The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-29 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence.

Col. Arthur St. George Herbert Stepney, C. 8.,
late commanding the 2d battalion of the Coldstream
Guards, died at the Imperial .Hotel, Jersey, on the
23d inst., from the effects of an accident. He en-
tered the army March 16, 1834, and served with the
29th Regt. in the Sutlej campaign of 1845-46, the
command of which devolved upon him, on Dec. 21,
at the battle of Ferozeshah, which he retained dur-
ing the night of the 21st, and the action on the 22d
(wounded), and during the remainder of the active
part of the campaign, until severely wounded by a
grapeshot at the conclusion of the battle of Sobraon,
Feb. 10, 1846 (medal and clasp and C. 8.) He
served also at the siege of Sebastopol from January,
1855 (medal and clasp, and sth class of the Med-
jidie). Ile became tolonel Oct. 26, 1858 ; major of
Coldstream Guards, Nov. 24, 1863 ; and was in
receipt of the reward for meritorious and distin-
guished services.

Tamar, iron screw troop-ship, Captain Francis
W. Sullivan, C. 8., sailed from Portsmouth yester-
day for Ireland, Malta, and the West Indies, with
detachments of the first battalion Bth and 84th
Regiments. She afterwards brought up at St.
Helena.

Royal Alfred, 18, iron screw frigate, Captain
Francis A. Herbert, fitting for the North America
and West India station, was placed in No. 11 dock
at Portsmouth yesterday for examination below
water-line.

Terrible, 19, paddle-wheel frigate, Capt. Com-
merell, V.C., remains at Spithead awaiting orders,
One watch went on shore at Portsmouth last even-
ing, the orders being to return on board at 2 p.m.
this day.

Eclipse, 4, screw vessel, Commander Freemantle,
which arrived at Spithead on Saturday from Aus-
tralia, sailed on Sunday for Sheerness, to pay oul
of commission.

Yesterday Major-General Freeman Murray, in
command of the Chatham district, made his first
inspection of the troops under his command, on
the general parade ground at the garrison.
The troops inspected on the occasion included
first and second depots of the Ist Royals, first and
second battalions of the 15th Regiment, 50th
(Queen's Own) Regiment, and 109th Regiment, the
whole under the command of Colonel J. w. S.
Smith, C.B. The other corps composing the gar-
rison will be inspected during the present week.

Orders have been received at Chatham, directing
the following officers of Royal Engineers to join the
headquarters of that corps at Brompton Barracks,
viz. :—Lieuth. H. J. H. Logan Home, W. A. H.
Hare, J. C. Pottinger, A. 0. Green, H. M. Cham-
bers, and J. F. Lewis.

The Rapid, steam vessel, paid off at Woolwich last
week, from the African coast station, is ordered to
be placed in the third division of the steam reserve.
Her crew of 135 men, exclusive of officers and
marines, are generally continuous service men, and
have been granted seven weeks' leave ot absence.
The amount of wages paid was £2,565, and £Bl6
prize money. .

The blocks are being laid down at No. 6 slip at
Woolwich dockyard, for the commencement of a
new composite gun vessel, to be named the Dwarf.

Shameful Assault on a Casual Pauper in
Bermondsey Workhouse.

At the Southwark Police-court yesterday Ca

therine Harris, a middle-aged, powerful-looking
person, the wardawoman of the female casual ward

in Bermondsey Workhouse, was placed at the bar
before Mr. Burcham charged with committing a
shameful and violent assault upon Elizabeth Per-
kins, a poor creature who entered that place for
food and shelter.

The complainant, rather a decrepid-looking
woman, somewhat decently clad, said that on
Sunday night she had occasion to apply for admis-
sion into the casual ward of Bermondsey Work-
house. The superintended admitted her, and she
was transferred with several other female casuals
to the prisoner, who ushered them into a very clean
and wholesome ward. She had not been there
many minutes before the prisoner began tearing at
her clothes and knocking her about. Witness
asked her what she wanted, when she replied in very
foul language that she wanted her clothes. As soon
as she was able to divest herself of them she handed
them to her, when the prisoner set upon her like a
tigress, pulling her about, and striking her about
various parts of the body. Being in a state of
nudity at the time she was unable to protect her-
self, but jumped into one of the sleeping berths to
get out of her way ; but the prisoner followed her
there, fell upon her, and not only beat her on
the head, but bit her on the neck. When the
other unfortunate creatures came to her assistance
she attacked them, and bad not their cries brought
in the assistance of the superintendent, witness
would no doubt have been seriously injured.
Mr. Burcham asked what state the prisoner was
in.
Witness replied that she was decidedly under the
influence of liquor.

The prisoner denied that, and said that ever since
she had charge of the female casual ward she had
been the kindest creature that ever could be. Tl.e
facts were these. The complainant refused to give
up her clothes according to the regulations, and all
she did was to take them from her. She denied as-
saulting her as stated. She was too kind-hearted
for that.

William Brown, the superintendent of the casual
wards in Bermondsey Workhouse, said that he re-
collected the witness and several other females being
admitted on the previous night, and handing them
over to the prisoner, who was wardswoman in the
female casual ward. Some time afterwards he heard
cries of " Murder," and " Help," in the latter place,
and on proceeding there he saw the prisoner on the
top of the complainant, in her sleeping berth, beating
her in a savage manner. He pulled her off, and find-
ing that she was under the influence of liquor, he
gave her into custody.
Mr. Burcham asked whether the prisoner was an
inmate of the house.

Mr. Brown replied in the affirmative, and said
she was selected by: the guardians Wardewoman
of the casual ward on account of her previous
good conduct. Witness added that when he entered
the ward all the females complained of the prisoner's
brutality towards them. Those women were all in
court.

One of them here stepped forward and said she
dever saw anything so brutal before in her life. She
knocked the poor woman about as she was taking
her clothes off, and kicked her. When they inter-
fered she turned round upon them.

The prisoner again declared that she was neither
drunk nor guilty of the charge, but of course she
had no witness to support her statement.
Mr. Burcham had no doubt from the evidence of
the complainant„supported by the other unfortunate
witnesses, and substantiated by the superintendent
of the casual wards, that she had committed a most
shameful and cruel assault. He therefore sentenced
her to fourteen days' hard labour in Wandsworth
House of Correction.

REFORM DEMONSTRATION IN EXETER.—Yester-
day a Reform demonstration in connection with the Na-
tional Reform League, comprising a number of working
men belonging to trades' unions— joiners, stonemasons,
cabinetmakers, shoemakers, cork-cutters, metal workers,
bricklayers, &c.—took place in Exeter. There was a pro-
cession, accompanied by four bands, and a public meeting
afterwards, at which Sir John Bowring presided. There
was little or no enthusiasm in the city, scarcely a flag or
banner having been exhibited at the houses of the citi-
zens. There wore, however, a good many in the proces-
sion, and many of the manufactories were closed for the
day.

LORD AMBERLEY ON PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.—
We learn by telegraph that Lord Amberley addressed an
enthusiastic meeting of Reformers last night at the Ex-
change-hall, Nottingham. Ho said, without hesitation,
that reform would not be obtained, and that Parlia-
ment could only be influenced to pass a satisfactory mea-
sure by a strong and decided expression of publ!c opinion.
He would venture to say that the mere fact of the exclu-
sion of the working classes from the suffrage was in itself
a grievance of no small magnitude. In the boroughs the
present representation excluded a large number of the
most intelligent of the population, who would be most
competent to vote. A resolution was then pasted in favour
of reoidential LE4AIIIIO{4 ataraso and veto by ballot.

COll2l
4. • Pi.tem•
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TIER MAJESTY, 6z,c.

. The Queen drove out this m°osrßnlßlgN,E a' cjcoann;p2aBnied
by Princess Christian.
Prince Christian walked in the grounds.

THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess
of Wales, m ith Prince Albert Victor and Prince
George, arrived at Marlborough House yesterday
afternoon from Sandringham, attended by the
Marchioness of Carmarthen, General Knollys,
INI aj or
Grey, and Mr. Fisher.

His Royal Highness, attended by Major Grey,
left for Trentham late in the afternoon.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, with Prince
Albert Victor and Prince George, attended by
General Knollys, Major H. G. Grey, and the Mar-
chioness of Carmarthen, left Sandringham yester-
day morning, and proceeded in a family saloon at-
tached to a special train, under the care of Mr. Jas.
Robertson, general superintendent, and Mr. Davis,
superintendent of the permanent way,
to London.
The special left Wolferton at 12 o'clock, and after
a stay of three minutes only at King's Lynn and
five minutes at Cambridge, the royal party arrived
at Bishopsgate about 3 o'clock, andproceeded thence
to Marlborough House in private carriages.
Later in the day the Prince of Wales, attended by
Major Grey, left for Trentham Hall, Staffordshire.
on a visit to the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland.
The Princess and family remain in town.

The Perils of Railway Travelling.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

SIR,—AS it is better to prevent a horrible acci-
dent by a timely caution than sagaciously to
observe after its occurrence that any one acquainted
with the circumstances out of which it arose could
have easily foreseen it, I beg most earnestly to
warn the public through your columns against the
morning express train on the Midland Railway
between Leicester and Bedford.

I took that train this morning, leaving Leicester
at 9.35. The reckless fury of the driving and the
violent rocking of the carriages obliged me to
leave it at Bedford rather than come on to London
with my through ticket. When we stopped at
Market Harborough general alarm was expressed
by the passengers, and strong remonstrances were
urged on the officials, also, at Bedford. I am an
experienced railway traveller at home and abroad ;
I was in the Staplehurst accident ; I have been la
trains under most conceivable conditions, but I
have never been so shaken and flung about as in
this train, and have never been in such obvious
danger.

The very obliging authorities suggested that the
road was " rough" from the thaw, and that I was
in a light carriage. As to the first suggestion, lam
certain from experience on other railways since the
thaw set in that there is no such " roughness" on
other railways. As to the second, one of the
passengers who protested the most strongly was a
gentleman in a heavy carriage next to my own.
I may add that my companion in the carriage
(who left the train with me) is almost constantly
on English railways, and fully confirms what I have
here written.—Your faithful servant,
Jan. 26. CHARLES DICKENS.

The IncAporation of Schleswig-Holstein.

KIEL, Jan. 24.

The act of incorporation of the Duchies of Schles-
wig-Holstein with Prussia was effected in the city
to-day by Chief President Baron Von Scheel-Plessent
in presence of the military and civil authorities, the
chief officials, the university senate, and a large
assembly of notables.

The Royal patent of King William read upon
occasion was almost identical in terms with that de'
creeing the annexation of Hesse-Homburg, promul-
gated at Homburg three days before. After being
communicated to the Assembly it was succeeded by
the following Royal proclamation to the Schleswig'
Holsteiners the

" By the patent executed this day I unite you, inhabitants
of the duchies of Holstein and Schleswig, with my subjects'
your neighbours and German brothers. Released by the
decision of war, by international treaties, and by the remodi-
fication of the common German Fatherland, from ties You
have long worn with reluctance, you enter now into union
with a great state, the population of which is allied to you
by community of race, of manners, and of interests. If many
among you have not cast off other relations without hesita-
tion, I honour in that fact the tried firmness of your race/
and esteem it as a guarantee that you and your children
will also faithfully serve me and my house. You will re-
cognise the necessity of what has been done, for unless the
fruits of arduous contest and sanguinary victories are to be
lost to Germany, the duty of self-preservation, as well es
regard for the advancement of the national interests, demand
that the D uchies should be firmly and permanently united to
Prussia. And—as my late father now resting in God has
declared—what Prussia gains is won by Germany. You will
take this into serious consideration, and I, therefore, trust to
your German honest feelings to promise me your fidelity as
sincerely as I gather you to my people. By union with my,
states greater advantages are open to your manufactures
and your agriculture, your trade and your navigation. MY'
care will efficiently meet your industry. Equal distribu-
tion of the state burdens, opportune and energetic admis-
tratiou, carefully weighed laws, just and punctual legis-
lation—in short, all the guarantees that have made Prussia
what she has proved herself now under severe trial will
henceforth bo benefits common to you all. Your youth
available for war will faithfully join their brethren in my
other states for defence of the Fatherland, and the Prussian
army and navy will welcome the brave and hardy seafar-
ing people 'of Schleswig-Holstein, to whom a new page is
henceforth open in the annals of German fame. The cleric/
will in future be ,the upholders of the paternal creed.
shall devote my special attention to your educational esta-
blishments, the ancient guardians of German art and
science ; and when the Paussian throne comes, with in-
creasing time, to be even more fully recognised and aPPrs:
ciated, as the director of the freedom and independence 0.1
the German Fatherland, your names will also be inscribed
among those of its worthiest sons ; you, too, will bless the
hour that united you with a larger country. May God
grant it.
" WILLI4k3I*
" Berlin, Jan, 12, 1867."

Lord Derby has had a slight attack of gout. It
promises to yield to treatment, but it is necessary that be
should as much as possible remain in the same temperature*
The Cabinet Council to-day was therefore held at Lora
Derby's house in St. James's-square.
CALLS TO THE BAR.—Mr. R. H. B. Hurafrey, iu
the Inner Temple list of calls, should have been described
as 8.A., Cambridge.
THE REPRESENTATION OF STROUD.—We lore.
by telegraph that at a large meeting of the electors et
Stroud, last night, a resolution was passed to support the
return of Mr. Winterbotham instead of Mr. Horsman 141
the next election.

IMPERIAL CORRESPONDENCE. The MeXiC°
Consul at Paris has just communicated the following 120t°
to the press :—" Several journals, in announcing the 111
proaching publication of a pamphlat containing the privgt:,
correspondence between Napoleon 111. and the Emperor
Maximilian, affirm that the letters have been betrayed
the author of the work by Count de Bombelles. lam
""
authorised to declared that the assertion is without Wu-
dation."

DEATH FROM THE BITE OF A CENTIFEDE.--*A'd
musician belonging to one of the French regiments 113"
just met with an extraordinary death at Vera Cruz. PI
was engaged to play at a ball, and being very thirsty, he
went out into the garden,and finding a water-bottle outll
terrace took it up and drank freely. Suddenly ho raised
r,
cries of agony, and upon assistance arriving it was found
that an enormous centipede had fixed its manibles f
throat. The animal bad taken up his abode in tho neck°
the bottle, and was washed into his mouth in the act 4)t
drinking. A surgeon who was called was obliged to ell
it to pieces, but the poison from the bite caused death 111
a fow hours.

NOT PROBABLE; BUT VERY WITTY ! COOtrin,
cousins may be glad to hear an excellent story of the F.,rig
which is circulating through tho clubs, of London.
Holiness is said to have thus touched off the heads of our
Liberal party recently resident in Rome:—" Lord eigl11:
don," observed Pio Nono, "I like and understood.
Gladstone I liked, but couldn't understand. The Duk°, of
Argyll I understood, but didn't like. Lord Russell 1 diuuu
like and didn't understand." The story may be of Bneil
concoction ; but if so, it is an admirable imitation of
descriptive wit. If really of Roman origin it may be co
r.
ascribed to the chief of an illustrious ducal h°125.,4
whose pasquinades are as pointed ao his talk is brilliant am
profound.--Pall Mali Gad c. itabrit •