biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-11

GUN COTTON.

A great discovery in connection with gun-cotton has
been made by Professor Abel and Mr. Brown, of the Royal
Arsenal, Woolwich. As we have regularly laid before our
readers the progress of discovery with this important
explosive, we need only recall the last stages—the preserva-
tion from decomposition by the use of a weak alkali, and
the employment of compressed charges. Used in the last-
mentioned form, we have said that guncotton, lighted by
an ordinary fuze, has about six times the destructive force
of an equal weight of gunpowder. Messrs. Abel and
Brown, however, after experimenting with gun-cotton
saturated with nitro-glycerine, igniting it necessarily with
the detonating fuse, tried the experiment of igniting gun-
cotton alone in the same way, The results shewed that
cotton exploded in this way has, perhaps, a greater destruc-
tive force than nitro-glycerine. This is a great and valu-
able discovery, for we have here the comparative safety of
the gun-cotton with the tremendously destructive powers
of nitro-glycerine. For mining and quarrying purposes it
removes the only source of danger from the use of gun-
cotton, for no hard tamping is necessary. It is sufficient
to fill up the bore with sand. Gun-cotton, as we have
recently shewn, may be carried and stored with perfect
safety from explosion. The detonating fuze can be
inserted in the charge when it is required for use. As
with nitro-glycerine, the explosion of one charge provokes
the explosion of another. Thus, if it were required to
destroy a stockade, it is only necessary to place the charges
at distances round the enclosure, and explode one. The
explosion of all follows with instantaneous rapidity.
Moreover, as said above, when the cotton is exploded by
the detonating fuze, it is not necessary to confine it. Just
as with its analogue, nitro-glycerine, the explosion is so
instantaneous that the 1311. _tering effects are just as great
when the charge is quite exposed. Large blocks of granite
and thick plates of iron have been shattered by exploding
open charges upon them. A detailed account the expe-
riments made by using gun-cotton in this way is not yet
made public ; but the discovers will, no doubt, soon supply
it.—Mechanics' Magazine.
London, England, 1868-12-11

Price Threepence, Post-free Four Stamps,

" GIRL OF THE PERIOD " Alartnack for
18G9. Edited by MISS ECHO, and Illustrated with a
Dozen Graphic Sketches and otherCharacteristie Designs. May
be ordered of all Booksellers, and at all Railway Bookstalls.
"ECHOES" OFFICE: 19, Catherine-street, Strand.
London, England, 1868-12-11

TIIE INSURRECTION IN CUBA.

The wreckers who formerly carried on a pretty profit-
able business in the Bahama Islands, have found a still more
lucrative employment in running the Cuban blockade and
furnishing supplies to the insurgents. One of their
vessels has been recently captured. The Cuban
Executive bitterly complain of the action of the American
Government. It was the first to recognise the Revolution
at Madrid, and it is now selling arms to the general who
is in rebellion against the Revolutionary Government.
The Paris correspondent of the Independance Beige says
that on the 4th of October Queen Isabella sent a telegram
to General Lersundi, inquiring as to the manner in which
the Revolution had been received in Cuba, and whether
the island would rise in her favour. Lersundi replied that
he much regretted the mischance which had befallen her
Majesty, but that his duty as governor was to obey the
Ministry which the Spanish nation had called to office.
London, England, 1868-12-11

HOSPITAL for DISEASES of the THROAT,
Gojdon-square,. W.

President—His Grace the Dn'ke of GRAFTON.

The Committee of Management earnestly APPEAL for
FUNDS to help them to meet the heavy current expenses.
Upwards of 18,000 poor persons have been relieved in the
last six years.

GEORGE WOOD, Secretary.
London, England, 1868-12-11

Plll NT I N G.—TO PROPRIETORS OF
NEWSPAPERS, PERIODICALS, &c.
The Printing and Machining of Newspapers, &c., done
on excreedingly favourable terms. Use of Editorial and
Publibhing Offices, if required. Estimates forwarded on
receipt of particulars, with stamped directed envelope for
reply. Address—The Manager, "Sun" Printing Offices,
8, Church-row, Savoy, Strand, W.C.
London, England, 1868-12-11

TALLOW.

The market is steady. Town tallow, 48s 9d ; Peters-
burg Y.C. on the spot, 50s; December, 51s; January,
51s 6d ; and March, 525.
BOROUGH HOP:

A steady demand for consumption for all descriptions
of both English and foreign, at an advance of from os to
lOs per cwt on last week's prices.

LIVERPOOL COTTON.

December 11.—Sales probably 10,000 bales. Market
steady.

Foreign Mail Packet List.

MAILS DUE.'
ustra]la and NeW Zealand, via Z.4.outhanipton Dec. 5
Ditto, via Yrirseilles D2C '4
Ditto, via ri.....aznit Doe 20
Brazil. Buenos Ayres, and Monte Video Ju.a. 4.
Ditto, by French packet
Cape Verde, by Brazil packet ...... . J A . 4.
Cape of Good ll,pe. Ascension. and St. lielena D.o. 13.
China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton Dec. 5.
talbraltar, vla Southampton
lndla,via Southampton ..,,...,,,....,Dee. 5
unto, via Marseilles
Halts, Egypt, &o. Dec. 5.
Ditto, Marseilles Deo. 7
Mauritius, Cape of Good Hope, and Natal, via
Seuthaßston
• ••
DUO, Marseilles „, Dec. li
Newfoundland..~,, ..~ .
Portugal ....
••• Jan. 4.
United States, t anada, California, &0., by British

packet Deo 6
Ditto, by Canadian packet . .Dea 9
Ditto, by l Lited States packet
Ditto ditto (Baltimore)
West Indies and Pazilic (except Mexico and Baha-

mas)
West Coast of Africa, Madeira, and Teneriffe Deo. 17.
Falkland Islands
Cuba and Mexico
Bahamas, via New York
Bermuda, via Halifax ...... . .. Dee. 15.

NOTICE.

The Third Edition of " The San " of last Evening was
published in time for delivery in town at 7.13 p.m.
London, England, 1868-12-11

GAME LICENCES.

'[IHE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND
L REVENUE hereby give Notice that LISTS, containing the
Names of all Persons who have taken out LICENCES to KILL
and DEAL in GAME in the current Year, to 30th September last
inclusive, have been printed for each Excise Collection.
A Copy of the List, applicable to any District, may be obtained
GRATIS on application at the Offices of the respective Collectors
or Supervisors of Inland Revenue, Distributors or Sub-Distribu-
tors of Stamps, by whom Licences are issued.
The Commissioners further give Notice that instructions have
been issued to their Officers to take the necessary steps to prefer
informations for penalties against all persons found in pursuit of
or dealing in Game without license.
WM. CORBETT, Secretary.
Inland Revenue, Somerset House,
London, October 29, 1868.
London, England, 1868-12-11

Now ready, at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.,
K. A T Ii L E •E .N.
By the Author of "Raymond's Heroine."

" Raymond's Heroine' was a good novel. 'Kathleen' is a
better."---saturday Review.
" All lovers of a good novel will find diversion in the pages of
Ka.thleen.' "—Athenteurn.
Hurst and Blackett, Publishers, 13, Great Marlborough-street.
London, England, 1868-12-11

TURKEY AND GREECE.

The prospect of a pacific solution of the difficulty between
Turkey and Greece has developed into a tolerable certainty.
The Greek Government is said to be willing to accept the
good offices of the three Powers which first guaranteed
the existence of the Hellenic Kingdom ; but
public opinion in Greece is averse to any change
of policy. The annexation of Crete, to say
nothing of other trifles in the way of aggra-
vation, as the Emperor Napoleon calls it, is a national
desire, not a party ambition. A change of Ministry is
likely to follow the frustrating of this national, but by no
means justifiable wish. According to some very trustworthy
intelligence from Paris, the Great Powers will not have
war, and so the matter is virtually ended. The Temps
says that all the Powers ate about to send vessels to the
coasts of Greece, to exercise a surveillance over the restora-
tion of the Cretan refugees.
London, England, 1868-12-11

there is certainly greater weight in the fact that
the value of money has so materially declined
while the duties of the office have increased that a
generous nation is bound to make good the
deficiency than in any objection. If a Pre-
sident declines to entertain visitors of dis-

tiuction at Washington the nation that gives
him nothing to entertain them with, could not ob-
ject. It might appear very mean when distin-
guished Americans met with much hospitality in
the highest official quarters abroad, if distinguished
foreigners should meet no such return in Washing-
ton ; but however disgusted Americans would cer-
tainly be if they observed anything approaching
this, if they do not supply the means they have no
right to find fault. Indeed we are fully persuaded
that the sooner diplomatic and consular pay is in-
creased, as well as that of the President and Cabi-
net ➢licisters, the better fur the nation. The
whole subject requires revision, and ought to be
discussed with the Civil Service Bill of Mr. Jenckes,
which, we .are happy to say, is among the great
and coming questions of the day.
London, England, 1868-12-11

THE INSURRECTION IN CUBA.

The wreckers who formerly carried on a pretty profit-
able business in the Bahama Islands, have found a still more
lucrative employment in running the Cuban blockade and
furnishing supplies to the insurgents. One of their
vessels has been recently captured. The Cuban
Executive bitterly complain of theaction of the American
Government. It was the first to recognise the Revolution
at Madrid, and it is now selling arms to the general who
is in rebellion against the Revolutionary Government.
The Paris correspondent of the Independancc Beige says
that on the 4th of October Queen Isabella sent a telegram
to General Lersundi, inquiring as to the manner in which
the Revolution had been received in Cuba, and whether
the island would rise in her favour. Lersundi replied that
he much regretted the mischance which had befallen her
Majesty, but that his duty as governor was to obey the
Ministry which the Spanish nation had called to office.
London, England, 1868-12-11

Districts.

Elected.

Present Members,

WISCONSIN.
1. Halbert E. Paino Halbert E. Paine
2. Benjamin F. Hopkins Bebjamiu F. Hopkins
3. Amasa Cobb Amasa Cobb
4. *Charles A. Eldridge Charles A. Eldridge
5. Philetus Sawyer Philetus Sawyer
6. Cadwal. C. Wa shburne Cad wallader U. Washburne

ILLINOIS.
At Large—John A. Logan John A. Logan
1. Norman B. Judd Norman B. Judd
2. John F. Farnsworth John F. Farnsworth
3. Elihu B. Washburne Elihu B. Washburne
4. John B. Hawley Abner C. Harding
5. Eben C. Ingersoll Eben C. Ingersoll
6. Burton C. Cook Burton C. Cook
7. Jesse 11. Moore Henry P. H. Bromwell
8. Shelby M. Cullom Shelby M. Cullom
9. *Thomas W. M'Neeley *Lewis W. Ross
10. *Albert G. Burr Albert G. Burr
11. *Samuel S. Marshall Samuel S. Marshall
12. John B. Hay Jehu Baker
13. Green B. Raum Green B. Baum

MISSOURI.
1. *Erastus Wells William A. Pilo
2. G. A. Finkloburg Carman A. Newcomb
3. *James R. 31‘Cormick James R. M'Cormick
4. Sempronins H. Boyd Joseph J. Gravelly
5. Samuel S. Burdett Joseph W. 11-Clurg
Vac.John 11. Stover
6. *James Shields
7. John F. Asper Benjamin F. Loan
8. John F. Benjamin John F. Benjamin
9. *William F. Switzler George W. Anderson
KANSAS.
1. Sidney Clarke Sidney Clarke
NEBRASKA.
1. John Taffe John Taffe
CALIFORNIA.
1. *Samuel B. Axtell Samuel B. Axtell
2. Aaron A. Sargent William Higby
3. Chancellor Hartson *James A. Johnson

NEVADA.

1. Thomas Fitch Delos R. Ashley
OREGON.

1. *J. S. Smith Rufus Mallory
COLORADO TERRITORY.
1. Allen A. Bradford George M. Chilcott
* Democrats.

711 E SALARY OF WE PRESIDEIV77.
London, England, 1868-12-11

THE LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR.

The Post discusses the disadvantages attending a
change of Chancellors, as instanced in the loss the
Court of Chancery will sustain in Lord Cairns. Our
contemporary proposes a permanent Lord Chief
Justice of Chancery, and a separate Chancellor who
should have all the other prerogatives of the
Great Seal except a seat in the Court of Chancery.
The expenses of the present system are
considered. Between the years 1834 and 1867,
£465,000 has been paid to ex-Chancellors
for pensions. Besides this, £350,000 has been
paid in the shape of the Chancellors' salaries during
the last thirty-five years. This seems a heavy sum.
It secures us a Court of Appeal in the House of
Lords; but that a young man of Lord Cairns's great
ability should have no more__active scone for his

~~ ~

talents and energies than the benihes of the Lords,
is a great misfortune to the interests of the country.

TILE WAR OFFICE.

There are to be great changes in our military
system. The Ordnance Select Committee is to be
abolished, root and branch. There is to be a supreme
head, with the title of Director-General of Ordnance
and Commandant of the Royal Arsenal. This
appointment is already made, and the heads of
departments in the arsenal- are already ordered to
report to him. Ile will have an office at the
War Department, where he will have an Assistant
or Deputy Assistant Director-General of Ordnance
permanently established. lie assumes the functions
of the late Director of Ordnance, and of the late
president of the Select Committee, in addition to his
new duties as commandant of the arsenal. He will
have the rank of major-general, and his deputy will
be a colonel. Some of the members of the Ordnance
Select Committee will return to their duties
in the army. Two Assistant Directors of
Ordnance will be appointed, officers of the
rank of captain, and will be employed at Wool-
wich in work hitherto performed by the Select
Committee. When any proposition of more than
ordinary importance comes before the notice of the
Director-General, a sub-committee will be assembled
composed of men having special knowledge, and will
examine and report upon the matters referred to its
discussion. The Standard looks upon the matter as a
genuine coup d'etat, and hints that economy in this
case may have to be purchased at the risk of effi-
ciency. Perhaps Parliament will have something to
say in the matter.
London, England, 1868-12-11

SPAIN.

The Liberec announces the receipt of important letters
from Spain. " Some of these are confidential, and cannot be
reproduced ;" but their general tenour is that Spain is
rapidly advancing to the fatal collision of parties which
the Republicans are so anxious to avert. The democratic
party is willing to do anything in order to avoid the
calamity which is now impending—a reproduction in the
revolution of 1868 of the results of that of 1854. The
Liberec is the advocate of a republic for Spain, and is
in some sort the French representative of the Spanish
Democrats.
London, England, 1868-12-11

Now ready, at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.,

THE WOMAN'S "KINGDOM.
By tho Author of " John Halifax, Gentleman," &c.

" This work sustains'the author's reputation as a writer of the
purest and noblest kind of domestic stories. The novelist's
lesson is given with admirable force and sweetness."—Athe-
mium. .

Hurst and Blackett, Publishers, 13, Great Marlborough-street.
London, England, 1868-12-11

TUE LAST NEW RACING DODGE,

The Turf bids fair to become the choicest abode of
roguery. Every season sees some fresh trick, and it
will soon be impossible to run a fair race. The I.lst,
device of the turfites has been to telegraph to London
the scratching of the favourite for the Kingsbury
races. The sun had been selected as winner by all
the prophets, and, as it proved, selected rightly. but
at the very time that the horse was winning, some
clever knave "wired " a " scratch)' and the announce-
ment duly appeared in the sporting journals.
London, England, 1868-12-18

SPAIN.

The Gazelle de France states that simultaneously with
the outbreak in the South of Spain, the leading partisans
of Queen Isabella were summoned by telegraph, and met
at her residence in Paris. General Pezuela and Count
Cheste were amongst the number.. It has been decided
that the reactionary movements shall be encouraged
and continued. Funds have been forthcoming, and General
Pezuela has left for Spain, full of hope that the issue will
be favourable. The Libert,s has received information of a
very gloomy tenour. The suppression of the revolt at
Cadiz has by no means put an end to all agitation. Great
excitement prevails throughout Andalusia, and even
beyond it. Seville and Malaga are ready once more to
" oronounce."
London, England, 1868-12-18

THE MISSIONARIES IN CHINA.

The Viceroy of Nankin has consented to make some
reparation for the outrages upon the missionaries at Yang-
chow, but he has not yet been persuaded to concede all
that our consul demands. The Chinese do not believe in
sentimental grievances ; the Viceroy accordingly does
not see the necessity of paying more than the cost of the
property which was destroyed, and of the medical
attendance on the missionary who was injured ; and
he declines to hand over an indemnity for any-
thing beyond the material part of the injury.
He has degraded and removed from office the
Prefect and the magistrate of Yangchow. He con-
sents to issue a proclamation setting forth the rights of
missionaries to reside and teach in the interior ; but he
refuses to carve on stone, as the English Consul demanded,
a brief history of the present riot and of the punishment
inflicted. Now, as the Chinese have not hesitated to
engrave proclamations on stone against the Europeans,
there is no reason why the same principle should not be
exercised for once in their favour. As the Tim es correspondent
remarks, the authorities will post up a bill containing the
leek-eating announcement ; but matters more agreeable to
Chinese tastes are permanently engraved. The whole
compensation demanded was £650, and as £350 of this
must go for actual injuries, it is not a heavy price
to pay for the treatment to which the missionaries
were subjected. The Consul demands also the punishment
of some literati—retired officials of high standing, one of
them an ex-viceroy—who instigated the riots ; but he is
not likely to carry this point.
The " defeat " which we are supposed to have sustained
in the Yangchow business has emboldened the natives.
They are greatly opposed to a treaty clause which frees
British-owned produce from taxation at the inland
Customs barriers by one payment of VI per cent. ad
"valorem. Native traders who have to pay the higher rate
are placed at a disadvantage. Three servants of a British
merchant, who were in charge of some produce, have been
flogged and imprisoned. A remonstrance by the British
Consul was treated as a forgery, and the bearer of it im-
prisoned. The Rodney, an eighty-gun ship, and two
other vessels have been called in to arrange these matters.
The amount of arrangement that awaits them seems to be
very considerable.
London, England, 1868-12-18

ITALY,

iIISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

of terms, the latter would not the less make common caust,
with Austria incase another war should break out between
the two German states. The North German Gazette tartly
responds that Hungary owes its independence to Prussia,
and that the latter Power is now the only safeguard against
the centralising aspirations of the Austrians. On whatever
side may be the right of this quarrel, the efforts of the
Prussians to break up its newly consolidated neigh-
bour are as discreditable as the action of the Greeks i
elandia.

LORDILYTTELTON ON NEW ZEALAND.

---- ---
In the course of an address at Stourbridge, Lord
Lyttelton gave some interesting information on social
and political affairs in New Zealand. His lord-
ship, who made an expedition to the colony
during the present year, has- arrived at
the conclusion that much of the political difficulty
in which the New Zealanders are involved arises
from their defective system of government. Local
and divided authority, and the want of centralised
political action, are the great obstacles to the pros-
perity of the islands. In the early days of the colony,
the imperfect means of communication and thepaucity
of the English population rendered it necessary that
each settlement should have its separate government.
But with the progress of population and intercom-
munication, it would be a sign of weakness rather than
strength that such independence should continue in
a country of less size than Great Britain. There
could be little doubt that the ultimate aim of New
Zealand statesmen, now generally stated (for the
details would require the most careful adjustment),
should be the establishment of a strong central
government surrounded by municipalities. Alluding
to the extraordinary prevalence of drunkenness in
the colony, Lord Lyttelton expressed his belief that
•
ft resulted in many cases of insanity.

TH'4 SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 18, 1868.

An imposing funeral ceremony in honour.' vi PA-- • -
held at Florence on Monday. The Min ~,smi WM
..ers were present,
besides a large number of memb-- .
~s of Parliament, foreign
ambas zi- dors, councillor'
of _,
.- a'-.e, civil, municiral, and
marine authoritie-- '
, and an immense concourse of the
populace.
London, England, 1868-12-18

TIIE REPRESSION OF CRIME.

The repression of crime bids fair to be one of the
most prominent subjects of the ensuing session. The
morning papers give up a considerable portion of
their space to correspondence on this subject. Mr.
T. L. B. Baker, of Hardwick Court, Gloucester, writing
to the Times, proposes five measures in order to dealwith
our criminals. Two of these are identical with those
which Sir Walter Crofton recommended at the
deputation to the Home Secretary on Monday—viz.,
a central office and register in London, in com-
munication with the provincial police, so that a
ticket-of-leave holder might be traced from count• 7
to county ; and police supervision of habitual
offenders, so that those who had been twice convicted.
of felony, might be brought before any magistrate
and have thrown on him the onus of proving that he
is earning an honest livelihood. The other measures
recommended by Mr. Baker are—that it should ba
left to the judge to direct what portion of the penal
servitude sentence should be necessarily passed in
prim,. leaving the convict, by hard work and good
conduA, to gain his license as soon after that term as
he can; that remissions of license to prisoners in
common gaols should be granted, so as to keep a
long hold on twice-convicted prisoners ; and lastly,
that the reformatory system should be extended to
adult- . house and a small farm being accepted as a
prison.
London, England, 1868-12-18

THE MURDER NEAR WIGAN.

The murderer of Annie Houghton is still at large. The
description which the police have been able to obtain of
the perpetrator of the foul deed is manifestly so indefinite
that their immediate success in their search could hardly
be looked for. One difficulty under which they laboured
has been promptly removed by Mr. Superintendent
Ellison. This arose from the fact that the tragedy was
committed only a few score yards from the boundary
between North and South Lancashire ; the murder was
committed in the Wigan police division, which is in the
southern half of the county, and the bulk of the popula-
tion in the district live on the other bank of the Douglas,
which is under the charge of the police in the northern
division. On Thursday Mr. Ellison despatched a message
to Chorley, and the services of Inspector Barker, who
formerly was stationed in the district, were promptly
placed at his disposal, and he is now assisting Inspec-
tor Dickenson in the task of discovering the mur-
derer. It was at first a general belief that the
crime had been committed by a madman, but it
is now pretty plain that the murderer visited the
house in the hope of obtaining valuable booty. In his
capacity of farm bailiff Houghton frequently paid small
sums of money to the labourers employed on the farm,
and therefore he had some loose cash in the house, the
amount (of which may have been magnified by report.
From the hour at which the murderer visited the place it
is clear lie must have been some one acquainted with the
habits of the family, while it is also thought probable
that Houghton has been seen to take money from the chest
of drawers which was the first object of the murderer's
attention. In the struggle in the kitchen, a lamp which
stood on the table was knocked over, and the partly hidden
staircase may not have been noticed in the dim light from
the fire. When the parents left the house the children
locked the door, as they were ordered ; but when the
fellow approached the doorway it was open, as the deceased
had just been out to fetch some coals. The dear girl
has three fearful wounds on her head—one over the right
eye, another in the centre of the forehead, and a third at
the back of the skull. Apparently any one of these would
prove fatal. The sister'. Kate is progressing favourably.
London, England, 1868-12-18

THE MISSIONARIES IN CHINA.

The Viceroy of Nankin has consented to make some
reparation for the outrages upon the missionaries at Yang-
chow, but he has not yet been persuaded to concede all
that our consul demands. The Chinese do not believe in
sentimental grievances ; the Viceroy accordingly does
not see the necessity of paying more than the cost of the
property which was destroyed, and of the medical
attendance on the missionary who was injured ; and
he declines to hand over an indemnity for any-
thing beyond the material part of the injury.
He has degraded and removed from office the
Prefect and the magistrate of Yangchow. He con-
cents to issue a proclamation setting forth the rights of
missionaries to reside and teach in the interior ; but he
refuses to carve on stone, as the English Consul demanded,
a brief history of the present riot and of the punishment
inflicted. Now, as the Chinese have not hesitated to
engrave proclamations on stone against the Europeans,
there is no reason why the same principle should not be
exercised for once in their favour. As the Times correspondent
remarks, the authorities will post up a bill containing the
leek-eating announcement ; but matters more agreeable to
Chinese tastes are permanently engraved. The whole
compensation demanded was £650, and as £350 of this
must go for actual injuries, it is not a heavy price
to pay for the treatment to which the missionaries
were subjected. The Consul demands also the punishment
of some literati—retired officials of high standing, one of
them an ex-viceroy— who instigated the riots ; but he is
not likely to carry this point.
The " defeat" which we are supposed to have sustained
in the Yangchow business has emboldened the natives.
They are greatly opposed to a treaty clause which frees
British-owned produce from taxation at the inland
Customs barriers by one payment of 211 per cent. ad
valorem. Native traders who have to pay the higher rate
are placed at a disadvantage. Three servants of a British
merchant, who were in charge of some produce, have been
flogged and imprisoned. A remonstrance by the British
Consul was treated as a forgery, and the bearer of it im-
prisoned. The Rodney, an eighty-gun ship, and two
other vessels have been called in to arrange these matters.
The amount of arrangement that awaits them seems to be
very considerable.
London, England, 1868-12-18

CHILDREN'S DINNERS.

Lords Shaftesbury and Ebury, Dean Stanley, and
others appeal to the benevolent for funds to help
them to give children's dinners. The amount received
in answer to their public appeal in December 1867,
was about £1,200. The sum expended in grants to
various localities where great distress prevailed,
during the first six months of this year, was £844.
The number of dinners given during the same period
at eighty-seven dining-rooms opened in connection with
their society was about 85,000. The weekly dinners were
resumed in October last; and since that time grants
to the amount of £302 have been made, representing
nearly 30,000 dinners. The total stun disbursed has,
therefore, been £1,146, and the total number of
dinners has been 115,000. The wants of the poor
are urgent, but the operations of the charitable are
everywhere restricted by want of funds. The news-
papers are full of appeals for charity as winter
approaches. Private charities, well directed, may
yet do something to mitigate the horrors which set
our poor-law system at defiance.
London, England, 1868-12-18

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

of terms, the latter would not the less make common cause
with Austria incase another war should break out between
the two German states. The North German Gazette tartly
responds that Hungary owes its independence to Prussia,
and that the latter Power is now the only safeguard against
the centralising aspirations of the Austrians. On whatever
side may be the right of this quarrel, the efforts of the
Prussians to break up its newly consolidated neigh-
bour are as discreditable as the action of the Greeks
tlandia.

ITALY.

I.OIIDILYTTELTON ON NEW ZEALAND.

In the course of an address at Stourbridge, Lord
Lyttelton gave some interesting information on social
and political affairs in New Zealand. His lord-
ship, who made an expedition to the colony
during the present year, has arrived at
the conclusion that much of the political difficulty
in which the New Zealanders are involved arises
from their defective system of government. Local
and divided authority, and the want of centralised
political action, are the great obstacles to the pros-
perity of the islands. In the early days of the colony,
the imperfect means of communication and thepaucity
of the English population rendered it necessary that
each settlement should have its separate government.
But with the progress of population and inter-com-
munication, it would be a sign of weakness rather than
strength that such independence should continue in
a country of less size than Great Britain. There
could be little doubt that the ultimate aim of New
Zealand statesmen, now generally stated (for the
details would require the most careful adjustment),
should be the establishment of a strong central
government surrounded by municipalities. Alluding
to the extraordinary prevalence of drunkenness in
the colony, Lord Lyttelton expressed his belief that
it resulted in many cases of insanity.

ITV, SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 18, 1868.

An imposing funeral ceremony in honour of Rossini was
held at Florence on Monday. The Ministers were present,
besides a large number of members of Parliament, foreign
ambas,; dors, councillors of F a..e, civil, municipal, and
marine authorities, and an immense concourse of the
populace.
London, England, 1868-12-18

MR. COBDEN'S LETTER.

Mr. F. Milnes Edge writes to the Star to say that
the letter written by the late Richard Cobden upon
the subject of the Alabama depradations, which has
recently appeared in the newspapers, was addressed
to him. He did not authorise the publication of it,
and is at a loss to know how the editor of the Boston
Advertiser obtained possession of a copy. The
original is in Mr. Edge's possession. The letter
is certainly not addressed to an American friend,
as stated in the Boston Advertiser, for,
says Mr. Edge, " however strongly Mr. Cobden
felt in regard to our short-sighted policy as a nation
during the American war—and his conversations
with me were far more emphatic than his correspon-
dence—he would, as an Englishman, have adopted a
widely different tone when discussing the question
with an American." Unless Mr. Cobden retained a
copy of this letter, and his executors have parted
with this copy, the only conclusion for Mr. Edge is
that he has a spy in his confidence.
London, England, 1868-12-18

THE MURDER NEAR WIGAN.

The murderer of Annie Houghton is still at large. The
description which the police have been able to obtain of
the perpetrator of the foul deed is manifestly so indefinite
that their immediate success in their search could hardly
be looked for. One difficulty under which they laboured
has been promptly removed by Mr. Superintendent
Ellison. This arose from the fact that the tragedy was
committed only a few score yards from the boundary
between North and South Lancashire ; the murder was
committed in the Wigan police division, which is in the
southern half of the county, and the bulk of the popula-
tion in the district live on the other bank of the Douglas,
which is under the charge of the police in the northern
division. On Thursday Mr. Ellison despatched a message
to Chorley, and the services of Inspector Barker, who
formerly was stationed in the district, were promptly
placed at his disposal, and he is now assisting Inspec-
tor Dickenson in the task of discovering the mur-
derer. It was at first a general belief that the
crime had been committed by a madman, but it
is now pretty plain that the murderer visited the
house in the hope of obtaining valuable booty. In his
capacity of farm bailiff Houghton frequently paid small
sums of money to the labourers employed on the farm,
and therefore he had some loose cash in the house, the
amount 4,1 f which may have been magnified by report.
From the hour at which the murderer visited the place it
is clear he must have been some one acquainted with the
habits of the family, while it is also thought probable
that Houghton has been seen to take money from the chest
of drawers which was the first object of the murderer's
attention. In the struggle in the kitchen, a lamp which
stood on the table was knocked over, and the partly hidden
staircase may nut have been noticed in the dim light from
the fire. When the parents left the house the children
locked the door, as they were ordered ; but when the
fellow approached the doorway it was open, as the deceased
had just been out to fetch some coals. The dear girl
has three fearful wounds on her head—one over the right
eye, another in the centre of the forehead, and a third at
the back of the skull. Apparently any one of these would
prove fatal. The sister, Kate is progressing favourably.
London, England, 1868-12-18

A ROMANTIC BANKRUPTCY CASE.

At the Taunton County Court, Miss Catherine Govier,
dressmaker, North-town, Taunton, a bankrupt, came up
for the last examination and discharge. The bankrupt
was engaged to be married to a young man in India, and
some time since he sent her a considerable sum of money
to proceed to India to be married to him. A portion of
the money she spent in purchasing an outfit becoming a
lady about to be married, and gave up her business.
Just as she was about to leave this country she received
a letter from her lover stating that he had changed his
mind, that he should not marry her, and therefore it
would be useless for her to think of coming to India. To
make matters worse, he wrote to his friends in England
and gave them the money he had sent to Miss Govier. She
refused to give it up, and they brought an action for its
recovery at the last Wells AsSizes. The verdict passed
against her, the learned judge who tried the cause ob-
serving that she had good grounds for breach of promise
of marriage against her gay deceiver. The cost of
defending the action amounted to £5O, and this, together
with the loss of £2O she had lent her father, who had since
become bankrupt, had entirely ruined her. There was no
opposition, and his Honour granted the bankrupt her die•
charge.
London, England, 1868-12-18

HUNGARY.

Notwithstanding the great social progress of the
Hungarians, brigandage is still carriedon in their territory
to such an extent that the royal post refuses to carry
articles of value on account of the insecurity of the routes.
Trains are frequently stopped by tearing up the rails. The
New Free Press recommends this crying evil to the atten-
tion of Government. Bad administration, defective
education, and the isolation of dwellings, all contribute tg
foster this social plague
London, England, 1868-12-18

EMIGRATION TO CANADA.

Mr. Dixon, Canadian emigration agent, calls attention
to an important Act passed by the Governmentof Ontario
in the early part of the present year. This Act provides
that allotments of one hundred acres each should be given
free of charge to all settlers in the province. The system
has worked remarkably well ; sometimes more than 300
applications for lots have been made in a single day. The
Government of Ontario proposes to set apart other districts
for free settlement. The Clerkenwell Emigration Society
have applied for 40,000 acres.
TURKEY AND GREECM

The nature of tie;;;;;TWhichGreeco ha's returned to
Turkey is,rtow *NIA cloak. The Athens Government
has conceded some of the demands of the Porte, but has
rejected others of vital importance. Turkey does not
seem disposed to rest satisfied with this partial compliance,
and her attitude in this respect meets with general
approval. Even the Constitationnel, which is unswerving
in its belief of a pacific solution, says that Turkey has
very justly rejected the " concessions" of Greece.
Eniless rumours take the place of definite information
on the subject of the diplomatic movements of the
Great Powers. At his ley 6e on Saturday Lord
Clarendon is said to have expressed his belief that the
peace of Europe was in no danger, and that the present
quarrel was a mere feu, de paille. The Paris
correspondent of the Standard mentions as a
report that France is trying to get up another alliance
with England. Lastly, the Berlin papers say that England
and France have remonstrated with Austria respecting
her attempts to provoke a war between Turkey and
Greece. The official papers, both at Paris and Berlin,
still conclude in favour of the chances of peace.
London, England, 1868-12-18

Deaths.

0f tio

- -
BARLEY —On the 16th inst., William Barley, E"l'
Stock Exchange, aged 33. Seri
FORD—On the 16th inst., at West Hill, Sydenll3l9,
of
Captain R. Ford, aged 74.
GA DELL —On the 14th inst., Edward Ga.ndell, V. 4"
Lambeth, aged 31. e '
Goa
the 16th inst., at 9, Tavistock-sclua-
r
Matisse, Esq. JO
WEBSTER—On the 15th inst., at Godalming, Sprr
Webster, Esq.: of Dulwich, aged 67.

iVS'
London : Printed and Pabliehed by A`Js, 1101
of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Tag SUN OLXl,3',;tl
Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the w-
Iliddleeox.—Friday, December 13, 180.
London, England, 1868-12-18

MILITARY PRISONS.

Sir Charles Trevelyan writes to the Times to
recommend a change in our military system, and
founds his recommendation upon the annual reports
of the Inspector-General of Military Prisons. It
appears there, from causes of drunkenness, desertion,
and vice generally, that some soldiers spend most of
their time in military prisons. There is a large
increase of commitments of men between seven and
fourteen years' service, and this upon a diminished
force; whereas since 1863, there has been
a progressive decrease of commitments of men under
seven years' service. Sir Charles accounts for this
result in this way. At first the young soldier is suffi-
ciently occupied in feeling his way in his new scene
of life, and qualifying himself for his professional
duties, which have become more scientific since the
introduction of arms of rapidity and precision ; but
the time sooner or later arrives when he has nothing
more to learn, and he then begins to suffer from the
impossibility of gratifying two feelings which are the
mainsprings of this period of life. One is a desire to better
his " condition," and the other a desire to marry.
By reducing the term of the soldier's service, and
opening to him the promotion of the army, the
administrative departments of the army and the civil
service, the soldier would be placed in the natural
condition of hopefulness which supports the health
of mind and body of other men, and the military
profession would be made so attractive to all classes
of our population that an abundant supply of
recruits of good character would be forthcoming.
London, England, 1868-12-18

EMIGRATION TO CANADA.

Mr. Dixon, Canadian emigration agent, calls attention
to an important Act passed by the Government of Ontario
in the early part of the present year. This Act provides
that allotments of one hundred acres each should be given
free of charge to all settlers in the province. The system
has worked remarkably well ; sometimes more than 300
applications for lots have been made in a single day. The
Government of Ontario proposes to set apart other districts
for free settlement. The Clerkenwell Emigration Society
have applied for 40,000 acres.
TURKEY AND GREECIS.
The nature of the answer which Greece ha's returned to
Turkey is now beyond denlk. The Athens Government
has conceded some of the demands of the Porte, but has
rejected others of vital importance. Turkey does not
seem disposed to rest satisfied with this partial compliance,
and her attitude in this respect meets with general
approval. Even the Constitution net, which is unswerving
in its belief of a pacific solution, says that Turkey has
very justly rejected the " concessions" of Greece.
Eniless rumours take the place of definite information
on the subject of the diplomatic movements of the
Great Powers. At his ley& on Saturday Lord
Clarendon is said to have expressed his belief that the
peace of Europe was in no danger, and that the present
quarrel was a mere feu de paille. The Paris
correspondent of the Standard mentions as a
report that France is trying to get up another alliance
with England. Lastly, the Berlin papers say that England
and France have remonstrated with Austria respecting
her attempts to provoke a war between Turkey and
Greece. The official papers, both at Paris and Berlin,
still conclude in favour of the chances of peace.
London, England, 1868-12-18

INDIAN ➢iEDICAL SERVICE.

India Oftlca, Ist December, 1868.
NOTICE is Hereby Given, that an examination
of Candidates for 29 appointments as Assistant-Surgeons
in her Majesty's Indian Medical Service will be held at
Chelsea Hospital on the Bth February, 1869.
Copies of the regulations for the examination of Candi-
dates, together with information regarding the pay and
retiring allowances of Indian Medical Officers, may be ob-
tained on applicati n at the Military Department, India
Office, Westminster, S.W.
T. T. PEARS, Major-General,
Military Secretary.
London, England, 1868-12-18

weekly jester Fun, are here-co-operating with him
as heartily in his Annual as in his Weekly outpouring
of comicality. We needs must laugh whether we
will or no; but at any rate, as a rule, we laugh with
rather than at Tom Hopei and his congenial colla-
borateurs.

MONEY LENT—in a hideous, cross-grained cover
—is the title of Beeton's Christmas Annual, and in
return for one of the small silver coin of our cur-
rency the purchaser certainly gets here money
lent to him galore. Some of it is of sterling min-
tage, and but a very small proportion counterfeit.
SOMETHING LIKE A NUGGET—good metal never
coined but in the lump—is the theme of Lynlph's
new Christmas Story : that same Lyulph being al-
ready favourably known as one of not the least suc-
cessful of the Dickens' imitators. In his present
venture, Lyulph—whoever he is—goes far to sustain
his reputation.

CAST ASHORE ON CHRISTMAS EVE-13 the name
of another tale of the like kind, but one wholly
anonymous : of it, however, we can say little or no-
thing in the way of commendation.
Not so in regard to Miss Echo's Girl of the Period
Altnanack, which is wonderfully good, sparkling,
merry, and graceful to a marvellous degree. The
illustratio3s are delightful to look at—the prettiest,
daintiest freaks of fancy on the part of the artist,
whose pencil can draw young girls as we hare not
seen them drawn since John Leech, to the grief of
us all, disappeared so prematurely. •
London, England, 1868-12-18

London : Printed and Piblished by WILLIAM Al3l' lioj
,Q
of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Vie SUN Odic',
Strand, in the Precinct of the Se voy, in the Cl°
Middleam—Friday, December 18, 1+:10.
London, England, 1868-12-18

Commenee at Seven.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPIII.
Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. WEBSTER.
Directress, Mrs. Alfred Mellon.

THIS EVENING, DID YOU EVER SEND YOUR WIFE
TO e 'MBE %WELL. Mr. G. delmore, Mrs. L. Murray.
At a quarter to S. MONTE CRISTO. Mr. Fechter, Mr. Benja-
min Webster, Mr. G Delmore, Mr. Arthur Stirling, Mr. Ashley,
Mr. R. Phillips, Mr. Stuart. Mr. C H. Stephenson, Mr. C. J.
Smith, Mr. Romer, Mr. W. H. Eburne, Mrs. Alfred Mellon, Miss
Carlotta ILeclercq, and Mrs. Leigh Murray.

QT. GEORGE'S THEATRE (ST. GEORGE'S
ITALL).—This Theatte will Open for the Season on WED-
NESDAY, December 23, with a powerful Company seh. cted from
the leading provincial theatres.
For the first time, a domestic Drama, in three acts, entitled
SAVED. By IT. Such Granville. After which, the entirely new
and original Ninevitish Burlesque of SARI ,ANAPALUS. with
magnificent scenery, dresses, and appointments. Concluding
with THE BENGAL TIGER, in which Mr. T. B. Shenton will
appear.
London, England, 1868-12-18

THE ASSOCIATION for the WELFARE of
the BLIND, 210, Oxford-streAt,and 127, Euston-road.
Patroness—Her Most Gracious Majesty the QUEEN.
This Institution affords employment in various ways to
172 blind men and women.
Pensions to various amounts are granted to the blind
who cannot earn their own living.
500 blind men and women aro applying for help, which
cannot be given for WANT of FUNDS.
Contributions will be thankfully received by the Secre-
tary, Rev. C. B. REID, M.A.
London, England, 1868-12-18

Box-office open from eleven till five,

CCLOBE THEATRE-ROYAL.-At 7, GOOD
r FOR NOTHING.
At a quarter to 8, Mr. J. Byron's original Comedy, in five acts.
entitled CYRIL'S SUCCESS: Messrs. Warner, Vernon, David
Fisher, Newbound, Andrews, Tindale, Hurlston, and J. Clarke:
Mesdames Henrade, C. Thorne, Bremen, Berend, Hughgs, and
Stepheuo.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S TIIEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Vining.
THIS EVENING, at 7, THE SECRET.
After which rat 8 o'clock), Dion Boucicault's new drama, in
four acts. entitled AFTER DARK, a Tale of London Life
Messrs. Vining, Walter Lacy, Dominick Murray. C. Harcourt,
3 G. Shore; Miss Emma Barnet. and Miss Rose Leclercq.
Entirely now Scenery by Mr. F. Lloyds awl assistants.
To conclude with MASTER JONES'S BIRTHDAY.
Doors open at half-past 6, commence at 7. Box-office open
daily from 10 till 5.

OYAL STRAND THEATRE.
J
I.) Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs Swanborough.
THIS EVENING, at 7.30, THE WIDOW HUNT. Messrs.
Clarke. Belford, Joyce; Mesdames But•.sn and Maitland.
After which, THE FIELD OF TEA CLOTH OF GOLD.
Messrs. Thome, James, and Robson Mesdames M. Long-
more, F. Hughes. L. Maitland, &c.
To conclude ,nth A COMICAL COUNTESS.
London, England, 1868-12-18

GREAT NORTHERN HOSPITAL,
Caledonian-road, Islington, N.
Supported by Voluntary Contributions.
This Hospital has relieved 481,954 patients since it was
establisbedhat King's-cross in 1856. Patients are admitted
free.

Bankers—Messrs. Barnet, Lloyds, and Co., 60, Lombard-
street, Messrs. Ransom and Bonverie, 1, Pall-mall.—Hon.
Sec., P. Smith. Eso. GEO. REID, SOC.

THE ROYAL HOSPITAL for DISEASES of
the CH,L'ST, City-road.—The wards for in-patients
are constantly full, those for out-patients crowded daily.
FUNDS greatly needed.
CHARLES L. KEMP, Secretary.

HOSPITAL for DISEASES of the THROAT,
Golden-square, W.
President —His Grace the Duke of GRAFTON.
The Committee of Management earnestly APPEAL for
FUNDS to help them to meet the heavy current expenses.
Upwards of 18,000 poor persons have been relieved in the
last six years.

GEORGE WOOD, Secretary,
London, England, 1868-12-18

to enter upon the discharge of the duties which
were so hastily and injudiciously entrusted to his
appointed care is what few have ventured to antici-

Pate during the past fortnight. Should the Govern-
ment determine to cancel his appointment, theipub-
lie will feel less surprise than relief. If John Law-
rence agrees to place his services at the country's dis-
posal for another year, he will add another to the
many claims he has upon his country's gratitude.
At this moment there are signs which give the
skilled observers of Indian affairs no little concern.
The restlessness of the Wahabees is at once marked
and ominous. No apprehension need be enter-
tained as to the consequences so long as Sir John
Lawrence is at the head of affairs, nor would the
Public have any ground for alarm were the Marquis
of Salisbury, or. some administrator of tried firm-
ness and acknowledged ability, responsible for the
peace of our Eastern Empire. The public may rest
assured that, whatever the ultimate decision may
be, the gravity of the question at issue is thoroughly
felt by the present Government.