The Press. — 1856-05-31 (London, England)

JOHN SADLEIR. There is more reason to regret that the Turf should be used as a Stock Exchange, and it shows that the mercantile classes are in nowise superior in wisdom to others in the community.  Yankee legislators are certainly behind the age in civilisation and good manners. What is to be thought of a senator who first insults a waiter at an hotel, and then, after a personal struggle with him, draws a revolver from his breeches-pocket and shoots him down like a dog? And yet such a scene occurred at Willard's Hotel at Washington on the Bth instant. A Mr. HERBERT, member for California, ordered his breakfast at the hotel at an hour when, according to the rules of the hotel, no breakfast could be served without au order from the office. The waiter explained this to the senator, and was struck between the eyes for his civility. Th* waiter retaliated, and flung a plate at the senator. The senator replied with a chair. They then "clinched " and fought. Other persons interfered. HERBERT drew his revolver. He was restrained for seine moments, but as soon as he got free he rushed on the unfortunate waiter, and, seizing him round the neck. put the pistol to his breast and shot him though the lungs. The man died in a few minutes, and Mr HERBERT, after an excellent breakfast at a friend's house, delivered himself up to justice, and after a partial examination was remanded. The American papers, in commeliting upon this horrible murder, do not appear to regard it in any other light than a questionable point of honour whether a gentleman carrying a revolver be justified in provoking a quarrel with an unarmed man. The better question for our American contemporaries to consider would he whether carrying revolvers in one's breeches pocket is at all consonant with the habits and customs of civilised society The sooner Washington hangs one of its senators as an example, the better for American society in general. An excellent opportunity appears to be offered to them at present.  The organ of the Premier has been labouring with some dexterity this week to throw cold water on the idea of any advantage resulting from that " crisis " in Italian affairs which the Ministerialists have heretofore been so eager to precipitate:— " British statesmen [Lord PALMERSTON'S Administration, of " course] must be aware of being urged into the adoption of a hasty " policy [the regeneration of Italy, to be sure], either by the " earnest persuasion of foreign Powers [Sardinia alone can "be intended], or the stress of a too impulsive public " opinion at home [a plain hit at the Liberals]." Then follows a disheartening list of the difficulties which the Premier now perceives must retard the political regeneration of Italy. England might have to go to war with Austria and solicit Russia as an ally ; the task would be of gigantic difficulty from the discordant elements prevailing in Italy!; land, above all, the "Powers of Europe can in no " way lend themselves to the designs of the revolutionary party: In fine, the Italian people are not yet ready for liberty, and must wait until the necessities of the Liberal party here again require a crY• " The Italian people must first shake off the thraldom of secret " societies, and abandon the low node of political morals so assiduously " cultivated by the advocates of insurrection." The meaning of all this is, that in face of the Triple Alliance, Lord PALMERSTON finds it impracticable to pretend longer to favour Italian Liberalism.