The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-27 00:00:00

TUE SUN, LOAN lON, TH URSDAY EVE'MAG, DECEMBER r 27, 1865.

flame of one single lamp would have been sufficient
to ignite a Large portion of the mine, and to produce
a noxious vapour of such intensity as to destroy
life at once when over it existed in the pit." There
was thus a don] )1e destructive--the force of the
explosion and this destructive nature of the vapour.
It is some consolation that, owing to the very
greatness of the danger, there is reason to hope
that those who l wrished were spared much suffering.

Indeed it is likels that those who were saved were
the greatest sufferers, most of them having been
injured by the flPiraes. Of the heroism displayed by
the volunteers Lard IlocouToN spoke, as all felt,
strongly. Ile showed them boldly in their true
colours, not as mea animated by ambition, or even
for the most part by high principle. Many of those
who so nobly masked their lives for the chance of
saving their fellows were, of course, men of educa-
tion and science, who knew well their danger ; but
there was no lack of the rough and desperate men
" whom the world cared little about, and who
cared very little or nothing for public opinion."
One and all were animated by the same de-
sire—to do their best ; and the difficulty, as
Lord HOUGHTON said, was not to procure men,
but to prevent more going down than were wanted,
and the heroism displayed was the more admirable
that it was so entirely simple and without any
ostentation. But in truth, in presence of that
awful calamity, there was little room for such empty
or superficial feelings. The description which Lord
HOUGHTON gave of the double transformation was
very impressive. The busy stirring scone of labour
was changed into the silent spot where a few men
were filling up the shafts down which the hundreds
of their missing fellows had gone to their grave,
and the cheerful little village, with its rows of happy
homes, was turned into one great place of mourning,
wherein only cine woman had not lost a near relative.
Besides the immediate neighbourhood, other villages
show similar scenes of desolation ; and when we re-
member that in a lesser degree the same thing has
happened in Staffordshire, we shall indeed feel that
the calamity is one of exceptional severity. It seems
by the last intelligence received from Barnsley that
only three of the 18 recovered alive from the pit on
the day of the explosion are living, and that these
are in a precarious condition. The vast body of fire
in the mine still rages, though the engineers are
sanguine of being able to extinguish it by sealing up
the shafts, thus avoiding the great cost and delay of
flooding the mine, which would be very serious, since
the workings extend 1,900 yards on the dip.
The subscriptions continue to be actively increas-
ing in all parts of the country. The Barnsley Sub-
scription Fund amounts to nearly £5,000. Bir-
mingham has also collected a good sum; Pontefract,
and other towns in Yorkshire are, as we have seen,
are busy ; while London, as usual, is foremost in the
good work. Last evening the Mansion House Fund
amounted to £lO,BOO, £750 of which was received
in the course of the day. More than £l2O was col-
lected in churches and chapels on Christmas-day;
and the subscriptions, which continue to pour in
from all ranks and classes, from the nobleman with
£lOO to the poor widow who sends ss. instead of a
Christmas pudding. There is reason to hope that
with the metropolitan and provincial subscriptions
there will be sufficient to make a substantial pro-
vision for the widows and orphans, as was done in
the case of the Hartley colliery accident. This will
be no easy task, for whereas 204 men and boys lost
their lives in that catastrophe, about 500 are now
believed to have perished, and in the village which
Lord HouowroN visited all the women were father-
less, husbandless, or brotherless, and all the children
either orphans or without a guardian.

There is little room for hoping that this great
calamity will be the last of its kind ; indeed every
year produces as great a loss of life in mines and
collieries, although the isolated cases fail to attract
attention. The present sharp competition stimu-
lates the opening of new mines, and with the
extension of mining operations there must always
be some mines opened whose working is peculiarly
dangerous. The community, as Lord HOUGHTON
reminded his hearers the other night, are practi-
cally gainers by this intense competition, since it
considerably reduces the price of coal, and if the
men employed in this trade are thereby subjected
to greater perils, the public at large should
promptly and liberally acknowledge the debt.
It is to be hoped that a little more attention may be
given to the prevention of accidents in mines. Our
scientific knowledge has now advanced so much
that we may well believe something more might be
done in the way of improving the ventilation, or of
testing the presence of fire damp. No security can,
we fear, be obtained against the imprudence or reck-
lessness of the miners themselves, but such great
disasters as the present will at least tend to impress
the dangers attending their employment upon them,
and thus produce more care. Out of evil sometimes
comes good, and we hope that the whole question of
mines and mining, affecting as it does so large a
portion of our population, may before long be
thoroughly investigated.

At this season of the year the attention of well-
disposed persons who have money to spare is more
than ever directed towards finding desirable oppor-
tunities of so using their means as to turn• them to
the best advantage, and hence all that is related of
the exertions of those who have sought to improve
the condition of the neglected is of interest and im-
portance. The Secretary of the New-cut Ragged
Schools has furnished some particulars of this un-
dertaking which may well serve to awaken atten-
tion, and dispose the minds of the benevolent to aid
the efforts thus worthily made. It is now twenty years
since a few Christian people engaged a room in
which ignorant and neglected children might be
taught. This was the nucleus of the ragged schouls,
" which, like the grain of mustard seed, has now
grown into a great tree, under the shadow of which
hundreds have been sheltered, and numbers have
been rescued from the horrible pit of sin and ele-
svtaatteindns in inthtehseogciraelast emporiumcale, and
of thearefillingworrelsd.” Theponsible
committee have since taken another penny theatre,
and have commenced a working man's insti-
tute,
adcompanions and evil ways through the
in order that many may be drawn from
b
temperance meetings, readings, lec-
tures, More than a hundred pounds has already
been spent
holding
of
upon the building, but a great deal
more it will be found expedient to employ, and,
therefore, subscriptions and donations are earnestly
requested. We should think that many might be
glad of this opportunity of aiding in a good work,
and one that, it is no exaggeration to say, will live
on and be productive of good effects when they
themselves shall have passed away from this busy
scene ; and a more satisfactory outlay can hardly be
made than improving the condition, both social and
moral, of these neglected people.

A RIGGER DROWNED.—On Saturday morning,
while a rigger, named Patrick Aspinall, who resided at 17,
Shadwell-street, Liverpool, was ondeavouring to get ou
board the barque Pauline, lying in the George's Dock, he
accidentally slipped his foot on a piece of brass on tl:o rail
of the vessel and fell into the water. A labourer of the
name of Michael Fahey got into a boat, and wont to As-
pinall's assistance, but was, unfortunately, too late. The
body was recovered in about 20 minutes, and removed to
the doadhouse. Deceased was about 45 years old. At an
inquest the same day the jury gave a verdict of accidentally
drowned.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROJI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Wednesday Evening.
Christmas-day having been a holiday for the
printers but few newspapers have appeared this
morning. The Moniteur was not published. The
Parisians, indeed, are just now occupied with reli-
gious observances and sight-seeing, so that it must
be something very astounding in the way of news
toinduce any attention even from veteran politicians.
A despatch has been received from Vienna, which
denies the truth of a report freely circulated in Paris,
to the effect that France had attempted to control
the wishes and intentions of the Emperor Maxi
'Milan. The despatch also contradicts the statement
given in some of the English papers that the Em
peror had been made prisoner. News from Vienna
respecting Maximilian naturally has some authority,
because the Emperor of Austria, Francis Joseph,
of course, takes steps to become acquainted with
the movements and desires of his brother Maxi-
milian. The latest authentic accounts received in
Paris from Mexico mention that the Imperialists
had evacuated Durango, San Luiz, de Potosi, and
Mazatlan. On the 29th of November Maximilian
was at Puebla, on his way to Mexico. Several of
their Republican chiefs had ceased their opposition
' to the Empire.
A letter from Berlin states that M. de Bismarck
is better, and that he has no present intention of
leaving Berlin, as was reported.
The ornamentation of Paris proceeds rapidly. In
a few days it will have another beautiful square
constructed before the Church of la Trinite, opposite
thp Chaussee d'Autre. The extent of this square
is 3,000 metres. Chestnut trees and choice plants
have been placed there, and the effect in summer
will be very beautiful. As to the Church itself it
will be one of the most magnificent in Paris. About
five years have been employed in its construction.
The paintings and sculpture are of the first order of
modern art. The most remarkable statues are those
personifying justice, strength, prudence, and tem-
perance. There are also statues of St. Anathanasius,
St. Gregory, St. Hilaire, and St. Augustin. The
architect is M. Ballu.
It is stated in fashionable circles that as soon as
the Princess Clotilde shall have entirely recovered
front her accouchement she will accompany Prince
Napoleon Jerome to Italy.
Baron Salomon de Rothschild has obtained a de-
cree from the Senate, in pursuance of which his
three sons and his daughter cease to be citizens of
Frankfort, and have consequently become Prus-
sians.

After long consideration the -Commissioners a

the Great Exhibition have decided that the admis-
sion will be one franc, whether on Sundays or week
days.

Au illustration has just been afforded of the cor-
rectness of the adage that " truth is stranger than
fiction." M. Silvestro Camerino has just died at
Padua, and he leaves by will no less than forty-
two million of francs. More than half of this sum
is bequeathed to his nephew, who has for some years
been residing in great poverty and privation, and
while the testator lived he would not assist his
nephew with a farthing. The residue of the pro-
perty is left in legacies to friends, to charitable in-
stitutions, and to servants. M. Camerino was a
very ignorant man, not capable of writing his name,
and in the early part of his life he was a daily
labourer, and worked on the roads and highways
for less than a shilling a day.
The Journal des Debats has au interesting article
upon the subject of M. de Ricasoli's letter to the
Bishops of Borne who had left their dioceses, but
who have now returned. The Debats compares the
doctrines propounded by the Italian Minister in his
letter to the celebrated formula of Count de Cavour
--" A free Church in a free State." It then illus-
trates M. Ricasoli's principles by the following
extract from his letter By the side of the Ca-
tholic church a Protestant church is erected, the
Mussulman mosque and the Chinese pagoda. By
the side of the Catholic clergy the consistory of
Geneva and the Methodist congregation fulfil their
functions. Such a state of things does not en-
gender either confusion or lukewarmness. Why ?
Because neither religion demands from the li
State either special protection or special privilege.
Each religion exists and is developed under the
shield of the law common to all ; and the law,
equally respected by all, guarantees to each
equal liberty." In conclusion, the Debuts charac-
terises the letter as " a programme of reconciliation
between the Church and modern society."
The Lyons and Mediterranean Railway have
drawn up an official account of the accident which
I mentioned. It appears from this statement that
the number of killed was 14, and not 12, as was
first supposed. Five were Baden soldiers, and the
rest commercial travellers and persons employed on
the Railway.

It is announced that the section of the railway
from Nantes to Napoleon Arend6e and that of Napo-
leon Vend6e to Sables d'Olonne will be opened for
traffic on Saturday next.

A subterranean telegraph wire now gives instant
communication between the Bourse and the Grand

Hotel on the Boulevards, so that the residents may
have quick knowledge of the price of the funds and
of any news officially posted up.
Independently of the Great Exhibition on the
Boulevards there will be a supplementary Agricul-
tural Exhibition at Billancourt, a pretty village,
about eight miles from Paris. The authorities have
given permission for the erection of a restaurant, a
cafe, a theatre, and shops, and the exhibition is
likely to be attractive.

A TIMELY REPRIEVE.---The Leipsic journals
contain accounts of au extraordinary reprieve of a con-
demned criminal at the very moment of execution. A
tailor named Kunscher had been sentenced to death for
murder, and on the morning of the 18th was brought on
the scaffold and attached to the plank of the guillotine ;
suddenly a cry of " Stay ! Stay !" was heard, and a mes-
senger appeared bearing in his hand a telegram from the
King of Saxony ordering a respite. The despatch had
been forwarded only three-quarters of an hour before from
Berlin, where his Majesty was staying, and without the
haste employed by the bearer would probably not have
arrived in time. The man had run from the telegraph-
office across the park to the prison, and being delayed by
the crowds of persons assembled around, he raised the cry
which was repeated from mouth to mouth until it reached
the scaffold, when a passage was made to enable the mes-
senger to reach the spot. The official who directed the
proceedings then took the telegram from the man's hands,
and read aloud:—" Postpone the execution until further
orders. Moro ample details by post.—JOAN, King."
SINGULAR CASE OF SUICIDE IN STAFFORD GAOL.

—On Monday morning, Thomas Parker, 59, the master-
shoemaker at Stafford gaol, committed suicide by hanging
himself in his work-room ; and at four o'clock in the
afternoon an inquest was held on the body before Mr.
Morgan, coroner. Deceased has been connected with the
gaol for some twenty-five years. The first witness called
was Joseph Parker, a son of deceased. He identified
the body, and stated that his father had for a long time
past, but especially of late, been much depressed in spirit,
in consequence of his having only a life interest in a cer-
tain property. Witness had often been with him re-
cently, endeavouring to ease his mind by his presence
and conversation, and he was with him until half-past
nine o'clock on Sunday night. He never at any time
heard deceased hint at self-destruction. George Low-
bridge, warder, produced half-a-sheet of note paper, which
he found on deceased's cutting board. It contained a
short statement in the unfortunate man's handwriting, in
which he referred to a case of irregularity at the gaol that
was brought to light and finished a few weeks back, made
allusion to the false swearing of some party or other,
and protested his perfect innocence of bribery and other
irregular practices. Where the point of this statement
lay, however, did not transpire, as the witnesses stated
that deceased was in no way implicated in the
late breach of prison discipline. John Astbury, storekeeper
at the gaol, said that having iu the way of his duty some-
thing to say to deceased, he went to his workroom at- ten
minutes to 11 o'clock, and there found him hanging by a
piece of rope from a hook, the hook being attached to a
staple that was driven into the beam which was across the
ceiling. There was a stool lying on the floor behind him,
as though he had at first stood upon it and then kicked it
from beneath his feet. Witness at once felt his hands, and
finding them stiff and cold, ran to Mr. Lowbridge, who
helped to cut down the body. 11e saw deceased on Sun-
day, and was impressed by his variableness—at one time
he was very sleepy, and at another excited and restless.
James ifull, warder, stated that deceased came to the gaol
at half-past G o'clock ou Monday morning, half au hula
before the fixed time, and he asked him why, but received
no answer. After a short address from the coroner, the
jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict to the effect
that deceased took away his own life by hanging himself
while in a state of unsound mind.

L A TEST INTELLIGENtIF.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

TURKEY.

CONSTANTINOPLE, Dec. 26.

The Porte has again addressed energetic remon:
strances to the Greek Government on account of
Greek soldiers having disembarked at Candia among
other volunteers coming from Greece. The Porte
also remonstrates against the concentration of Greek
troops on the frontier, and has declared that it will
hold Gr;...ece responsible for the consequences.

THE BOMBAY MAIL.

SOUTHAMPTON, Dec. 27.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
Poonah arrived here to-day, with the above mail,
47 passengers, £4,734 in specie, and 383 packages
of general cargo.

From Alexandria to Gibraltar she experienced
head winds and heavy seas.

The British war ships Skylark and Redpole, the
American turret-ship Miantonomah, and the sloop
Auguste were at Gibraltar. The Prussian frigates
Gadzelle and Blidge were at Malta.
The exchanges at Gibraltar are unaltered.

The following telegram from Bombay, dated
Dec. 13, has been received by Messrs. W. C. Sillar
and Co. :—Exchange on London for a first-class
bank bill, 6 months' sight, Is. 114 d. per rupee ;
the Calcutta rate for do., 2s. Od. 5-16th per rupee ;
exchange on Calcutta at sight, 101 to 1014 ; Go-
vernment 4 per cent. paper, 88rs. ; do. 5 per cent.
paper, 1041 rs. ; do. 54 per cent. paper, 1104 rs. ;
Bank of Bombay rate of discount, 8 ; bar gold, 991-
touch ; bar silver, 17 to 17i betterness, 108 rs. per
100 tolas. 24,000 bales cotton sailed from Bombay
during the fortnight. Imports quiet.

SUEZ, Dec. 26.
The Malta arrived at 7 a.m. to-day (due on the
28th).

OUTWARD MAIL OF DEC. 4-10.
The Nubia sailed for Calcutta on the 20th ins

at 4 p.m.

OUTWARD MAIL OF DEC. 20.
GIBRALTAR, Dec. 25.
The Nyanza arrived to-day at 5 a.m., and left al
10 for Alexandria.

SOUTHAMPTON, Dec. 27.
The North German Lloyd's steamship America
has arrived with 113 passengers for Southampton,
Havre, and Bremen, 45 sacks of mails for England,
P 95,329 for London, and $5,000 for Bremen.
Her news has been anticipated.

OPENING OF THE HESSIAN CHAMBERS.
DARMSTADT, Dec. 23.
Herr von Dalwigk, President of the Council of
Ministers, opened the session of the Chambers yes-
terday with the following speech :
"Illustrious and Most Honourable Gentlemou,
" His Royal Highness the Grand Duke has
ordered me to open the 19th Session in his name.
The war events of the past summer and the treaties
of peace which have succeeded them have com-
pletely tranformed the political situation of our
German Fatherland. Austria has quitted Germany.
The North is separated from the States south of the
Maine, the Confederation, to which Germany has
owed fifty years of peace and moral and material
development, no longer exists. But the idea of one
great and common country, the tie that embraces
German hearts could not perish; and therein
lies our hope that the day will come when Germany
will be regenerated in new hope and new. greatness.

"The Government of H.R.H. the Grand Duke
will not cease to devote its efforts to this lofty aim ;
it is aware that in so doing it may reckon upon the
support of both Chambers of the Grand Duchy.
We shall first lay before you for your constitutional
assent the Peace Treaty of Sept. 3d, 1866, by which
the old friendly relations with Prussia have been
re-established, which were interrupted to the great
regret of H.R.H. the Grand Duke.

" The position H. R.H. the Grand Duke took up
immediately before the outbreak of the last war,
and pending its duration, renders him desirous of
learning the opinion of the Hessian people as to
that position. Consequently the old Chamber,
elected under other circumstances, has been dissolved,
and a new Assembly of the Estates has been con-
voked. The Grand Ducal Government entertains
hopes that the present Chamber will not refuse to
approve the political line of conduct it has hitherto.
followed.

The peace treaty of Sept. 3, 1866, stipulates that
those portions of the country situated north of the
Maine shall belong to the Northern Confederation.
Although it would have been very desirable
that all parts of the country, indeed all German
States upon this side of the Maine, should have been
received into the new Confederation, insurmount-
able obstacles have nevertheless opposed the accom-
plishment of this wish. It will first be our task,
while fulfilling with the greatest zeal and fidelity the
new Federal obligations we have contracted, to act
so that the peculiar position of the territory situated
north of the Maine shall not change in any essential
form the constitutional ties connecting the various
parts of the Gand Duchy, nor the equal rights of
the three provinces.

The ulterior propositions of the Grand Ducal
Government will relate to the law of the elections to
the Northern Parliament, then the introduction of
part of the Hessian legislation into the newly
acquired territory, next the participation of those
districts in the representation of the Grand Duchy ;
lastly, the settlement of our financial administra-
tion, which has well supported the trials of recent
months.

" Other propositions, relative to the constitution
of the Northern Confederation to the development
and completion of our own constitution and our
legislation, as well as to the increase of means of
communication in the country, will be laid before
you as soon as the labours required to prepare them
shall be terminated. The Government hopes to be
in a position to do this in the course of the session.
"In the name of H.R.H. the Grand Duke I now
declare the 19th session open."