The Sun. — 1870-03-25 (London, England)

LIVELY FANATIC.  A letter from Tunis describes some exciting proceedings which took place there a few days ago. A Moor of 22, a water-carrier, while under the influence of religious excitement, began to beat with a stick all the Christians and Jews who came in his way. Suddenly he dropped the stick and drew a sword, running with it through the most frequented parts of the town in the European quarter, shouting " In the name of God, war to the infidels 1" Fortunately, it being about three o'clock, most of the Europeans were in their houses at dinners but, nevertheless, the fanatic succeeded in wounding a great number of men, women, and children. As the British Consulate lay in the path he took, it was soon filled with the wounded. Having passed through the principal streets without receiving more than a slight wound in the leg, he took refuge in the chief mosque, where the local authorities, on religious grounds, reframed from arresting him. One of the dragomans employed in the British Consulate, however, who had pursued the assassin, entered the sanctuary, arrested him, and gave him over to the local police. The principal square in the European quarter soon became crowded with thousands of Christians, Moors, and Jews. The Christians demanded the instant execution of the water-carrier, and great fears were entertained of a collision occurring between them and the Mahommedans. Fortunately, tranquillity was restored by the arrival of an extra force of police and troops sent by the Bey at the request of the foreign Consuls. The Bey declined to appear personally in the town to quiet the agitation, but promised that every satisfaction should be given for the outrage. The man was shot at six o'clock the same evening. In other letters the number of persons wounded is variously given from thirty-five to seventy. Mahomedans thought friendly to the Christians were also attacked, and one Moor has since died from a thrust he received from the sword in the back. The dragoman of the United States Consul-General was cut down at the door of the consulate together with the Mahomedan servant of the Italian Consul, who happened to be there. The Italians threatened to set fire to the European Consulates if the assassin was not immediately executed on the gate of the European quarter, but such a step was considered to offer an unnecessary indignity to the Mahomedan religion, and the execution was inflicted in the Moorish quarter. The body was exposed in the public square and identified by the British and Italian ViceConsuls and a certain number of Europeans. The summary punishment inflicted on the murderer has produced a very good effect, and no fears arc now entertained of any outbreak.  The Pall Mall Gazette understands that up to the present time a sufficient number of flag officers have been compulsorily retired, or have signified their intention to accept the terms which have been offered to thea: to ensure promotion to all captains from the top of the ii at down to, and inclusive of, Captain the Hon. J. W. d. Spencer,  THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied, as soon as published, Every Evening, by W. AL FIX A NDER (late Brooks), Newspaper Agent, Ao. 4, Old Cavendish street, Oxford-street;