The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-10 00:00:00

is ever to be buried at all, is it not nearly time to LA UNCIIOF THE NATIONAL STEAM NAVIGATIO2.
set about it ? We profoundly deprecate the agita- CO.'S SCREW-STEAMER FRANCA', AT LlV.bm
tion of these subjects, and sincerely wish that all POOL.
among us could have exhibited under recent circum-
stances a little more generosity and a good deal
more dignity.—Round Table.

(From a Liverpool Correspondent.)
On Tuesday last the magnificent iron screw steam
the France, built for the National Steam Navigation Co.
by Messrs. Royden and Son, was launched from the
yard of the builders in the presence of some thou
sands of spectators. The France is the largest vessel ever
built on the Mersey, her tonnage being 3,300, her leogth
for measurement is 380 feet, but over all 410 feet, or 10 feet
longer than the Queen, the largest vessel at present in the,
company's service. Her breadth is 42 feet 6 inches, 39"
depth 29 feet. The France has been built of the very he
st
material. She has been strengthened by eight water-tile'
bulk heads; has three decks, a poop 70 feet in length ;
topgallant forecastle for the seamen, GO feet in length, an'
amid:thip house giving ample accommodation for the di-
cers and engineers. The saloon accommodation is for 0
passengers, and will be of a superior order. The decora-
tions, fittings, and upholstery will be undertaken
Messrs. Blain and of Liverpool, and the services 0
plate will be furnished by Messrs. Elkington and ec),;
The steerage accommodation is admirably devised. AnIP.-
light and ventilation have been secured for 1,200 passen-
gers at least, and in case of sickness there is a roonl
and well-ventilated hospital, which will be attended to bY
a duly qualified surgeon. We should mention that in the
boats of this company a medical man with regular diploma
is always carried. The figure-head of the France is ,
massive and extremely elegant and truthful half figure of
the Empress Eugenie. The ship will be brig-rigged' with
iron masts and spars and wire rigging ; and she will heyed
double topsail yards. The boats are eight in number, $13,1
include two lifeboats. The windlass is on Emerson
Walker's patent, and will be worked by steam. Teo stem
winches for loading and discharging cargo, setting
of
and so forth, are to be supplied by the eminent drtu
James Taylor and Co., Britannia Works, Birkenhead.
Trotman's patent anchors are to be supplied to the slifP.
11
and fire extinguishing apparatus have been provided
case of fire breaking out ; indeed, every requisite for
se-
curing the comfort and convenience of the paseenger,sv
and the safety of the ship and cargo has been scrupulon
attended to. The engines will be put on board by the
put
old-established and highly appreciated firm of James Jack
and Co., of the Victoria Engine Works, Sandon
They will consist of a pair of direct acting central surfee"
condensers, of the collective power of 400 horses, with
inch cylinders, cylinders, and having a 45-inch stroke. The befle,/„s'
which are four in number and constructed on the tubuts.`
principle, have 16 furnaces, and will be fired bY wings
The screw, which is four-flanged with a 28-feet pitobisge
shipped before the vessel was launched. 310'
The ceremony of christening was performed by
Maxwell, the wife of one of the directors of the coroPenf,'
and 25 minutes to ono the noble ship glided majesties' J.
into the water, her graceful lines and beautiful aPPeartea.
calling forth the repeated plaudits of the immense
course assembled to witness her introduction to her nsi:
1h
element. Unfortunately an accident occurred, 14:8,
tended to cast a gloom over the close of the proceedi%er
Just as the vessel reached the water a rope attached t
_f..
bows became entangled in one of the supports to 3
S°.;,,t
folding, upon which several persons had climbed in ord;r,
to obtain a better view. The support snapped e'er ise
causing the fall of the scaffolding, and resulting '°,,,bo
serious injury of several of those seated thereon.
sufferers were immediately removed to the Southern D"
pital, where they received prompt attention. vied
The ship was taken in tow by two steamtugs, and to
for
to the Canada Dock, where she will be made ready
sea. She will be commanded by Captain Greco.

DIE "DIARY" OF TVILKES BOOTH.

The following is a copy of the contents of the
now famous diary :
"Te amo," April 13th, 14th. Friday the Ides.
Until to-day nothing was ever thought of sacrificing
to our country's wrongs. For six months we had
worked to capture, but our cause being almost lost,
something decisive and great must be done. But
its failure was owing to others who did not strike
for their country with a heart. I struck boldly and
not as the papers say. I walked with a firm step
through a thousand of his friends and was stopped,
hut pushed on. A colonel was at his side. I
shouted "Sic semper !" before I fired. In jumping
I broke my leg. I passed all his pickets, and rode
60 miles that night with the bone of my leg tearing
the flesh at every jump. I can never repent it,
though we hated to kill. Oar country owed all her
trouble to him, and God simply made me the in-
strument of his punishment. The country is not
what it was. This forced Union is not what I have
loved. I care not what becomes of me. I have no
desire to outlive my country. This night, " before
the deed," I wrote a long article and left it for one
of the editors of the National Intelligencer, in which
I fully set forth our reasons for our proceedings.
He or the Government

Friday, 21.—After being hunted like a dog
through swamps and woods, and last night being
chased by gunboats till I was forced to return wet,
cold, and starving, with every man's hand against
me, lam here in despair. And why ? For doing
what Brutus was honoured for, what made Tell a
hero, and yet I, for striking down a greater tyrant
than they ever knew, am looked upon as a common
cut-throat. My Action was purer than either of
theirs. One hoped to be great, the other had not
only his country's but his own wrongs to avenge.
I hoped for no gain. I knew no private wrong. I
struck for my country, and that at once ;—a country
that groaned beneath this tyranny and prayed for
this end, and yet now behold the cold hand they
extend to me. God cannot pardon me if I have done
wrong ; yet I cannot see my wrong, except in serv-
ing a degenerate people. The little, the very little
I left behind to clear my name, the Government
will not allow to be printed. So ends all. For my
country I have given up all that makes life sweet
and holy, brought misery on my family, and am
sure there is no pardon in the heaven for me, since
man condemns me so. I have only heard of what
has been done, except what I did myself, and it fills
me with horror. God, try and forgive me, and
bless my mother. To-night I will once more try
the river, with the intent to cross, though I have a
greater desire and almost a mind to return to

Washington, and in a measure clear my name,
which I feel I can do. Ido not repent the blow I
struck. I may before my God, but not to man. I
think I have done well, though I am abandoned,
with the curse of Cain upon me, when, if the world
knew my heart, that one blow would have made me
great, though I did not desire greatness. To-night
I try to escape these bloodhounds once more.
Who, who, can read his fate ? God's will be done.
I have too great a soul to die like a criminal. Oh !
may He, may He spare me that, and let me die
bravely. I bless the entire world ; have never
hated or wronged any one. This last was not a
wrong unless God deems it so, and it is with
Him to damn or bless me. And for this
brave boy with me who often prays. Yes,
before and since, with a true and sincere
heart. Was it crime in him ? If so, why can he
pray the same? Ido not wish to shed a drop of
blood, but I must fight the course. 'Tis all that's
left me."

Upon a piece of paper found in the diary, and
supposed to have been torn from it, is written the
following
"My Dea (piece torn out.) Forgive me, but I
have some little pride. I cannot blame you for
want of hospitality. You know your own affairs.
I was sick, tired with a broken limb and in need of
medical advice, and I could not have turned a dog
from my door in such a plight. flowerer, you
were kind enough to give us something to eat, for
which I not only thank you, but on account of the
rebuke and manner in which to" (piece torn out)
" it is not the substance but the way in which kind-
ness is extended that makes one happy in the ac-
ceptance thereof. The sauce to meat is ceremony.
Meeting were bare without it. Be kind enough to
accept the enclosed five dollars, although hard to
spare for what we have received. Most respectfully,
your obedient servant."