The New York Herald Newspaper, March 17, 1855, Page 2

«With ite miserable system of promotion, placi 594 NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1855. AFFAIRS IN EUROPE, Our Londos Correspondence. Lowpon, Feb. 22, 1855, Growing Dissatisfaction with the Palmerston Ministry— Difficulties of the Premier's Position—Probabilities of dia Fasluro—Lord John Russell’s Mission to Vienna— The English People and the Aristocracy—The Press the Only True Champton of Popular Interests—Lord Pal- merston too much of @ Red-tapist for the Present Cri- ais, dc. It is quite certain that at few periods of our national history have men regarded our state of affairs witha more gloomy eye than at present. No sooner does the country obtain possession of the long coveted object of ite choice—no sooner has it chased from its sad eminente the ill-omened bird that flapped its dark wing and flouted at every clan—every burst of enthusiasm ; no sooner has it substituted as a presiding genius the statesman who, by all concurrent testimony, is the true pilot that can weather the storm—than it begins to hang its head and eave its heart in sorrow. Except im the choice of Lord John Russell as Plenipo- tentiary at the Vienna Conference, Lord Palmerston has undoubtedly not started well, and there is already breed- ing im the country # fierce dissatisfaction, not ancom- mon tomen who, having gained possession of their ar- @ent desires, find they have only wasted their energies en a phantom—a will-o’-the-wisp, which has lighted them only to lead them deeper into the quagmire, To suppose that a man of Lord Palmerston’s distinc- tien has coveted, perhaps intrigued, to obtain his presemt lofty position, for merely selfish purposes, is out of the question; if such were his object, he had ample oppor- tunity of gratifying them in a more subordinate office; Dut a better sentiment is striving for utterancein every man’s bosom—a sentiment which, reduced to words, is— that the aristocratic system of England, rank with the eorrupticns of centuries, is too strong for him or any ether man of the same class, The great Reform bill that inaugurated the reign of William the Fourth is maddenly found to have done nothing for the people, and to have left the government entirely in the hands of ‘a few families who have shuffled the cards, and played them into one another’s hands, till oven they them- selves have grown too blind, and old,and stupid, to see what they are doing. It in impossible to overstate the feeling of deep disap- pointment, which, like some pestilential vapor, is thick- ening and brooding over the land. The reappointment of the members of the late administration is not com- plained of; individually none of them were unpopular, ‘and all were favorably known by their antecedents; and the substitution of Palmerston for Aberdeen was Delieved to have applied a new mainspring to the cabinet @lock, which would henceforth enable it to keep admira- ble time. Men in Parliament certainly declare that nothing bas been changed—that the Minutry is the same ‘as before; but the country does not echo the accusation. It rested only with Lord Palmerston to show by some of his subordinate appointments, that he was prepared to peril all for the people; to make a clean sweep in the army, the navy, the commissariat, and the whole host ef corruption, eankering and rotting everything around them, for the country to to have absolutely deified him; whereas he has already gone far to raise up a damning spirit, which, if not timely allayed, will speedily shake every instiution in England to its very centre. If he take the sense of the House on Mr. Roebuck’s sommittee, he may possibly, by the adhesion of the whigs, gain & narrow majority. Wo be to him if he does. juch an escape will only serve to show him the yawning abyss that djes before him. —. is outvoted: he must of course jJseolve; aud to Ive on such « plea, would doom kim forever. The whole of this dilemma might hkawe been avoided had Lord Palmerston gallantly flung himself into the breach and shown @ resolution to stay the plague—instead of which, his sole act of energy _ to consist in the appointment of a man whose jection is aborn of hall ite grace by the personal motiv which is believed to attach to it. Lord Joha Russell, in a state of isolation in the House of Commons, was found be @ monstrosity that could not endure. His vory upport to # ministry of whieh he did not form part, would have overshadowed it, and anything like friendly eriticism have irretrievably damaged it. Still, if this d appointment had been followed up by others—if ie Premier had instituted a committee who should thoroughly sift the Horse Guards, the principles of its government, the nature of its patronage, the reward it ofiers to merit, the penalties it enforces on offenders, and such like matters—i{, moreover, hs had boldly de- elared his intention to examine state of the navy, men in éommand who were only fit for flannel and a foot- ‘dath, and shown a determination to overhaul the medical and commissariat cepartments, root and Branch, the country would have supported bim in bis ap to the House of Uommons to rescind its vote of in- quiry, and would have supported the House of Commons iteelf in its compliance. Now, now that all he has don is the jintment of Lord Panmure as Secretary at who is liked the more he is looked at—as the al may of Sebastopol—and of young Frederick Peel, a lad of twenty-six years of age, whom nature intended for no higher position than « banker’s under clerk, for the un- der Secretary in the House of Commons, men turn away in bitterness and wrath; and if Lord Palmerston do not mind, a strange and wonderful thing will come to pass— the people’s choice, the people’s Premier, will ina month be the people’s execration. ‘The future is inscrutable to the most practiced cal- eulator of any of us, and we have as yet no elements foreven a conjectnral estimate of the results of the Vienna Conference. Lord John Russell goes to it, it is well known, to makepeace if he can—that is, if he can such @ firm, stable basis as will exclude all probability of a return to hostilities at some future period, when the present good understanding be- tween England and France may have cooled down to a less ¢ temperature; but no one believes in the ai of 1 The combatants are yet too fresh, Keo full of bope, and full of strength, to listen to the voice of negotiator who, from the disastrous state of his army, may be supposed to have special reasons for pacific overtures. It is rather thought that the result ‘of Lord John’s visit to Vienna will be the entering upon ‘a far more important phase of the present war policy, and that he will arrange and conclude plans with Aus- tria for carrying on the contest in a manner #0 exten- that a state of war rg § be counted tate of the Old World for at | a decade. The main object in to erect a barrier against Russia, in the reconstruction of the kingdom of Po- Now, if the result of the Vienna Conference he to war, and not to promote a it is clear that England muat go to work ina spirit very different to what she has hitherto evinced; and it is the opinion of all the club statesmen with whom I have conferred, that this is Lord Palmer. ston’s move—that, in fact, he is mot strong enough, even if his peculiar temper adapted him for it, to root out the mass of aristocratic corruption which burrows in every hole and corner at present found that his efforts after peace, have only immensely increased the necessity for war, he will rise like » giant in bis place, and striking down, amid the universal ac- claim of the people, every encumbrance, every enthral- ment, every stay acd hindrance to hin’ uplifted arm, will step forth the real hero the couatry has love! to think him, and that, dismayed by the popalar cry, the ith its net of vested interests, ita patron. 1 age and selish objects, will rather aid than thwart him in his patriotic efforts to firmly place England once more ‘on the pedestal which now totters beneath her. be Lord Palmerston’s intention, but in the daily deepening « gulf betwixt himself and the aS hich no future work may be le bridge over. This diplomatic reserve, so suitable, per- haps, to his previous official life, is just now quits out of place. A great and generous people has got its heart in ite mouth, It sees its country lowering in thi of the world; it sees its family affections—itw grand na- tional characteristic—cruelly severed; it its chil dren—the flower of its youth—massacred: or, maimed and halt, pining and sorrowful, scattered among its hills and vider, and it is in no mood forjugglery,or to de answered and pooh pooh’d with a jest or a jibe. The firet Minister must now speak out likes man, aed not 8 diplomatist, or the very stones will cry out against him. It is a remarkable fact the historians of these times will not fail to record, that at this juncture, when the arirtocracy were found utterly incapable of guiding the destinies of s country on which they had fat- toned their hearts unto surfeiting, the real leaders of the people—such as the great’ reform bill gave them from the large towns and more widely enfran- shined constituencies—are dead against them. They who mmote off the wheels of the tithe wagon, who emanci- = the slaves, who relieved the dissenters, who ded the country throughout its length and breadth, waging ly carried the corn laws, planting the banner of free trade forever on the highest pinnacle of the House of Commons, now, in the ple’s hour of need, turn their backs upon them. voles of Cobden at a juncture like the present would be s trumpet through the land people would e him into power on thei but he bas tied his principles to the Quaker's nothing but cry woe, woe! Bat men were ever found forthcoming when the o rion was worthy, amd there are thore who think now that creat and violent changes are at hand for ing The ballot, which had almost ceased to have any win every one’s mouth, ani should any yublic meetings take place which are the organs of strong public jon, it in probable that this remedy wil! be largely insisted ou ‘fas an avowed means of getting rid of an inco aristocracy. Should the present feeling of din tion and discontent be suffered to increase, it is not to be supposed that it will be allowed to die away for want of stimalus, There are other modes of defeating an enemy besides mere canon and cutiass; and the Cear may easily find iastrumenta in England who would not be sorry to pall down high places by aid of his gold, even though the country itself sank into ® second or third rate Power. Our rulers, it is to be feared, have not only gone to Sebastopol, but have entered into the road brim, and does evar itself, with s leap in the dark. They have not sat down and couated the cost, It may be quite right to have flown at the Crar’s throat in his raid a Turkey, buts feaxfal train of consequences lay in the rear of such a policy; we were to give up all the world for France, the Seauntry which at bottom, perhaps, likes us least, we were to trust to the co leration of oar whom we have atically de. ‘any show in the government, and treated of as desert. We were to remember that our funds C9 fail, and immense sacrifices be re = ‘and it does not appear that we thought of any eee concealed at this moment: the but that when itis | | velvet mantle, or a love of bon! sent impericusly calls for. of the t state of things. stand still; Ireland, which wasen emporium for men, will not now give one; the te, theese mouths were stopped by the enthusiasm of ba veople, take aivant of it, and say, why fight for theSsxen? In England work goes on much mere: slowly. ‘The sof the Crimea are being told in cottage Learths and over home- ly firesides, The sogering excitement is down with & run, and instead of sto] ing the wheel by some bold effort, Lord Palmerston pio it amother push, waiting pcg hears from Lord John Russell to turn it back again. Perhaps before I write to. that is now you agail mysterious may be maceplain, and every th: in be suleur devese, Most heartily dol desires, ae change of ministry, or even a dissolution, ‘would be a bes blow and great discouragement to the people of England at this moment. But a sudden thought bas come over us all—that our new Premier is too much stained with red tape, too much steeped to his chin im diplomacy, to make an honest First Lord of the Treasury. UNIVERSITY CLOB, Our Paris Correspondence. Paris, Feb. 19, 1855, Prussia About to give her Adhesion to the Western Alli- anco—Hopesof Peace as Remote as Ever—Affairs at Sebastopol—The Cession of that Fortress @ sine qua non of Lord John Russell's Mission to Vienna—Launch of @ French War Steamer—%e Carnival in Paris—Reli- gious Ceremonies— Festivittes, dc. We seem on the eve of one of those political solutions, which, in the eventful and extraordinary times of the latter half of the nineteenth century, may occasionally be expected to check or diversify the mighty social tor- rent now roaring and casting up its foaming waters be- fore the half aftrighted eyes of reflecting men. A report prevails that Prassia, after all, is about to give her adhesion to the Western policy. The Pays and Constitutionnel—both of them known to derive their intelligence from official inspiration—have, within thelast two days, been ringing the changes on this subject ina manner to attract general attention; and the circumstances of a desire on the Emperor’s part to go and see with his own eyes the state of matters in the Crimea becoming known at the same time, many who have throughout looked on the Prussian alliance a9 an almost impossible contingency, are somewhat staggered and confounded, “If,” said a gentleman to me yester- day, who has from the outset been closely mixed up with the politics of the last twelve months, ‘Prussia does give in her adhesion, knowingas Ido the ua- disguised difficulties perpetually thrown in the way by the French government, who all throughout has more desired her hostility than friendship, I can only believe it to be for s purpose not apparent, and ope not atalllikely to deceive the imperial government. ’’ “Timeo Danaos ferentes,”” that government will say. andit is quite possible that the Czar’s anxiety to gain time may have absolutely suggested the policy—a policy professedly meant to break down the moment it is put into practical operation. at anything like a hope of general peace prevails I do not in the least believe, though the Conatetutionnel yesterday writes as foliows:— The mission of Lord John Russell gives an extraordi- nary éclat to the Conferenee ot Vienna, whiah, by the rexence of such a statesman, as well as that ot M. itoff, the Knvoy Extraordinary of Russia, wil, to all in- tents and pazpones, becomes veritable congress. If, as we should hope, the relations between Prussia end the Weatern Powera are shortly about to be such as will ad- mit the cabinet of Berlin, through its representative, to take part in the confer , thé present and the future of Europe cannot fail of being regulated on the most solid basis; and atter forty years a second conference at Vienna, in giving satisfaction to all legitimate European interests, will repair the errors and shortaightedness of the first. In the meantime, while the inanities of diplomacy are preparing at Vienna, the following account of Sebastopol given to day in the Moniteur de la Flotte, and dated Kamiesch Bay, Feb. 3, has an interest. The letter pays — “We lately took a peep at Sebastopol on the sea side, but there is very little change in the place. The port simply appears to have » more deserted look than for- merly. ‘The pieces of masts belonging to the vessels which have been sunk were corered with snow, and pi sented a curious appearance Far down in the port, there seemed more animation, ani we were able to reckon eleven steamers, two of which—in iron—the Tau- neand the Kornilolt, were taken from the Turks at the butchery of Sinope. It appears, according to the statement of a prisoner, that what has been called the defection of Austria, has become known in the town, and has produced the greatest astonishment. “ A touching ceremony took place on board the Mon- tebello, Admiral Bruat’s flagsbip. The picture repre- senting the Holy Virgin, the gift of the E transferred by the Admiral’s order mass was celebrated on the y the chaplain of the vessel, assisted by four other pric belonging to the fleet, Admiral Hruat, Admiral Cnad- ner, and the captaing of the other vessels of the fleet were all present in full uniform. The noble vessel was dressed out, and the crew were all assembled on deck. After the mass the Domine saloum fac Napoleonnes was sung, the whole crew joining in the last part. The pic- ture was then carried round the deck in great state, aud finally deposited in the hospital, where itis to remain for a week, and then to be brought back on board.’? ‘The French General Guyon arrived at Sebastopol on the 5th instant. The allied forces amount now to 115,000 men, The Russian General Osten Sacken was, by accounts up to the 8th instant, preparing to attack Fupatoria, at the head of 40,00¢’men, which is, how- ever, defenced by a force of 20,000 men and very for- midable earthworks; no fears were consequently enter- tained as to the result, An important affair before Se- bastopol seemed to be looked for between the 15th and 20th. The reinforcements received during the last two months by the Russians are estimated at 1 men, about one-third of whom have remained at Perekop. Their general activity, skill and industry in the defence are represented on ail'bands as something marvellow and it is quite certain that the most astute and sa cious soldiers begin to look upon the possibility of ¢ turing it as a problem the solution of which seems far- ther off the nearer they approach It. And yet the ces- sion of the fortress is said to be a sine qua non of Lord Jobn Russell's mission to the Congress of Vienna. Colonel de Olberg, who is attashed to the mission of General de Wedell, and who had been sent t» Berlin to receive further instructions from the King of Pru: haa to-day returned to Paris. The Bretagne has just been launched at Brest, and ix the Snest specimen of naval construction ever prodaced in France, Her keel was laid in February, 1853, and she therefore belongs entirely to the imperial era.’ Sue ina screw steamer of the first class, with engines of 1,200 horse power, and piereed for 130 guns, Her length of keel is 266 feet (81 metren), breath of beam 60 feet (18 metres, 8 c.), being 10 metres loager and 2 metres broader than the Napoleon, Her draught of water when ready for sea, with her guns and stores on board, will be 2644 feet (8 metres 20¢,), She is to be armed with un- unually heavy guns. ‘While the ground still remains covered to the depth of # foot with snow, and the cold is so excessive that the r you have in your dressing room within ten minutes, is frozen, Paris ts in the thick of the Carnival, and does not fail to teke its fill of fon and romping frolic, Where there is any real attraction, the danger of frozen extremities is utterly disregarded; a downfall, however—anything that might seriously deteriorate a’ new hat, a silk robe, would de quite an- ever peopled the head would nev the streets under such # circumstance. Bat bauf gras was perheps ttracted more * and all the fairies t! Parisian the procession of the famou never more fully attended, and ne Fenuine interert than yesterday, which was the first of its three days’ promenade, @ thermometer at six o'clock was at 17% Fahrenheit, and at noon 21%, but the streets were crowded with eager spectators an two cars, the principal of which drawn by eght horses, containing ae usual (ld Father Time, Venus, Cupid, and some other heathen deities, set out from the abattoir of the Roule, The other was drawn by six horses, and was much less lofty than the other. It bore the hero of the day, the worthy buf gras himself, the slippery state of the streets rendering it impossible for the obese beast to trust to his usual all-fours. The par- ties in masks were “got up’? with great care, and the goddesses did the best they could to confront the wintry blast with habilimenta better suited tothe sammer gales of Paradise than the wintry northeast wiad thas blew all day with a very raror like edge. This is one of thone very absurd customs which every government seems obliged to countenance, to put 8 capt nder arma to honor, and to suffer ite commerce impede i to make whole xpectacle is a positive disgrace to the nineteenth century. Not content with the whole day, when night falls in the procession still continues ita perambulations by torchlight, Notre Dame, too, was the scene of great pomp on Saturday, on account of the solemn promulgation of the Bull of the Immaculate Conception, The columns of the nave, the choir, the upper galleries | | and the organ: loft, were magnificently decorated with blue and white velvet—the colors of the Mir ad fringed with gold, The initials of the Virgin and the arme of the Pope were, besides, displayed im different parte of the sa- cred edifice, At the entrance of the choir, on agort of throne, was a statue of the immacula’e Virgina. Nume- Tous taper re placed around it, and above it was a canopy of blue velvet, doubled with ermii The caaons of the cathedral, the chaplains of the Genevieve, and a great number of other ecclesiastical dignitaries, were in the choir. In the upper part of it were the Cardinal Archbishop of Besavcon, the Patriarch of Antioch, and the Bishops of Adras, Kvorex, and (ripoli. The canons of the cathedral wore an ecclesiastical decoration, which the Pope has just accorded to the Thapter—it consists of cron suspended bys blue and * ribbom The Archbiabop of Paris, assisted by his archdeacons, ¢ brated mass, After the gospel, the prelate ascended episcopal throwe and read the’ Pontifical Ball original Lat the , Felative to the dogma of the iminaculate of the Virgin was afterwaris borne by and preceded by young girls dresed i ‘ bers of the Conference of 3. Vincent By meen the Brothers of the Doctrine Chretienne, the cl ‘of Great Britain is the prees, which, | the membere of the Chapter, and followed by 1, Za |. repaired fro rooms tothose of the Hotel de Ville. Maria Christina and her daughters, the ex-Queen Dowager of Spain, was there, and faced reelf on # raised fauteuil in the yel- ow drawing room, and of course attracted gen at- tention. Onesees,in meetings of this character, the true distinction between the governments of England and France. Here, the humblest clerk, or daughter of the most modest tradesman, is thought worthy to be received in a palace more magnificent than that of the Emperor, to be regaled with the most charming music, 1o rest on velvet and gold, and to have handed in the shape of refreshment dainties fit for the Olympic gods; and the tal gre clarses, and éven royal personages, are proud and delighted to mingle among them on equal Ferma; while in England, if a tradesman’ move between the wind asd the nobility of the upper ranks, or come within the very breath of royalty, The town would be perhaps ransackea for Windsor soap and fountains of running water to purify them from such dersagogioal BERT! defilement. Panis, Feb. 22, 1855. The Emperor Not Going to the Crimea Now—Burial of the Carnival—Lent and Dismal: Weather—The Irish Navvies at Balaklava—Curious Communication of M. Le Verrier to the academy of Sciences—Reception of HM. Berryer at the Prench Academy—M. Guizo! and the Intellectual Resources of the United States—Celebration at Paris of the Birthday of Washington, The rumor at the Bourse yesterday, that the Empero had abandoned, for the present at least, his project f visiting the Crimea, checked the fall of stocks and inae- tivity of operations which had indicated that both people and ministers regarded his departare as inoppor- tune, and ita results as dubious. I believe that had he really decided upon it, he would not have been deterred by the populsr fear, which he may well deem ground- less, that his absence would be followed either by a coa- spiracy like that of Mallet against the First Napoleon, or by @ republican outbreak. Most of the French repub- licans, 1am quite sure, would be restrained by patriotic considerations superior to their partisan symptthies, from reizng such an opportunity for interrupting the course of a war that begins to assume a more national character than before. ‘The using prospect of the union of Prussia, by means of a separate treaty, with England and France, in the alliance of the Western Powers against Russia, is assigned as a main reason for the change, or at least the delay, of the Emperor’ project of a vist tothe Crimea. But he may bave some yet better reason for awaiting a more favorable cece ‘The Parisians, now that their speculations about the Fmperor’s departure are suspended, may have leisure for the solemnities of Lent, or for the Ban fs) entertain- ments by which these are liberally relieved. Lent opens dismally enough, with a dreary snow storm, amidet which also the last echo of the last faint laugh of merry Carnival expired, The big prize oxen—Trebizonde, Bemarsund, and, especially Sebastopol—were with ominous melanckoly,rather than with the usual hilarity, raded in turn throughout the city. Sebastopol made pearance yesterday before the Emperor and I pens, who saluted him from the balcony of the Tuile tno boeuf gras was ever escorted by chillier mi cians, mousquetaires, and Olympian deities. The annual conene de la courtille must have been more slippery thap gay. The snow, encrusted by sharp frost, covers the streets and causeways of Paris, and sledges, with horses tastically arrayed with plumes and bells, flit across the sober pedestrian’s path continually. Among the number oi those who thus cheat winter of its horrors are the Emperor and Empress, who may be seen daily, comforta- bly ensconced in an elegant vehicle guiltless of wheels, drawn by a pair of bright bays, whose crimson trap- pings and golden ornaments are as striking to the eye as the rustling plumes and jingling bells are to the ear. ‘The imperial pair have a most domestic aspect, aa, with- out servant or escort of any kind, snugly seated side by side, the Emperor ‘waves his light lash, and shakes his gilded rein.” The weather givee no indications of a break-up, and the snow has been falling throughout the night and the whole of the morning, in large, heavy flakes. There is every symptom of a more determined fall than has been known for many years. It is tmpossible to dissociate the weather and the far- distant siege. Every wind that blows, every snow flake that falls, every chill that bi approach more neatly our own cheerful is fresh link In the chain of interest that encircles that grim fortress in the Crimea, whose towers still frown defiance on the might of Englaad and France. Never did men sustain the di of warfare with more intense sympathy from their fellows—never was the eye of the c.vilized world #0 absorbingly con- centrated on one object. ' The government papers conti- nue to speak encouragingly, and now and then letters frcm individuals are published, written in a spirit too gay aud nenchalant, as many think, to be geouine ind cations of the writer's sen'iments. ‘the accounts which make their way from the English ranks are strongly sus- pected to have some reflection in the French, though no one doubts that the English have by far the worat of it. 'Yhe proposed line of rails from the port of Belakleva, which was to be the great panacea, seems to halt mise- rably by the way. There appears to be # spell, an evil incantation, on every effort the English make, Their transports are wrecked; their choieest soldiery are swept away by wholesale slaughter or disease; their old gene- rals'ace put hors de combat; their new ones, deaf, asth- matic and gouty, only encumber the operations they should lead; their Secretary at War is changed only to give way toa werse; Aberdeen goes down and Palmer- ston up, and yet things do not improve, And now, when private enterprise atepa out of its commercial circle, and offers to show the State how things ought to be set about and brought to @ successful termination— when Messrs, Peto and Brassey call from out their numerous corps the flower of, their navvies, men who, while laboring on the true commercial principle of no protecticn, no favor but the thews and sivews of their own sun-burnt, weather-beaten, muscular frames —those honest, sturdy, stendy-going’ fellows are found in their new relations to be searce worth their salt. On their paseage it is with the greatest difficulty they can be kept in any state of subordination. At every port they touch, the rascals such pranks that the in- habitants believe the fiends of darkness are let loose upon them; and when they arrive at Balaklava, it re- uires all ihe coaxing, soothing, ‘soft anwdering”? in the world to induce them to commence and continue their labors. The work, it ems, does indeed somehow or cther drag its slow length along; but what with faulte in the survey and the forid humors of these enfans gatés de travail, but little hope is entertained that any Available assistance will be derived from them. Apropos of the weather, # carious communication has just been made to the Academy of Sciences by M. Le errier :—a series of meteorological charts, giving the atmospherical situation of France on Friday, Saturday, and on Monday, at 10 o’clock in the morning: that is, a few hours before the session of the Academy, The electrical telegraph had, of course, been placed at the disposition of the Observatory to obtain thia resalt, which is a fresh proof of the service which the telegraph may render to scienc To-day had deen at length fixed upon for the long de- ferred admiasion of ‘M. de Berryer, the prince of legiti jemy ; but I was inform- that the illness of M. de Salvandy, who was pond to his discourse, may postpone the ceremony yet another day. M. de Salvandy has had three months, at leat, and M. de Berryer nearly three years, in which heir reapective discourses, The in er, and the institute to overflowing whenever his admission dots P Not a few Americans in Paris wilt doubtless join the crowd in the institute next Saturday, when M. Guizot. ex-Minister of Louis Philippe, will deliver before the Academ y of Moral and Political Science, a discourse on the intellectual resources of the Unived States. The text for his discouree is to be the gift of ten thousand vo- lumes which the city of Paris has received from the United States, through the intervention of Alexandre Vattemaire, who is the founder ot a system of interna: tionai exchanges, and bids fair to achieve a nobler and not lees enduring immortality then Sir Walter Scott con- ferred upon him as Herr Alesandre, the unrivalled ven- trilequist. A goodly number of Americans will also assemble, without doubt, at the ball and supper in the Salle Hers, by which the anai ry of birthday of Washingtoo is to be celebrated th: would gladly havi secrated date, it pict that the macagement of festival might pass from bank es I mentioned ia my last letter, t persons who are accused, justly or , of remembering their title of American citizen rly, if got only, whem some « occasion as a for displaying it to more or less advantage. Perrons of this stamp are sometimes quite usefal. They serve the State, a oie other wi 708 leant oo ball managers an: ast masters. With what gracefa! dignity do they “strat their brief hour !’’ vanity is mot only pardonable but commendable, when it is not displayed at the expense of other people—when they ‘pay the piper’’ themselves. But should they yield to any temptation to lift ati] beavier burden than their own onerous responsibili- ties, and to lessen, however slightly, the nations! che racter of a festival like that which is to be celebrated to-day--why, they must not be surprised it nome of those w! they condescend now and then to od as fellow citizens, should be somehow insensible to the and either leave them alone in their glory, or yy a counter effort to make the festival leas ox and more rational than it might be otherwise. If | am correctly informed, some of the gentlemen whose are printed beneath the note of invitation with ich your correspondent has been favored by le Mimis- tre des Btats Unis et le Comité to attend the ecelsbration thin evening—gentlemen who have never betrayed be- fore any delicacy about seeing their names in prin'— vai position to invite the Hrravo, Our Washington Correspondence. Wasurrarox, March 11, 1655. Decision of the Superior Court in the Fremont Case— Complenity of Political Affaire—George Law's Letter— Rumora of Changes in the Cabinet—The Board of Claims, de. Chief Justice Taney delivered the opinion ef the Su- preme Court of the United States im the great land case of Colones Fremont, confirming the title in him. The case was ably argued by Col. Fremont’s brother-in.law, Mr. Jones, followed by Mr. Crittenden, in favor, and by Mr. Cushing, Attorney General, on the other side. This decision will make Col. Fremont one of the wealthiest men in the country; amd mo man deserves it more. He has suffered from the negiect of the government to re- imburte him for large outlays in California, and it seems meet and preper that he should have judgment, evon- firming to him a portion of the soil that he has enriched by his genius, intrepidity and courage. There seems to be some complexity, if not of Know Nothing mystery, about the Cabinet, the Ostend confer. ence, the return of Mr. Soulé, and the presence here at this time of General Quitman. This mystery grows more profound with the raising of four regiments, des. tined for Balt Lake City, the ipsa bees of | Mormon war, with the simultaneous outfit and equipment of the Kinney expedition, the rumorei new republic on the shores of the Pacific, the movements of the filibuaters, the lectures of Gen. Sam Houston. the letter of Geo Law, and the Stockton clubs all over the country, ‘which aad 'to the mplexity, and give more than # Know jor 1! ry and si cance to passing events, big with the fave of Corner and of Rome paid ‘The letter of George Law has awakened w ides, and struck anew vein. Ths sperulation is if be wrote jen who do not know w su) im igno- rant, and incapable of writing such a letter. They ie know the man. Writing is not his occupation, but » man who thinks well can write well. George Law is no ignoramup; and if be had been an Israelite, in their jour- ney through the wilderness he would have rivalled M>- ses, in his exodus with Aaron, and alllsrael at bis heels. I would that our politicians and Presidential aspirants knew George Law, that they might beware of him. He is aman to be afrald of. When Col Benton’s house was on fire, the President called on him, and tendered to him 1 home and the hospitalities of the White House. Col Benton declined, but expressed his gratitude, and cheer- Sai sooomee the proffered use of the library and manu- seri There are all sorts of rumors about. changes in the Cabinet, Should the President follow up bis vetoes, with such a reconstruction of hisCabinet, and such a change in the foreign and domestic policy of the government as in indicated ot late, he may be re-elected—who knows? ‘The new Board of Claims will draw many ex-members of Congress, whose terms have expired with their political iver, to Washington, as counsel to claimants before the Alarm of the Kitchen Cabinet at the Effect Produced by the Ostend Correspondence—Their Clumsy Attempts ar @ Vindication—The Ministerial Organs Preparing the Public Mind for an Extra Congress—The Czar’s Auto- graph Letter and Confidential Disclosures to the Execu- tive—The Administration on the Horns of a Dilemma. General Pierce and his friends in this neighborhood have become alarmed at the extent of the exc.tement that has followed the publication of the few official papers on the question of Cuba. The pens of Forney and Cushing are at work trying to bolster up the anti- national and treacherous policy of Pierce. Saturday's Union shows the desperation of the cause in which theseemployés are engaged. The effort at vindication of the President’s conduct proves a painful failure, notwithstanding Mr. Forney advances arguments used by him some time since, in which he labors to shift the responsibility of our unfortunate relations with Spain from off the shoulders of the President, by charging Congress with a want of patriotism and intelligence; and this, as is stated, is the President’s reply to the almost universal condemnation of his foreiga policy which is finding echoes in every part of the coun- try. From the few of the friends of the admin- istration in this city this apology meets with a becoming sympathy, while with the disinte- rested and thinking portion it is received with mortification and regret. This apology from the Presi- tent would not have thus early made its appearance, but from a well founded apprehension of the publica tion of certain contidential letters of his on the Cuba negotiations, and which were sent to our Minister at Spain. Had the vindi:ation of the President been de- ferred until after this correspondence had been given tothe public, nether his resklessness nor Forney’s impudence would have ventured a reply, so overwhe)m- ingly astounding will the faithlessness of the President be made to appear. Finding that public sentiment is largely in favor of the joint letter issued at Ostend, it would be gratifying to the Presi¢ent to have the coun- ry believe that he entertains the sentiments which it contains, with slight exceptions, but which he does not find it convenient at present to point out. As the pub- licity of the proceedings of the Ostend convention, with our negotiations at Madrid, are proceeded in, together A with the private correspondence, and placed i session of the public, it is thought that citement throughout the country will be a consequence, and that public sentiment will demand the immediate weasion of Cuba. This is the opinion of the President self, and his organ (the Union) has commenced eparing the public mind for such an emergency. A ant that the President may entertain » meeting of the regular Congress, to trol certain means to enadle him to approaching in our foreign relations. noted down as the want of ten millions of money, the refusal of which on the part of the late Congress to entrust in the keeping of the President, his organ would have it understood has been the cause thus long of Cubs remaining under the Spanish flag. These means it seems the President must have; but the organ does not say that to obtain them an extra session of Congress must be called. While it would avoid this startling announcement, it is plainly to be seen that it entertains a beliefin its probability. It is even made plain to the President that the United States have too long been trifed with by Spain, and her forbearance to enforce redress has received & construction of fear and cowardice. It may not be amiss to mention that the resolutions on Cubs read at the late fusion mass meeting at Tammany Hall, received their vitality in this city, and are the senti- ments of the President and a portion of his Cubs alone is the subject, at present, of conversation in this city, and from the large number of principal officers of the army, from Gen. Scott down, now visiting this place, it might be supposed that some important busi ness was under way, in the discursion of which their as rendered necessary. Freed of the gentie- ulettes, Washington and her hotels would Fresent a very deserted appearance, You may walk a square without meeting with a traveller. The stone cutters on the government work have received an addi tion of fifty cents to their former prices. From the 10th of this month until December they are to receive two missioner to our Com: to the United States must the forced work of the lish French pees as is shown by a despatch received here a day or wo since. With these complicated and hostile isterests at work, the President feels himself powerless to move in his further demands upon Spain. ‘The simple recital of our wrongs, and the repetition for te will constitute the instructions carried out oy our nev Minister. A refusal to Gey! with these demands will bring with it bis return to United States, and » pro clamation from the President calling an extra session of Congress will shortly follow as a consequence. I give you facts requiring mot much time for their confirmation. ‘Virginia Politics, OUR BICHMOND CORRESPONDENCE. Ricumonp, March 10, 1855. Difficulty Between Two Editore—A Know Nothing Editor anda Wise Champion in Arms —Duelling in Virginia— Election Prospects—A Know Nothing Convention—Re- bellion Against Mr, Wise in the Democratic Camp, de. After the dull monotony of the winter, we have been Yefreehed during the last few days with s touch of equinoctial weather, and a dramatic flare-up between two belligerent knights of the quill, which quite sets the town agog. The two parties whose bilious eructations have disturbed the sweet serenity of our atmosphere, are Mr. Roger S. Pryor, junior editor of the Richmond Enquirer, and a Mr. Easley, a Know Nothing editor, who has lately selected Richmond as his residence, and has unfurled the Know Nothing banner here, and upheld it with considerable spirit and energy. Mr. Pryor, through the columns of his paper, had likened the Know No- things to the Jacobins, which, considering that he is sup- porting « candidate for Governor, whom, not five years ago, he himself pronounced little better than a Jacobin, ‘was modest and consistent, to say the least of it. Iam of opinion, however, that Mr. Pryor did not design to be abusive, but to be classical. Mr. Easley, however, who is country bred, did not in his runtielty ‘comprehend the fine points of the Enquirer, and being a young man American lan. gusge, strength an Seqsnr nded & eget rejoined in lang wall; i. arms, and Mr, jo) in language belli. tose,’ There were various xamers ca thursday that o challenge had passed, but it seems that it was dificult to decide on which party the onus of a challenge rested. So it was generally understood that a street febt was to be the result, which, on such # thoroughfare as Main street—the principal one of our city—was a thing of considerable interest to otbers besides the combatants, On both Thuracay and Friday the parties are said to have been occasionally on the street, looking for each other, and knots of curious gentlemen gathered at the corners to see the ‘“‘sport.’’ Happily, the combatants did not encounter each other, or » melancholy result might have followed. On Friday the parties were arrested and brought be- fore the Mayor, who bound them over in $2,000 each to keep the peace. Itis to be hoped that the two gentle- men will confine themselves to combat with the quill, which is a more civilized and rational weapon than the Pistol, At any rate, I protest againat street dghts, If aan must settle the ferences with cold iron, t them select some retired spot, where no one can be injured but themselves. ere are many sequestered nooks in the meighborhood of Richmond, where com- ts could make mincemeatof each other without endangering the lives ot others. The history of du and personal encounters in Virginia would form an interesting and melancholy vo- Cf Some of the brightest inte and most gene. rous souls in the Old Dominion have thus been prema- turely putout, The last case in this neighborhood was that of the gifted Jonn Hampden Pleasants, editor and founder of the Richmond Whig, and Thos. Ritchie, Jun., one of the editors of the Richmond Enquirer, and son o the veteran Thos. Ritchie, who founded that paper. The parties met, according to agreement, on the opposite side of the river, each armed to suit himself. Pleasants was terribly handled, and died a few days afterwards. Mr. Ritchie escaped with scarcely # scratch. He lived some seven years afterwards, and died last year, about the time of the decease of his venerable father. You may infer from the breach be:ween the Know Nothing and Wise champions, toat the canvass is be- coming very hot here. Such'is undoubtedly the fact. The locofocos are more sensitive than I ever knew them before, and their LL sage are more sanguine and ag- esaive. The old whigs, while they fought well, never fought with the air of men who expected victory.” They stood to their colors like the gallant fellows t they were, but tieunee the stern and ri ed aspect of the Uld Guard at Waterloo, when Blucher snatched away the last chance of victory, and ali they could do tor France was to die. The Know Not re an entirely different set of customers; they don’t stand upon the defensive; they are bold, hopeful, defiant—bungry for a fight—regular rough and tumble, pull down and drag out do} When vhe locofoco press taunt them with their want of dignity, their secresy, their underground rowing, Sam pulls off his coat, rolls up his slee exhibit an entire willingness to take off his breech nut caring a continental d—n how much he shocks the modesty of people who never object to an underhold ex- cept when their political adversaries have that advantage. The only thirg that shocks the desency of the democracy in the prospect of an awful licking before them, and Sam don’t care how much they blush on that account. The late election in Alexandria has sorely scared the Wise men. Wise’s great speech at tna’ point was fully recorded in your columns. He couldn’t find any Know Nothings there—but the election found them. A clear majority of 560 elected the Know Nothing candidates. It ia true that Alexandria ix a whig city, cut the returns show that the democratic vote was 330 less than the vote given for Pierce. What has become of those 330 democrats? That's the question. Now, awtal thought! suppore there should be an equal falling off of democrats in other parts of the State—and I suspect there will be— Iam afraid Sam has been about the State, devouring thore innocents. It w rumored that a Know Nothing State Council is to meet this week in Winchester, for the purpose of nomi- nating candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorsey General of Virginia. I have no doubt the rumor is well founded, and that the subject will be taken up and settled on Tuesday or Wein next. I con- fess I look forward to the result with solicitude. I see clearly how a nomination might be made that wouid, beyond all doubt, sweep the State from stem to stern. ut everything depends on judicious nominations. Close as the hour is at hand, I am no more apie to con: jecture who will be the nominees than I was at the begin ning of the canvass, I made diligent inquiries in &ll directions, but the Know Nothings are mysterious fel- lows. By the way, Mr. John Minor Botts has just pab- lished a card in reply te a communication in one of the papers, mentioning bis name for Governor, in which he says be is not now and hes not been « candidate for the nomination; says he ia sick of political life, and that if he ever bas another office, it will not be of his seeking. Iam sorry that Botts is such an impracticable politi- cian. Ifhe were not so impracticable and dictatorial the whigs of the tate would delight to do him honor, and in bouoring him would honor themselves. Whilst { bdélieve that nis nomination for Governor would defeat the party, I believe be would, if elected, make a capital dollars and fitty cents per day. on Sarena a, steed, seas onpttal flimsy covering that has been used to disguise the ‘derma ave mpathy nemies, complication and embarrasementa of the President in our { tainly. Would that he were not such « marplot ! Would foreign relations, by some of his newspaper organs in this city and elsewhere, is shortly to be torn of by a more immediate exposure of facts, which General Pierce has 0 industriously labored to keep from getting before the country. Necessity, and the impossiility of delay without great injury to the nation and its reputation, are hurrying forward this exposure, which it isim serious contemplation to place before an extra Congress. Tho call for an extra session, communicated by your corres- ent a few hours before the adjournment of the last Roseree as spoken of by many of the President’s friend: 4 advisers as among the possibilities, incurred the contradiction of those only who are in the babit of denying the truth of all early imoortant information from this city appearing ip the Hxratp, but which is eager! led of by a email portion of the press as id for columns of matter to grace their otherwise uninter- pages, and to save themselves and paper from bankruptcy. ' That the question for taking this step is seriously entertained by the President and s large portion of his Cabinet, | again fearlessly assert; and further, that an immediate deotsion in its favor is recommended and the without alarming the count wish ef President Pierce; but this desire is about to yield to present emergencies, and the Union of this city has ite task pointed out ‘to gradually prepare the public mind for such an event, and this duty it has already tered upon, I speak knowingly and advisedly upon this subject; ite correctness will shortly be made more appa- rent. The letter from the Czar of Russia, and the in- formation communicated by his Minister for Foreign Affairs to our Secretary of State, would have been placed in the hands of the House Committee on Foreign Rela- tions for Congressional action, but for the shortness of time left to Congress for the transaction of business ‘These papers are now strengthened in their importance by private communications which have reached our government through the representative in this city of one of the most powerful States in Europe, which reveal tho hostile intentions of England and France towards this country. A like intelligence from our representa- tives is alao the property of our government; and #0 convinced ix Gov. Marcy of the importance of action, that he has not hesitated to openiy express him- wolf o abject to his intimate frients. The labo making by a Wall street sheet to give the lie to the bostility of England and Fraace to the United States, and of the friendly feeling of those powers towards this country, have their appre- ciation in thts city, where the motive for this display land snd France at so critical affairs, is equally und nove better than Gov. Marcy, Mr, Soule, part bis own wrongs, has clearly demi government that circumstances are alone wai for an open declaration of hostility to this country. yn the pert of England, France and Spain, thus sustaining and confirming the particalars which have beeo received from other quartess. are now expressed tinat any of the Ostend papers should have been published, and it is thought that « stop will be pet to their further ercnlation, The United States, as it see, had all along, in good faith, been dealing with Spain; but it now elied to admit ite error in having found out that been bat the mouthpiece, and that the United her demands, has had to encoanter the secret of both England and France. vie to our government, convey recsived suitable attestion ao at difficulties could . Mr. Buel ‘aand Mr. Mason's | subsequent expressions im & belief of its trath, | were also permitted to pees pnbeeced, aud it was forgetting (n raved tothe that he would work more kindly ia the traces | For he is ‘a splendid animal, and never gives,out at the pinch of hill. How be would mig, ea ! But that luxary impossible. I bave never, like John — slept with Botts, but I hi drank with him, and fought in the fame political nx for years, and a stronger intel. lect and braver there is not in old Virginia. 1’ ‘ne. Why won't the leviathan let us pu t him the right way ? In the Kanawha district, Beale, a democrat, has com out for Congress, avowing himself in favor of Kno Notbing principles. gressional distrists, Jobnson, democrat, is out, very favorably of Sam. Yet the west is where Wise pecta to find his great strength. You have doubtle: teen an account of the manner in which ¢x-Gov. Wm. Smith, at present member of Congress frem the Cul- pepper district, handled Wise on his return from Con- gress, in s apeech which he lately made to his constitu- ents at Rappahannock. Smith had before owned that he would not vote for Wise, and in his Rappabannosk speech he walked into him gloves off. Among other ex- cellent things, was this bome thrast — “ While you forgive Wise, McComas, Bocock and Hun- ter—aye, and pet them—you would sacrifice me to gratify Henry A. Wise, who has been all things to all men, and nothing long! If it bes war to theknife, be itso! It is monstrous, thet I should be sacrificed, whilst others are booted and spurred, ready to ride de- moctacy to the devil !”’ What gives ‘tance and point to the position and language of Fmith is, that he bas always been the recog: pized champion all odde the most cor democratic politician has done more for t! The ghort ot the Richmond Junto has just stalked upon the stage, and made a sepulchral appeal to its party. It bu faintly about State rights, republi- eanisto, Know Nothingirm, &e., &c., but it don’t sound like the bold, vigorous of the Richmond Junto of old time. Nota word in it about the resolutions of 98 ~'9. It’s more like spirit rapping than the free, out- spoken words of live men. ink it must be the spirits of the old Junto tapping, taj gently tap- ping, at the Richmond door. 't you send us od medium from New York? ‘The Junto have called a convention of the democracy of the Second or central district, to meet at Charlotte- ville, om the 19th of April, to nominate a Commissioner fer the Board of Publie Works. This will ag to- gether the democracy of one-third of the State. There are now several candidates for Commissioner of the Second di.trict, adding to the general confusion. ee ea KNOW SOMETHING. Marine Court. Before Hon. Jadge Birdsall, ANOTHER GONTEMPT CASE. March 16.—In the case of Stewart vs. Easton, an ac- tion for assault and Leone bin merci was obtained for the plamtif, but on application of ex Judge Phillipa, counsel for defendant, a stay of proceedings was granted for ten days. the meantime, it is alleged that Mr McCann, counsel for the plaintiff, went to the Clerk of the Court, entered judgment, and filed the transeript in the office of the ty Clerk, ing the matter from fendent cision amt Saturday morning, Consular Convent‘ ‘the Journal (be recent news a be Ne Cpe Melly Fsbo for has not failed to pro- tice. It ia Ar bow, in view of the reiterated decharation of the government that the princi treaty, would be facal to ple, 00 1ald Gown in this of our distant possessions, colonies should so suddenly chai ie see aegis eo on Wl er! a) posed in our favor. This unex] not regarded the treaty in question a view ta extinguish the Gibson reclamation, of which, mo doubt, our readers have not forgotten the many curious phas For some time past the various calls for information in the Chambers have had the effect to involve the mat- ter in question in still greater obscurity, orto leave it: in precisely the same state as before. "We have pub- lished from time to time several well authenticated « ocuments in corroboration of various stat ita in re= lation to the case of Capt, Gibson, which have awakened the liveliest desire for more complete infermation frour the government. We are positively assured that the conventien for the admission of American consuls into our colonia! possessions, has not been entered inte with a view to smotner the reclama.ion ef Gibson; at Teast it does not implicate the reserve of i de- mands o! the American captain, which have been 5 strongly sustained by his government. As already an- nounced, this affair is now in the hands of the Commit- tee ot anes Affairs in the House of Representatives of the United States. Itwas onthe 2lst December last hat it was referred to this committee; after that, Mr. Orr, the deputy from South Carolina, had called attend tion to the case as involving important national con siderations, and invited the committee to give it an im- mediate and earnest examination. await the report of this committee, to know whether the House of = sentatives peneren or disapproves of the action of the administration in their continued support of Gibson im his reclamation, and whether anything has been dona which would explain the true motive for yielding to the consular convention just announced. There are mapy who mistakenly imagine that our diplomats have nothing todo. The Gibson affair aloua has given no small occupation to more than one. fhe oar: was assigned to Mr. Lightenvelt, our Minister at, Paris, to inform himself of the position which Captauz Gibson occupied there Jast year at the legation of tha United States, and despite h's proverbial celerity he hag barely succeeded in obtaining some incomplete ine formation. We learned, also, that our ter at Brus sels received especial instructions in relation to tha Captain; and now it bas come t> the turnof Mr. 5 ‘ashington, and even Mr. sean Cee of the Netherlands at New York, to employ t ives assi- duously in hupting up the antecedents of Captain Gib- son—as if some law 4s against him was now pend- ing. It seems that this police espionage had been exer- cised by Mr. Secretary of State Marcy, who received, | So erep le coincidence, a letter denouncing the ptain, in “of ral terms, as La “unworthy the pro- tection of his government,” and alleging certain reason in support of the Genuncistion, Mr Macey addressed a letter to a certain Mr. McGregor, mentioned along with others in the denunciatory communication, asking of him to Fi uch information in relation to Gibson as would enable the Secretary to judge whether the details whict: would be required of Gibson in corroboration of certaix documents, could be relied upon. The letter addrease® by Mr. Marcy to this MacGregor was circulated among e New York journals, and called forth some un- complimentary comments against the Secretary of State. This provoked explanations on the part of the Union, the organ of Mr. Marcy, which stated among other mat tere, that the affair had been taken in hand whem, Mr. Webster was Secretary of State; that despatched from Commissioner Marshall, from Commodore Aulick, from Captain Magruder, from Consul Shaw at Sings pore, and from Mr. Cramerus at Batavia, had been re- ceived and examined at the State Department, simulta- necusly with a memorial written by Captain Gibson; and that, asa consequence of this examination, the jovernment had hastened to give Mr. Belmont stringent instructions, (which led him to write hia sharp notes); and that whatever might have been the antecedent o: Captain Gibson, it remained only to be shown whether his imprisonment at Batavia could be justified or not and that if not, nothing should deter the government ot the eee from causing the rights of its citizens to be respect re the matter rests. It remains now s0 be seem which shall weigh most in the estimation of the repre- sentatives of the United Sta’ the real merits of the reclamation, and the favorable opision entertained by Presicert Pierce in the goodness of Gibson’s cause, or the antecedents of the Captain, so eg pried out, and consular treaty, which the Cabinet of the Nether- tl lands offers to America with the utmost graciousness, notwith: \ding the late threats of the enforcement of the Captain’s claim. The Terrible Accident at Meredith, N. H, SEVENTY -FIVE PERSONS INJURED. From the Concord Patriot, March 14 } Yesterday morning, shortly after 10 o'clock, while the citizens of the town of Meredith were’assembled in the ew town houre in Meredith Vee and were proceed: ing with the ballot for choice of Moderator, a portion of the floor of the hall, near the eastern end of the build- ing, fell in, and 300 persons, it is raid, were precipitated the space beneath, which was filled with stones, timber and rubbish, ani several of them fatally, danger~ ourly and severely hurt, and all the others more or bruised. Lista of th 8 of the injured, and of the injuries, are furnished below. a 16 spo time, estimated that 800 peo- le were inside the building, which is, internally, sighty feet in leng’ by fifty in width. @ front portion i level with tb eet, and the eastern end is raised om brick and wood supports, some eighteen feet above the level of the soil below. That part of the floor ich felk in was situated near the eastern end, and within three fect of the desk at the ame end. and extended into the area of the ball some fourteen feet. The width of the gap Was thirty feet, and the depth to which the unfortu- nate individuals fell was eighteen feet. The centre joist, or beam, in the defective portion of the flocring fell in first, piling those who went tnrough the gap in one mass below. Three men who stood in front of the desk escaped the accident, and many others on the other side of the chatm had most providential escapes from injury. Quite a number stood, at the time the floor [hoe way, with their beels on yer hose behind them retreated towards very instant manner, those so aitusted would have shared the fate of so many otners, One gentleman informed us that be balanced himself on his heels for several se- conds, until he entirely his mind in the presence of danger, and could not tell how he had finally escaped it. A trief examination enabled us to discover that the joist in the centre of the portion of the floor which fel? in, was rotten near the midile; also that the tenons of the crore joists bad not been inserted in their mortices more than one inch on either side. A full pressure om the floor, such as that furnished by the yer Fate ta crowd yesterday, would make it subside con bly, and reduce the depth of the tenoos in the mortices in = correspondé.ng degree; but had not the rotten joist bro- ken, no danger couid bave been apprehended on that account. Asit was, the ole space of 30 by 14 feet of the floor, joisting,’ braces and all, fell in, and the fol- lowing casualties were the result, as we gleaned them hastily, and consequently, by possibility, incorrectly: i E i DEAD. Jamen M. Dargin, George Clark, Nathaniel Nichols, 8. M. Tuck,” John 0. M. Ladd. DANGEROUSLY HURT, Jobn Leavitt, Hiram Plummer, B. C, Tattle, amd Tho Eastman. Mr. other parties were so severely injured that thought they could not survive many hours, Hie clas SEVERELY uate: ning Mu ge. broken. ‘WiNiam rasege pie Benjamin Robinsor Isaac Shaw, John Piper... Jefferson Verrill. Simeon Drak Coffin Cook . Habbard Jackson. it was Theophilus Sanburn Jobp Magoon ‘ Jotn Smith, 5th Eben. Leavitt shoulder dislocated, Nosh Robinson back injured Benjamin Swain int Richard Stant Chai ia George Kelley William Fernald Joseph R. Mead Charles F. Huntress sniess SLIGHTLY INJURED. Joceph Wiggins, Moses Plummer, Harrison Swain, Jas. H. Mudgett, Jobn L. Chase, Thomas Hart, award Chase, Stepten © Lyford, Benjamin Libby, James H. Mudgeit, D. 8. Prescott, Harrison Swain, Eiihu Dadies L. H. Had: Jey, Rufus C. Stevens, John Gilman, Caleb Gilman, Wm. Wentworth, Obed Gray, Ba wad Bacon, Veranus York, apborn, John L Glidden, Kben’ Bickford, Ben). Wm. Pise, Sr., and Wm. Pike, Jr. effort was made by the people om the spot to extricate the sufferers from the position in wi the accident bad piaced them; and the scene, as described by @ rpectator, was one of the most appalling that could be witnessed. The of the broken and bruised, and cries of those who looked upon the terrible scene, can never be forgotten by those who were unharmed. The bouses in the vicinity of were thrown open to the reception of the d all medical assistance proeuradle put into requisition; but the dreadful extent of the accideat con- stituted this aid very inefficient indeed Expresses were sent off to the several adjoining localities for medical men; and sundry gentlemen of profession im Copcord proceeded to Meredith b; special train. We bave given above the result of » hasty inv: tion of one-half hour into the circumstances associat with the accident; and wish, in conclusion, to state that errors in names may have occurred in the lists of casual., Plummer bad his back broken, and tho des Pays Bas, the 1 \ of the conclusion ota ny btn ie \) ost ties, but the general aspect of the facts i# correctly stated. y) » We regret to add that no hope whatever was ox as to the recovery of the.men named in the lit of thor“ fatally injured. \