The New York Herald Newspaper, February 2, 1870, Page 5

Traupmann, the Murderer of the Kincks, in His Cell. Special Visit to the Prison of La Roquette and Interview With the Condemned, His Last Hours, Treatment and Preparation for Death, Taken Out to the Scaffold and Fall of the Knife. Does the Severed Head Retain Consciousness ? ‘Traupmane Prepared for Executios—The Prison of La Roquette, Parie—The “Depot ef the Condemned”—Ah Inside Visit—Tho Inmates, Their Reformatory Treatment and Daily Life—How the Murderer of the Miack Family Fared—Nerving for His Fate. Panis, Jan, 16, 1870. Those accustomed to the gay and attractive ap- Pearance of the boulevards of Paris can with dif- culty imagine that there isa district im the city, the surroundings of which, in point of sadness, can scarcely be matched in Europe. ‘The streets in the ‘meighborhood, unless you go thither by the Boule- vard du Prince Eugéne, strike the visitor with a feeling of sadness. They have assumed a sort of Lovdon-Sunday dismal look. The shops are not Mourishing in that quarter. The most lively looking are those hela by vendors of immortal flowers for the ‘gTaves of the dead and tombstones. In frontof you, within a few yards, is the eatrance to the Cemetery of Pere la Chaise; on the left you have the Prison des Jeunes Détenus directly opposite to, the gate of Which is that of the Prison de la Roquetie or the Gepot of the condemned. This prison was built in 1636. In it.are confined the condemned to death, to ‘imprisonment and to hard labor. Those who have Deen septenced to more than one year and one day, remain only in La Roquette until they are forwarded to the bagne, the colonies or to the maisons cen- trales, ‘The population of the prison is entirely of a foat- ing character. The tide of criminalliy fows and ebbs. The prisoners are often but a few days there, and consequently the work exacted from them 1s mot of a severe kind. In a professional point of view the prison is dirty and padly ventilated. Neither prisoners nor turnkeys look healthy. Everything about the place shows a want of lite. The recent Pantin murder, trial, condemnation and approach- img execution of Traupmann have attracted atten- tion to the prison. and therefore I have visited it. oursivg. Many had made up their minds that Traupmann would be executea yesterday at six A. M., and to make amends for the slight atvention that has been pald to that worthy during the past few days, owing to the all-engrossing excitement occasioned by the killing of pour Victor Noir, some thousands, on Fri- aay night. took up.a position in front of the prison La Roquette, with the intention of witnessing the exit from this world of the celebrated Pantin as- Bassin. A desire to see him executed has been ex- pressed by those who would shadder at the thought of witnessing the execution of an ordinary mar- Gerer, A few days since a barber's assist- ant, while Jathering my face (by the by, he nearly choaked me in the excitement with the shaving brush,) told me that if I could find out when Traupmann would be executed I should be “irés amiable” if I would tell him, and so it is with ane out of ten. On Friday night the 6,000 sightecers took possession of the ground near to the spot where ‘She guillotine is usually erected. Tiere was plenty of mud and rain and cold, but the crowds weathered all, They remained until three o'clock in the morn- ing, and then, as no signs of the scaffold appeared, they returned home shivering, grumbling and dis- comforted, for a report had been in circulation on the previous bide Botegd at four o'clock the kulfe of the guillotine naa been sharpened. INSIDE. Having permission to visit all the Paris prisons 1 presented myseif yesterday afternoon at the gate of ‘oe celebrated prison of La Roquette. Over the en- trance to tuat delightful retreat there appears, in Jarge letters, the words “Depdt des Condamnés.” 1 ‘was accompanied by a friend and lady. We passed the guard, and on presentation of tie order with which I am furnished the gates were thrown open, and we were told to traverse the outer court yard to the second entrance. We did go and entered tne Joboy. The turnkey took the card | offered, eyed the signature, and theo, with the politest buw in the world, declared that ‘THE LADY COULD NOT ENTER, No daughter of ive was ever permitted to cross the threshold of the Depot des Condamnés. No Traupmann in existence ever wished more intensely dor immediate execution than dia I. My fair com- ion had dressed herself regardless alike of trou- bie and expense, with the mtention of gazing on aod being wazed at by the celebrated assassin. You know what women are. Fainting tits and hysterics wore already looming in the distance, and so we insisted on adinittance. The Governor of the prison was sent for; he came, was polite, but distuuncily de- clared that without @ special order from the Mints- ser of the Interior and Frefect of Police no crinoiine could pass through the prison door. ‘The prisoners here are diferent from other prisoners,” said he. “hey are men condemned for the worst crimes; gome of them for life. ‘there are more than‘ three hundred of them—not separated, but mixed indis- criminately together. They may make an attack at the wight of a woman, and the consequences would be dreadful.” . ‘The Jady, with that remarkable obstinacy with which the fair sex is gilted, persisted. “When the order was given it was expressly understood that abe was tw go. She would keep behind us; she would bide her face (it Is a pretty one) behind her mulf, but she must see the prison.” THE GOVERNOR GAVE IN. One of the clief turnkeys was called, the heavy Key turned in the lock, tue dolt snot back, the pon derous doorswung open and we found ourseives in the second courtyard, surrounded by upwards of 00 of the most dreadfui looking scoundrels it has ever been my fortune to encounter. THE CRIMINAL POPULATION. In my time { have had many under my care. [ ala not more nervous tnan my neighbors; but my first impression was to regret that we bad persistea in obtaining permission for the lady to enter. She involuntarily drew back for an instant, but then summooing up ‘her courage she pressed furward luke @ man, snd passed the 600 eyes which were mu- lagnantly gleaming at her. To describe the owners of the eyes is impossible. They were tne concen- trated essence of human depravity. Herded together in the courvyard these jau-birds, dressed in dark gray prison suite, looked more like animais than men. Following our couductor we threaded our away through them and entered a dismaily lightea workshop, where more prisouers were engaged Ju Making list shoes. The piace was ex- ovssively dirty, aud badly ventilated. The condemned had recetved their dinners and some were still eating irom asiuuil earthen bow! containing @ sort of purée de pommes de terre, or masned potatoes ina hiquid state. ‘Tables there Were none; the prisuners supported the bowls on tueir knees and held their bread under thei arms or kept i: on the bench beside them. Aietal spoons are foroidaeu. The condemned might hurt them- selves, and so the prisoners are provided with gBpoons of wood—a strange precauuon, a2 there are dwols and smali Knives ad libitum within their reach, ‘Yhere are but seventeen turnkeys 14 the whole priyon. In another ward the prisouers were engaged Wp making cardboard boxes ior bolding hooks and eyes, to be exportea to America. Several of the prisoners wear red stripes on tne arm similar to those of @ corporal, called techuically “sardines,” as badges of good conduct. ‘One of them, evidently a man of superior caste. explained with mucit interest aud poiltenuess the manufacture of the boxcs. Le was giad vo see any one from the outer world. Toor felow, he was a schoolmaster at Oaeu; he defrauded, was found out and condemned to five years’ hard iabor. Ip auother ward scraps and parings of ieather were reduced to pulp, which dried tormed solid blocks of leather for making boot heels. A contractor has profited by this. He began with nothing, made a contract with the goverment tor the prison labor, ds,at present Dut thirty seven years of age aud has made aforwune, Again we traversed the courtyard do Visit the chapel, Which Js gioomy and dismal. 1 NO HOPE IN THIS WORLD. ‘Theré is something in the air of La Roquetie that tells you at vnce “no ray of happiness ever enters within these walls.” ‘the turnkeys even appear im- preguated with the general gloom, ONSOLATION FOR THE NEXT. Jo a galley on the left of the altar is the pew of those condemned to death. It is surrounded with shutters 80 arranged that the condainné a mort can ee all without ig seen. In this strange building the greatest crimitx! appears to oe treated with the most respect; the shatters of his pew are surmounted ‘With # cross, and he 19 ailowed 1 order for big din- NEW YORK ‘may Dent please bis fancy. Butof this MILITARY GUARDS. per waatever anon. From the passed through agaara room, im waich at ni; & military peg mounted in company with two turnkeys, Here we were initiated into the mysteries of the camisole de sorce, that gray canvas, uucomfortable garment known to us as the straight-waistcoat. Passing another door we entered the imner yard of the prison, which may be considered as the pleasure garden of the establishment for the condemned murderers to take their exercise, ‘There are trees in it, and sparrows find their way to the places, and build their nests and clirrup and -hop fect indifference vo the 1act that behind thas dirty- strong door opposite is the resting place of the Pantin murderer, when it does nos please that criminal star to enjoy the fresb aur. TRAUPMANN'S CRLL—ITS INMATE. Traupmann’s cell is of tolerable size and lofty. It contains a bed, a stove of white porcelain, a table and three chairs; for the condemned man to deata Is never alone. His attendants are @ turnkey and a soldier without arms, The personal appearance of Traupmann has been #0 frequently described that it i useless to again refer to it. The photogra| With which the shop windows are now crowded, are correct, although on paper he appears shorter than he really is. I can- notsay more, for fear of calling down censure on ‘the heads of nis guardians, as 11 is expressly forbid> den tor any one to see and converse with @ con- damne & mort when once he 1s in walting for his exe- cutioner. TRE LIBRARY, The next apartment to that of Traupmann is one Of exactly the game size, but devoted to an entirely aifferent pur} It is the prison jibrary, neatly ar- Tanged with shelves of booxs, a list of which 1s kept in the yard. The prisoners are permitted to have books from the liprary, to be returned at the end of e week, HOSPITAL. A wide staircase leads to the infrmary, in which, on an average, there are ten patients. ‘A ward, the door of which faces the staircase, deserves atten- ton. In it are about twenty beds and prisoners con- versing cosily together, No work there. 1 thought they were convalescents, My friend, whe turnkey, — solved the question, ‘Do you know who they are “They are the musiciens. We keep them apart. If they went down among the other prisoners they Would be killed. They had denounced their accom- plices, and act as spies.” We had then returned to the door of Traupmann’s apartment. ‘The old turnkey bad now become com- mupicative, The musiciens bad broken the ice. ie Cy evidentiy pets of whom any turnkey might proud. Addressing our lady friend he said, “You are, ma- dame, the only lady, witm the exception of one, who, Ww my Knowledge, bas ever visited the Prison of La Koquette, and I have been here eighteen years. | commenced work at twelve hundred francs per year, Five france per month are stopped for retiring pen- sion, and at the age of sixty can retire, Butlam littie better than a prisoner.” THE ROUTE TO THE SCAFFOLD. “Thave shown you the mustciens; I will now take you along the route which Traupmaun will follow when on his way to the scaffold, #0 as to avoid being seen vy tue other prisoners.’? By tat time our tair companion had become as much at home in La Roquette as she iain a drawing room, and we followed the brigadier. Having .tra- versed the garden he un.ocked @ door in the corner. and we mounted a narrow stone spiral staircase. More heavy doois and a@ corridor, on each side of which. are the sleeping ceils of the prisoners, with their doubie-bolved doors. ‘This first cell,” said our con- duovor, ‘18 where I sleep. These three are occupied by reliable prisoners.’ Then a strong tron grating, which at night is closed, and a sleeping ward con- taining twenty beds for the short seutence prisoners. The beds are good—a straw pailiasse and 4 mattress of wool with the usual coverings, No tire is ever lighted in this part of tue prison, and the cold during tne night is often intense. The turn- keys, if called from their beds in consequence of any unusual disturbance, suffer severely, for tuey have no iire in their sleeping rooms, But to coutinue tne last waik of the condemned. Having passed through several corridors we de- scended a wide staircase leading to a passage sepa- raved Irom the first courtyard by which we entered the prison by @ stone iron grating fiited with wooden shutters, which are closed on the morning of execution Ww prevent the funeral procession of tac suil living man bemg witnessed by the prisoners in the yard. Arrived at the foot of the staircase we passed into a small room. HE PINIONING SEAT AND CorDs. The turakey, taking bis seat on @ chuir which he placed near the table, said:—“On thus spot ‘iraup- mann will be seated for atew minus, Lhe appa- Tratus to be used for binding him is in the drawers of ‘hat table. His arms wili be then tied betind his back and his legs be bound. We wil now continue our route, but before ieaving tue prison | will suow you the kitchen.” LAST MEALS. In the kitchen we tasted the food for the prisoners, It is of a quality not to be complamed ol, although Wwe quautity 18 Mot superfluous. Each prisouer re- ceives one pound and a half of bread per day. in the morning, at seven o’ciock, he nas a basin of soup, aud at toree o’clock dinner, which consists simply of vegetables and bread. He 1s aliowed as mucu cocoa as he can drink. The cocoa 1# not mtoxicating. It is made with liggorice root apd water. ‘Iwice per week 125 grammes Of meat are given to each pris- oner. There is @ canteen, however, in the prison, Where the prisoners are ailowed with their earnings to purchase luxuries, saveloys, meat, butter, sugar and one-fifth of a litre of wine, &c. The condemned to death are allowed to eat whatever they like, cur lets or omelets, &c. Yesterday Tranpmann indulged in roast beef. Our turnkey 1s from Alsace, like himself, anu Traupmano 38 on friendly terms with nim. ‘The reports about the assassin being tn bad spirits are greatly exaggerated. ‘The turnkey asked bim What he would have for dinner yesterday, and the assassin playfully replied, “Oh, cela depend comine (a lune tournera.” ADIEU. We had now reached tue last gate of the prison and the old turnkey, who had become partuculaily alientive to the lady of our party (she is Alsatian), Wisued us adieu with great ceremony. LAST WORDS. He, however, had still a last word. Calling after Bis compatriote, he said, “Madame, you will pass Over the exact spot, outside the gate, where Traup- mann will beexecuted. Look for five large fav siones jetinto the pavement. The scaifold and the guillotine will be erected on them, and I forgot to tell you that the knife was sharpened yesterday afternoon, ac four o’ciock.”” Traupmann’s Appeals. A Paris letter of the 14th of January reports:— ‘Tranpmeann’s appeal to the Court of Cassation was yesverday rejected, ‘The fact was notified to him in the course of the evenmg, He received the news quietiy enough, ana said he expected it, aud asked, “How long will it be now ?”? ‘The Kegistrar told him tnat his only step now waa to appeal to the Kmperor ior mercy. He deciined at first, but ultimately signed the appeal. ihmedtately alterwards he [eli inte a state of the greaust p-os- tration. Traupmann Boheaded. A telegram from Paris of the 19th of January says:—Traupmann was executed this morning at seven o’clock precisely, for the murder of the Kinck family, He walked up the steps of the scaffuld quickly and in an agitated manner. ‘The crowd assembled to witness the execution was immense. During the night Tranpmann rose to write a letter to his family. This morning the cries of the crowd outside the prison announced to him that the time or his execution had arrived, and he was warned by the oMicials that his last hour had come; whereupon he replied, ‘‘1um ready.” Oniy twice did he exhibit any signs of weakness— first, when he {eit the cold edge of the scissors used to cut away bis hair; and the second time when ne saw the guillotine. However, he quickly recovered his firmness, and ascended the steps of the scatfola alone. From the time of his leaving the prison he never utterea a@ word, Details of the Execution. A despatch from Paris of the evening of the 20th of January affords the following particulars of the last scene in the life of the murderer of the Kinck family :— Toe execution of Traupmann took piace this morn- ing on the Place de la Roquette, in presence of a coMsiderabie crowd, the greatest number of whom had passed the night on the ground. ‘The various portions of the guillotine arrived in along vehicie avout two o'clock in the morning, and nearly turee hours were occupied in setting up the dreadful ma- chine. The spectators consisted of tae very lowest ciuss, And spent all the early part of the night in drinking, eating, singing and sometimes even quar- relling. A strong cordon of troops was arranged round thé Place to keep the central portion clear. When the guillotine had been erected the noise of the crowd somewhat ceased and their general con- duct then present nothing to reprehend. At last the executioner, M. Heindeindrecu, a tall, powerfut mau, dressed in black, fifty-eingt years of age, with white hair, ascended ye steps of the machine and examuned minutely éVery part, in order that all migut act freely at the supreme moment. - AS Boon as his inspection had terminated he siowly descended, and entering the prison, signed the usual receipt for the person of the criminal. At avout the same time arrived M. Lor: oficer of the arrondissement, and M. Blavier, the police oilicers of the central brigades. They had soon to divide the crowd in order w allow the Abve Crozes, tie chaplain, to pass and perform the last duty to the prisoner. Ava few minutes belore six, accompanié¢d by ihe execauoner, these two asgiay- ants, the Governdr and some warders, the priest entered Traupmann’s cell, The prisouer had slept but little, and each time that he fell into a doze le suddenly started up, @ prey to the most gloomy an- Hicipations. The men who had the charge of watcb- ing him affirm that suck had been the case, more or jess, @ver since bis condemuation. When the sinis- ter party entered the cell Traupmann was lying on the bed with Ms face towards the wall, and not asleop. When the head of the prison placed hig hand on his ey prisoner was’ seized with a convul- sive tremblity, Whick increased visibly when the facal words wexe uttered, ““Traupmaun, your appit- cation for comntatation nas been rejected. The hour is come! The Uxtfortunate man then turned round, and, regarding with haggard eye the persons near, could scarcely rise, The ghapluin sdvanced aad eu- HERALD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1870. couragea nim to show some firmness, and in his last | of the Innetie,* causing it to fall™ and s0- Moments think of God, The warders then placed | cure the head of the crimmai—the other is thes pear movihg those belonging | to set loose the kulfe which is to cut ay ae Latest to dress as he was | head of. On decapitation taking place the ited is rison, and almost apy effort, He ware then dette for & short time alone with the abbé, after which the i gee of the “tollette’—thas i# WW say, Cutting his back hair and removing the collar of Dig shirt—took the priest all the time reciting prayers aloud, she BEOneE was then asked fhe to take any unient, but by a algn of the nead declined. ‘ At last the Governor ap- proached the prisoner and delivered him over to the executioner, Who gave in return the receipt. ‘The assistants then strapped down Traupman’s hands to his aad placed another leatner thong on nis ankle, which act prevented too iong steps, and the terrible co! out lor the scaffold, ‘The executioner’s two men placed themselves one at each elde, and supported Thaupmann by holding him by his arms, the abbe all the time following as close a8 possivle with a crucifix and whispering words of consolation. The executioner came next, and then several persons obliged by their oficial position to be present, On issuing from the prison on the Place, the unbappy criminal perceived the fatal machine right opposite, and instinctively recoiled, From that moment all power of motion seomed nearly gone, and were {+ not for the men at his gidea he must nave fallen. On his ap- pearing outside a loud murmur buret from we crowd, and the noise uncreased to the end. That period of time was, however, of short duration, as me prisoner was re aly aided, or p rashes, carried Up steps of the sci |, the chay accompanying him to the iast. ‘ After the crucifix had been presented to the almost uuconscious criminal, he was with great rapidity placed on the gliding panel, and the next momeut eben? cy fell. in n fi e crowd then began to disperse, tne hour bein; a litte before seven. ‘The late terrible scene had evidently not produced on them apy effect of depres- sion or Warning, 4s jests and gross allusions were bandied about as if notuing solemn had occurred. Some persons remained behing in the hope of get- Ung close to the scatiold, but the troops prevented ail approach. In half ao hour the veiaila of the execution were known ail over Paris. The Crowd and Ite Condact—Life Around the Ncatlold. Another Paris writer, speaking om the 20th of Jan- vary, Bays;— ‘The last scene of the Pantin tragedy—the execu- tion of traupmann—was enacted yesterday im the presence of an excited crowd, which bad begun to gather in the Place de la Koquette shoruy alter mid. night, Crowds of the idlers, who seem to be grega~ rious M great cities, bad anxiously awallea Lhe ghastly incident on nearly every night since it was known that that the Court of Cassation had refused the appeal of the murderer. ‘'ne mob appears to bave carried the indications of politcal excitement even to the loot of the scaffold, Though some of the Waris papers made the palpably erroneous state- ment that ‘lraupmann would be executed on Sun- day, ho one Was deceived by that announcement, tor the people kuew that s#uch an occur. rence Would be deprecated as a@ violauion ol religious prejudices, On Suuday night, however, an enormous crowd collected on the grouud on which the last sentence of the Jaw is executed on capital offenders. There the constituents of the crowd remamed until tour o’clock on Monday morn- ing, and when toey saw no altenpt made to prepare tne guillotine they dispersed singing the *Marseii- laise,”” Brief consideration might, Lowever, have saved this trial of patieuce, for tuere 18, we believe, ho stance, at least in recent years, of an execution ou @ Monday, as the authorities have always feared that a riot mignt ensue in consequence of the pres- ence of the large contingent of workmen by which tLe mob would be augmented. All sorts of rumors were circuluced in Paris regarding the delay of the execuuon, It was more or jess generally believed that the Emperor had been induced by the prison- er’s reflerated protest that it was bis accomplices who bad committed the crime for which he been condemned, to order a respite tor further investiga- ion. One paper stated that his Majesty bad received aM anonyinous Jetier on the subject, which Le deemed of suiticient importance vo send to A. Olll- vier, The warrant was sent on Friday afternoon from the Court of Cassavion to the house of the Min- ister of Justice. At the end of the document the Emperor wrote the jeter “N,” which showed that he did not intend to convey to tie prisoner the un- periai pardon. All the eiforts to induce ‘Traupmann to reveal the names of bis accomplices have been frustrated by the reticence or equivocation of tie prisoner, Mme, Braek, tae landlauy of the caye in the Rue Grange Bataiere, where ‘Iraupmann was in the habit of golng on different occasions with unknown persons about the time of the murder, having received a great Dumber of anonymous letters begging ber to induce the condemned man to name his accom. plices, resolved to do 60, Sue was conducted to the prison by M. Claude. ‘the director of the prison’ ‘Was present at the interview. Mme. Braek tried in vain tO influence Traupmann. She threw herself at his feet. His invariable answer was, “I have given instractions tbat my accomplices should be jound. 1 shall not mame them; et them look for them. The two men you bave seen with me were my accomplices; but there was @ third.” “fhen be added, ‘You will receive, madame, (o-morrow a Jeter trom we, whion will tei you ail I have vo say to you.’ The Severed Head—Does Consciousness With Thought Remain ¢ ALondon journal remarks on the above horribie theory thus:— The execution in Paris has revived the old ques- tion whether death instantaneously follows upon the severance of the head from the body. In a iet- ler to the Gaulots Dr. Pinch asserts thas decapita- ion does not immediately affect the brain. The biood which flows after decapitation comes from the large vessels of the neck, ana there 1s hardly eny cail upon the circulation of ta8 craaium. The brain remains intact, nourishing itself with the biood re- tained by the pressure of the air. When the biood remaining in the head at the moment of separation 19 exhausted there commences a state, not of death, but of inertia, which lasts up tothe moment when ‘he organ, no longer fed, ceases to exist. Dr. Pinel esitnaves that the brain fluds nourishment in the residuary blood for about an hour after decapita- ton. The period of inertia would lust for about two hours, and absolute death would not ensue until after the space of three hours altogether. If, he adds, 2 bodiless head indicates by no movement the horror of ity situation, 16 18 because it 18 paysicaliy Inpossivie that it should do so, ali the nerves which serve for the transmission of orders from the brain to the trunk bemg severed. But there remain the nerves of hearing, of smell, and of signt, The Gaillotinc—How It ls Made and Ope- rated, ‘The French guillotine of the present day 1s smaller, less clumsy and more manageable than ita prototype Of oid, still it is the same instrument, and the modi- fications which it bas successively undergone have changed neither the nature of its mechanism nor its general form, It consists of a square shaped scaf- fold thirteen feet long by about twelve feet sx inches wide, supported on four posts, stx feet in height, and reacied by @ flight of ten steps. This scaifold 18 rated in on ail sides, with an open balua- trade, and at two-thirds of its length are fixed two upright parallel posts, surmounted by @ cross-beam, which goes by the name of the ‘chapeau.’ ‘They are thirteen feet high aud have a spac of about fifteen incles between them. ‘The knife, which 18 atiached to the chapeau, is composed of a triangular biade of steel, ixed by means of three iron pins into @ leaden haft, calied the “mouton,” which gives it great weight. ‘This mouton is nearly fourteen inches broad, and the blade at its greatest width hardly @ foot. At rather more than three feet above the platform are two planks placed vei- tically One over the other, and with a semu-eircular portion cut out of each, su that when they are brought together the opening has the sppearance of a iuil moon. These are known as Une “lunette.” The lower plank is fastened to the upright posts, while the upper one, sliding in lateral grooves, can be raised or lowered at will Between the posis and the staircase i the ‘“bascule,” a narrow piece of board, whioh, when at rest is vertical, but which @ mere touch will bring mto a horizontal position. In falling tt comes on to & solidly supported table, longer than itwelf, aud extending right up to the Iumete. The bascule, furnished with casters, rolls along this table, and, by a rapid action, briags the neck of the criminal, Who 18 fastened to it, on to the iower half circle, 80 8% to secure it there. To the right of, the bascule, and attacked to it by hinges, 1s an inclined plane, placed #o a8 to rest against the side of an enormous wicker-basket, lined with zinc and filed with sawdust. Underneath the bascule and we lunette is a trough of oblong siape, and in tront of the Upright posta 1s an apparatus Which secures the head of the criminal and prevents tt from rolling on to the platform siiouid it fail from the nunds of the assistant charged Lo hoid It. ‘The eutire machine, together with its various accessories, is pulled a disugreeavie acep bioou-red color, Ihe bascuie i8 provided witn @ double leatner strap and buckles, in order to prevent+ any resistance on the part of the crinunal; but this 1s rarely if ever used. The upper semicircle falls rapidiy by menus of a very simpie piece Of Mechanisin, pul in action by a bui- ton, Whica it 18 only necessary to press, The knife 18 attucned to the chapeau by a kind of claw, shaped like the figure 8, ine lower part of which opens when | the upper closes. A cord hanging near tne button al- ready noticed acts upou & lever, Which, bringing the upper portions of twe claw ether, Compels the jJower to separate and sel the knife free. This latter, sliding through the open space, is accelerated in its descent by the mass of lead that surmounts it, and | Sails with dreadfui rapidity, Which 4, moreover, in- creased by the action of polished steel rolicrs run- ning in copper grooves fixed inside the upright posts, In its fait just shaves the surface ob tue lunette, and if finaly stopped by two springs covered with disks of india rubver, which deaden the shock and prevent noise. The reader will now comprehend with what sim- plicity and secarity the guillotine accumpustes its | terrible work. The criminai, having mounted the scaffold, finds himself in front of the vertical bas- cule, which extends from Just above his ankles to | the middie of his breast and facing nim also is the lunette with its movable portion rawed. ‘The exe- toner pushes the bascule, wnicn falls into the hori- zontel position, and then pusnes it along the table; | the bead of the victim seems, as It were, to throw itself ito the semi-circular opening of the Junette, and an assistant immediately seizes | hold of the hair, Two things now remain to be done—one is to press the button which aciw upon the mevhuniem gf the uppes portion thrown into the basket, while the executioner, by & Single motion, slides the body down the inclined Plane. The rapidity of the action 18 almost incon- Celvable, and death is ag # matter of course instan- taneous. ‘The oblique blade made enormously Deavy by its leaden Sots simultaneously, by its mae, its weight and its cutting power. The fall, a ree ah calculated, occupies three quarters CO! The respective parts played by the executioner's Assistants are weitied In advance. One of them seizes hoid of the head, the other raises the bascule from the bottom and weigns down the legs of the criminal, while the executioner hastens on tne denouement. These combined movements. all differ. ing one irom the other, are accomplished by three individuals with @ prectsion and simultaneousness that prevents the smallest hitch from occurring. THE COURTS. The Constitutionality of the Confiscation Act of 1862 Before the Supreme Court— The Fullerton Case—Appeals in Admi- ralty—The Fourth National Bauk Case—The Martin Whiskey Raid— The Gilasson Divorce Suit— Solomon’s Judgment, UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. Seizures Under the Confiscation Act of July, 1862—Tho Conatitutionality of the Act Un- der the Form of the Proceedings Disputed. Wasainoton, D. C., Feb. 1, 1870, Nos. 98 ana99, ¥. P. Garnett, Claimant, vs, The United States, and No. 119, Wm. V. McCreigh vs, The United States—Error to the Supreme Court af the District of Columbia and the Cireuit Court for the District of Virginia.--These cases were now argued together on their merits, @ motion made on Friday last to dismiss the case of McUreigh having been denied. The proceedings in the two cases of Garnett (one claiming real and the other personal property) were im the courts of the District of Columbia,,where the property was located, aud the Information in the case of McCreigh wag filed in the District Court of the State of Virginia, the property being situated in Alexandria, In all the cases the seizures were made under the Contiscation act of July, 1862, and the proceedings were made to con- form to proceedings in admiralty and revenue cases as nearly as possible, as required by the seventh section of the act, the tal being had witnout a jury. Tue decrees were for the vernment, and the cases are now beiore this court for Teview, the claimants contending that there was not @ substantial compliance with the admiraity rules made by this court, and making various other technical objections as to regularity of the pro- ceedings in the courts below. But the main ques- tion brought up is the constitutionality of the act, ‘the claimants insisting that it was euacted to punish treason, ad indicated by its title, and that being such the provision for the trial of the offender upon the charge of crime, by a proceeding against his property, to be tried withont @ jury, 18 unconsutu- tuonal. ‘The offence of treason can be tried only as prescribed in the constitution, by jury, apd then Uhere can be no conviction without the testimony of two witnesses to some overt act, or a confession in open court, The punishment of crime, it is sub- mitted, by proceedings in rem. ana default (a8 was the fact in one of these cases), 18 at war with all tue provisiong of the constitution in respect thereto. It is convended that unless the crime ior the punishment of which the fifth and sixth sections of tue act subject to forfeit- ure of property shail be held to be. treason or felony, these sections of ube act “impose excessive fines” within the meaning of the eighth article of the amen dinents to the constitution; and if the crime be treason or felony, the accused cannot be held to answer, except in strict conformity with the require- ments of the fifth article of the amendments to the constitution. ‘The Attorney General maintains the constitution- ality of the act, and insists tuat in the exercise of its municipal and sovereign rights Congress had the right to pronibit, under penalties, the offences named in the fifth and sixth sections of the act, and ta provide that these penalties should be enforced by proceedings in rem. G. W. Brent, C. A. Watties, Caled Cushing and B. R. Curtis for the plaintiffs in error; Attoruey Gene- ral Hoar and Assistant Attorney General W. A. Field tor the governinent. UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT. The Fallerton Case. Before Judge Woodrat, The United States vs, Witham Fullerton.—This long pending case, which has engaged the attention of the government prosecuting officers, the oMcers of the Internal Revenue and the public generally for a considerable length of time, nas at last been set down for trial. Judge Woodruff has appointed the first Tuesday in March next—fret day of the crim- inal term—lor the triai of the case. Appeals in Admiralty. Jo the United States Circuit Court—admiraity branch—Judge Woodruff yesterday called the ap- peal calendar and assigned cases for trial during the wilting of tue term. UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS’ COURT. ‘Tue Foarth National Bank Case. Before Commissioner Shields. The United States vs, Wiliam Leiuh.—The defend- ant, who was charged with aiding and abetting Wm. F. Veltman, the bookkeeper of the Fourth National Bank, 1n making Salse entries, by which the bank was defrauded out of $7,000, has been held to await the action of the Grand Jury. + The Eighteenth Street Distillery C: Before Commissioner Osborn. The Unitea States vs. James Barker ant Otners.— ‘The examination in this case was resumed yesterday morning, the confined room in which the examina- tion was held being crowded almost to suffocation. In consequence of the Circuit and District Court rooms being engaged by Judges Woodruif and Bene- dict for the trial of causes the Commissioners’ Office had to do duty for a court room, and the result was &@ most uncomfortable and fatiguing session. Only two witnesses were called to the stand — Maximilian f’atzman and Ernest Schmitt. The for- mer’s testimony was unimportant in the absence of books and memorandums which he required to answer the questions put to him, and he was told to stand aside and to have his books with him when next called upon, Ernest Schmitt was one of the absconding wit- hexses referred to in the H#KALD’s report of the ex- amination on Saturday last, and yesterday was brought into court in the custody of a deputy mar- Shal. He was examined from the aMdavit sworn to by him, from which, in his direct examination, he digressed a little, but on bis cross-examination by Mr. Bell, either from not being satficientiy conver- sant with the English language to stand the fire of a galling cross-exammation or not, the witness was al times completely at fault. “Nothing important in support of the charge was elicited, and after a pro- tracted session the Commissioner adjourned the fur- ther hearing until to-day at two P. M, ‘SUPERIOR COURT—SPECIAL TERM. The Glassen Divorce Suit—Conflicting Testie mony. Before Judge Barvard. John J. Glasson vs. Margaret A. Glasson.—As on Monday, the court room was densely crowded by persons anxious to listen to the details of the case, the hearing of which was resumed yesterday morn- ing at eleven o'clock. Mary Wallace testified that ste had been employed a8 4 servant girl by Mr. Howell; she first saw Airs, Glasson when she came to Mr, Howell’s house, to- Warus the end of August, 1868; Airs. Howell and Libby were both away at the time; while she re- mained Mr. Howeil and Mrs. Glasson went together to Newport, Grassy Point, to tne theatre anu to other piaces; she corroborated the testimovy of tue previous witness with a a tothe sleeping place of Mrs. Glasson and . Howell; Mra. Glasson had called her up to her roum on the day aiter the occurrence, and asked her if sne had heard anything that took place last nignt; Mrs. Gias- sou told her that Mr. Howell had inerely sat on the edge of the bed; after Mrs. Howell and her daughter left Mr. Howell and Mrs. (ilasson continued to live there, and the style of living was very much im- Proved; they continued to occupy the same adjoin- ing rooms for @ month, but afterwards changed twice, but still to adjoining and communicaung rooms; the doors were locked carefully when bow were there, but not Jocwed when oniy one was there. The witness was then cross-examined at some lougil, aud adinitted having received @ new dress ia Mrs. Glasson and that Mr, Glasson paid her exvenses attending the trial; that she had pre- Viousiy made an affidavit that she had seen nothing | Wrong to their conduct, nor had sbe any conversa- tion in reference to the testimony she was Lo give. ‘Tnts Closed the case for the piaintif. Counsel opposed tue case on bebaif of the defend- aut by remarking that he would bave to go very lar back to the time when Mrs. Giasson was avout to go to California, and she naving asmau interest in some property in the city he assisted her in procur- jug sole Money on a Mortgage on her share. ‘That Mr. Howell and she were acquainted with each other for over tuurty years. She had introduced him to his tirst wife—the present Mra. Howell bemg his second, He had interesied bitnself in arranging her atfairs with reiativn to the mortgage, aud on the evening of the occurrence had only gone ino her room, ax he thought he was warranted in doing so from their jong acquaintance. ‘They are the only parties who kuow whether (le adultery Was com- 3 —TRIPLE SHEET. mitted, and they both solemnly swear that nothing of the kind took piace, He would have the princi- pals examined and the jury could jodze for itseif whether or not adultery was committed. Jonn A. Gena Se was then examined for the defence, and that he was twenty-nine years old, bis father sixty-six and tis moter Mity-two; ‘hat after the se) ton beween his and father she went, with the Kuowledge and assent of her friends, to the house of Mr. Howell, #8 house- keeper or companion. Jonn B. Howell ‘was next placed upon the stand. He said he was sixty-six years old; had been very inumate with the Glassons for over thirty years; his family relavious had beea unlappy since bis daughter was two years old; it commenced from his not belug rich enough to support his wife as ehe wished; she left him repeatedly and stayed away for long period: he remonstrated, and she answered abusively: he Uhreatened divorce proceedings, and ahe defied him; he commenced @ sult on the 8th of Seprember; bis wife went vo Sing sing about March, 1868, returned for o few days to her home aud then went back; he took is daughter to Sing Sing and went after her | Qgain; ne informed her then that he had engaged Mra. Glasson, whom she knew, when he leit Provi- dence ior Mra, Glasson, his daughter at once went for her mother, gag when be brought Mra, Glasson on she was there: his Own room was the only iit room he could give Mrs. Giasson, and she, at ber Own suggestion, fitted it uD with her own furni- tore, he having it painted; the room was ten feet by thirteen; the bed was four feet four inches wide; tlie first night Mrs. Glasson came there Mrs, Green- wood offered her a room, her furniture not having arrived; on the evening in question he had ona hight colored veet and pantaloons of a light yellow, aud took off his cravat and collar, his coat and boots; he and Mrs. Glasson got Lo talking about a frag 2 due by her, which she wished bim to take. This continued until she left for her room; he was thinking of the matter when ne turned out the gas, and an idea striking him he went to her door and called Margaret; gettll nO auswer he pushed the door open and asked her who drew the mortgage; sie told hum to get out— what would people think if they saw him in there? he was dv as he had been ail the afternoon ; just Chen he felt the door pressed agaiust him and is daughter Libby came in and said, “A pretty companion you have brought me, papa!’ ip other matters he substantially confirmed his daugntter’s story, except that ne denied the threats to her sae had testified to; his wile’s sult was commenced the e Month; she made an application for alimony, but got nothing, but his daughter was allowed elgnt dollars per week alimony; he nad never in his [1 been in Mrs. Glasson’s bed, and Mrs. Glasson’s con- duct had always appeared to him correct and proper. ‘The witness in crosg-examination declined to state as to his belief in future reward or puutsh- ment and denied sleeping in an adjoining room to Glasson. Alter some evidence by E. L. Morey as @ the aml- davit made by Mary Wallace Mrs. Glasgon was placed upon the stand, but her testimony was not allowed — cording to ihe statute a wife not being allowed to give evidence against her husband ta a divorce suit, 5 oe since Francis P. Milis, living in Fifth avenue, near Elghteenth street, Poookins btabbded his wife daring altercation with on the 26th of January, whea the case came up before Justice Delmar, of the First District Court, Mra. Mills refased togive an: evidence whatever, and was therefore com for contempt, Mills nimeeif also declined to when called to tue stand by his counse!; but on the strength of the evidence of other witnesses the Jus- ‘ice comraitted him to await the action of the Grand ee. The accasea, it may be remembered, was sent em Mor State Prison about four years ago for killing Fulton street r wife in the Augie Rowspeper building, t, wh as engineer. He remained in ‘prises “lens thea Govergor of Ht prison less than @ year, Fenton iiaving pardoned him at the expiration about eight montns. He returned to Brooklyn and married his present wife, who, vy the Way, Was ® witness against him on ius trial, Judge Pratt granted the appilcation of Mr. Gill and jasued the writ, which was nade returnable this morning. SUPAEME COURT—CIRGUIT—PART |, Action Against the New York, Providence and Heston Ratlruad Cowpauy—Heavy Dama- ges Claimed, aes Before Judge Pratt, Daniel B. Joyce vs. The New York, Providence and Boston Railroad Company.—The plaintut, who is a resident of Brooklyn, brought suit to recover damages in the sum of $16,000 for injury sustained by reason of the alleged negligence of employés of defendants. It appeared from the plaintif’s tegti- mony tht on the 1st of September, 1868, he was ou board of the steamboat train from Boston to Ston- ington, and upon arriving at the ‘at the latver place, tig oy out to the platform the car (which ‘Was stil in motion) for the purpose of the boat. There were a number of platform, and Mr, Joyce was eithor pushed or fell of between that car and the one directly before it, and the wheels pessing over its lett leg, severed it just beiow the Knee. In consequence of the injury tous received be was contived to bis house for some time, losi a remunerauve business, aud up to this tine has been unabie to attend to any business. He claimed that the defendants nad violated @ provision of the statate in fating to have an apron” over the open space Where the cars were “coupled, that, therefore, they should ve held responsiole for the accident, ‘The Court nted a nonsuit on the ground of con- tributive negligence on the part of plainuif, Dollars Damages Claimed. Alfred BE, Byron vs, Christian FP. Rall—On the 2a of September last defendant caused the arrest of Plaintiff on the charge of having robbed him of a quantity of jewelry, Piaintit’ was locked up for a week and then discharged by Police Justice Walsh, except so far as related to their marriage. ‘The case Was then adjourned to tile morning. SUPREME COURT —.. AMBERS. Habeas Corpus Proceeding—Twe Females Strugyle for a Child—Solomon Redivivus. Before Judge Cardozo. In re Diezelski.—A half-past ten o’clock a piercing scream rang through the court room, and immedi- ately a hundred persons rushed from all directions to inquire the cause. ‘Two women were struggling violently for @ boy of six or seven years old, and the handsome Jittle fellow cried loudly with terror as the crowd swarmed around. Finally @ mediator invervened and the matter came up before Judge Cardozo. Eugene A. Diezelski applied for the pos- session of the voy during the pendency of an action, and requested that he sbould be placed in the cus- touy of a lady named by him as temporary guardian. Mra. Diezeiski, Who was bathed in tears, earuestly. resiéted tie application and was successful. Decisions. By Judge Cardozo, Brakely et al vs. George W. opened, &c. In (he Matter of he Guardianship of John D. M, Wiesler and Others.—Reterence ordered, D. 8. Riddle vs, Addison santord.—Order granted, In the Mater of the Application af Henrietta Cro- cheran, éc.—Order granted. Mitchell, &c., vs. Benjamin et al.—Order granted. Henry Rosenblatt vs, Philip Levy et ai.—Movion granted. Thomas vs. Brundage, éc.—-Receiver may be ap- pointed, &c. * Johanna Angerman vs, Aleraniler Angerman.— Report of referee confirmed and judgment of divorce granted from bed and board. Isavella Funk vs. John W, FPunk.—Jadginent will be granted upon producing proof of service of sum- mons and of defauit. Adolph Van Pragg.—Both Us, Tutile,—Default Jacob Van Pragg vs, motions denied with costs, William C. Rogers et al vs. Soldier# Business Mes- sengyer and Despatch Company,—Order settled, Waddy vs. Egan.—urder settied. COURT OF SPECIAL SESSIONS. Deck and Cabin Passengers on a Boston Boat—Rebbing Mr. Henry Bergh—Stealing a Sheep. Before Judges Dowling and Bixpy. “ALL FOR & DOLLAR.” Dr. John H. Griscom, residing at 42 East ‘Twenty- ninth street, complained that an assault and battery had been commitced upon him by the watehman of the steamboat Narraganset, plying between Boston and New York. Dr. Griacom sald that he was @ deck passenger from New York to Boston by the above steamer, and he said that during that passage he received atten- uon and courtesy from the crew and officers and was permitted the privileges of cabin and state rooms, and that nothing could be pleasanter than that voyage. He returned by the same boat from Boston to New York, and also as a deck passenger. He seemed to expect the same privileges on this voyage, but did not get them, He was making his way to a state room on the upper deck when tne defendant told iim he couid not go, and so assaulted bim that, according to the doctor’s statement, who 1s an old man, paipitation of the heart was #o Induced tnat he began to despair of is life. Captain Hull, the captain of the vessel, told a dif- ferent story. He said that tie fare of the boats was jour dollars for deck passengers and five dollars tor cabin passengers; that, judging from the appearance of Dr. Griscom, they supposed be was @ cabin pas- wenger, and he had all the privtleges accorded to that class they subsequently disc assenger; on the return from Boston to New York he was then a deck passenger, but attemptea to obtain the same privileges that he had done before, The captain said that pe explained to the doctor that he must go to the office and pay the difference if he wished to be be a saloon passenger, but the doctor refused todo this; he then gave directions to Levy, the night watchman, not to allow the doctor on ‘the upper deca; he did not see any altercation between Levy und Dr. Griscom; ne knew, however, that Dr. Gris- com’s son Was @ passenger, and wat young Mr. Griscom told his father he was doing wrong. A uumber of witnesses connected with the boat gave contirmatory evidence; two of whom saw the assault complained of, and trom their testimony Levy did not use more force than was necessary to prevent Dr. Griscom frou forcing himself up ‘the gangway. The doctor did notdeny that he had a deck ticket, but thought It Inexplicable that uiere should be one Mode of treatment to a deck passenger on going to Boston and another in coming from Boston on the same boat. Judge Dowling acquitted the defendant, remark- ing that from vr. Griscom’s own statement he was clearly in the wrong, and that a gentleman of the doctor's experience must have known that the ac- commodation he obtained on his Journey to Boston was on the supposition that be was a cabin pas- senger. MISCELLANEOUS CASES, Frederick Miller went into Washington Market on ‘Thursday night, about a quarter past twelve o'clock, and stole a sheep. Four months’ imprisonment. Thomas Cody and Edward White, chargea witn stealing a quantity of umber avd breaking into an ofMice on two lots, front of South street, belonging to Mr. Henry Bergh, were sent to the schooisiip, COURT CALENDARS—THIS Day. OHAMBERS.—Held by Judge SUPREME Court, Cardozo.—Cail of calendar twelve o'clock M.—No. be Gross.—-Nos. 153, 16" Vart 2—Belure Judge Curus—N 27, 362, 26, HY, 360, dol, BROOKLYN COURT UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS’ COURT. Before Commissioner Jones. United States vs. Moses Morris.—The defendant was charged with having veen engaged im the tobacco business ip Warren street without paying Special tax. An ¢Xaulination was held before the Commissioner yesterday and resulted in the dis- charge of the accused, it being shown that he had not wilfully violated the iaw. A quantity of tobacco seized at defendant's place has been confs- cated, SUPREME COUST—SPECIAL TERM, The Mills Attempted Wife ‘Muraer—A writ of Habeas Corpns Lasued for the Release ot Mrs. Mills. Before Judge Pratt, Mr. William P. Gill yesterday afternoon made an Application to Judge Pratt for a writ of habeas Corpus to be served upon Thomas J, Folger, keeper of the House of Detention, requiring him to produce Mra. Mills, who was comuiited by Justice Delmar on the 26th alt. for re Zo Lestily against her busvand, Francis P. Muls, inorder thabshe may be released or admitted to vail. It wl be remembered iat about @ fortnigns who had issued the warrant and before whom the examination of the case look piace. He claims that in consequence of his arrest und detention te has been Injured in character and business vo the amount of $6,000, for Wiich amount he now brings suit, The deiendant denies :aice, and claims that he acted in good faith and tpon the advice of counsel. ile sets forth that be was roobed of the property meutionéed and asks jor 4 disinissal of the oum- plaint. . Case op. SUPREME COURT—CIRCUIT—PaRT 2 | The Suit Agaiuat Long Inlaud Railroad Company, Berore Judge (ilbert, Edieard Van Gassbeck vs. The Long Island Rail- road Company.—The whole of yesterday was com sumed by counsel in the examination of experts with regard to the piece of rail about five inches in length which, as ciaimed, was found at the of the catastrophe after its occurrence. A large numoer of experts in iron and raliroad iron were produced by the de- fence to testify as to whetiter or not the piece of rail In question was @ portion of the rail which broke or Do. The general opinion seemed to be that it wasnot. Many of the jury also compared the pleve with the seclion of the rail. The singular part of the matter is that this littie piece of iron makes the rail or loch louger than iL realy was. it is expected U ‘the case wil be concluded to-day. The February term will commence on Monday next. Tne calendar comprises 193 cases, 170 being jury and the remaining twenty-three equity cases, dury trials will be held during the first three weeks. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, Commander A. C, Rhind has been ordered to duty ‘at the New York Navy Yard. Commander William RK. McUann has been detached Irom the Philadelphia Navy Yard and placed on ‘waiting orders. Commander M, 1. Johuson has been detached from the Plymouth and ordered to orduauce duty at me Navy Yard at Portsmouta, N. Hy ‘The Dictator—The Most Powerfal Armored Ship Afloat—Her Merits and Defects, (From the Auburn (N. Y.) News.) Through the politeness of a gentleman, restdent in ths city, we have been ullowed to extract from & private letter the following very interesting detalis with regard to the Dictator, which 1s without doubt the most powerful vessel afoat:— As to the Dictator, I will try to briefly describe her to you. She ts the largest and most powerful mon- ltor yet commissioned; has all the improvements suggested by the original one, and mi be regarded as the exponent of Eri son’s system—the embodiment of all his ideas, She is truly @ magnificent iron-ciad, and can ‘whip any armored ship afnoat; atleast, we are will- Ing to wy. | Her dimensions are as foliows:—Length over all, 316 feet; between perpendiculars, 286 feet; beam, 50 leet; draught, 21 feet 9 inches; thickness of turret, 16 inches: constructed as fol- ne-inch plates, riveted and se- cured in the most improved manner; then @ plate of solid Iron (annealed), + Inches thick, shrunk on when hot, and fitting as neatly as a wiove; finally, 5 one- inch plates secured as Lie first; it thas becomes in possible for any bolts to be driven through by con- Cussion, a8 Was the case with the original monitors. Side armor, 10 menes of iron backed by 3 feet 2 tenes of wood. The fignting pilot house is 13 inches thick, and its diameter being less than half tuat of the turret, its strength is propor- tionately greater. Two main engines, with an estunated horse power of 6,000 tons; 66 fur- haces In two ters, out we only use the lower, and have never attempted to develop her full power. Besides the engines jor propulsion, there are four- teen smaller oues for the blowers, to turn the turret, to work one of the guns, to weigh anchor, holst ashes, to pump ship out. &c. Armament—Two if- teen-inch guns, shot weighing 460 pounds. Ont n Works by hand and 1s ran ous py three men, “ne other cau be worked by either steam or hand. Frou practice I prefer to work by Land, unless the en- gagement were to be 4 proionged one. Our present compiement (ine minimum) consists of ninety bine jackets and eighty firemen and coai- heavers. When in Sighting trim we are eighteen Inches out of water. As a sea boat she is excellent, but ueeds one tmprovement, which I shall speak of later. From Hampton Koada to Key West we met four moderate gales and she behaved weil. Sue is remarkably buoyant and much more lively than | aniicipated; burying herself three or pur feet in the sea, she would rise easily, hurling the Water in sheets across the deck, forming as pretty a miniature wavertail on the lee side as one one wish to wee, The first night out irom Tybee Roads we carried away our wheel rope, aud broaching to, lay in the trough of the sea tor four hours; every Wave awept ber, but she rode all gracefully; and had not & serious accident Occurred to one of our convoy all would nave been weld; as it was we Were obliged to return to Tybee. Now, having spoked of her good qualities, I must Mention one or two serions deiects. Ericsson is undoubtedly aman of wonderful genius, bat is un- willing to listen to the practical suggestions of those “whose business is on the great waters,” und who, were le to stubbornly hold to bis plan, would indeed verily the first portion of that beautiful psalm. The “overbang” ts not adapted to sea use, and no ship, Lowever | strong, can long sustain tne heavy shocks we are | subjected to 1D @ gale. She rises on one and | down she comes on 18 follower with @ shock that strains the whole ship, and throws the Spray far above the turret. Were she sponsoned the whole dimeulty would be overcome, and she would be the best sea boat | ever put my foot in. ‘The other detect ts that the ventilation is imper- } fect, The air is drawn down the forward ventilator, frst passes through the wardroom, then through | the berth deck, Where the eu mess and swing, then | reaches the firemen in tie fire-room, not quite as | tresh as nature intended; tuen rising, and with no oauiet, flows back again to tne viowers, to be re- driven to the fire-room. Lastly, the steering gear is altogether wrong. Tuere are places where, snould it part in @ sea-way or in action, we would be per- fectly helpless, In one cave ile would preveat our repairing; in the other she enemy's Ore, WHO MADE ‘The POPE'S GOLD FISH, ‘To 108 Epiror or Tux AEeRALD:— An item appeared In your paper of Sanday last im relation to the gold Aish which was presented wo the Pope by the young iadies of the Convent of the Sacred Heart. In this item it was stated that the fish had been manufactured by Ball, Black & Co., of New York, This 18 @ mistake. 1t was designed ana Manutactured tn Brooklyn by Wirth Brothers and. was on exhibition as their place of business for some days before ib was sent to the Archbishop of New York. WIRTH BROTHERS, Tue WeATHRR.—Here arc some of the effects or the recent wonderfully mild weatber:—Horace Chase, of Fair Haven, has pea vines two feet hign and nearly ready to blossom; @ a ee Meadow street picked @ bouquet of 1e8 Friday; apple trees are ready to blossom in ville; liag buds are swelling th several gardens in the city, and snow birds were warvling merry notes on the green last Week. The oldest inhabitant has been inter. viewed and ne can recollect nothing like the above,—Vew Baven (Conn) Palladium, Jam Ske