The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-16 00:00:00

THE PARKS AS THEY WILL BE.

TEE AFFAIRS OF NAPLES.

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.

- - ---
On Saturday the correspondence relating to the affairs
of Naples, extending from May 19 to November 15,
last year, was issued as a Parliamentary paper. The
return embraces 47 communications. On May 19, last
year, Lord Clarendon wrote to Sir William Temple, at
Naples, setting forth the grounds on which her
Majesty's Government recommended the Government
of the Two Similes to grant a general amnesty, and to
adopt an improved administrative system. Sir William
Temple acknowledges the receipt of this despatch, and
communicates the result of his interview with the Neapo-
litan Minister. The report of M. Brennier, the French
representative, who acted with Sir William, is also
given.. Then follows a memorandum received from
Mande of political prisoners by Sir William Temple, re-
lating their sufferings, and communicated to the Neapo-
litan Government. Sir William Temple sends also re-
ports of the trials at the grand criminal court, and the
representations made from time to time by M. Carafe to
the English and French Governments, with the results.
Between July 31 and Oct. 27 the correspondence from
Naples to our Government is conducted by Mr. Petre.
The letters of this gentleman include observations on the
political state of the kingdom, the results of the trials, the
sufferings of Poerio and others, the facts connected with
the rupture) of the diplomatic relations, and the depar-
ture of the French and English representatives from
the capital. Mr. Petre, in a special despatch, expresses
his grateful sense of the perfect cordiality and frankness
which he has met with from Baron Brennier, who re-
ceives accordingly the acknowledgment of her Ma-
jesty's Government.
The subjoined is the despatch with which the corree-
pondence commences :

" No. 1.
" THE EARL OP CLARENDON TO SIR W. TEMPLE.

"Foreign-office, May 19,1856.
" Sir,—The 22d protocol of the Conferences lately
held at Paris, which has been published, will have
proved to the Neapolitan Government the anxiety felt
by the Congress in regard to the present state of the
Italian peninsula.
" This anxiety, and a profund conviction of tne im-
minent danger with which Italy is threatened can alone
justify her Majesty's Government in deviating from that
principle of which they are the first to recognise the im-
portance—that no foreign power has a right to interfere
in the internal affair 3 of another state ; and the govern-
ment of ,the King of the Two Sicilies may be assured
that, in offering advice for the regulation of its internal
affairs, the Government of her Majesty is actuated by
friendly feelings and the persuasion that not only the
stability of the Sicilian monarchy, but the general peace
of Europe, will be endangered by a perseverance in that
system of internal administration which now exists in
the Neapolitan dominions.
"The Neapolitan Government cannot be unmindful of
the threatening aspect of affairs in Sicily, where the
slightest accident may at any moment rouse into action
the ill-suppressed feelings of the people. It must also
be aware that there is a point beyond which popular
feeling cannot with safety be repressed, and that a sys-
tem of rigour may fail to be effective at the very moment
when the results sought to be attained by it would be
most essential for the security of the existing dynasty.
"It is, then, in a true spirit of friendship that her
Majesty's Government would recommend the government
of the Two Sicilies to enter upon a new course of inter.
ternal policy, to endeavour by a general amnesty to rally
round the throne those who have been alienated from it
by systematic distrust, and in too many cases by un-
merited persecution, and to inspire all persons, irrespec-
tive of their political opinions, with confidence that
justice will be duly administered, and that their personal
liberty and their property will be respected.
" The attention of Europe is now directed towards
Italy as the quarter from whence, more than from any
other, the general peace now happily restored is likely
again to be disturbed. The Powers of Europe feel that
they have a right to employ all the means at their dis-
posal to avert a calamity so grievous as the renewal of
war, and the means they may decide on adopting for
that purpose will be justified by necessity. •
" Her Majesty's Government indulge a hope that the
Neapolitan Government will take into their consideration
whether it would not be prudent, frankly at once, to
adopt a new system which would relieve Europe from
anxiety, and improve the relations of Naples with fo-
reign Powers. Its present system is a barrier to the
friendly relations between Great Britain and Naples
which her Majesty's Government anxiously desire to
re-establish ; and the Neapolitan Government may be
assured that those relations would be rendered more per-
manent and secure by the adoption of a policy which
would be more in harmony with the spirit of the age,
and would place the King's throne on a solid founda-
tion by promoting the happiness and encouraging the
loyalty of his people.
Yon will add that her MajeOy's Government look
with the utmost anxiety to the answer which may be re-
turned to the communication which, in conjunction
with your French colleague, you are now instructed to
make the Napolitean Minister for Foreign Affairs.
" You will read and give a copy of this despatch to
the Neapolitan Minister for Forego Affairs.—l am, &c.,
" (Signed) CLARENDON."
The following extract from a despatch from Lord
Clarendon to the Admiralty, dated October 10, thus ex-.
plains the object of a naval demonstration.
" I am now to signify to your lordships her Majes-
ty's pleasure that a British naval force should be held in
readiness at Malta for the protection of British interests
in the Neapolitan dominions, in case those interests
should suffer prejudice after the withdrawal of her

Majesty's mission from Naples.
6' The commander of that force should be directed to
despatch a steam-vessel from time to time, so as to keep
up a frequent communication with her Majesty's consuls
at Naples, and the principal consular stations in the
island of Sicily ; and if any circumstances should arise
which call for the active interposition of her Majesty's
naval forces for the protection of British interests, the
earliest possible notice thereof is to be conveyed to her
Majesty's Government through Marseilles ; and the com-
mander of the squadron will hold his ships in readiness
to carry out, without loss of time, any instructions which
may be sent to him by yoar lordships, but without such
instructions he will not appear with the line-of-battle
ships off the coasts of the Neapolitan dominions.
" Her Majesty's Government have reason to believe
that corresponding arrangements will be made by the
French Government ; and I have only to add tbat the
commanders of her Majesty's ships, either collectively or
separately, will endeavour to a3t in entire concert with
the commanders of French vessels engaged on the same
service, and will look after French interests equally with
those of her Majesty's subjects, in the accidental absence
of a French ship of war."

—On the same date Earl Clarendon sent the following
despatch to Mr. Pctre :
" No. 27.
" THE EARL OF CLARENDON TO MR. PETRE.

" Foreign Office, Oct. 10, 1856.

"Sir,—lt is with regret that her Majesty's Govern-
ment have arrived at the conviction that the Neapolitan
Government do not intend to modify the system which
prevails throughout the dominions of the King of the
Two Siciliee, and which formed the subject of my de-
spatch of the 19th of May last to Sir Wm. Temple.
"The advice contained in that despatch was offered in
a friendly spirit, and in terms that could give no offence
to the Neapolitan Government.
"Her Majesty's Government felt themselves justified
in offering that advice, upon considerations of general
interest, and with a sincere desire to establish between
England and Naples relations of greater cordiality than
those which for some time past have exited.
The reply of the Neapolitan Government was nei-
ther courteous nor satisfactory, and proved that the inn-
tives and intentions of her Majesty's Government bad
been completely mistinderstoo4 but, as the painful im-
pression which it created was not unknown to the Nea-
politan Government, we had hoped that our Abstinence
upon the Neapolitan
from again pressing our advice u
Go-
vernment might have induced that Government, sponta-
neously, to adopt measures in accordance with the prin-
ciples upon which the communication of her Majesty's
Government had been founded. Her Majesty's Govern-
ment would have greatly preferred that such a course of
proceeding should have been pursued, for they have
no wish needlessly to interfere in the affairs of Naples,
and a sense of duty alone impelled them to suggest
certain changes and improvements in the internal po-
licy of that Government. They accordingly waited in
silence for several weeks, in the hope that more prudent
counsels might have prevailed at Naples ; but their
expectations have been disappointed. A tardy apology
for the first reply of the Neapolitan Government has,
indeed, been received, not apparently suggested by a
sense of propriety on the part of the Neapolitan Go-
vernment, but called forth by reports received from
Vienna and Paris. This apology, however, is just as
unsatisfactory as to the main objects in view as was
the despatch of M. Carafa to Prince Carini of the 30th
of June, and her Majesty's government, therefore, in
T thetion with the Government of the Emperor of
French, are of opinion that diplomatic relations can no
longer be maintained with a Government which rejects
all friendly
Warning, and is determined to persevere in
a course which is condemned by all civilised nations.
"You will, therefore, upon the receipt of this de-
spatch, prepare to quit Naples with the members of the
legation, leaving the archives in the care of her Ma-
jesty's consul.
"Similar instructions will be addressed to the French
minister.
But, in order that the interestaofetitish subjects
in the Neapolitan territory may not he l
without ade-
quate protecticn, a British squadron will be held iu
. a steam-vessel fromo
e
readiness at Malta, an d the commander of that
tuad-
nsuimaet
ron will be directed to despatch
to time, to conirnunicate with her Majest ,
Naples and at the ports the Island of consuls
Sicily, in
order to ascertain that Briton interests are not prejg.
of diplomatic relations
diced by the interruption between
the two countries.
"A. French squadron will be held in readiness at
Toulon, the commander of which will receive correspon-
ding instructions for periodical visits to the ports of
Naples and Sicily, with a view to the protection of
French interests.
You will read and give a copy of this despatch to
M. Carafa,
an.- you will quit Naples as soon after that
as you can make your arrangements for doing so."
The following, from Mr. Petre, will give some idea of
the details communicated respecting the sufferings of the
prisoners :

" No 39.

"KB. PETBE TO THE EARL OP cLAIENDor....._(nECIEIYED
NOV. 1:)_

"Naples, Oct. 27, 1856.
"My Lord,—l regret unfeignedly in this, one of my
ast despatches to [your lordship, to have to record the
physical sufferings of Carlo Poerio.
"For some time past he had bean suffering from a
tumour on tLe spine, 468123,7 in great measure, I believe,

from long confinement and low unhealthy diet, and ag-
gravated by the friction of his chain. An operation was
performed very recently upon him, and he is now, I am
told, in a more satisfactory state of health. But, if my
information is correct, and I have no reason to doubt it,
however revolting to humanity the fact, neither before,
nor during, nor after the operation, was Poerio's chain
removed."

THE KING OF PRUSSIA'S HONOUR.

(From the Times.)

It is fully believed in Berlin that the King of
Prussia, now he bas got his partisans out of the
bear's grip, has not the smallest intention of keep-
ing his part of the implied bargain. He has not,
so it is said, the most distant idea of giving up that
airy nothing—his right over the canton of Neucha-
tel in return 'for the prisoners. Tho whole story
is so absurd that it can scarcely be discussed with
becoming gravity. All Europe has been set in
commotion about the King of Prussia's honour,
and now he refuses to keep his honourable under.
standing. " Only let the Neuchatelois give up
the prisoners," said the ingenuous monarch, "and
then Europe shall see, and the descendants, of Tell
shall see, what I am capable of in the way of gene-
rosity." Has not this declaration pervaded the
political atmosphere of Europe for the last four
months ? Have not the diplomatists of France and
England been running backwards and forwards for
we know not how long, like the two foolish old
Generals at the military clubs, who when a duel is
impending write memoranda to each other every
five minutes, and endeavour to persuade the bellige-
rents not to stand so stiffly upon the point of honour
—not to thirst so madly for gore ? We cannot say,
how far our French friends have committed them-
selves, but the English Premier, it appears, knew
his man too well. He declined to give any guaran-
tee to the Swiss, or to make himself responsible in
any way for the conduct of the Prussian Sovereign
on any given contingency. The event has proved
the soundness of the decision. The King has got
his partisans back, and now he refuses the quid pro
quo, under the pretence, doubtless, that no docu-
ment under his hand and seal can be produced
against him. All that was done was to disse-
minate throughout Europe the belief that if the
prisoners were given up the claims would be re-
signed. Every act of the Prussian Court, every
phrase of Prussian diplomacy, has been directed to
this end. It was in consequence of this that the
public opinion of Europe at length took a turn,
which, if not actually unfavourable to the Swiss,
was at least in favour of their making the required
concession. Everybody knows that the canton of
Neuchatel is and has been for many years past as
essentially Swiss as Sussos, ;s 2.64;5z,,, or Drormandy
French. We are not ignorant, motteover, that the
misguided men who rose against the public autho-
rities in the chief town of that canton—or at least
their leaders were in close intimacy with the
Prussian Court. The revolt broke out in Neu-
chatel, but the strings were pulled from Berlin.
It has also been asserted throughout—although the
point is, of course, beyond our knowledge—that if
the prisoners had been brought to trial revelations
of the most unpleasant kind as to their connection
with Prussian statesmen would have been made in
open court. It was very intelligible that the King
of Prussia should wish to put a stop to all this mis-
chief, and to do so with as little loss of dignity as
possible. He succeeded. The Swiss were jostled
and hustled, and coaxed and worried into acquies-
cence. In seems one of their agents understood a
phrase in a sense too favourable to his own views.
The French Emperor again threw the great weight
of his power and position into the adverse scale at
a most critical moment, but he appears to have
done so on the understanding that the point in
dispute really was the point of honour. In common
with the rest of the world he was mistaken. Honour
and the King of Prussia throughout all this affair
have been a thousand miles apart.
The whimsical thing about the whole affair is,

that if nothing more is done the King of Prussia
is no more ruler of Neuchatel than he was twelve
months back. Supposing from this moment for-
ward the Swiss Cantons refuse to take the smallest
notice of himself or his agents, what can the King
of Prussia do ? True, he may try another " mobi-
lisation," and endeavour to recover his rights real
or supposed by force of arms. But this time he
must carry his threats into effect, or he will make
the Prussian name the laughing-stock of Europe.
Now, is he prepared to face the consequences of
such an act—the results of such a policy ? With the
whole public opinion of Europe against him—with
Austrian statesmen smiling behind his back at the
complaisance with which he exhausted the strength
of his people and resigned the leadership of Ger-
many into their hands—would the Prussian Sove-
reign really go and knock his head against the Swiss
mountains ? We doubt it. The result, then, is, if
nothing is done, that his sovereignty in Neuchatel
remains a mere nullity—a zero a Twelfth-night
toy. There cannot that we know be the smallest
objection raised to the fact that the titular Prince
of Neuchatel should continue to bear the name in
' his place of exile at Berlin. It might, perhaps, be
wiser and in be,ter taste to adhere to the incognito
of the King of Prussia ; but if the Prince of Neu-
chatel, within his own four walls, chooses to call
himself by this name, we know not who is to pre-
vent him. He might in the same way trench on the
dignities of the King of Sardinia, and style himself
King of Cyprus and Jerusalem,—either course is
open to him, and with perfect impunity. Our own
Sovereigns were silly enough to retain the title of
Kings of France until the Peace of Amiens, but
we have never read that e4ther they, or the
people they governed, were much benefited by
'the assumption. It was, however, something to
call one's-self King of France. If it was an im-
posture it was a gigantic one, and might bo taken
as evidence of an inspiring mind. But, had the
Kings of England insisted upon bearing the title
of some beggarly district in Prussian Poland, to
which they could not in case of need have de-

spatched a'corporal's guard without the certainty Of
bringing on a general war, we should have said the
ambitioa was but a paltry one. This is pretty much
the case of the Prussian Sovereign with the little
insignificant canton of Neuchatel. It is divided
from his real dominions by the territories of two or
three independent Sovereigns. It brings to the
Prussian exchequer no revenue. The King never
pretends even to govern it as a province or depen-
dency of the Prussian Crown. His connection with
it always has been in times past, and must ever
continue to be a source of mortification to him.
The people don't want him. If the Emperor Louis
Napoleon is by the people's choice Sovereign of
France, then the King of Prussia, by the peo-
ple's choice also, is not Prince of Neuchatel. Had
he been simply Prince of Neuchatel he would, pro-
bably, have been residing for some years in the
New-road, or at St. John's-wood in a genteel cot-
tage residence. He happens, however, at the same
time te be King of Prussia, and, if not warlike him-
self, at least the chief of a powerful and well-
organised army. The King of Prussia has a fancy
in short to be Prince of Neuchatel. If the desire
ever attain larger proportions than those of a wan-
dering fancy the Prussian people must find the
blood and pay the bill.
It may be that those philosophers are in the right
who talk of the equal distribution of happiness
among human beings. Here now is the case of a
monarch who stands fifth in power in Europe, with
a people under his hand largely susceptible of drill
and lectures and decorations, and raps with the
paternal staff. He has three or four palaces to
live in, which, if not exactly delightful to the
English eye, at least please him. He can tin-
ker at creeds and rate his Chamber as he pleases
—so patient are his theologians, so much en-
during is his Parliament. Surely, such a posi-
tion would appear to possess certain latent elements
of felicity ; but not a bit of it. There is a spectre
behind the bed-curtain—a Mordecai at the gate.
The King can't have a Swiss toy which he covets,
so he assumes the attitude of Job, and apes his
discomforts, without the patience which rendered
the position of the Patriarch just endurable. It is
the same story in private life. Go and stop with a
rich proprietor in the country, who owns more land
within a ring fence than the eye can take in even
from a good point of view, and you will find that
the burden of life presses heavily on your friend on
account of some squabble with another rural thane,
or because he is at war with the parson, or because
somebody nine years ago shot his favourite bull
when that interesting animal was making a clean
sweep of the turnpike road; but somehow justice
was never done in the case. These thoughts and
recollections bairn like fire in the human brain, just
as his Neuchatel grievance vexes the King of Prussia
to death. How cool and comfortable would that
Royal personage feel in the morning when ho awakes
if he would just make up his mind to throw off the
burden altogether.

TIM AUSTRALIAN MAIM—SOUTHAMPTON, Feb. 14.
—The European and Australian Royal Mail Company's
steamship Columbian, Captain Pander, which left this
port on the 14th nit arrived off the island of St. Vin-
cent at 2 a.m, on the 23d, thus making the passage
from the Needles in 8 days and 7 hours. Her average
speed throughout was 12 knots per hour, and on three
consecutive days the runs were 315, 310, and 300 nau-
tical miles. The weather at Porto-Grande was very un-
favourable ; strong winds and dark cloudy weather with
rain. Rollers had set in with a violence which had only
been experienced once before during the last 20 years.
On this account great difficulty was experienced in coal-
ing, and the Columbian was detained four days. She
sailed thence for Australia on the 27th. The pas-
sengers were all well, and expressed themselves highly
satisfied with the ship and all the arrangements on
board. The ship on leaving had a total stock of 1,400
tons of fuel on board, and it was intended that she
should procoed direct to Melbourne, without calling any
more on the way thither. The mailsof the present month
will be conveyed in the Etna steamer, of 2,215 tons and
500 horse-power, which is to leave Southampton on the
24th inst., and proceed to Alexandria, whence they will
be carried overland to Suez ; after this the mails by this
route will leave Southampton on the 12th of each
month.

The dismal appearance which St. James's Park
has put on for the last four mouths is beginning to
improve, and the scene gives some token of what
may be expected when the extensive works in ope-
ration shall be brought to a conclusion. Nearly
the whole of the bed of the lake is now drained and
levelled, and in the course of five or six weeks,
when the present artificial bottom has well settled,
the whole will be covered with concrete, which is
anticipated will effectually prevent the growth of
vegetable matter, and will give an easy means of
cleansing the whole. Were it not for the new
bridge across the lake the works would soon be
brought to a conclusion ; but on digging the founda-
tion for the abutments such a mass of springs has
been tapped that it has been necessary to keep
three steam engines cont.nually at work in order to
form anything like a solid bottom. This influx of
water has'necessitated the keeping open the cutting
which runs on the north side of the lake, and which
cannot be filled in unt'l the foundations of the
bridges are completely settled. The erection of a
suspension-bridges of a more difficult character
than the generality of persons imagine. People
see the abutments of the bridge, and chains passing
yand securely attached.
over them, which support the roadway, but they
of finding means of
are
een keepingo awareodit s these
operandi eatrihnaesnddrrilic;llylt the uninitiated may
thus- succinctly be described :—At some distance
beyond the extreme end of the bridge a
deep excavation is wades below even the
foundation of the abutments of the bridge. At
the bottom of this excavation an inverted arch, of
the strongest material, is constructed, the interior
and exterior of which are filled and surrounded with
Portland cement. This forms the table on which
the principal stone rests, to which are attached the
chains. Three blocks of granite are then placed
above this stone in such a manner that, without
disturbing the whole, it is impossible to move the
keystone in the slightest degree. Above and
around these blocks of stone are some 700 or 800
tons of the strongest blue has concrete that can be
made. This, in fact, forms one solid mass of stone,
so that it is physically impossible the keystone can
be started. The chains thus fixed pass through a
small tunnel, called the chain tunnel, and thence
over the abutment thv Midge to the other shit,
wilt:Lc they are similarly attached. This seems easy
enough on paper, but it requires a good deal of en-
gineering skill to carry it out properly. With
respect to the bridge in question a rather curious
circumstance occurred. In digging the foundation
the excavators came upon a solid bed of peat some
10 feet in thickness, and at the bottom was found
a layer of green moss, in which was imbedded, in
a capital state of preservation, the antlers of a fine
buck, which have been carefully preserved as a
curiosity. As regards the bed of peat, the same
thing was discovered on digging for the Victoria
Tower some three or four years ago. The entire
worksin St. James's Park are expected to be com-
pleted by the beginning of May, and, as the gar-
dens at Kew are made now to produce a large
number of half-hardy plants, such as geraniums,
&c., and as also the enclosure has been thoroughly,
for the first time, drained, the frequenters of the
park may
in . confidently anticipate a vast improve-
ment its general aspect. While, however, so
much kas been done in St. James's Park, a
large amount of money has also been expended
in Hyde Park, and to a good purpose. But
little has been said on the subject, and very
few persons have been aware of what has been
going on for the last few months, except that
they have seen a number of workmen employed,
and a good deal of dirt and muck. The improve-
ment in question will be sure to meet with
general approval when it is completed, which
will be early in
May. A new road, or rather path,
planted on each side with shrubs, is being made
from the marble arch to Victoria-gate. It will be,
when completed, more than three-quarters of a
mile in length, and will be the finest walk which
the metropolis will be able to boast of. While
making this new road one of the workmen disco-
vered a mass of valuable gold coins—so valuable,
indeed, that he has not been seen since. The new
illuminated clock at Hyae Park-corner has been set
up, in order to judge of the effect previous to its
principle being adopted in the monster clock in the
Palace at Westminster. The dials of illuminated

clocks have hitherto been of ground or opaque glass,
with gilt numbers and gilt hands. A new material
is now used, which apreirs to answer admirably.
The glass, instead of bang ground, is coated with
white enamel, with dart blue numbers, the hands
being of the same colour. Iu the daytime the dial
presents a solid appearance, like that of an ordi-
nary watch, and at night, with a light behind it,
the dial presents a much more even and clear ap-
pearance than ground glass. Those who are desir-
ous to know what the future appearance of the
great cock will be can satisfy their curiosity by
examining that at Grosvenor-gate. The great clock
is expected to be in motion, with iLs concomitant
bells, before the session closes.—Observer.

MURDER AND HIGHWAY ROBBERY
IN SURREY.

On Saturday afternoon information was received
at the Metropolitan Police-station in Scotland-yard
of a murder, accompanied by robbery, on the high-
way between the villages of Nutfield and Warwick-
town, in Surrey, a draper named Ovenden having
been shot with a pistol on his return fro& Godstone
anti robbed of between V. and 5/. The circum-
stance has occasioned a good deal of alarm not only
in Nutfield, near which village the murder took
place, but throughout the whole of the district.
The following, as far as we have been able to ob-
tain them, are the particulars of this shocking
affair :--Mr Oveuden had been to the village of
Godstone on a bwiness visit, and was returning in
his light cart to Warwick-town. About a quarter
to 5 o'clock, while proceeding on the road to Nut-
field, he was accosted by a pedestrian, whom he
overtook on the road, and who asked him for a
lift in his cars, stating that ho was going to Red-
hill. The man was dressed as a labourer and had
request. He
they passed through.
Nutfield
was accordingly
every appearance of being one, and Mr. Ovenden
to Redhill. They had not,
wayvery great distance from the
villageed
n up
when they arrived at a very dull and
fhteoloroi -kmtwe however, with
onni
gonettohtheir l '
thes
a
lonely part of the road, and Mr. Ovenden, from
whom the information has been obtained, was
surprised by the man, who was a tall, strongly-
built fellow, suddenly turning towards him and de-
manding his money or his life. At first Mr. Oven-
den thought that he was joking, but be was soon
fatally undeceived by the man taking out a pocket-
pistol and pointing it towards his breast. Still
Mr. Ovenden did not apprehend anyserious danger,
and not wishing to part with his money endeavoured
to make it appear that he thought the whole affair
was a joke. The man, however, assumed a deter-
mined aspect and persisted in his demand, and, on
Mr. Ovenden, who was now seriously alarmed, re-
fusing to comply, the villain at once fired the pistol,
the bullet of which was lodged in the left breast of
his victim, a little below the shoulder. Mr. Oven-
den, still having the reins in his hand, fell to the
bottom of the cart, the jerk pulling the horse up.
Theleowardly ruffian then proceeded in the most
deliberate manner to rifle the pockets of the un-
fortunate man, taking from them 4/. in gold and
about 10s. in silver, with which he made off across
the country, leaving Mr. Ovenden in a senseless
state at the bottom of the cart. This occurrence
took place about 5 o'clock in the afternoon in broad
daylight. About a quarter-past 5 o'clock Mr. Oven-
den, who had been stunned and partly paralysed by
the effect of the shot, came to himself, and, found
that he was bleeding from the wound in his
shoulder. He managed to stanch the bleeding
with
a pocket-handkerchief, and, although much
weakened by the loss of blood, contrived to
reach his home at Warwick-town, where he at
once gave information to the police of the attack
which bad been made upon him, and at the same
time lodged in the bands of the police a very accu-
rate description of the fellow who committed the
assault, He of course received every medical and
surgical assistance, but on examination it was found
that the wound was of a much more serious charac-
ter than had at first been imagined. On reaching
home he was in a most depressed condition, and,
in fact, almost fainting. He was immediately put to
bed, but notwithstanding every attention informa-
tion reached yesterday the Metropolitan police-sta-
tion that he expired on Saturday morning. Mr.
Norman Wilkinson, a magistrate for the county of
Surrey, on hearing of the condition in which the
unfortunate man was, took his dying deposition,
sn which he gave a very complete description
of his assailant. The intelligence received at
Scotland-yard by electric telegraph of the death
of Mr. Ovenden was accompanied by a hand-bill
offering 1001. reward for the apprehension of the
person who committed this atrocious act, and who,
from the evidence already obtained by the police,
_
was seen by a party of labourers at a later period
,
his way to the village of God-
stone. The following is the description of the man
taken from the
lig ht figure, but having
the day asking
deposition of Mr. Ovenden
" About six feet in her ht
large bones, very sallow complexion, high cheek
bones, and very hollow in the cheeks near the
mouth ; dressed in a close box cap, fitting tight to
the head, and a short navigator's smockfrock much
embroidered." The pistol with which the murder
was committed was found lying in the bottom of
the cart covered with blood, ft WAS an ordinary

small pocket-pistol. Since the commission of this
murder the police have been unceasing in their
exertions to apprehend the fellow, but up to the
present moment have been unsuccessful, although
it is thought that from the very full description
given of him he cannot long escape detection.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.