The New York Herald Newspaper, December 31, 1873, Page 4

‘NEW YORK HERALD BROADWAY AND ANN STREET, dAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR Volume XXXVOI....... = : AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING, OLE AC AE WALLAOK’S THEATRE, Broadway and Thirteenth street —A MAN OF HONOR, At P. M.; closes at 100 P.M. Mr. Lester Wallack, Miss Aauie Deland, BOOTH'S THEATRE, Sixth avenue and Twenty-third street.—KIT: OR, THE ARKANSAS TRAVELLER, at 7:45 P. M,; closes at 10:30 Poke Mrs F. S Chantrau, Miss Bella Pacman, OLYMPIO THEATRE, Broadway, between, Houston and Bleecker streets. — FAMILY JARS as 8 PLM. GABRIEL GRUB, at 8:45 P. M,; closes ot 11 P.M. Majilton-Raynor Family. BROOKLYN PARK THEATRE, ghposite City Hall, Brooklyn ENOCH "ARDEN, at M., closes at 10:30 P. M. Slr. Edwin Adams, ‘Miss Sully Osborne. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery. MISCHIER MAKING, at7 46 P. M.;, MOTHER Goos 8:30 P. ses ALIAS, Mr. Heruandes Foster, Miss Polly NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway, between Prince and Houston streets. — CHIL, DREN IN THE WOOD. Opens ats tM; Closes ab 10:45 P.M. Vokes Family. WOOD'S MU Broadway, | corner. Th RERRY AND FA TAR, at + DAMON AND Yin Tas Daveuport, M. Fighth avenue: ae L DUMPTY ABROAD, at 7:45 Mr, G. L, Fox. ARRISIDE, at Clark, Miss RMANIA THEATRE, near Teving place--LES GEOR. P.M. ; closes at 10:07. M. Mr. Merton, GE! Fourteenth Lg ot, GIENNES, ats P Mile. Rinold. TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, No. 201 Bowery.—VARTETY ENTERTAINMENT at 8 P M. ; closes at iI P. Matinee at 2 BRY. T'S OPERA HOUSE, ~M.; Closes at lv P.M, THE Third avenue and di: MUSEUM AND CIRC and ats P. M.; closes at WPM RINK, “tourth street.—MENAGERIE, Mj closes at 4 P. M.S METROPOLITA 585 Broadway. —VARIETY P.M. ; closes at 10:30 P. M THEATRE, NTERLAINMENT, at TH5 ROBINSON HALL, Sixteenth street.—MAGICAL ENTERTAINMENT AND «LAUGHING GAS, at 8 P. M.; closes at 10:30 P. BAIN HALL, Great Jones street, corner Latayette place —THE PIL GRIM, ats P.M. ; closes at 9:30 P. DR. KAHN’S MUSEUM, No. 638 Broadway.—SUIENCE AND ART. WITH "SUPPLEMENT. ae mew shoei Wednentay, 1 Dee. 31, 1873. THE NEWS OF YESTERDAY, To-Day’s Contents of the Herald. “THE SINKING OF THE VIRGINIUS! A WON- DERFUL COINCIDENCE"—LEADING ARTI- CLE—FovrtiH Page. THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE FAMOUS FILIBUS- TER STEAMER VIRGINIUS! SUNK ON FRY- ING PAN SHOALS! HER SEAWORTHY CONDITION, AND CONSEQUENT PERILS AND SUFFERINGS OF THE © ! THE OFFICIAL REPORT—Tuep Pace. SPAIN’S CLAIMS IN THE VIRGINIUS CASE! | y ANOTHER ALABAMA C. FORTCOMING! THE LOSS OF THE VE L! SPECIAL NOTES FROM THE FEDERAL CENTRE— TENTH PaGE. BURRIEL SUMMONED TO MADRID TO EXPLAIN HIS COURSE IN CUBA! CHARGES PRE- FERRED AGAINST HIM! JOVELLAR’S POWERS! SICKLES AND CUSHING FROM A SPANISH STANDPOINT—FirtTH PaGs, HOLLANDERS DEFEAT A_ STRONG | ACHEENESE FORCE, INFLICTING HEAVY LOSSES ON THEM! THE DUTCH LOSS SLIGHT—FirTa Pace. WUSSIA’S TREATY WITH BOKHARA! SLAVERY TO BE ABOLISHED! TRADE FACILITIES | CESSION OF TERRITORY—Firta Pace. ‘EXTENSIVE FAILURES IN BERLIN ! IMMINENCE OF ANOTHER FINANCIAL PANIC—Firra PaGE. ENGLISH FINANCIAL NEWS! THE NEW RULE AS TO THE AMERICAN DOLLAR IN OPER- ATION—FirTH PAGE. GUATEMALA SEVERS DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH MEXICO! METHODISM IN THE MEXICAN OAPITAL! RETIREMENT OF AN OFFICIAL! CONGRESS IN SESSION—Firta | Page. MURDER IN THE BACKWOODS AND ITS JUST EXPIATION |! TWO CANADIAN TRAPPERS | KILL A COMRADE! EXECUTION OF 0} | MURDERER AND LIFE IMPRISONMENT OF THE OTHER—Eicuru Pace. THE RAILROAD TROUBLES BEING ADJUSTED | PENNSYLVANIA CENTRAL FOREWARN- ED—FEATCRES OF AMUSEMENTS—Firra Pace. MEETING OF THE POLARIS IC! KELSEY IN NEW YORK FRIENDS—Tuiep PacE. ENGLISH VIEWS OF THE GREAT CHRISTIAN COUNCIL IN NEW YORK! THE DEAN OF | CANTERBURY AND OTHER PROMINENT | DELEGATES TELL OF THE WORK DONE— SixtH PaGE. OE HEROES— E ORPHANS’ A WOMAN'S STRATEGY! SHE DELIVERS HER BROTHER OVER TO JUN’ i AND SAVES ; HER FATHER FROM BEGGARY—SixtH Page. THE TRIAL OF EX-SENATOR GRAHAM FOR EM- | BEZZLEMENT! MAGGIE JOURDAN SETTLEMENT OF THE WEST FARMS | SCHOOL WAR—BUCHU'S JUDICIAL CHIEF— | EigutH Pace, FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL S$ AND | UPERATIONS! THE NEW POUND STERLING VALUATION—MECHELLA TO Bi HANGED— NINTH PAGE. NEW YEAR'S ATTRACTIONS IN THE DRY GOODS BAZAARS—THE KILLING OF THE | LAD DONNELLY—AFFAIRS IN THE MUNI- | RUM CIPALITY—FATAL Pacs, SPREE—SixtTa | Tue Last Dax or tae Yean.—We have red upon the last day of the old expiring His exit will be announced from the k as it strikes the midnight hour; but the wounds, with old regrets, which will | © to many broken hearts, in thinking | the events of the old year, will be lost in | general rejoicings over the new year. The ition from the old to the new will be jled after the old fashion—“The king is dead; long live the king! The theme offers an inviting field for retro- ion, reflection and suggestions; but, as ‘ore, we reserve our biographical sketch dying king until, with bis death, a advent of his successor, NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DEUEMBER ‘3I, 1873—WITH SUPPLEMENT, ] The ~ pinning of the Virgintus—A Wonderful Coincidence. As reported in the Heraxp yesterday, and as more fully chronicled to-day, the Virginius is no longer afloat. With this ship at the bottom of the sea, and the gentlemen ot the navy “under strict orders not to communicate with anybody in relation to the circumstances"’ in which she went down, and with the whole history of her relations to our government and of the attitude in regard to her recently as- sumed by the administration before us, it is an observation which presents itself on the very surface of the subject that this sudden disappearance of the ship in eight fathoms of water is a wonderful piece of good fortune for the incapablos at Washington. Indeed, it is 80 uncommonly fortunate that it reminds us of a little story. In the eventful life of the late Mr. Weller it happened that an important election had been beforehand counted over very closely, and it was known that the arrival of a coach load of voters would turn the scale. Mr. Weller, who was to drive the coach on that day, called by invitation on one of the gentlemen concerned and accepted from him the civility of a twenty pound note, and, as reported by Weller the younger, the gentle- man said: —‘ ‘We're all wery fond o’ you, Mr. Weller; so in case you should have an acci-' dent when you're bringing these here woters down and should tip ’em over into the canal, vithout hurtin’ of em, this is for yourself,’’ says he. ‘You're wery kind,’ says my father, ‘and [’ll drink your health in another glass of wine,’ says he, which he did, and then buttons up the money and bows himself out. ‘You wouldn't believe, sir,’ coytmmued Sam, ‘that, on the wery day as he came with them woters, his coach was upset on that ‘ere wery spot and every man on'em was turned into the canal; and what I look at is the hex- traerdinary and wonderful coincidence that, arter what that gentleman said, my father’s coach should be upset in that wery place and on that wery day.” It will probably be imagined by many that the coincidence in the case of the Virginius is not less remark- able, The implied suspicion of Wellerism, although shown by our spevial reports to be unfounded, will, at least, be excusable; for no fact whatever but the very fact that has occurred could have extricated the administration from the false position it had placed itself in by bad faith, moral cowardice and immeasurable incapacity. There is no doubt, of course, that the Vir- ginius was an American ship and fully entitled to all the rights of a regalar mer- chantman. At the time of her recent capture, upon the first receipt of the news, there was some doubt of her character ; but when the facts of her history were made known this doubt was cleared away, and her right to sail asan American ship has since been denicd mainly by the paid agents of Spain in this city and elsewhere. Indeed, the fact of the ship’s nationality was so plain that the gov- ernment saw no aRernative but to protect her. Had there been any reason whatever to doubt her right to protection it would have been withheld; for no fact is better known than that the State Department is conducted in subserviency to Spanish interests and wishes and conveniences in all cases and in all degrees in which these do not require an actual abandonment of our sovereignty. If it had been possible legally to leave the Vir- ginius in the hands of her captors she would have remained there; but her rights were so clear that it was not possible. She was de- manded, therefore ; but the determination was maintained throughout to deprive the demand and the surrender of every feature that could | give them national significance, to soften the fall of the Spanish authorities from their high ground in that spirit of consid- eration for them that, if it is honest, is strangely self-sacrificing in our dip- lomates. In that spirit we agreed to dispense with the punishment of the officers who had seized the ship, and reduced toa formal salute all the catalogue of facts of repa- ration ; and it was finally even thought that to exact this salute would be ungenerous toward the chivalric gentleman who had de- filed our standard and murdered our sailors. Mr. Williams was therefore apparently called upon foran opinion, under cover of which the Secretary of State could relieve his ; Spanish friends of the obligation of saluting our flag. Allthe world knows the readiness with which the famous Jeffreys used to furnish condemnations when they were required, and when he hoped to become Chief Justice ; and facility of this sort is an attribute of a certain stamp of legal functionaries in every period. Upon an inspection of the evidence as fur- nished by one side only the opinion was given, and the Attorney General, deciding the law and the facts as shown by Spain and with- out reference to the owner of the ship, declared that she improperly carried our colors, and that her registry was obtained by perjury, and was, therefore, void. Mr. Pat- terson, the owner of the ship, has already had something to say on that opinion, and, as the government is responsible for the custody of the ship, he will doubtless be heard from again ina demand for indemnity, which may lead to inquiry in thecourts. But the opinion | of Mr. Williams was used in the intention for | which it was made, and Spain was relieved from the obligation she had incurred by the Fish-Polo protocol. But Mr. Williams, in his strange innocence of the knowledge of very simple legal prin- ciples, had embarrassed the government at least as much as he had obliged it by his con- venient opinion. In order to relieve Spain of | responsibility for her acts against the ship, he had, unconsciously to himself, divested the United States of Tegal justification for its course in protecting the ship. In declaring that the ship was not owned by an American, which was necessary to relieve Spain, he de- clared that she was not an American ship, and that, therefore, we had no more right to her or control over her than the Japanese might have. People naturally asked how Spain could be made to surrender to us a ship not ours, and whether the Spaniards had not a better right to seize than we to protect a ship that our Attorney General could calmly argue had been outlawed by the act of her owner. But if we had unwittingly demanded the ship in ignorance of the facts, what was the inevitable next step? Simply that we would have to surrender her to the Spaniards again whenever they should demand her, and this upon the showing of our own Attorney position that for an Executive which hopes for a third term of office. How long would it be before the Spaniards, reasoning as people here already reason, would demand this sur- render? And how could the govern- ment avoid the logical consequences of its position? Another point in the complication was the fact that the government had com- pelled its representative at Madrid to protest against the course taken in the negotiation by resigning his office; and had appointed in his place an accomplished lawyer, who made no secret of the fact that he thought the posi- tion of the government altogether untenable. Thus, with the new envoy not in sympathy with the government he was to represent ; with the Attorney General elaborately and un- consciously proving the recent action of the government to be an impertinent interference with another Power; with the Secretary of State blowing hot and cold in the samo moment, and opening to Spain the oppor- tunity to overwhelm our government with the derision of the world, the position was cer- tainly the least enviable that any government ever held; and it is, perhaps, not to be wondered at if an administration, finding itself involved at every step more and more inextricably in an incomprehensible entangle- ment, should lose faith in the devices of wis- dom and rejoice that the very malignity of the Spaniards has provided for it so large and liberal a remedy as the waters of the wide Atlantic. Wet ob- livion could thus easily cover even greater errors ; and it will afford a notable comment- ary on the diplomacy and statesmanship that have us in their keeping if it shall prove that the government, as the close of the whole story, is indebted for its escape from dis- grace and shame to the hatred and contempt which prompted the Spaniards before they yielded the Virginius to insure that she should never reach her destination. A Monetary Crisis Abpprehended Berlin, According to the special despatch to the Henaup, published to-day, a crisis in monetary and business affairs in Berlin is imminent. There were rumors of heavy com- mercial failures, Premonitory symptoms of such a state of things have appeared for some time past. What is the cause? Berlin is not a great commercial centre, and not a port of commerce like New York, Liverpool or London; but, being the seat of government and a large city, it has a certain trade connected with the population and interior. There is, however, considerable speculative business done in stocks, and since the surprising success of Germany in the war with France, and the vast amount of money taken to Berlin by the French indemnity, the people have become rather wild. The government may not have let out as much of the indemnity money as the Berlinese expected, and, consequently, ] they may have found out at last that they have been overdoing business. But it is the same old story of people inflated with pride and expectations at the termination of a successful war running into excesses and speculation. Of course the reaction follows in this case as it has in all similar cases throughout history. This is, no doubt, the explanation of the re- ported crisis. /Still there is no reason to ap- prehend widespread disaster, for Germany is richer than it ever was before and has entered upon a career of great national progress. Be- sides, the mass of the people are industrious and frugal. Speculators and some insecure firms may fall, as they do with us at intervals, but the country at large is not likely to suffer greatly from that cause, Spanish Claims st the United Agi States. According to aspecial Washington despatch, which we print this morning, Mr. Secretary Fish will by no means be relieved of the Vir- ginius complications with the sinking of the ship. On the other hand, he is in danger of a heavy bill of damages for the expenses and the trouble resulting to Spain from the opera- tions of the Virginius under the United States flag in the service of the Cuban insurgents. ’The idea is that, as in her real character this unfortunate ship was another piratical Ala- bama, Spain has a good claim for indemnity,’ as established in the decision of the Geneva Tribunal against the Alabama and against England in failing to do her duty as a neutral } in regard to the Alabama and other rebel cruisers. This proposition, in the light of common sense, may appear supremely ridic- ulous; but when it is remembered that Mr. Fish has fallen in love with the Spanish Re- public, such as it is, and appears resolved to gain its affection on any terms, we can under- stand that he may be willing to do almost anything and to suffer gverything fo oblige his friend Castelar. Let us suppose, then, that Spain has put in her claim for indemnity on account of the ser- vices of the Virginins under our flag to the Cuban insurgents, and has suggested a joint high commission upon the subject; that the President, through Mr. Fish, has proposed the consideration by said commission of all the outstanding difficulties between the two coun- tries, and that Spain has accepted the over- ture, what are most likely to be the results under the guidance of this joint high commis- sion by Mr. Secretary Fish? A treaty which will bind the United States in effect to assist the Republic of Spain in suppressing the Re- public in Cuba. It can hardly be doubted that Mr. Fish desires the suppression of the Cuban insurgents; and hence, when it is told us that the new idea of our State Department is an entente cordiale with Spain, in reference par- ticularly to Cuba, we are prepared for any de- mands that may come from Madrid, and for any concessions, however absurd and humiliat- ing, that may be made at Washington. Execution of Murderers in the Do- minion of Canada. Hanging is not played out in Canada. No unhealthy sentimentality is allowed to weaken the arm of the law. Those who do murder perish by the executioner. We publish in our news columns the curious story of a treacher- ous murder and its punishment. It took place in the backwoods, on the very outer edge of civilization ; but the arm of the law was long enough and strong enough to seize and punish the assassin. There is little new in the story. Greed called up the dormant evil spirit of an old man fast tottering to the grave, and, aided by his son, he slew an unsuspecting General—just nominated for Chief Justice of | comrade in the hope of inheriting his gold. the United States, Rather an uncomfortable | The crime congummated, he felt no stipe of | conscience ; ; but when overwhelming circum- stantial evidence had condemned him, and death was inevitable, the conscience spoke and he admitted his crime, but denied that his son, who had been condemned as acces- sory, had participated in the murder. The son’s sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life. Tryon expiated his crime on the scaffold, In Nova Scotia the same wise se- verity is shown to criminals, The telegraph informs us that Peter Mailman was executed at Luneburg for the murder of his wife. A large crowd attended ‘to witness the execution, and we hope the lesson was an impressive one. People who attend those scenes from a morbid curiosity need such lessons as the scaffold fur- nishes. The Theatres id the Preas—Managers and Mountebanks. The theatres of New York have for many years stood at the head of the dramatic world in the character, ability and enterprise of their management. In that high branch of the profession we have had, within the recollection of many of our citizens, the Elder Wallack, Mitchell, Burton and Hamblin, and at the present time we have Lester Wallack, Daly, Booth, Stuart, Fechter and Duff. These names, without recounting others of equal merit, are sufficient to show that our theatrical managers have been not only gentlemen of excellent business capacity, but earnest devo- tees ot the dramatic art, andin most instances themselves actors of extraordinary merit. It has been dueas much to their tact and taste ag to the intelligence and liberality of the people that the drama has been so successful in New York, and that our city has proved se rich a placer to the artists of the Old World. The press has always been the useful ally and liberal friend of the managers. The New York daily journals, as a rule, have materially aided the drama by fair, intelligent and honest criticism, and their services have been appre- ciated by all genuine artists. But thore are quacks in the theatrical profession as in all others, and, whether successful or unsuccess- ful, they are easily known. ‘To them the drama has attractions in its glitter and show, and sometimes from grosser considerations, and they become theatrical proprietors or man- agers with the double object of profit and the gratification of a passion for excitement. Fresh from “rum tinkering,” as has been ex- pressively said, or from some pursuit in which money has been rapidly if not always legitimately made, such men rush at once into theatrical life, with no idea of the meaning of dramatic art except as something which enables them to get up an entertainment which they can sell at so much per head. In their vulgar insolence they re- gard actors and actresses only as the tools with which they work, and the press as a con- cern which gets pay for their advertisements, receives passes to their theatre, and is bound in return to give them all the puffs they desire and to refrain from criticising their perform- ances in any manner distasteful to them. A theatre, owned by one of these theatrical speculators and managed by a Buchu show- man, is easily recognized. It may now and then present a fair performance and gather a fair company, but as a general rule its actors and actresses are ambitious aspirants for fame, who cannot procure engagements at well established houses, or the worn- out hacks of the better class of theatres. At one time it presents a sort of medley perform- ance, half of the negro melodist character, but without the talent, wit and rollicking fun of the regular negro minstrels, and half of the concert saloon stamp. At another it allows some struggling “‘star,’’ male or female, to play, without salary, for the sake of becoming known, and pockets such profit as may be made out of the performance. The showman who manages such a house is never a profes- sional, for a professional would not degrade himself by the connection. His ideas of man- agement are confined to tricks and dodges by which he can get himself, his theatre and his performers talked about. He wants a sensation, and is nothing without one. He fills his house from the footlights to the ceil- ing with paper, and advertises the ‘‘great rush” to his show. He resorts to any ma- neuvre, no matter how contemptible, to create an excitement from which he is certain to derive more or less profit. He is always ina controversy or striving to get into one to make himself notorious, for it is his only chance of keeping himself and his establish- ment before the public. A genuine manager is seldom in hot water, or if he is, it is through some professional difficulty which is religiously concealed from outsiders, He courts the friendship of the press, but it is only to secure fair and independent criticism, and with this he is contented. He has nothing in common with the theatrical adven- turer or the claptrap showman. His perform- ances and performers are able to stand before the people on their merits, and require no quackery to puff them into public favor. The press is called upon to notice all per- formances offered to the patronage of the people as a matter of news and general inter- est. A journal cannot select the good from the bad, and can only point out the respective merits of the different entertainments by fair criticism. The Hznaup has paid much atten- tion to dramatic matters, and has always en- deavored to pursue a policy of fairness and independence towards all, However indiffer- ent the general character of a theatre, whero there has been a particular performance of merit presented it has been commended. In like manner, if a first class theatre, managed by such an artist as Wallack or Booth, has presented an indif- ferent play or one indifferently acted, it has been criticised adversely. The Henatp has taken every possible precaution to prevent favoritism from being shown in its columns and to secure entire fairness in its criticisms. But it has never allowed any interference with its editorial opinions, and will always vigor- ously resent the intermeddling of any Buchu showman with its theatrical notices, In this it only does what any respectable and inde- pendent journal would do. The advertisers in a widely circulated journal like the Hznanp obtain large profits out of their advertisements; if they did not our columns would not be as crowded as they are. But they are entitled to no privileges in our paper except that for which they pay—the privilege of inserting their advertisement. A theatre is on o par with our other advertisers, and when en im- pertinent demand is made upon us by a theatrical charlatan for favors which would even be poligited by © professional _spxo- prietor or manager, our only reply is to im- mediately exclude his advertisements from our columns. Tho Great Bengal Famine. The first tidings of the great Indian famine were startling indood; but the result proves there was no exaggeration, That the fair breast of nature, renowned for its verdure and plenty as the garden of the ‘‘gorgeous East,’ should have become a barren and thirsty soil is almost incomprehensible. The Bengal Presidency—the wide scene of the present desolation—contains twelve subdivisions; and, taken as a whole, is a region of the rich- est alluvial soil, intersected by a network of noble rivers, invigorated by almost torrential rains and bathed in the intensest sunshine. It skirts the cool southern slopes of the Hima- layan Mountain chain, where are condensed the steaming stores of vapor brought by the southwest monsoon from the Indian Ocean; and thus it is the land of fountains—the water reservoirs which keep ever full the proud courses of the Indus, the Brahmapootra and the Ganges. The solitary exception is found in the Northwest Provinces—one of the twelve Bengal subdivisions. This district of the Northwest Provinces extends along the middle and upper Gangetic valley, including the country between it and its affluent—the Jumna—and embraces also the dependencies of Benares, Allahabad, Agra and Delhi. Through this entire region the soil is more arid than in’ the other sections ; and, owing to the vertical depth or depression of their channels, the two rivers are of littie avail for irrigation. Any seasonal deficiency of rains is therefore severely felt in the densely popu- lated country; so much so, that the old Mogul Emperors had canals for artificial irri- gation constructed on a large scale. These have long since fallen into disuse and ruin, and the modern governors have never had the sagacity to repair them nor to build new and larger conduits, But while the Northwest Provinces in the dry months are nearly every year arid and grassless the rest of Bengal is green as the Emerald Isle, and the great won- der now is that the whole district of that name is involved in the great calamity. The latest returns from this famine-plagued territory show a rapid increase of distress, and following rapidly on its heels an increase of crime. It is contended that good winter rains may yet save the Benares district, so famous in Anglo-Indian history. It is, however, star- tling to reflect that a population of 28,000,000 is now entered on the worst famine tract, and of this vast multitude the larger portion must be fed gratuitously after February. The London Times estimates that in two of the minor dependencies alone thirty thousand tons of food grains will be wanted every month to keep alive the ten per cent or 2,225,000 inhabitants now starving, and this allows only one pound of grain daily to each person, or half the average consumption. The reduction of wages, the proportionate rise in the price of hoarded food and the terror of the great visitation made the poor in the Rajpoo- tana district fly from their homes in droves, not knowing whither they went and lining the highways with their skeleton corpses. Such dreadful scenes, in the heart of a vast and opulent country tributary to the British | Crown, put to shame the boasted glory of such a political dependency, and are a terrible satire on the so-called civilization of the cen- tury. The trigonometrical survey of the entire Bengal Presidency was commenced under the auspices of the Duke of Wellington, and has made the British government familiar with every square mile of it, its climate, its soil and all the resources of its people. The Times may well say, therefore, ‘Perhaps we shall startle our readers when we say that both the Indian government and British people sre treading new ground with respect to Indian famines,”’ for nothing could be further from fact. The occurrence of years of drought in the Northwest Provinces is prover- bial, and the only expedient within the power of man to prevent these—the construction of irrigating canals and reservoirs—has been overlooked through the cupidity or shortsight- edness of the Indian government. It is not improbable, also, that the deforesting of the district by the natural expansion of population has influenced the climate and reduced the amount of rainfall. But, whatever may be the causes, the evil is of such magnitude and horror that. it should at once be met without regard to pecuniary expense. The English people, who derive a gross revenue of nearly two million pounds sterling from the famine districts, and whose coffers are running over with surplus wealth, owe it to themselves and humanity to prevent such an appalling catastrophe as now threat- ens a population nearly as great as that of the United States. Let us see what the so-called Christian civilization of the age will do. Copp p'Erat 1n THE Sanpwicn Istanps.— The mighty kingdom ruled over by King Lunalilo has passed through the throes of a revolution. Fora moment the fate of the dynasty and the very existence of the nation was imperilled by the mutiny of the Hawaiian army. Never was there such a commotion among the Sandwiches, and the hungry for- eigners, who are longing for an opportunity to swallow up and devour the Sandwich King- dom, thought that the eating was about to be- gin. But the natives took fright, and so saved themselves from being gobbled up. Triumph had settled on the rebel standard, and there were fear and trembling in the royal palace, when suddenly the good genius of Honolulu gave a coup de baguette, and knocked the coup d'état all to tatters. By a wonderful transformation the army of mutineers are turned into a squad of police, ready to make raids and crack any one’s crown who dares to question His Majesty Lunalilo’s title to be considered the best and most enlightened of monarchs. Peace is thus restored, and the world need no longer fear the scourge of a Sandwich war. Tae AcnEEnrse are faring worse than the Ashantees, The Dutch, profiting by their severe losses in April last, instead of going to Sumatra unprepared and badly advised, as the English would seem to have done in operat- ing on the Gold Coast, have sent a formidable expedition, which has been thus far a gratify- ing success. This morning we publish a despatch from Pedang, which states that the natives have been defeated, with severe losses, while the Dutch lost bat four killed and ‘The voyager in the Rob Roy canoe, Mr, J McGregor, who is also & kaapravts N= ; adaughter ot Admiral Sir Craw! Caftyr, lately at blackheath, near London. The boys of the Shoeblack brigade were present at the wedding, Mr. McGregor being their patron, Muay the canoe- ist weather his matrimonial voyage successiully, Mr. McGregor, when an infant, was the only cud saved from the disastrous wreck of the East India man Kent. Mme. Ristori has been visiting the ex-Empress Eugénie and the tomb of Napoleon at Chiselburat. The ex-Empress gave her @ long interview, im which she expressed how much she felt toucned by the numerous marks of public respect paid in Italy tothe memory of Napoleon Ill. She authorized Mme, Ristori to give, whenever a fitting occasion presented itself, full expression to these feelings, which, she added, were completely shared by the Prince Imperial. Tuey have a champion office-holder in Florida. He is thus described by a local paper:—“When the Hon, G. Dennis lett us for his Northern grip, to be absent several months, we lost in him our Senator, County Commissioner, Board of Instruction, Depa- ty Marshal, Deputy Sheriff, Deputy County Clerk, Treasurer of Schvol Funds, Custodian of County” Treasurer’s books, Senior Councilman and acting Mayor. Nearly ail public business was suspended until bis return.” A native Judge, Gopal Rao Hurry, of Atmedas bad, India, was recently desired ‘to visit England to give evidence before the Indian Finance Com- mittee of the House of Commons. He declined the offer, being assured that if he should go to Europe he would upon his return he persecuted by the Brahmins with “excommunication,” against whiok: notuman ingenuity in India has yet devised a rem- edy, and no law of the land or earthly power can give any protection, ‘The proprietor of a pension, !ocated at Mentone, Italy, advertises in a late number of the Stotes Times (Geneva) that he has “learnt of the art te make buckwheat cakes and fish bails at the Hotel de la Paix, Geneva, in true American style.” Thig is an item which should prove to be of @ gratiying nature to Julia Ward Howe. And now ifhe wilt only add to his bill of fare the truly national dist of “Boston baked beans” he will be a source of joy to all our compatriots who travel Europeward with @ mission in view. During the interview of some friends with Mar- shal Bazaine, the day after his conviction, the name of M. Gambetta was pronounced. “You must feel much hatred for that man?’ said his in- terlocutor. “Hatred?” he rejoined; ‘why? Does any one hate a child tnat tries co bite him? Alf that can be done is to pull hisears. Gambetta is @great child. On the whole, I owe him some grat- itude. He once called me traitor, but for three long months I was for him ‘the brave Bazaine,* ‘the glorious Bazaine,’ a hero, almost a god! You see, therefore, that I am still his debtor.” “Whas ailed Mr. and Mrs. Cumpston?”’ is now & standing conundrum in Bristol, England. The\ vulgar simply say:—‘Gin!”” The facts are, that Mr. and Mrs. Gumpston, comfortable residents cf Leeda, being op a visit to Bristol, stayed at the Victoria Hotel. Early in the morning bot. screamed “Murder!” and when Mr. Cumpston had discharged a revolver the affrighted pair jumpe@ from their bedroom window gnd ran to & raliway station. They explained that they had heard strange noises; they had called out and thels : words had been echoed back tothem. Suddenly | their bed had opened and they had fallen into a pit beneath it, Both having scrambled ont the valiant husband shot at the bed, Anexamination proved = the bed to be of an ordinary kind and the room se cure. Hence the conundrum, ¢ WEATHER REPORT. oo War DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIRF SIGNAL OFFICER, WASHINGTON, Dec. 31—1 A, M. Probabilities. x For the South Atlantic and Gulf States east ot the Mississippi River, generally clear weather and low temperature, and light to fresh northerly and easterly winas will prevail during the day, tha winds in the Lower Mississippi Valley verging te southerly, with rising temperature, For New ENGLAND AND THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES FRESH TO BRISK SOUTHWESTERLY TO NORTH« WESTERLY WINDS, WITH GENERALLY CLEAR W8ATHER- ON THE COAST AND INCRRASING CLOUDINESS IN THE INTERIOR, WITH CONTINUED LOW BUT SLIGHTLY BIS ING TEMPERATURE. , For the Lake region and thence southward to the Ohio Valley the temperature will rise slightly, and the winds will back to southerly, with increasing cloudiness, except possibly in the Ohio Valley, where clear weather will prevail. ; For the Northwest rising temperature, with easterly to southerly winds and cloudy weather, i and possibly light snow in Iowa and Missouri by: Wednesday night. poe { The Weather in This City Yesterday. ‘The following record will show the changes im the temperature for the past 24 hours in compar. year, as 's Phare ison with the corresponding day of jast indicated by the thermometer at Hudnut’ macy, HERALD Building :— bak a 2 ti. ‘Average temperature yesterday Average vemperatare for corresponding di last year.. eer id THE BUFFALO RIVER FROZEN. BUFFALO, Dec.. 30, 1873, The Buffalo River and harbor were frozen over to-day for the first time during the season. Such ¥ an open {all has not occurred in this locality but twice in 16 years. EXTENSIVE FIRE IN WISCONSIN, MILWAUKEE, Dec. 30, 1873, A fire at Stevens’ Point, Wis., on Sunday night, started by the explosion of a kerosene lamp in Mr. 2 McGee's saloon, burned all the wooden buildings om 3 Main street, from the public square on the north: a east corner of Main and Second streets to McCul- loch’s new stone block at the corner of Main and ‘Third streets, and on Second street north to the Mansion House. The toss is $40,000, i A PLANING MILL BURNED, i CINCINNATI, mare Bh f The large planing mill of N. D. Lovely, aw Ls al Plymouth, Ind. was burned last night, ‘The EY amount of the loss is unknown. % 4 A WHOLESALE TEA TEA STORE BURNED Perrot, Dec. 30, 1873. A fire this morning destroyed the store of Fare rington, Campbell & Co., wholesale dealers in tea, coffee, and spices, Nos. 74 and 75 ‘The estimated loss on the stock is between $50,000 * and $60,000, on which there is an insurance of about $20,000, The building Is owned by Julius Robinson and Is badly damaged. A LADY BURNED T0 DEATH Batrimone, Dec. 30, 1873, Mrs. Coale, wife of William E. Coale, Treasurer of the Central Savings Bank of this city, residing near Catonsville, Baltimore county, when retiring last night accidentally upset a coal oll lamp, Her clothing caught fire, and she was so terribly burned that she died at six o’clock this morning. At the time of the accident her husband was absent watching at the bedside of a sick brother, tg de- ceased was highly estec in the community, THE aranrcindueny 2 zsh OONVEN. Worcester, Dec, 30, 1873, ‘The principal feature of the State Teachers’ Von- vention this morning was an address by Superin- tendent a eioo of enth titeeane fore: methods of educatto Tater faulty in many res} aoneenaneiniinasntity