Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-10-01

by the arrivals Of the cay Of Baltimore and
Iond'bH we are in possession of five days later
news from Europe. The intelligence is of much
interest. As OF more immediate concern at the
present moment, the precedence is due to a sad
calamity that has bcfallen the great Easter. in
the course Of her experimental voyage. not hap
PLY, affecting the programme Of her coming
trans Atlantic trip but attaching a melancholy
interest To the early story of the ship. On the
9TH inst, while off Hastings, en- route to Plvm-
outh, feedpipc casing, leading through the
main saloon, suddenly exploded, causing the
death of four assistant engineers, and danger
ously, If not fatally wounding eight others. The
interior OF the great saloon was entirely torn to
pieces; the lower tier of statcrooms DESTROYED.
and the interior arrangements and decorations
for some distance from the spot. sadly injured
and defaced. The accident, bv fortunate
chance, occurred just after the passengers had
retired from the dining tables and sought the
deck. else the calamity would have been greatly
more distressing. The fault of the accident is
imputed to the economy of the managers in
employing what they were advised TO be de-
fective and undesirable piece of workmanship
The vessel, notwithstanding the shock was not
interrupted for moment in her progress; nor
was her hull at all damaged No delay in the
departure of the ship was anticipated in conse-
Quence of the accident; the only chence Of plan
being the substitution of Portland for lIolyhead
as the point of departure Her builder has
contracted to repair her in three weeks for
So. 900.
The French and English Envovs to China.
who were proceeding in all haste to Pekin. bear
ing the solemn treaties of peace so lately cee-
bratcd by their respective governments with the
Emperor Of China, had met with a sad reverse :;
and have retired leaving the dogs of war loose
behind them. On the 18th of June, Admiral
HOPE, with the conjoined fleet OF large vessels.
and of gun-boats, the latter designed for con.
Quoting the Plenipotentaries to Pckin. arrived
at the mouth of the Peiho; and prepared to
enter. After seeking in vain to communicate
with the authorities on shore and after satisfy.
ing himself that although the Taku forts had
been rebuilt and strengthened, they were neither
armed nor manned, he ordered the squadron of
gun-boals to advance Their advance was very
soon INSTRUCTED by formidable boom stretched
across the stream; and as they drew up along
1t, murderous fire was opened from the forts
on either side, which suddenly swarmed with
troops and bristlcd with heavy artillery. After
gallant, but HOPELESS struggle, the boats hauled
on, the American steamers in company assisting
to save them; but not before three of the boats
were DESTROYED and nearly five hundred men
had been killed, wounded or drowned A large
number of men, including the Admiral, were in
the category OF the wounded. In view of this
unexpected disaster, the French and English
ENJOYS had returned to Shanghae. Mr.. WARD.
the American Minister, in the meantime had
met at Pekin with gracious reception, dis
tinction which the English press bitterly resents
The affair causes the utmost excitement in Eng
land