The New York Herald Newspaper, December 27, 1878, Page 6

a FRANCE. Anxiety Concerning the Coming Senatorial Elections. POLITICAL RUMORS. M. Dufaure’s Alleged Defiance in the Cabinet. THE SPECTRE ROUGE. Meaning of M. Gigot’s Mission to London. sornemeedien Pants, Dec, 13, 1878. As we approach the day fixed for tho Senatorial elections (the 5th of January), the more manifest be- comes the public sense of their importance. Upon their results may be eail to depend the fate of the Freneh Republic. It is all very well for the republi- cans to say that oven should they prove adverse to them the existing institations would not be imper- illed. They would merely be subjected to another year or two of ordeal similar to that through which ve just passed, but that the struggle must y end in the consolidation of the Republic, Tam not quite satisfied of the correctness of this assnmp- tion. The French have always been a fickle people in their political impressions and convictions, and Tam not sure that the terrible lessons inflicted npon them by the German invasion have effected mach altera- tion im the national character. Owing to my family relations [live very much*among them, and have opportunities of judging intimately of their senti- ments which but tew foreigners possess, The gen- eral impression which I derive from what I hear is that they tolerate the Republic more from necessity than conviction, and that it is only the impotence of the monarchical factions that secures their lukewarm adhesion to it. ANOTHYR REPUBLICAN VICTORY EXPECTED. It is this state of things which imparts to the im- pending elections such all-engrossing importance. Should they transfer the majority from the Right to the Left of the Upper Chamber the opportunities of the reactionists will be lost for many years. Not only will they be unable to profit by the chances which the imprudence or bad administration of the republicans might afford them, but they will be sub- jected to the disintegrating influences which long continuance in power will enable the latter to ex- _ercise on the ranks of the opposition. It is the con- sciousness of these facts which gives to the approach- ing elections the character of a life and death struggle. As to their issue the indications are those of a foregone conclusion. With a constituency ot @ modified character, like that which was devised for its own purposes by an Assembly of monarchical proclivities, of course it is impossible to forecast with any degree of certainty what the result will be, but judging from the discouraged tone of the oppo- sition journals there seems to be little doubt that it will give a small republican majority—say from thir- toen to fifteen—sufficient to insure the passage of all governmental measures, but not large enough to en- a)» the preponderating majority in the Lower Cham- sr to render the Upper Honse a mere bureau of reg- istration for its proceedings. As long as this numer- ical proportion is preserved there will be no danger for the Republic, for so long the extremists in the Chamber of Deputies will feel themselves restrained by the bonds of party discipline. Should it be ex- ceeded the only safegnard against the so much ap- prshended debordements of radicalism will be found in the political education of the masses—a result which takes time to accomplish. AL GED DISSENSIONS IN THR MINISTRY. Despair: .g of their chances in the approaching sleetions be opposition journals are resorting to all Xinds of inventions and mancenvres to seek to accom- plish by fear and distrust what they cannot effect by the force ofarguiment. Never at any time in the politi- cal history of France has the press lent itself to such sbamef erversions of the truth as are resorted to at the cesent time to shake confidence in the Min- istry. No sooner is one calumny refuted than another is started to disquiet the public mind. When the con- tradiction is likely to be too immediate for the object in view the slander is originated in some distant provin- cial journal and then copied into the columns of papers like the Univers or the Pays. Take as a specimen of this ingenious but discreditable kind of warfare the following, extracted this morning by the Figaro trom the Journal du Loiret, a paper which professes to be thoroughly posted in regard to all that occurs at the Elysée:— “We are credibly informed, 3 the latter jour- nal, “that at one of the last ministerial councils M. Dufaure expressed himself freely in relation to an ar- icle of the National headed, ‘Programme, or Resigna- .Dufanre declared that for his part he was not ared to accept the alternative imdicated by this aded dilemma of the National, Then, without ng toward avy one of his colleagues, but look- the Marshal, M. Dufaure said, in the firmest ossible, that if there was in the Cabinet a Min- ho found the present prograinme of the gov- t insufficient he was at liberty to resign. As for shy part, he (M. Dufaure) would propose imme- diat ** to the President of the Republic the replace- mem of the refractory Minister. M. de Marcére made no reply. Si non ¢€ vero ben trovato, ‘The story is an ingenious ove, but its only claim to vrdisemblance lies in the efforts that have beeny made for some time past to engender distrurg” ward his colleagues on the part of M. First, it was sonzht to arouse his suscepti- ity are sard to M. Gambetta, the Prosident of the cabinet oceulte, as he led, and, failing in that, owing to the correct conduct of the latter, the same lying devices ate being resorted to to set the Presi- dent of the Cowwell and the Minister of the Interior by theears. Thus far these mancuvres have been utterly unsuccessful, and the Cabinet is as perfect a unit ae it ie possible for it to be. THE MINISTERIAL PROGRAMME. ‘The fuss made about the programme of the Na- tional, to which Ihave jnst made allusion, is all one- sided, In indicating » series of measures which shonld occupy the attention of the Ministry as econ as the Senatorial eleotions had removed the reaction- ary obstructions in the Upper Chamber that journal never intended to formulate an ultimatum to an ad- ministration which has distinguished itaelf, not only by the fulfilment of all its promises, but which is procees:ting as fast in the way of reform as it is possi- Wie or safe for it to do. The impatience that has been manifested in regard to the magistrates is nat- ural enoryh, in view of the strange decisions that hove beer Sndered by some of the tribunals in elec- toral mat.ces, but it is confined principally to the extremists of the republican party, who would gladiy soe the elective principle introduced in the jndicatory, but the great majority of the party are satisfied that this would be no improvement, and are willing that M. Dufatire should carry out his reforms gradually iu its ranks. fete ern was ¢ A OGY FOR VOTFRs, In this connection let me not omit to mention an important movement which has just been originated by M. Albert Givot, our public spirited and energetic Prefect of Polive. You might have seen it stated that he had paid a visit to London to concert meas- ures with the police magistrates of that city against the socialist conspiracies which are jnst now disturb- ing the peace of Europe. This was the motive given for his journey by the reactionary prints, which, in view of the Senatorial elections, have been trying to get up anothér apectre rouge to frighten timid voters It is wcarcely necessary for me to assure you that M. Gigot had 4 more serious object in view in quitting his post at this the most inconvenient period of the year. You are no doubt aware (hat under the present police system in France » party arrested for any kind of charge may be kept almost any number of days in before the tharge against bim is examined. had plentiful evidence o: this during the high- vim period of the 16th of May. You will remem- ber, for instance, the case uf M. Peyrot, a Councilor o NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1878—TRIPLE SHEET. of Arrondissement in the Haute Loire, a man of high position and the most honorable character, who was imprisoned for ten days on a frivolous charge with out being able to obtain a hearing. There is an arti- cle im the Code of Criminal Tustruetion, it is true, which @frects that an accused person against whom a warrant has been issued = shall be interrogated within the four and twenty hours, and another article which provides that dur- ing that delay he shall be held at the disposal of the osamining magistrate in an ordinary house or in the court house, but not in a prison. These provisions of the law, as 1 have stated, are more honored in the breach than in the observance, aud in no part of Vrance more than in Paris, The subject has long engaged M. Gigot’s attention. It was with a view to study the system of legal guarantees with which in- dividual liberties are surrounded in England that he undertook the journey to London, There he had frequent conferences with the magistrates and police authorities, and has come back provided with the ments of large reforn:s in this and other branches of his administration, INVALIDATIONS OF DEPUTTES. ‘The inyalidations of the Deputies who owed their | seats to the afickes blanches and Pretectional and cleri- cal pressure inangurated by the Cabinet of the 16th of May have nea been brought to a close. With tho cases of MM. Gaviniand Abatneci, which may pos- sibly be adjourned over to the next session, they will in faet all be disposed of. In view of certain rather inconsistent decisions which have been made by the Chamber, it is now seriously questioned whether the House would not have better consulted its own in- terests and dignity if it had invalidated the whole of | the cases where the agliche blanch, the primi facie | evidence of Ministerial pressure, had been em- ployed. Be this as it may, some of these invalida- tions are regarded with regret by many of the Deputies themselves who were compelled to vote for them and none more than that of the Due Decaze, Considering his antecedents he was no doubt highly blamable for having resorted to such practices, and having consented to associate his fortunes with those of the Fourtou-Broglie Cabinet he has no reason to complain of the equai measure of justice that has been dealt out to him with his colleagues. But he is # man of great diplomatic talent and it cannot be de- nied rendered most important services to France during perhaps the most critical period of her his- tory. Such men can ill be spared from public life, and it is to be hoped that if the Republic should en- dure, his patriotism will induce him to rally frankly to its support. ele PARIS THEATRES. M. Pierre Newsky’s new piece, “The Princess Borowska,” has had but a qualified success at the Ambigu. M. Pailleron’s three act comedy, “L’Age Ingrat,” has had better fortune at the Gymmase. It is one of the most lively and effective pieces of its kind that has been produced here for some years. ‘The new three act vaudeville at the Nouveautés, which has replaced Coes,” is also a success, The piece is by MM. Hennequin and Bernard, and the music by Codes. Theo. Montaland and Brasseur sus- tain the principal parts. Capoul’s lease of the Sallo Ventadour expires on the 15th, and then the house will be made over to the purchasers, Baron Soubey- ran and his associates, who have bought it for the purpose of starting a large bank in opposition to the Crédit Foncier. Faure returns to the opera again, very much to the satisfaction of the Paris audiences. ON ‘THE MISSISSIP. {From the Paris Figaro.) A young and rich American lady, with her three children, boarded one of the Mississippi steamboats which have the dangerous habit of enjoying a little racing when a couple of them are careering up or down the stream. “Captain, I will make the trip with you on onecon- ition—give me your word of honor that you will not race.” “Madam, I pledge my word.” They start, After half an hour another steamer begins to overhaul the first. The lady rushes franti- cally to the captain. Captain, d’ye see ? d’ye see ?” Yes, madam.” ‘And will you endure it? Will you allow her to ive you the go by? No! Impossible! You will at jeant try. “Heavens! madam,” replies the captain coldly, “Tdon’t race, but it Idid Ihave no more wood to pile on and show her our heels, unless ai “Quick! quick! What is it?’ “Unless I burn one of your children.” “Very well, captain,” she cries, straining over the railing and looking wildly at the advancing steamer; “hurry up! Burn the biggest!” BRITAIN'S COLLAPSED BANKS, PARLIAMENT ASKED TO APPOINT AN ARBITRATOR TO THE CITY OF GLASGOW BANK—THE ROCH- DALE CONCERN RUINED BY SPECULATION— SCHEME TO REOPEN THE WEST OF ENGLAND INSTITUTION. Loxpon, Dec. 14, 1878. The bank failures continue to attract public atten- tion here. It is seldom that English faith has been so rudely shaken. Several meetings have been held to consider the situation. A meeting of shareholders of the City of Glasgow Bank, trustees and others, has been held in the Royal Hotel, Edinburgh, «to consider the proposal for a settlement of the affairs of the bank by arbitration,” and it was agreed that a measure to this effect should be pre- sented to Parliament. The gist of the resolution was that it is important for the common interests | both of shareholders and creditors that all inatters re- lating to or arising owt of the effuirs of the bank xitould be reterred to a judicial personage of tie highest standing, to be namea by Parliament, as ar- bitrator. THE ROCHDALE SMASH. ‘The worst anticipations in regard to the stoppage of the Messrs, Fenton's bank appear likely to be realized, Although it was only suspected that the catastrophe had been brought about by Stock Exchange specula- tions of one ot the firm, there can now be no longer & doubt as to the fact. No report has been issued by the accountants in whose hands the books of the firm were placed, but since the — petitions were filed, not only of the — banking concern, but of Mr. Jonathan Nicld, who carried on one of the lurgest stock and share broking businesses he country, and the private petitions of several mbers of the firm, ax well as that of the Baxendan which was carried on bank, various fect lave ehuracter, roughly esti- Nield’s petition slated as owing to indebted to ks countr, G members of the dont of a liabilit to t extraordinary are sitors in is is the depe and “ ield of the the in sum bank. mn various Me parts land and in the North of Kagiand, (ougu nou Lancashire loses anything by this fail posed, however, that the banking cone sare Pally secured from any loss. Two banks in Scotland are involved rexpectively to the amount of £10,000 and £05,250, , banks respoctiv 00 and £1,509, C Ld fail wper three Englieh tof £10,000, £15, One gentleman in lowe ! another £52,000, @ third upward of £60,000, while an assur: ance compuny is interested to extent of £0,000, A London firm is alo involved to the ex- tont ot £50,000, auotaer in Westuningter Lo the extent of £11,000, and ai yentienen in the metropolis are creditora to the amount of several thousand A Liverpool merchant is scheduled for £380 and a trades- oker has placed to celebrated firm of ter picture dealers is credited with £15,000, pounds. * firm of builders is scheduled for £200, A clergyman in the neighborhood of Rochdale has over £4,000 pl cod opposite his name; in Rochdale « gentleman over £2,000, and several others for emailer sums, A Glasgow firm is scheduled for £1,100, another for £970, while a Cheiteniam doctor loses £70, The above are the principal items owing by Mr. Niela, and the total amounts to £950,000, The eredit- ors of the bank number 1,500, and thirtee amount to £343,440; one creditor claims Many of the ereditors have only small sums d in the bank, the smallest sum being 5s, In look- ing over the list the striking feature ia the large number of accounts on trust for Church, scholastic and other objects. One friendly society in the neighborhood of Heywood had ell its funds £1,500), with the exception of S«., deposited in the The Baxenden Company owes £4,500; Mr, Fenton, who is 4 landed proprietor, in his private capacity owes considerably over £100,000, Mr. William Fenton owes £50,000, Mr, James Feuton over £4,000 and Mr. William Fenton, Jr, £700, Great anxiety is felt by the depositors as to the assets, of which nothing is ¢ ly known, as those acting for the partners retu wive the creditors any in- formation a» to who ia secured aud who is not, RECONSTRUCTING THE BRIXTOL BANK. A definite scherue for the reconstruction of the West of England Bank was decided upon by the di- rectors yesterday, and the prospectus detailing the f the promoters will be published on satur- institution is to be ew he W 4 Bank (Limited),” and is to be incor rated under the limited liability acta, The will be £1,500,000, in 50,000 snares of £40 Feaeoe but only £25,000 are to be at first feeu and only £10 called up. The buainess is in- tended to be carried on at the head office at Bristol ot the West of Kugland Banking Company, at the offices of that bank iu Uuth, Bridgewater, Taun- qmouth, Barnstaple, Cardiff, Newport aud Swansea, Mr. Desier and Mr. Pickin, manager and. sub- r of the West of En, Bank will hold the same positions in the new bank. it is proposed to give a preference in allotment to the shareholders in the West of England Bank, and to those who become customers of the new bank in the districts proposed to be covered. A very influential list of promoters has been secured, A LONDON SENSATION. tou, Exeter, Torquay, AN OLD WOMAN MURDERED IN BURTON CRES- CENT—ARREST OF A FEMALE SERVANT, WHO 18 CHARGED WITH THE CRIME, [From the Standard, Dec. 14,) The murder of Mrs, Rachel Samuel, which took place at her residence, No. 4 Burton crescent, Euston road, on Wednesday night, which was at first thought likely to prove another mystery, will now probably be unravelled, A large mass of circumstantial evidence has been accumulated, pointing in a di- rection which the police have followed, Acting upon the information obtained in their inquiries upen the spot, Inspectors Kerley and Lansdowne yes- terday visited the house of a woman named Mary Donovan, who was living at No. 42 Lancaster street, Borough, and arrested her upon the charge of wil- fully murdering Mrs. Semucl. This woman, who was for some ten years a servant in the deceased's employ, but who had ceased to be so for a consider- able time, married some short time since a respect- able man engaged as night watchman at a large brewery, be being at the time a widower, with two children, Since, then, however, up to within a few weeks, Mrs, Donovan has veen in the habit of going to the house of Mrs, Samuel to work about two or three times a week, and it is stated that she was treated by her with the greatest confidence. For a short time she has been unable to go on with her work there in con- sequence of having received some bruises by a fall, ‘butit appears that on Tuesday night she was at Bur- ton crescent at ten o’elock, being then the worse tor liquor. She then saw Mrs. Samuel, but left immedi- ately, Onthe following day (Wednesday), when the murder was committ a women saw both the deceased and Mary Donovan as late as halt-past eight in the evening, and nothing more was known wutil the lodger in the house, Mr. ae a Pole, came home and discovered the murder. The police inspectors called wpon Donovan yesterday, when she admitted that she went to Burton crescent about eight o'clock and while there let a man in to. look at some apartments. She stated that she after- ward went out to fetch some fish for Mrs. Samuel, who told her not to wait any longer. Tho man looked like a plasterer or paperhanger. He had not left when she came away, On being asked what shawl she wore on the night of the murder she pointed to one at the foot of the bed. On examination it was found that there was a mark upon it which looked like blood, She was then asked to produce the dress she bad on that night. It was the one she was wearing, and she stepped for- ward and turned her back to the window. Upon looking at the front of the dress it was found to be covered with blood, and upon these suspicious cir- cumstances the woman was arrested, SUSPICIOUS ACTIONS. On the way to the police station in acab with the detective officers the prisoner attempted to tear out the front of her dress, but was prevented trom doing go. It has been discovered that she was out all Wednesday night, which she accounts for by saying that she lost her key and that the landlady would not let her in (her husband being away at his work), but the landlady says that she never heard her knock at the door. ‘The theory is, that atter murdering her old mistress Donovan intended to rob the house, but that the smashing of the window pane (undoubtedly by the murdered womun, as the door is covered with blood), so frightened her lest some one had heard the crash that she decamped. As Mrs, Samuel appears to have been inthe habit of placing her lodger’s supper ready before tea, and she was seen alive at half-past cight, the crime must have been committed between those hours. The milk for the supper ot Mr. Lorschidzky was found in the cupboard untouched. Donovan knew that on Wednesday evenings the lodger was in the habit of not reaching home until about midnight, in consequence of a weekly profes- sional engagement, ins! of, as on other evenings, about two hours earlier. BEATEN TO DEATH. Mr. Phineas John Kendrick, M. R, ©. 8., mont street, said:—I was called a little 63 March- ‘before one o'clock on ‘Thursday morning, and went with him | to 4 Burton-crescent. 1 found deceased lymg there im a pool of blood, dead and dressed. I have taken no description of the body. I found the hands clenched: the face blackened. Her face was black, and looked like having been rubbed over with dirt; ers. ‘Che right eyelid was a little swollen, I could not say it was done by violenc I had the body raised, and at the back of the head there were two cuts—distinct scalp wounds—the scalp being absolutely detached from five inches on either side. Devth was unquestion+ ably caused by some act of violence. I looked about the place for some instrument that might have ed death, but only found an old knife on the » smeared with blood, I subsequently saw the piece of wood produced (a broken oak’ hat rail, strongly made, and covered with blood, evidently split in two by foree), but do not think it would pro- duce the wounds on deceased. A blunt hatchet might do it. (Great dissatisfaction was expressed by the Coroner and jury at the manner in which the witness gave his evidence.) Mr. F. Hutchinson, F. It. C. I am acting as divisional surgeon and was cal nspect ¥ De Maid to go to the house. I went into the kitehe © and found Mrs. Samuel lying on her back. There was a large quantity of blood saturating her clothes and upon the floor, There had becu blood wiped up. 1 raised the head and found two large sealp wounds. I passed my finger round to evdeayor to find a trac- ture, but there was none. The hands were quite Diack and have some punctured wounds—I think they must have been caused by her putting up Ler hands to protect herseif from the biows. I went over the place with the inspector and saw the piece ot wood found, ‘The blood was quite fresh, and there was aiso some hair upon it, the same as the de- ceased’s. Mrs. Samucis’ hands were covered with blood; there was blood in the sink. I generally cor- roborate the whole of the evidence of the inspector. L have this evening made a post-mortem examination. I opened the scalp and tound the whole of the inside of it covered with blood. Deceased must have been beaten terribly. There was no fracture, but great contusion of the face and head yenerail, i tuink the canse of death must have been from con- cussion of the brain and the great hemorrhage. She wes not killed instautiy, but doubtless battled as long as she had life. The blows must have been laid on with great force, I think unconsciousness must have been caused by the battering. said. ed bs RUSSIANS AT CABUL. INTERESTING OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE FROM AFGHANISTAN —-THE AMEER'8 SPECIOUS REASON- ING—HOW THK MUSCOVITES WERE RECEIVED, {From the London Standard.j Sir Lonis Mallet sent to the Foreign Off by order of Lord Cranbrook, on September 30, a de- spatch from the Governor General of India enclosing some news letters from the government agent at Peshawar. ‘The following is printed as a “confi- dential statement” made by a person whose name is not given :— A European envoy of the Russian government, at- tended by two musahibs (ides-de-camp) and forty-tive attendants, arrived at Cabul on the 2ist Rajab (au July, 1874), and was received by Sirdar Muhammad Tbrahim Khan, son of the Ameer, who went out with General Daud Shah, and two troops of cavalry. The envoy was lodged in the State garden in Bala- hisar, and Mustaufl Habibulla Khan and Sirdar [bra him Khan are appointed to look after his « ‘The envoy had an audience with the Amevt day, and laid before him presents cousisting cles of Russian manufac arms, A musical b & watch—which were ac It was learned ylace of Sirdar Wali Muhammad Khan that the envoy had been intrusted by his government with certain proposels for the execition of a treaty between Lins sia and Afghanistan. The envoy stated before the Aineer that friendly relations existed between the Kussian government aud His Highness for some time past, and that the Russian authorities desired that this friendship should be strengthened and perpetu- ated by the execution of @ treaty of amity. The Ameer is said to have arked in reply that the matter re- quired consideration and consultation with his Ministers and the grandees of his State, and th: a proper reply would be given to’ the pro- posal after this had been done. After this conversation the audience broke up, and the envoy returned to his lodging. It ts rumored in Cabul thet the object of the envoy in coming to the Amvcr's capital is to try to induce His Highness to break off all friendly relations with the British governmont, and to contract an nee with Rnesia, The Minia«- ters of the Ameer's Court are generally of opinion at His Highness will not enter into any eugayoment with Russia which will impose a condition of Rus- sian interference with his countr moreover, said that the Ameer assei would Like an English officer of excellence, learning, and acquainted with the affairs of Afghanistan, to come to Cabul for a few days in the capacity of euvoy from the British government, with whom he y personally discuss the proceedings which passed be- tween him and the English government within the last few years, when he would acknowledge, without any grudging, auy blame which might be justly thrown on him, but at the same time the British envoy should acknowledge (or give in) if, with _ ence to the principles of justice, he is convineed of the soundness of Hix Highness’ objections to the pro- posals made to him by the British government. ‘The Aimeor further remarks that he is quite aware that the news writers in the employ of the two gov- ernmenta (Vabul and the English) have unnecessarily widened the gnif of imaginary differences, His High- ness says that aamall territory, of which he is the ruler, Hea between the dominions of two great Powers, and that, as @ matter of policy and in the interests of his country, he will incline himself toward the party whose alliance would be deemed more beneficial to bim. It is said that the Chief is now in yreat anxiety on unt of the arrival of the Enropean Rassian envoy at his capital, An afienymous writor sent @ petition to the Amoor oF that the British and Russian governments were on friendly terms with each other, and agreed in the unity of purpose; that Persia was on the aide of 1us- sia and the Persian territory adjoins the Russian possessions, and that the three Powers desired to somehow take possession of His Highness’ domin- ions and to partition them among themselves, ‘The writer further remarked that it was known that Tur- key was first weakened, and that Russia, England and the other Powers then intertered with the country and encumbered the Turkish Px- chequer with a large war indemnity; und that, under these cireumstances, the chief should not be Jux in the adininistration of the aiairs of his country at such a critical time, but should issue arms and money to the different tribes inhabiting the hills and the plains, and induce them to be ready to engage in @ religious war in his behalf. ‘The petition having been read to the Ameer, His Highness uttered huntireds of abusive words against its writer, and tore it up. ‘The reporter of this news learned at Gandmak, while on his way to Peshawur, that Shah Mard Khan, late Hakim o: Jelalabad, died at Cabul. ‘The nobles of Afghanistan ure pouring into the capital, ‘The following is an “extract from Peshawur Con- fidential Diary,” dated August 14:— A grand review of the troops took place on the 2d of August, but owing to the heat of the day it did not last Jong, On the following day the envoy visited the Ameer in Durbar. Conversation took place regarding the Ameer’s unsatisfactory relations with the British Goverument, The envoy replied that he had heard about it. The conversation then turned upon trade, ‘and the — envoy proposed that the Ameer” should lower the | dutics and allow Russian merchants to visit Afghanistan, Some talk then followed about the Turks, the Russians and the English and the Durbar was closed. The Ameer gave the envoy writ- ten replies to the letters that had been brought by the envoy. Special Russian horsemen, escorted by some Afghan sowars, conveyed them toward Turkestan. It is suid that the Ameer requested the envoy to remain at Cabul until a reply was received to tliese letters. The general impression is that the Ameer has not concluded any dehnite arrangement with the Russian envoy, and that he is trying to an time with the bine fos Saipan what action the British government wi . BEACONSFIELD'S DEFENCE. AN EXTRACT FROM HIS GREAT SPEECH ON THE AFGHAN QUESTION—HE JUSTIFIES RUSSIA’S CONDUCT ON THE INDIAN FRONTIER. (From the London Standard.] On the Sth inst, I received a telegram from Lord Napier of Magdala, in which he stated that much study of our frontier convinced him that a rectifica- tion was necessary. (Hear, hear.) These were the words of one of great experience, of consummate ability and judgment, who for along time was op- posed to that which he now deemed absolutely necessary. (Hear, hear.) He did not shrink from using the word “rectification,” although it had been defined by several critics of your lordships’ house by a variety of definitions which were not to be found in any dic- tionary, (Laughter.) A noble earl declared that it recalled the worst period of the French Revolu- tion—(aughter)—and the noble marquis who ad- dressed us from the bench opposite seemed to tremble when he used it. (Laughter.) “Rectifi- -eation of frontier” was a great diplomatic phrase, and if all the treaties for the rectification of frontiers were disturbed the peace of the world would be in danger and might be destroyed. Between 1856 and 1868 several such treaties have been made be- twee the several nations of Europe, including Great Britain, and they do not necessarily involve diminution of territory, (Hear, hear.) Many treaties for the rectification of frontier are carried on by equivalent. My lords, it has been said upon a recent occasion, not in this House, that I stated that the ob- j of the war with Afghanistan was a rectification of boundaries; that we were to have a scientific fron- tier instead ot a haphazard one; but I never said that that was the object of the war, but that I treated it as a consequence of the war, and that was a very dif- terent observation to make. RUSSIA JUSTIFIED. What is a scientific frontier? I have heard from a military authority that we defend it with 5,000 men, while we could not defend a haphazard one with 100,000 and not be free from attack. But it is not for us to consider this question at this moment further than to say that the government will take care of the security of our Indian Empire, (Hear, hear.) But. whatever may be our objection to the preseut fron- tierson the northwest of India, I have no doubt all things would have gone on in the same way and no obstacles would have presented themselves had it not been for the sudden appearance of Russia upon the frontier of Atghanistan, About eight months ago war with Russia was more than probable, and any imprudent word might have precipitated it, but we know now that we are on good relations with all Powers, and not less so with Russia than with any other Power, (Hear, hear.) I will say of the expedition which Russia was preparing ‘at the time iu Central Asia, when she believed that war was in- evitable between her country and ourselves, that T think that the preparations on her part were’ allow- », and had we been in the place of Lussia we might done many things of the same kind, (Hear, ar.) There have been dreams indulged in which ‘were never realized, and perhaps Russian horsemen might have liked to cool the hoofs of their chargers in the waters of the Indus, and our troops might have liked to view the Caspian and rejoice at the sight. But all these things were dreams, and I can only say that, if war had taken place between the two countries, all'the proparations made were perfectly justifiable. (Hear, .ear.) They said, “It is very true we did intend to attack and injure you on your Indian frontier, but war has not takeu place, and we have already’ given orders to our troops to retire to their old stations beyoud the Oxus. Our mission is merely temporary and one of courtesy, and as soon as possible it will be with- drawn.” I think that was a sufficient and satisfactory undertaking on the part of Russia with regard to this country. But, my lords, it was totally impossible for us, after all that occurred, to leave things as they were, You could not go on after you had found the Russians with their army almost in sight of Afghan- istarf, and the embassies within the walls of Cabul, you could not yo on on the old system, and indulge iu the fancy that your frontier was secure. It was therefore absolutely necessary to consider whut course we should tak BULGARIA’ SAD CONDITI THE VACANT THRONE —FAILURE TO ESTABLISH A GOVERNMENT—INTIMIDATING TURKS AND VIO- LATING THEIR WIVES. ‘ (London ‘Times Correspondence.] No one, it may be said, thinks of restoring the old order of things, and the aim of the International Com, mission at Philippopolis is to establish a new system, by which there will be perfect equality of all races and creeds and a large measure of local self-govern- ment. This is quite true, but things do not appear in this light to the Bulgerians, The most erroneous ideas are afloat regarding the aims and intentions of the Commission, and the few who know the truth are not satistied., More than once I have been told that the Commissioners, though animated with the best in- tentions, cannot do much. They may produce the most perfect organic statute, but it it has to be worked by the Turks it will share the fate of the Hatti Humayoun and other admirable pieces of legislation “are j yoyo yore by the Sultans. Whon 1 suggested ti the Governor General must always be # Christian I was told that an Ottoman Christian would be worse than a genuine Turk, for he would have special reasons tor endeavoring to gain the imperial favor. “Give us,” said several to me, ‘a Prince of any nationality you please—English, French or German— and we shall be content; but we have nothing to hope for if the Saltan'’s authority is re-established.” A foreign prince would be, I’ believe, acceptable enough to the mass of the people; but he would not wive & very hearty welcome from the educated men, who have well defined political aspirations. ‘The hope of tuese men is to see a united Bulgaria, including the new Bulgarian principality, Eastern Roumelia aud @ great part of Macedonia, or, in other words, the Lulgaria of the San Stefano Treaty. Any- thing short of that would fail to satisfy them, and some declare they are ready to lay down their lives to obtain it. In some towns, at least, there are educated Bul- gariun officials who are anxious to show Europe that their countrymen are worthy of selt-government, and such mea strive to protect the Mussulmans from ill treatment, In the villages the position of the Mus- snlmans is mote precarious, Much depends upon the Tchorbadjee, or village clder. If he happens to be @ man like the Tehorbadjee of Tcholluk, whom I mentioned in my last letter, the Turke run great risk of being robbed and beaten; on the other hand, if he be a man like Stoinof, whom I saw at Oxtchilar, they may live unmolested, uniess there happens to be in the village some fanatical Bulgarian who has more influence than the village elder. ‘The motives of the oceasional outrages perpetrated on the Turks seem to be of three kinds. First, there is the simple desire of plunder, but this motive cannot have much to do with the disorders, for the ‘Curkish families in their present condition are generally too poor to excite cupidity, Second, there is the old fanatical hatred and the desire of vengeance for past wrongs. Third, there is the wish to. frighten away the few Turks who are at présent in the villages aud to prevent the others from returning. Besides this, it sometimes happens, ax I found in Tehirpan, that there are a few lawless spirits who think it a pleasant amusement to break into the Turkish houses at night and violate the women when there is little or no danger of being punished for it. ‘To «um up way that the present state of Eastern Houn ans to me far from being satix- factory. If Russia's object was to introduce into that part of Turkey a good government, which should give liberty, security and legal equality to all races and ereeds, she has not yet sncceeded in her mission and bas not even male a good inning, for among the Bulgarians there is a general conviction that the Turks nay be ill-treated with impunity, and among the Turks there is so little confi in the isting administration that very many of them think it nacless to claim protection of redress from the thorities, Some of the latter aay that they expected things would change after the artival of the Inter- national Commission, but that they are how begi' ning to despair, for their condition has lately become from Peshawar, in which he informed tho chief | worse rather than better, ‘most wonderful things I ever saw. IN A RUBBER SUM Daring Voyage Down the Tagus from Toledo to Lisbon, SWEPT OVER A HUNDRED WATERFALLS. How Boyton Startled a Pair of Arcadian Lovers. One of the most interesting voyages made by Cap- tain Boyton was down the Tagus River, from Toledo in Spain to Lisbou in Portugal. This was the lougest and most dangerous of his trips. He completed 1,000 kilometers in eighteen days, from the dist of January to the 17th of February, passing 102 waterfalls, vary- ing in height from a few feet to twenty-five meters, besides innumerable rapids, Hardly anything has hitherto been published respecting this voyage. 1 shall therefore allow the intrepid veyageur to tell his own story again. “It was a most difficult voyage,” says Captain Boyton, “I could not get any information about the river, and none of the maps are correct. Many and many a town is marked on them as being on the river that is not near it. I wrote to mayors of the Spanish | and Portuguese towns on the banks, asking for in- formation and enclosing a stamp; but in most cases the Spanish mayors did not reply. Only two of them replied, though all the Portuguese mayors did. I stayed in Madrid during the ceremonies and festivities attending the King’s marriage, and then Igot thinking I had been three or four wocks with- out going a voyage and soI determined to make a start down the Tagus. Toledo, I found, was the only place Tcould start from, Everybody said the thing was quite impossible. Nota single person who knew the river was to be found. It 1s not nayi- gable and had never been descended. We were told it was all canyons winding through the moun- tains. I got pretty well tired out staying there doing nothing, and so I started from Madrid at night, er- riving at Toledo about midday. ‘That was the 30th of January. I was met at the station by an officer sent by the Governor of Toledo. TAKING WATER. “I took the water a little below the manufactory of the celebrated Toledo blades, with my little voyage boat in tow. I knew there was a long trip ahead of me. I knew nothing of the river and the map I had was bad. In abouta hundred yards I lost sight of the party who saw me off, After dropping over a smal waterfall I kept running on all that day. The sun always made the weather tolerable in the day- time, but at night it was piercing cold. I wanted to make a place called Puebla de Montalban. It took me thirty hours torun there with a quick current. ‘There are frequeat breaks and falls, but I continued running all that day. The country there is but little inhabited. You may sec here and there a man plough- ing, but the most of them you see are herding sheep. ‘The first adventure I had was with a couple of primi- tively clad shepherds, who, hearing my voice and see- ing @ strange form in the river, ran away with all speed, but fortunately leaving me their frugal meal, which they had been preparing before I came round the bend of the river. EXCITING NAVIGATION. “Tran along them for some time without seeing hardly 4 human being. You can, sce here and there men mounted on bulls, and accompanied by fierce dogs. There are lots of great black bulls on the hills, waiting to be driven into the arenas. It was pretty hard work getting along with my boat. Every water- fall-we came to I had to pick her up and go over with her in my arms, The river went winding about a good deai, and during the day 1 passed a number of mills, where the passage would be only two or three feet wide. ‘The country now became quite desolate, the only thing like civilization in view being occa- sionally a great wheel with earthen pots attached to it. These dipped into the river and lifted the water into a sluice, which carried it to irrigate the land. At nightfall I could see two snow- capped mountains right ahead of me. Then they would appear at one side and again at the other, so extraordinary was the winding of the river. I ran all that night. The falls were something terrible. L used to shut my teeth and go aheud, Sometimes I would go on smoothly enough, and at other times would bring up sharp against rock, The current was going 80 quickly that I was atraid of coming full tilt inst the rocks. At three o’clock in the morn- ing I rd a noise that frightened me, and saw the river running among jagged rock: CLUTCHING AN ISLAND. “It seemed impossible to go through them in the dark, so Iimade a grab at a little island of rock and landed. Here I could see the water running and swirling all round me. I remained on the rocks, about until daylight. It You must remember that the river at Toledo is 3,000 feet above the sea, and this is the distance it falls from Toledo to Lisbon. I thought I must have already passed Puebla, But the windings of the river had deceived me and it was not until three o’clock that afternoon that I reached that place. ‘There I was met by a large crowd of poople, and by the guardia civil who bud received instructions to receive and protect ine, Similar orders had been sent to those officials all through the Spanish territory, and the governors and alvadies had been instructed to give me every as- sistance and courtesy in their power. “Just below Puebla l strnck a portion of a bridge (which had been blown up during the first Cartist war), aud injured my dress, The sharp stones ent a hole in it, as with aknife. This I remedicd by stick- ings patch on it, I there abandoned my boat, taking in its place a’ tin tube, in which T put all my papers, Lwell remember a little incident that o¢- curred there. The Mayor's little daughter came to me and asked me if I were going down to Lisbon. I said ‘Yes.’ She answered in her childish way, “You will never got there, I am sure—it is so danger: ous.’ When I gotto Seville L received a letter inform- ing me that the child was dead. . A NOVEL AMUSEMENT. “On leaving Seville an interesting sight was pre- sented on the clitts above me, Men and women were flying about on mmles, the men with their Spanish cloaks and the women with their picturesque red and yellow skirts. When I had got under way pretty well it began to snow, aud the only amusement could find was to try to catch big flakes on ny nose, ‘The next town met with was Cevalla, which place I passed in the dark, and the [= shouted to me ‘Look out for the mills,’ and I knew my old friends, the mills, were about, and a short time afterward saw a light looming up on the other side of the river. Here there was a sluice in the river, and I went dash- ing right past and got out safely. Until eight o'clock the next morning I never experienced such cold weather. T arrived at Tallavera on Sunday moruin, about midday. I procured something to cat, and was received by the Syndic and others. I then got in the water again and was soon shooting waterfulls at the rate of two or three a kilometer. They averaged from four to six feet in fall. All the town came out to see me shoot a fall below Tallavera. Just as L was coming to it out of mere bravado LI stood up and was thrown forward head foremost. If I had struck a rock I would have been killed. The people shouted ‘Viva,’ thinking I always took water- tulls that way, but I was glad to get out of it. I ran wll that night, and a tearful night it wi ‘THE INKVITABLE MILLS. “Nota dog barked, The country was dreadfully desolate, The next day I passed uple of mills, shooting the dams. In sone pl the river fairly went down stairs—oue fall followed another like steps. At the end the river seemed to be stopped by @ huge rock right across the channel. I thought ‘it goes underground.’ I could not stop. I braced myself to go under with it, when I saw that after striking against the rock the water gathered up and ran off at right angles. The Tagus was not high when I went down, and the rocks here showed the marks to which the water sometimes rose to a height of thirty or forty meters, Pieces of rock jutting out into the water were carved and cut into most beautiful shapes by the water. There were spirals and rounded columus that you would hardly think water conid form. There were some of the Atter going through this ravine I came out into # large sloping valley, and then was shot into another canyon aguin, SOFING THR RAPIDE “1 went flying through amid tocks polished by the water, and over one fall after another. river then began to narrow in, aud as it was getting Jate I was afraid Tshould have to stop in this place all night, [ kept descending, and got some fearfi! blows from stones, but at last got through, Then heard « terrible roar. It came trom @ great dam. 1 made @ shoot for that, aud got into the same kind of a place as at Plorence, bat by working against the stones I got out sately. There are two great towers he like two piers of abridge. Icould not make out what they were for. They seemed Moorish. After mye the towers I came to Puente del Arzobispo. [wo guardia civil rose up on the bank, 1 hailed e them and asked them where town was, aud they pointed behind a bend. It was now getting dark, aad when I got a little further around I saw lights. These guards had been sent to stop me at a yreat waterfall of twenty-five meters, Lights had been placed all along the ‘river on my account, and when I came into the place I was received by the Mayor, the Governor and all the town. ‘They kept me there that night, Here I was escorted to a great castle and afterward attended a banquet in the Archbishop's palace, at which all the p: 1 lizens were present, ‘Attor the banquet I tu and slept soundly, ASKED TO TAKE A TUMDLE, “In the morning I was asked if | would go over the atertal, ‘Lhe gitls said, ‘don’t go,’ 4 went aud ————— eee drink of wine and shot for the ‘not stop when I got above it, and after going over was a little stuaned. From there I cme into the hardest ‘of the Vagus. ‘The river strikes into a wild country through the mountains, a perfect wilderness, ‘Sometimes there would be great bowlders in the stream like big paving stones, round on all sides; at other times there would be layers of sand, I kept on through that wild country three days and three nights, All the provi- sions [ had was a piece of bread about as big as my two fists, The second day I got some olives in a tree, and on the morning of the fourth day I had nother adventure—to me very amusing:—I saw abead of me ‘on the top of the rocks a shepherd cutting off olive 5 ich he was casting down to a girl who ue close to the river feeding goats. ‘T girl perceiving me uttered a cry, and, the attention ¢ the man being thus called to the curious object in the river, he was 6o frighteved that he fell from the tree and tude off, ‘The girl, with more courage, picked up a big boulder and waited, watching with her big eyes, wondering what the oe ing could be, Ent ‘the current took me swiftly along, and thus left the looked at it, tap 9 Teoul ‘YHE WRECKED HOOGLY. A PASSENGER'S STATEMENT—SCENES OF WILD TUMULT AND DISORDER ON BOARD—THE CON- DUCT OF THE OFFICERS CONDEMNED—HOW ‘THE PASSENGERS WERE SAVED AND CARED FOR, Montevipe0, Nov. 23, 1878, The following particulars of the wreck of the French steam packet Hoogly, Captain A. Reyné, on the evening of November 16, at a point on the coast of Uruguay known as ‘‘Castillos,”’ is furnished bya passenger who has just arrived here from the scen¢ of the disaster:— This tine steamer, one of the new bonts belonging to the company “‘Messageries Maritimes,” lett Pauil- lac on the 20th of October with about three hundred assengers, destined for Brazil and the Rio de La lata. ‘The voyage up to the time of arriving at the mouth of this river was devoid of interest, and on the 16th inst. her course was given as customary, she being in latitude 33 deg. 45 min. south, and longi- tude 55 deg. 23 min, west from Paris. The distance ran from twelve the preceding day was 287 miles, and we had to make 205 miles more to arrive at Monte- video, SHAMEVUL LACK OF DISCIPLINE. At half-past four P, M. on the 16th a dense fog set in; it was difficult to clearly distinguish objects at distance of 250 feet. At tive oc! , 8 usual, diuner was served, and the captain hustily repaired to the bridge to direct the steamer’s movements, We wera goin, only half speed, and every ten minutes the whistle was sounded, Coffee was being served, when adull shock was felt, and at the same time a kind of sinking sensation, as if the stern had sunk. Fora moment the passengers were stupefied, but they sow recovered themselves and rushed precipitately om deck, The scene was almost ludicrous and dificult to describe. It was @ perfect helter-skelter. Each was possessed of the sole idoa—safety. Some men clutched the ladies’ shawls and bonnets, and, with opened umbrellas as a protection against the threat- ened danger, presented » most ridiculous appearance. All were frightened—men, women and children. Some had one, others two, and others again had even three life preservers on. Everything was confusion and disorder. No voice of authority was raised to inspire confidence and calm fear. Little by little the fears of the passengers subsided, but sll protested against the conduct of the officers. LIGHTENING THE STEAMER Every few moments a grating noise was heard, as if the screw were dragging over the rocks, and with the swell of the sea the vessel lurched heavily trom: side to side, threatening destruction to all. Thus the night of the 16th was passed between fear and hope. At tour o’clock the following morning an order was given (not known by whom) to disembark the passen- gers, since al! that had been done ee the night to gaye the vessel had proved futile, and she had already commenced to make water fast. From the moment the steamer first struck efforts were made to lighten her by taking cargo, consisting of pipes of wine and boxes of to , ont of the bow and placing it astern, Anchors and hawsers were also run out and steam kept up to endeavor to work her off. A largo quantity of valuable merchandise was thrown over- board. ‘She still stuck hard and fast on a ledge, about one hundred and seventy-five yards from Rosa Islan Asand bank runs out from the spot. Bebind this island is another, named Eucantada, and 4 little further off the Seca and San Marcos islands and & breakwater between Polonia and Rosa. LANDING THE PASSENGERS. ‘The lan about five A.M, and was suc- cessfully conducted throughout. All the sengers were saved and with @ comparatively smull lows to their personal effects. Polonia, in the department ot Maldonado, where we struck ‘‘terra firma,” is a col- Jection of some old ranchos, inhabited by a few men who are occupied in sealing. It is a solitary, des fe spot, without water or vegetation—a bleak, sandy stretch of plain, People from the bor: dis- tricts, hearing of the disaster, came to render ussisi ance and kindly furnished the shipwrecked cus gers with many luxuries, especially caring for the comfort of the women and children. All were lodged in ranchos end tents, and with the rough, but sub- stantial diet of the country, together with some pro- visions from the wreck, we managed to pass the time pleasantly. On the morning of the 19th the French frigate ‘Themis, the gunboat Bruet and tug Artigas arrived from Montevideo—the last named belongs to @ wrecking company—and started at once tor Mul- donado $o procure lighters and assistance. Wo waited the calming of the sea to enable us to embark on board the French man-of-war, and at half-past four P, M., under a good soaking and loss of some personal effects, we succeeded in getting on board to prooced tu Montevideo. Active measures have been taken to get the cargo out of the Hoogly as rapidly as possible, in the hopes of saving the steamer, but the rough weather which has prevailed leads to the conclusion that she will prove a total loss, BRAZIL. DIFFICULTIES IN THE EMPEROR'S CABINET- SMALLPOX RAVAGING THE CHARA DISTBICT— A HUNGRY MONARCH. Rio Janemo, Nov. 30, 1878. ‘Their Majesties and the Ministers returned to Rio Janeiro late on the night of the 28th surfeited with “yvivas” and illuminations, but with a tremendous appetite for a meat supper, a waterspout having car- ried off that fhorning 4 piece of the railroad in the highlands of Cantagallo and detained them five hours, during which time they were yearning after the flesh- pots, for, like Bussia, the Emperor has special woakness for turkey. THE CABINET TROUBLES, ‘The life of the Sininibie Cabinet appears to be fast on the wane, and a “Crowner’s quest” verdict would be ‘killed by the overhonesty and scant discretion of the Minister of Finance.” No Cabinet in Brazil ever entered power with better auspices, for the Premier possessed the unlimited confidence of the Emperor and people, and his colleagues, though new to office, were respected for ability, energy and integrity. In these respects none exceed Dr. Gaspar Silveira Mar- tins, but his inexperience in administration and in- nate pugnacity, combined with want of tact and fondness ot hitting hard and interference with de- tails and departmental etiquette, has alienated the entire press and brought a swarm of hornets around himself and his colleagues, compromising the Cabi- net to such an extent that it is doubtful that oven his retiral can now save it, though the Emperor will, if possible, maintain Sefior Sininibie as Premier. If a new Cabinet has to be formed it is probable Senator Saraiva will be the Premier, with Dantas in Agricul- ture, Martinho de Campos in Empire, Affonso Celso in Marine. SMALLPOX IN THE NORTH, The examination ordered by the Minister of Finance into the Santos Custom House has revealed great irregularities and several ascertained cases of fraud, such as clearing silks as kitchen knives, trimmings for ladies’ arcases a8 guns. The health of Rio ia still improving. and the smallpox is gradually decreasing. In Ceara, however, smallpox has been making fearful ravages among the famine refugees collected at the capital, 3,000 being Fic! d the daily mortality reach- ing 900 a day in a population of 60,000, ARGENTINE REPUBLIC. A WAR IN PROGRESS AGAINST THE INDIANS OF THE INTERIOR—A PATRIOTIC LOAN. La Prara, Nov. 25, 1878, In the Argentine Confederation reports from the western frontier declare an invasion by Indians and Chileans. Colonel Rocea bas telegraphed a eomplete denial of the alleged shooting by him of sixty tame Indians who had come to him to make complaint of their treatment by the authoritics of Rio Puerto. Before commencing the operations for the purpose of driving all the indians to behind the Rio Negro the Minister of War has determined to carry the telo- graph to the present Indian frontier. ‘The patriotic loan of $4,000,000 for paceing the cost of the operations against the Indians is being freely subscribed throughout the interior, THE DICTATOR LATORRE, Ta Puata, Nov. 27, 1878, In Urugnay the elections have been favorable ta the maintenance of the Dictator Latorre for anotheg term of two years. TAMMANY GENERAL COMMITTER. A special meeting of the Tammany Hall General Committee was held in the Fourteenth street heads quarters last evening. About one hundred and fifty members were present, among them Comptroller Kelly, John Foley, Augustus Schell, Joel 0. Stevens, Fire Commissioner Gorman, Park Commissioner Lane, Corporation Attorney Boyd and jor Quincey. Mr. Henry L. Ciinton presided, et re tl primaries to elect the General Committee for 1879 ‘was read and adopted, These primarios will be held on Monday evening, Decomber 40. new eral Committee will meet for organization on January 2. After the heaped | of @ vote of thanks tv the cont, tee vilivers Lor 1818 the mevéing adjourned sine digg 9 5