The New York Herald Newspaper, December 6, 1869, Page 5

Hence an ovttmate for one for one pow mak! for one month 811,837 pounds, and ai aggregate for ove yeur of 8,742,044 pounds, Jf, therefore, postage value of this free Matter be computed at the minimum estimates of pee pkonn for letters and 16 cents per pound documents, ‘we have @ postage value for free let- tere of $758,560 and yr Lp yen $008,781, D, ate of 277, a8 Audveated Dy the be Ae ala ero “when the mali were almost enurely relieved of the burden of whe heavy departmental rej » Al this from the Washingwa city Post Ofiice alone. ‘There 18 no sound reason for believing that, esti- mating by weight, the present basis of the postage Fales, tue proportion af free mater ig really less ‘than thirty per ceutum, a8 ascertained by the care- fa! investigations Of @ comiuiitee of the Briciah Par- bament, But even i we adopt the resuits of the im- perfect intormation attainabie in this country and gasume twenty-live per cent of the ordmary annual exvendiiures a3 the just equivalent for tue uopaid services of the Post Oilice Department, it will appear that the government is bound in honor and jusuce to appropilate $5,000,000 tustead of $700,000 jor this rervice. Bat the most potential reason of all for the aboli- tion of the franking privilege 1s found in the tucura- Die abuses and frauds which seem (o be inseparabie from ite exercise, When the number of persons ‘Who are clothed with the franking privilege aud of dges who ure expected to puss upon the genuine- ness of franks 18 considered, the opportunity for Doundiess frauds wil appear w be ulnost iniinite, "ae following statement, made up from omicial sources. wili show how iar the privilege 13 extended Uuder exsung laws:— BYATEMENT OF OFFICIALS EXERCISING THE FRANE- ING PRIVILBGE. President of the United States and his secre- tal 2 1 7 4 21 4} rere o 6 €ecreiary of Senate anu Clerk of House of Rep- TOBGIIALVES. 00+ .++s0seeren0e acserssves | 9 Assistant Secretaries, clief clerk, &&, Stace Department........+..++ sees 4 Assistant Atorney General and chile clerk .... 2 Assistant Secretary, Quiniuiss.oners, cies clerk, &o,, Interior DepartMent.....e...ssseceeeeee 183 Ohte‘s of bureaus, chief clerk, &¢., Navy Depart. Ohiefs of bureaus, cluet clerk, & DepartMent.....-.ssrereeees seeeee BL Assisiant Secretaries, cbigh qigrks, &O, Qf tue _Tre.sury Deparpuehitss 7. et Doosbilly £ OSHMIUBLELE enerai, superintend- ents of foreign mais aud money order Bys- tem and chief clerks Post Uillcs Department. 9 Add internal revenue officers (ussexsors assistant collectors ang deputies). Postmasters on lat November, 1569. and ‘Total... he eeeeeeeetetereeees ° An this statement along 19 40 acuny OF 41,933, Who, generally speaking, load the mails at will with what- ever matier they please. Suiue of tiem, to be sure, are granted ouly a limited privilege, yet, practi- cally, the restrictions are no longer operaitve. ‘To these guould be added the countess dogs WoO ad- dress communications to members of Congress, Gel the Cierk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Seuate, heads of deparunents, eads of bureans, chief clerks ail others au- jortwed to frank oficial matter. How 13 1 possipie thot any chee.# whatever cau be imposed and en- forced against a privilege go wiuely extended? 4 But the aifMficuities increase when jb further a that the judges Who “écide upon Lie Griiuineness of 1raukS 222 Tie eure corps Of 2,378 popmaaer sootvered uli OVer the country, none of oi, With tue ULMos: diligence, can hope to acquire a wolerable iumiliarity wish the signatures of Move than @ lew of the privileged. in the larger offices, where one hour 13 the iongest time thatcan be allowed Jor making up the mais, and where it ig necessary to receive and manipu- ate thousands of letters day, 113 impossivie, even if the genuine signatures were kuown, make asyatemauc akempt to exclude matter im- properly trapked. Witabis the resuil? Bound.ess drauds, of course, Withoul @ possibility of detecuag them, or even @ lope of preventing their further increase. In fact, every irank, counterfeit or gen- wine, 18 equaily effective, and the extent of the evil is Lmived only by the wants 0. those who desire to Mupose upon the service. Jt has been well said that “there 1s no middle groupe between boundiess franking and no irank- @.’? ‘Phe truth of this observa.ion wiil be perfectiy mauifest to all who wii take the trouvie to inquire futo tue subject. With tae appliances now at the command oj Lhe department, or uiat can ve devised iu 18 Interest, 1b would be a sheer impossibility to ouminate fraud from the exercise of the franking priviiege. The privilege itself 1s the iruitiul unower of frauds, anu cannot be reiormed. Estimaing the frauds aud evasions perpetrated uuder cover of tis System to be equal in amouut to the postages upon matter bearing genuine signatures (and tis 1s no exaggeration), the total exveuse is swelled 10 an amount equai to the entire deueit 0. the department for the jase fiscal year. Certainly these stupendvas frauds should be prevented; and, as they cannot ve separated from the practive of the system, the only Femedy is to ubo.ish tue systes itsell, How t# 1t posaibie tor the department to escape from the slough into which it Las been cast so loug a9 goveriment fastens inextricably about ils neck an ever-increasing weight? Under the trightiul burden imposed by the trauking privilege no further reforms cau ever be made in the way of reducing demestic postages. An appalling deficit wiil bea perpetual bar to all progress, all substantial un- provement, The objection that Congress may desire to print and disseminate public documents slioutd not avatl against the appeal of the department for deiiver- ence from the frauds that are fast overwhelming it. If the privilege be abolished, official publicawons may eull be forwarded io the mails. it 1s only asked tnat they, like all private matter, may be chargeable with postage. ifitbe urged that this would prevent or impede the diffusion of the knowledge of puviic affaira among the people, then it may be said, in repiy, that if it be the purpose of Oongress to give information to the people, afar more tellin; expedient may be resorned w. An uuburden press, managed and directed by private enterprise, ean do more than Congress to énligtten the masses. Better far tuat the tranking priviiege shoula be abolished, and that all newspapers sent to regular and bona fide subscribers from a known oftice of publication should be carried free, without regard te weight, throughout the United States, as now Wronghout the county wherein printed and ublished. The receipts of the department for the last year irom “newspapers and pamphlets’ amouuted to $17,382. This portion of ts receipts the department can forego, provided it ean be protected against the frauds, more than three times in amount, imseparable trom the frank- tug privilege. Should Congress conform to my recommendations fm thia respect, 1 coniidently predict that millions will be saved annually wo tie government, that the ae; ent will be at once redeemed from its piesent condition of chronic bankruptcy, and that the postal service will speedily vecome the potent coadjutor of the people ia developing and adorning our great country. My predecessor addressed to the Speaker of the House ot Kepresentatives a letier, under date of 9th January last, 1a relation to the postal telegraph, en- closing an elaborate communication on the same subject from Gardiner J. Hubbard, of Boston. This ig a subject of great importance, and deserves the mcst careful cousideration. Several European na- tons have adopted the system with apparent suc- coas. Lehall defer making any recommendation concerning it until &@ greater degree of eicieucy can ‘ve attained in the service as at present constituted. ‘he comn 10m herevoiore appointed by Congress has submitted to me a codification of the stavutes re- lating W the postal service, which has been referred to a committee of competent gentiemen of long ex- rience in the practical workiig of the department jor careful revision. Their report Wil be presented to Congress at an eady day. The codification, wren eriecwd and adopted by Congress, will greatiy Littate the public business, Regarding the present as a favorable opportunity, Tcail the ul.couon of Congress to tue pena: laws provising for the punistunent of offences against the postal service, The penaities prescribed are in many Cases too severe, and, by reason of their ap- arent harshness, have tended to create sympatiy the minds of jurors and otuers in vehaif of this class of ojifenders. Experience jas shown that the certmaty of punishment, more than its soverity, deters from crime, 1 re- ommend that the terins of imprisonment in most eases be shorened and graduated, with a more careful regard vo the uature and character of the offences Witich the framers of the laws designed to Punish and prevent. A reorganization of the departinent has become a necessity. The recommendation of my predecessor in that regard is cordially approvea, it would be unjust to ciuse this report without meas @ proper recognition of the important ser- ‘vices of the heads of the respective bureaus of the aepartnent, tnclading the superintendeaw of for- eign mails and of the moncy order ofMice, They are all pentiemen of singular fitaess tor their several osiuons, In all things they have come up © 6the «fail measure of my expectations, and | esieom myself most foriun in having secured their valuable aid. In consideration O1 the ability, integrity, 1adustry and zeal they have continually exhibited I earacsily recommend such @n increase in their salaries teans of a rospectabie livelihood, thelr present compensation being inadequate for that purpose. Uhave the honor to be, With great respect, your obedient servant, JOMUN A. J, CRESWELL, Postmaster General. The Pxesipe: FOREIGN MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. An imperial degree hag fixed the military cou- scriptton tn Poland in 1870 at four per thousand. oho ne of ae have offered to send a guard 0 ome during t 4 com posed of the eéiie or dhe orn oF (ie one Disturbances are breaking out im Bul, ulgaria, aud gril uc Ary "Ae in all directions. bandin open aye) ““eeKed by & numerous Count von Honpesch, ciiiven by a pistol shot, at by the inperor of Austiia wou ba ‘udemaity of 20,000 florins an cet in & similar amount to take his tral in the Oriminal Ag Will aiford them the | NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1869.—TRIPLE SHEET. SPAIN. General Sickles’ Diplomacy on the Cuban Question. Spanish Ministerial Banquet and the Colonial Caso “Talked Over” Quietly. Position of Prim and President Rivero. By mati from Europe we have the following special correspondence from Madrid in important detail of the progress of the United States diplomacy on the Cuban question, as conducted by General Sickles with the Spanish Cabinet, and the gradual approach of the Ministry to a consideration of the points of the American note which contemplates the acquisition of the island by sale or transfer. ‘The Cuban Question 2 Spain and Proposed American Mediation—What ie Said of the Sickles Note and Ite Withdrawal—Belli- gcrent Righte—President Rivere and the United States Miuister> What the Enatlsh Think—Old Fogyism—The Ex-Queen’s Abdi- cation—The Bishop of Havana. Mapuip, Nov. 16, 1869. A short time ago all the Spanisn papers rose up in arms and carried on quite a warfare against the United States respecting the proposed mediation in the painful question of Cuba, The Dons talked large, imagined their national pride wounded, their sel(-suMeclenoy doadtea, and consequently refused any kind of interference ¢ven from their Well known friends, the Americans; but Sickles’ diplomatic note bad no sooner been withdrawn when the Spaniards began to feel that they had made a mistake, and that the friendly oilices of the United States ought not to have been slighted, but rather courted. Sen- sible, long-sighted politicians began to reflect, and gcon saw that a faisé and, consequently unsaie, step had been taker. They took into consideration thas the United States Congress would soon meet and most likely would recognize the Cubans as belliger- ents, for the great republic would refuge to consent to @ barbarous and exterminating warfare being carried on for an indefinite length of time at their very doors, This the United States would do to pus an end to the bloody warfare, both from humane motives and for tho purpose of protecting their commercial interesta, = - The Spaniards know full well that if the United Biates once recognize the Oubans as belligerents Cuba would be lost to them for ever, and most likely not Ouba alone, The following, which I copy from one of the Spanish papers, show pretty weil tae Spanish view Ot the mawer, It is headed ‘“‘The Cuban Question,’? and reads thus:— Our correspondence from the United States in- forms Us Uhat the idea of a friendly mediation, for the purpose Of putting an end to the iamentavie war 1u Cuba, has not been altogetner abandoned vy the Cabinet of Wasnington, Aithouga toe Spanish government declined tuis imtervention of a ower iriendly, nevertheiess foreign, When it was presenied With condivons Wich Spain thought contrary Ww her riguts and interests, the United states appear- ing not to have been infuencea by any ambiuious, much ies8 Nostile view towards our ovuntry, have thought that by modifying tne form of tals media- tion they might still contribute to tue weilare of Spain aud our bretiiren in Cuba. This beveiit, in tne urst place, Wouid be to the United states, for we have aiready mentioned how much tue commerce of thas country suifers by the prolongation of such a disastrous war. Our Antics lurm the great market of Spain a8 weil as the United States, and its pacilioation is almost ideuti- cal for both nations. if there be a fouuded hope of not meeting a repulse—which nations that respect each vwer ure Dot expected to—the Vabines of Washington w.ll oiler its good Oifices to procure the paciilcauon Of the island o: Cuba in & manner that snail in no Way prejudice the rigats aud inter- esis of Spain, We, tuat irom the commencement were favorable o the idea of a friendly modiation, like those Witich most natious have admitted on like Occasions, Cannot DOW reject those good Oilices If they were offered, as we hupe they were, witu nobie loyaity upou honorabie terms for our country and for the humane purpose Of terminaung @ Iracricide war. Two considerations lead us principaily w adopt this attitude, The frst is most tmportaut in @ moral sense. ‘The Tevolutuion is velag got under and 1s dauy losing ground, aud spall having seul con- siderable iaud and sea reinforcements, with which there are guilicient elements Lo crusa the rebeliuon, it canriot be attributed by any one to want of airengtn Whatever concessions we may make to thoge whom we cannot but consider as suns of the same counuy. Europe, alter the first impression, chiefly caused by the unbappy state of ovr country, having lay felt certain that Spain was suilicieut to pacify the Island of Cuba, woud not see in our acceptance ui the offer of the United States out a proof oi deference, the fruit of a sincere desire to cultivate and nourish the good feeling that has existed for the last century be- tween the ;areat republic and tie nation tat dis- covered America, aud whose meriis are more prefer- abe than any other European Power in tue worid of Columbus, ‘The second consideration, still more important, ts the strengtu that che news of a periect, irendly feeling existing between Spain and tue United staves would give to the Cabinet of Wasuington, in de- fending tm Congreas the policy of ioyat friendship which it has shown towards our country during toe Cuban war. Ifthe Chamber meetsin vecember under the impreasion that Spain has repelied all friendiy overtures of tue United Staves, and the war in greater or less proportion continues in the isiand of Cuba, there would be great danger of the Oongress tnsist- ing on the recognition of the Cubans as veliigerents, and that the Senate would demand the notes that have passed between tue two governmenis and judge the matter liseli, But 1¢ the proifered good ‘offices be adinitted, this danger wiil at once disap- pear and it will nut be impossible for the ministers of President Grant to prevent tue question from being vehemently agitated in the Congress of the United Staves. Wo call te ativention of the new Minister of State and the Council or Ministers to these consideratious. If our iuiormation turn out to be correct and if the Cabmet of Washington should agaio offer its good oMices to loyally assist in the paciucation of Cuba, we should consider it a very grave fault to ooject, provided always, that in accepting the said good offices Spam reserves to herself liperty of acuion and the security of tue honor and interests of the country, Besides the foregoing ® rare occurrence took place in the House of Representatives that has not only been the subject of conversation and specula- tive guessing among the diplomatic corps, but ail over Madrid generally. At the close of a debate in Congress, Rivero, the president of the House, accom- panied by one of the deputies, went up to the dipio- matic tribune, and, aller saluting General Sickles in the most courteous manner, entered upon an earnest and aitimated conversauon with that able dipiomat, acurcely paying attention to any one eise, ‘Ine affair wasso unusual and the attention so marked as to attract the notice of the waole house. Every eye was rivetted upon them, every brain to work in conjectures and every tongue began to wag. What- ever could be tue meaning of this unheard of proceed- mg? The matter was discussed in political circles, soiress, clubs and cafes, ® hundred guesses were ventured, and, perhaps, none hit near the mark; for the subject matter of the conversation remains UukROWn, and will 80 Comtuue Unless Kivero lots it out, for General Sickles 1 oue of the closest diplo- mats I have ever known. ‘The following day the circumstance appeared in the morning papers, and now I have just read that President Kivero 18 going to give a splendid banquet to General Sick! The English representative strokes his whiskera, the Kren 3 his shoulders, the Russian looks confused, the Puilosophic Dutccnman peeps wisely over fis spectacies; all look astonished and can’t make it out, Toney scan the General's features, but read nothing 1a bis unaltered visage, With’ that caim serenity he returns nod tor nod, and with his weil known piercing giance look for look. Thave just heard from good authority that the Re banquet 18 uot exclusively to General Ickes, a8 Le papers Imagine, but for the purpose of bringing ‘he Diplomatic Corps and the new Mini ter of State together in riendiy party, periaps acting on the old saying, nearest road to men's Dearie 1s down their throats.’ Tt has been an oid established custom in Spain for Ministers out of office to receive @ aalary of $1,000 a your, and there are now on the list between forty ant fifty such unemployea Ministers. This allow- ance 16 called “cesantias.” Seior Ramos Calderon brought @ proposition before the House to suppress tho said ‘cesantias", and when it was put to vol notwit that every Minister of whe present Cabinet voted and worked hard to get a majority agalust the proposition, they could only muster flity- HX votes, While those im favor of the number thirty-two votes. It was not posed that the Ministers now in power wonid vote at ail, but toy did, every one of them, clearly showlug that the saying, “Chaeun pour got et Diew sur tout,” holds as good Lert On (he Of ler side of een, us have beon the reasons given for the non- Publication of the document by ex-Queen abella avdicating im favor of ber son, Prince Al- not up division having taken place ii modcrado part; while another paper rates tal to ‘ocument wae Fead and discussed in the house of Conde de San ‘Luts on Wednesday, and is t0 be published all over Lurope on 4 given The Bishop of Havana has arrived here from Ouba. was sent from the isiaad by order of the that bis i$ on consieration thought better to obey the order qui- ety. On arriving at Cadiz he tried to get w pate ap bee was Seminal and forwarded to ue answer cargos rought against bim eetler Urense (warauls na — triarch of 8), of the repuoiicans, has been acquitted of the againat him on account of the late repubil- can movement in Bejar, and has retired to France. Suier, the atheist and leader of the movement in Gerona, has fared worse, tor sentence of death has been decreed, He, however, escaped to France before his trial came on. The Banquet te United States Minister SickleeA Pleasant Mode of Colonial Con- ference—Report of the Ministerial Feto— Whe were Present—General Sickles on the Cuban Question—Prim’s Intended Complimemt—What the Porte Ricans Asi. MaDRID, Nov. 17, 1869, The splendid banquet given in honor of the gal- lant General Sickles, United States Minister on this mussion, came off on Sunday evening. As it was generally known in political circles that the invitation was semi-oMictal, surprise was expressed that none of the other foreign ministers Were inyiled, This, however, is caay. wo understand, 48 also. way. the Danquet was given by the President of the House of Representatives insiead of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, It 1s evident that this course was adopted so as to throw off official restraint and im order that the relations between the two countries and the important question of the Spanish eolonies might be discussed in a free, easy, friendly way. It 1s also certain that as to what passed was intended to be kept secret, for although I bave carefully scanned all the papers I can gather trom them on other information than that the banquet came off and the names of the parties invited. The most de- tailed report is as foilowa:— Last mght, as we bad announced, Sefior Rivero pov? # banquet to General Bickies, the representa- tive of tnd wasted States to Spata. "Tne parties pre- gent were Seiores tlarice, Secretary of Stator Be cerra, Minister for tho COlopies; Colonel John Hay, Secretary of the United states Lorton: Sulygla, laie becretary of state; Valera, Romero Giron, Alonso, Carouel y Urtiz, Oliaiieta and Gesset, it seems that the intimacy O1 Sexor Kivero, the Minisver aud ex- Munster of State and the Minister for the Colonies with the representative of the United States will be the producuon of very satisfactory results, A friend of mine, who rejoices mn the fame of being an able politician, and from whom jew seereta are kept, has informed me—under promise of not men- Uoning it here—that the seasion lasted from seven Oelock P, aM, tll midnight, that moat of the conver. sation turned upon the Cuban question, and that the General, iu the plainest terms, gave them the opin- fon of the United States touching that question. Some objections were raised, but in such @ friendly manner as not ip the least to alter thorongh gogd teeing. General Sickles also indicated sdiething respecting a new postal arrangement for the pur- pose of reducing the rate of postage between Spain and the United States, and though the exact answer Was nos beard, suiicient was noticed to conclude that the idea wae favorably received. If the Gene- Tal succeeds in carrying out his proposition he wiil justiy deserve the gratitnde of the commercial world and thousands of others who have corre- spondence with Spain, for itis extremely difficult to dram into the Spantard’s head either the Amert- can scheme of gmail prouts and large traugactions or Peel's snail profits and quick returus. Tne Hon- Orage John P. Hale tried 2 vain to move the antl Progressist government of the ex-yueen on tas imatier, but could never make toem understand that two and Lwo were equal to four; or, in other words, that if the postage were reduced the correspondence would be increased, Aud yet Kowland Hiil’s penny postage scueme Wheo put ii practice uere gave such juumediate and abundant proois. 1 have no doubt that by this time tix. Secretary Fish will have re- ceived a long despaten from the able pen of General Sickies giving Tull details Of ail that Wanspired aL the banquet, and tue government will do well 11 giving Min every encouragement tn carrying out bis proposition, for a better season could not be cuosen. he Generui is evidently the hon of tne foreign di- plomatic corps, and 11 the Ume (oO stride Lae Irn 18 while it is hot, taen hammer away at once, without lo-s of tame, for the chaages from heat to ould are very sudaen at this Capital, i have oeen informed by an oMcer of rank in the army that rim (the Manister for War) is golg to get up @ Miltary review on an unusually large seale in honor of weneral Pickles, to be followea by # grand military bali, given at the Palacio ae Godoy (he War bepartinend), at whica the General and is staif are to be specialiy mvited. 1 nave never seen a diplomat more courted by all classes Of socieiy than General Sickles appears Wo be at the present momeut, He is undouotedly the nent man in the mgt piace. The aventions paid to him tu political circles may be accounted for by reason Of the delicate state of the Cuban question; but bis very warm reception in the beau monde of Madrid has notniug to du with poiitical views, hy ‘rhe Puerto Rico deputies have carried on an animaied discussion in Oongreas, claiming for the innaoitants of the tsiand all the rigow ana privileges enjoyed by the Spaniards of the Penin- sula, ‘They demanded @ considerable reduction of taxes, and proposed many other reforms in the administration. They also very stvongiy urged ‘the abolition of slavery, and related most Darbarous croeities comutttved by sume of the slavenowders. They said that 600,000 inhabitants awaited the issue of their efforts in thie matter with the greatest anx!- ety, and uf the Cortes did not take up the siavery question, the Puerto Rico deputies would have to reiurn to the island overwhelmed with shame. Becerra, the Minisver for the Colouies, replied that the inhabitants of Puerto Rico had undouoted night to the same priviliges as Spanierds in the Peninsula, but that momentary dimiculues had de- layed the concession of the same. This, however, should be at ence awwended to. He said that he was @ decided abolitionist, and he believed that every Spaniard was 60 tco, He maintained, however, that it was @ question of importance and required study, but that wis great problem would ve decided by tae Cortes of 1880. ‘she Jmparcial, taking up the matter with great warmth, exclaims:— Slavery! Here is a horrible social crime, in which Spain has been an accomplice for some centuries past, tere is an institution condemned by the morais of ove: tion, eapectally the Catholic; meverweless, tu the civilized world it ts omy sustained by countries eminentiy Catholic, Wil mociatic revolution of Ieéy put un end to this hor- Fivie trailic in human tlesh? Will it not atleast break the first Jinks of the slaves’ chains, 80 that soon he may have a prospect of enjoying his dignity as a maa, the riguts @ = Tatuer, by J, citizen, owner—1 short, the riguis of ac- tion, goods and [abur? The ex-infante Don Enrique de Bourbon has been allowed to come to Madrid, and presented himself yesterday (at the royal palace) before hia Highuess the Kegent of tue Kingdom (Serrano), General Cardova, Virector General of Infantry, is very busy in Catalonia recruiting and organizing volunteer corps ior tne Island of Cuba, and accord- ing to fis account bas no difiicalty in obtaining the number of wea he requires. CUBAN EXPEDITION FROM NEW ORLEANS. Its Character—Large Amount of War Mate- rial to be Shipped. {From the New Orleans Repubiican, Dec. 30.) For some time back it has been knowa to the favored ‘ew that a Cuban expedition on @ large scale has been quietly organizing, with ita hvad- quarters in New Orleans. ‘Ihe leaders of the new mouvement are sauisied tat Congress wiil recognize the insurrections’ as belligerenta among the tirst acts of the next session, and they are convinced that Spain will make herculean exertions to con- quer the isiand betore the meeting of Congress. Act- ing ou these convictions, they propose to throw all the men and munitions of war they can command into the island at once. ‘Toe expedition trom this point will not be nume- rows in point of numbers, being composed of be- tween 100 and 160 figntiag men; but it will oe the most important that bas yet saued, ag it will tak vast amount Of supplies #0 Badly needed by tne nalts clad, hatfarmed soldiers of Cespedes. The head- quarters of the Organization are situated im tho Second district, aud occasionally strange men may be seen gaihered in knots, discussing in low tones the cause of deiay, aod repeating oid memories of Nicarag' id Sonora, ‘Tue new expedition numbers, we understand, no Cubans in its ranks, altvouga it 18 under tue direc- rection of the Junta. ‘The leader, or the gente- man whom it @ generally snp, wil be the leader, 18 @ tall, powertully built and dark cempiex- joned’man, wita black hair, eyea and mustache, He 1 evidently of a nervous and excited tempera- ment, and not only cannot remain in one position wo feconds at o time, but Keeps lus iugers con- atantiy empleyed in the Manutacture uf nailest Kind of cigarettes, He is known as the ‘“Colonel;” but even the men who surround lim seem to be may possess, He ts gaid to bea Souch American by birth, and to have oo bravely in the Costa Kican rauks against Wi . The men are, with few exceptions, ex- soldiers of the late civil war, and a few of the oid Mibusters. They are a hardy and hard looking set, and ‘would uudoubtediy be of some uso to the jote 1 once landed 10 the “ever faithful tele.” ‘The great diticnity attending the departure of this Oxpedition las been the want of suMctent means to procure a vessel suitable for weir purpose. The Wealthy Cubans have, so far, exhipited very littio desire to help along, no Cubans holding office, and rhaps none being in tie party. ‘he “Colonel,’’ owever, seems confident that the needed money will be forthcoming, and that the expedition will woon depart, Ti Was at fitst proposed to sali from Mobile, and negotiations were opeued with the owner of # drat class and fast vesvei lying in Mobile bay. Tue price, however, ot be cold n agreed upon. We expect in @ day or two to ve able to give full particulary of tbe pafty of Sivusters CUBA. Spanieh View of the Situation—Pence He- estublished—Dimoulties of Operatione—Re- port of Operations in the Various Depart- monte—Fight with the Catalane—Arrival of Troope—The Iron-clad Saragossa—Detall of the Various Lron-clads in the Forthcoming War-Oatrage on American Seni HAVANA, Nov. 30, 1669. The Diaro delta Marina in its fortnightly review of matters in the island, preparea more especially for circulation in Spain, opens by saying—‘*With letters of gcid we should print the words with which we begin this review, peace is “re-established.” In the article which follows, the journal very forcibly demonstrates that peace i not re-established. It Geplores the misfortunes occasioned by this civil war, and admits that it bas nothing further to re- count than has been heretofore given, that is ‘‘seem- ingly unimportant engagements, which thoagh small and not productive of immediate results, show the mnpoteacy of the rebellion, and are paving the way for the paciiication of the country.” La Prensa recounts the events of the past fifteen days, a8 reported through Spauish sources familar tothe readers of the Heraup. In concluding It baysi— That our friends of the Penmaula form an ea of the auiticulties waich offer wo Tollowing the insurgent bands of Cinco Viilas,@ large part of whom are negroes and peasauts well acquainted With tho roads, it will be enouga to say that in those para of tue wland where operations are carried on the distances are very large, the couptry aimost without popuauon and’ the roads impasse abie in ume of rain, A lew examples will suulee, From Havana vo santiago de Cubs aud Guautanamo there are ivi leagues Wai are not pasaavie sor Car- ages, the baluuce of the distance 13 by raliway. between irinidad ana ‘Sanu Espirit there are eighieeu leawues und bat one small village aod one estate; irom ‘Iriuidad to Villa Clara there 16 @ streteu Of tweuly-tive leagues, within wuicn there ig aM estate acven leagues irom ‘Trinidad—twe snail piace of Manicaraqua, nine leagues suriner on, @ud noching More, Considering tnat in tropical cli- maves 1b rains daily during seven montus in the Year, and how dense are tue forests turoughout the country, 1613 possivie to appreciate tue diiticulues to overcome 1 passing vetween tue mountains by tho.@ unaccustomed 60 cis class Of campaign. ‘The reviews of these journals are, of course, highly favorable tg the Spanish cause, and point to an early @uppreagion of the ingurrection, = Ofticial reports of recent operations {n fhe Easter: department, under Vaimaseda, are published. Lieu- \enant Oolonel Campilio nad reconnoitered the Tol- quin road irom Galado to. the Canto river, wnere he surprised and took a rebel camp, tnflicung a loss of seven to the insurgents, Major Quesada, with a strong detachment, in @ reconnotsance over the country about Altagracia, to the north of Fray Juan, and also to the southward of the Coutramaestre river, met only small parties of tnsurgenta, Many families had presented themselves to Colonel Ahren. Colonel Hidalgo had destroyed seven rebel encamp- ments neay San Frangisco and Niguauo, Colonel Camara had pianneo an attack against Mogote, a Posigion strongly fortitied by the msurgeus. No details of whe action hud been received, thougu i 18 reporced as having becn very gevere, ‘This latver is une engagement reported in detail by your correspondent at Sauuago de Cuba, aud 12 waich the spaniards were severely worsied, ‘sue Sp.msu report of te engagement at San Jose, Ov tie line Of tHe raiiroad bewweea Nuevitas aud Principe, descrived by your correspondent at tue Jatier piace, gives the numver of Insurgents ab 2,000, and oF sue Catalans gurrisumlug Sau Jose at ulmety-Lwo, ‘The revounolerug party of eyruteen were cut oif by te rebels aad only seven of the men returned, tue otiers, Wilh tue Ouicer, Delng cut LO pieces, From vie ire of the soldiers upon the tag of truce under waich the msurgent cief Bemveta was Convers.ng With the Cojouel three of Beaibeta’s companions Were killed. ‘Tae papers, Wie careful vo muke little mention in detail o: tis glaring and Inexcusuu.e act Oi treachery, practically commend wud applaud it. Tue Vommanding General of the Quatro Villas, under duve of tue 27éu, telegraphs Wai ihe civil guard had surprised a body of insurgents, KiLing turee aud capturmyg & quantiy of arms aud auununivuon, Tue column oper mung in tue Sierra on the 17th destroyed an encampment near “amon” with like result, ‘ne column Perez Vega bad desiroyed an encampment in the Sevorucal, the haunt of we Cuief Kuwoz, and veieved vo be 1n- accessible to the troops, Uther equally Unluteresing Operations are reported from saiue vicincity, A genbieman Lroin Sagua siates that ou account of the recentiy discovered conspiracy among the luvorers on estates near there twenty-seven negroes hao been Bhot and # large buMver Whipped in tae severest manner, peveral white men and tree negroes bad been arresved and taken W dbeyua for trial. ‘Nae Chief Francisco Barro, captured in the moun- tains of Guives, was tried by court martial on ‘Thursday at eet gga o’clock A, M, and executed at naif-past iour P. M. Tue First battalion of volunteers, of Matanzas, is about w proceed to tue parisa of Boloudron, in the district of Guiues, there vw remain 2 monta protec ing estuves. Whey wil be followed by the second and ‘Tuird in rotation, ‘ne steamer Cauaries, from Spain, reached here on Sunday morning with tue battaiton “Voluntarios de Madrul,”” couposed of two cuieis, forty oilicers, Ubirty-elghi sergeants and 942 corporals und soidiera. ‘They were received by ue Fifta vattalioa of volun- et Gud the usual sireet decorations were ex- mibived. ‘bbe Spanish tron-clad Saragossa, from the Penin- Bula, envered the harbor last evening. She is a ves- sel of maguiticent appearance, and 1s Bald to be mora Jormidabie than tue Victoria, As stated, to her has been assigned the capture or demoisument of Phil- ade:plia in the fortuco: war With tue United LAE Bates, while the Victoria disposes of New York ala Boston. tae Numaueia of A party of vo.unteers from Regla, opposite Ha- Yana, went on bourd the American schoouer Thomas J. Frazier on Sunday evenwg, amu, alter severely malireating @ nomber of the crew, cutting two or three Of Laem with bayonets, arrested three charged With striking & police oiticer Wale Ou shore durin; the day. On Monday afternoon they were march W Guanabacoa, @ distauce of ive miles under tie burning sun, though suffering from the injuries they had received aud were there imprisoned. ‘The men de- clared their innocence and the gerrano or police oill- cer upon being controuted with them stated that they were not the men, Captain Madge, of the scavooner, applied to Mr, Plump, the American Consul, to take coguizance of the natter and obtain tueir release, but he refused to have auytuing to do with it, of Which the Captain, paturaily enough, makes loud complaint, ‘The government here is making quite extensive purchases of arais; 1,200 Peabody guus have arrived Within the past two Weeks; 600 wore nave been contracted Iqr and the agent of the company, Mr. Benton, now in Havana, expects shortly to conclude @ contract Jor 7,000 additional. Successfal Landing of Fillbusters at Nipe— Fight at Mogote and Repulse of the Span- lards—Valmesada’s Report Couleur de Rose Seizure of Mules by Authorities, BANTIAGO DE CUBA, Nov, 23, 1869, ‘There 19 a well authenticated statement o1 the land- ing of @ body of fliibusters, with a large quantity of military stores, at Nipe, The steamer which landed them ia sald to be the Teaser, and the stores have already reached a place of safety. ‘There has becn some pretty severe fighting lately near here, and ou Saturday, the 20th, the Spanisn arme suffered @ reverac at Mogote, where an attack upon a fortified position of the insurgenta was repulsea with loss. The troops were com- manded by Colonel Camara, and the attack com- menced by throwing in shell, which was foilowed by ® bayonet charge. The Cuvans, however, stood firm; and after a desperate ight the Spaniards were repulsed, No details of the losses are known, but they are heavy on both sides. General Valmesada pubitshes a despatch this morning detailing the operations of the past fortnight, in which every. shing 1 couleur de rose and the atlack at Mogote a complete victory, with a loss of one man killed and two wounded. Nothing 13 said to account for the crowd of wounded men who have been brought in during these last three days, Yesterday the government had men in the streets soizing mules, which were taken without any remu- neration, Many casos of great hardship resultea— among them that of @ poor negro, who had come in from the country with eight mules—ali of which werd taken from him, What makes this action of the authorities worse is thet when the animals aro no longer required they are not returned to the owners, bat oid for the benefit of the military ad- ministration, thus constituting an open and high- handed roobery of innocent people. Attack of the Insargents ou San Jose—Fiag of Trace~A Reconuoitring Party Cut Oi Valor of the Cubaue—Kxcitement Over the Affair—Tho Catalan Colonel to be Court Martinled~'The Sitaution Gloomy—Scarcity of Kood—Saticrings of the Inhabitants. PusRTO PRINCIPE, Nov. 24, 1800, The monotony which has hang around this juris- diction of iste has been Interrupted by an attack of the insurgents on the plantation San José, situated onthe line of the railroad, eighteen miles from Nuevitas, It is well entrenched and fortified aud garrisoned by several compantos of the Cataiaa yol- unteers, commanded by the volonel of the regiment. ‘The attack has created considerable excitement judging from the exasperation of the Spaniards, the Catalans must bave been worsted, Naturally their account ts as favorable as Possible, The following details are furnished ine by Qn oMces of one of the companies and present on the Occasion. On the 20bh inst, early In the morn- ing, @ negro brought in the news that the ‘‘Platanal” estate was full of insurgents, The colouel tmmedi- ately ordered an officer and twenty men out to re- connoitre, None of them returned, being cut off by the insurgents, and eight of their bodies, ineluding the officer's, were found on the “Plutanal’’ next day. About eignt o'clock A. M. large parties of insur- gents made their appearance, commanded by Quesada, Bernabi de Varona, alias “Bembeta,’’ and Cornelio Porro. They immediately opened fire on the Catalans and a fight of an hour continued, in which the latter lost two killed and seven wounded. The maurgents then raised a white fag, which was responded to in the same manner by the colonel commanding San Jose, Hostilities were suspended and “Bembeta,” with four men, approached close to the trenches and asked to apeak with tne Colonel. ‘That oilicer came forward, eee when be stated tat they knew the Catalans were brave soldiers; that they were republicans at heart and that they (the insurgents) were atruggiing tor the same fiberties which the Catalans had lately jought tor at home; that he wished to avoid biood- shed, and asked the Colonel to deliver up she arms of big mea, Who Would be at liberty to go where bar chose. This was followed by a volley from tae soldiers without orders, from which two of Bem- beta’e fell, The struggle was renewed and con- Unued for an hour after, when the insurgents, ud- vised by their scouts of the approach of rciniorces ments from Las Minas and other points on the line, withdrew. My informant states tuat they fought bravely, many of tho men endeavoring to scale the entrenchmencs and Very nearly succeeded in taking them; had they persisted ® short ume looger tuey would have done «0, ag the am- munition of the garrison was nearly ex- hausted. In the train which leaves to-day for Nuevitas goes the major of the Catalan regureut, Who goes to relieve the Cvionel, be baving been or- dered to Havana to be court martiaied, from which it would seem tbat the deicnce did not add much to the lustre of Spanish arms in Caba. Fevers still conunue here unavated, and the men that airived here last spring, full of vigor and elasticity, bave dwindiea to mere sitaduwa, The situation is not improving. The products of the country are very scarce, and the most we eat 1s brought from Givara and Nuevitas, ‘There is a good deal of misery @urong the inhabitants that remain. Sadness hangs over the city and increases daily. No foraging par- Ges go out now, as they have been invariably worsted by the insurgents. Vreparations are being made to receive the Cap- tain General, who 1g expected vo make his promised Yiaut vo ths city, WAS McFARLAND JUSTINIED? To Tne Epitor oF THE HERALD:— Thave read with much pain and interest the state- menis in the HERALD about the Kichardson tragedy. Ido not know any of the parties connected with it, and far be it from me the motive that censures un- justly the action in this note; but I would ask a few questions, Has not the unchangeable law of cause and eilect been represented in Richardson’s case? viz., do injustice and guifer sooner or later. I would do Mr. Richardson no injustice, but who can doubt that the premium that he publicly offered for the in- fidelity of another man’s wife by declaring his inten- tions to marry Mrs, McFarland when he could le- gally met with a just retrioution it recoiled upon his own brow? If he was considered intelligent aad 1n- fluential was not the crime greater, the responsi- bility deeper? Did be possess those estimable qualt- ties whicu unite the mind and heart to iorm the gem of true friendsuip, ths champion of virvue? if AlcKarlani did not love his wife would he have cared Wiat she did? If he possessed the depth of feeling consistent with tue sunctity of the matrimonial ve ol vow, Would he not grieve to lus Leart’s centre when experiencing What be has Is adultery & crime in New York? What civil action coma com- eusate for the losa of or tie perversion of tue jove due him from bis wife and the mother of his chiidren? all of which was done, it fg evident, by Kichardson, Wouid you be conteat, reader (if married), to see the wile you doted upon rated and Aur. chlidrea disposed of aud remain calm? ‘Tne human wind 1s oiten assimilated to the object it contemplates, Would you like that state of thugs to exist Wich Wou.d set aside the sancuty 01 Lue matrinonial te ior the affinities of passion, even if soiemnized by popular divines, to their dis- grace, as weil as your culiren? My God, tave luercy om tue poor deluded mother, for she will sorely feel the reaction of the in) doue ty uer as well as ner injured husband, ‘Solitude must be agony and socieiy acurse.”’ Is not Mrs. MeFariand accensory to tie murder? I have no doubt McKai- Jaud shot Kichardgon, and if he wouid be justified in snovung & burglar or &@ highWayiman be ougnt to be io this case; Jew minds—affectionate miuds—can stand suca tension Or #irain. Ought not every one to Jdiy understand that to invade the domestic circle is dangerous’ Jt is iamentaole. I am truly sorry jor Kichardson’s indiscretions and Mc#ariaad’s adlicuons. Far better live Lumbie, human, peace lui, and never indaige to uviriendiy 08, CACI> whing and exerting kind alfections and extend them to Inendé and Leigubvors. DARE TU BE TRUE, A Boy’s View of the McFarland-Richardson Case. To Tne Epitor OF THE HERALD:— The following 18 an extract trom a letter written by @ boy in New York city to his iather iu tue country:— My Dean Fatuer—I send you by this mati tne HERALD Of to-day. 1 wisn to invite your special atvention to a portion of its contenis, vi%.:—the “speech” of Kev. Henry Ward Beecher, delivered the Astur House yesterday, while standing over the dead body of A. D. Richardson, who was kilied by aman named McFariand. Richardson seduced MoFariaud’a wile and ailicnated her aifections and those of his children from bim. McFeriand proved pimself a man apd shot the scoun- Grei; thereupon Richardson's friends make him outs saint and McFariand a brute, for the reason vuat Mr. Ricbardson was @ brilliaat writer on the Tribune, @ Woman's rights man and @ believer in the Goctrine of “free iove und common property in wo- men;’’ and this man Beecher, claiuiiag to be a minis- ter of God, upnolds Kichardson, and yesterday makos the @anouncement (in effect) taat ‘he Becher) Will sustain any man who fought for the Jnion in anything and everything he mignt do.” ‘Things have come to @ nice pass when seducers and Villains of all grades are to be iorgiven and eulogized because, forsouth, they “fought for the Union.” IL would not like to have fora wile a woman who was @ member of Mr. Heecher’s Rev. (?) Mr, Frothingbau (in eifect) that Richardson had seduced McFariaud’s wile.” You al think New York @ hotved of crune aad its ciuzens ® demoralized body; but you will iad, when McFarland is puc upon his triai, that they do not propose to follow tue teachings of tie #0 caled divines, It will not do to rule that any handsome, emootn- (and highly imaginauve) war cor- respondent of the /0usw may select for Limseif the wile of any non-literary citizen and make her bis “woman.” Mr. Beecher bad sufficiently out od the feelings of all decent people by marrying McFar- jand’a wife to Kichardson, but we ure 80 accustomed to “sensations” here tiat tals litte irreguiarity would have passed away Without much notice, but thie 8) bh?’ of Beecher has literally “knocked us off our pins” (to use an elegant New York piirase), 1 don’s know any of the parues. but { do Know the circumstances, and I think we can only blaine McParland in that be did not kill Richardson a long tune since. ® i é F Your affectionate son, Sovlety Outraged. ‘To rus EpITor oF THY H#RALD:— A few daysago weread of the shooting of Mr. Richardson. Then, from all quarvers, came expres- sions of sympathy for him, with continual reference to his position as a “distinguished journalist,” and the high pubilc estimation in which he was held. Now we would like vw ask if that makes the crime of which be was guilty any less a crime? Then we read of his deathbed marriage to the wile of another man, the ceremony being performed by Henry Ward Beecher aud Mr. Frothingham, ministers of the gospel, giving countenance to and sanctioning the crime which that gospel names adultery, then insulting the Almiguty vy praying nis biessing upon the woman McFarland. All this witnessed by a number of gentlemen, awong them Horace Greeley, who by their preaeuce expressed their sympathy and approval. itis an oatrage upon the sacredness of marriage, and the participators deserve univer- sal condemnauon. What true woman, a wile and motoer, would accept kindness, accom- anied with love, from other than her hus- band’? “Brutal treatwent may ave justitied her in leaving fim and supporting herself (as she proved able to do), but never could she be excused for receiving such attention from anotner man, She deserves pity, it may be, put neither sympathy nor respect; and for him—the unfortu- nate man who committed the deed—we hear not a word in palliation of his act. aud what man, if he loved his wile, would not do almost the same? 1619 true he bad no right to take the Life of a fellow ma: even though his vietim had robbed »tm of, perha more than life; for ‘vengeance deloageth unto Gow; bat at least aad ‘unto fim the c harity due to-aa | unhappy man wi pursuance of his outraged | honor, committed aD act the result of which has cost a haman lite, * JAMES, THR EXRCUTION OF JoserH MBSSNER.—ThIs un- | fortunate man, who Is to be executed at the jail in | ‘this county on Friday nex:, does not appear to be at | all exciied or nervous, No chaage Is discernible 10 hig appearance since ie was informed thac the la eifort had been made to sav life and had failed, When reférence ts mace to tie day of his execution ho generally repligs that he would prefer that it shoUIG Come at once and have au end to the sus- nse, Messner is visited often bv clergymen of the Gorman Cathylic obusches, WbO ha him in a apwtijual way.—/ochestar and Amarwan. Le & © wm inisyered to (N.Y) Union ————qnauauras LITERATURE. Reviews of New Books. Tue Primeval WoRLD or MaBREW TRADITION. By krewerick H Ige. 3 Touma lenry Hedge. Boston: Roberts Mr. Hedge has written a book which will com- mend itwelf to the reader for its clear, plea sant style. It ts ono of the maay works which are appearing nowadays designed to reconcile the teachings of goonomy and geology with the Bible. Air. Hedge concedes & great deal to science—more, in fact, than most purely theological writers are willing to yield. His whole atm is to show that the conflict between actentific discoveries and what we regard as inspired writings 1s more apparent than real, We must leave the reader to ascertain how well or how how ili the auihor argues He writes agreeably enough. avoiding that stiff solemn mode of expression which characterizes theological authors in general and American theolosians in particu- lar, There are #9ine things in ibe book with Which we cannot agree; but as these ure in dispute between the inost eminent of thinkers 16 is only fair to credit Mr. Heage wito bei capcumaboraneme s ing moderate 1D his TuR Losr Rosary; on, Our Iniaa G: O'Leary, Boston: Patriok Donohue, "PY OOM Ve This is a simple, agreeably writte. story, whose object 18 to set forth the ““irials, temptations and tr umphs” of Irish girls, The scene of the narrative Opens in ireland aud ends in the United States, to which the principal characters remove in due process of time, Irish wretchedacas and Irish happiness are depicted in warm colors; we are given s glimpse of the “famine jod,”? the sufferings of the tneretrum tne consequent exodus role tae “ould countury.” Of course, the moral und the 1g ofa religious charac.er. it earthly Lira Meant irom @ stead(ast faith in the tenets Vetlinn! es Pols ag the plot is 80 ar Tangea “lost rosary” bears a conspicuous yer a dovermining the furore carvers of tne char GRBAT MYSTERIES AND LiTTLE Plagues. By John Neat. Boston: Roberts Brothers. We doubt if there ts an AmericanWauthor of the present day who can write more interestingly of and to children than Mr. Neal. In this neatly printed and bound volume he addresses the pareuts and little ones in @ style that cannot fall to receive the serious consideration of the frst and the ardent attention of the last, There 1s nothing so conducive to happl ness as the presence of children in tie family circle. ‘These “great mysteries and little plagaes,’’? ta whatever extent they may try the patiencé of mother and the affection of afather, are so bound up with our earthly Jeucity thats we caunot do mucii for them. Suca works @3 that belore us directly to expand the minds of the lite prattlers and to strengthen that moral intuition with which all are invested by nature. Taking tuis view of Mr. Neal's work we heartily commend It to the pablic, PHEMI®’S TEMPTATION. A novel. By Marion Har land, New York: Carleton, publtsuer. The only feature in this novel that redeems it from @ dreary mediocrity ta ita support of “woman's rights” doctrines and its impiied defence of woman's disregard of her husband’s wishes and ex- ercise of her own will. Luckily for the writer she was wise enongh to not carry her doctrine to ita logical conclusion by making some other mau (oy the “laws of affinity’) fall im love with Phemie and marry her, quite regard- less of her lawful huspand’s claims, Such acharacter as Miss Darcy may exist—tuat ts, there may be a woman clamoring for ‘“woman’s rights’? who 13 at the same tiine good, virtuous, kind-hearted and generous—but we must be pardoaed for an- gallantly doubting 1£ many such dwell upon this earth, Even as it is she is @ rude, impertinent creature, whose language to Robert Hart and whose interfer nce with his domestic (fairs are barely redeemed by hor after provec- tion to the abandoned wile. As ior Puente, she is astupid, obstinate Women, wita whose suiferings we cannot possibly sympathize. Soe does nothing and saya nothing throughout tae book to prove her the genins her creator claims her to be. Strong ony in her opstinacy in tiwarting the will ot her Dus- band; learned ouly in the expressioa oi those cheap parases regarding woman’s duty ioward maa which we doubt not wives who attend strong- minded women’s conventions hurl at their husbands on occasions; cherishinz a ludicrousiy maudlin affection jor tart uatil bis conduct compels her to seek @ divorce, We Dave in sais uerolue the most coutemptibie of conceptions, Tuz map, Wo, i bad enough; he is, 1n fact, too bad fur the wrhers evident idea of Phemie. But the truch is that Marion Hariand attempts ip tae book to deieud aud advocate aschool of moral phiosopay to the et belief in which she 18 pot yet taorvuguly edu LS ‘Thus she exaggerates every character drawa pere. Like @ zealous convert to religion, wuo 18 atill some. what bewildered and finds it diticuit t understand the dogmas he has proiessed fain in, aud woose dednition of theoiogy 13 nore conspicuous tor what it does not aitirin tuan for what ic uovs, the writer of this book has given us @ thousand arguments against her social puilosophy aud nos one pies in its Javor. Lamps, Pircusrs aNp Trumpets. Lectures on the Vocation of the Preacher. By Edwia Paxton Hood. New York: M. W. Dodd. A more readab.e and eujoyable series of lectures than this it would be aificult to write, The volume before us contains five lectures, each ef which ts a gem in ita way. All are thorougaly interesting. Anecdotes enliven the naturally dry theological arguments—“pulpit monographs’ of Frederick, Robertson, Pusey, Minning, Newman, Spurgeon, the Abbe Lacordaire and Toomas Binney, written in the most encertaining style. Tae sketch of Spur- geon Is especially good, but does not equal thas of Lecordaire, which we think the best in the book. It 1s a graphic and almost brilhint review of markabie !ife of & remarkaole man. The which duectly treat of ‘the vocation of the preacher” contain much valuable advice. In thea we perceive the authors extensive acqualntanc with toeologteal literature and with the histories noted clergymen i Aimerics no leas than in Europe. A large number of works and a large number of names are quoted and referred to in counection with the sabjects discussed, tue wuole showing much diligence and, we may add, good judgment, in th¢ composition of the work, which we do not nesitate to recommend to the public as well worth reading. Haypn’s Dicnionanry or Dares. Kelaung to all Ages and Nations. For Universal Reference. Edi- ted by Benjamin Viaceat. New York: Harper Brothers, ‘The valuable character of tnis book will bo appa- rent at a glace to ali who observe it contents, We doubt if it would be fouad possible to convey a larger amuunt of information in a s.nalier exteat of space than ts here done, It is really a chronological record of the world’s progress from the earliest ascertained period to the present day. Noevent which has trane- ired in the political or social world is here omitted, fhe utility of a dictionary compi'ed in chilis manner requires no argument to prove. Tae present edition has been enlarged, in accordance wita ihe demands of the times, and “revised for tho ude of American reaflers.” itis very neatiy and supstantially pub- lished by the Messrs, Harper, MARY AND’ MI-Ka; A Tale of the Holy Childhood. ‘With an account of the inauiuion. Boston: Pak rick Donohoe. ‘This little work ts intended to describe the merits of one of the most praiseworthy of Catholic institu. tons, It is somewhat crudely written, and contains some slurg on Protestant mi-é.ons which are un- calied for, The scene of the story is na\urally fata fa China, and the narrative records the struggles of the priests, slaters, and other Catholics to convert the Chinese to Christianity, Bat the most interestin; part of the book 13 the appendix, which gives @ brie! history of the origin, progress and favors of “tho Holy Childhood.” From it we iearn what gratifying success has attended this mstitution in its eilores to rescue the children of Mlolairous parents from the errors of paganism. During tho ten years ending iw 1368 2,616,542 Infants were baptized and 226,808 “raised.” When it is remembered that there are other Catholic missions in China and 0.ber peas, lands, this exhibit.wiil show with what ardor Bs missionaries of this association have periort their pious work. The Anouals. APPLEYONS' ILLUSTRATED ALMANAC FOR 1870, New York: D, Appleton & Uo. This is decidedly (he best annual for 1870 that has been published so far. Its contents, edited by Miss Susan Fenimore Cooper, are far above the ordinary run of almanac iiterature, For each month there ig an appropriate article. Birds and flowers, woods and fleids, rain and sunshine, snow and ice are discussed and taiked about ina very agreeabie and envertaming style. But whue will espectally be noticed are the Ulastrations, which are realy splendid, Both covers are iliummated, the designs petwg very tasteful and tie work admirably exe- ented. he engravings in the inside of tae work are all deserving of pratwe, as much for their happy delineation of the subjects they are intended to represent as jor the artisuc ability displayed in their execution. ‘Tue ILLUSTRATED CATHOLIC FAMILY ALMANAC for 1870 is @ very neat and trustworthy publication, full of interesting reading and embellished by namerous engravings, some of which are good, while others could have been made better. A great deal of in- | formation relaung to the Catholio Chureit which will be found of vaiue to all Catholics, Jos BULLINGS’ FARMERS’ ALMINAX for the year 1870, published by Carleton, abounds in comicalities which will afford much amusement to the reader, eo and aston jerschel e aud. will doubtless prove # mint of instrucuon Professor Loom.