Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-12-10
FOREIGN.

LONDON, December l0-The following
dispatch has been received from Prof
Davidson, chief astronomer of the Amer
lean expedition to Najasaki; During
our observations OF the transit of Venus
the weather was unusually cloudy and
unpromising. The time at which it was
calculated the transit would begin passed
away without our being able to record
the exact moment of the first contact
with any trustworthy result. After
about q quarter of an hour and before
Venus reached the stage of her second
contact the observer caught glimpse
of the sun and planet and was quite
successful in taking several measure
ments of the planets. Further measure
ments of the distance between Venus
aud the suns western edge were made
with the m;orometic. In all there were
$50 micrometic measurements of line
taken between the casps. Besides these
thirty-one micrometic observations we're
made of the passage of both edges of
the sun across the meridian of the sta
ton, and similar views of the right and
left rims of Venus in crossing the same
line. Eigteen micrometic surveys we're
made of the respective destinations of
the sun and planet by observing both
upper and lower liE.bs while passing the
meridian. About sixty excellent photo
graphs Of the transit during various
periods Of its occurrence we're taken.
Extreme good fortune attended the as
tronomers, for just as Venus departed
from the sun the clouds began to gather
and threaten rain. Toward the close of
November we were enabled to telegraph
the difference of longitude to Vladivos-
tok, SO that the location of the position
here is definitely determined"
The transit Of Venus was successfully
observed at Hobartstown. Adelaide, Mel.
bourne and at points in India, China
and Japan. The American party only
partly succeeded at Hobartstown.
The storm of yesterday was very dis
astrous to shipping. A dozen vessels
are ashore at Whilby. and one is report.
ed sunk with all on board. Mails from
France we're several hours behind time.
Heavy damage was done 10 the works in
the hArbors OF Jersey. Two hundred
yards of pier we're swept away, and
blocks OF concrete weighing several tons,
we're displaced and broken. The storm
was very severe on the continent. The
lines between Italy, Swilzer-
land and Paris sre down aud commHni-
cation interrupted.
The bullion in the Bank Of England
increased s65, 600 pounds the past week.
The proportion OF the bank reserve to
liability, which last week was 31s per
cent. ia nov Az per cent.
RIS0sros, JAMAICA, December 10
The ship Forfarshire, which arrived at
Dermerara from Calcutta with coolies,
had fifty two deaths from choleraic diar-
rhea on the passage, and the ship Col.
den Fleece, at Trinidad, with coolies,
had twenty-five deaths.
MADRID. December lO.-Serrano will
leave for the North Immediately.
Paris, December lO.-The Minister Of
War and the Military Committee Of the
Assembly have come to an understand
lag in regard to the army.
Alex Maetier Of Baltimore, was mar.
ried yesterday to Virginia. daughter Of
the late James Brooks, in the Roman
Catholic Church Of the Assumption,
aoIboFn. Minister Sehenck was pres
ent Monsignor Capale performed the
ceremony.