The New York Herald Newspaper, December 20, 1868, Page 4

4 HELL What the Sound Channel Is to New York and the Country. The Importance of Its Clear Passage. GATE. , History of What Has Been Done--- What is Being Done Now. fn the HERALD of Sunday, the 6th of December, there was published a historic review of the past growth of our city, and in full consideration of the prospective changes in the current of the world’s trade, wrought by scientific and mechanical im- provements, the immense advantages of New York as ‘8 central point were referred to. That these all tend to make our city one of the greatest on the globe and the commanding centre of commerce no one can or willdeny. The great mass of our mercantile popu- lation intuitively feel it, The palatial storehouses building on every side of us, changing the physiog- nomy of whole streets and avenues, are evident proofs of this feeling. New York is getting ready to house the products of the industry of all nations; preparing ‘fitting places of deposit for the wealth of the world, Though much, very much indeed, 1s done to this end, itis far from being enough. What the liber- ality and far-sighted poticy of individual citizens can accomplish 1s being gradually achieved. But there are other measures of improvement, not exactly be- , yond the means or scope of individuals, but on ac- count of their more national than local character, justly within the province of our national authori- ties. Others again, of equal and almost supreme necessity, are, owing to our form of government, the duty of our municlpal corporation to provide. Among these last ig a system of piers and wharves, at once a help to commerce and an adornment to the city. ‘The present rotten structures of decaying piles are not only @ disgrace to our cily but a hindrance to trade, obstructing its legitimate proportion of yncrease. It not being the purpose of this article to enter at jarge into this subject of appropriate docks and wharves for our harbor, the mere reference to it is considered sufiicient. Another measure of im- provement, eminently necessary, and coming within the jurisdiction of the national government, Is the removal of the obstructions in the Hell Gate chan- nel. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK. To clear the approaches to New York harbor by way of Long Island Sound from all obstructions, 80 that vessels of all grades may pass without danger, is in more than One sense a work of national impor- tance. New York is the centre of our international commerce, The whole country is equally interested with our own immediate population in the easy ac- oessibility of the port of New York for the ships of the world. But even leaving out of view for the present this more extended general aspect, all will concede that navigation of the Sound is intimately connected with the ceasiing trade of all the New England States. A few authentic facta suf- fice to prove this. From the Ist of August to the 1st day of December there have passed through Hell Gate no less than 19,403 vessels, of all classes. Of these there were 2,4% steamers, $ ships, 22 barks, 435 brigs, 11,859 schooners and 4,049 sloops. An estimate, believed to be rather under than above the actual figures, fixes the value of this floating pro- pees at ¥736,926.000, or a dally average of $6,141 ,000, he ownership of wit divided among thousand 5 of people from New York to Maine. But this is only the vaiue of the vessels, with a combined tonnage of 5,466,900 tons, or a daily average of 45,507 tons. (he roads over which the marine trade of six States passes daily, in such a volume as this, are most cer- ‘nly of more than local iraportance. Farther, the amount of freight transported by way of Heli Gate by steamers alone averages $9,000,000 er day, increased by about $1,900,000 more carried in sailing crais, thus giving grand total in the value of freight and o/ the ships carrying it of over wag 108.000 daily exposed to the ds rs of the rocks and reefs of this narrow passage. Moreover, from othe register of the steamers and from other rellable fAources It has been ascertained that the passenger traffic on the Sound to and from New York averaged during the four montis from August to December 7,212 persons daily, exclusive of the officers.and crews of the vessels, which will increase the total dally average to about 12,600 persons. Put this is not all, The sailing distance from Eu- r to New York 1s by jifty miles shorter than through the Narrows. And not only éb but about 190 miies of outside exposure would be saved. Were he obstructions at Hell Gate removed the largest passenger steamers afloat could enter our port by tie Sound one day earlier than now, a saving im wear aud tear and im fuel that would soon sel! felt in the cost of passage and of transportation of freight. till another consideration to be taken into view is the naval defence of our harbor and coast in case of war. This consideration ts chiefly drawn from our R jeai experience in our past Wars with England, where the euenty ravaged the shores of Long {sland found and preyed upon our domestic commerce. ‘Tais was carnestly urged by Lientenant charles H. Davis, of the U , in bis report to NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1868.—TRIPLE SHEET. owing to the accessibility to the means of granspor- tation, may eventually cover the whole water tront to Harlem river. The Western end Pacific trade would centre around the inlets of the great unk ra.troads to the West, and the Southern trade would | 8000 accommodate itself likewise, In view of these results, not only possible or probable, but pointed out as sure to come by the natural laws of toate, Se iuportance of this work of clea Hell Gate chan- hei and making Iban unobstructed passage way for vessels of all grades cannot be ree optimnaied, WHAT HAS BEEN DONE. Heil Gate nts quite a different appear- ance from what it did years Ago. It is no longer the whirlpool, with ite foaming eddies and violent agita- tious of waters, thrilling descriptions of which | ‘en- nimore ‘has given us in his *Red Rover” and the “Water +” Jt is not so dangerous now to pavignian agit wasin years gone by, But that is pos munificence of pri x it will bath be of interest to the reader to know what been done ~ how it was done, and hence a short account of it is here inserted, ‘The firat movement towards clearing this passage of the dangerous rocks 01 with the merchants of New York tn i and @ numerously signed peti- tion, led by David Hall, was presented to n= gress asking for an appropriation to remove these obstructions. This petition, however, had no effect, and nothing was done until the reo tion of the Coast Survey office, under the eMci ence of Professor A. D. Bi wi Lieutenant Charlies H. Davi nited Stat Vy, an assistant attached to the it Survey Bureau, to make o thorough examination and survey of Heil Gate. Lieutenant Davis was occupied in this work for two months, and on the 15th of February, 1843, he made his report already referred to above. As this report and the subsequent one of Lieutenant David D, Porier give a complete description of Hell Gate as it was then, and that a full undersianding may be had of the amount of work since accomplished, portions are here quoted. Lieutenant Davis says:—“‘Of the sailing vesseis that enter the Hell Gate pass: it is estimated that one in fifty sustains more or less injury by being forced by the violence of the currents on the rocks or soais; aud the accident to the Oregon, which nearly proved fatal to her passengers, shows that even Steamboats, with a motive power that Keeps them under perfect control and guided by the most expe- rienced pilots, are not secure from peril. Such an improvement in tho channels of Hell Gate as would reuder them navigable to vessels of all classes under common circumstances would supply to the commerce of New York a new outlet to the sea—one in a different direction from the har- bor channels, aud available when those are tempora- rily closed by adverse winds or other causes—and would therefore be a permanent and valuable re- source bot for those vessels outward bound and for those returning home.” Speaking, then, of the ne- ceasity of this improvement to increase tne facilities of our naval defence already quoted, the eutenant proceed: The dangers in this channel arise from the great strength of the current and the number and position of the rocks and reefs. The strength of the current is such that sailing vessels can only stem its force or escape trom it by a commanding breeze; but as the main course of the flood tide keeps the middle of the east- ern channel it is most secure for vessels coming from the westward, with the tide, to place themseives in the centre of the stream, and follow its direction. ‘They are thus carried through in safety. This plan, however, ia inadimissible for any but small vessels, on account of two rocks, the ‘Pot’ and the ‘Frying Pan,’ which lie in or very near the mid channel, being in the way both going to the eastward aad westward, and having but little water on them at low tide. There is aiso a reei called ‘Way's reef,’ which lies in the course followed by the steamboats principally when conitng from the eastwara Inst a strong flood, 1t 1s their custom to keep close around Pot Cove and run up under Hailet’s Point; by so doing they avoid the strength of the flood, In this part they find an eddy current in their favor. Bus in the ebb the greatest danger arises from the divergence of the cur- rentata _ marked A on the sketch—(a point about haif way between Ward’s Islana and Haliett’s Point)— where the ebb tide branches oif into three directions to take the course of the three channels—the main south channel, the middle channel and the eastern channel, The safe navigation depends here upon deciding sumiciently soon at the point of separation which channel shall be taken; and the negiect to do this, or a loss of control over the vessel for any rea- son, frequently results in toy, & carried on the ‘Gridiron.’ When @ vessel that has attempted the eastern channel finds herseif carried towards the ‘Gridiron,’ her only chance for safety is to run for the middie chahnel, which is narrow and made pre- carious by tue middie reef, the outer rock Of which is the ‘Negro Head,’ The ‘Gridiron’ is, owing to the strong set of tide on it, the most dangerous ree! in the passa; . The reef known as the ‘Bread and Cheese,’ on the eastern end of Blac weli’s Island, 18 also very dangerous, Vea- sels are Hable to go on it on the dood, when itis covered, by getting into the eddy near it, witha t wind. The chief danger is onthe ebb and from the same cause as that which makes the ‘Gridiron’ dangerous—i, ¢., the strong set of Ude tn that direc ton.” This report was sent to the House of Repre- sentatives by Professor Bache, and ordered to be printed on tie 14th of March, 1845, and a copy of it Was also communicated to the New York Chamber of Commerce. This body took a deep interest in the miatier and iM the course of the same month it adopted an address to the Commitvee on Naval Aairs of the House, earnestly asking that tne plan proposed by Lieutenant Davis for clearing Hell Guie passage of its obstructions be adopted. All that Was done m the matter, however, was that the Coast Survey office seat Lieutenant D. D. Porter to resurvey Hell Gate in the summer of 1845, ‘This oMeer made his report 1n October of that year, detaliing the obstractions more minutely tuan Lieutenant Davis, as follows:—“ The first ia order, aud the principal obstraction in Hell Gate, is ‘Pot id eight feet of water at the ‘ Udea, At half ude the depth of water does not increase on * Pot Bock,’ a8 there is at least a fail of four feet, and a vessel drawing over eight feet must strixe upon it. A fall razed brig struck it three days since, and went down with a valuable cargo oa board, This obstruction onee removed, Hell Gate would be less dangerous by one haif, aud the eddies, which are now the cause of half of tue difieulues, would, tn a@ measure, disap- r. There is @ dangerous rock calied ‘buid fleaded Billy,’ fifteen yards from Hatter’s dock, which is Cry at low water, and ‘brings up’ a num- ber of vessels at high water, Three vessels strack at this rock while L was at Hell Gate; one was got om with much diMeuity, another lost bowsprit, anchers and chains, Opposite ‘Gibb’s Point,’ and within Osty yards of Biackwell’s Island, is a large rock which | have called ackWell Rock.’ The the Superintendent of the Coast Survey, dated Feb ruary 16, 1848, in which he say ‘Tne means of fesisting and preventtag suc tes innst be drawn ciety from New York; and if the Heli Gate pas be wade sécure, not only our at men-ol-War Dut our steamboats of a superior class, whieh on #uch Occasions woul be armed for the purpose of ve, Would be at once evabled to h n to the scene of danger. ea During the war with a a Ureat Britain our frigates were viockaded in the which could not have been the Com- harbor of New York. case U the Hell Gate passaye open. modore Decatur ventured to carry lis through, bué with such risk that tie a current sets directly upon it with the food tide, and itis @ most dangerous obstruction, It is six feet out of water at low tide, and could be removed at small expense, The ‘Frying Pan’ rock is a ledge rabaihe north and south, aud is a part of the chain of rocks Which runs.from ‘Hog’s Back’ to Hallet’s Poin. This rock removed, vessels would always drift through the main ship channel. The difficulties of rei ing it would be eerie than any other rock in the gate, as ic is so difficult to lit upon it, ‘There is a stnail rock, though a very dangerous one, to the southward of Woolsey’s Bath House. It ex. tends about fifty yards ont into the chaunel and is ected to the shore hue at low water. Ina place a frigate was only miade once afierwards, notwith- standing the constantiy recurring necessity. ‘The removal, therefore, of ihe obstructions to ‘the safe navigation of Hell Gate is recommenced by a regard to \ ea of the ry.” And Liew. r iate war las D me as the com- the Misaissippt flotil.a of gunboat! 2 Ee . e \ = won for inndel report made by hiro to Prolessor Hache on the 30t Gctover, 1844, Upon the same subject, fully condrms here the interests of so many are at stake the want of attention to the navigation of Hell Gate appears like cuipable negiect. No one cau form an idea of the nuwwber of vessels that go on shore during the course of a month; eighteen went on shore agen | the period 1 was occapted there (two months) anc many of them were very much tajured. I am con- viuced that if proper measures were taken to pro- tect the commercial interests of this great bo by blasting the rocks mentioned above, and docking as ie statements of Lieutenant Davis by remarking:— “It was my intention to have made you a fuil feport on the subject, but a copy of the report of Lieuten- ant Charies H, Davis on Heli Gate was seat to me to- day, and I find it so full and correct in all its details at leould say but lite more without incurring the charge of piagiavism; in fact, the opinions ex. pressed by Lieutenant Davis cometde with those 1 had formed previous to reading his report.” It is scarcely possible to say anything to add to the Tgight the matured opiaion of auch eminent Daval Oo} carries with it, There is yet another consideration to be touched to show the full importance of this work. This con- Rideration is a upon the ppecnve growth of e merce of our city. W e for Boo ta Comp G gia pay KoNSuRPABe bin and only ee firitiine intercourse with the world is through the Narrows and the Lower Bay the commerciai centre of the city is below Cana) s towards the Battery. The natural shapé ol ‘fits lower portion of Manhattan Isiand, its narrow ex. tent from shore to saore, moon mpeg overcrowalng. Go where you may tn this portion of the c'ty dutitig tue business hours of the day aud You will be made sensibly conscious of this fact. Innumerabic draw ead’.carts and trucks block up the streow at ev corner at every hour of the day d interfere with the spoody transaction of busi- hess, The space allotted by nature for an linmense trade is aiready foo smu!, Even now New York merchants store their goods in other clites from here to Philadelphia for want of room in thiscity. The loss of time and increased expenditure consequent Upon this overcrowding results in diminished profia or else in enhanced prices—eher one calculated to Check ¢nioxprise,. Another cousequence Is the im yense loss Of Valuable time consuined by merch: Piaggutecturers and all their employés to rn vn Muew places down town froin thetr | ( northern part of the talaitd: a ‘this logs is undoubtedly cousiderable ta ol one may view it. vz Hell Gate parsage this preemre of swding would soon be lly relieved. Adoller play has been surges a3 even Bubin.‘ted wy our State Leyisidtare at Albany some Aime ego. ‘This plan contemplated the damu ‘of the two channels, east and west-of Biackw Ad, @botier dam in the region of Hell Gate rooks ud the cutting tncagh of a ship canal or channel Mm BOUL nc mouth of Newtown creek to the neigh- rhood of Fusing bay, and adding the whole of ane territory west of tiis p inal aud the h their sin the ecntral o yiand = Feciaimed between “the us to the ity for business purposes, This visionary lan, sprang irom a brein fall of imaginative power, is entirely abortive, atless millions to carry it out, whie two ft Would BuMce to give usamuch b hnore feasible Natural chaunel, by removing t lace it would take strustious at Holl Gaie, than any conal across the fata of Long Island ever coud be, And contiguons to Vuls natural channel there is tand eno which the commerce of New York mag thot (orp ornape cea turtes to come. With this chanuel opened it would hot be many years before tie iocnt 1e in the cuy would bocome more systemutizet, and tne Bread, a9 now, of rere being oF yHMercial covire Chere Ww vuli be as: a3 oar Coin} Cr atious ame difervut renaifications. ‘ine ih Europe would become localized OM tie Cast 6.0e ane d as ttme « roposed by Lieutenant Davis, not one vessel would @ lost in five years.’ Thus earnestiy ke Lieutenant (now Rear Admira}) Porter in 1 nd though it caased another appeal to the federal government by the New York Hoard of Under vers in 1849 ali'that was done was = — gf Lieutenant ates bigpon co E the Nay, @ Coast Survey, to maakt other Mee Sith er of that year of Lauié Hell Gate and lem river, and he also mace au extended report. Thus three years had passe’ three surveys were made, then reports received, and nothing was yet done to remove an inch of the rocks; but Licutenant Woodhall his Re istled With a written rt alone. He alsd p’ @ Miodel—in pier ma the whole of Hell G: from Pot ‘k to below the Negro ead and from et actual measurement, which model is now at Wash- ington, Pp gotten in some musty corner. bout this ti the merchants of New York began to move with activity in the matter, Mr, pen. Meriam, Waiter 2. Jones, President of the eW York Wing Benevolent Association, and Joseph Walker, of the Society of I'rierids, Interested | themselves aly. Memorials and petitions } asking f priation poured in upon Congress in Deceinbel 3 and “% hy - wars. attended the making of @n propriation by Congress’? Mr. Henry Grinnell amb. forward voluntarily and sub- ds a fand for the removal of the however, Was not done uattl the f ‘Tae cause for it was that Mr. 8. Malliefert, a French engineer, had ever since Oc ber, 1#40, urged the feasibility of clearing the clan by his new method of submarine biasting wi out driliing, using the superincumbent voluw for a fulcrum, and consequentiy dolig much less expense. His offer was that move the three most dangerous rocks, ing Pan and Way's Rees, for $15,500. f Moy, 1851, this proposition and the Rot Rook, Fi On the 24th oifer of irinuell were submitted to the Chan ver of Commerce, and being considered very liberal and feasible. Mesera. Heury Grinne!l, alter KR. j Charles H. Marshall, Joseph Walker and Moxtt- me Livingston were appolated commiitee to adopt such measures as they deemed necessary, to secure the desired object. On the 18th of Jane, 1951, another meeting Was held at the Merchants’ Bank, at Which Mr. James G. King presided, then a men ber of Congress from New York, and the proposi- tions of Mr. Mailiefert formally accepted and their execut on placed in the hands of a committee, of Which Walter R, Jones was made chairman. Uncer thi arrangemont the blascng waa com. ny mend by Messrs. B. Matilefer W. Kaasiol then submarine engineer in this city, a terwards Jauiah Chargé @'Affaires et Washington and now Minister of War at Copenhagen), oa the 1k of 4 et, 1851, on Pot Rock, and work waa contint from time to time, as he was in funds, An interrar tion occurred on the 26th of March, 152, by the pie- maiore explosion of a charge it was betog lo ered down, which severely injured Mr, Mallefert and killed three of bia assistants. A‘subseqneat appropriation by Congress of $20,000 aed August Si, 4 n aid of the work, ¢ tv to proceed, n that appropriation was exiausted the pped, and it lies to-day as tt was the fais OF 1862, While this was progr tor a while Lieutenant Washing'oa N. Rartiett, of t | navy, was detailed py tae Coast Quivey Ufive, aud 7 ried subsequently Major Frazer was sent by Colonet Abert, of te moginees. Department, to superintena i. reports of these oilicers and frou articles that sppeered from time to time, as this lone in Hunt's Merchants’ Magazine a Je ROW of the results of these labors is gat . From Pot Rock there have been removed 1,887 cubic yards of rocks (gneiss) and the depth of water, which was only eight feet at mean low tide, was in- creased to sesoy ane one-haif feet, so that Lieute- nant Bartlett, in his report to Professor Bache, made in December 4, 1851, when the depth of water was only nen, feet, could Seyi Vere. drawing paimeca jater can pass over it with impunity, high water; sccond, prevents that and violent ebullition of water which formerly existed, to the imminent danger of all small veasels (though they might not hit the rock itself) which were thrown within its influence, while it prevents that rapid eddy, a return current, which formerly existed, and w! threw all boats or small craft which once entered it into the very centre of the ‘Pot’ and then engulfed them.” And on the 26th of January, 1852, the same officer reports nineteen feet of water over Pot Rock, and says that ‘af means could be obtained for deepening the water on Hal- lev’s Point, the Frying and Way's Reef, Hell Gate could be made the best channel into New York.” As stated, when the work stopped, by the exhaustion of funds, there were Litres und @ half feet of water over Pot Rock, equivalent to twenty-six and a half feet at high water. Way’s Reef was reduced by 895 cubic yards, tn- creasi the depth of water from five to fourteen and a half feet at. mean low tiae—equivalent to twenty and a half feet at mean high water. From Frying Pan 341 cubic yards of rock were removed, and the depth of water increased from nine feet to eighteen und a haif fect at mean low tide, and twenty-four and a haif feet at mean high water. Shell Drake Reef was lowered from eight and a half feet of water to seventeen and a half feet, or twenty- three and a half feet at mean high tide. Bald Headed Billy was removed entirely, aiso Hoit’s Rocks and Opposition Kock, “The appearance of Hell Gate,” Bays anarticiem Huni’s Merchants’ Magazine for September, 1852, “is greatly changed and the terri- ble whirlpool called the ‘Pow’ is not to be found any more.” WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SINCE. The condition of Hell Gate is now, as already stated, the sane as it was when the work of blast- ing ard removing the obstructions ceased in the tail of 1852, Numerous have been the applications to Congress, and also of repeated surveys under the directions of the Coast Survey Office, but neither the sounding lead and notebooks of the surveying en- gineers, nor the petitions and memorials to Con- gress, nor resolutions of the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Underwriters have removed a cubic inch of rock, It appears that in t as in so many other maitera the department at Washington have taken Dickens’ ‘“circumlocution office” for they model, and study intensely “how not todo it.” One of the great hindrances to efil- ciency is the constant change of oficers. Hardiy has an officer of the navy or the engineer corps conducted a survey of the channel and acquired some personal knowledge of the situation when he is detailed to other duty, ancw man is sent here, and he has to begin anew, @ ovo, to inform himself; and when he has fot so far as to be able to usefully appiy his information lie also is sent elsewhere, and again a new mian is substituted in kis place. But Congress did wake up at its last ses- sion to the great national timportance of the subject under consideration. Whether the great number of memorials and titions or any other reason influenced the members of the House, itis of no consequence in this general review, On the 30th of June, 1863, the House of Representatives passetl a bill which, being entitled ‘A vill making appropriations for repair, preservation and comple- toa of certain public works and for other purposes,’’ appropriated on its sixth page and 109th and 110th lines *‘for removing obstructions in East river, inciud- ing Hell Gate, $300,000,"" To the bill itself, when it was M4 for consideration in, the House, there was some objection, but none to this appropriation; even the “Bulldog of the Treasury,” 12 his minority report, recommended -the same amount to be appropriat for the clearing of the Kast river channel, The bill failed in the Senate. But the House was not to be ba.ked tn this way, and in the Dedciency bill, which Was approved on July 25, 1868, a committee of con- ference between the two houses having been at work atit, the following section was passed:— For the repair, preservation, extension and completion of certain public works on rivers and harpors, to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of War, $1,500,000; pro- vided that said expenditures shali not be applied to any works not mentioned in the bill “making appropriations for repairs preservation and completion of ceriain public works, and Jor other purposes," waich passed the House of Representa- tives June 84, 1868, It was thus tntimated that in both houses of Congress the sum of $300,000 was intended for the removal of the obstructions in the East river, But for some reason “or otter the Secretary of War maue a different disposition of the funds placed in his hands, and tnsiead of the sum allowed ue as- signed only $85,000, This amount 13 now aimost exhausted. John Newton, who has been placed in charge of the work, found it necessary to make Low surveys and also to make experiments m drillimg, and the whole amount he asks now to make the channel the best approach to New York is only about 10,000, Whether this or any other sum will do it let Congress appropriaic it, The commerce of New York de. mands it, Seven-wnths of the customs revenue of the whole country is collected here, and this city will be the converging potni of the trade of the world, Whatever is dove ior New York and its har- bor is done for the whole country. THE PRESENT DANGERS OF IIELL GATR. Mnch has been done to lessen the dangers of Hell Gate. Much remains to be done to muke the pas- sage secure (o vessels of ail grades. Mr. i. H. Upton, Secretary of the American Shipiaasters’ Association, says that While no losses are reported as occurring on the recks already named, on other portions of Hell Gate disasters are frequent, “involving loss to an amount suiicient to prove that the perils attend- ing navigation at tift poiut are not wholly re- moved.” ‘That this statement of Captain Upton is true every one Knows who is acquainted with the pecu- Uarilles of the navigation at Hell Gate. And, know- ing it, and knowing the imporiance of tre channel in every view one may take of it—knowing the dam- age resulting almost daily, the amount of capital floating on the channel and the results expected from its being cleared, it ts quite astonisiung (iat Congress has done so ithe. iy Whatever yneans the channel may be cleared the clearing of it Is of supreme importance. Private interests and individual motives should give way to the great end in view. if it cannot be done im any other manner, tf the “bulldogs of the Treasury” are too elu for little drippings to coze out of Uncle sau rong box, jet some of onr representatives | to some big Jou, tn which all are Niagare canis] Job, and thus they even wille enriching lopbyists. A SCCOND COWFLAGNATION ON THE ROUTE OF sucE MAX General Disastrous Fire, with Loss of Life, at Colume bia, 8. C. (From the Columbia (5. ©.) Phasnix, Dec. 1 MONDAY, Dec, 14—6 A. This morning about two o'clock fire was dis: ered in Mr. Ciendining’s restaurant, on Taylor street, rear of Gregg’s ali, which in a short time communt- cated to the iain building, and in a fow minutes the entire structure was wrapped in Games. The fire had obtained such headway before the alarm was | pgp that the firemen Were unabie to re e building, and, mournaful to relate, not without @ terrible loss of Iife and A squad from the Independent Fire Company, assisted by several citizens, were endeavoring tO wet a stream in the rear of the burning buildin; when tho south wall of Wearn & Hix's picture 3 lery fell, completely crushing the life out of wo of the ten And pt if not fatally, injuring several Other's, The followir 7 ist Of the casualiies:— ed. a . Sau ‘Se- verely wounded—F, eckham, lez broken and badly cut tn head and body; Charles F. Ryan, com- pound fracture of left leg and cut and bruised in body; Richard Tozer, right he, disiocated and verely cut in head and body, Slightly injarea—w, KR. Bvi cut in head; James Smythe, bruised in head and body; Charies Book, ie injured; F. Ly McKenzie, abrasion of legs. re were several others Who received contusions, while a iirge num. ver narrowly escaped. ? : The property destroyed, Khown 43 Grtgg's Tall, is located on the southwest corner of Kiciardson and Taylor streets—the old Commerciat jiank cor- at Tt was erected by Messrs. Thomas ani Walter regg about a year Ago, and consisted of a toree story front wita two and one story additions in the floor, rear, and was occapied as follows:—First front—Thomas E. Gregg & Co., crockery e: i, Palmer & Co, brokers. a James Clendining, restaurant, second stor), Dr. T. T. Moore, dentisiry; rear—Mesers, \ n & iWix, age gallery, — Third “ ega'’s Hall. Messrs. Gregg & Co. r »ks and papers, and a simall portion of ay hud i tisurance of $25,000—in the « Hoine and another compauy—$13,000 on the and $10,000 on the stock; their actual loss suran is estimate at $12,000, Dr. Moor estiinated at $3,600; uninsaored, Messrs. We Hix lost thely entire stock, valued at $8,000, an jusured $2,0001n the North American, New York. Mr. CAendining was insured for $2,000, The wonndedt mon were promptly cared for, our cititizens vietng wich one anotler in offers oF hospitailty, Me, Toxer was car. » the house of his brotner-in-law, Mr. Jolin ¢ was attended to by Dra, ‘Treaevant, i. Although severely and painiuiy tn. I Mr. Kya Was eorried i. N. MeGowan, and Dr. red bis services and 1 Dial, and ae fortable. His rigtt ler is ved otter Injuries of a w hours he Was carefully song the broken limi badly crusted and he r serious nature, After a removed to his home, Mr. Beckham's right lez was badly fractared below the knee, lis back Injured and he received several terrible cuts and bruises. He is attended by Dra. B. Joli Parby, at the Testdence of his un Giaze. » Willian Arnest or 4 Mcrpernn.—Rufus W. Morrow, the man who shot and killed Dr, Cheatham afew mon azo in Todd county, near Elkton, was cap about one week ago and by order of the Judge of th Todd Clreutt Court, brought to our jati for sale keey ing anti tis (lat takes place. An old gredge had existed betweon the partics and Mc ". Cheatham and killed him owe nig nounted & borss aud nade bis esvape, benyoorat, Di a W. Taylor, A, N. Talley and | EUROPE. The letters which we pablish to-day from our special correspondents in several of the European capitals will be found to contain a variety of infor- mation on the prominent topics of interest in the countries from which they are dated, AUSTRIA. S emmaaaaanaiiaed Political Condition of the Danubian Princi- paliticsBaron Beust on Eastern Aunexa- tion—Speech of the King of Hungary—Army and Navy Estimates—Orgauized Emigration to the United States. ViENNA, Dec. 2, 1868, The Danubian Principalities are one of the inflam- matory and incendiary spots on the European Conti- nent. Their political condition is a source of per- petual anxiety to the statesmen of the Austro-Hun- gartan empire. The resignation of the Bratlano ministry and the formation of @ conservative and peace loving Cabinet give some satisfaction here, because the change is universally attributed to Prus- sian influence, and it is seen with pleasure here that Prussia has begun to pursue on the lower Danube a policy which is favorable to letting things remain as they are in the Turkish empire and in harmony with the policy pursued in common by Austria, Hungary, France and Great Britain. But the satisfaction felt here at the ministerial crisisin Bucharest is qualified by the consideration that Bratiano has still on his side a majority in both houses of the Legisiature and the popular feeling, and inasmuch as Prince Charles will not dissolve the Chambers (and if he did it is probable that the same members would be returned) the party of peace aud conservatism are as yet by no means * out of the wood.” A joint interpellation, signed by members of the Hungarian delegation, was on the 24th ult. addressed to Baron Beust in reference to the imperial government's relations with the Kou- manian government, and the answer was delivered by the Ministorss Hungarian mouthpiece (Baron Orczy) on the 26th, The question ran as follows: “Whereas the government of the Danubian Princi- palities, pretex ting that the Austro-Hungarian mon- archy is Cherishing plans of annexation as regards the east of Europe, is constantly collecting arms and at the same time, in its oficial newspapers and through its organs generally, is doing its best to tn- spire a feeling of hatred against our monarchy, we respectfully ask the Minister for Foreign Atfairs whether any and what steps have been taken to make the iniluence of our State feit with a desire to restrain those excesses and movements which threaten thé existing peace and are doubly incon- sistent with the position of the Danubian Principali- ties as guaranteed by treaties, and what attitude generally dovs the Minister intend to take up in cer- tain possible eventuatities ?”” ‘Tue answer of Baron Beust to this question was in these word. “As regerds the position which the Minister for Foreign Affuirs takes up towards the Danubian Prin- ctpalies 1 ought to suffice to say that the ministry in this as in other questions has remained unatter- bly true to its eect? principle of maintaining ee, reiations with its neighbors. Tne ministry is confident (hat, looking to the true interests of the State and cver outspoken principle of neutraltty, it as given proofs of the greatest impartiality on the occasion of ail the agitations which have made them- selves manilest of late in the Danubian Principali- ties; yea, more—it was even accused of supporting the armaments of the Danubian Principalities when 1t permitied arms to be imported there through the territory of the monarchy, From this fact it is im- possibié on any pretext to pretend that the Auatro- Hungarian monarchy cherishes the design of occu- pying or annexing the said principalities, It must emphatically declare in the name of the Ini ry that no tdea lies further from theirthoughis than that of conquering the Danubian Principziities, The Austro-Hungarian monarcay only demands of these countries that they respect tise treatics which form the basis of thelr existenca as a St AS regards the armaments and their conse- quences tt cannot be denied that they have created a situation which has endangered ,the peace and quiet of Burope, and it also cannot be gainsaid that the conduct of the inhabitants of those countries does not coriespond With those conditions on which peace can be maintained. The reproach of these armaments falls especially upon those couptries Whose provperity is likely to bo ruined by the bur- den of tie same. There 1s also reason to fear that the said armaments will exercise a ‘nicious inilu- ence upon ‘ie treaty relationsnip between the Danu- bian Pr. alities and Turkey. Lé follows from tiese preiuises that che imperial ministry and the govern- ments of otler States as well follow tue movements in the said countries with attention. Concerning the danger which might ensue from these arma- ment, being now in a position to loo« with calmness ments for tac mona and tts interests, the govern- on every eventuality not thought it necessary to take any exceptional precaations m respect thereto.” On the 26th the deputies sent by the Croatian Diet to represent Croatia aud Slavonia in the itangarian Diet were recetved by Francis Josep at Oien. After the spokesman of tue deputation lad made acom- eutary and loyal speeca the King of Hungary wered as tollows, in un improvised speech: “To-day is one of the best of my reign. The recon- ctliation between Croatia und Hungary is an epochal event, not only for the two kingdoms, but atso for the collective mouwarchy. His Slajesiy hopes that the work so happily begun will continue to bring forth good fruit. Concerning the autonomy of Croa- tia and Slavonia, the devudes may look jorward to the future with perfect confidence. | wish to see this autonomy mulntained, aad the duty ef protect- ing the same may be safety contided to ime.” ‘dhe deputies aft rds catled apoa Franz Deak ely admiration for iis public character and their intention to join that party tn the Diet which follows his gatdance. The Army and Navy Dill is passing through the Upper House of the Retchsrath in the shape as it passed the Lower House, without the change of a siugie word. Tne Hungarian Diet has also accepted all the modifications made in the bill by the Lower House of the Reichsrath, tu order that the legislation on the subject of the army and navy may be identi- cal in both haives of the empire. This is another Instance of the trath of the proverb, “Where there’s @ will there’s a .” The machinery of iegisiation in this dug istic eupire is uncommonly complicated, but the will to make tb Work elfectively and smoo. is rife ou both sides of the Lelia, aad the way 13 found to satisfy that wish. During the debate in the Upper House of the Relehsrata tue kitter von Schmerling endeavored to. show that the par- Hamentary administrations on both sides of the Leitha had been more extravagant in their estimates than he bad been when be Was at the Leim of affairs, Minister Giskra replied to tia speech by proving tiat M. von Schinerling Was mistaken in lis heures, and that the imperial army, on its present peace foot- ing, falls short of the numbers im Scumerting’s time by 36,000 nen. He further stated thac with thee xcep- tion of 1866 the ordinary army aad navy estimates in Ausiria never fel: short of 90,009,000 florins, and that the edforis of the liberal opposicion were confined to cuvting down this igure to 80,000,000. The present [ cAdsaipat eg) continued he, has already succeeded tu joing that which former governments had declared to be unattainable—namely, in cutting down its nor- mal army and navy budget to the long-yearned after figure of 80,000,000 florins. This explanation of Giskra’s i3 an answer not merely to M. von Schmer- ling, but to that portion of the English press which, after perusing tue telegram from here which bore po the Army and Navy bill, disseminated the un- founded and totally erroneous idea that Austria and Hungary were about to keep up a standing army of 800,000 inen, ‘The facts which govern the rise and fall of the pre- mium on the precions metais during the currency of so-called “invertible” treasury or bank notes ec not been so miuately recordéd and analyzed as they deserved, Here is a contribution to this branch of knowledge. On the one hand the manufactures, the internal and external Raat | and the revenues of this nied 3810 $ ‘reat rate. Never- theless the export trade is not so large as it was at the end of last year, o' to the good harvest in West- several of the = ern Euro; Re, re consequence is that tn eed the eu are Progrest indi the present giow ton cgpee a the baginess and specu'ating world, am 0) ver has steadily risen from eleven at whiel point it stood at the commence- ent of last July, to seventeen per cent, at which it stands now, with a tendency to rise further, I must not forget to add that the volume of the note cur- rency remains stationary, belag neither contracted nor expanded. An innavruck paper informs the worl of an in- tended organized emigration from the ‘iyrol to the State of Virginia—whether Eastern or Western does not appear. Herr Von Alpenburg, of Inusbruck, 18 the culef promoter of this seneme. It is sald that he bas made d very advantageous purchase of a Jar xtent of land’ m Virginia, and he proposes to getvie (ucrem bis Tyrolese countrymen. The de- parture of the firat company of emigrants is ap- pointed for February noxt. ~ Vice Admiral Petz, commander of tie Austro- Hungarian expedition to Eastern Asia, has tele- graphed hither that he left Tanglor on the 24th ult, yw route ior the Cape of Good Hope. PRUSSIA. The Prussian Diet—The Pragne Treoty Agnin=Donish Loynlty—Confiscation of Roynl Eetates=Standing Armios, Furlonghs and Pconomy—Torpedoes-=Potato Disease A Titled Plagiurist—Prince Salm Salm’s BookA New South African Republic. Buntx, Nov. 30, 1968. ‘The Lower Chamber is still engaged tn the discas- sion of the budget while the Herrenhaus, or Upper Chambor, enjoys a dolce Sar niente and counted at ita session the day before yesterday only forty mem- bers present. After the close of the preliminary badget debate—which will probabiy be in @ fori- night—the work of the commitices begins, and then the Lower Chamber is likely to adjourn until after Christmas. Count Bismarck may arrive here within a few days, though) the resumption of his ofiict! activity is ogain postponod to tio mirdle of n month. It may Fairly bo concladed that agne gf tho slary- witted diplomats, not excepting Bismarck or Be- nedetti, who framed the Prague peace treaty had the slightest presentiment of the trouble iikely to arise out of paragraph five of the stipulations. The ap- parently innocent section tive says:—‘‘The Emperor of Austria assigns to the King of Prussia all his rights gained in the Vienna peace treaty of October 30, 1864, to the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, with the condition that if the inhabitants of North Sculeswig should, by @ popular vote, express a wish to be united with Deumark, they should be given up to Denmark.” The vast diMculties already produced by this con- ditional bargain are well known to your readera— indeed, the veriest peace prophets, to whom also be- longs your correspondent, have always admitted that this tentter question, involving as it does the Jealousy of every one of the great Powers, contains, more than any other, the of a casus belli, If Progsia nas toughly held on to what it got and studiously protracted a settlement, it Rapper’, that Denmark, no fom considered prudence the better part of valor, and Herr von Quaade thought fit not to str a peg. Public opinion in the Schleswig district has also remained firm, as shown by the re- election of the same two representatives to the Prussia Legislature, whose seats had been last year declared forfeited owing to their refusal to swear the Prussian constitutional oath, Chosen by nearly the same majority they have again presented their credentials and demanded admission, while they SUM refuse the oath which, they contend, would pre- Judice the ah Pd of their constituents, as vouchsafed In paragraph five of the Prague treaty, The report of the committee on credentials was the same as that of last year; but a minority insisted upon and ed the point that the said two members, Hons. Kruger aad Ahlmann, shouid not forfeit their seats, but be excluded only until they chose to swear the mem- ber’s oath, in the commitiee charged with the confiscation bill of ex-George’s and the Palatine of Hesse’s estates, as proposed by the government, a differ- ence of opinion exists, some members considering a contiscation as an act of arbitrary power and io vio- lation of treaties nade, and insisting that a seques- tration would better meet the merits of the case. It will be recollected that the government demands half a million thalers annually out of the revenues of the contscated Hanoverian estates, for the purpose, as it 1s asseried, of forming a secret fund for suppress- ug aoe ipt conspiracies and machinations, This gave Deputy Dr. Virchow, one of the commitcee, an op- portunity of observing that tis fund would most likely be made use of for fecing informers and for carrying on- the system of pet, persecutions. An amendment by another member to allow the govern- Inent 300,000 thaiers only, obtained eventually the Majority, and it remains to be seen whether the House wili agree to tus, in which event ail the reve- hues of the confiscated property would flow into the Prussian treasury, with the exception of the above- Mentioned 300,000 thaiers, There will be some, when the matter comes before the plenum, who will vote against alland every confiscation measure, in order to leave the whole responsibility of the attachment, which has taken place with the government, while others again will object to contiscation on the ground that King George's state of mind is such that he can hardly be heid accountable, While the coutinenial sovereigns and their goy- ernments are fuil of words of peace, and while the people are clamoring fora show of disarmament, no diminution whatever in military establishmenis is perceptible, Standing armies, ever on the increase, are yet the order of the day. While this is the case the money saved by granting furloughs goes only to defray the expenss of suci military purposes aa the government dare not ask for, and consequently are unprovided for in the budget: Here in Prussia the furloughs during the coming year will again be about five men to a soneay and may remain so for several zens to pam though the Minister of War has fondly imagined he might be in a position to diminish them. It 1s well known here that the money economized since 1861 by these more or less extended furloughs has been expended for the social comfort of the ofilcers, in organizing clubs, messes, and moreover in procuring additional regi- menta: equipments, which fact has been Kept secret from other vernments, as, if known to them, it would have been con- sidered tantamount to preparation for war. it nay here be mentioned that with the reorganiza- tion of the Prussian army the year 1860 companies of mechanics were attached to all divisions, wio were secretiy put to work and have filled the depots with equipments for 600,000 men. Since it has been de- termined—in 1866—to raise the etfective number of men to 900,000, These mechanics are still busy at work, and though, of course, it will require several years yet, there 1s no doubt they will quietly and sub ros exeotte their task. The North German marine, according to the new organization laid out, will require ia case of war not les8 than 23,000 sailors. For the pried experi- ments iately undertaken at Kiel two oid gunboats of 100 feet in length and twenty feet in width were put in requisition, One of the torpedoes was charged with gunpowder only, the other with Qualin, which is @ preparation made from nitro-glycerme. The former, igniied by electricity, split tie gunboats in three parts, blowing the centre high into the air aad sinking the remainder. ‘The duatin had a stil stronger effect, aa it slivered the other gunboat to atoms, ‘the reports from East Prussia describe considera- bie distress as sull existing in those sections, the po- tat) disease having destroyed nearly the whole crop, and the previous poverty rewalning unmitigated. Speaking of potatoes reminds us of a generous dona- tion made to the poor of Elberfeld and two neigh- boring citi 'yY a geutieman in Vusseidort who was fortu ate enotigh to obtain a part of the large prize .¢ Prussian lottery, The charitable donor for- el 10,000 pounds of potatoes for disimibution in his owa and the abuveuaimed towns, ‘The itied plagiarist, Privy Councillor Wagner, who claiined to have acted jor his master, Bismarck, in publisuing @ political essay which bad been com- posed by vrofesser Dihring, was sentenced in the Appeal Court to pay all damages and costs, Another shoricoming of one of Bismarck’s agents has re- red at Stuttyart. The State Attorney, tan action of libel on bebalf of the Count t the Stuttgart editor, Dr. Charles Meyer, of pvachier, and pressed for & month's imprison- ; Meat and 200 florins fine, was unsuccessful in his suit as the sentence prowounced was merely a week's suprison sent. ‘The schleiermacher festival has been celebrated many with great enthusiasm, and to unite ai Liberals in religious » at the great ch took place eiminent fe Yoltzendorf pro- as a toas' ne health of our transatlantic ." coupling with it the name of Mr, Ban- am Was received from the Prince and Princess, still in England, dir the megistrates of Berlin, expressive of th approbation of this festival, the long promised book of Prince Salm Saim, entitled “Querctaro, or Leaves from my Diary whiie tn Mexico,” las made its appearance, and if We give ho extracts here it is because (ue work is of stich interest that it will undoubtedly be translated into other languages, By the by, the diplomatic intercourse between Berlin and the city of Mexico isabout being renewed, as it js in contemplation (o seni out Dr. Kurt von Schlozer, formeriy aliache to the Legation at Rome, as Ambassador. ‘The President of the new South African republic “Pretoria” isa young Pruasian of the pale of Mar- tinus Weasel Pretorius. He invites emigrants to this newily-founded colony, especially miners, as the mineral weaith 1s said to be unbounded.’ He also request’ the exey"atur to appoint a consul, Dutch is principally spoken in the colony, but also some Englisu. Physicians are much in demand. ROME. Feeling of the Halian People Over the Exes cution of Monti and Tognetti—Reinstating the Hierarchy in Scotinnd—Italidn Honors to the Memory of Rossinl=Poor Cousola- tion to Ltalian Revolutionists. Rome, Dec. 1, 1868. The Pope has not won golden opinions from the Italian public for sending Monti and Tognetti to the sceffold. Tne Prime Minister in Parliament and the people in the. piazzas have alike protested against the inhumanity of Pontifical judges in awarding capital punishment to the authora of a political offence, which is the construction pat upon the blowing up of the Serristori barracks by people in Italy. No doubt Pto Nono’s reputation for clemency would have gained by his granting the lives of these criminals, and had they been sent to couvict labor for the rest’ of their days nobody would have thought anything more about them. As tt is, on the con- trary, the extreme party, which {a a tolerably numer- ous one in this peninsula, looks upon the Ponti as a sanguinary and vindictive tyrant, and regards the two decapitated Masons as martyrs for the cause of liberty. This view of the case was so entirely adopted at Leghorn last Thursday that business was suspended, shops closed and collections made in the streets for the families of the two viottias—a demon stration which was of course anything but compll- mentary to the Papal goverment. However decided public opinion may be in Rome with respect w the deaih of sionti, it seems to be generally admitted that tic law was vory much Biralued by the condemnation of Tognettl to the saute fate, he nov having actuaily participaied in the offence, Some learned jurisconsults are going to weite a pamplilet to a istrate tuat his sentence was contrary to the spirii, if aot to ie mere letter, of Roman law. Count Fe D’Ostian having intercedad In ] vain for the juinela, tas ielt Rome in et A statement has been made in the Osser saano* that Montl before dying indicted 4 letter to the Pope, in which he traced som: events of bis youth, and attributed x of his errors aud misfortunes to having made the acqvaintance of some political sectarians four years ago, When he became a Freemason. This “knowledginent Wil tend to’ eondrm his Holiness, ld aay such confirmesion be necessary, ta his re tion of Freemasonry, which your readers ( may recollect he #seiemuly denounced la his cele- | brated Syllabus. The Correspondance de Rome considers sympa. | thizers In tue fate vo eriminad as moLal ac. | complices with then and wonders at the ‘detest | able excess of Count Senabred in tae Italian Pat- sa {# to bold a consistory at the Vatican ator the Byuduation of Wis lOys, bul ue dd oe © ew cardinals are expected to be following consistory. The Archbishop of Westmin- ster, Ponegoor Manning, is expected in Rome daily, and'it is sald that lis arrival will prove the signal for the h of the Papa! bull remstating a Ko- man Catholic hierarchy in Scotland in the same tised by pow’ EX, sowness he ducasure produced muci nation at the time and «Papal aggression” was all the cry; but now the British governinent will proba- By mase, no n to & similar present, from Scotland.” At any rate the Bri Binney wilt Rot have the same excuse as on the of having been taken unawar‘ asa oice has reached their ofti ears apnouns Pio Nono’s intention. It is curious that Cardinal ‘to know nothing about the future Scotch and states that he only octphen Llamas itty poe al. but not religions py a BRE, |, cameron re are to be five of which the metro; I Sesto dei Cte, eet ren r, : * Maton Tre tinanadorff, the shee tegereto ee oy 4 ® sete, reed ia bomen Wednesday, pee recovered suilictent reau: his journey to-day for sees ized On the 29th ult. General Dumont, commander of the French corps of occupation, embarked at Civita, Voor. for renee On: leave of absence until Christ- ur mas, nee General Raoult assumes the commant Rome is to pay a tribute of respect to 11 memory of Rossini ag well as the other cities Italy. Some of the most distinguished maeswi of this ca) ital, among whom is the celebrated musica of the Pope's choir, Signor Mustafa, are: el fo compose @ grand funeral mass in his honor, which wil be performed in the ensuing Lent, The Osservatore Romano of last night alludes to @ second “Yamais,” which it states was lately ie nounced ry of the Roman question “by a oficer of the Queen of England, and which, with the lirst jamats of the Minister Rouber, will oblige the Italian revolution to consume miserably within it~ self.” Tue Osservatore goes on to quote @ narra- tion from the Mémoriat Diplomatique of Admiral Lord Paget’s visit to Garibaldi at Caprera and his reception of General Lombardini on board the flagship. His lordship is stated to have assured tue General, in the presence of Colonel de Sauget, the British Consul, and other persons, “That the British government was certainly not favorable to Catholicism; bat that even Protestant England, which foresees and fears long wars and complica. tions in case of the revolution triumphing i all Italy, would never alloy the reailzation of the pre- tensions of the revolution to abolish the temporal power and dispossess the Pope even in Rome. ‘Thus the jamais pronounced at Paris would flad another Jaimais at London, because the government of the Italian revolution inspires noone with confidence, not even in London.” The Osservatore concludes that “Revolutionary Italy and her government merit no. confiaence, in Lord Paget's opinion, because to-day they wish to usurp the rest of the Pontiical territory, to-morrow they will demand the restitution of Nice and Savoy, then they will pretend to take Corsica from i ane afterwards to deprive the Brivish crown ol falta. A very interesting discovery has just been made in the Piazza Navona, the site of the Circus Agonal of the ancient Romans. Adeep cutting fora atthe northern extremity of the piazza has re- vealed the podium and seats of the ancient circus, with the arched amoulacrum behind. FRANCE. The Emperor’s AccidentThe Ex-Queen of Spain at the Opeva—The Marquise de Caux’s Musical Receptions—The Franco. American Telegraph Scheme. i Panis, Dec. 1, 1868. . The Emperor met .with an accident on Sunday, the 29th ult., which might have had very serious conse- quences, He was driving in a low open phaeton with the Comte de Montebello when one of the horses fell down dead, the other pulied up in a contrary direction and fortunately maintained the vehicle in equilibrium. The Emperor had stepped out before the Comte de Montebello and both stood in the middle of the deserted road, fer Napoleon had been the driver himself, and they did not know whether they should return to Compiégne or proceed to Pierrefonds, further on. While debating on this point & chara- banes containing the Duke de Persigny and Marquis de Chasseloup-Lunbat came up. They alighted and walked about Ietey their oujrider had gallo) ot tor another caléche, and the Empress did not hear ot the acctdent until tea time. The first attendance of the ex-Queen of Spain at the Itaens, when Mine, Patu appeared in ‘Linda di Chamouulx,’”? was quite a seusational event. she excited immense curiosity, After the third act, when the diva was frantically applauded, she looked up and bowed to the dethroned Queen, who quietly returned the courtesy, wich caused more applause; but the Prince of the Asturias, childlike, having put up his hends to clap, the ex-Queen stopped him with a glance, and the boy looked sarge Since then the Marauise de Caux a ven a sotree miusteate, her second this seaaon. She was plainly dressed in white musiin, with a black scarf round her waist, and sang a romance of Alary’s. Agnest, whose voice is most powerful in a salon, gave’ a piece from the “Sicilian Vespers.” Mme. Albonit was present, but would not be pre- yauled on to slag, ‘The religtous conferences for Advent have begun at Notre Dame. They are delivered by Father ifyacinth. Those of Father Bauer at Saint Louis dt Antin have also commenced, but, a¥ a lady observed on leaving the crowded church, “Very clever, very fine; but i cannot understand them, they are such very clever sermons.” Monseigneur Dupantoup’s book, “The Concile,” at last came out on Monday and has already gone through two editions. Itis translated into every European language. Dut business 13 not so Uurtving as religion, as twenty-five bankruptcies have been declarcd by the tribunal of commerce witain two days. A meeting of subscribers at Lyons for the enter- prize founded by Mr, arlanger proved to be a very divided assembiy, They manifested great inisirust concerning the company and demanded the instant withdrawal of the first deposit; but in Paris the sub- scribors think better of the undertaking and have reiuged to take any ni in the Lyons manifestation, but the atau wilt be looked into more closely ma consequence of the 8; ecified meeting. ROUMANIA. Biographien! Sketches of the Present Meme bers of the Roumenian Cabinet, The Prince Demetrius-Chika, Minister of Foreign Affai.s, son of Tregon!-Ghika, Mospodar of Walia- chia, had for a long ime past deen designated to the choice of Prince Charles for the Presidency of a Counell, in which the two eleiments, liberal aud con- servative, would be represented. Possessing an ex- aited character and judgment, and allymg to the prestige of a great name the advanced ideas of the new Koumanian generation, this Minister personiiies better than any one else the principle of an amalga- mation of the two parties which dispute the govern- ment in Moldo-Walachia. M, Cogolniteceano, interior, 13 one of the most ilins- men in Roumania: a historian and a man of from the age of twenty, a distingnished advo- vate and a great pariiamentary speaker, he is of indispensable asvistance in dificult situations; he is perhaps the most popular man in Roumania. His — commenced in France, was completed a6 erlin. M, Alexander Golesco, Finance, was formerly a pu- pit of the School of Mines, at Paris, He recently occupied the post of agent for Roumania at Con- stantinople, where, notwithstanding the strained situation between that country and the Porte, he succecded tn preserving the sympathies of the Sul- tan’s ministers, M. Boivresco, Justice, a distinguished advocate, is well kuown for the share which he took in the events of 185% To his presence of mind and persuasive language is attributed the double election of the 24th ot { Saat whicb decided the Union of the Princl- les. Pal Papadopoulo-Cailimachi, Worship and Public Instruction, is the youngest member of the Cabinet; by his talents and ‘his honorable character-he has acquired, especially im Moldavia, a considerable reputation. Jolonel Duda Nemri, War, is one of the oldest officers of the Moldo-Wailachian army. He has always been distinguished for his spirit of order and discipline. FOREIGN MISCELLANCOUS ITEMS. ‘The Paris Charivart, in order to convey a correct idea of the present state of affairs in Spain, repro- duces aversion of Esop’s fable of the frogs praylug to Jupiter for a king. Ths London merchants, considering that commerce is not sufficiently represented in Parliament, have decided in future to use every endeavor to obtain tue election of members of their communtiy. ‘Travellers from Civita Vecchia mention that on the day of the execution of Monti and Tognettl at Romo the French troops were k ady for action a) the former ‘town and jocomotives were kept under steam until all fears had enbsided, Advices from St. Petersburg mention that an im- perial ukase,: it 18 expected, will be issued shortly, jorbidding all milttary and civil authorities frem being connected eliher direstiy or iadivectly with railway speculations or enterprises. The Fischietto of Turin, wnder the title of the maxi “ and thy left hand shill not know what thy right hand does,” gives a curicature of the Po dressed tn Zouave costume; in his right hand ne hoids a pistol with which he has killed Monti am Tomnettt, while with his left hand he 1s Gistributing alms ‘and benedictions to a number of brigands. iT @ corner the figure of the Saviour Is seen, dee ie itself from the cross and covering tts eyes Wi ham © that it shall not gare on the deed. 4 ‘The manufacture of textile fabrics has scaine a extraordinary development in Bu On of each lowing gives phe exact annual product $000,00 —-Kngland, $000, 010,000; Fre eds stilay, 210,000,000; Russie, leiglum? 900,000; Heigium, $1 Itay,, $74 ! " ss 000,000 and Spaia $61,000, 0005 land, Denmark, Holland $20,000,000. weden, Norway, ‘about th een i Portugal proines conjointly re guna 2 of $2 ui , France produces the anmual yates Oat chai Gou,o00 ia. ailk ahd OXpor's $08,000, while Ungiog oaly manofacttres for the valu $65,000,000 wml exports bub $7.000,000 La olds