the
day of the battle of Balaklava, was not a firm, satisfac-
tory, and compact one—(cheers)—well and gallantly
supported by three other regiments belonging Isto the
brigade, which came on in succession under their re-
spective commanding officers. Ladies and gentlemen,
I will leave the troops who have just arrived at the bat-
tery for one moment, and refer to one or two other falla-
cies. It has been also suggested, and the idea has been
entertained, that it is the duty of a general officer com-
manding cavalry to fight the enemy, with and amongst
private soldiers, after coming into contact with them.
No such thing is the case, and I will give you the greatest
authority to the contrary. The greatest authority we
have ever had in this country is that of the late noble
hussar, Lord Anglesea. Under the names of Lord Ux
bridge and Lord Paget, he frequently commanded ca-
valry, and distinguished himself in every way, and hai
the reputation of being the best cavalry general that
ever lived in this country. He has been known to de-
clare that he never, during his career, raised his
sword, or used it against an enemy, except on one
occas on in self-defence. I could not, ladies and gentle-
men, quote to you a greater authority than that of Lord
Anglesea, the mostgallant general of cavalry, who always
led his own troops into action, whether he was in com-
mand of a small force or a large one. I will give you an
instance or two. When he commanded the Hussar Bri-
gade in Spain, previous to Sir J. Moore's retreat, the 15th
Hussars, which composed one brigade, had an opportu-
nity of attacking the French cavalry, and Lord Paget
put himself at their head, led them to the attack, and
gained a victory. Subsequently, under the title of Lord
Uxbridge, when commanding the whole force of cavalry
at Waterloo, 10,000 strong, he put himself at the head of
the household brigade, showing himself fint most gallantly,
and led his troops into action. There is one mere fallacy
which at times has been suggested with regard to the du-
ties of a cavalry general. It is that of a general officer of
cavalry leadinghis first line, after getting amongst and at-
tacking the enemy, is to halt and receive the second line,
before bringing his brigade into action. Thetis not the case.
A. general officer commanding the first line has nothing
to do with anything but the regiments he immediately
commands. Those who follow in support are under the
superior officer of each line. But, even supposing such
a thing was practicable in may common charge of cavalry,
of one body of cavalry against another, or even against
infantry, can anybody living imagine that it would be
possible for a general officer leading the first line of
cavalry in an affair like that of Balaklava, attacking 13,
19, or 20 heavy guns to the front, a battery on each
ft ink, and the bills covered with Russian riflemen—can
anybody suppose that when leading into the battery vo-
miting forth shells, round shot, and every missile of war,
a general officer can lead his line over the battery, and af-
ter that, coming in contact with 5,000 Russian cavalry,
which was the force stationed beyond the Russian guns,
he could turn his horse round and wait for the econd
line ? I think any gentlemen must see the folly of such
a supposition. (Loud cheers.) Well, ladies and gentle-
men, I had brought the attacking lino up to that bat-
tery, they were there employed, some of them in cut-
ting down the guns—aid, gentlemen, it was there that
the great loss of life took place. It was then. or imme-
diately afterwards, that many a gallant spirit departed
this life—it was there—(his lordship again had to pause
hero from the intensity of his feelings)—it was there that
such men as Hotham, and Goad, and Montgomery, of
the 13th Light Dragoons, of Winter, and Webb, and
Thompson, of the 17th Lancers—it was there that they
met their death ; it was there that White and Morris and
Sir W. Gordon were cut to the ground ; it was there
that one of my aides-de-camp was wounded, another
taken prisoner, and then, or some time later, another
met his fate like the rest. I speak of Capt. Lockwood,
of the Bth Hussars, than whom there never was a more
gentlemanly, a more gallant young officer. (Cheers.)
This slaughter took place both amongst officers and men,
for the men gallantly followed their officers wherever
they went. At the same time in the supporting regi-
ments both Packer and Fitzgibbon, of the Bth Hussars,
Cornet Houghton, of the 11th Hussars, and others whose
names lam afraid I can't recollect, were cut off. Well,
gentlemen, in the face of all the difficulties there were for
the leading line to advance, after getting in among the
guns, on account of the obstruction which the gun car-
riages, the limber carriages, and other machinery of that
sort offered—many did advance, and lost their lives ; and
when, in 20 minutes from the time we had moved up to
the attack, passed over one mile of ground in going, and
the same in retiring, I drew up that remnant of the
Light Brigade, there remained but 195 out of the 670
men that went into . action. The loss of life of officers,
non-commissioned officers', and men—those who were put
hori de combat either by death or wounds, or taken pri•
goners, was 298, and there were 397 horses put hors de
combat, and the whole of that occurred in the short space
of 25 minutes. Gentlemen, after this had taken place, I
proceeded to Lord Raglan to report the circumstances of
the charge, and his lordship expressed to me his marked
disapprobation of what had been done, stating that such
an attack was totally contrary to the principles of
warfare—that is, the attacking a battery in front with
cavalry. I have only to say on the subject that there
never was n more uncalled forattack, inasmuch as we had
seen this Russian battery with a large body of heavy ca
valry in its rear at least 20 minutes ; and when this attack
,Lvra,sdioersdaenrdedgtehnetylemweetrie,
Inefiirtmhelyr abdevliaenvceintKantonritrhentruegahtitnhge.
attack was useless in itself, and, in fact, Ras almost the
destruction of the light cavalry brigade, the moral effect
it had upon the Russian army was of great importanct
—at least, so I was informed by that great general.
Lord Raglan, who had ascertained the fact from a num
ber of Russian deserters who were constantly coming in.
(Hear, bear.) Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, again, be
fore I sit down, let me return my most heartfelt thanks
for the great honour you have conferred upon me. Be
lieve me, I shall preserve this sword and esteem it of th,
greatest value to the last day of my life. I shall always
recall to memory the kind and generous manner ii
which I have been received in the West Riding of York
shire and in the town of Leeds. I shall carry the savor,
along with me to the day of my death, as the mos
gratifying of all things I possess —as that which 1
value the most. (Loud cheers, during which the noble
!cad resumed his Neat.)

BRITISH EMPIRE MUTUAL FIRE
INSURANCE COMPANY.

The
,A.nnual Meeting of the members and shareholders
of this company was held on Friday at the offices, 47,
Moorgate-street ; Mr. James Low, chairman of the com-
pany, presiding.
The advertisement convening the meeting having been
read from the Lonclon Gazette,
The CHAIRUAN said that the business of the day lay
quite in a nutshell. The report to be presented would
supply the history of the movements of the company
during the year, and-stow, that, although the amount of
business done was not so large as could be wished, there
had been a decided progress, and that the affairs of the
company were in a healthy and satisfactory state. He
c)uld not but believe, however, that, had there been
more zeal on the part of the members, a far larger num-
ber of policies might have been effeeted ; and he ear-
nestly hoped that less apathy would be manifested in the
year ensuing. It would require but a very little effort,
he was satisfied, on the part of any member to secure
one more at least. Did they all feel as lively an ir terest
in the progress of the society as some did, thr y would•
sot fail to commend it to -the 'notice of all with whom
they came in contact ; and then, instead of ir.creasing
the business by a million a-year there was apparently no
reason why it might not be extended to five, or even ten
millions..(flear.) Let the mutual principle on which the
,ociety is founded only become thoroughly known, and
it must of necessity commend itself to the judgment of
every one ; .if for no. Other reason because it would be
felt to be a pocket question. He would have the mem-
bers consider, moreover, that a much more extended
business might be done
.by the machinery required- to
transact the present ; and consequently that being a
mutual society they were deeply interested in canvassing
for insurers. The' .eighliVantr of the Company's exist-
ence had now been corneleted j'and it was Pleasing to
trace thegradual advancement effected from the first year
to the present time, The amount of business done in
the first year might be stated, in round numbers, at
659,0001.; the second year, 664,0001. ; the third,
731,0001. ; the fourth, 829,0001. ; the fifth, 940,000/, ;
the sixth, 1,295,00e1.; the seventh, 1,301,0001. ; and
the eighth, 1,382,0001. (Cheers.) The latter figures
represented the amount insured at the office this last
year ; and the steady progress made was surely a clear
and pleasing indication that the mutual principle is
pressing itself on the general mind of the community ;
and that the expectation might be safely cherished that
the British Empire Mutual Company would attract to
itself every new year a larger ❑umber of members than
that which preceded it. (Hear) The report would
now be read.

Mr. F. CIITHBERTSON, Managing Director, accord.
ingly submitted the following document :
" The directors have again the pleasure of reporting
a steady increase in the business of the company, some-
what larger indeed than last year, and, according to the
Governmental returns, larger than that of the great ma-
jority of offices ; at the same time, the directors cannot
think it equal to what the mutual principle justly de.
served, and must again appeal to their insurers to re-
commend in their respective circles a company whose
fundamental principle ought to cernmond a very large
business.

" The policies issued during the year were 2,840, in-
suring property to the amount of 1,382,551/., which ex-
ceeds the increase of last year by 196 policies (averaging
in amount 400/. each).
" The receipts of the company from policies during
the year amounted to 14,470/. 11g. 2d„ of which 6,7411.
16s. sd. was for duty to the Government, and 7,7231.
14s. 9d. for premiums.
"For claims on losses which have occurred during the
year, the sum of 6,118/. 17s. 31. has been paid, as also
an additional sum of 3,914/. 68. ld. carried for claims
in progress of settleme .t at the last audit. It is gra-
tifying that the losses by fire this year, though
large, should be so much less than those of the excep-
tional year 1855, which was a severe one for nearly all
the offices.

"The directors, in consequence of the heavy losses
referred to during the last two years—though none of
them are such as any care on their part could have pre-
vented, and though the average of a series of years will,
of course, be very much less—have yet determined to
economise expenditure in every way which will not be
disadvantageous to the company itself; and have, ac-
cordingly, reduced the interest received by themselves
on their large proportion of the guarantee fend from
seven to five per cent. The majority of the shareholders
have also cheerfully followed their example, and it is
confidently hoped that all will ultimately concur.
"Some of the members may have been perplexed by
observing in the Times' statistics on fire assurance, that
large sums as capitsl are assigned to the old offices, but
n Ailing to The British Empire. It may be useful to re-
mind sucti persons that the large guarantee fund, at
call (subscribed for this company), is a security to the
insurers, fully equal to that of the subscribed shares in
any proprietary office. _
" Tbe attempt of the French offices to insure English
property wit4out payment of duty and policy stamp
would, it was hoped, have opened the eyes of the Go-
vernment to the unjust nature of the duty levied, in
addition to the necessary charge for inmrance on all
property exposed to damage by fire; a tax on honesty
and prudence exc'usively, and a tax which the fully equal
amount ef incombustible property in the kingdom es-
capes. They accordingly forwardei to the House of
Commons petitions, signed by about 17,000 of their
members and others • but, though other offices joined in
similar efforts' the others;
,of the Exchequer would
neither repeal the tax, nor reduce its exorbitant rate. It
is understood, however, that the members of the House
of Commone, generally, are so canvinced of the iniquity
of the tax, that it will be one of the first repealed when
the expenses of the war have bean discharged.
" Messr-. Cuthbertson, Gould, and Freeman are the
retiring Directors ; Mr. Gould, however, was obliged,
by the state of his health, to resign soon after the last
public meeting. The other two Directors are eligible
for re-election.

" By the election of Mr. Doxsey to the Directorate, a
vacancy occurred in the Auditorship ; Mr. Moore, who
announced himself at the last Annual Meeting as a can-
didate for the vacancy, in case of Mr. Ihxsey's election,
was therefore requested to audit the accounts with the
remaining Auditor, and now offers himself as a candidate
for the vacancy. Mr. Pewtress retires by rotation from
the Auditorship, and is eligible for re-election.
Mr. Clowes having resigned the Secretaryship, in
consequence of a decided opinion that the business of
the Company would be best conducted by a Managing
Director, the Directors, concurring with his view, re-
quested one of their number, Mr. Cuthbertson, to accept
that office, and have every reason to be satisfied that
the arrangement will be advantageous to the Company,
and give confidence to the members.

Tire Direet irs will onlyit;theraad, that their agents
throughout the country are increasingly efficient, and
they hove no doubt of obtaining during the present year
a large augmentation of bwinesp,
The CHAIRMAN felt much pleasure in moving the
adoption of the Report. The members would see that
the Directors had endeavoured, by every means in their
power, to discharge the duties devolving upon them as
effectually as possible. One method adopted for bene-
fiting the members was, to a 4( the guarantee share-
holders to consent to the reduction of interest from 7 to
5 per cent.,—a request that had been very generally
complied with. (Hear, hear.) At the same time, the
Directors had resolved to give up their own attendance-
fees for the present. (Hear, hear.) It had become evi-
dent, during the last few years, that fire assurance is
attended with a great deal of uncertainty ; the •laims
on some of the offices had been almost overwhelming ;
and his own opinion was, that the question would have
to be very carefully considered whether additional
premiums must not be demanded. He attributed very
many of the large fires that now took place to the care-
less use of lucifer matches and fusses. The British Em-
pire, happily, bad not suffered such heavy losses as some
of the other offices; and these would have been still

lighter if a multitude of small claims, amounting to only
a few sHilings eacb, had not been made, and certainly
ought not. The individuals making them derived but
scanty benefit, and yet, when these insignificant sums
were put together, they amounted to a considerable sum.
If persons thought of this they would surely be prevented
from making such claims. After dwelling at some
length on th peculiar advantages and the prosperous
position of the Company, the Chairman concluded by
moving the adoption of the Report. •
The Report was then unanimously adopted.
Mr. Cuthbertson and Mr. Freeman, the two retiring
Directors, wore next re-elected to the Board by a unani
mous vote. Mr. Powtress, the retiring Auditor, was
also re-elected with the same-unanimity ; and Mr. Moore
chosen as the second Auditor in the room of Mr. Doxsey,
who had been elected a Director at the last annual
meeting.
Mr. Moon E returned thanks. Ile hail been engaged
upon the last audit, and could safely say that he believed
verpyosition facility bad been given them
of affairs ; and both
t
the Company to be in a state quite as satisfactory as
expected.cruldndbeers
himself and his brother Auditor were not a little pleased
the straightforward andiclear way in which the books
understand
t h
real e E
were kept. (Hear, hear.) Before resuming his seat,
he wished to have the pleasure to move the following
Resolution :
" That thie meeting is gratified to bear of the steady
increase of the Company's business, and wishes to urge
upon all insurers the gnat importance of giving the it
support to a Company founded on the principle of giving
to them the entire profits of their payments ; and that
this meeting fully according in all that is stated in the
Report and Petition respecting the injustice and impolicy
of the Fire Insurance Duty, requests the Directors to
watch every opening for promoting its repeal, and con-
Alders it to be the duty of all insurers to use their best
efforts ft- r the abolition of such an uniust impost."
['his being a speech in itself, no speech was needed to
recommend it for the adoption of the meeting. Ile
would only suggest, that it the Society had not made
so much progress as could have been wished, it was not
-he fault of the Directors, but of the members. He had
aimself brought in three or four policies this last year;
and hoped that all those interested in the Company's
welfare would seek to do the same during the year en•

Mr. WATSON, the solicitor, said that evidently the in
creak* to which Asir, Banta (a previous speaker) referred,

was the increase upon the increase. (Hear, hear.) The
premiums of the last year were 6,6821. against 7,7281.
this year, so that the increase by premiums was more by
1,1001. than the business of the previous year ; which
was a result, he confessed, that appeared to himself per-
fectly astonishing, when one considered the difficulties
which such an office had to contend with in consequence
of the reckless competition going on among the various
Fire-offices of the day. If the great losses experienced
by the several companies during the last few years
should continue—which, however, he did not suppose
would be the case—then they must either raise their
rates of premium, er give up business. One institution
that he could name, with an income of 10,0001., had
been required to pay 24,0001. for the fire losses
of the year ; whereas the losses of this Society had
not reached 75 per cent. Now, if the business could be
doubled during the ensuing year there would be quite
sufficient to pay all expenses and leave a profit, even sup-
posing the losses should continue at the same ratio ;
but, unless all previous calculations failed, 50 per cent.
would certainly pay them. (Hear.) But, whatever
night be the course of events, tho ample guarantee capi-
tal of the company would insure the prompt payment of
all just claims. The Company, was in the peculiar
position of standing related to three others, which made
a point of systematically bringing business of the best
sort to the office, so-that there was no fear of a constant
supply coming in. He had the fullest possible confidence
in the stability and progress of the society. (Cheers.)
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. GROSEE moved :

That the thanks of this meeting be given to the
directors for their disinterested services in the manage-
ment cif this company."
Mr. D. PRATT seconded the resolution.

The resolution was unanimously aloptsd.
Mr.. CUTHBERTSQ2I, in a few ;earnest ,words,
ledded.the iote-onobetialf of himieittia,Sl2o

low=

Mr. JOHN THOMPSON then moved, and Mr. B. W.
WEBB seconded--

"That the thanks of this meeting are due, and are
hereby given, to the Chairman, for the able manner in
which he has conducted this meeting."
The resolution having been c,rdially adopted, the
Chairman made his acknowledgments, and the proce-.:1-
logs terminated.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

EAST KENT.

The seventh half-yearly general meeting of the share-
holders of this company was held on Saturday at the
London Tavern—Lord Sondes in the chair. The direc-
tors' report has been given by us.
The balance sheet of the company showed that a sum
of 193,7871. had been received on the capital account of
350,0001., of which sum 158,6461. had been expended
in works, legal expenses, and other matters, the re-
mainder of the amount received being invested in loans
and securities, and lying as balance at the company's
bankers.

Lord SONDES, in moving the adoption of the report,
congratulated the meeting on the improved prospects of
the company, and the near approach to the termina-
tion of the works in course of progress.
Sir J. TYLDEN seconded the motion, and called atten-
tion to the fact of Lord Sondes having eonsented to re-
ceive the whole value of 30 acres of his land, required
fur the purposes of• the ii‘ii-7ay. in shares of the com-
pany. On the part of the in , :'ants of Dover an in-
creased amount of interest was felt in the progress of
the undertaking, more especially since the partial de-
struction of that portion of the South-Eastern line be-
tween Shakspere's Cliff and the Dover station. The
directors hoped to be able to 3)cure a West-end termi-
nus fir their line in London iq the course of the next
sdssion.

In answer to a question put by a shareholder,
The CHAIRMAN said that ab ) a 140, 0001. at present
remained 'due on arrears of calls.

Mr. ALDRIDGE thought that. , eh case it was bad
policy for the directors to cornru) me working at both
ends of the line; they ought raths& t) economise their
capital.
Mr. CRAMPTON, C.E., in answer to several questions
put by shareholders, explained that the to tal number of
milesof railway comprised in the Souli• Ea stein system,
including the North Kent line, was JO, and the ave•
rage traffic was about 3,200/. annum. This
average was, however, almost entirely i t it allied by the
enormous amount of traffic on the North K en slim) ; the
traffic on these 30 miles from London t,ridg e to Strood
averaging 7,4001. per mile per annum. East Kent
Rail way, which was an extension of this ommencing
by a junction with it at Street!, and 0 ea.i .1 g through
Rochester, Chatham, Sittingbourne, and Fa veishain, to
Canterbury, and thence to Dover, thus shortening the
distance to Canterbury, Ramsgate, by 21 miles, and
that to Dover by 12 miles—it was not too much to
anticipate that the traffic on the E%s-, Dent line, of
which it was the continuation, espaela:i! as it received
the whole of the Canterbury, Rarns4ati, nod Margate,
as well as the through traffic from 1,) vial Roolies-
ter to Dover, and the csntinental tr: e, ;iesides being
supplied with a Sheerness branch by an independent
company. Taking this estimate of 7,4001. on 46 miles
from Strood to Dover, they had for the whole traffic a
total of 340,0001., which, deducting 50 per cent. for
working expenses, left 170,2001. for dividend, above 14
per cent. on the capital of 1,200,000/. If they took,
however, the average traffic on the whole Siutli•Eastern
system, considering that the company lost about
100,0001. per annum by unproductive bralielies, it was
certainly far below the minimum that might be expected
on the East Kent line.

' AThe thanks of the meeting were voted to the noble
chairman and the directors, and the proceedings termi-
nated.

lIAPSBURG vice CALCRA FT.

(From Punch.)

Hanging, with which, not long ago, the public appeared
to have got nearly disgusted, seems of late to have in
some measure recovered its popularity, or rather its place
in the affections of the educated and governing classe,.
It is true that Celestina‘Somner escaped the gallows, but
did not the Home Secretary hang Martha Brown ? and
if the former's crime was one of the most cruel murders
on record, was not the offence of the latter mere man•
slaughter committed under the extenuating circum-
stances of extreme provocation Fro,n one extreme the
Government will of course run into the other, and the
executioner, in that his office is no sinecure, will differ
even more widely than he now does from the Cathedral
Cano:7.

The increasing employment of no gallows will pro-
bably prove a stimulus to the attainment of excellence
in the executioner's department of high art : and then,
as a necessary consequence, we shall have foreign ability
invited to compete with British talent. Application
will naturally be made to Germany ; but, we would
suggest, chiefly to that particular portion of Father.
land called Austria:

A letter has been written to a Genoese paper by
General Garibaldi, stating that poor Ciceruacchio, the
popu!ar orator of the modern Romans, and his two soca.
boys ui.der age, together with four other persons, one of
them a chaplain, have been barbarously shot, in cold
blood, at Contarina, near the mouth of the Po, by Aus
trian soldiers commanded by an officer of the imperia
family. Since, even if Ciceruacchio bad rendered him
self liable to be shot, his Holiness the Pope was the
only person legally qualified to shoot Min, this abomi-
nable act on the part of the Austrians, was an officious
exercise of the office of the finisher of the Papal law. It
shows them to be born with a natural turn for that
officer's vocation.

Besides, was not the reign of the present Emperor of
Austria inaugurated by hangings? It is remarkable, in
connection with this circumstance, that the officer in com-
mand of the Austrian soldiers who put to death Ciceruac-
chb, his children, and the other persons whom they had
no right to,meddle with, was a member of the Imperial
family. 'No doubt they all hacg together.
If, therefore, foreign professors of the halter are to be
encouraged, like so many other foreign artists, to afford
this country the advantage of their ingenuity in their
own peculiar line, let application bo made, in the first in-
stance, to the Austrian Government for the required assist-
ance. The status of the hangman will be improved
by the importation of Austiian competitors ; for the
office is evidently one of honour in the dominions of
Francis Joseph, and any other dominions occupied by
his gallant troops, who volunteer its performance,
and are, doubtless, as handy with the rope as they
are with the rifle. Perhaps his Majesty will send us that
distinguished member of his family who commanded the
gallant party, all volunteers perhaps, that executed those
above-mentioned subjects of the Pope on account of Isis
Holiness. We shall doubtless receive with all the hon-
ours due to his exalted rank and elevating pursuit that
amateur Imperial assistant of Under-Sheriff4, and
shall unanimously agree in nominating him Arch-
Jack-Ketch.

VACANCIES, APPOINTMENTS, AND PROMOTIONS IN THE
CIVIL SERVICE.—The Royal Household :--A Chaplaincy
in Ordinary to the Queen has become vacint by the
death of the Rev. W. Cooper. Foreign Department :
The Consul-Generalship of Odessa and the Consul-Gene-
ralship of Warsaw are .vacant, as well as several Con-
sulships and Vice-Consulships in the Russian empire.
Coast Guard :—Lieut. C. Hawkey his been appointed
to command the Dingle Station. Customs :—Mr. A.
M. D'Arcy, Extra Clerk, has been appointed Clerk in
the Examiner's Office' London ; Mr. W. Thompson ha,
been promoted from Inspector of Gaugers to Landing
Surveyor at Liverpool ; ' Mr. F. Wilkinson has been
promoted from Second to First Class Searcher at Liver.
pool ; Mr. C. Stower has been promoted from Third to
Second Class Searcher at Liverpool ; Mr. J. Bennet
has been promoted from Fourth to Third Class Searches
at Liverpool ; Mr. R. W. Swayne has been promoted
from Fifth to Fourth Class Searcher at Liverpool ; Mr.
W. Findlay, Clerk, Montrose, has been promoted to bf
Second Clerk at Dundee. Ireland ;—Mr. T. M. H
Jones has been appointed a Cadet in the Constabulary,
, after as eon3petitive ezauzinatigu.—Civq Service Go gm,