The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LOIDO.N, FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 22, 1867

with which he was connected. He very truly said
that he could not show the contempt for the Judges
who had considered the question with the utmost
gravity as to follow the course proposed by the hon.
member whohad raised the topic. The attempt made
in the cause of the prisoners to show that their offence
was not murder, but manslaughter, rests upon the
plea that KELLY and DEASY were not in lawful
custody.
The reply of Mr. Justice BLACKBURN to these
objections is most complete and comprehensive, and
fitly deserves the notice of all who have doubts or
scruples on the matter. It is the premeditation of
this matter that constitutes in a great measure the
guilt of the prisoners now under sentence. We can-
not do better than quote some of the passages which
refer most particularly to the case in dispute, and in
which the learned Judge has completely settled the
point so far as justice is concerned, and reason can
follow the decisions of the law. "It was clearly
proved that there was, on the part of the convicts,
a deliberate, pre-arranged conspiracy to attack the
police with fire-arms, and shoot them, if necessary,
for the purpose of rescuing the two prisoners in their
custody, and that they were well aware that the
police were acting in obedience to the commands of
a justice of the peace, who had full powers to
remand the prisoners to gaol if he made a proper
warrant for the purpose." We think it would be
monstrous to suppose that, under such circum-
stances, even if the justice did make an informal
warrant, it could possibly justify the slaughter of
an officer in charge of the prisoner, and reduce such
slaughter to the crime of manslaughter. Mr.
HARDY stated that all the Judges have been con-
sulted on this point, and that their decision
confirmed the opinion of Mr. Justice BLACK-
BURN and Mr. Justice MELLOR. It is
certainly an unwise course which the friends
of the prisoners and those who plead their cause
are taking, and it is needful to say in reply to
them that they forget or overlook the rights of
others in their extreme anxiety to set forward the
wrongs of the convicts. Nothing is more unfair
or more unreasonable than to expect the police to
execute their duty as they have been doing with
decision and courage, if they are to be exposed
to the perils which would environ them if
these suggestions were attended to, and we
feel quite convinced that the general view of
the public will be in favour of M. HARDY. The
Home Secretary is placed in a painful position, and
it in scarcely reasonable to render his duty more
onerous by putting forward such extravagant pleas
as those last night assumed in the course of the
debate. It will be observed, however, that the feel-
ing of the House yesterday was decidedly against
those who advocated their views with so much
assumption and asperity, and very wisely so,
for to have argued with them in their
tone of discourse, and in the meaning which it
implied, would have compromised important inte-
rests, and invalidated the real ends of justice. The
public are certain to approve of the decision of the
Government, and to allow that all has been done
that can be done in this matter to carry out the
sacred ends of justice, and to admit of all possible
doubts in the matter being set at rest. The ques-
tion is a painful one under any circumstances ; but
it need not be rendered more so by the mistaken
zeal of those who argue entirely from one point of
view, and thus confuse the merits of the case.

We are glad to see that Mr. HARDY has brought
in a Bill to remedy the " costermongers' grievance,"
as it is called. By the terms of this enactment it
appears that the " B,2ctioa of the -Metropolitan
Streets Act relating to the display of goods in open
spaces bordering on the footways and pavements
shall not apply to itinerant vendors, so long as
they carry on their trade in accordance with the
regulations made from time to time by the Com-
missioners of Police." This is a very satisfactory
solution of the difficulty, and it is fortunate that it
should have been put before the house at this
time, because it can be put with effect before the
very cold weather sets in. As for the suggestion of
Mr. Alderman LAWRENCE, that the subject should
be referred to a select committee, we think it is a
very unwise one, for a great deal of time must ine-
vitably be lost thereby ; whereas if due care be
taken, the bill may be passed before Christmas,
and thus great hardship and suffering be avoided.
With the distress now existing, it would
indeed be a serious thing if no steps were
taken to prevent a great increase of want
and misery, and the discontent that would
pnvail is also to be counted as a serious evil in the
affair. Under all the circumstances of the case,
we think that the Home Secretary has acted with
great discretion, and it will, in all probability,
occasion a feeling of relief to many to hear of this
new arrangement. In all those matters when a sudden
change acts with harshness and vigour, it is ad-
visable for a timely remedy to be applied before
more serious consequences may ensue, and great
suffering be experienced.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Thursday Evening.

The Paris papers to-day devote their attention
exclusively to the Queen's Speech, which they
characterise as being almost entirely devoted to the
internal affairs of England. Several of them com-
plain very much that there is not a word about the
proposed conference. The passage in the Speech
relative to the expedition to Rome seems likely to
lead to much controversy. By some it is considered
as rather dictatorial if not offensive towards France,
and that England was not justified in using expres-
sions which are considered as conveying words of
advice to the Emperor Napoleon.
As to the conference, the Emperor's Speech has
confirmed the news I sent to you upon the subject.
It is now known that Saxony has refused the invi-
tation to join in it to the President of the Confede-
ration of Northern Germany. The Grand Duchy
of Hesse accepts the proposal to take part in it.
The Federal Council of Berne refuses, on the ground
that Switzerland professes neutrality upon all Euro-
pean questions.
MM. Coulvier, Gravier, and Chapelas, the astro-
nomers, have published a brief note respecting the
recent phenomenon of shooting stars, but they say
that in consequence of the foggy atmosphere it was
very difficult to make observations from the Obser-
vatory of Paris. It is admitted that the appearance
of these shooting stars was accurately predicted for
November in 1766, verified in 1799 by Humboldt
and Bouplaud as occurring in about 33 years. Olbers
calculated their appearance in 34 years. Their first
return in an imposing form was calculated for 1867,
and thus the anticipations of the astronomers has
proved to be correct. MM. Gravier and Chapelas
regard the appearance of these stars this year as the
minimum in regard to beauty. Their number was
not great, and they were not brilliant. The effect,
however, was much diminished by the brightness of
the moon, which was at the full.
The request formally made in the Senate for
permission to put questions relative to Rome is
signed by Baron Dupiu, Count de Bourqueney,
the Archbishop of Paris, Viscount de Gueronniere,
M. Dariste, Baron du Vincent, Cardinal de Bonnec-
hose, Cardinal Donnet, M. Laity, Admiral Charner,
Count de la Hitte, M. Le Verrier, and General
Gudin. The report in political circles is that M.
Darboy, the Archbishop of Paris, will shortly pro-
ceed to Rome, charged with a special mission from
the French Government on the subject. The
Marquis de Moustier, Minister of Foreign Affairs,

is preparing another circular in reference to this
important Roman question. The members of the
Legislative Body who sit in the bureaux will as-
semble to-morrow (Friday) to examine requests for
interpellations placed in the hands of the President
by MM. Larrabure, Chesnelong, the Baron de
Mackan, and several of their colleagues in reference
to the consequences which may arise for the late ex-
pedition to Rome as connected with the temporal
sovereignty of the Pope.
An express train on the Lyons Railway got off
the rails and the locomotive was precipitated into a
ditch, but strange to say no one was seriously hurt.
The account given is that the express train for
Lyons to Dijon ran into a goods train incautiously
left on the line near Macon. Twenty-one passengers
received contusions or injury, but so slight that they
were all able to continuo their journey.
A similar accident has taken place on the Northern
line, between Perenchies and Lille, but none of the
passengers were hurt. The driver only was slightly
injured.
The Chamber of Deputies of Bavaria has just
rejected a proposition for the abolition of the
punishment of death.
The Patric is very dissatisfied with the Queen's
Speech. It says—" The evil of Fenianism must
have spread to a singular extent to render it neces-
sary for the Speech from the Throne to refer to it.
The first cause of Fenianism was the oppression of
a Catholic population which forms almost a third of
British subjects. This is enough, we think, to indi-
cate that England is not quite mistress enough, as
she supposes, to be disinterested on the Roman
question, and to increase the number of Fenians by
completely abandoning the Irish Catholics."
The German papers state that the Prussian
House of Lords has re-elected its former President,
Count Everard de Stolberg-Wernegerode ; and also
its former Vice-Presidents, M. de Frankenberg
Ludvigsdorf and Count Bruhl. The Chamber then
adjourned for a week to await communications of
an important character from the Government. A
certain number of eminent persons belonging to
the annexed provinces have been called to the
Upper House by ordonnance. Count de Munster,
Hereditary Marshal of the States of Hanover, and
Baron de Ruedesel, who holds the same office in
llesse, have been named hereditary members.
Counts de Kyphausen and de Bot ries, Hanoverians ;
the Count de Reventlow-Farve of Holstein, and
two great landed proprietors of Holstein, have been
appointed members for life.
A letter from Naples states that Mount Vesuvius
was in eruption on the 13th and 14th inst.

Four individuals named Robinet, Henz..;e, Des-
mascaux, and Lauvent have appeared before the
Correctional Tribunal of the Seine, on the charge
of assaulting the police in the cemetery of Mont-
martre, on the 2d of November last, when there was
a sort of tumult, which the police interfered to
check. - Some of the persons in the crowd cried
" Dawn with the Police," and one of the defendants
called out, " Vive Garibaldi." Robinet was con-
demned to imprisonment for three months, Henzee
and Lauvent to one month, and Desmauzeaux to
15 days and 16f. fine. The defendants were also
sentenced to pay the expenses of the proceedings.
There is nothing new from Italy. Indeed I have
travelled through all the papers, and visited all my
sources of private information, and there is nothing
political, social, or general worth writing about.

THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT
INSTITUTION.

The following is the official return of the services
of " The Licensed Victualler" lifeboat at Hunstan
ton :

18th November, 1867.—At 10 a.m. coxswain of
the above lifeboat observed a barque on shore on
the Woolpack Sand, seven miles distance from
Hunstauton Lighthouse. Immediately launched
the lifeboat and proceeded to the wrecked ship, and
OG reaching the ship found it to be the Thetis, of
Gottenburg, bound to London, with a cargo of tim-
ber and iron and battens. The crew had left the
ship in their owu boats, and driving to leeward the
lifeboat bore down on them and got the whole crew
in the lifeboat, and brought the whole of them in
safety on llunstanton beach at 3.30 p.m.

L ATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 6 p.m.
The steamers Nebraska and St. Laurent have ar-

rived out.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Closing Prices.—Gold, 1391; Sterling Exchange
on London, 109; ; 5-20 United States Bonds, 108 ;
Illinois, 130 ; Erie, 721 ; Cotton—Middling Up-
land, 18.

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20.
Petroleum, standard white, 26.

NEW YORK, Nov. 19.
Intelligence received here from Mexico an-
nounces that Admiral Tegethoff has obtained the
body of the late Emperor Maximilian from the
Mexican Government.

According to intelligence from Havana a hurri-
cane has passed over San Domingo, causing heavy
loss of life and great damage to the shipping.
NEW YORK, Nov. 21 (6 p.m.)
Closing Prices—Gold, 139 k; Sterling
.Exchange
on London, IC9I ; 5-20 United States Bonds, 108 ;
Illinois, 130 ; Erie, 70; ; Cotton, middling up-
land, 18.

Congress assembled to-day.
The Erin has arrived out.
PHILADELPIIIA, Nov. 2.
Petroleum (standard white), 25.

ITALY.

FLORENCE, Nov. 22.
General de Lamarmora is expected to be here this

evening.

The Opinione denies the report of the breaking
up of the camp of the troops on active service
whose headquarters remain at Pisa.

ROME, NOV. 21.

The official Giornale di Roma says that many
Garibaldians are assembled near the frontier. They
appear unarmed, but meditate fresh attacks. A
body of 50 men entered Cervara on the 12th inst.,
and carried off three persons, demanding 8,000
crowns as ransom. Others entered Castiglione on
the 14th, hauled down the Pontifical flag, and com-
mitted other excesses. " These facts," concludes
the Giornale, " revive brigandage, which had
ceased."

PORTSMOUTH, Nov. 22.

Iler Majesty's Indian troopships Crocodile and
Serapis arrived at Spithead this morning from Alex-

andria.

THE HURRICANE IN THE `VEST INDIES

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—The following is a copy of a despatch,
dated the 31st October, 1867, from Sir A. Rumbold,
President of Tortola.
Nov. 22, 1867. R. S. MicHGNALD.
SLR ARTHUR RUMBOLD TO THE DUKE OF
BUCKINGHAM'.

TORTOLA, October 31st, 1867.

My Lord Duke,—lt is my most painful duty to
acquaint your Grace that a terrific hurricane burst
over these islands yesterday ; the storm lasted from
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., but the greatest force was from
12 to 2. In that brief space of time, two-thirds of
the miserable tenements of the town were blown
down, the gaol is destroyed ; the church, the hos-
pital, pier, school-house, Wesleyan chapel, and
poor house are also destroyed, and my own dwell-
ing unroofed and rendered uninhabitable.

2. The loss of life cannot as yet be correctly
ascertained. I have, however, already been offici-
ally informed of above twelve deaths in the town—
two at Peter's Island, two at West End, while I
hear that a quantity of people are killed in other
parts of the country, and scarcely a hut or habita-
tion is left standing.

3. All was bright and verdant—the withering
blast has passed over it, and not a fruit or other
tree remains; the works of the few remaining
estates are all totally destpoyed.

4. It is impossible for any pen to convey an
accurate account of the appalling misery—there is
not £5O in the public chest, and the chief tax, the
House Tax of the year, is just falling due, and, of
course, cannot be collected. If ever any calamity
appealed to public sympathy, I am confident this
will awaken it, and I trust your Grace will be able
to point out some hope of relief, as we cannot levy
taxes from this impoverished community.

5. I shall send down to St. Thomas so soon as I
can get a boat to go, but all the sloops and canoes
belonging to the place are either destroyed or very
much damaged, and I do not know how soon I may
be able to do so, and I trust from charity and other
other sources we may be able to obtain some flour
and cornmeal. Meanwhile, starvation or very like
it, appears to be impending, for nearly all the small
store of flour in the town was damaged by the tre-
mendous sea which swept in and carried away houses
and individuals.

6. I forgot to add that the doctor's house is de-
stroyed, the clergyman's very much damaged, and I
and my family are compelled to take refuge in the
public offices, where the paupers and police are also
sheltered.

I have, &c.,
(Signed) ARTHUR RUMBOLD.
His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos.
P.S.—The deaths in Road Town amount to 22-
1-20 of the population.