The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-12 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 12 1867

THE ARMY ESTIMATES.

Miscellaneous American News.

In reply to an Hox. MEMBER,
The CHANCELLOR, of the EXCHEQUER said he did
not anticipate that his right hon. friend, the Secretary of
State for War, would be in his place on Friday, but on
that evening a vote would be taken which would enable

The report is widely spread in Washington that
the President intends soon sending a Message to
Congress proposing a measure of reconstruction on
the basis of universal amnesty and universal suffrage.
The Post-office Appropriation Bill, which sets
apart $500,000 for mail steamship service between
San Francisco, Japan, and China, has been refused
by the President.
General Sherman's substitute for the bill propos-
ing military government for the South has been
finally passed in both Houses, with an amendment
providing that until the rebel States are admitted
to representation civil government in the South
shall be provisional only, and subject in all respects
to the paramount national authority. The Presi-
dent's veto on returning this bill to Congress says
that no constitutional power can adopt nor execute
a military government bill, the object not being to
maintain order, but to coerce the Southern people
into principles they oppose, and in which they have
a right to use their own judgment. In this veto
the President recommends that all loyal represen-
tatives be admitted to Congress. The Legislature
replied to this message by passing the bill over his
veto, and in the same manner passed the Tenure of
Office Bill. The Kentucky Legislature passed a
resolution protesting against the establishment of
military rule in the South.
Congress has passed the Wool Tariff, and has fixed
the Cotton Tax at 2f cents.—The 40th Congress
met the first time on the afternoon of the 4th inst.
—Parson Brownlow has again been nominated as
Governor of Tennessee.—The Manhattan arrived
at New York early on the morning of the 2d inst.

hon. members to bring forward their motions.
THE FENIAN OUTRAGE.
The O'DONOGHUE said a rumour was prevalent
which had caused the greatest alarm, and ho therefore
wished to know whether it was the intention of the

Government to proclaim martial law in Ireland, and if so,
whether the right hon. gentleman the Secretary of State
for the Homo Department would state the additional
powers such a proceeding would give to the authorities
in Dublin: _ . .

Mr. WALPOLE said the Government had no intention
at present, and he hoped there would be no necessity for
proclaiming martial law in Ireland. If such a stringent
measure should be required the house would be made
fully aware of the powers it would give. (Hear, hear.) The
hon. gentlemen opposite he bad no doubt would be gratified
to know that the accounts he had received from Dublin
yesterday were more favourable than they had been for
some days. (Hear, hoar.) The ordinary law of the land
would be departed from and special commissioners would
bo issued to bring the offenders to speedy trial. (Hear, hear.)
lie would, doubtless, be gratified to hear that he had
received a telegram that day from Ireland, which stated
that in the great firm of Malcolmson Brothers, Portlaw,
employing over 3,000 persons, not one had left his work
to join the Fenians. (Hear, hear.)
THE REFORM BILL.

Mr. LOCKE asked when the statistics with reference to
the subject of the representation of the people would be
laid on the table.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said there
were no papers before the Cabinet which were not on the
table of the houso and in possession of hon. members. He
had given directions fer printing certain documents, and
the delay in their production, he supposed, was the desire
to introduce matters more in detail. There was no new
information.

By the latest intelligence from Mexico it appears
that the Emperor Maximilian took the field on the
19th February, and moving northward, with 6,000
men, met and totally defeated Carvajal, killing or
capturing the whole of his force. These are the
sort of blows for an Emperor, placed as Maximi-
lian is, to strike, and he will have the hearty sym-
pathy of Europe if he can succeed in establishing a
firm Government, and freeing the country of his
adoption from the misrule and brigandage which
have neutralised all the gifts of nature.
Successful experiments have lately been made at
Lowell, Eastern Massachusetts, with the recently-
invented breech-loading musket, altered from the
Springfield pattern, by Captain Meigs, of Ten-
nessee. The gun can be fired without difficulty
thirty-three times per minute, and successfully
resisted the severest tests to burst or foul the barrel.
General Butler has been assisting Captain Meigs in
perfecting his invention, and an attempt will be
made to secure an act of the Legislature, autho-
rising the remodelling of all the Springfield muskets
now owned by the State to Captain Meig's pattern
of breech-loaders.
The Supreme Court of the District of Columbia
has decided that the test oath decision of the United
States Supreme Court cannot be made to apply to
subordinate courts, upon the ground that each
court has the right to make its own rules ; and it
has therefore refused to allow ex-rebels to practise
before the court.
In 1866 the vessels cleared from England with
cargoes for the United States were 1,437, of
1,512,998 tons, an increase over the preceding year
of 389 vessels, 371,937 tons ; the vessels of United
States nationality clearing from the United King-
dom with cargoes were 507, of 513,614 tons, an
increase of 113 vessels, 116,597 tons.
The Pall Mall Gazette remarks—" The editor of
Wilkes's Spirit of the Times has hit upon something
new in the way of journalism. He has engaged a
horse doctor on his paper, who is, of course, the
most eminent veterinary practitioner' in the United
States, and whose duty it is to cure everybody's
ailing horse, the patient's case being stated in the
columns of the Spirit. In the very next issue of the
paper the eminent practitioner's opinion will ap-
pear, with the advice and prescription suited to the
difficulty. No inquiries made in private will be
noticed, it being the editor's wish that the talents
of his veterinary practitioner should be subjected to
the severest of all tests—that of public criticism."
Mu. CYRUS FIELD.—The following resolutions
were passed unanimously by both Houses of Con-
gress. We believe it is the only instance on record
of the Legislature of the United States decorating a
civiian with such a badge of distincton. We con-
gratulate the distinguished recipient on obtaining,
through Congress, this public award of his country's
approbation, and we trust that the token with
which it is accompanied may blhandaet thdde thanks
nbhys
of
him toong a long Congress
be,
ande
of
they
Mr. Cyrus Field, of New York, for his foresight,
courage, and determination in establishing tele-
graphic communication by means of the Atlantic
cable traversing through mid-ocean, and connecting
the old world with the new ; and that the President
of the United States be requested to cause a gold
medal to be struck, with suitable emblems, devices,
and inscriptions, to be presented to Mr. Field ; that
when the medal shall have been struck, the Presi-
dent shall cause a copy of the joint resolution to be
engrossed on parchment, and shall transmit the
same,
presented t
togeto him in
together with the
the medal, to Mr. Field, to be
name
of the people of
the United States."
Colonel Patrick, the Indian agent, has established
a reservation four miles from Fort Laramie, which
has 80 lodges of Indians already upon it, and more
are coming.
Captain Hatch is raising a regiment of Pawnee
Indians near Omaha, Nebraska, for service on the

Mr. HORSM AN said some papers were referred to by the
noble lord, who until lately was a membar of the Cabinet,
and ceased to be, as ho had stated, after a full consideration
of those figures. (Order, order.) He would conclude by
making a motion, and thus put himself in order—he
should like to know what were the figures the noble lord
referred to, and whether there would be any objection to
lay them on the table. He moved the adjournment of the
house.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said there
was nothing novel is the figures roferred to; whatever
information the Cabinet had before was in the hands of the

house.

Viscount CRANBORNE said the figures he referred to
were not new. They were certain totals which he had
compared with the detailed information contained in the
voluminous returns which had been laid before the house
last year.
The subject dropped, and the motion for the adjourn-
ment was withdrawn.
VALUATION OP PROPERTY BILL.

Mr. HUNT moved the second reading of this bill, the
object of which was to secure uniformity in the assessment
for Queen's taxes, poor-rates, &c., by the appointment of
a valuation board. _ _

Mr. HENLEY thought the bill was most objection-
able, and one that would be a continual blister—
(laughter)—and therefore he hoped his hon. friend would
not press it, especially as it was clear to all practical per-
sons that it would not effect the object intended.
Mr. CHILDERS thought there was a great deal of un-
necessary machinery in the bill, therefore while he approved
of certain provisions, ho hoped it would be read a second
-time, and then referred to a select committee.
The bill was supported by Mr. Corrance, Mr. Goldney,
Mr. H. Seymour, and Sir M. H. Beach.
Mr. VILLIERS remarked that no ground had been laid
for establishing so costly and elaborate an apparatus for
stimulating the action of his Uuion Assessment Act,
which he believed was working well.
Mr. HUNT maintained that the bill would relieve the
taxpayer from much trouble, as he showed by describing
the numerous appeals through which owners of property
had to pass at present. He defended the machinery of the
bill generally, but consented to refer it to a Select Com-
mittee.
After some remarks from Mr. Read and Colonel Gilpin,
the bill was read a second time, and ordered to be referred
to a Select Committee.
The next five hours of the sitting were occupied in con-
sidering the Metropolitan Poor Relief Bill in Committee
Only a few verbal amendments were made in the bill, and
the Committee rejected, by 92 to 27, a proposal to omit
clause 79, which gives the Poor Law Board power to
nominate a certain number of guardians.
The Shipping Local Dues Bill was read a third time and
passed.
Several other orders wore forwarded a stage, and the
house then adjourned.

since.

The total internal revenue received since the commence-
ment of the fiscal year, July 1, 1866, is $194,043,821, and
the receipts from customs for the first week in Fbbruary,
at the five principal Atlantic ports wore $4,096,911. The
balance at the various sub-treasuries in coin and currency
is steadily accumulating.
The best railway shares are looking up and manifest
strength, though some of the fancy stocks are neglected
and show little inclination to recover from the late fall.
The most marked decline is in the stock of the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company. No line can be stronger than
this or stand on a more secure basis, nor indeed have a
brighter future. The fall of the dividend paid quarterly to
3 from 5 per cent. has probably caused this. There was a
serious falling off in the quotations on Wednesday, for the
shares went down some 27 per cent.-commencing the
week at 155, and falling on that day to 127.
The following are some of the last prices I have been
able to obtain :-Gold, 138* ; United States Five-twenties
(1862), 1114 ; (1864), 1081 ; (1865), 109 ; (1865, new
issue), 1061 ; United States Ten-forties, 1011 ; United
States 7 3-10 Loan, 1051 ; Missouri Sixes, 921 ;
Virginia Sixes, 58 ; New York Central Railroad,
102, Erie 46i, Erie preferred 74, Hudson River
134„ Michigan Central 107 f, Michigan Southern and
Northern Indiana 72, Illinois Central 116, Cleveland
and Pittsburg 79k, Cleveland and Toledo 118, Chicago
and North-Western 34, Chicago and Norh-Western
preferred 65f, Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne, and Chi-
cago 96}, Chicago and Alton 1141, Chicago and
Rock Island 97t, Ohio and Mississippi certificates 24f,
Adams's Express Company 56, American 55, United
States 56, Wells, Fargo and Co.'s GO, Merchants' Union
12, Western Union Telegraph Company 41, Pacific Mail
Steamship Company (ex div.) 127, Atlantic Mail Steam-
ship Company 93, Cumberland Coal Company (preferred)
34, Canton Company 46, Quicksilver Mining Company 39,
Mariposa Mining Company (preferred) 33f, Boston Water
Power Company 25k.

(From E. F. Satterthwaite and Co.'s Weekly Circular,
March 6, 1867.)
• By the Australasian we have advices from New York to
the 19th ult. During the week that had elapsed since our
previous advices there had been a continued, strong, and
steady demand for Government Stocks, the earlier dated
5-20 Bonds had advanced nearly three per cent., closing
111 to and the 10-40 or Five per Cent. Bonds had im-
proved one per cent. The exchange of the 7-30 Treasury
notes for 5-20 Bonds was proceeding rapidly.
Railroad Shares in face of disappointing traffic returns
exhibited a slight falling off from previous quotations, the
efect of the recent panic still being felt, this, and the pre-
valent feeling that the Secretary of the Treasury will per-
severe in his policy of as speedy a return to a specie basis
as possible, seemed to have the effect of preventing any
speculation for a rise. For Railroad Bonds there was an
improved demand at about former rates, but State Stocks
had fluctuated, Georgia Six per cent. showing a decline of
$6, and Missouri Sixes $2 ; while California Sevens and
Ohio Sixes had both improved. Money was in rather
more demand, but the rate of interest remained without
alteration.

(From Messrs. Bowles, Drevet and Co.'s Circular)
Paris, March 8.
The improvement in business, noted in our circular of
last week, has continued, money being still very abun-
dant, and prices generally advancing, with few excep-
tions.

Exchange on London rules slightly higher, say, for
short sight bills, from 25 12 to 25 16.
The chief topic of interest during the week has been
the placing upon the market of the new issue of bonds of
the Austrian Credit Foncier, which have attracted a great
number of investors, and which bid fair to command a
premium as soon as the books are closed. This loan of
150,000,000 francs is issued upon security of Crown lands
and other real property in Austria, and the investment
promises to become a favourite one with capitalists.
American securities have been little dealt in until within
the last day or two, when a decided rise has taken place
in consequence of more favourable telegrams from New
York, indicating a speedy settlement of political differ-
ences, and probable fall in the price of gold. The closing
quotation to-day is 83k. The speculative sellers of these
bonds, who, for various reasons, are largely in the majo-
rity, have this week received a decided check.

The Next Great Exhibition.

4:r-

The following letter has been addressed to the
editor of the Anglo-American Times :

LONDON, March 5, 1867.

SIR, —The idea that the next " Great Exhibition"
should be held in New York, suggested in an article

of your paper last week, is a germ capable of de-
velopment to grand proportions. lam not an
American, but I take a deep and growing interest
in the rapid advancement of that wonderful country ;

and I not only agree with you that America is ripe
for such an undertaking ; but I go further, and hold
that such Exhibition should be purely American.
The country, including South America, extends
over every range of climate, and is therefore capable
of showing the produce of every clime. I propose,
therefore, that the entire Continent of North and
South America should unite in a vigorous effort
to produce at New York—as a central point—a
display of their combined resources in Art, Agri-
culture, Science, and Industry ; end I have no fear
if—to quote your own words--" the idea is once
entertained as probable," not only will immediate
action be taken for its accomplishment, but that
the result will redound to the credit of that
great nation, and be productive of a wider
knowledge of the vast resources of the rich
American Continent than will otherwise be ob-
tained before the lapse of many years. How else
can America display many inventions too large or
too delicate for transport across an ocean, adequate
specimens of her vast mineral stores, models of her
institutions, and trophies of her triumphs over
scientific difficulties? Besides all this, in connec-
tion with the " Great American Exhibition," ex-

plains.
Henry Hyde, of Boston, has given $5,000 to
found a lectureship on foreign missions at Andover
theological seminary, and Rev. Dr. Rufus Anderson,
late secretary of the American board, has been ap-
n Boston woollen
p o
ji natme de
st oxid. e
Bl i ve
ee
br
et,hteh fiefirste
Icl
ku
ur soew.
merchant, has nearly completed a five story marble
store at New York, costing $145,000.
The Round Table says :—Mr. —Mr. Bancroft has de-
clined the Boston collectorship, which, possibly, was
tendered him by the Government as an offset to the
outrage upon public decency of its recently exposed
treatment of Mr. Motley.
Mr. Alexander Dallas Bache, one of the most
eminent sarans of this country, died recently
at Newport, in the sixtieth year of his age. Pro-
fessor Bache was educated at West Point, was
afterward at different periods Professor of 'Mathe-
matics in the University of Pennsylvania, Presi-
dent of Girard College, and Principal of the
Philadelphia High School. This position he re-
signed more than twenty years ago on being ap-
pointed Chief of the United States Coast Survey, an
office in which he rendered the most distinguished
services to science, but under whose arduous duties
his health gave way, and that softening of the brain
was induced which made the last years of his life
a melancholy scene of suffering and trial.
It is with the greatest pleasure we learn that the
appointment of General Dix has been confirmed as
Minister to Paris. Whatever crime the Senate may
hold it to be to have been a staunch supporter of
the President, such services as those which the
General has rendered to his country could not be
overlooked.
Kansas has adopted an act which strikes out the
words " male " and " white " from the Constitution
and laws of the State. This will not only enfran-
chise negroes, but women. No one will be quali-
fied to vote who cannot read and write. Kansas
was the battle-field of the free-soilers against the
encroachment of pro-slavery men. New England
met the effort of the sons of the South to establish
the territory as a Slave State by throwing in bands
of emigrants who, with pistol and sword, establish
their footing, and by the indomitable energy of the
New England character succeeded after years of
severe struggle in making Kansas the most ad-
vanced in the freedom of its opinions of any State
in the Union.
Among interesting items from the Far West we
hear that silver lodes have been discovered in Mon-
tana, which yield from $3,000 to $lO,OOO per ton of
ore. The hale and Norcross Mining Company at
San Francisco has declared a dividend of $125 per
foot; the Crown Point Mining Company has de-
clared one of $lOO per foot, and the Imperial one of
$l2 per share.

cursions should be planned to give the visitors every
facility to visit large portions of the country, and
form a just idea of its natural features. Cali-
fornia, with its giant growth, where trees and
vegetables reach an enormous size, ten feet being
no uncommon diameter for a forest tree, and fifteen
inches for a turnip. In the Mariposa county is the
great natural wonder of the vegetable world, the
grove of Mammoth trees, the largest being 30
feet in diameter and 300 feet in height. These
are found about 20 miles from the Yosemite
Valley, and about 4,500 feet high on the west-
ern slope of Nevada. Here in Nevada we
enter a wonderful district of silver. It was
only organised as a Territory in March, 1861,
yet in 1862 it contributed eight massive silver bars
(five of which weighed 1111bs.), valued at P 0,226,
as an offering to the Sanitary Commission. A. writer
remarks on this region :--" Her mountains of silver
yield up their treasures at the touch of the enchan-
ter, and it is the wonderful mineral wealth, vast
beyond comparison, which has summoned, as if by
magic, an energetic population to occupy and adorn
spots which a few years ago could boast no other
home than an Indian wigwam." Space only checks
me from indicating such objects as Pike's Peak and
Long's Peak, in the Rocky Mountains, which rear
their heads, crowned with snow, three miles towards
heaven. The Mammoth Caves of Kentucky, where
explorers have penetratei 10 miles, and the pas-
sages are computed in the aggregate to be 150
miles in length, and to pcssess 256 known cham-
bers. The Natural Bridge of Virginia, 210 feet
high and 60 feet wide. Another in Alabama, and
one in Kentucky, 30 feet high, with a span of 60
feet, found amidst delightful scenery. Waterfalls
that can challenge the world are to be found
at Niagara, at the Falls of Connecticut, the Silver
Cascade of New Hampshire, the beautiful Katters-
kill Falls, about 130 miles from New York city;
the picturesque falls on the Mohawk River, New
York ; the Passaic Falls, near Patterson, New Jer-
sey ; the cataracts of Tallulah, and the " Cascade
of the Rainbow," near the Great Falls of the
Yosemite, said to be the greatest in the world. The
stream, 80 feet wide, leaps 2,063 feet in three falls;
one of 1,300 feet, one of 250, and another of 450,
down a dell of matchless beauty, richly wooded with
evergreen trees.
Nor let the antiquarian imagine there are not
also resources for him. Let him investigate and
tell us who formed that quaint structure near
Cahokia, Illinois. It is 700 feet long, 500 broad at
the base, and 90 feet high. Another, in Adam's
County, Ohio, is in the form of a serpent, 1,000
feet in length, extended in graceful curves, and ter-

COMMERCIAL.
The gold market has had au upward toudeuey, and may

now be quoted at 138 i, nearly 2 per cent. of a rise within minating in a triple coil at the tail. The mouth
the week. The amount of specie exported by last Satur- is open, and apparently. in the act of swallow-
day's steamer was $336,000. Money is in more active ing au oval figure, which is partly within
demand, and 6 to 7 per cent. can now readily be obtained
the jaws. These are but hints at a few
for loans. Commercial paper of the best sort sells
at 7 per cent. Money is not quite so stringent of the many objects of novelty and interest
in the Western markets, though there is a growing to a European, which could be seen during a
scarcity at Boston. At Chicago money can readily well-organised and systematic tour, in connection
be procured at 8 per cent. on Government collaterals. with a Great American Exhibition. I trust that
The general tendency is towards improvement, and this is the scheme will be developed into a useful, practical
more noticeable in the Stock market than elsewhere. The
result, and that Europeans, free from the cares of
tendency of Government securities is strong and upwards.
Five-Twentie's are in demand, and the rise in the Loudon being exhibitors themselves, may enjoy a pleasure
and Frankfort markets has a favourable influence here. trip, instructive, and beneficial in rubbing off the
Indeed all the markets have improved; affected, per- i webs and dust of prejudice, and return with a
hap, by the wish now shown by the President to come truer estimate of themselves and their own country,
to terms with the domicant party in Congress. As and of the points in which America and the Ameni-
spring approaches it will bring with improved weather a
cans excel their neighbours. With much respect
revival of trade. Although on the whole merchants look
for much less business this year than last, yet a more hope-
and hearty good wishes for a wide circulation of
ful feeling is succeeding the despondency of a few weeks your admirable journal, I beg to subscribe myself,
A CITIZEN OF TUE WORLD.

OVERLAND INDIA MAIL.

We have received Bombay papers to the 13th
of February. The following is from the summary
of the Gazette :

The English mail of the 18th January arrived in
Bombay on the 9th inst.
The farewell dinner to be given to Sir Bartle
Frere by the members of the Bycula Club takes
place to-morrow.
The latest London date via Indo-European line
is February 7th ; the messages have been coming
through somewhat better during the past fortnight.
Sir Seymour Fitzgerald is not expected to arrive
in Bombay till towards the latter end of the month.
The Western India Club at Poona (as announced)
entertained Sir Bartle Frere to a farewell banquet
on the 4th inst.

The Chief of Jumkhundee entertained the Gover-
nor and Lady Frere on the Ist.
The Bombay Chamber of Commerce have re-
solved to present an address to the Governor on the
occasion of his retirement.

A public meeting of the citizens of Bombay was
held in the Town Hall on the 11th inst. when an
address was agreed to for presentation to Sir B.
Frere ; it was also determined to raise a statue, and
to present a personal testimonial to his Excellency.
The extension of the G. I. P. line to Nagpore is
to be officially opened on the 20th inst.
The Bishop of Bombay and Miss Carpenter have
returned to Bombay.
The Duke d'Alencon arrived in Bombay on the
11th inst., and le.aves for Europe by this mail.
The Commander-in-Chief, Bombay, returned
from his inspection in Scinde on the 11th inst.
The'strial of the four foreigners for the murder of
the four Marwarrees in the native town took place
last week before Mr. Justice Westropp ; they were
canvicted and sentenced to death.
The number of deaths in the island of Bombay
during the past week amounted to 279, being 50
less than in the previous week.
The members of the Bombay Club have deter-
mined on erecting a new club-house on the Espla-
nade, to accommodate a large number of resident
members.
At a meeting of the shareholders of the Indian
Peninsula, London, and China Bank, held yes-
terday, a resolution was agreed to that the Bank
should be wound up voluntarily.
The Court of Enquiry into the circumstances
connected with H.M.S. Dalhousie running into
the wreck of the Die Vernon off Alibaugh on the
19th December, having reported that Lieut. Hewett
had neglected to take proper precautienary mea-
sures to prevent the vessel running aground, Go-
vernment have ordered Lieutenant Hewett to be
suspended from employment for six months.
The Agra Industrial Exhibition was opened on
the 4th inst.

Col. R. Strachey has been appointed to the special
post of Inspector-General of Irrigation under the
Public Works Department.

The Reform Movement.

On Saturday evening a Reform meeting, called
by the London Working Men's Association, was
held in Trafalgar-square. There were about 600
or 800 persons present, the majority of whom ap-
peared to be labouring men. There was a fair
sprinkling of the artisan class, and the " roughs"
were also represented. Mr. George Potter was
elected to the chair, and he addressed the assem-
blage in a lengthy speech. He told them since the
meeting of the week before important events had
occurred in regard to the question of Reform, for at
the very time when the meeting of last week was
being held three great Ministers of State were tell-
ing Lord Derby that they could no longer hold
office' in his Cabinet, because they disagreed with
him as to what he proposed doing in Reform.
These meetings had evidently done something
towards compelling Lord Derby and the Tories to
offer the people some large measure of Reform, for
last summer the party was of opinion that no Re-
form was needed. A change had evidently come
over the spirit of their dreams, and it was not at
all improbable that Lord Derby might be found
falling into the views of Air. Bright, and propose a
household suffrage. If a good measure of Re-
form, based upon household suffrage, with a liberal
lodger franchise, were given, he (the chairman)
and those who acted with him would take that
measure as a great step towards settling the man-
hood suffrage asked for by the working classes. By
manhood suffrage they did not mean that the vaga-
bond, the "here to-day and gone to-morrow" man,
should have a vote, and thus a voice in the adminis-
tration of the country, but that the men who could
register themselves as living in a place from year to
year, and who maintained themselves by their labour,
thus contributing to the wealth of the country,
should be entitled to rank as citizens and have the
rights of citizenship conferred upon them. lie pro-
ceeded to urge that the working men, having brought
the question thus far, should continue to meet and
press their demands upon both parties, for he believed
that if this were not done the parties would com-
bine to give the smallest measure they could, and
so shelve the question for another 20 or 30 years, or
that Lord Derby, by dissolving the Parliament in a
month or two, would cause another year's delay.
lie concluded by calling upon the working classes
to be up and doing, and, reminding them of Nel-
son's motto on going into the battle where he met
his death, told them that if every man did his duty
the rights of the working man would be obtained
before three months were ended.
The meeting was abruptly terminated, a heavy
shower of rain causing the people to disperse from
the open square.

A mass meeting has been held at Oporto to peti
tion Government against the proposed new taxes.
News from Spain states that a royal decree ha
been issued at Madrid authorising the Minister of
Marine to contract for laying a submarine tele
graph cable between Cuba, Porto Rico, Mexico
and Panama.
The South London Press informs us that the firsi
stone of Mr. Spurgeon's Almshouses is to be laid in
April by Mr. Thomas Olney. The contract has
been accepted for £4,500. Homes for eighteen
almswomen, and schoolrooms for 200 children, with
tutor's residence, are provided in the plan.
Experiments have been made in a Yorkshire coal
mine to test the value of gun cotton as a blasting
agent instead of gunpowder. Besides the supe-
riority iu power of gun cotton over the latter sub-
stance, it possesses the valuable property of emitting
no flame, thus rendering it available where gun-
powder could not be used with safety.
CABINET PENSIONS.—Although it will not have
the effect of increasing the public appreciation of
the high honour of General Peel, it may be well to draw
attention to the fact that had the General remained in
office for another eight days he would have completed the
two years' aggregate service which renders retired Secre-
taries of State eligible for a pension of X 2,000 a year.
There certainly is no vacancy now on the list, which
is limited to four, but General Peel, had he been
less high-minded, might, by holding on for a few days,
place himself in a pcsition to receive such a pension at a
future time. Those at present enjoying those pensions are
Sir George Grey and Mr. Milner Gibson, the latter of
whom took ono of those left vacant last year by the deaths
of Lords Monteo,gle and Glenelg. Mr. Disraeli holds ano
ther, but the pension is in abeyance during his tenure of
office, and it is understood that the fourth will fall to Mr.-
Walpole who ho retires,—Sonday Gazette,