The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-09 00:00:00

THE LAW IN BANATRUPTOY.

The LORD aIIANCEIIOTE:a7id that he should lay
upon the table a series of bills affecting the improvement
and consolidation of the law of bankruptcy-, He thought
it would be best at first to lay these upon the table for the
consideration of their lordships. The noble lord then
moved the first reading of the bill, which was carried.
ECCLESIASTICAL REFORM..
The LORD CHANCELLOR moved and -ct-rrried the
first reading of a bill for validating certain orders la Coun-
cil relating to ecclesiastical matters.

IRISH RAILWAYS.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE moved for a copy of
the instructions issued to the Commissioners ap-
pointed to inquire into the state and value of the railways
of Ireland. Ile said that the Irish had an idea
that both the Government and people of this country had
no sincere desire to promote the interest and welfare of
the financial or commercial people of Ireland, and there-
fore he trusted that her Majesty's Government would fur-
nish these reports, which would tend to destroy
this ol nixious feeling. Ireland being a much we.:ker
country than this, they naturally suffered more
from monopoly than this country. He considerea
that this monopoly, unchecked as it was, had caused a
grievous loss to the country. The monopolies combine
for their own benefit, and the transport of goods is really
more expensive than it would have been if there was only
a single line. In addition to this, the formation and
creation of railways had come to a complete stop. and what
was considered to be the greatest feature of a civi-
lised country had ceased entirely to exist in Ireland. He,
therefore contended that this system of monopolies ought
to be inquired into as much as anything else connected
with railways.

The Duke of RICHMOND said that be should refrain
from the discussion of the policy in railways in Ireland.
Last year the matter was looked into by a committee, and
it was settled that the value of the railways in Ireland
should be thoroughly investigated into. A commis-
sion was accordingly issued to look into this
question, but he did not think that what the noble mar-
quis alluded to would come within the scope of the com-
mission. The commissirm would report very shortly after
Easter, and he had no doubt that the commission would
submit, if the noble lord wished it, a copy of the weekly,
agreement of the different railways. He must object, how-
ever, to the production on the table Id the returns asked
for. _ _ _

----
Tho Public Departments (Extra Receipts) Bill was com-
mitted.

--------
BALLAST IRON IN THE ROYAL DOCKYARDS.
The Duke of SOMERSET moved for a return relative
to iron ballast sold from the Royal Dockyards. He stated
that for the satisfaction of those who might make
complaints against Admiralty management that
it was most desirable that their lordships should have
these returns.
It was stated that the returns would be furnished with-
out opposition.
REGISTRATION OF WRITS (SCOTLAND) BILL.

This bill was committed.
The house then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—TiIIs EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.
Mr. WARD HUNT, the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
took the oath and his seat for Northamptonshire, Northern
Division.
THE CLERKENWELL EXPLOSION.
Mr. H. LEWIS asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department whether, as had been publicly stated,
either the Government or the Chief Commissioner of
Police had information, previously to the commission of
the crime, of a design to blow up, or otherwise attack
Clerkenwell Prison ; and, if so, whether there was any
objection to state what precautionary measures or pre-
ventive measures were taken in consequence?
Mr. HARDY said in reference to the late lamentable
occurrence which took place at the Rouse of Detention
in December, that on the 12th of December a report was
received at the Home-office about half-past 12 at noon.
He would, without giving the name of the person who
sent the report, relate to the house what the in-
formation was. The report was to the folio wing
effect : "I have to report that an attempt will
be made to effect the rescue of the prisoner
Burke by blowing down the wall with gunpowder while
the prisoners are in the exercise yard, and that the signal
that all is right is to be a white ball thrown over the wall
of the said prison."' Mr. Liddell, the Under-Secretary of
State, at once communicated with the Chief Commissioner
of Police, and that officer not having been at the office,
Colonel Labalmondiere was immediately informed of the
matter. Mr. Liddell also communicated with Mr. Pownall,
the chairman of the Middlesex magistrates, and as he could
not immediately get the magistrates together, acted most
efficiently on his own responsibility by giving directions
for the attendance of extra warders, by shifting the cells
of the prisoners, and also by giving directions that they
should take their exercise in other than the ordinary
yards. Colonel Labalmondiere was at the Hotta Office
at about half-past twelve the same day ; but previous to his
arrival he had sent directions to Superintendent Uurnon
to communicate with the Governor of the prison, Captain
Codd, of the proposed proceeding. He was also
directed to arrange for the further strengthening of
the guard on the House of Detention ; and further
ho was to give directions for street observations to be kept
upon the wall of the prison. In the interior of the prison
every precaution was taken, a double patrol was posted
also, with directions to keep strict observations on the
prison wall, and additional constables —viz., five in plain
clothes and three officers in uniform were posted round
the wall. Inspector Thomson was also sent to Captain
Codd with special directions, and upon that afternoon some
persons with a barrel or cask were seen in the neighbour-
hood, but it was not at all thought that such a circumstance
was at all suspicious, and that in fact a white ball was
thrown over the prison wall that day, but so little did that
seem to give any suspicion that anything was about to
take place that one of the warders picked up the ball, put
it into his pocket, and afterwards gave it to his children at
home. When the ball came over Burke fell out of the rank
of the prisoners at exercise and appeared to knock
a stone out of his shoe, and no further
notice was taken of the circumstance. It was never sup-
posed that the gunpowder was to be used as it afterwards
was. The cask was wheeled down the street in the open
day, a light was affixed to it, and so little was thought of
such a circumstance, that Constable Moriarty, who was on
duty near the spot, walked towards the barrel, and got
so near to it that his clothes wore burned by
the explosion. It was fully expected that the blowing
up of the wall was to be effected by mining, and not at all
in the manner that was adopted.
THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION.
Mr. DILLW YN asked the Secretary of State for the
Hume Department when the report of the Boundary Com-
mission, with or without the plans, would be issued to
members of the House of Commons • and whether there
would be any objection to issue it in 'parts, consisting of
counties and their respective boroughs.
Mr. lIARDY said the report in question would, he be-
toyed, be is the bawls of hon. members to-morrow.

PIRATICAL VESSELS.
Mr. TAYLOR asked the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs whether any claim had been made upon her Ma-
jesty's Government by the Government of the United
States in respect of the alleged piratical seizure in the
Chesapeake River by British sailers during the. civil war
of a vessel now registered as a British vessel at the port
of Kingston in Jamaica under the name of the Lizzie
Lin; and formerly the Happy go Lucky, commanded by
Lieutenant or Captain Edenborough ?
Lord STANLEY said he had caused search.to be made
at the Foreign-office for such a matter from the year 1861
down to the present time, but not a trace of any such oc-
currence had been found. Search had also been made at
the Colonial-office, but with no different result.
REGENT'S PARK.
Mr. H. LEWIS asked whether the works now going on
for the purpose of improving the ornamental water in the
Regent's-park would be completed before the end of the
summer.

Lord J. MANNERS said he had every reason to believe
let such would be the case.

THE CHINESE EMBASSY.
Mr. OSBORNE asked the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs if the appointment by the Chinese Government
of Mr. J. M'Leavy Brown (described in the Foreign-office
list as assistant Chinese secretary of the English embassy.
in China) to the post of assistant colleague of Mr. Burlin-
game, the new Chinese ambassador, had been made with
concurrence of the English envoy and chief superintend-
ent iu China, and if such appointment had received the
sanction of her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs; and, if her Majesty's Government in-
tended to enter into negotiations with Mr. Burlingame, as
Chief Representative of the Chinese Embassy so appointed,
respecting the treaty of Tientsin ?
Lord STANLEY said the appointment had been made
with the approbation of the British Minister in China ;
and, with respect to the other part of the question,
if • the ambassador came properly accredited from
China, he would of course be treated with all that respect
and attention usually given to the representatives of
foreign Powers.
FINES AND FEES (IRELAND) BILL.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved the
second readingof this bill, the object of which was to enact
that the fines and fees taken in different courts in Ire-
land, amounting to about 268,000, be paid over to the
Consolidated Fund. _ _ .

General DUNNE regretted to oppose the first public
official act of the right hop. gentleman, the Chancellor of
the Exchequer. He hoped the Government would not
persevere with the measure, as it would be looked upon
with the greatest objection in Ireland, and would. he,
was afraid, tend to engender more illfeeling against Eng-
land.
Mr. GREGORY objected to the bill as the salaries o
the clerks of Petty sessions in Ireland was paid out of the
fund.
The O'CONNOR DON said if the clerks were to be paid
out of the Exchequer he could only look upon the bill as
an attempt to raise a covered loan to the amount of £68,000
OR the part of England, for something which perhapa
might be the Abyssinian expedition. (Laughter.)
Mr. REARDON thought the bill a shabby one, and that
it would be rejet.cd by a very large majority.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the Consolidated
Fund was entitled to the fund, and that it ought long ago
to have been paid over.
Sir P. O'Brien, Mr. Henley, and Mr. Lawson, also op-
posed the bill.
Mr. DISRAELI said there was no doubt whatever that
the money dealt with by the bill was due to the consolidated
Fund, and if bills of this description were to be opposed
all attempts to got the accounts in a plain and understand-
able manner would certainly be useless.
Mr. CARDWEL L said he should give his vote against
the bill, notwithstanding the appeal of the First Lord of
the Treasury.
The bill was negatived without a division.
SCOTCH REFORM BILL.

Ou the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. HADFIELD moved its rejection.
. [LEFT erwizsed

CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE THAMES.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH—THIS DAY.
(Before the Lord Chief Justice and a Special Jury.
SADLER V. SMITH.

The further hearing of this case, which has
created great excitement in sporting circles, was re-
sumed this morning.
Mr. Bush was the first witness examined. He
said—l was on board the umpire's boat. I saw
both men in their boats. Kelley afterwards came
to the referee's boat, and told the referee that he
could not get Sadler to start. Mr. Biffin told Kelley
to row down and tell Sadler that he was to come to
post to start, and that if he did not do so, he was to
go on without him. I then saw Kelley row away
down towards the aqueduct. He went to within i

30 or 40 yards of Sadler, who had his
boat " stern up," but it was impossible
for me from my position to hear what was said
about the men. Sadler after this did not make the
slightest attempt to start, or to move from his posi-
tion, and then Kelley came round the cutters, and
even there he waited plenty of time for Sadler to

come up.
Lord Chief-Justice—How long did he wait ?
Witness—Nearly a minute, my lord ; but Sadler
never attempted to move.
Sergeant Ballantine—And then he rowed over
the course.
Witness—Yes.

Cress-examined by Mr. Hawkins—The only
direction Kelley got was when he came alongside
'the umpire's boat. After Kelley got to Mortlake
the umpire awarded him the stakes at once.

Mr. Hawkins—Without seeing whether Sadler
came up or not ?
Witness—Yes ; he handed over the stakes to
Kelley, which he was entitled to them. (Laughter.)
Lord Chief Justice—That is for the gentlemen
of the jury to say, not for you. Give your evidence
without an opinion. The question who is entitled
to the stakes is for the jury to decide, not for you.
Mr. Hawkins—Messenger said something to the
umpire ?
Witness=Yes, he protested.
Mr. Hawkins—Was the water so disturbed when
Kelley rowed that it was injudicious to start?
Witness—Sadler never attempted to move.

Lord Chief Justice —The question is was the
water at the time Kelley started so disturbed as to
render a start impossible ?
Witness—Kelley rowed over.
Lord Chief Justice—Give an answer to the ques-
tion. You know what it means.

Witness—At the precise moment that Kelley
started it was, but Sadler never attempted to
move.

The Lord Chief Justice—lf S Idler had turned
his boat round would it have been possible for him
to start at the moment Kelley did.
Witness—lf Sadler had made an attempt to come
to the post there would have been time given him
to start.

The Lord Chief Justice—By whom ?
Witness—Time would have been given him ;
but he never came to the post.
Lord Chief Justice—l understand then from
you that at the moment Kelley rowed away the
water was not in a fit state to start.
Witness—Yes.
Mr. Hawkins—How close did you see Kelley go
towards Sadler before he rowed off ?

Witness—Kelley never went within 30 yards off

Sadler.

Mr. Hawkins—What did Messenger say to the
proceedings on board the umpire's boat ?
Witness—He walked away evidently ashamed of
the position he was in.

Mr. Hawkins (ironically—You don't seem to
take much interest in this matter.

Witness—Yes, I do. (Laughter.)
Mr. Hawkins—l thought so. You had a few
bets on the race?

Witness—Yes, I had.
Mr. Hawkins—l should like to know the
amount.

Witness—Well, about £l,OOO.
Mr. Hawkins—You found a good deal of money
for Kelley ?

Witness -Yes.
Mr. Hawkins—And you are Smith's security for
the costs of this action ?
Witness—Yes.
Mr. Hawkins—ln fact this action is yours in
reality ?
Witness—lt might be called so. (Laughter.)

Mr. Wormald —I am the aquatic editor of the
Sporting Gazette. I watched closely the whole of
the proceedings previous to the start from a good
position. The men first took up their positions
about 40 yards below the pier, on the Middlesex
side of the river. I could see the position of the
boats before the start. They were very close
together. I saw several false attempts to start—
offers to go. Sadler I saw make two attempts.
On one occasion his boat pointed over to Kelley.
The other was what is called a flying
start. Kelley I also saw make a start, and I know
nothing why a start at that moment should not
have token place. Sadler was the first to heave his
position. He (Sadler) had been ther 27 minutes
when he rowed away. Up to that time there was
nothing in the river to prevent a start. The re-
feree's boat was about 300 yards above the pier at
the time, but I did not see the steamboat in motion
until Sadler left his station. Sadler turned his buat
round and paddled round to his cutter, and there
put on his guernsey, and after that he rowed to the
aqueduct. Kelley at this time paddled up to
meet the umpire's boat, and did about 40 or 50
yards abovd the pier. When Kelley came back
from the referee's boat he went to within 30 yards
of Sadler. Before Kelley actually started he re-
mained at the point for over a minute. Sadler had
ample time to turn his boat for a start had he wished
to do so.

By Mr. Hawkins—When Sadler made one of his
attempts to start a foul was inevitable. That would
have given the race to Kelley if the referee had de-
cided so. I should not say that Kelley went off
with what is called a flying start.

By. Sergeant Ballantine--When a foul takes
place it is always a subject of much controversy.
The Hon. J. Donman—l was formerly president
of the Thames Subscription Rowing Club. My de-
finition of a right away scullers' race—l may say
the universal definition of a " right away scullers'
race—is a race to be rowed by two scullers without
fouling from end to end. It involves a race with
tide. The referee, when a starter is appointed,
would have jurisdiction over the start, at a gentle-
man's race, as well as at the close. According to the
rules of rowing the referee would have control
over a start. I never rowed in a watermen's race,
of course, neither have I acted as referee, except in
an amateur race. _ _ _ _

By Mr. Hawkins—Before a 'decision is given in a
questioned race, where a starter is appointed, the
referee would, of course, consult him before he de-
cided the question.
Lord Chief Justice—The men, in this case, were
to start themselves. The referee not being able to
see them, one of the competitors rowed up and told
him that the other man refused to start. The referee
thenigave certain directions to the men to row over
the course. Do you think he would be justified in tell-
ing the one man to start without giving the other
notice ?
Witness—l should be guided by circumstances;
if I saw the other man shirking the race I should
direct the other man to start without givingany
instructions to his opponent.

Mr. Wood—l have heard the evidence of Mr.
Wortnald, and I agree with it generally. I think
bad Kelley called out loud to Sadler that he had
directions to row over the course, if he still re-
fused to start he (Sadler) must have heard it.
Mr. llawkins—And some of those ou the river
must have heard ?
Witness—Yes.

Mr. J. Ireland--I am a member of the London
Rowing Club. I have been accustomed to boat-
racing for upwards of 25 years. I have acted as
referee at most of the great matches. The laws of
boat-racing, as recognised by the University,
I should say, applied to the race in question as far as
fouling is concerned, because there is nothing in
those rules appertaining to the race but with regard
to fouling. Who duty of the referee is to see that

there is a fair start. The referee would be called
up to decide as to a false start. If a man concerned
in a race refused to start, the referee's duty would.
be to start the men.
Lord Chief-justice—He would take upon himself
the office of starter ?
Witness—lle would.
Lord Chief-Justice—Did you ever know such a
thing done ?
Witness —Never.
Mr. Garth—Supposing the men would not start,
what then ?
Witness—Go home, I should think. (Loud
laughter.) I saw the proceedings at the race in
question. I was on board the Warrior.
Lcrd Chief Justice—That was the boat that set
the laudable example of keeping behind the met, ?
Witness—lt was. When Sadler attempted to start
he had a decided advantage over Kelley. I also
saw Kelley make an attempt to start. I saw
nothing to prevent it on the part of Sadler. The
river was quite clear at the time.
Mr. Hawkins—The referee's boat at this time
was about 300 yards off, at least I should say so,
because I was not watching them. I don't recollect
the precise tune when the water was disturbed,
mither do I recollect the Lam attempting to start
after.

Lord Chief Justice—Are you quite sure that when
Kelley attempted to start it was before the steamera
began to back, and the water became disturbed ?
Witness—Quite so, my lord.
Mr. Bryant—l am president of the West London
Racing Club. I saw the attempted starts of the
race in question. I saw Sadler do so twice. Kelley
ought not to have started at either as the boats
were not in proper position. ‘Vhen Kelley at-
tempted to start I thought it was a good oppor-
tunity.
Mr. Hawkins—Had you backed either of them?
Witness—No ; I was on the umpire's boat.
Mr. Hawkins—That was about 300 yards off the
men at the time ?
Mr. Mitchell—l have held the position of ama-
teur champion of the Thames. I was in the referee's
boat on the occasion of the start of this match. I
think at the time Sadler started it was next to im-
possible to do so, but when Kelley wished to do so
the water seemed all right.
Mr. W. H. Biffin—l was appointed referee in
the match in question. I have acted in a similar
position on two occasions. I ordered this race to be
rowed a second time, and on that occasion when
the men came to their station I was on board the
umpie's boat. I was enabled to see all that took place.
I saw both men go to the station. The two cut-
ters took up what I thought a proper position, and
the men then went to them and stripped. Kelley
took his position ahead of his cutter. Sadler, on
leaving his cutter, came very close to Kelley. There
were two attempts made to start, but I could not
see by whom. A second attempt was made, but I
could not see who made it. The boats then
lay in that position for some time, and then
Sadler shifted a little wider. Another attempt
was made by Kelley, but they did not
get off. Kelley's umpire asked whether Sadler was
to start, but I did not hear any answer made. I
was then appealed to by Kelly's umpire to direct
the men to start. Mr. Bush said "If it's Kelly's fault
start Sadler without him, but if its Sadler's fault
start Kelley without him." While the umpire was
appealing to me Sadler rowed to his cutter. Our
steamboat was then ordered astern, and whilst it was
in motion I saw Sadler row towards the aqueduct.
Our steamboat reached within 50 or 60 yards off
the pier, and stopped. Kelley then rowed from his
station to the steamboat. He appealed to me.
Lord Chief Justice—What did he say?
Witnem—The words, as near as I can recollect,
were "We shant start to-night." I said, " What's
the reason ?" Kelley said, "He will not start fair."
I then looked for Sadler, but could not see
him ; and I then said to Kelley, "Go
to your station, and tell Sadler be must
start, and if he will not start you must start with-
out him." We might have reached Sadler's with
the umpire's boat, but I thought he had gone off
the course. I saw Kelley row below the starting
point, that is the pier. I could not tell what I did,
but in a minute or a minute and a half I saw him
rowing up. At this time I did not see Sadler. I
looked over the side of the steamer, but I could not
see Sadler. I was in the bows.
Lord Chief Justice—Would not your best posi-
tion, had you wanted to have seen Sadler, been at
the stern ?

Witness—When the boat moved slightly we could
see well.

Sergeant Ballantine—Had you formed an opinion
whether Sadler meant to row—yes or no ?
Witness—l had formed an opinion.
Sergeant Ballantine—What was that opinion ?
Witness—That Sadler did not want to start.
By Mr. Hawkins—l have had a long time to
think over the matter, and I now think I was a
little hasty over this matter. When we got to Mort-
lake I awarded the stakes without any further in-
quiry. After I had given the decision I heard
Sadler was rowing. When I gave the order to
Kelley I meant the men to start—a fair start. I
could not, when I saw the starts I have spoken of,
say who made them. I could not see at the time
whether the boats were level or not. A boat's
length in advance would be a good start to• get,
and in watermen's races they each try to get the
best start they can. L never knew a race except
this in which there had been no start.
By Sergeant Ballantine—On the first occasion
the men could not have started without a foul. I
ordered Kelley to go to Sadler and tell him to start,
and if he did not do so then he (Kelley) was to
start without him. By a " little hasty," I mean I
was a little precipitate with respect to awarding the
stakes. Messenger was on board the boat when I
awarded the stakes, and he protested against it.
Lord Chief Justice—You intended to give full
notice to Sadler to start?
Witness—Yes, my lord.
Lord Chief Justice—And, in order to have a fair
start, the boats must be level Pi
Witness —Yes, my lord.
Lord Chief Justice—You don't know what
Kelley did ?
Witness—l expected that Kelley had told Sad-
ler to start.
Lord Chief Justice—And you adjudicated on
that assumption ?
Witness—Yes, my lord.
Lord Chief Justice—You acted on that assump
tion without having any evidence that he had ?
Witness—Yes, my lord.
Lord Chief Justice—Do you mean to say that
when Kelley rowed over that the water was in such
state that if you beenhoaaupdlsded have
abvaue
t starterbteheon
wbyaeottu
directed the men to start ?
woi
fausladn
littleoh not
vi
un
to preclude the men from startina
water
rwr
suchm olTherler attLnlifasredt—eShCaBlandtief Justice—Have you any interest in
fWr ittenr e
thes s
LNoos onech
eatom.fjus
the race ?
evi-
dence,d
the jury retired buttiradstinmotinreturnedup
h ewhenwe went to press.

NEW CHANCERY APPOINTMENT.—It is under-
stood that in consequence of the arrears in the chambers of
tho late Vice-Chancellor Wood a third chief clerk will be
forthwith appointed.

EASTER VOLUNTEER REVIEW.—The Portsmouth
Volunteer Review Committee, of which the mayor is chair-
man, have issued notices inviting members of Volunteer
corps who may require hotol or lodging-house accommoda-
tion at the time of the review to make application to them
It is believed that officers and members of Volunteer corps
may obtain ample accommodation at a reasonable rate of
charge if they can be induced generally to apply through
the committee, who hare an organized plan by which ar-
rangements of this kind may be greatly facilitated.
,§USPECTED MITIMER.—The body of a nun has
been found in the river Avon, near Bristol, and front the
appearances presented there is reason to believe that a
murder has been committed. There aro fractures in the
skull, severe wounds on the forehead, and one arm has
been broken in three places. The deceased appears to have
been about 60 years of ago, and his dress denoted that he
was a respectable mechanic. Two medical men who have
examined the body are of opinion that the wounds were
inflicted before death. The body has been removed to the
White Hart, Burlington, to await the coroner's inquest,
which -was to beheld to-day (aleaday).

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

It is a great satisfaction to the Times to be set right
upon what the present Premier did say at Edinburgh.
___

Mr. Disraeli will not have it that in the social excitement
of the hour at Edinburgh he revealed the truth about the

" education" of his party. And there is no getting out of

ft. Mr. Disraeli was not guilty of the frank arrogance
with which we credited him. There is, indeed, abundance
of secondary evidence that he was thus imprudent. Did
not one Conservative county member grumblingly com-
plain almost immediately of Mr. Disraeli's ingratitude in
stigmatising as doltish and ignorant those who had fol-
lowed him so faithfully ? But the primary evidence is
conclusive. The contemporary report in our own columns
and the authorised edition of the speech published by
Messrs. Blackwood differ in slight particulars, but

the substance is the same. The egotism of " I" is softened
into the official " we," but otherwise the two reports agree.
In both Mr. Disraeli boasts that the Conservative party

had been " educated," but the education he speaks of was
given between 1859 and 1866, and was, as far as he stated,

confined to five principal lessons, among which the accep-
tance of household suffrage does not count. The school-
master, in truth, dwelt only upon the elements of the in-

struction he had imparted, and left the crowning grace to
be supplied by the memory or the gratitude of others. Far

from being boastful, Mr. Disraeli was pitiably modest.
This, however, is not the worst. We must acquit him of
the fault of which he had been accused, but it is impossible
not to see that a new charge must instantly arise against

him. What we had believed was that Mr. Disraeli had made

a perfectly accurate but very arrogant statement ;

what we are driven to recognise is that he made a very
modest statement, but deficient in every element of accu-

racy. Let us consider what Mr. Disraeli did say at Edin-
burgh. He declared that he had, as the spokesman of the
Conservative chiefs, taught the Conservative party be-
tween the years 1859 and 1866 five things, which, as a
large party slow to move, they had to learn " under pres-
sure." In the words of his letter on Saturday, " the Tory
party after the failure of their bill of 1859 had been edu-
cated for seven years on the subject of Parliamentary
Reform, and during that interval had arrived at five con-
clusions." The real truth is, that four out of the five they
had learnt before, and the fifth, so far from being instilled
into the minds of the docile party at the back of the
Premier during seven long years of apprenticeship, was
learnt by a flash of intuition —by the power, as
Mr. Disraeli himself expressed it, of "unerring
instinct " in the course of a couple of nights.
On the whole we think, with the greatest respect for Ms.
Disraeli, and owning the too probable laxity of our own
virtue, that we should have preferred to let the matter
rest where it was. It is not easy to get rid of a fable
which has so much truth in it as that which represented
him in a boastful mood at Edinburgh ; and in the attempt
to do what he cannot hope to succeed in accomplishing the
new Premier has drawn attention to a string of inaccu-
racies which had passed unnoticed. To be arrogant is,
after all, not the highest of crimes, especially when your
friends have condoned it, and Mr. Disraeli's defence is
only another proof of the dangerous facilities of pens, ink,
and paper.

The Post compares Mr. Disraeli and Lord Stanley to
the two persons who perform "Punch" in the street.
There is no concealment about Lord Stanley. He does
the drum and fife part of the business admirably, and
gives the requisite respectability to the whole concern.
His vindication of his Alabama policy was at once mas-
terly, clear, and straightforward. The cordial cheers
amidst which he resumed his seat were well deserved, and
the first idea which must have crossed the mind of all who
heard him was that they had been listening to a Minister
"in whom there was no guile," and that if such lucid

explanations and so straightforward a policy were to
be the order of the day during the present Adminis-
tration, there would probably be little room for
doubt or uncertainty as to the principles which
would guide, or the followers who would support, them for
the future. But turn to the declarations of the Prime
Minister on Thursday night, and the second personage in
the street drama is unmistakably brought before you.
Here, indeed, is the mysterious man behind the curtain.
All is vague, all indefinite. Deep indeed may be the
policy within his breast, but his words no more convey that
policy than do the squeaking tones of the concealed actor
convey any idea of the nature, habits, and opinions of the
man ; and, to make the comparison still more complete,
the House of Commons, like children and nurserymaids,
appear to be amused and delighted at the darkness which
shrouds the performance.
The Daily News, in in its weekly article "Trade and
Finance," gives its opinion that the anticipated conse-
quences of the fatal facility which long existed for nego-
tiating foreign loans is now likely to arrive. Large States
do not altogether repudiate their debts. That would
hardly be safe. A better expedient is to be found in re-
ducing the dividends—not in nominal amount, for that
would be actual repudiation, as Spanish and other bond-
holders are well aware, but by imposing a good high
income tax. To strike off in this mode some Bor 10 per
cent. of the charges on the public debt would necessarily
afford a sensible relief. Then, also, it has the unquestion-
able merit of saving appearances. There is no denial of
liability to pay the full amount—that is even ostentatiously
acknowledged- but simply the avowal that the State is
obliged to levy a tax upon incomes in general, and that
incomes from the national debt must come like others
within the category. This appears at first sight fair, for
the income is earned in the country making the tax, and,
therefore, is quite equitable. But the Government having
made a contract to pay the full amount, and having carried
out that contract so long, has no right now to violate it.
With regard to repudiation in the United States, our con-
temporary hopes the public will not hear much more of
the proposition.

The new Chancery appointments, the herald remarks, I
have been made in a spirit which ought completely to dis-
arm the fury of that malignant criticism which has so often
made its envy heard, when commenting upon the extra-
ordinary succession of legal prizes which the Conservatives
have had to dispense during their present tenure of office.
No one has had a word to say against the elevation of Lord •
Cairns to the woolsack. The Lord Justiceship which was
thus vacated was offered to Sir W. Page Wood, whose
political career was one of active and consistent opposition
to the party which has thus practically and emphatically
recognised the proved judicial capacity of the late Vice-
Chancellor. For some few days it was reported that the
honour thus offered would be declined from a not unnatural
desire to end a long and laborious life in the enjoyment of
that otium cum dignitate to which every judge who has
served his full term is of right entitled. We are happy,
however, that his lordship has sacrificed his private in-
clinations to the public service. The higher offices having
been thus disposed of, the vacant Vice-Chancellorship
remained open, and this, as we announced on Saturday, has
been offered to and accepted by Mr. George Markham
Giffard, the equity Queen's Counsel, whose fitness for the
post no one will dispute. The learned gentleman was
called to the bar in 1840, and " took silk " in 1858, since
which time he has obtained an increasing amount of lead-
ing business. He comes to the bench, therefore, with
ample experience, and with the prestige obtained by a long
and successful forensic career.
On the subject of the impeachment of President Johnson
the Standard observes : President Johnson's Message
completely vindicates his conduct, and establishes its abso-
lute legality. He is charged with removing Mr. Stanton
in disobedience to the Tenure of Office Act. He replies
that that Act only forbids the removal of an officer during
the term of the President by whom he was appointed (a
limitation introduced in order to secure that " distribution
of spoils" at each change of Government which is the
worst scandal of American politics). Now, Mr. Stanton
was appointed by Mr. Lincoln, and therefore, even if the
Act be valid, it does not apply to his removal by Presi-
dent Johnson. Secondly, Mr. Stanton, in common
with the rest of the Cabinet, had advised the President
that the Act in question is distinctly unconstitutional, and,
therefore, null and void. Thirdly, Mr. Johnson's object
in removing Mr. Stanton and nominating a successor was
to bring the question as to the validity of the Act under the
cognisance of the tribunal expressly empowered to decide
such issues. He is impeached, therefore, first, for ar
endeavour to obtain a legal decision upon a question of
law—that is, for doing his constitutional duty • and
second, for violating an Act which expressly excepts the
case on which he is impeached. But this defence, con-
elusive as it is in the eyes of every intelligent and
impar-
tial person, will not avail the President .tjudges. Our contemporary continues to say present
judges. the President is identifying his cause with trati its
the people, and concludes: What mayan'
d'tltihelviiellote
issue of the conflict between Congress President
one cannot pretend to say • the issue of a struggle
Congress and the people, between a faction and the betweenn:tdon
it needs no prophet to foretell.
The Telegraph takes up the sentence of Mr. Bouverie
that the Liberal party possesses leaders who do not lead.
Our contemporary says that this really means that Mr.
Gladstone is too honest to lead after the old, easy, and
convenient fashion. He is guilty of the pestilent ..clelity
to his duty, so that lie 'would rather give up office than
forfeit political consistency. To honest and consistent
Liberals of the party—who are, to tell the truth, a little
" clubbed "—the Telegraph would point out what is the
strength and the weakness of the present singular
situation. Making what allowances we must for
the disloyal elements in our rankB, Mr. Glad-
stone's side of the I louse is really in power."
Mr. Disraeli most constitutionally- reigns without
ruling •he is—and no man knows it better than he does—
Prime 'Minister quam diu bole se gcsseril—king, only during
good behaviour. Indispensable to his own side, he per-
fectly well understands that he may be Premier just so
long as he does the work required by the nation, in the
shape of measures dictated by the opinion of the day.
Mr. Gladstone's real function at present is almost exactly
that of the Roman " Tribune of the people," who could
veto any and every " rogation." He, with his majority
behind him, sits as tho ex officio judge of the conduct of the
Government, to say whether it is doing its duty, and, the
moment it defaults, to force it up to the mark of its " truly
14ibsral policy."

THE ATI EMPT 70 BLOW UP THE

DUNDEE MAGAZINE.

Some interesting particulars have transpired in reference
to this as yet unexplained occurrence. Wrapped up with
the piece of tow there was found a bit of flannel cloth. At
first it attracted no attention—the police thinking it a rag
which had been mixed with the tow inthe absence of some-
thing of a more combustible character. On further in-
spection of it, however, it struck some of the officers that
it resembled very strongly the fabric from which mili-
tary underclothing is made. So convinced were they that
this was the case that they resolved on a comparison.
This was done in the course of Friday by the detec-
tives, and the similarity between the cloths was so great
that they were convinced that they were one and the
same. Another circumstance is possessed of considerable
interest. A fortnight ago several soldiers were appre-
hended on a charge of being guilty of riotous conduct.
One of the soldiers was rather severely cut, and Dr. Pixie
was called to dress his wounds. While he was doing so the
man gave utterance to numerous statements, one of which
was that he intended to blow up the ,nagazine
before the detachment left the town if he was not re-
leased. Another of the soldiers, about the same time,
alleged that he would yet do for the police. Such re-
marks at the time did not awaken any apprehension, or
indeed excite much attention, but, since the occurrence of
Thursday, have been vividly recalled to the memories
of those by whom they were heard. Some excite-
ment was created in the town on Friday, when
it became generally known that two of the
soldiers had absconded from the barracks. A private left
the barracks on Wednesday, and has not been seen since.
On Friday morning a lance-corporal was sent with the
letters to the post-office, and did not return. He was
found in the Wellgate in the course of the evening, and
taken to the police-office, and afterwards to the bar-
racks. It is a very common thing for soldiers to desert
from their regiment before it leaves town, and this
is considered the explanation for the conduct of both

men.

MURDER IN NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE.

A man named John Rogers, an itinerant pot-seller,
living at Burslem, is in custody at Hanley, charged with
the wilful murder of Mary Durwin, an Irishwoman with
whom he had cohabited for several years. The circum•
stances, as at present known, are briefly these :—On Thurs-
day night the prisOner and the murdered woman were
seen together in several public-houses in the neighbour•
hood of Burslem. At the village of Milton they had a
violent quarrel, the woman upbraiding her paramour with
wasting the money which she earned, and the latter telling
her that as she was not his wife she had no claim upon
him, and that he did not care how soon she left him. He
was proceeding to violence, when the landlord of
the house interposed and protected the woman. At a
late hour they left the house together, and went through
several fields in the direction of Hanley. They were met
by two colliers, who, before they came up to them, had
heard a woman screaming " Murder," and who on seeing
them were satisfied from her appearance that the woman
had been grossly illtreated, but they do not appear to have
interfered. The deceased and Rogers were not again seen
together, but at half-past four o'clock on Friday morning
a collier going to his work reported to two men whom he
met coming from a pit that he had passed a woman lying
on the canal bank, and that she apreared to have been in
the water. He asked them to look after her, but they
contended that as they had just left work, while he was
fresh from sleep, it was more reasonable to expect that he
should charge himself with this act of humanity. The
wrangle ended in all three of the men going about their
own business with the most perfect indifference as to the
fate of the woman. Nothing snore was heard of her until
seven o'clock on Saturday morning, when her dead body
was accidentally discovered in a disused colliery engine-
house a few hundred yards from the bank of the canal. The
body, when found, was lying across a wheelbarrow, and a
subsequent examination of the locality shewed that in all
probability the murderer had first of all endeavoured to
bury the body in the shale lying at the mouth of a
neighbouring coal-pit, but had abandoned that idea for
some reason or other, and had then wheeled it straight
to the engine-house. A post-mortem examination of the
body has been made by Mr. Oldham, surgeon, of Burslem,
who is of opinion, from appearances presented by the
woman's throat, that she was strangled. In addition to
marks of violence on the throat, there are bruises on both
arms, caused apparently by the tight grip of a man's
hands. The prisoner, on being taken into custody, said
that as he and the woman were walking along the bank of
the canal she fell into the water through being very drunk,
that he pulled her out at the risk of his own life, and then
left her.