Glasgow Courier. — 1866-01-18 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THURSDAY MORNING, JAN. 18.  Prince Christian, the affianced husband cf the Princess Helena, arrived at Dover on Monday en route for Windsor, on a visit to the British Court. A frightful disaster has occurred at sea—the foundering of a London and Melbourne steamer, with upwards of 270 persons on board, of whom only 19 were saved. Earl Russell informed a deputation which waited upon him on Monday that a Reform Bill would be introduced next session, and further stated that Government would stand or fall by the measure. Another Italian statesman has been taken away, just when Italy requires all, and more than all, the statesmanship she possesses. The Marquis Azeglio died at Turin on Monday morning, in his 66th year. We are glad to learn that the Right Hon. Sir C. Wood has quite recovered from his late accident in the hunting field, and returned to London yesterday to meet his colleagues in their Cabinet deliberations. Additional information regarding the financial policy of Signor Scialoja is afforded by the statement that the Italian Ministry's revised Budget will propose a reduction of about £4,000,000 in the expenditure. An insurrectionary movement in the Lebanon, headed by Joseph Karam, has been suppressed, by force of arms, by the Turkish Governor of Syria, Daoud Pasha. The insurgent leader has withdrawn into a convent, and his followers have sued for pardon. What with defeat, insurrection, and widespread disaffection, the Spanish Gov ernment has received, within a short period, a succession of humiliating reverses. A fresh smart will be inflicted, if the rumour prove true that Pateja, the commander of the Spanish squadron, off the Chilian coast, has committed suicide. Distressing accounts continue to reach us as to the disastrous effects of the late protracted gales. One of the saddest of the many sad casualties is reported from Yarmouth—where, on Saturday, by the capsizing of a lifeboat, while on its way to attempt the rescue of the crew of a ship in distress in the Roads, twelve men out of a crew of sixteen were drowned. A Convention has just been concluded between the Governments of Bavaria, Saxony, Hanover, and Wurtemberg, by which passports for travellers entering those States are made unnecessary. A traveller may, however, be questioned as to who lie is and what he is doing, and he is bound to inform the authorities on these points. Baden and Oldenburg have also given in their adhesion to this Convention. The Prussian Chambers were on Monday opened by Count Bismark. The Royal Speech, which was read by the Count, announced that the foreign relations of Prussia were satisfactory, and her finances flourishing; expressed a hope that the States of the Zollverein would ratify the Commercial Treaty with Italy; and concluded by declaring it His Majesty's intention to persist in the occupation of Slesvig, and in his position in Holstein, so that, whatever definitive decision be given on the future of Slesvig-Holstein, the interests of Germany and the claims of Prussia should be respected. The Jamaica Committee have obtained an important legal opinion as to the character of the proceedings of Governor Eyre and his subordinates in the suppression of the late negro revolt. The learned counsel to whom the question was referred express their opinion that martial law, as a system for the punishment of rebellion or of other crimes, is illegal; that the authorities in Jamaica are liable, both civilly and criminally, for excessive and unnecessary violence; and that the so-called courts-martial by which martial law is carried out are not courts at all, and have neither the obligations nor the immunities of properly constituted courts-martial. The West Indian mail-steamer Tasmania, with a fortnight's later advices from Jamaica, has arrived; but the news is of no importance By way of precaution against any possible re newal of disturbance at Christmas the Volunteers were summoned to turn out on guard during the holidays. Throughout the Island, however, complete tranquillity continues to reign. The Maroons, having made a kind of triumphal progress through the Western parishes, everywhere received with warm welcome and lively enthusiasm, have returned to their homes. The Colonial Standard at great length defends the severe measures of the authorities against the attacks of papers in this country. The details of the American news are largely taken up with an account of the gallant exploit by which the crew of the Chilian corvette the Esmeralda made themselves masters of the Spanish gunboat Cavadonga. The action took place off Port Papudo, between Valparaiso and Coquimbo. It only lasted half an hour, but seems to have been a very spirited affair. The behaviour of the Chilians was worthy the crew of the former Esmeralda, which was so well kn )cvn cn that sea-board when under the cornand of Lord Dundonald. It was thought that eru would join Chili against the Spaniards. Capt. Semmes is to be tried by a naval courtoartial on a charge of violating the laws of war. fire had broken out in Grattan, Connecticut, es,.4roying property valued at 1,500,000 dols. The city and county of Dublin, portions of the cour11; es of Tipperary and Waterford, and : Waterford cit.;-; were on Sunday proclaimed, under the provisio:lB .of the Peace Preservation Act of 1856, to enable search to be made for t arms, of which large quan. ities are believed to be concealed by Fenian pikjnakers and partizans. The proclamation which began to take effect from Monday, was evidently more immediately provoked or suggested by the recent discoveries of weapons, manufactured or in process of manufacture, in some of the obscure neighbourhoods of Dublin—the last seizure having taken place on Saturday. Since the proclamation appeared, large numbers of pikes and other arms are believed to have been thrown into the canals, and otherwise got rid of, to avoid the consequence of the general search by the police. At Madrid tranquillity appears to reign; and either from distrust of General Prim's cause, or from a feeling that the Government is too well prepared, whatever disaffection prevails in the city has not displayed itself in any further open outbreak. General Prim, to all present appearance, meditates no movement towards the capital, but is seeking to make Portugal the haven of his perplexing wanderings. At present, his line of march lies between the rivers Tagus and Guadiana; and some accounts state that it was in his power on the 13th to reach Portuguese territory by three days' march across Estremandura. A gleam of light is thrown on the dilatory and harmless tactics of the Royalist Generals opposed to him, by a statment published in the Correspondencia, to the effect that Marshal O'Donnell had instructed them to drive Prim into Portugal, but not to capture him.