The New York Herald Newspaper, October 30, 1854, Page 4

wEW YoRE HERALD, sGRDON BENNETT, JAMES GORDON PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR. OFFICE N, W. CORNER OF NASSAU AND FULTON STS. D. 2 cents per coy per annum. Y HERALD every Saturday at 034 cents per European Blition $ per annum, sin, and $5 to any part of the Conti- age. (ail for Subscriptions or with Adver- paid, or the postage will be deducte 1 from ken of anonymous communications. We do urn wm rejected. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Fourteenth streot—Semm amine. THEATRE, Broadway—FPaist H rar WNaeven Won Fain Lapy—Mitiy—Youne Aorness. BROADWAY BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Wrecx ov Tue Raver— Qu ren oF THE AnRUZEL MERICA~CATARINA, BUR Chambers street—Davip Correrrrenp— Poor NAt . THEATRE, Chatham street—Macaetu— Wizany ~ WALTACK ‘ondway—Mven Avo Anour n rs , Broadway—Mystie Beit LANGUEROLLES—GILDEROY. AMERICAN MUSEUM—Afternoon—Wi10 Spxaxs Finer —Away i MeLAscnony, Eveuing—ALL Tuat Grit- Fes isd 72 Brondway. 509 Brondway—Buex- instrel Mall, 444 Broadway. RIAN PERYORMANCE. TLE GARD! Kew York, Monday, Octobe: "The News. THE EXPSUTED STEAMSHIP. Toe steamsh p Pacific, which iett Liverpool on the 18th inst. f r this port, had not been signalized from the Bandy Hook telegraph station up to two o’clock this morning. O viog to the dense fogs that | have prevailed for the past two or ‘hree days her progress las no doubt ben somewhat retarded. We expect, however, to reczive he- vews duriag to- dey, and it will in all probability prove h ghly inter eating. THE LAST RAILROAD COLLISION. We give on the first page cvpious details respect: ing the fearful accid:nt on the G-at Weste n R sil road on Fridav. Nothing like it has occurred since the Norwalk tragedy. It is dreadfal to reflect upon Forty-seven human beings hucried eternity in the twinkling of an eye, and forty-o1¢" maugied and maimed bodies dragged, after grea: exertion, fron beneath the fragments of broken cars, one-half of them with juct sufficient vitality remainins to save them from being inciuded in the first nastily pre: pared list o: the deai! And al! this awfal loss of human lite is attributable, as is a'leged, to the neg Ngene of one man, a watchman, who fell asleep at his post. This person, it appeare, informed tie conductor of the train which ahou'd have waited for the passenger train that it had alreaity passed him. The gravel train proceeded, and the terrible colli- sion ensued. The accounts which we publish ia- clude lists of te names of the kiledand woanded,and al:o of the survivors, among whom were Mr. Thomas Francis Meagher and Mr. Orestes A. Browason. Nearly all of the victims of this shockiag eveat were emigrants, and it was difficult to ascertain their names; but tie lista are as complete and a:curat: @ time and cpporjunity would permit. The coilision took place amid a dense fog, which in n> small de gree added to the horrors of the scene. In addition to this lamentabie affair, a rumor was circulated in Detioit on Friday aftermooa that a collision had taken plave on tue Toledo end Norwatk road, near Toledv, un the previous right, and that tweaty per- sons were killed. We have received no telegraphic deepatch confi-matory of the rumor, and are, there- fore, inclined to think it incorrect, at least ao far as ‘the reported loss of life is concerned. THE KNOW NOTHING SPLIT’ The wembers of this order are revolting ageinet t e despotism of their leaders. We publish av accvun! to-day of a terrible rumpus in the Ninth wara council on Saturday evening, growing out of the dissatisfaction allege’ to be generally felt at the manner in woich the city nominations were made Te seems that the Executive Committee of theorder, to whom is committed the duty of s:lecting candi dates for support at the poils, nom‘nated from their owa body, throwing aside the claims of the rank and file altogether. This proceediog bas resulted in asplit, and a movement is on foot to estsblish an independent council, chapter, lodge, or whatever it may beca'led. Asan instance of the deli:quency of the Executive Committee, it is stated that one uf ite nominees attends the stat-d preaching of the gospel of democracy according to 8'. Tammany, whoee followers, not long since, ia strong terms roundly denounced the Know Nothiag movemeat. Let to one interfere ia this quarrel. A3 competi- tion is the life of trade, s0 splits are the fun of politics. LOCAL MATTERS. The reports relative to the damag: caused by the explosion of gunpowder at Earle’s Hotel on Satur- dsy, turn out upon investig.tion to have been soms- what exaggerated. No‘witistanding the active ex- ertions of the police, no clue bas yet been found to the } erpetra'or of the miachiet. Another case of stabbing occurred on the 25th | instant, and is like'y to terminate fatally. The of- fence was committed in Washington street, by a man named Donovan,on the person of his wife, ‘who now lies at th: hoapita’ in a critical condition. Donovan avoided arrest for several days, but was finally taken and lodged in ths Tomb:. In today’s paper msy be found accounts of other acts of vio- lence, such as highway robbery, shooting, assanits, &., all going to show a deplorable condition of so- ciety. Probably something may b: done by the au- thorities ater the election towards the suppression of these outrages. On Saturday night « fie broke out in the Metro- politan Hotel, but it was extinguished without the aid of the Fire Department. The damage proved to be but trifling. The inhabitants of Will'amsburg are enterprising in the erection of churches. Yesterday, notwit 3 standing the inclement weather, two of these edi fices wera dedicated—one by the Roman Catholics and the other by the Methodists; and there is per- haps no locality within ths sound of the City Hali bell where the humanizing influences of Caristiani- ty are more required, especially in what is termed ‘the ‘North Side.” A case in point will be found under our Williamsburg intelligence. THE CHEMICAL BANK SWINDLE, At alate hour on Saturday night officer Sidney E. Barton, of Cieveland, Ohio, arrived in this city, having in cu tody Lyman Coles, notorious fur his connection wi'h the burning of the st-amer Martha Washington, who stands charged, with Kissane and others, in being implicated in th» late extensive fraud perpefrated upon the Chemical Bank of this city, when the managers were taken in and done for to the amount «f nine thousaad dollars. He was taken to the office of the Chief of Police, and locked up to await an €xami ation, STATE UF 1114 MARKETS, Owing to increased ieceip's of broadstaffs, and some falling off in tye loca’ and Eastern demand, the market was essier on Saturday. Common and medium grades of flour declived 12hc. a 25c. per bbl., while the higher grades of extras were abou: the same. Wrea’ was also da'l; Indian co:n fell oft sbout one cent per bushel, and closed at 80. a 8lc for sound. Cotton was quiet, dsalers graiting late nexs from Burop: by tre Pacific. The whole de- cline since ‘he N agara’s news bas been about one Guarter of a cent per ib. Sazar was tolerable activ end firm, leaving a reiuced stock of oaly about 2,500 hids. in tois market. The stock of lead in { ret hands wee light, e peeiiliy of foreign, Spauish wi 8 beld at $6 30 per 100 Ibe. to arrive. The Governor—Clark and the Opposition— Good Reasons for his Defeat. The organization and the principles of the several parties in the field for the spoils of our November election, the p atform of the compet- ing candidates 1 Governor respectively, and the political cons « uences most likely to follow the success of thi or that party, are matters which are al , by this time, pretty thoroughly understood by our readers, With all the va- rious indepen ent and new-fangled State con- ventions and State tickets that have been brought forward for the popular support, every- body understands very well, at length, that | there are, for all practical purposes, only four parties in the contest—the democratic hard | shells, the democratic soft shells, the whig abo- lition coalitionists, and the Know Nothings ; | and that there are only four candidates for Governor—Bronsron, Seymour, Clark and Ull- man. It is also a fact very well understood that Clark is supported by a mongrel alliance of odds and ends of all the revolutionary, philo- sophical, intidel and treasonable factions of the aay, and that the opposition forces are divided between Bronson, Seymour and Ullman. From this division of the opposition forces, the whig coalition have been heretofore confident of an easy victory, though, within the last week or | | two, they have betrayed some uneasiness lest there should be a fusion of the anti Maine law | forces upon a common candidate, with the tingle object in view of arr-sting the despotic measure contemplated by the advocates of ab- | solute prohibition. Tnere may be some dan- ger to Clark upon this issue ; and from this | anti-Maine law combination, it is possible that he may be defeated upon this ground; but there are other radical issues of greater or 'esser moment, calling for the overthrow of the Seward coalition, and which would render the election of Broneon or Seymour, or even Ull- man as the Know Nothing candidate, prefera- able to the success of Clark. * The paramount objection to Ciark is his avowed afliliation with the Saratoga, Syracuse and Auburn anti-slavery alliance, and its pro- jected crusade against the South upon a com- bined Northern anti-: livery ticket and platform for the Presidency in 1856. Te anti-slavery resolutions passed ut Saratoga, Syracuse, and Auburn, by the Seward coalitionists, and ap- proved by Clark and the whole whig State ticket, cu' off the Southern States from their programme fo: the Presidentia! election, and throw them back at once upor the alternative of secession, in the event of Seward’s success. The question of disunion, therefore, is directly involved in the declared principles and policy of Clark, his collea.ues, his organs and the pie-bakd coalition, ani the arch-agitator direct- ing the machinery for Clark’s election. His success will give to New York the shame- ful d'stinction of being the first of the Northern States which shali have openly declared in favor of the abolitionists, against the constitu- tion and the laws, the peace of the Union, and the safety of American society. Upon this all-important issue, involving all classes of the community, and all their inter- ests, cocial, religious, political and commercial, there is abun ant justification for the concen- tration of all the friends of law and order, of peace, harmony and prosperity—of ali parties— upon any candidate opposed to Clark. The administration is done for—it is powerless for further mischief, and asit could realize nothing from the success of Seymour, even his election, under the circumstances, would be a triunph over the conspirators for sedition and disunion. The platform of™Ullman is a contracted affair, and is opposed in spirit to the spirit of the con- stitution and the institutions of the United States; but in contrast with the active disunion abolition alliance of Seward and his motley tribes, the league of the Know Nothings is comparatively harmless; and eo the election even of Ullman would be preferable to the triumph of Clark. Judge Bronson may be too conservative in his opinions for either the Maine law or ultra anti-Maine law men; but by | the congervatives of all parties and upon all | questions, and especially upon the vital ques- | tion of slavery, his election would doubtless be received with satisfaction as ahap vy escape from the schedule of abominations of the Sew- ard anti-slavery alliafice. But again: there are temperance men, zeal- | ous in the cause, anxiously laboring to lessen the manifold evils of rum selling and rum drink- ing, who may well be dubious of the policy of the rigié prohibition promisei us from the Clark association. A despotic ac: of the kind they contemplate may lead to scenes of violence and confusion, and a reaction in popular opia- ion, which may throw back the work of maay years in the cause of total abstinence. In thi view, it is very likely that there are many good and practical temperance men, living examples of the abstinence which they profes, who will, upon election day, prefer some other candidate to Myron H. Clark. It were folly to sanction the wicked presumption that the morals of the community and the good cause of temperance are wholly dependent upon the success of the Seward ticket. It were an insult to his own intelligence, and an act of humiliation on the part of the citizen, to vote under an impression so green tnd preposterous. Upon another point we would remind our fellow citizens of the unsatisfactory position of Clark. He desired the Know Nothing support —he sought the favor of their State Coun- cil through a spurious Know Nothing lodge. He failed. They nominated another candidate. But his rejection by the Order is uny thing but a recommendation to the elector who is a foreigner by birth, or in religions Catholic. Had he succeeded in betraying the adopted citizen and the Catholic, be would have dispensed with their support. We think it very probable that they will bear this in mind on the seventh day of Nov ember. In conclusion, upon looking over the whole ground, and the momentous national and local considerations which call for the defeat of Clark, and in contemplating the motley crew of disor- gavizers that ate leagued togetherin his behalf —-abolitionists, free soilers, ultra Maine Law men, women’s rights women, anti renters, and people of color clamorous for equal rights—and believing that the bulk of the people of this great State are a law-abiding, Union-loving, sensible people, we are decidedly inclined to the belief that Clark may be defeated, as he should be defeated. Who. in that event, shoald be elected is a secondary question. The great purpose of the conservative people should be a deadly blow at the Seward disunion coalition, in the de‘eat of their candidate for Governor. Wuart Does rr Mpa We received, recently, asmai) pamphlet, through the mediam of the penny post. This curious work is given in fnil in another part of the Heranp, It seems to be a formula of obligations and so forth of a secres order called “The American Order of the Sons oe with it. Who sre the Sons of the Republic? Where do they meet? Who do they intend to vote for? How mony Sons have been enrolled? Will somebody » ve us a ittle light on this im- | portant subject? The Oyster Extitement—Is there any Danger in Eating Oysters? The recen death of three or four of our | most prominent citizens ro. eating diseased | oysters, as itis rumored, has crea‘ed quite a | panic throughout te city, and, ss a conse- quence, & grea depression in the oyster busi- ness. It would be unjus*, hcweve, to attri- | bute their decease t» this particu ar art cle of | food, without proper investig t’'on and so far | as this has been m:ce we learn that it has been produced mostly by other causes. It is too often the case that what ve: his been eaten last by the patient is set “owa as the cause of | the disease, and it so happened that every one of the deceased persons al uded tohad eaten of oysters almost immediately before they became sick. Yet it appears that all of these, or at least a majority, were suffering from diarrhea before they had partaken of them, and it is possible that the result might have been the same if they had never eaten any. While, therefore, a due regard to hea'th should render | us exceed'ngly cautious about what we eat or | drink, it is upreasonable to condemn without proper inquiry, an article of food as un- healthy, upon the sale of which a large class | of persons are dependent fur their sub- | sistence. Dr. Chiltov, who has made acareful | chemical examination of the principal kinds sold in our markets, says that he feels no hesi- tation in stating it as his belief that the oysters | now brougbt freeh into the city and sold by the | respectable dealers, are as wholesome as at aay | other seacon. He adds, however, that it is not unusual for oysters and other shell-fih, when eaten after having be:n kept long during the warm season, to ,rsduce serious illness re~ sembling cholera, but no such il! effects would belikely to aris+‘when they are received fresh from our waters. While we are convin«d that th> outcry against this favorite edib'e is not wholly justi- fied by facts, we would not advise the public to indulge in the use of ft without some precau- tiop, now, or at any other tims A bad oyster, eaten at any time, is liable to produce the most serious sickness, and even death; bat a little “caution will enable a person 10 detect it at once. It generally happens that oysters, when kept several days out of water, and in a warm place, become tainted, in which condition they are perhaps the most unhealthy food that could be used. We have, however, enough faith in our dealers to believe that they would not dispose of them in this state. The oysters are brought fresh to mar- ket almost every day, from the beds in the East river, New York bay, and the surroundiog waters, and before they are sold are carefully sorted by men employed for the purpose. When the supply in the hands of the wholesale dealers—who are generally owners of oyster beds, or plantations, as they are called—is greater than the demand, they are carried back to the beds from which they have been taken, to preserve their freshnes:. This, however, very seldom occurs, as the demand is always equal to the supply, which can b2 met at a day’s notice at least. It has been said that the largest proportion of the oysters sold in this city come direct from Virginia; but this is in- correct, and particularly at this season, whea they are aJl obtained from our owa waters. The Virginia oysters do not begin to arrive till the middle of November, and the season closes about the Ist of April. The reason of this is obvious; it is almost impossible to bring them so long a distance in the warm weather without “spoiling,” as it is termed, and no prudent dealer would be willing to incur the risk. Besides, the supply furnished by the New York beds and those along the Jersey shore is sufficient to meet the demand during the eummer mouths, which is not'so great as ia the winter and spring. The oysters from Princes | ay are sometimes cal'ed Virginia oys- tere, but this ar‘ses from the fact of their having been origina'ly procured from the shores of that State, and afterwards transplanted here. These, however, are no more entitled to that name than that those which are transplauted from the North ‘o the East river should be called after the former. We have said that a large class of persons are dependent upon the sale of oysters for a @ sulsistence; and in proof of this it is only ne- ceaary to state a few facts in relation to the business. Th: whole number of boats, of all sizes, from fifty to two hundred tons, which are engaged in the transportation of oysters to our market, isestimated at about fifteen hur- dred, while the total value of oysters annu- ally sold in New York is se‘ down at between five and six millions of dollars. Over fifty thousand persons ars employe, either directly or indirectly, in the business—the planting of oysters, their transporta'ion to market, their exportation, and the wholezale and retail tiade. The persons engaged in the retail business, by which we mean the keepers of saloons and restaurants, may be es- timated st five thousand—and this is rather under than over the number. Some of these may vie with the wholesale dealers in the ex- tent of their business, and one of those who keeps from fifteen to twenty men constantly employed in opening, sells about sixty thou- anda day. One saloon on Broadway sells over fifteen thousand daily in the form of stews, fries, &c. All of these are scriously affected by the panic ; and one wholesale dealer whose daily sales formerly amounted to two hundred dollars, does not now sell more than forty or fifty dollars worth. é There is no reason, in our opinion, why any further apprehensions should exist in regard to oysters, after the investigation which has b2en made by such competent authority; and those who desire, may, we think, with safety, indulge their taste for the delicious bivalve, always, of course, ex reising a proper caution in regard 10 the quality _end quamity. _ Ovr Personal CorResronpENcE.—We give, to-dey, several communications addressed to the Editor of the Heratp, on various interest- ing topics. Sucdry matters of social and poli- tical import are treated upon in these letters and they will coubtless be found interesting: Our intention is to give the public an opportu- nity cf being heard, although, of course, we do not adopt our correspondents’ opinions. ASOTHER QUARREL Brainy THE Scenes.—An article on dramatic authorship has “reminded” Madame the Baroness Julie de Marguerittes of a “transaction” in which Miss Cushman, Miss Kimberly and the Baroness were concerned. Mme. de Marguerittes writes to usa long letter op the subject, and we are compelled to decline publishing it, as it refers to matters in which ihe public cap have no interest, of the Republic;” bat po’ explenstion was sent | Brstop Hvoues’ Pasrora Letrer—QOar | appeared before the public readers are aware that the venerable Roman Catholic prelate of this diocess has recently teken his departure for Eur pe. Yesterday, in all the churches under his e iscopsl sway, his pestoral letter, or valedictiry, was read. We publish it this merning, awa e that it will beread with much interest by all classes of the commu- | nity. The ob ect of his visit t) Rome is directly referred ‘o the general convocation of prelates soon to tvke place in te E e:nal City. He re- fers to the Provincial Council recently held here, and promulgates certain re.u'ations to be in force in this dioceses unti! the decrees of the council are approved ty the Holy See. The only one, of them, h wever, thit is not local and temporary in its character is the following:— | “ Henceforth the bans of matrimony are to be published inthe usual form previous to the celebration of marrage.” The time and conditio s of the grand jubilee are made knowy. T.me—from first November, 1854, to first February, 1855. Conditions—a worthy reception of the sacraments of penance and the Holy Eucharist—oue fast on any Friday during the jubilee—the giving of alms to the poor, and ‘he visiting of three several churches, viz :—the Cathedral, the Charch of the Nativity, and the Church of the Holy Redeemer—there to offer up prayers in accordance with the in- tentionsof the Pope. ‘i hese are the conditions on the side of the people ; what they are on the side of the chureh, is not stated. . The alms offered during the jubilee, in the country and suturb:, are directed to be appro priated to the estublishment of schools or the support of orphans—in the city, to be given to the Sisters of Me:cy, to be applied by them ia the works of charity to which they are so as- siducusly devot d. The Archbishp commends to the care of the clergy and laity the project of the establish- ment of a Magdalen Asylum in New York, un- der the charge of the Sisters of the Good Shep- herd, whom he would engage to come and take charge of it. He announces that the project of building the new St. Patrick’s cathedral on a scale cor- responding with the immense Catholic popu- lation, and the present and prospective magni- tude of the city, is postpoied through motives of expediency, for a year or two. In the mean- time two new churches are to be constracted in localities where they are much wanted;. aad all collections for other objects—except those of charity and religion—are prohibited from the 31st of October until the new cathedral shall be completed. In conclusion, the Archbishop exhorts his people to renovated zeal for their own and their children’s sanctification, and leaves with them his benediction. We hope to see him soon re- turn with health reiovigorated by his journey Tue Sewarp SCHEME FOR THE ASSEMBLY.— Every day confirms our assertion that the whig canvass for the election this fall is being con- ducted solely and altogether for the benefit of Wm. H. Seward. Among the candidates in thise city for the State Assembly, for in- stance, we find the names of such men as R. M. Blatebford and Mr. Coleman of the Astor House. Now, no one who is acquainted with these gentlemen will suppose for an instant that either of the two allows him- self to be brought forward from motives of per- sonal ambition, or even a desire to serve the State. Both have their own business to manage, and can ill afford to neglect it for politics; neither requires the éclat of an election to the State Assembly to improve his position with his fellow citizens, It is as clear as daylight, in fact, that some powerful unseen motive must be at work to induce them to resign the quiet of private life and the lucrative avoca- tions of business for the thankless station of Ascemblyman. That motive cam be none other than to secur: for Mr. Seward a re-election to the United States Senate. Both Mr. Coleman and Mr. Blatch‘ord are known to be personal friends of Mr. Seward: both have long acted with him in politics, and are understood to shar- his views on all subjects. They are going to the Assembly to serve his purpose—to perpetu- ate the free soil character of the New York rep- resentation in the United States Senate. A.very few days are now left to the citizens of New York to decide whether this scheme shall succeed or not. Time presses. The na- tional democratic ratifigation meeting takes place on Wednesday, the soft shell meeting on Thursday ; and the whigs will not be far behind-" hand. Eventhe Know Nothings talk ofa tre- mendous rally in the Park at some early day fo ratify their nominations. If it be the will of the people of New York that this State shall not be represented in the United States Senate by one who is radically opposed to an essential condi- tion of the confederacy, no time must be lost in defeating the instruments of the Seward junta. Toe Recrprocrry Treaty—Caear CoaL.— Yesterday’s Heratp contained the proclama- tion of the Canadian government anticipating the ratification of the Reciprocity Treaty, and permitting the articles therein mentioned to be introduced into Canada free of duty, on the im- porters giving bonds to pay the duties if the treaty is not ratified. What a shametul thing it is that our government should be thus out- done in sagacity by a petty colonial adminis- tration! Here are we paying $7 50a ton for poor anthracite coal, while the best bituminous is selling at Quebec for $2 50 a ton, and could be brought here for a mere trifle more. Our ad- ministration agreed to take bonds for the duties on colonial caught fich: why, in the name of all that is reasonable, was the favor restricted to one out of the list of. articles to be ex- changed? What objection could there be to tuch @ measure as that taken by the Canadian government? What possible motive can there be fag relieving fish from the operation of the duty, and retaining that onus on an article so much more needed, as coal? Can it be that the coal miners of Maryland and Pennsylvania, whose clever combinations to “sustain trade” are mulcting us of seven dollars and a half where four would give them a profit, have suc- ceeded in gaining a control over the White House? Has enybody in Washington coal lands? These queries may be injurious: but they are in every one’s mouth ; and as it rests with Mr. Pierce and his Cabinet to cheapen an article of prime necessity nearly one-half, with- out injury-to any one, they must blame them- selves if their tardiness give rise to ugly sus- picions. Srome Canpiates,—Several months since, the Heraxp recommended the adoption of the stamp system in nomination of candidates to fill offices in the gift of the people. At the same time we called for good men to come for- ward and announce themselves for such offices as they were bert fitted to fill. We have now more of these independent candidates than ever at any election, as ° | will be seen by reference to oar advertising | | columns. We trust that this system will be- | come general, as in it lies the on'y remedy for ; the dishonest and corrupt system of primary | elections, from the effects of which the city has j sifffered during the past few years. Aw O14 Popria or ConresronpENce.—We open our columns to-day to a mass of interest- ing correspondence, which we bave received from various portions of the United States— West, North and South. and from Canaia, , Mexico end South America We thus perform an act of justize—though, in some instances, it may appear tardy—to our ocoatributors, while at the same time we offord a mine of valuable and interesting information to our readers, on subjects social, political and religious. Those whose tastes tend towards country life and the avocations of the farm, will read with pleasure the several letters descriptive of the agricultu- ral fairs at Norfolk, Wellsburg and Toronto. scenery and picturesque styles and manners, | glades of Pennsylvania, the German pea- sants therein, and the scenes at an Albright camp meeting. terested in mining speculations, may find something to enlist their attestion in a letter trom Newburg, on the Hudson, one irom Port Orford, Oregon, and a communica- tion in reference to the silver mines of Mexic. And the lovers of champagne will open their eyes in mute astonishment when they read a letter from Paris containing some tacts about the wine trade of France with the United State:. Some curious revelations are mad« on this head. For instance, the quantity of champagne en- tered for payment of duties in the Custom House here for one year, exceeded by three times the quantity registered in the French Custom Houses for exportation to the United States; and five times more champagne is con- sumed here in one year than is actually pro- duced in the whole champagne rezion of France. As an olla podrida of facts, fancies and spe- culations, the volume of correspondence which we publish to-day will prove amusing and in- | teresting. Military Intelligence. THE NEW RIFLE DRILL AT WEST POINT—INTERESTING VISIT TO THE MILITARY ACADEMY. A large number of officers made a visit to the United States Military Academy, at West Point, last week, to witness the performance of the corps of cadets, ina light infantry and rifle drill, very similar to that now used by the celebrated Chasseurs de Vincennes. Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Hardee, of the United States Dragoons, under the direction of the Secretary of War, has recently compiled a work, making very essential changes in the evolutions of that truly American arm of the service. It will be recollected that this drill had its origin in this country before the revolutionary war—that it wa3 systematized during that momentous struggle, and that {its efficiency was especially demonstrated under the gal- lant Colonel Morgan, at Saratoga, and throughout the war. The attention of France and England was then called to the utility of the rifle and the drill; and England espe- cially had reason to realize the importance of establish- € git as one of the arms of her service, from the severe [ssc her troops had experienced whenever they met the deadly rifle of the Yankee. ‘The Tirailleurs of France had their origin also about that time, and, if we mistake not, Switzerland and other countries soon followed in organizing rifle corps. From time to time, improvements have been made in the rifle, the shape of the ball, and the system of drill. ‘The French deserve great credit for the improvements they have recently made in the latter two, and the sys- tem now about to be presented to the people of the United States, combining, as it does, all the important and useful improvements made in that arm of the ser- vice, may be said to be as near perfection as can be at- tained. As the work will soon be published, we will not go into any of the details, only observing that for its simplicity and brevity in the words of command, rapidity of move- ment, and effective execution, it recommends itself to the attention and study of military men. Major Generals C. W. Sandford, First Division New York State Militia; Aaron Ward, Second Division, and B. F. Edmands, First Division Massachusetts Volunteer Militia ; Brigadier Generals William Hall, Charles B. Spicer, and Charles Yates, New York State Militia, and Gen. Ward B. Burnett, New York Volunteers ; Colonels James Page, Philadelphia ; Thomas F. Peers, New York ; M. M. Van Buren, Eleventh Regiment State Militia ; Thos. F. Devoe, late of Eighth Regiment, andJas. C. Burnhar. § New York Volunteers ; Majors William M. Richards and George F. Woodward, Staff First Division ; Captain Edward Vincent, Twelfth Regiment; Van Buren, Eleventh, and Butterfield, Seventy-first Regiment 3 Lieutenant Martin Leary, Philadelphia, with Lieg tenant Bartlett, of the Navy, were among the large number of persons who had been invited to witness the drill, and were present on that interesting occasio § The day was very fine for the purpose, and every hour ‘was occupied by the visiters in witnessing the cadets in their recitation rooms, the fencing hall, the squadron drill, and the rifle drill by company, performed by the Sappers and Miners, to exemplify the same drill which was afterwards performed by the whole corps of cadets, organized as a battalion of eight companies. The gallant Colone| Walker, of the 6th Infantry, Com- mandant of Cadets, commanded the battalion drill; First Lieut. Sackett, of the Dragoons, the squadron drill, and Lieut. Casey, of the Engineers, the company rifle drill of the Sappers and Miners, Colonel Robert E. Lee, the Superintendent, Professors Mahan, Church and Weir, Colonels Casey, Hardee and Walker, Majors Porter and Ridgeley, Captains Coppee, Wilcott, Lieutenants Jones, Coggswell and others, were particularly attentive to the guests, who returned home well satisfied with their visit, and with an unanimous desire that this efficient, admirable drill may soon be universally introduced into the infantry and rifle corps of the militia of the United States. ‘We are informed that the Secretary of War will make an official visit to the academy on Tuesday, the Sistinst when the battalion drill, according to Colonel Hardee’s work, will be exhibited for his inspection; and that hat drill will be the last of the kind until next spring. The Late Torpedo Explosion at Earle’s Hotel. Although vigilant search has been made by the Chief and his shadows, and minute inquiry into all the par- ticulars of the curious explosion of the torpedo at Earle’s, still no one has been arrested; and, what is still more unfortunate, the affcir is so wrapped in mystery that very little clue, if any at all, can be obtained as to who were the manufacturers of the deadly weapon, or by whom it was left in the hotel. It is presumed, however, that the package was sent there by express for an indi- vidual who was to call for it, and being done up in an unsuspicious manner was, as is the usual custom of the porter, placed behind the counter of the bookkeep- er’s desk, to be left there till called for. On the carpet Dag (a small one) which contained the torpedo was, with some difficulty, deciphered the name ‘Graves,”’ which may yet lead to the discovery of the persén for whom this deadly missile was intended. From the circum- stances connected with this strange and most diabolical affair, we are of the opinion that the torpedo was acci- dentally set off by the bell boy tossing the bag about while endeavoring to ferret out Mr. Dowd’s luggage whose escape was most fortunate indeed, as he was stand- ing within three feet of the spot where the explosion took, place, and strange to say received but a few very slight injuries, The reports of the extent of injury inflicted both to the building and its occupants were greatly ex- aggerated, and many supposed in the neighborhood of the explosion that the whole building was in ruins; but on examination of the premises wre pleasantly sur- prised to find that the injury done to the building was very slight indeed, From examination of the premises we are fully satisfied that there was not more than a couple of pounds of powder in the canister at the ut- most, for if the can had been fall, it would, under the cirenmstances have blown up the entire building. How- ever, there was quite enough of the dangerous compound contained in the bag to answer all the purposes for which this fiendish and ingeious trap was constructed. The boy Peter Moun is now at the New York Hospital, where he will undoubtedly recover under the excellent medical treatment ho is experiencing. Those who delight in sketches of romantic | will be gratified with the description of the | The classos that are in- | Dramatic and Musical Matters. There is no especial novelty to note in the theatrical businéss at the city theatres during the past week, ex- cept the great excitement at the Broadway theatre om Saturday night, by the production of the “Crown Dia- monds,”? It is along time since so much enthusiasm was Cisplayed in any New York theatre, and the admir- ers of Miss Pyne will be glad to know that after an inter- val of six weeks—throe in Philadelphia and three in- Boston—this artist will teturn to New York, when there- will be another opera season at the Broadway.—The Opera House in Fourteenth street has been closed during ‘the past week, and great preparations have been made for the production of‘Semiramide.’’——At the Metropoli- tan Mrs. Alexina Fisher Baker appeared for two nights only,and was then compelled by illness to suspend her en- gagement. During the remainder of the week, Mr. Eddy and Mr. Mashall, Mrs. Jones, and others of the com- pany, appeared in melo-dramas, to paying houses. Miss Julia Dean will shortly appear at this theatre. Next. Wednesday night, Mrs. E. P. Lesdervier will wake her first appearance on any stage, as Evadne; Mr. Eddy as. | Corunna, and Mr. Marshall as Ludorvico. The perform- ance will be for the benefit of Mr. Marshall. Mrs. Lesder- vier is already well known as a poetess and a Shaks- yerean reader of considerable ability, and az she has had several years experience as a reader in public, it “is safe to say that her debut will be a good one.——At Burton’s theatre, the “Tempest”? has been revived, to the delight of large audiences. Miss Macarthy is the Ariel; she Lar a sweet and powerful singing voice—— At Wallack’s ‘London Assurance’ has been. played through the week to full houses, Miss Bennett has ‘firmly established herself in the- affections of the audiences at this theatre. The bills announce that ‘“ the forthcoming novelties will. be given in the following order :—first, ‘The Bri- gand;’ second, ‘A Heart of Goldy’ third, the new comedy, in five acts, by an American gentleman, called ‘Weeds and Flowers,’ embracing the entire talent of the. company,”’ “A Heart of Gold” is the new comedy by Douglas Jerrold, written for the Princess’s theatre, Lon- don. It is also underlined at the Broadway theatre. —— Many of the Heap readers are probably unaware of the fact that a new theatye has been erected in the Bowery, between Payard and Walker streets, and that it is one of the prettiest houses in the city. It has thus far been devoted to the production of opera in German. We see no reason why the lovers of opera should not patronise- ‘this house as well as the Italian opera, as very few of the American auditors at cither place understand the lan- guage. We had occasion to be present at the representation of Rossini’s excellent opera, ‘The-- Barber of Seville,” at the above mentioned place- of amusement, and can bear witness to the nearly finished performance of that delightful piece of composition, When we mention that Signora D'Ormy, (known already by her performances at Castle Garden,) played and sang the part of Rosina in such a style as we seldom witness, her deep, powerful, and at . the same time sweet, voice, leaves an impression not so easily to be forgotten. Since Alboni has left us we have not heard avy contralto voice which could compete with that of Signora D’Ormy, and although there is room for improvement in finish and execution, we were surprised in the highest degree-when we listened to this singer, so little known to our American audiences. The orchestra at this theatre contains a great many of our best musi- cians, who, led by Mr. Unger, execute the compositions. in capital style. Of the other performers in the German. opera there is a great deal to praise, and as much to~ blame; but as this is a new trial to establish these kind of performances in this city, we suspend our remarks about them for the present. We only have to say that. wecan in all sincerity advise our music-loving public not to miss an opportunity to visit the City theatre. —- Mr. John R. Scott has finished a Jong and successful en- gagement at the National theatre. His friends have tendered him a complimentary benefit, to take place at. the Bowery, on the evening of the 2d of November. Mr. S, W. Glenn, a favorite member of the Bowery com- pany, will have a complimentary benefit on the evening of the 8th,_—The steamer Pacific will bring a full Eng- lish opera troupe for Niblo, and it is rumored that ‘Md’lle Rachel, the Siddons of the French stage, will ar- rive here in the same vessel. She will be accompanied by a corps dramatique.. Her brother, M. Felix, has made proposals to the managers of one of our theatres for her appearance. She will lease the house fora num- ber of weeks, and the plays will be produced under her own direction and at her own risk. The Courrier des Etats Unis, which may be bet ter informed on the subject than M. Felix, say: that Rachel does not intend to visit this country at pre- sent.——Miss McLean, a new candidate for histrie onic fame, will shortly play Juliana (the “Honey Moon’’) at one of our theatres. The performance will be on the occasion of a complimentary benefit to Mrs. McLean, the arrangements for which are now progressing.—Mrs. Johnson, of Brooklyn, wellknown as a reader, is also pre- paring for the stage-——Mr. Mason, Paul Julien’s agent» was in the city on Saturday, and is making arrange- ments for the extension of the triumphal tour of the youthful artist._—Herr Driesbach is in town settling up his menagerie business. He has been offered $15,000 for his animals, exclusive of his ‘ pets.””——Mr, B. A. Ba- ker, formerly stage manager of Mitchell’s Olympic, sailed. on the 27th for California; he is engaged as the stage di_ rector of the new American Theatre.——Mr. T. Placide Mr. W. 8. Hamblin, Mr. C. Pope, Mr. J. 8. Browne, and others connected with the New Orleans theatres, will sail in the Empire City, on Thursday of this week. At the Broadway theatre this evening the pieces an- nounced are the farces “The Maid with the Milking Pail,” “The Young Actress,” and ‘Faint Heart Never Won Fair.” Mr. Grace, the newly engaged light come- dian, will plain Ruy Gomez. At the Metropolitan, ‘The Mystic Bell of Rouquer- rolles,”” and ‘“Gilderoy,”? are announeed.- Mr. Eddy, Mr. Marshall, Mrs. M. Jones and other favorite artists, appear in these pieces. At Wallack’s, “ Much Ado About Nothing” is an § nounced, with Miss Bennett as Beatrice, and the re- mainder of the cast the same as before, including Mr. Wallack as Benedick. At Burton’s to-night, ‘David Copperfield” and “The Poor Soldier.’? Burton plays Micawber, one of his best performances. A new local piece, ‘The Upper Ten and Lower Twenty,” is underlined. At Niblo’s this evening, the Bateman children com- mence the second week of their engagement. The play is “ Young America,” to be succeeded by the Rousset sisters in the ballet “Catarina.” At the Bowery, to-night, 8 new nautical drama is an- nounced—‘‘The Wreck of the Raven;’’ also ‘‘ The Queen. of the Abriuzzi.’” At the National, Mr. Grattan Dawson makes his first. appearance as Macbeth, and Miss A. Hathaway plays in. the afterpiece. Excellent entertainments, both for the afternoon and evening, nounced at Barnum’s Museum. The circus at Castle Garden continues to be attractive, Read the bill for to-night. ‘The colored opera at Wood’s, Buckley’s and Perham’s, . ontinues to be extensively patronised. Good programmes. re out for this evening. Parapenpmia.—Mr. Forrest has concluded a long en- * {agement at the Walnut. The English opera (Louisa. yne and others) commence to-night.——Mrs. Farren. has produced her new play, ‘Griselda,’ at the Ches- ut.——‘‘ London Assurance”’ has been got up in great. tyle, and played at the Arch.—It is’stated that Mr. ufus Welch has purchased the Chesnut street theatre,. nd that after this season it will be fitted up for eques- trian performances. Bostox.—Miss Dean commences the fourth week of her engagement at the new theatre, to-night. She hae played nothing new.——At the National, a nautical drama by J. Pilgrim, called ‘Yankee Jack,” has been produced.——-Mr, Couldock is at the Museum.——L. B, Lent has become the lessee of the Howard Athenaeum, He opens it with an equestrian company on the 27th proximo.——Mrs, Macready has been giving dramatic readings at the Melodeon. The G@asetle says:— the first ‘A fair audioncs ettended hy pdt A ‘and she sue sion, She infuses more of Cee into that we did not fancy the mascn- line tone which she sometimes introduced. Her tgs read, but we prefer her more 4 ous ex! 5 J. dy was warmly received, and very kindly treated by the ‘audience throughout. ’ Her creme ‘and manner on the stage are greatly in her favor. Mlle Gabrielle de la Motte has located herself in Bos- ton as a musical teacher, ‘Miss Davenport has been playing a very successfal en- gagement at Chicago. ‘Camille’ was a great hit.—— Mr. Chaufrau will commence an engagement at the Peo- ple’s theatre, St. Louis, next week.—-Mr. W. Marshall will play next week in Hartford, Ct.——-Miaa Makeah has been playing in Albany.——Miss Kimberly is at Buffalo, —The announcement of the death of Madame Tedesco was not true, She had just closed a successful engage- ment at Hamburg, in the role of Rosina in the ‘Barber of Seville.’ This celebrated cantatrice has a splendid engagement at St. Petersburg, where she is to receive } i | i ah