The New York Herald Newspaper, April 4, 1869, Page 6

6 EUROPE The Debate on the Irish Church Bil in the English Parliament. a an ( The Strike in the English Cotton Manufactories WAR FEELING IN FRANCE. Basis for the Settlement of the Franco-Bel- gian Dispute. ‘The North German Lloyd steamship Hansa, Captain Breckenatein, from Hamburg 20th via Southampton the 23d ult., arrived at this port yesterday. She brings details of our cable telegrams up to dates of sailing. The French Chamber has passed the bill which fixes the army contingent at 100,000 men for the pre- sent year. aneerae Prince Gortschakoff, Russian Prime Minister, has contracted for 700,000 needie-guns (system Baranow), to be delivered with as little delay as possible, The Parisian journals say that the Minister of War has made preparations for calling to the flag at any moment the 140,000 men on conge. tes The English papers of the 23d ult. say that a terri- ble colliery explosion has taken place in the Stable Pit, Nantyglo, Monmouthshire. Nine men were severely burnt, one of whom died shortly after- wards, and three others are not expected to live. A large quantity of gas had accumulated in conse- quence of a doorway having been left open too long. The railroad from the Pirseus to Athens has been inaugurated and thrown open to the public. ~*.— The Commission to be appointed for the settlement of the dispute between France and Belgium will be composed of twelve members, six French and six Belgian, chosen by the two governments from among the most competent and practical persons, ‘The commercial relations between Greece and Tur- key are again becoming very active. The return of the Cretans continues on a large scale. Tne French transport Jura !s employed 1m that service, and has already made several voyages. ‘ ‘The Prussian journals state that a Protestant ju- bilee is to be held next autumn at Berlin, to form @ counterpoise to the council to assemble at Rome. A preparatory meeting is to to take place at Worms after Whitsuntide. The Italian Chamber of Deputies concluded on March 20 the discussion of the naval estimate for 1869, adopting all augmentations proposed by the committee, and thereby bringing the total to $4,596,205 lire, or 3,288,897 more than was de- manded by the Ministry. The French journals generally applaud the pro- posed British legislation on the Irish Church. They way that the Irish Church has long been a biot on the banner of freedom which England holds on high for the world’s admiration. There are hundreds of Frenchmen who to this day believe the irish to be thé most persecuted people in Europe. The Progr?s Egyptien, of Aiexandria, has been suspended for a month on account of publishing a political chronique, and for having criticized the Viceroy’s speech and the financial condition of the country. P ue Court of Appeal of Naples has sanctioged the marriage of a priest, on the grounds that priests have the same rights as other citizens, that the civil code only is sovereign and that the law has nothing to do with scruples of conscience. The report of the Committee on the French Budget contains the following statement:—‘‘The govern- ment desires peace, and the committee has received a formal declaration from the representatives of the Emperor to the effect that there are no circum- stances whatever calculated to awaken any appre- lensions. Peaeeful views govern the situation.” A commercial treaty 1s expected to be signed shortly between the North German Confederation and Switzerland. Swiss delegates are about to set out for Berlin to resume the negotiations suspended since last year. A royal decree has been published in Italy ordering an inquiry to be instituted into the cause of the dis- turbances which broke out recently in the central Italian provinces against the collection of the grist tax. A demonstration took place at Barcelona on the 2ist ultimo against free trade, and a petition setting forth the views of the antagonists has been present- ed to the Governor for transmisston to the Constitu- ent Cortes. M. Louis Ulpach, an eminent French journalist, was recently fined 200 francs for stating that the name Napoieon was derived from two Greek words, which signified hangman. The Public Minister thought the sentence too light, and appealed against it to the Imperial Court. The result is that M. Uibach's fine has been raised to 500 francs, and, in addition,he ts to suffer six months’ mprisonment. M. Ulbach is @ candidate for the representation of the Aube. ENGLAND. The Debate on the Irish Church Bill in the British Parliament. The adjourned debate on the second reading of the Irish Church bill, in the House of Commons, on Mon- day, March was opened by Sir R. Palmer. Pre- facing his spech with the remark that most of the motives which influenced human nature led him to give ‘his support to the government on this bill, and that if he took a dif ferent course it was the result of an over- wheilming necessity, he went on to say that he had no sympathy with those who tmpugned the mo- tives of the Prime Minister and his colleagues in the government. Furthermore, he could not shut his eyes to the fact that there was @ crisis in Irelan but that, he thought, was made the more grave and serious for the very reason that the Legis- lature had shown itssell anxious to make the unioa with Ireland a real union; for this circumstance, in- stead of producing @ reconciliation of feeling be- tween the people of the two countries, seemed only to make things worse. He could not but feel, then, that they were cal upon deeply to consider t causes and discover, if possible, a remedy for this state of things. With a view to thisend he waa ready to go & certain length even on this question of the Established Church in company with his right honorable triends, At the same time he could not conceal from himself that the principle of the bill was not disestablishment only in the sense In which he used the term, but disestablishment accompa- nied by universal disendowment; and to that prin- cipie he could not agree, because in his judgment it would be a great act of injustice, He appreiended, indeed, that its consequences might be to defeat the salutary effects of the measure in other réspects, As to disestablishment, taking it to mean a sever- ance of the connection between the laws and insti- tutions of the Church and the laws and government of the State, he could not regard it as either a renun- ciation of national Christianity or an act of national Apostacy, The question was whether it was for the public good, I it were not for the public good It Would not be for the good of religion; but if for the 000 of religion it would be for the good of the public. Was there, then, in the case of Ireland any Ground for supposing that the state of political Privilege wat constituted the establishment was useful tothe Church? Reasonably or not, the ex- Jetence of these political privileges was believed to be one of the causes or roots of disaffection among & great part of the [rien people; but was disendow- ment a hecesasary consequence of the taking away of political ascendency? He did not think that the necessity Was in the nature of things, nor that it Brose Out Of the justice of the case, Neither could any precedent be found for adopting such @ course, It was unparaiicied even by the extensive appro- ration of church property which took place at the ‘ime of the Reformation, and Was in direct contra- distinction to the recent example of Canada and that of the United States at the time of the American Revolution, He did not mean to contend that disestablishment did not ne. cessarily involve the sacrifice of a@ portion of the revenues, forthat was undeniably the case with Episcopal revenues. Let the Church be reduced to the position of @ disestablished church, and the Crown patronage and its parliamentary osition taken from it and it could not be argued ‘hat the game amount of Episcopal revenues could be claimed for it, or that those revenues could be Jooked at in the same light as the incomes of the parochial clergy. No case, however, had, tn his opinion, been made out to justify the confiscation of rivate endowments created anterior to | The Protestant laity of Ireland hi feit their nght to the spirit miniatrations of their clergy, and he held that it would be a gross Injustice to deprive them of those services i wes E. | NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 1869—QUADRUPLE SHEET. the operation of penal laws and bad govern- ment that had vented the expansion of the Church and now the State was about to turn round and divert the funds of local communities to the maintenance of lunatics and other purposes. such @ principle as that were to be adopted 1t would be impossible to stop short at the property of the Church, and in this respect the circumstances of the resent times were peculiarly special in Ireland. i id with to ‘or Language had been recently hei Ke Pegare to private property which justitied the who felt thatit a faise step were taken in dealing With eoclestastical property they would be helping, if not to kindle, yet to fan a flame which threaten other descriptions of property. He trusted the gov- ernment would be successful in dealing with the land question, especiaily as from the declaration of Mr. Bright it appeared that tt was not intended to treat that subject in any manner that could violate or infringe the security of property. The Protest- ants of Ireland were not people who deserved ill of the Crown, Their position had been made for them to fortify English interests tn Ireland, and tt would be a most ungenerous thing to treat them as if they deserved ill of us. They had always been loyal, intelligent and industrious subjects of the Crown, and if not numerically the most important, done notting to for. | they were, in many res} ‘a very important class of her Majesty's bloom ge the attempt then, allay discontent Parliament should be careful how it wounded to the quick their feelings and interests, and alienated them in addition to other portions of the community. If the House should, as he pre- sumed it would, pass in substance this measure, he should acquiesce in the verdict, and in committee do his best to suggest improvements in such of its de- tails as seemed to be onpaie improvement, but without suggesting anytht that might be incon- sistent with the decision of the House. The Solicitor General reminded the House that they were a legislative assembly engaged in chang- ing the law, and not in declaring what was the law. When Sir Koundell Palmer admitted that as an es- tablishment the Irish Churcn was indefensible, ana that pen certain grounds he would proceed to disestablish it, he gave up the whole case. Regard- ing the Insh Church as a symbol of Protestant ascendancy, he contended that it was not just as it should continue. it was a church for one-seventh of the population, and could only be maintained as an establishment by English force; but he did not believe that in her new position her bishops and clergy would be wanting to themselves. If, for the first ume in her history, the Church was to play apart as a great religious influence and moral regenerator, it would come from the joint effect of disestablishment and re-endowment by her own efforts and her own means. The real question was whether this mea- sure in its broad oullines did not afford a reason- able prospect of bettering the state of Imsh feeling towards England, and laying the toundation of wise and Christian legislation for that unfortunate coun- try. To him it seemed that 1t would do so, and therefore he gave it his support. At a few minutes past eleven o'clock the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer rose and addressed a very full house in defence of the bill, Commencing his speech with a downright scolding of Mr. Disraeli and the SD BOSIE CD for treating the measure as sacri- legious and a violation of the act of Union, he scotfed ft the argument as hungry and jejune and the language used as levelled not so much‘ against the occupants of the liberal benches as against the people of England, After passing in review Mr. Disraeli’s criticisms of the bili the right honorable gentleman proceeded to reply to Sir Roundell Palmer, who wouid disestablish the Irish Church and leave it with sixteen millions of property, without connection with the State and no check even trom the ecclesiastical courts. The effect of that, he be- lieved, would be the foundation of a Theocracy, whose panes would be so free and unchecked, and altogether so tremendous, that it was impossible to conceive what might be the result, It would be a fresh element of anarchy, and he owned that he looked with horror upon a richly endowed corporation in_a country like Ireland. The arguments of Dr. Ball against voluntaryism, he remarked, had come too late. If we wanted to see the voluntary system in opera- tion we need not travel to America, for it might be seen working most effectually in Ireland. And there the nation was on one side and the Church on the other; the State Church was not the national Church and the national Church was not the State Church. Whatever religious life existed in Ireland was to be found where the voluntary principle pre- vailed; while if they wanted to see where religion least prevailed they must goto the richly endowed districts of the country. In fact, we ourselves had made voluntaryism in Ireland and we could not now unmake it. The House must not look at the matter from a legal or sentt- mental point of view, but from the more elevated ground of justice; and the question was whether or not the many were made for the few. It was said that the matter at issue was @ religious one; but what had religion to do with a system which had been enforced by conquest? The Church was represented as a bulwark against Popery; but it was no part of the duty of the government to raise bulwarks against any particular religion. He trusted that they would not only give ig all idea of persecution, but even the use of the language of toleration; respect every man’s faith, and not only cease to unpose penalties and disabilities for ditfer- ences in religion, but obliterate alike from the statute book and their own minds all notion of social inferiority based on @ man’s creed. Mr. WALPOLE here moved the adjournment of the debate, the etfect of which was to evoke from Mr, Greene a spirited protest against prematurely hurry- ing to a division. The proposai of the government, he said, was fraught with dishonesty. It degraded the Protestant Church at the bidding of Romish priests, He was not ashamed to raise the cry of “No Popery,”’ and he denounced the measure a3 a robbery as great as had ever been committed, The devate was then adjourned to next day, The Strike of the Preston Cotton Operatives. The London Star of the 23d ult. has the following about the strike of the cotton hands:— With the continuance of the lamentable strike of the cotton operatives at Preston the excite- ment in the district increases. On Sunday a meeting of sixty-seven delegates from surround- ing districts was held for the purpose of con- Sidertiug the advisability of contmaing the strike. Their deliberations lasted six hours, during which It was elicited that the operatives generally sympathized with the Preston hands in their resist- ance to the proposed reduction of 10 per cent. Reso- lutions were passed promising support to them dur- ing the struggie, and tt was agreed that no paid dele- gates should be employed while tt lasted. it is sald that from seven to ten shillings per head has been apportioned from local union funds for those on strike in the spmning and weaving departments, The Manchester £rariner says it is distinctly stated that the bulk of the masters are, and have been for some time, losing money. In about three weeks, un- less some concession be made by the opera nearly 16,009 0f them will be thrown out of work. ihe agzregate number of operatives in Preston is about J0,vvu. Heavy Gales=Dreadful Shipping Disasters. A telegram in the Liverpool Post from Piymouth, Marchi 21, gives the following account of the effects of the receut great storm:—Accounts continue to be received, showing Friday night's gale to have been the most violent and destructive during the last tulrty years. The Ann Jones, of and from Plymouth for Cardiff, went ashore near Tintagel, Cornwall, and instantly broke up. ‘The captain and three men cilmbed the precipitous cliff’, and were saved. Four others were drowned, A schooner, name unknown, went ashore on the same spot, and ail the crew perished. At Padstow tha Prussian bark Devitz has been wrecked, and all the crew are sup) to be drowned. The Austrian brig Fiaven, from Falmouth for Gloucester, went ashore at the’ same port. The crew were saved. The Ocean, of Penzance, foundered in the Bristol Chan nel. The crew of the Syiph, which vessel foundered off St. Agnes, were seen by hundreds, for a long m the waves, but they eventualiy ¢ achooner Briesioe, of St. Ives, was wrecked near Padstow; three of the crew were drowned. The Mercury, of Lianelly, for Dieppe, went ashore at St. Ives; the crew were saved by the lifeboat, after a galiant struggle. A schooner of Barnstaple (Topham master), went tn pieces two miles west of Portreath, and the crew, six in num- ber, met with a watery grave. Four small vessels foundered or went ashore in Torbay, off Brixham; fortunately taose on board were ¢aved. Hight iaden barges kK simultaneously of Bideford, aad two drowned. FRANCE, The Army Continge Bill in the French Chambers=Speeches of M. Ernest Picard and Marshal Niel. On the bill for calling out the annual contingent of 100,000 men which the imperial government (“Empire c’est la paix”) has made norm M. Picard, in @ short terse speech, summed up tie ob- Jections of the opposition. He said:— “For ten years we protested, in spite of overwheim- ing majorities, against the military law of 1855, and we have now the satisfaction to find that we have made converts, for the learned reporter of the com- mitte this year admits that this never satisfed the most competent military men, and was at the same time distasteful to the public. The army dotation fund, which for ten years we also attacked, and which for ten years the government de- fended, is now given up as a had job. With such encouragement before us, I fee: no timidity in expressing a doubt whether the new Army act of February, 1863, will tast #0 long as ten years. hope tt may not. Its first and gre ia that it bas @ double aspect. & in it @ law preparing for war whi in the hands of government a ding army of one million two hundred thousand men, and diverts from industrial parsuits all the youth of the country, While, according to another view—and it is this aspect wh: has been most frequently pa- raded before the chamber, whose dislike of war does it honor—the law is one favorable to the population and the arta of peace, because it practically reduces the term of military service to four years anda half. M. Picard denied that the law was good either for war or peace. They had one million two han- dred thousand men upon paper, and it was alleged that that effective number might be uader arma in a few weeks. But this he did not belteve. The Mobile National Guard was at this moment Wholly unorganized; only a few tains had re- ceived commissions, The law, in reality, had been made ad pompam et ostentationem, Many families of influel no doubt, benefitted by the way in law had been allowed to sleep, but, hevertheless, the precarious condition of young men without fortune, who were Hable, at the pleasure of the governinent, to serve for nine yoars, pressed eavily upon the country. The law represented the policy of a personal government which did not know But I think it right [Pee Does it mean peace or war? to put a stop to that state of things which makes the public every autumn, ‘We shall have war in the “spring,” and ev “We shall have war in the autumn?” At million two hundred th are a cause, not of alarm, but of astonisnment to the Bates asits naa check and to riva Prussia struction for the same period amouni 385,000 francs. Why had not the understoo! that science, progress and more effectual means of attack and defence than all this vast expenditure in brilliant uniforms? France was but asmall spot on the map of Europe, and it was a most faise and pernicious theory that her consisted in the numbers tuclesomlitarfens, which oppreasos fe cnauery aed , W! D} country an left it in @ state of cor ose stant - In reply Marshal Niel, Minister of War, expressed his surprise atthe attacks which were being made against the military law, which was necessary to the security of the country, He added:—‘The reor- ganization of the army is nearly complete, If any pressing danger were to arise we should 8) tly be Prepared to face it; but we are not in our task, because chere 1s Dot doing. | regret that the o) ition, in their endea- vors to weaken our military institutions, shoulda choose the very moment when we have before us a Spectacle of countries annexed, of Powers over- thrown, Our military organization is no doubt ex- pears but tt is the most democratic in Europe. it must not be forgotten that France, which knows no hatred, is at the same time the Power which will the least submit to insult, and that, in her eyes, the greatest misfortune that could happen would be to find herself outraged while unarmed. ‘The French people would overthrow with indignation a government that exposed tt to such a disgrace.’ Marshal Niel’s speech was greatly cheered. reason for our 60 The French Press on England’s Position in Reference to America and Russia. Confirming the opinion expressed by our London correspondent in the letter published in the HeRALD of the 27th ult., the £t’ndard of Paris, of the 18th ult., under the title of ‘La France et l’Angleterre,” publishes an article tending to prove that England ought to remain firmly united to France, especially a3 no cause of difference exists between the two countries. The writer insinuates in the following that England ts hard pressed by both the United States and Prussia:— In America we find the British lion prostrate at the felt of the settiers of that country, and in 60 humble an attitude that it does not dare to raise its voice in defence of its dearest interests. Chained down by the Alabama difference and by the geo- graphical position of Canada, England has not sutfi- cient strength to intervene in the question of the Isthmus of Darien, the concession of which will give a mortal blow to her commerce on the Pacific. ‘The Britis statesmen bave well comprehended all the importance of the case, but they dare not say a word in the matter, as England cannot resist the United States, Persia has also become Russian, and on that point also Great Britain has been obliged to yield up her influence before the Colossus of the North, now ex- tending her ramifications to the Persian gulf. In fine, the disorganization of the Ottoman em nd articulariy in its Asiatic provinces, will permit Russia to advance, on the first breath of war, as far as the Mediterranean before even going to Constan- tinople. On that day India ts lost, for the Suez route wul be intercepted. It can be inferred from this that the situation of England in Asia is anything but good, and the last few years have doubtiess witnessed many important changes on that Continent. Formerly England-did not allow any Russian agents to establish themselves beyond Khiva; now they are close on to the confines of the English possessions. FRANCE AND BELGIUM. The Franco-Belgian Dificulty=The Dispute to be Settled by a Commission—The Pro- gramme of Negotiations. [Brussels (March 20) pt cama of the London erald. Yesterday M. Van der Stichilen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium, ofiicially informed Vis- count de La Guerronére that his government had accepted the French proposals. The French Minis- ter at Brusseis at once telegraphed the fact to Marquis de Lavalette, who soon afwr, and in the name of the Emperor and of his government, ex- ressed to tue Belgian Minister at the Tuileries their ively satisfaction at the result of the negotiations, Viscount de La Guerrontére has made a similar com- munication to the Belgian government. And since the basis of the programme to be dis- cussed by the Franco-Belgian Commission have been already agreed to, it may pe already inferred that the disquieting diiference which had ariseu between France and Belgium is virtually at an end. The following information relative to the course and the progress of the negotiations which have led to the protocol drawn up yesterday, will foretell the basis of the arrangement arrived at:— ‘The French government proposed that a Franco- Belgian Commission should meet at Paris to inquire into the Beigian-Luxembourg Railway, and the French Eastern line. The Belgian government ac- cepted that proposal in principle, but pointed out that the programme to be discussed at it ought to be previously settlea. Kach government drew up a programme. The Belgian government proposed that the Franco- Belgian Commission should be entrasted with the task of inquiring into the means of facilitating and improving the industrial and commercial relations between both countries, The French Cabinet, having always in view the starting polat of the incident, proposed that the cominissioners should examine the economic advan- tages or inconveniences resulting from the rallway convention. The French government objected to the Belgian proposals, as being couched in terms too vague and susceptible of being interpreted either too widely or too closely; 1 did not insist upon the validity of those conventions, but asserted that they might possibly be the object of modification necessitating a new ioguiry. ‘he Belgian government supported its proposal by the necessity of defending tts economic interests, Then the French government made another pro- posal, emvodying the two first ; that is to say, that the programme to be submitted to the mixed com- mission should an inquiry into the con- ventions concluded between the two railway com- panies, and aiso into the best means of improving the economic relations between both countries. The Belgian government assented to the last pro- posal. It is a@ fact that her Majesty Queen Victoria wrote an autograph letter to tae Emperor Napoleon and to King Leopold IL, when that difference threatened to assume more serious Proportions, owing to the insults and menaces hurled at Belgium by the semi-official papers of Paris. From what has transpired those letters strikingly prove the deep solicitude of her Majesty for the preservation of ie and for the independency and welfare of the jittle cousin kingdom. Our Foreign Office has not taken any direct steps in the matter and could not do so, because Belgium's neutrality was never menaced by France. The French Emperor is too wise to entertain such ideas, however cherished they may be by some of his subs jects, Butin the diplomatic world it 1s no secret that in the pourpariers exchanged at London ve- tween Lord Clarendon and certain foreign repre- sentatives, at Brussels and at Paris, between our ambassador and the Belgian and French Ministers for Lind oo as o ene Chew oe aa lay er uC! cf 80 a conciliatory spirit whic! para ey peaks fe froin it, either as apathetic to Beigium, or condescending to the peace ateny vrice section of our cabinet, ITALY. Rumors of a Secret Franco-itulian Alliances The War Cloud=ttaly Not Anxious to Take a Part in Earopean Complications, \orence, March 19. Correspondence London Morn+ ing Herald.) . Rnmors of a secret alliance with France, in view of events which unhappily seem but too probabl are of course once more in the ascendant; but unt the contrary be pores in such a manner as to ex+ Je all doubt, I shall persist in believing that no itallan government will wantonly sacrifice the ad- vantages offered by the only policy at once in ac- cordance with the interests and with the dig- nity of bation—a poilcy of strict neutral: ity! Alth as I bave said, the great body of the nation i Irritated against France, and would grieve to see Prussia Worsted in aconfiict with her rivai (indeed, I continually hear the sentiment expressed in @ still more forcible manner), still, it is indisputable that France has her adherents who are ready to lift their voices loudly in her vehalf when the Ltting moment shail arrive. Bue the very exist- ence of these opposing curreni# seems of itwélt sam- cient to prevent the stream from owing in any one direction, and thus to afford a guarantee for the avoldance of any meddlesome participation in events from which no advantage can be expected to accrue to italy, whatever be their issae, dent that whether she made the the Prus- sian quarrel her own Ita) would have no heart for her work, and that her lukewarm assistance would be at best but a dubious boon to her ally. The Diritto of this evening, amid the silence of the purely ministerial organs, has a some- what remarkable article, revealing the existence of certain distressing doubis with regard to the ten+ dencies of the government, although at the same time expressing the conviction that np to the pre- sent moment (beyond this it will not answer) no engagements whatever have been taken, and that the country (# still free to pursue the path traced for her by @ peculta fortunate concourse of circum. stances, italy, says the Jiritto, has no need to forge cuains for herself either at Beriin, at Varia or 7 No nation, y herself, bi ‘tinned, She stilt re race a8 far as brute taeesis concerned, but not by the spirit her instituttos Rome rules, not the imperial gov- oomen ‘alone, bat nel rain and the vitals of the nation, and French in Europe we should see the re Of that fatal allfuace of the eamey with the empire, which our forefathets destroyed at the cost of their blood. The Diritto then declares itself equally op) to the military preponderance of Germany, and insists of aa gS etd i xe with Austria, remodelled acco of the time, “a monarchtcat Switzerland, formed by the union of liberty and tradition.” The question, Ww! 1s to be done should circum- stances absolutely compel Italy to draw the sword, is reserved by the Dirtito for a second article. But 1tis not easy to foresee what its decision 1s to be, ‘how liberally the lash of the journalist ipe'hene plied on either side, But France has, on the waole, come in for the heavier share of the punishment, BELGIUM. Terrible Explosion aud Loss of Life. Aterrible explosion took place at Saintes, near Hal, im Belgium, on the 17th inst., in the premises of M. Joachim favaux, a large flax manufacturer. He and his son were superintenising: fhe workmen in the morning, when an explosion shattered the walls and forced off the roof. The son was thrown down, and the father, with the expen of his head, was also buried in the ruins, The tatter remained for some minutes in this dangerous position, and when extricated his left leg was found to be broken. The warehouse, which was full of flax, caught fire. Five workmen were also burned in the ruins. Sylvia Brennaert was the first body found, Adele de Spige- lier and Mathilde Borremans, when discovered, were found to be partly callcined. Hortense Lebacy and Leocadie Croiseaux were discovered later in the day. All were dead. The boiler of tho steam engine was thrown 130 metres from its position, and a row of trees which it struck was iy shattered, M, Havaux 1s in a very dang ci e. FOREIGN MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. Mazzini has published a work entitled a “Political Testament to the Italians." A magnificent silver crown has been purchased by subscription in England and deposited on the tomb of the late Emperor Maxtimillian. Awoman residing in Liverpool tried to kill her husband recently by pouring paraffin oil over him and then settiag fire to hts clothes. The Dake of Argyll, Secretary for the Indian De- partment, is said to have placed his youngest son in a London commercial house in the tea trade. The recent violent hailstorms in the south of France are reported to have done much damage to tne fruit crops, especially in the district of Aix, Provence, qj On the Prince Imperial'’s birthday the Pope sent him the apostolic benediction by telegraph, to which the Emperor of the French returned nis cordial ac- know! ent. Fresh troubles have occurred at Borgo San Donino, near Bologna, Italy, on account of the mill tax, and several companies of troops have been despatched to suppress them. The Munictpal Coancil of Berlin ny 8 to give all primary education gratis,gand will for that pur- pose include the sum of 40,000 thalers in the budget of city expenses, The soldiers in Prussia whose terms of service ex- pires in the ensuing autumn are to be sent home next June—should nothing serious occur by which their services will be required. Calcraft, the English executioner, has been en- gaged by the authorities to apply the ‘cat’ to con- victed garroters, when he has any time to spare from his more serious occupation, ‘The Paris Figaro classifies the Spanish press of Madrid as follows:—Fifteen journals tor the Duke of Montpensier, five for the Iberical Union, six repubii- can, two for Don Carlos and two for Isabelia. HAYTI. Progress of Pacification—Sualnave’s Cause Ree ported Successful—Condition of the Cacos, Port aU PRINCE, March 20, 1869, The successes of the regular government continue. The President has been away from here now ten days, in the neighborhood of Gonaives, where he 1s bravely defending his cause. A series of successes have attended him there, and the Cacos have been repulsed on every side. Their principal position in the siege of Gonaives, Fort Bienac, which com- manded that town, has been captured from them by the regular troops under General Victorin Chevalier, the guns spiked and the fort entirely destroyed. This is a heavy blow for the Cacos in the vicinity of Gonaives, Haytien corvette, Alexandre Petion remains before Aux Cayes actively besieging that town. The inte- rior of the South is now nearly entirely reopened to travel and trafic, the cities still in possession of the rebellion being actively besieged by land by the government troops. The portof Aquin is now the only open port in the South. A small schooner arrived here three days ago, having offered her cargo at Jacmel, Aux Cayes and Jeremie, and in neither town was there money nor produce sufficient to urchase it. The port of St. Marc is the only one eid by the rebels where there is any business doing. Before the successes of the government at Gon- aives and the capture of Fort Bienac Largest hension was felt here and exchange and produce were pushed by speculators to a very high figure, Since the news arrived here of these successes more security is felt and trade will probably soon attain 1tg usual proportions, The Haytien gunboat Salnave is before Gonaives with the President, Heavy deliveries of coffee from the coast still continue, and will undoubtedly remain so, wr ae two months beiore the crop is ex- hausted. THE COLLECTORSHIP OF ALASKA. A Pointed Letter from Hiram Ketchum, of this City. To THE EDITOR OF THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER: — In your paper of Frid: last, und the head “From Alaska,” is the following par: ph, which was published also im New York and other papers:— Indignation {a expressed by the residents of Alaska at the conduct of Ketchum, the Collector of Customs. [t was hoped that he would be relieved from that department, where he only obstructed commerce. The person here attacked is now in Sitka, several thousand miles distant; he is a native of this city, with @ numerous young family now residing in Brooklyn; he is my eldest son, the mbheritor of m; name. From what | know of his official conduct feel authorized, in the absence of the late collector, to deny the accusations made in the above extract. It is not true that indignation is expressed by the residents of Alaska at the conduct of Ketchum, It 18 utterly false that it was hoy by the residents of Alaska “that he would be relieved from that depart- ment, where he only ovstructed commerce.” The whoie statement I pronounce 4 malicious libel upon an absent citizen, who it was known by the writer could not, by reason of his absence, reply. Mr. Ketchum ia, indeed, relieved from the office of Collector of Customs. ‘The facta in Tespect to his case are briefly these:—He was appointed to that oon by the lat ogy ta Ln oped last; not for any’ party reasons or in consequence of any part! influence, but because at a time when fears were en tertained by some that the House of Representatives would not make the appropriation for the purchase of Alaska, stipulated to be made by the treaty, Hiram Ketchum, Jr., wrote and — an elaborate ticle, demonstrating the obligation and duty of the House 2 ee such appropri a The appropria- tion was rwards voted, an J Roney aig 7) Russia, iS on Mr. Ketchum received his Commission, which &%- pired by law, unless confirmed by the Senate, at the flone ¥ the ensuing session of this body, 4th M: iistan 1@ collector was di hi Sitka 16 eat pom into terous and somewhi in haste to r & bois. jous yorage @ reached pis far of ometa it on the 24th of November last, alid with prothptiess, industry and research entered upon the discharge of his oMictal duties. Of this there {# abundant evidence contained in the oMcial despatches of the collector in the Treasury Depart- oy = which I was permitted to read on Thura- day last. ‘he nomination of collector was sont by President Johnson to the Senate, It was referred to the Vom- mittee on Commerce. In a correspondence with the chairman of that committee (Senator Chandler) he informed me that tn his judgment a majority of the Senate would not consent to take up President John- son's nominations. 1a this opinion the Secretary of the Treasury concurred. The Senate did not consider the nomination of collector for Alaska; the nomina- tion was neither confirmed nor rejected, This non-action was equivalent to although, perhaps, not 80 intended by the Senate, The office of collector therefore, became vacant, and my son was left out in the cold, in latitade fifty-seven degrees north, on the Pacific coast, with permission to return vo hig far distant home at his own expense. He perilied his life to execute the jegitimate orders of jus gove ernment; he served that government with undis. aye pon! and ability, It was not the frat time 6 had periiied his life in the service of his country; yet the government of that country, without mean- ing to do 80, in efect banished bim toa region aa distant, as cold and a8 sav: aa Siberia itself, The vacancy in the collectoranip of was filled by the President and Senate on Friday last—Good Friday, On Saturday the Hon. Secretary of the Treasury told mein his office that this 1 Rab ema was le in no spirit of hostility or unfriendiiness to my son, but that the piace bet vacant was filled by person who had served in the army, at the instance of those interested in Alaska, ‘The friends of fon, not few in number, will read with interest this plain statement of facta, and will not, it Is hoped, permit themselves to forget the banished, though he should never return to his mae tive city aud Stave, HIRAM KETORU! ty William street, New York. Alaska PARIS FASHIONS. A Fashion Confereuce—Representatives Pre= sent—Description of the Coufereuce Cham- ber=The Queea of Fashion—Her Appears ance and Her Toilet—The Fashion Prouun- iamento { clamento for 1868. 15, March 16, 1960, Contrary to every precedent in history the Fashion of 1869 held the first meeting for the promuigation of the coming spring fashions at her own private residence, where her councillors were assembled in a conference, The only explanation given by her for this arbitrary measure was that as the affairs of Europe in general, and those of Greece in particular, had been settled by five plenipotentiaries to the satisfaction of all the Powers, and without any damage to thelr physical organs, supported as they were through their arduous task by frequent banquets, in like manner she surmised that the de- bates on ladies’ attire could be concluded by six dignitaries—one more than was allowed for the East- ern question. met on Saturday last, the 13th inst.—one for Russia, on account of the jewellers and the Polonaise bas- quines; one for Prussia, on account of the Bis- marcks, which are maintamed; one for England, on account of the hosiery, which is quite a visible fea- ture; one for Austria, on account of all the Hungarian styles and Magyar pastes for mustaches; one for ‘Turkey, on account of the harem intricacies, and one for America, on account of the déstnvoléure which is to be applied to the general styles. Although veracity compels me to state that I was one of the worthy representatives I need not disclose which Power I represented. Half a dozen envoys consequently It cannot be denied that we all experienced great curiosity when we met in the reception salon before the entrance of our sovereign, her by broad daylight, unless at the Boils, and then only partially and by glimpses. gifted with a fine voice and excellent address, from the applause bestowed on her acting in charades; witha fine figure, from the admiration elicited by her tableaux vivants at court; with a vivid imagina- tion, from the styles she has edicted on the skating Few of us had seen We knew she was pond and at the races; but we knew nothing of her ina privy council as @ speaker and diplomatist— faculties which are tndispensable to a woman of the period, and in which s0 many now excel. While the Envoy from Turkey was blowing his nose on a white crepe de chene handkerchief, with outward signs of more inward content than he has shown since cashmere shawls were abolished, and while the two representatives from Prussia and Austria were scanning each other’s broadcloth from top to toe, I, with another ambassador, looked round, he turning over Fashion’s music, ‘Faust,’ “Folie 8 Rome,” “Vert-vert,” and I admiring the decoration of thé salon. It was hung with purple velvet; the mouldings were of delicate cream color and gold. Ineach medallion of gilt was the por- trait, executed in Gobelin tapestry, of the heroines under Louis XIV. The ceiling was painted to repre- sent Olympia, all azure blue and surrounded with gold fret work. Six gilt and purple velvet empire chairs were placed round the central table and one high-backed throne chair of the same for Fashion. ‘The carpet was of white moquette strewn with pur- ple bouquets and very light gray leaves. The fringe round the tabie cover was gold, cream color and di- ferent shades of purple mixed. Large china vases on gilt bronze tripods filled ever win- dow between the embroidered muslin cur- tains under the looped purple hangings lined with, cream-colored silk. An old Sévres jar- diniére filled the centre of the conference table, in which were placed Parma violets, white lilac, jon- juils and camelias. No knick-knacks were visible, for this was not a boudoir, and everything indica- tive of private tastes and pastimes had been care- fully avoided. I was making this mental observa- tion when I and my honorable colleague became aware that the Sovereign was apmcoeching, and, like automatons, we turned to the direction whence pro- ceeded a rustle of silk and the sweep of a train. One of Fashion’s body guard preceded her in black, white necktie and powdered head. He announced “The Sovereign,” and then stood back to the wall as. flat as asandwich with nothing but a bit of tongue between. ‘The Fashion entered, with courteous smiles, She bowed, and then with quick step took her seat, and having done so, signed us to do likewise. A word of description before her speech. The Fashion of 1869 1s a blonde. She wears no large chig- nons, but coils of plaits, either pinned up like cable or disposed in loops or allowed to hang like bell pulls. Of an evening all these strands are let out; they flow in spirals or form a shower of featnery golden rain. Her toilet was the perfect model of our newest styles as to color and cut. She wore a train underskirt of citron faye, tinted with mauve, a large flounce on the cross, bordered with biais ofthe same, was headed with a double puff, frilled above and be- low. Over this a white cashmere tunic, looped en camargo, Nounced- with cashmere, whieh was bor- dered like the underskirt. The bodice was square, having a fichu of white silk tulle underneath and a ruff of Valenciennes all round. The sleeves were of two kinds, the under pair tight to the wrist and ending with a Valenciennes ruil; the over pair were very long Jewish sleeves, flounced round jike the over tunic, and lined with cicron silk, An arabesque pattern was braided in the Ortental style with mauve and citron round the neck and behind, and round the bodice in front. Fashion’s ornaments were @ Florentine medallion of enamel, hung from a@ black velvet on her neck, @ high comb of the same on the summit of her nead aud earrings on chains. Her hands were gloved with citron Danish skin, Ivory tablets, to which she referred during the following address, hung from a Media’s chatelaime at her waist. Her skin 13 very clear and rendered dazzling by the artistic tracery of the “magic pencil,” which imparts biue ‘veins to the temples, a perfect arch to the eyebrows; she might also have obtained the down on her cheek py an artificial mixture, but she {s stillso young that it is sweet to hope it was not veloutine pul on With a hare’s foot. Twelve eyes, expressive of profound admiration, were gazing ou ber coral lips wile sue delivered the following :— Gentiemen—Before the business of this day Ihave to announce to you that her Majesty the Empress has not been afilicted with the earache, as the papers: have stated; neither has she had the smalipox, as others have affirmed; neither has her skin become more flushed than usual through salt, Lenten fare. She bas had the cowpox, or rash, but 1s entirely re- covered, ana appeared at the jast court concert in black, with hair dressed high, one roil over the other, as the great Catharine of Russia is repre- sented in her portratts.”’ Fashion had risen to communicate the above; she now spread her camargo and sat down. “Gentlemen,” she continued, ‘I have been tempted to expropriate the past, in pursuance of the ex- ample ig mein @ nation where expropriation is the sp! of all negotiations; but had 1 drawn a straight line where my predecessor established a protuberance the basis of our constitution would be seated on nothing. My government differs from that of the Prefect this capital in that he can de- molish and conte, the ashes of the departed by lal trai) In mournii served by guards in bit wh y influence has to be ex- erted on the Seine; and were | to seek a locality for the inhumation of inconventent remains nothin, ‘would be left for me to transform into novelties an: women would have not @ shred on their backs. Con- uently my efforts have tended towards the revi- valof antique styles, not their burial in a remote de- | py A mery-sur-oise for the fashions would my deathblow. “The first revival | wish you to insist on is the Queen of Navarre ruff, a stepping stone to the Elizabethan and Medicis high collars, which stood upright like K's aud being stiff kept men at a qis- Itis at present very low and stands up hind by means of a wire run through the ed; ing. It falls do’ in front like Te- versor flap and thus ornaments the front of open ‘The alms pouch and chatelaine are anovel val, but no lady Wearing slashed sleeves— and they are yery much recommended—would omit to styles of the sixteenth cen- pe more than the jerkin and plumed cap. Crinohite costumes, * Pp. will _be worn With trains, not wita short a . ee FARES bs “The materials for nial woar Ate to be sultane, serge, al linen, lawn, mohairs, poplins, Va- lenciaa, Scotch merino and striped with satin in ali shades. All these are to be ruchéd with silk taffeta, which ruchés are pinked, falled and drawn in different patterns, Nothing can be worn without flounce, frill, plaité and roulleaux, whether ca- saques, pelerines, Camargos, over or under skirts; but, remember, I require full garments, No amount of trimming cau make up for fulness and bunchi- ness, Fowlard: js are again this summer to be @ The newest is the japonals, © lard is what corded silk ts to thin which I prefer for spring are Veronese Suez bine, Moatespan pink, Rubens blonde, ie lotus, bronze, cigar, and all the stripes sprinkled with “tag 9 fowerets. Do not forget nezam or Indian red. Faye and taffeta are tn thetr chameleon shades to vie with every tint of the ocean under sunrise, midday, twilight or moonbeam. Stripes are of two sorts. The old ts the Marte An- tolnette stripe, which seeks Lp in cee 4 the modern and empire stripe ts content with bright cont The former is suitable for anderskirt the latter for fall costumes, There are also streaks of a8 many as thirty different shades to emulate with aurora behind slivery clouds. Bi jonaises, camargo basques with mantie ends in ront, pelerines with scarf enda and coachinen's capes are the black mantle arrangements to be worn over walking dresses, but all should fol- low suit. Sashes are to continue a great feature; the butterfly wings and eight loops without ends called ‘sun-knot’? are most bunchy. Hats are fanchons in straw, with crested lace and flower ey eS ‘The almaviva mantie is the Spanish veil and flower above the temple. “Flowers are to be the Drightest. Thus the frosted harcissus, the tulip, the acacia wreath and pray, the orchid, the carnation aigretto, the biush rose and brown leaves, the sparkling convolvolus and yellow pansies. I wish also to in- augurate a new flower, the ‘eifride.’ It tw a lil; tired of ita statelil with pel that open to all tortuous vatie aud dispiay ® vieeding hear. iis 5 when the san shines upon them, as the favorites will be orange and t blue, Fichus and chemisettes are to be very varied, some crossing like the sanne on poen bodioes; others Tow behind ana draped only io “Trimmings, not ruche, pieat or and lace. Jewelry is to be Ai‘artistic enamel, Floren- tine armament; ‘rings, large ovals, set with Fans are to be painted water colors on ailk and mounted on cedar or sandal wood. “Gentlemen, you will observe that I do not men- tion reform—on the contrary, increased charges, in- uantities of material for frills and ruche; that we are imitat the times of the and we cannot derogate or suffer from com! See to tt, gen- tlemen, for I am not responsible; I am above re- sponsibility; should the people attack my govern- ment I shall look to one ou to denounce your own illegalities and irregularities, but the work of cutting up must be continued. “The fashions of the roi soleil are not to be scantily carried out. We have the spun purple, gold and brocade, the powder, the sedan chairs, the ambro- sial bath and fumigated boudoirs. We are coming to our morning levées, to the times when we shall re- ceive company while reclining in our couches under pink satin and lace. We are coming back to the scenes painted by Hogarth; so, peetannens brush uy your lara , for when the crash comes I shall loo! to you for defence such as was not granted to Marie Same in nee oaiies. su why? Because [ @ responsible party, an ou, gentlemen, will be laid all the blame. eld 20) ‘This latter part of the speech was sald with ter. mble vehemence. Fashion then rose, bowed and re- tired. Soon after all we plenipotentiaries left the salon for the banquet hall, and, though rather star- tled, feit as pacific towards each other as the five who gat over the Eastern question, and constaatly Partook of champagne with just as much gusto. LITERATURE, Reviews of New Books. THe NATIONAL QuARTERLY Revigw. New York: Edward J. Sears. Taken all in all, the present number of the Na- tonal Quarterly cannot fail to add to its reputation of being among the best reviews published in the United States, The opening article on “Diogenes the Oynic” is @ forcibly written and ingenious de- fence of that philosopher. “The Turko-Greek Ques- tion” 1g an admirable paper. It is a thoughtfully, candid review of the recent troubles in the East, and the writer has had the good senge to ignore what is termed “popular prejudices,” and take an impartial view of the situation, We have never aided in the wholesale denunciations heaped upon Turkey because she happens to hold a religious faith ‘and social ideas differing with our religion and 80- cial ideas. ‘That the Turkish government has been most scandalously abused without meriting a tithe of the obloguy heaped upon it is very evident to all that nave carefully studied history; and that an American reviewer can be found courageous enough to do Turkey justice is a gratifying indication of pro- croming independence on the part of our literary men. The review of ‘“Beranger and His Songs” is good, as is also the paper entitled “Successive Conquests and Races of Mexico.” We can- not, however, subscribe to all that 18 ocon- tained in the article on “Columbia College.” It 1s to be deplored that the subject haa been made the cover for a most unmerited adverse criticism upon the Jesuit Colleges of St. Francia Xavier and Fordham—two of our best educational institutions, If the writer found it difficult to obtain admission tnto either of these colleges his has been an exceptional case, for we know that as a generat rule any person, be he Catholic or Protestant, can, upon application, not only obtain all the information he needs, but also visit these places at all times. “fhe Ruling Classes in England” and ‘Ceilic Music” are excellently written. ‘President Grant and his Cabinet,” is a forcible, interesting paper. The “Notices and Criticisms,” which conclude the eee are written in the usual fair and impartial style, STUDIES IN GENERAL SCIENCES. By Antoinette Browa Blackwell, New York: G P. Putnam & Son, pub- lshers, This is a very aspiring work, written by a lady of established reputation for learning and ability. We cannot, however, accord to it any high position in our literature. Mrs. Blackwell, it is true, has evi- dently carefully studied her subject, but she has fur- nished us with nothing new. Every idea embodied in her book has been given to the world already and repeatedly. The best, therefore, that we can say ior “Studies tn General Sciences” 1s that, ignoring those inevitable itaucs of all women writers, it is written in an easy, flowing style, and if it teaches nothing new, Will doubtless interest and instruct many What have not hitherto studied the subject. Tuk MINES OF THE West. A Report to the Secretary of the Treasury. By Rossiter W. Raymond, Pn. D., Commissioner of Mining Statistics. New York: . Ford & Company. Mr. Raymond has done well in publishing the very instructive and interesting report he made last year to the Secretary of the Treasury. There is nothing we so greatly necd as a comprehensive knuwleage of the mineral resources of the Weat. ‘That they are great we know, but all of our know- ledge ts vague and unsatisfactory. Unfort unatel, the American mind has not been directed so mu to the development oi ali our mines as it has been to the development of those which wili pay large pre- fits on the capital expended for their workings. We have not time to review at length the varied infor- mation which this report furnishes. Mr. Raymond takes a clear, scientific view of the subject. Every- thing relating to mining is discussed at length, the country 18 ably described and suggestions offered which, if followed, cannot, in our estimation, fail to benefit our mining interests. Tue Last ATHENIAN. Translated from the Swedish of Victor Rydberg, by W. W. Thomas, Jr., late United States Consul at Gothenburg, Sweden. Philadephia: T. B. Peterson & Brothers. We have glanced over the pages of this work with greater pleasure than we had expected on opening the book. It is @ most agreeable historical novel, the scene of which is laid in Greece during the fourth century. Romance and reality, mythology and his- tory are well blended, forming a book which will be read less for the sake of the story than for the value of the reminiscences it contains. So far as we can judge, having but a limited knowledge of the Swed- hh language, Mr. Thomas has performed the work of transiauion admirably. J Miscellancous. e We have received from Messrs. Hurd & Houghton, of New York, their reprint of “Othello,” being one of their admirable sertes of Shakspeare’s works. We have also received from T, B. terson & Brothers, of Philadelphia, copies of their cheap .re- rints of “The Talisman” and “The Highlaad idow,’’ by Sir Walter Scott, Magazines, Mr. Nostrand’s Holectic Engineering Magazine, though still in ita infancy, has become one of our ablest and most scientific publications, The Aprit number before us, is tull of excellent reading mat- ter, which fully maintains the reputation won by their previous issues, STREET OBSTRUCLIONS, East Forty-ninth Street. To Tae Hpyyor oF THE HERALD:~— The condition of East Forty-ninth street, between Fifth and Madison avenues, calls for immediate action on the part of the proper authorities, Private solicita- tion has been useless, and a slight enumeration of the annoyances will convince ar that at this season further patience is out of the question. The street is well nigh impassable from neglect. A con- nection was madé with the sewer months ago and the pavement ta still bo ey The street has not been swept since last fall, and the heaps of dirt which bad been collected have long since re- solved themselves into the general chaos. Piles of e been hung down at random, Impeding tra’ mn unusual manner. As for the mud, pedeatrial re deterred from calling in this neighborhood, since the walking is more like a country road just now than a fine street in a fash- fonabie precinct of New York. East Thirty-fifth Street. To THe Epirok or THR HERALD As you want Fifth avenue cleared, why not go the whole hog? In East Thirty-fifth street, between Second and Third avenues, is a builder's yard—No, 252, The yard is bad enough, but « large pile of brick, encroaching say three feet on tue sidewalk and ten on the carriage way, has been standing for months, crowned with wooden horses and boards, Buliders’ and other wagons line the curbatone, to the great detriment of tenants and proprietors in a very respectable neighboraood—where & member of Jongress lived but @ short time ago, if not now. Have builders more rights than owners or tenants? If #0, let the public Know. GENERAL GRANT AT CHURCH. {Washington correspondence of Barnesville (Ohioy nterprise.| 1 watched General Grant for a half hour during service, and he appeared a8 & man sv unused to dress and fashion and conventionalities that this thing of attending church to be stared at made him unhappy. His eye wandered among the audience, darting from his half-open lids, as if seeking for some hole or corner through which other eves did not protrude, but in vain. He turned to the galleries, then to the preacher, then to the singers, then square round and looked over the heads of a thousand mi and women gaudily dressed, straight at the door, but whichever way that quiet gry mi ‘was met by the curiosity look of the adios and omoce- hunting look of the men. The President's wife sat lool 7 of a solid matron ot A county villa —“ cnitdren. of the President were in their pl in hand, in . ig hymns and praises to the Lord with fervor earucetucas,