The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-06 00:00:00

THE IRISH PRESS ON THE DIVISIONS.

The magnitude of the majority by which the House of
Commons has decided that the Protestant Church in Ire-
land must cease to exist as an Establishment has taken
every one in Dublin by surprise. That the House would
decide with Mr. Gladstone all knew. Even the most
sanguine Tories, who look upon the Establishment almost
as a divine ordinance, had been lapsing into a state nearly
allied to despair. But they never dreamed that the
decision would be so complete, so overwhelming as the
division proved to be. The effect for the moment was
absolutely stunning, and the most earnest champions of
ascendancy in the Irish press who wrote so strongly a few
days ago have greatly lowered their tone. The Irish
Times trusts to the powerful effect which the Premier's
speech " must produce upon the English people," ap-
parently because " it is throughout complimentary to
Ireland," and concludes its article by the expression
of a " hope that for their own sakes the English
people will interfere, and unmistakably pronounce
that they, too, await practical legislation, and will not
that the vital intetests of the nation be sacrificed to gratify
either jealousy or faction." The Daily Express takes its
stand on the Coronation Oath, and the duty of Parlia-
ment to respect the obligations entered into by its prede-
cessors. The Express holds that it is the duty of English
Churchmen to maintain for their brethren in Ireland the
privileges they themselves enjoy ; that it is the duty of all
Protestants to unite in defence of Protestant truth ; and
solemnly adds : " The present House of Commons has
signally failed in the performance of its part. Let us hope
that the nation at large will not be found equally defi-
cient." The Evening Mail derives a modicum of satis-
faction from the Ministerial defeat. It asks the friends of
the Church, not " under the shock of the division " to
" stumble into the conclusion that the defeat of Mr. Dis-
raeli's scheme is necessarily a blow to the Church." The
Mail thinks, had the Government adopted Lord Craw
borne's manly advice, and met the onset of the Opposition
with a simple defiance, however the relative numbers
would have shewn, the morale and even the prospects of
the party would have been very different. The Mail would
prefer Mr. Gladstone's scheme, however iniquitous it may
consider it to be, to the plan indicated by Mr. Disraeli in
his speech on the 18th of March, which proposed the dis-
tribution of all the revenues and property at present
vested in the Reformed Establishment among all the
Christian sects at present discoverable in Ireland. The
numerical test being accepted, in such a contingency as
that which should apportion the fund, Mr. Disraeli's plan
would amount to the cession of fully £400,000 per annum
to the trustees of the Pope of Rome, unshackled by
condition, without reserving a right of revision or even
of audit. The Mail thinks it possible this enormous
temptation, placed before the eyes of Cardinal Cullen,
may induce him to support the project of Mr. Disraeli,
There has been already a precipitate change of sides upon
one essential point of the battle between the Government
and the Opposition. An order has been actually received
by the Irish members, commanding their votes in support
of the Government in the matter of the charter to the
Catholic University. This order has thrown the Irish
vote, it is said, into something like consternation, lest it
should be followed by a general order to support, in their
integrity, Mr. Disraeli's ecclesiastical projects for Ire-
land.

It is unnecessary o say with NN hat delight the result of
the division has been hailed by the Liberal party in Ire-
land. It is regarded by the Freeman's Journal as practi-
cally abolishing the last badge of conquest and establishing
religious equality in Ireland. The Northern Whig, a
Liberal journal, representing the enlightened Protestant.
ism of Ulster, declares the vote of the House of Commons
to be "the greatest Liberal victory of this generation."
Mr. Jonathan Pim, M.P., has written to the newspapers
to explain why his name is not to be found in the division
on the Irish Church question. He states that he gave an
engagement on the hustings that, although unfettered on
the subject when treated of by a responsible Ministry,
Conservative or Liberal, he bound himself not to take any
part in any desultory attack or skirmishes which are a
prelude to the battle.

In compliance with instructions issued by the
Chief Secretary for Ireland, the rigorous rules for the
treatment of prisoners in Downpatrick Gaol have been
relaxed in favour of Mr. Johnstone.

THE BISHOP OF WINCHESTER.—In all parts of
his extensive diocese joy will be caused by the intelligence
that there is every probability that in a short time the
right rev. pre!ate will be enabled to resume at least a
porti. n o° his labours.
ST. AL PANS, HOLBORN.—At this church on
Sunday incense was not used at the mid-day celebration
of Holy Communion. In all other respects the service
appeared to be the same as before Sir R. Phillimore's
judgment, except, of course, the mixing for the chalice.

At a meeting of the Bradford Electoral Associa-
hel.l the other evening to form a branch of the asso-
ciation in on of the suburbs of the town, Mr. John Priest-.
wan said that the object of the association was to select a
man who would be a more suitable colleague for Mr. W.
E. Forster, than the present gentleman associated
w:th I lin. It was intended that a requisition should be
curried round for signature, inviting Mr. Miall—and it was
no use mincing matters—t , come f and if a suß•
eient number of voters would proniise to vote for him at
the next election; he would be brought forward.
THE ANCA Slll ItE COTTON TRADE. —The short
time movement is spreading in the cotton trade of North
and Bait Lancashire. At Blackburn recently the spinners
and manufacturers held a meeting, at which it was de-
cided to adopt the short-time systeM, and since then a
meeting of the Preston branch of the North Lancashire
Cottonspinners' and Manufacturers' Association has been
held, when it was resolved, "'That the members of the
Preston branch present should agree in the expression of
the Blackburn branch—viz., that in the present state of
the cotton market it is desirable that short time should be
adopted."

FATAL ExrLosioN.—On Saturday evening a fatal
explosion took place at the shop of a chemist and drug-
gist, at Nottingham. About half•past eight o'clock a
porter, named John Noble, was in the shop powdering
chlorate of potash in a mortar for the purpose of mixing
it with other chemicals, to make what is called " red fire."
While doing this it is supposed that he dropped a light
into the mortar. A terrific explosion followed. Noble
was killed on the spot, one of his arms being completely
blown off. An apprentice, who was standing close by the
deceased, was also severely injured on the head and face,
-and he now lies in a precarious condition. A man named
Swann received severe injuries, and was at once conveyed
to the General Hospital. Several other persons who were.
in the shop were more or less wounded. The shop was
completely gutted by the force of the explosion, the
windows, doors, &c., being blown into the street, and
several persons passing by were hurt.

EDUCATION. —A meeting has just been held,under
the cognisance of the Social Science Association, of
teachers and other friends of education, for the purpose of
.considering the Government measure now before Parlia-
ment. Several of the College of Preceptors attended, and
as an explcs3:on of the opinion of those practically ac-
ptainted with the matter it 'might have been somewhat
a guide to future action. Unfortunately, however, the
greater part of the time was taken up with discuss-
ing how best • the teacher might be benefited.
Two resolutions were passed en that question, the one
declaring the Revised Code to be unjust to teachers, and
the other that any measure that did not provide for a good
supply of preceptors was defective. Some system whereby
the cert:ficate I master might look for Fr imoti m was
recommended. With regard to other questions more
interesting to the general world, local rating was repudi-
ated, and conscience clauses were denouncel. Recurring
to the old subject, the meeting laid down the pr:ne'ple
that the maintenance of an efficient body of teachers was
essential to a good scheme of education. The insertion in
an Act of Parliament of the terms on which grants are
made was in another resolution spoken of as undesirable,
as it stereotyped tim-e terms.

BRUTAL MURDER.—A very horrible murder has
• been committed. John Harrison, elks " Scotch Bob," a
stonemasol, who cohabited with a woman named
Charlotte NM-toady in a "hovel" at No. 2 Court, Thomas-
street, Barnsley, went out drinking with her on Saturday
night. When they got home about midnight they had a
dispute, during which he struck her heavily. She left the
house, taking with her a little girl, her daughter by another
man. She took refuge in the house of a neighbour, with
whom, at about two o'clock, she went back to the hovel.
They found Harrison lying dressed on some straw which
served them for a bed. The poor woman began to unlace
his boots, when he sprang up and felled her with a blow;
then be kicked her several times on the side arid on the
left temple, finishing his horrible work by stamping on
!.er temples with his heavy boots. The woman who
e.-a,3 -with her entreated him to desist ; but he'Seized a
and, threatening her, pushed her from the door
and shut it. She listened a little while, and then, going
home, told her husband, who insisted that she should
not intcricro " .betwcen man and wife." About
half-past six o'clock, another mason named Wagstaff,
called at Harrison's " hovel," to go for a walk with him.
He found the door ajar ; he looked in and saw Harrison
lying on the bed fully dressed and sleeping. The corpse
of the woman whom he had trampled to death lay weltering
in blood about a yard from him on the floor. He called to
Harrison, who rose, glanced at the body, then rushed from
the house just as he was. He had not been appre•
headed when our parcel was despatch 7d.---21-onehern Deihl
Er Press.

ROMAN AFFAIRS.

(From the Roman Correspondent of the Westminster tiazette.)

ROME, March 28

One of the first public ceremonials in which
the new cardinals engage is that of taking pos-
session of their titular churches. Mgr. Gonella
performed this function at Sta. Maria sopra
Minerva on Sunday. It was at an earlier day
than is customary, but, having to sing the
High Mass there before the Pope on the 25th,
it was necessary to take possession first.
Though the pointed arches and polychrome
of the Minerva always seem out of place in a
country where architecture deals in broad
spaces, and nature affords means for more
permanent colouring in its many-hued mar-
bles, it is yet impossible to be present at ary
great ceremony there and not let one's fancy
busy itself with the parallel between it and
what oar own cathedrals once were. Of course
there are many churches further north where
the resemblance is much easier to trace ; but
the point which impresses the mind here is
its being one of the countless mementoes of
identity of our own rite with that of the heart
of Christendom.

Two files of Dominicans kept the way for
the cardinal to pass up the nave, and on the
steps of the great west door he was received
by the superior clergy of the church, who
handed him the holy water stoup, and, having
assisted to drape him in the flowing purple,
led him to a faldstool, covered with scarlet
velvet, for his genuflection to the high altar.
As he rose from his knees the censers were
brought and waved, and then, with the cross
bearer and Swiss guard in front, he paid his
devotion at the altar of the Blessed Sacrament
and the Lady Chapel. After this he took
his place at the new throne prepared for him
while the Te Deum was sung. The monks
were then admitted to do homage, the pro-
fessed being saluted by him on both cheeks,
and the others kissing his hand. The official
act was then read aloud from the altar, and
the ceremonial closed with the presentation
of a bouquet of flowers.
This week witnessed also the recurrence of
another and greater celebration in the same
church, as a Cappella Papale is always held
here to celebrate the festival of the Annun-
ciation. The Pope comes to it in great gala,
and besides a number of cardinals, the senator.
and civic authorities attend in State, as well as
the Corps Diplomatique. At the end of the
Mass there is a distribution of dowries to a
number of young women, who wear a very
peculiar dress on the occasion.
Being one of the not common occasions on
which the Pope is to be seen at a function
outside the ,Vatican precincts, it always-
attracts a dense crowd of people. He comes
to it in great gala in his State carriage, of
which the sides are of glass, so that he may
be easily seen by the people. It is drawn by
eight massive black horses, with their manes
platted into a perfect cornice of crimson and
gold. A detachment of Dragoons and of.
Horse Gendarmi, in their grand° tenere, leads
the way ; after them come carriages for the
sacristans and chaplains of the Pope, another
detachment of Dragoons, and then a prelate of
the household on a white mule, bearing the
Pontifical cross. Then, in nearer attendance
on the Pope's carriage, comes the Noble Guard,
while all the serving-men of the household walk
bareheaded beside the cortege;
The Piazza of the Minerva is always a bril-
liant sight on this occasion, filled with people
on the look out for the Pope and with the State
equipages of the great, civil, military and reli-
gious, who are attending the function, while
from the windows are hung out crimson velvet
draperies and tapestries, and as the Holy
Father passes, fair hands shower down flowers
from them.

More animated and striking still is the scene
within the church, when the motley assemblage,
hardly restrained within the line by files of
guards, surges, now forward, propelled by its
instinct of curiosity, now backward, thrilled
by a spontaneous sensation of awe, as the
Vicegerent of Heaven is borne aloft, pouring
down his benedictions on the heads of his
people, canopied by the long vista of lofty
pointed arches, and with the brilliant hues of
the painted windows shedding rays of glory
around him.

The scene is too gorgeous and too stirring
to allow you to hear your ma3s of obligation
without distraction. You turn to seek a low
mass, and are carried away by an eddy in the
currents which are streaming through the
nave. After being carried, with sensations
similar to those Edgar Poe describes, in his
story, from the Maelstrom, past forms and faces
the strangest and the most familiar, but with
an impetus which prevents you from distin-
guishing the individuality of any, you find
yourself landed in the chapel of the Ssma.
Annunziata, where a Dominican monk who
preceded you in your strange course, and regard
for whose chasuble alone made a way through
the throng, is just going to offer up the divine
sacrifice.

You lean for rest against the moulding of a
plinth,
in and are almost startled as you see rest-
ing it, sculptured in marble, a figure in
posture and vestments almost identical with
the august presence which was just borne
past you. It is only the monumental effigy
of a Pope, and has been there for centuries,
but it is another link in the chain of identity
between the Church of the past and of the
present.
The Mass proceeds to the accompaniment of
the distant strains of the Papal choir ; sounds,
seemingly destined alyvays to be intermingled
with a sort of dull, timeless chorus, the cease-
less tramp of passing feet, which, if it be a little
annoying, yet consoles by reminding that they
are tending to do homage to the Vicar of
Christ, and of the power by which he draws all
men unto him.

Over the altar is a beautiful painting, which
has been ascribed to B. Angelico, but is more
probably by. B. enozzo Gozzoli. It is one of those
old compositions of great grasp, which, while
portraying in chief some paramount mystery,
weave in some subordinate and not inharmoni-
ous application of it. The main subject is the
dedication of the chapel—the Annunciation.
In the highest part of the canvas, and on the
right side, God the Father is gazing down
on the kneeling figure of the Virgin, lighting
up by the brightness of His presence the clouds
which surround him—midway hovers the
divine dove, the nucleus of a shower of golden
rays which encompass the handmaid of the
Lord. Before her the angel Gabriel bends re-
verently, and typifies the sanctity of his mis-
sion by the presentation of a lily branch. Then
comes the subordinate subject. Between the
angel and our Lady is a group commemorative
of the foundation of the confraternity of the
Ssma. Annunziata, one of whose good works
is the endowment of the fund for providing
the dowries given away on this festival. By
bringing the two subjects thus in contact, the
recipients of the bounty are reminded that,
whether they elect the religious or secular
state, the Blessed Virgin is still their model
for life, and the practical showing forth of one
practice of charity, the fruit of the doctrines
which first germinated for earth in the Incar-
nation, suggests to the beholder to go and do
likewise. The timid, shrinking manner of
the young girls, as they receive the purse our
Lady holds out to them, is depicted with great
delicacy and grace, but the remaining figure is
worthy of all attention as a contemporary por-
trait of the founder. For, with the picture
in our minds' eye, which modern histories have
traced, we should not at first sight recognize
in the simple Dominican habit, in the tender
solicitude for the little ones he is leading up
to our Lady, in the calm countenance and
lowly attitude, the famous Grand Inquisitor
of Spain, Cardinal Torquemada.
I had fancied the Pope looked languid as
lie was carried into the church, but I met him
later in the Scrofa on his homeward way, and
found him more animated even than usual, in
conversation with Cardinal Bonaparte, who,
with Cardinal. Berardi, was selected to occupy

the State carriage, and share the honour of the
floral shower.

After this function, in conformity with an
ancient custom, the Swiss Guard remains in
the Convent of the Dominicans at the Minerva,
to share the midday meal of the monks.
You will have already heard by the tele-
grams of the withdrawal of a brigade of French
troops, and that the same transports which
fetch them away bring fresh reinforcements
of materiel. There remain two regiments of
infantry, a battalion of chasseurs, a squadron
of cavalry, three batteries of artillery, and the
engineering staff corresponding to a whole
division, while the provision of munitions of all
sorts are such as to suggest preparations, for
a protracted siege. The fortification of Civita
Vecchia is being pushed with greater activity
than ever, and it is expected it will be com-
pleted by the 15th of April. Something like
a thousand workmen are at work, under the
directions of the French engineers, though not
at the cost of the French Government, but of
the funds which Christendom lays at the feet
of the Pope.
Of course there are many surmises as to
the causes of this contradictory action on the
part of Napoleon. There are not wanting those
who see in it proofs of treachery and complicity
with Italy, and no doubt there are good
grounds for suspecting this. Yet it seems
more than any one would dare, in the face of
France and of Europe, to set up defences which
arc secretly destined to serve against the cause
by which they are subsidized.
Others say that in the present exhausted
condition of Italian finance, and in face of the
disaffection prevailing at various points of the
kingdom, it is impossible for her to draw off
any considerable number of men towards the
Papal frontier, and that as there is no imme-
diate attack to be apprehended, it is sufficient
to keep a small nucleus of troops round the
French flag. While at the same time as both
the present Government of Italy and its
supreme head are in a very insecure position,
and one of the first acts of a revolution would be
to proclaim an attack on Rome, it is well to
have the defences in an available condition.

It is quite possible, however, also that
hygienic reasons have counselled a remove of
the companies which have now been some time
stationed at a—to Frenchmen, insufferably—
dull and not over healthy post ; or that the
present reorganization of military matters in
France may render desirable the translation of
men from here into other companies.
Viterbo has been entirely left by them and
has been garrisoned this week by the carbinieri
esteri, under Major Costello.
The conduct of Austria is a subject of great
pre-occupation just now, and it is rumoured
that it will not be many days before Mgr.
Falcinelli, the nuncio at Vienna, will have to
demand his passports for returning to Rome,
and that he has already written to friends here
to secure him an apartment. Crivelli is, how-
ever, undeniably well-disposed, and has staved
off a crisis hitherto.

Among lately arrived celebrities is Mr.
Speke, who, it is to be hoped, will derive benefit
from the complete change of scene Rome affords
an Englishman. Also Admiral Farragut, who
had an audience on Saturday, and while he
was charmed with the courtesy with which
the Holy Father received him, is said to have
spoken with as great freedom as he is reported
to have used towards the Prefect of Naples.

Another recently arrived is the DuChess of
Northumberland, of whom a story is afloat
that, being met by the Pope outside the walls
—both having left their carriages to take a
walk, for which many parts of the environs of
Rome offer so great temptation—the Holy
Father, without recognizing her, made, as she
knelt before him, some allusion to the plea-
santness of the fresh spring air, and added,
" May God grant you health, figlia mia, and
above all the health of the soul, which is the
most precious." And that poor Henry Drum-
mond's daughter was so touched by the winning
grace of the Pope, that she has delighted
ever since to talk of Catholicity with the faith-
ful among her acquaintance, and that with an
apparently sincere desire to seek the truth.
When the Canadian Zouaves were presented
to the Pope on Tuesday week some four or five
were still without their uniforms, but were not,
however, excluded from joining their com-
panions. The Pope, alluding to their travel-
ling uniform of nearly white cloth, said, smiling
as he came up to them in turn, " So, I see,
you have the idea of dressing like so many
Popes." To another, whose name was Gideon,
he observed, " Then we may be stout-hearted,
indeed, if we have a Gideon among us."
In another fifrtnight the changes in the
various garrisons usual in the spring season
will take place. The troops now in Rome will
into
and those who
country, where the air is
fresher sent
during
the
hotweather,
are more acclimatised concentrated in Rome.
A portion will also be kept and exercised by
turns in the three camps to be formed as soon
as the weather admits. Before these changes
take place General Kanzler will probably hold
a review of the garrison of
Rome at Villa
Borghese.
The soldiers of the Papal army have been
following the spiritual exercises preparatory
to the Pascal Communion with most edify-
ings regularity and
attention, in which matter
theexample has been set them
best
op
by their officers. And this not only in Rome,
but at all the garrisons. Thus at Monte
Rotondo, where the third battalion is stationed,
were given in dif-
English, French, and Dutch
dif-
ferent ent exercisesplaoes of the the retreat
priests, and the men who had been following
them assembled for a general Communion
yesterday morning to the number of seven or
A special retreat has likewise been held
eight hundred.
here for Government employes at the Ges
which has been numerously attended.
There was a grand funeral service to-day for
ii,
the repose of the soul of the ex-King of Bavaria,
arranged by the members of St: Luke's Aca-
demy, at the Church of St. Luca, out of grati-
tude to his memory as a patron of art. The
Pope subscribed 2,000 francs to the artist's
fund to do honour to the occasion, and the
general effect attained was exceedingly appro-
priate and successful. A very lofty catafalque
occupied the space under the dome, and over
it were suspended graceful draperies of black
and gold. The whole of the interior of the
church was-marked out with hangings of the
same, richly ornamented, and corresponding
to the lines of the architecture. High up hung
festoons of chandeliers,
while the gloom of the
church below was only relieved by four fiaccole
at the corners of the bier, whose fitful glare
made strange and fantastic outlines to the
crowd of assistants.

other cardinals,
Cardinal Hohenlohe, as well as two or three
assisted pontifically at the
function, and in the palchi were several mem-
bers of the Corps Diplomatique.
Later in the day the new cardinals went to
the Campidoglio to return the visit of congra-
tulation of the Senator they were received with
much picturesque state. A
return of delightful weather has visited us
to-day, after a few days interval of severe cold,
accompanied by a strong north wind. There
has been a heavy fall of snow between Foligno
and Perugia, interrupting the mails.
We were thrilled yesterday by a report that
the Marseilles and Civita Vecchia boat had
been lost a few hours out of Genoa. As there
was a number of Zouaves on board returning
home, either on leave of absence or at the
termination of their two years' engagement,
considerable excitement prevailed. I had my-
self parted but a few hours before from some
who . were full of life and excitement at the
prospect some of seeing their mothers and
friends, showing their wounds and little tro-
phies, and imparting their impressions of the
Eternal City, so you may imagine how it
shocked me. As the north wind ought not to
be dangerous in the locality indicated, I re-
tained some hope that the story might prove
a canard, and have taken some pains to ascer-
tain the truth, and I am happy to say the
best informed. do not seem to attach much

credit to it. The agent orthe company assured
me most positively that he had this afternoon
received atelegram from Marseilles announcing
the safe arrival of the vessel, and that it was
not one which touched at Genoa. He had
been assailed on all sides with inquiries, but
could assign no origin to the report. The
telegrams from Marseilles will doubtless have
informed you of the facts before you receive
this, if, after all, there has been any accident.
I hear the English and Belgian papers have
been circulating a report as to the alleged fail-
ing health of the Holy Father. I never un-
derstood what purpose these stories serve. I
have already spoken of his animation on Wed-
nesday, and some friends, who met him on the
Scala Regia going down to his carriage a day
or two ago, assure me he was never looking
more robust. He walked so fast down the
stairs it was not easy to follow him, they said.
Rome is still very full, but numbers are
pouring down to Naples to take the usual rapid
glance at her attractions, and then return here
for Easter.

The Girandola, it is said, is to be from the
slope of S. Pietro in Alontario instead of in
the Piazza del Popolo as of late years, because
the smoke and rocket-stocks injured the plants
on the Pincio. The situation is good for the
purpose in some respects, as it can be seen from
a greater distance than when at the Piazza
del Popolo, though hardly by so many people.
However, it makes a new effect and a new
sensation.

The trial was concluded this week of the nine
Garibaldians who entered as artillerymen with
the view to carry out a plot to blow up the
castle of Sant Angelo. With the usual and
almost regretable lenity which characterizes
the Papal Government, they are only sentenced
to various terms of penal servitude. In case
of any recurrence to this sort of thing on any
future occasion, however, I believe a severer
course of action will be resorted to.

Please let me correct a typographical error
which I see in my letter in the paper of the
21st—speaking of the application of the artil-
lery officers at Civita Vecchia to Paris for larger
pieces of artillery. It should stand—" The
reply was that they should be sent immediately
there was any reason to apprehend that they
would be required." Not, " they should be
sent immediately—there was every reason to
apprehend, &c." There is a very important
difference in the sense conveyed.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

(From the Anglo-American Times.)
PARIS, April 2.

There are times and seasons when we cannot fix
upon paper the photography of clear and lucid
thoughts. There may be many things to speak
of, but, from derangement of the human ma-
chinery, ideas jumble together, without lucidity
or arrangement, unless one is such a writer as
Dumas, who spins out his " Three Musketeers"
into 20 years after, and then winds up with the
almost interminable history of De Bragelonne, or, as
the Viscount Tonson de Terrail, the tutelary genius
of the French halfpenny newspapers, who, after
killing, and bringing again to life times innumer-
able his hero Rocambole, the most unmitigated
scoundrel, by the way, that ever disgraced the
pages of a novelist, is supposed at this moment to
be engaged in again reproducing him in the guise of
a Fenian. There is a pleasure, it may be, in mad-
ness, that none but madmen know, and which may,
perhaps, account for the facility and fertility of the
sensational productions of the present day ; but, as
regards a simple newspaper correspondent, the case
is different, and though he may indulge a little
in sensationalities (if there be such a word)
the varied questions upon which he purposes to treat
do not admit of the high pressure and railway
progress of the romancist. Finding myself this
morning in just such a predicament, I strolled out
to find in the fresh breeze of a lovely spring morn-
ing the conventional remedy. I reserve for greater
leisure the amusing incidents I found in my route.
The Courses de Vincennes have gone off this week
with considerable eclat. The prize given by the
Emperor of 10,000 francs was well contested, fifteen
horses having been entered, thirteen of which came
to the starting place. The race was won by the
Duke of Hamilton's horse Sly Fox, beating Bon
Espoir by a neck. There can be no doubt that the
latter was the best horse ; the difference in weight,
however (27 lbs.), together with the excellent rid-
ing of Cassidy, who literally lifted in his horse at
the last moment, decided the victory in favour of
the former. The Prize of Tourelle (1,500 francs)
fell to the lot of Champ d'Oiseau, the property of
the Baron Finot, a really good horse; Polar Star
and La Jumelle second and third. The handicap for
1,000 francs was won by Saint Contest, Royal Tar-
tan second, Arthur a bad third. Whilst speaking
upon sporting matters it may not lie amiss to re-
mark that the Society of Regattas at Paris has
held a meeting for the purpose of forming their
constitution for 1868. M. Young has been chosen
President ; M. C. Dassy, President of the Sailing
Club ; and M. E. Castral, President of the
Rowing Club, vice-president ; M. Thierry, treasurer.
The Paris Rowing Club will make a good many of
the cracks look to their laurels, if I be not very
much mistaken in the opinion which, as an old row-
ing man, I have formed of their performances on
many occasions, including that of the abortive In-
ternational Regatta which came off last year. I
have been down this morning to look at the new
office with which the increasing development of our
Journal has induced you to favour us. It is very
well and pleasantly situated in the centre of the
Place de la Madeleine, and being just opposite the
entrance of the Marche aux Fleurs, the atmosphere is
fragrant with a perfume which our numerous lady
visitors will, I am sure, inhale with the greatest
possible satisfaction. The transition from flowers
to feathers and flounces is soon made, and
leads. me to speak of a very brilliant bal
masque which came off recently at Colonel
Norton's apartments at the Champs Elysees.
The salons were brilliantly illuminated, and
redolent with the odour of exotics, the lobster salad
and champagne unexceptionable. How could it be
otherwise, when the Due de Montebello himself was
present in the somewhat singular disguise of a
crocodile mask. The " mazy,'.! as Mr. Jurveller
says, commenced at eleven in the evening. I do
not pretend to be a connoisseur in costumes or a
marchand des habits, but many of the costumes were
specially elegant. Colonel Norton looked well in
that of a Baden peasant, a costume something be-
tween that of a Spanish muleteer and Mexican
majo. Madame Norton represented a Polish
countess ; Madame Bouligny exchanged a very
tasteful blue domino for the picturesque costume of
a Swiss peasant girl ; Miss Morse, daughter of the
celebrated Professor, well became the Basquina of
romantic Spain ; whilst Miss du Hamel, adding to
a blue domino the ' attractions of hair powder,
brought back to the spectator the times of Louis
Quatorze ; Mrs. Downing, of New York, made
a very enchanting marchioness ; Miss Harbeck,
a Pole of the most attractive description ;
Mr. Cook represented Ravel for the Hugue-
nots ; Mr. Thompson Fra Diavold, whilst Mr.
Boufanti, as a Spahi, recalled the celebrated lines
of Byron, which, however, I have no time at pre-
sent to quote. The sale of the debris of the Uni-
versal Exposition has brought into circulation a
strange story, singular especially as instancing the
unassuming outer shell in which great financial men
sometimes envelope' themselves. When the debris
was put up to auction it was knocked down for the
sum of four million ten thousand and some odd
hundreds of francs. " Where is the purchaser ?"
inquired the treasurer of the Imperial Commission.
" He is not here, but I represe:mt him," said an
ordinary-looking individual. The treasurer had his
doubts and set off at once to the residence n mined
of the great buyer. It was a deserted and desolate-
looking building, something in the style of the halls
of Ivor—mouldy heaps of old iron and other debris
forming the principal objects which met the gaze
of the doubting official, who at once summoned
the household by a stiffing peal of the bell.
" Where is Mr. M." said the great man.
" Ill," was the reply of a solitary old woman,
who made her appearance broom in hand. " Where
t are his bureaux, his foreman." "Re has none,"

said the old woman. " Who, then, represents him?"
said the treasurer, now waxing wroth. " I do,"
was the reply. This was, of course, enough; and,
starting off at a tangent, the treasurer arrived
breathless at the house of the banker, indicated as
surety by the bidder at the sale. " You have a
million here for me, have you not?" was the eager
demand. "Pas du tout," was the reply, and the
treasurer sank into a chair perfectly hors de combat.
On further inquiry, it was found that the million
was actually in the bank, though its destination had
not been made known to the depositaries, and all
went off well, with the exception of a slight indis-
position experienced by the treasurer from ex-
cessive anxiety. The instructions relative to
the Garde Mobile have just been issue ,1 by his
Excellency Marshal Neil, the Minister at War. It
will be seen that those who enter at the age of
seventeen will be enabled to obtain their discharge
at that of twenty- two ; the uniform is one of the
neatest description, consisting of a royal blue tunic
trimmed and faced with red, and trousers of stone
grey with red stripe. It is said that a new railway
is in contemplation to unite at the Place de la Con-
corde the municipal stations of Park. The plan,
which is an excellent one, is reported to be under the
' highest patronage, and cannot possibly fail success.
" Hamlet" still continues attractive here, their
Majesties the Emperor and Empress having last
week paid a visit to the Opera, on which occasion
her Majesty not only honoured Mdlle. Nillson, the
representative of the fair Ophelia, with a bouquet
of violets from her own fair and august hand, but
the Emperor on the next day forwarded to the
same young lady a very brilliant parure of emeralds,
pearls, and diamonds. The new piece at the
Chatelet the " Vengeur," has proved a failure,
notwithstanding the enormous expense incurred by
the management.

NAPLES, March 28, 1868.

Admiral Farragut returned from Rome on the
evening of the 25th inst., much pleased but not a
little fatigued by the ovations received in the Eter-
nal City. In fact his strength and powers of en•
duratce are wonderful considering his age, while
many of his officers, men much younger, complain
of being quite done up. It is reported, however,
that the Admiral, yielding to the advice of his friends,
will not attempt to carry the cruise further by
visiting Sicily and the Levant as far as Constan-
tinople, but will take a little rest and perhaps go to
Lisbon, as the first step for a move homewards.
Besides the Franklin we have in port the American
sloops Ticonderoga and Canandaigua, the English
frigates Endyinion and Arethusa, the Russian
frigate Alexander Newsky, and the Swedish sloop
Gefle. Two Prussian and one Dutch vessels are
expected, so that nearly all the great Powers will
be represented here.

Seldom has the world experienced a year of such
hurricanes and convulsions as within the last
twelve months. The last news from New Zealand
tells of violent gales, of floods, wrecks lining the
coasts, bridges torn away, and fields inundated. At
the same time we hear of a hurricane in Canada,
which raged at Toronto, and killed a man at the
Grand Trunk Railway Station, several others being
hurt. In China cyclones have followed cyclones
with unusual rapidity. We heard lately of a fear-
ful gale at Madras, and when we look back over the
few preceding months, we see nothing but these re.
cords of disaster.

General Thomas wrote to the General Command-
ing the Army from his headquarters in Tennessee,
on the 14th March, that the rebels in the State were
organising
for resistance to the laws, and that this
resistance is an outgrowth of the rebellion. He
desired to know if the national forces should be
employed in protecting the Government of the
State. General Grant submitted the letter to the
President, who decided that the Federal Govern-
ment cannot interfere for the suppression of a State
insurrection until applied to by the State authori-
ties. Governor Brownlow notified to the Secretary
of War that his own militia was amply sufficient to
protect Nashville and the State archives in case of
a rebel attack.

A correspondent of the New York: 7itnes says
that Mr. Boutwell is the cold and classical Demos-
thenes of the House ; we know that Mr. Stevens is
the great commoner i and the Tr ibuites corre-
spondent has informed the world that General
Butler is the apostle John of salvation by Impeach-
ment. All three are among the managers of this
interesting trial, and with such grand names no
one can anticipate that they will make a mess
of the business they have undertaken.

The New Hampshire election continues to occupy
public attention in the United States. The Rd-
publican Committee calculated on a vote of 76,531,
which came out with an exactness that amazed the
country, the precise number being 76,868. The
Hon. E. H. Rollins, head of the State Committee,
receives credit for the excellence of this organiza-
tion, which is said to be worthy of study and imi-
tation. Of these votes, the Republicans cast 3,803
more than last year, and the Democrats 4,493.
The issues before the electors were—Grant for
President, Impeachment, Reconstruction, and the
general character of the two parties. The Demo-
crats were very confident, believing in the strong,
reaction not long since apparent against the Re-
publicans ; and were much disheartened at the re-
sult.

In one of its notes of last week the Spectator
alluded to the Supreme Court of the United States
with much irreverence. It justifies Congress in
depriving the country of the constitutional right of
appeal to the Court composed of " seven old lawyers"
against measures of doubtful legality by the Legisla-
ture. The Act passed by Congress removing from
its jurisdiction certain cases is simply usurpation ;
that is, it abrogates in a way not permitted
by the Constitution the Constitutional privileges
of the citizens. The necessity that exists for such
legislation is one question, its illegality is another.
It may be defended on the former plea, while the
latter cannot be denied. The Constitution dis-
tinctly lays down tha means, and when the Legisla-
ture sets the instrument aside with contempt, which
gives to itself its existence in law, it does that which
no law can sanction. The sth Article says, " When
two-thirds of the two Chambers judge necessary,
Congress will propose amendments to the present
Constitution, or on the demand of two-thirds of
the Legislatures of the States will convoke a Con-
vention to propose amendments, which in either
case will become valid, and integral part when rati-
fied by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the
States, or by Conventions formed by the three-
fourths, if Congress shall have proposed such mode
of ratification, provided that no amendment made
before the year 1808 affects in any manner the
first and fourth clauses of Section 9, Art. 1, and
that no State has been deprived without its con-
sent of its votes in the Senate."
Mr. Thaddeus Stevens has written a letter to
Colonel Forney, stating that he has long reflected
with such ability as he can command on the subject
of the Declaration of Independence, and his con-
clusion is that " Universal Suffrage was one of the
inalienable rights intended to be embraced in that
instrument by our fathers at the time of the Declara-
tion. The Committee on Reconstruction have
finally resolved that no State shall be admitted into
the Union unless its constitution provides for Uni-
versal Suffrage." As the Nation observes, Mr.
Stevens does not reach his opinions by ordinary
human means, in other words he is a prophet, or a
soothsayer, or something of that kind. It is well
established that you cannot refute a prophet ; your
remedy is, if he becomes troublesome, to disbelieve
him. As there are no logical means of driving Mr.
Stevens from his position, the best mode of meeting
his doctrines is to get some other elderly gentleman
of good political standing to go to sleep with the
Declaration of Independence under his plow
after a late dinner, and find out what the fathers
thought after they had drawn the Declaration.
There would be the danger of a person with
weak digestion and active brain being told
by the fathers that when they spoke of inalien-
able rights they thought of an Eight-Hour
Law, a Usury Law, and unlimited greenbacks.
But this risk the Nation says must be taken
to demolish Mr. Stevens, who gives as conclusive
the result of his own reflections. The bill has,
however, been called up in the House, and whether

Mr. Stevens can argue or not, there is one thing he
certainly can do, and that is to stick most perti-
naciously to the conclusions•he has extrac.ted from
his own reflections, and therefore we back them
against the telling sarcasm of the Nation. That
gentleman has asked for the re-commit'cal of his
bill to admit Alabama, so his reflections: on that
subject have, we presume, led him into a mistake,
an admission not often made by " the great com-
moner."

The bill removing the internal tax upon domestic
manufactures has called forth a letter from Mr.
Al'Culloch, the Secretary of the Treasury, 'Rho ad-
dressed the Finance Committee of the Senate,
stating that the revenue would be reduced if it be-
came law over $100,000,000, and that there would
be an insufficiency in the next fiscal year to meet
the interest on the public debt and the current ex-
penses of the Government. It was not, howe,7er,
thought that the loss would in reality exc !ed.
$60,C00,000, as the committee propose to increase
special taxes on certain manufactures, which, with
one-twentieth of one per cent. on sales of large
quantities of manufactured goods, will seduce the
deficiency to that figure.
Should Andrew Johnson be removed we should
have tine° Presidents in one year from this date —first ,
Andrew Johnson; second, Benjamin Wade; and third ,
whoever is elected in November next. This has; happened
but once before in our history, then we had there in about
one month—Van Buren on the 4th of Maras ; William
Henry Harrison, successor for one month and John
Tyler, who succeeded Harrison.

Oa the 17th March the House of Representa-
tives discussed the removal of disabilities from aeneral
Longstreet, Mr. W. W. Holden, and Mr. James L. Orr, but
on the motion of Mr. Schenck decided to wail before pro-
ceeding for a few weeks.

The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr.
Irezekiah G. Wells as Consul at Manchester for the United
States of America.

It WPS announced by the New York Tribune that
General Hancock and Jefferson Davis attend;e•d a procos-
session at New Orleans in the same carriage, and in
passing the General's head-quarters that the bands played
the "Bonnie Blue Flag." The Tribune has, however, con-
tradicted its statement.

Oa the 14th of March the President and his
daughter attended the funeral of the late well-known
negro steward, at the White House, William Slade.
A man named Maguire, who robbed. a Missouri
bank, was taken by some citizens from the Richmond gaol
of that State, on the 17th of March, and hanged. This
was curious treatment for an Irishman on at. Patrick's
Day.

. Report says that General Halleck will be named
for the command of the Fifth Military District, now in
charge of General Reynolds during Hancock's absence at
Washington. General M'Dowell is also named as likely
to succeed to that district. It appears nearly certain that
Hancock will not return. Halleck is well known for his
works on military tactics, but he is considered a better
soldier theoretically than practically.

R. D. Butler, the Tennessee representative, is to
be admitted into the House, Congress having passed a
bill relieving him from the necessity of taking the test
oath—an oath it would have been impossible for him to
have swallowed, having been a well-known rebel soldier.
He swung round at the right. time, and obtained his elec-
tion through negro votes.

Mr.' John H. Wells, a citizen of Washington, but
for some time past the chief of an Indian agency in Mon-
tana, recently committed suicide by shooting himself.
lie had just returned home, was in excellent health, and
no cause is known for the rash deed.

Mr.. Bingham reported back the bill for the relief
of tho following persons from the disabilities imposed
upon them : —Wm. W. llolden, C. J. Rogers, Wm. A.
Smith, Calvin J. Cowles, Thos. Settle, Rufus Barranger,
Victor C. Barranger, Luke Blackmer, of North Carolina ;
J. L. Alcorn, Benjamin B. Neighbors, of Mississippi;
Robert W. Flournoy, Joshua Morris, James B. Berry, of
Arkansas; James Longstreet, of State of Louisiana; Robert
B. Kingsbury, of Texas ; Thomas J. Mackey and Jas. L.
Orr, of South Carolina; and Joseph J. Brown, of Georgia.
On ruesday week the American banker at Rome,
Mr. Hooker, gave a splendid soiree in honour of Admiral
Farragut. Most of the members of the diplomatic body
and the Prefect of Naples were present.

The Wall-street Journal says General George W.
Tow, General Treasurer of the State, is a defaulter to the
amount of $4,000. He has resigned, and Samuel A.
Parker has been placed in charge temporarily.

Mr. Rose, the Canadian Minister of Finance, has
received a deputation from the Montreal Board of Trade
suggesting as a remedy for "the silver nuisance" an issue
of Legal-Tender Notes.

Minister Thornton left Washington for Nov
York, it is said, upon private business.

The Pall Jilall says :—The latest excitement in
tLe political world in America has been caused by a pro-
position, which is meeting with considerable favour, that
the Democracy shall, at their National Convention in
New York, July 4, nominate Chief Justice Chase as the
Conservative candidate in opposition to General Grant.
Mr. Chase was originally a Democrat, and separated from
his party on the single issue of the abolition of slavery ;
that issue being now in the past, it is believed that Ile
is willing to become the standard-bearer of the Demo-
cracy.

The Pall Mall Gazette remarks ;—" The rights of
women in England are fully recognised in parochial if
not in Parliamentary affairs. On Saturday last Mrs. Sarah
Wooster was appointed by the Aylesbury magistrates to
the offices of overseer of the poor and surveyor of high-
ways for the parish of Illmire ; and last year four women
filled similar offices in the Aylesbury district. Among
other places for which it has been held that women are
eligible are those of high chamberlain, high constable,
common constable, sexton, and returning officer at an
election t') Parliament.

Secretary Seward lately left Washington for his
home at Auburn, and the report at once spread that he bad
decamped in alarm at the progress of Impeachment. This
has brought him back, and when the last mail left he waS
in his room again at Washington. Oa his return he was
stopped by the floods at Utica, New York, on the 16th
March, and at the hotel into which he was thus involun-
tarily thrown were Anna Dickenson, Dr. Mary E. Walker,
and Charles Dickens.

Foreign. Mail:Packet List,

MAILS DUE.

instralit and New Zealand, via Southampton...... April 25.
Ditto, via Marseilles „.....„....April .9.
Ditto, via Panama April 23.
Brazil, Buenas Ayres, and Monte Video April 6.
Ditto, by lerenoh paokot
Cap.: Verds• by Brazil packet .•.... . . April 0.
Cape of Good Hope, Ascension. and St. Helena.... a pril 12.
China, Penang. and Singapore, via Southampton—April 11.
Ditto, via Marseilles •• April 5.
,
Falkland Islands
Jibraltar, via Southampton
India, via Southampton
Ditto, via Marseilles ... ... ...... April
.f.
Malta, Egypt, .Izl. .. .... •••• April, --,
Ditto, Marseilles April,--.
Mauritius, Cape of Good Hope, and Natal, via

Southampton
Ditto, Maraeilies April 18.
Newfoundland ....... ......April 8
Portugal
Ditto, by private ship to Oporto ...
Ditto citto to Lisbon
United States, Canada, California, &0., by British
packet .. April 4
Ditto, by L Lited States packet
Ditto ditto 'New York)
Ditto ditto 'New York)
Ditto ditto (Baltimore)
Ditto, by Canadian packet April 3.
West Coast of Africa, Madeira, and Teneriffe April 13.
West Indies and Pa3ific (except Mexico and Baha-

Inas)
Cub t and Mexico
Bahamas, via New Y -
Bermuda, via Halifax

April 13
April 28.
April 8.
April 8.