The New York herald., 1868-05-15
NEW SOUTH WALES.

Attempted AssassinatiOu of Prince Alfred-IIis
Royal Highness Shot at Picnic-The Crime
nnd Its CfrcuMstances-Exclam and
Fnll of the Princc-The Assassin O'Farrell
an AvOwed Fenian-Fenian Scare Through
out the COlOnies-RecOvery of the Prince
Addresses of. Sympathy from the Americans
in Sydney-Fenian Procession at Hokitilsa.
N. Z.-Arrivnl Of Fifty-seven Feninn Com
victs.
SYDNEY, N. S. w., March 81, 1868.
Scarcely had the inhabitants Of New South Wales
and the adjacent colonies recovered from the shock
produced by the news Of the blowing up OF Cerken-
well prison, when another and yet more startling
development OF Fenianism occurred in their very
midst, in the shape Of an attempt by an avowed
Fenian upon the life Of their royal guest Prince
Alfred OF England. Although the would-be assassin
has failed to accomplish his purpose, the Prince
having already been pronounced out Of danger and
in fair way towards perfect recovery, the mere
fact that any attempt Of such character
should have been made upon Australian soil
has produced the most intense excitement. The
career OF the colonies, up to the present time has
been one OF uneventful prosperity There have occa-
sionally been local political squabbes, and now and
then pretty loud murmur against the home govern
ment; but all troubles and grievances have been
speedily adjusted and settled and the Australian
the animosities and national enmities OF the Old
World would never appear among them. But any
vain dream OF this nature has now been rudely dis
peed and the people of the colonies have been con-
sequently thrown into state Of exaggerated alarm
and distress, which would be udicrous but for the
possibility that 1t may have very serious results
Since his arrival in the colonies the Prince in pur
suance, probably, Of instructions from home has
adopted course OF conduct singulary well fitted to
win the attachment OF free and practically demo-
cratic people. Instead OF hedging himself round
with courty formates, he has mingled in the reest
possible manner with the colonists and has behaved
so very much like man dependent wholly upon
popular favor as to excite no little surprise. He
has allowed himself to be approached by
almost any one who was decenty dressed and had
never been "lag' ("lag" is colonial for convict.
on several occasions he has even permitted a news
paper correspondent TO ride In the same carriage
with him; ana, more wonderful STILL he actually ap-
peared at ball few nights before he was shot without
gloves and danced, regardless OF the programme laid
ont for him by the managers, with young lady who
although very pretty had the III luck to be only the
daughter OF an lronmonger and consequently to
be generally snubbed by the feminine aris
tocracy OF Sydney He has also cheerfully accepted
the innumerabe ''bores- which form the natural
penalty Of nigh and exalted position demurely re-
ceivng Sunday school deputations (bearing presents
oil Bibles and prayer books and many other similar
human annoyances, and has lent the influence OF his
presence to further the interests OF all sorts OF char
table institutions.
Tne people here are especially indignant that the
attempt on the life Of the Prince should have been
mace upon an occasion at which his good nature
alone and hot any consideration of public necessity
OF proprle'y induced him to be present For some
Iine EFFORTS had been made to establish perma.
hen' institution ut sydney, to be known as
the sailors Horne, for the benefit Of dis,resaad
seamen, without, believe, regard to nationality
III was AT length determined to endeayor 10 raise
the necessary funds by picnic and the presence OF
the Prince was secured to lend ecat and tone 10 tho
afrar, and OF course to enable the managers to dis
pose more readily OF their tickets. Everything I'M To
the time OF the attempted assassination went Off ad
mraby; the tickets sold like wildnre and on the
morning OF sunny autumn day the beauty and
wealth and fashion OF Sydney gathered at Contarf
10 amuse themselves AZ people on such occasions
generally try 10 do.
The spot selected for tho picnic was one of the most
charming and lovely to be found in any part of sgd
ney harbor and every preparation had been made TO
insure the enjoyment OF the pleasure seekers
About half-past one the Prince arrived in a special
cheered Justify white the Prince smiled and bowed
hls thanks immediately upon landing he was con-
ancted ane TO the luncheon tent and in company with
y
'otners, partook OF some refreshment.
Leaving The tent the Prince led Lady Belmore to a
special pavilion which had been erected for the
OIL tne eu1 OF the party, and then sauntered away
WIN Sir "ll,am Manning tan old resident OF sydney
toenJoy walk about the grounds. As he went along
ne met gentleman named Allen, with whom he
SHOOK hanus ana chatted for few moments and
tnen nanueu an envelope TO Sir william Manning,
saying that II contained q donation TO the Sailors
Home. rfw rf - - ~'~-~l
Scarcely had he finished speaking when man.
whose name is now known To be O'Farre was oh,
served TO run quickly across TO where he was stand
ing and Hre with revolver at the Prince who imme
diateiy fell forward, crying out .0h, my God. am
shot; my back - broken.v - -
Sir william Manning turned hastily round upon
earing the report OF the revolver, and seeing thar
the man who had Just fred had pointed his weapon
towards him (Str W. Mannfng) he stopped TO vet out
of the line Of IRE and In doing so fell This time
however the revolver snapped, and while o'Farrell
was again levelling his pistol at the Prince gentle
man named Vial who had witnessed the whole oc
currence ran mp and plnioned he arms TO his body
thus changing the direction OF the weapon, which,
however, exploded, the bullet hitting Mr. Thornc
~ foot. or u ElAflf itI-I ~ 81
Meanwhile, tire report Of the revolver had drawn
together the picnickers from all parts OF the grounds
and scene Of conflsiop and disorder ensued which
0'FarreIi struexed hard to get free from Vial,
swearing nercely aud loudly and in the tussle the
identity Of the c0nbatsnts became little confused.
pVhen, therefore fne bystanders, who had now dis.
~'srsd thea ~ PSiscs hsd lea sAos rushed u and