NEWS OF THE WEEK.
WE have not yet received the news of Mr. Lincoln's re-election, as the North German Lloyd steamship New York, which left on the 5th inst., and passed Cape Race on the 9th, hoping to get the news, was prevented by the fog from communicating with the shore ; and the same fate appears to have attended the Inman steamer 0/avow. Our readers will probably know the result not long after these pages are in their hands, direct from New York. No doubt was felt even by the Democrats of Mr. Lincoln's success, as a large section of their own party intend to vote for him. The interest felt is rather as to the number of the majority than as to the mere issue.
Mr. Jefferson Davis proposed to cheer his people in the gloom which Mr. Lincoln's success would produce by a day of thanks- giving on the 16th inst. (last Wednesday) for the recent suc- cesses of the Confederate arms. Whether the successes referred to were those achieved by General Early and General Price, and wiped out immediately by severe defeats, it is of course impassible to say. But we know of no others which could well be called by that name. We fear the Confederate worshippers on that some- what dismal day of thanksgiving, would feel a little like the gentle- man who prayed over a very bare leg of cold and under.done mutton that his family might "receive the blessings with gratitude and enjoy them with moderation."
The news from New Zealand, which we published on the 22nd of October, and which was at that time confirmed by no other jour- nal, that the war had not ceased, but that its scene had appar- ently been transferred to Taranaki, whither the King and Princess Sophia had repaired, is completely confirmed by the accounts of the last mail. William Thompson had declared his intention of not yielding, and the rebellious natives were assembling in some force near the long disputed block of Waitara land which Sir George Grey so recently gave up to William King. The latest native superstition was one preached by a Maori priest, Te Ua, who reveals to men the new God Rura. The god manifests himself in a small flag, and he has revealed to Te Ua that New Zealand is New Canaan, the Maories Jews, and the Law of Moses the statute law of the new Jews. The King has been especially commissioned to make a few earls and dukes; which is clearly an improvement on the Law of Moses,—an ornamental addition borrowed from English civilization. The Law of Moses with modern ornaments,— that is the Maori beau ideal.
Franz Muller was executed on Monday morning in front of Newgate. He maintained his calm demeanour up to the last, re- jected the offer of a chair while being pinioned, thanked the officers of the prison for their kindness, and paid careful attention to the exhortations of Dr. Cappel, pastor of the German Lutheran Church in Goodman's Fields, but steadily maintained his innocence. Once, however, when Dr. Cappel asked him whether, though not guilty of murder, he had not committed robbery followed by death, he remained silent, leaving on the pastor's mind the impression that the absence of premeditation furnished the excuse to his own heart. On the scaffold he remained firm, but just as the cap was fitted over his head Dr. Capped again adjured him to tell the truth, and on his replying, "God knows what I have done," asked, "Does He not know that you have done this thing ?" Muller answered, " Ich habe as gethan"—" I have done it," and the drop fell. It has been suggested that the words may have been mistaken, but Dr. Cappel, who has throughout shown the strongest feeling for the unhappy man, is clear as to their meaning. The truth probably is that M iiller entertained the popular notion about reprieves granted on the scaffold, and with the calm, calculating strength of his char- acter maintained his innocence till all hope had disappeared.
It is fortunate that the confession was made to a German pastor chosen by Muller himself, for it would otherwise not have been believed in his own coantry. Seventy papers in Germany are supplied with the same special correspondence from England, and the gentleman charged with this case filled his report with argu- ments for Miiller's innocence. In spite of some able articles in the Yolks Zeitung the Prussians caught at the idea that Muller had been sentenced to death to revenge the political humiliation of England, and so great was the excitement in Berlin that it was scarcely safe for English residents to appear. Germans, it must be remembered, are accustomed to see their Government interfere in all judicial affairs, and, being in a rage with the British, think we must be in a rage with them. Fortunately, though the reporter in England did not telegraph Miiller's confession, the Government received intimation, and at once forwarded it to the journals. The result is not yet known, but a feeling which has no real basis can hardly last very long.
Lord Napier, Ambassador at St. Petersburg, has been transferred to Berlin, and on the 12th inst. took leave of the British residents in a somewhat remarkable speech. Ho congratulated his audience on having passed through a period dangerous to the good relations of England and Russia, and expressed his belief that the opinion of most thoughtful Russians was favourable to England. The honest feeling of the majority of Englishmen was, on the other hand, opposed to Russia, but "the diffusion of education, the in- crease of trade, the development of public liberty in the Empire, and a reserved attitude of the Imperial Cabinet in the Oriental question, would arouse a friendly feeling in England, and give rise to a more liberal estimate of the value of Russia in the political and religious balance of Europe." Ile believed that the relations between the two Governments would soon give even greater satis- faction than at present.
A number of rumours have been published this week of Napo- leonic designs upon Italy. The Emperor intended, it was said, to ask a guarantee from Catholic Europe for the Pope, and to permit Spain to send a garrison into Rome. All these reports are denied, but the Italian Government has been compelled or induced to take a step which roused the "party of action" up to vehement anger. A body of Garibaldia.ns who have been ,trying foolishly enough to excite an insurrection in Venetia have retreated into North Lom- bardy, and on the 17th of November were attacked by the Royal troops at Bagolino. The" conflict ended in the capture of a part and the dispersion of the rest of the Garibaldian band," a state- ment which, if correct, will rouse Garibaldi to implacable hostility against the existing Ministry. No just opinion can be formed upon a telegraphic despatch, but it seems at first sight as if the Premier were a little too ready to use the sword instead of appealing to the law.
The Austrian Reichsrath was opened on the 14th inst. by the Emperor in person, with a very long, very dull, and very vague speech. His most important point was the announcement that the Transylvanians had elected deputies to the Reichsrath, and his hope that Hungary would soon do the same,—a hope not justified by appearances. He alluded to the recent war as one which had ended in "c ,nquering that splendid prize" Schleswig-Holstein, and did not doubt that in the glorious and happy solution of this question Germany would again find concord. He had been compelled to adopt " exceptional " measures for the security of Galicia, but hoped, too, they might soon be withdrawn, intended to introduce two budgets succeseively,—one for 1864 and the other for 1885,—and a plan for a railway through Transylvania, and regretted the pressure still felt by all commercial interests. There was no allusion to Italy, and the only thing definite in the speech is that Transylvania is to be paid for its adhesion to the plan of legislative union by a reduction in the poll-tax and a aystem of railways.
The great discussion apon the disposal of London sewage is drawing to a practical point. The Corporation of London affirm that the sewage amounts to 266,052,440 tons a year, which if extracted and dried would be equal to 212,842 tons of guano, and worth 2,899,000/. They prefer using the sewage in a liquid form over large areas, and therefore advise a Parliamentary investigation before making any concessions. The Board of Works, however, which, having built the new drains, claims all the sewage, is not willing to wait, and has agreed by 26 to 9 that the best plan is to support a scheme proposed by Messrs. Napier and Hope. These gentlemen propose, it would seem, to intercept the northern sewage and carry it to tracts of waste land, the " Dengie Sands" and " Maplin Flats," on the Essex coast, to be given to them by the Crown. Seven and a half per cent, are to be deducted as interest on the capital sunk, and the remainder divided between the Board and the speculators, who are in return for their efforts to enjoy a monopoly of the sewage for fifty years. We trust, as this plan can- not be carried out without Parliamentary sanction, that this prepos- terous job will be nipped in the bud. If the sewage is worth very little, as the Board appear to believe, there is no reason for haste, and if it is worth three millions a year, as the City asserts, it is no business of the public to make Messrs. Napier and Hope millionaires for half a century.
An American recruiting agent appears to be bringing the Federal Government into discredit in Lancashire. It is alleged that he offers young men 15 dole. a month to work in some glass-houses in New York, but induces them when on board to enlist in the Federal army. The Great Western, laden with such emigrants, has been stopped at Liverpool, and many of them sent back, but the agent himself has not been arrested. It appears from the evidence sub- mitted to the magistrates at Ashton that the agent, Mr. Roupell or Rumen, really intended to secure men who would make good recruits, the state of their teeth, for example, being always in- quired after, but it is by no means proved that the emigrants would not have had their free option of refusing the bounty. Recruiting officers, however, are not very scrupulous in any -country in the world, and if the poor people of Lancashire are tempted out by imaginary promises, the law should be put in force as energetically as the evidence will allow.
The military news from the North is nil, except that one deed of great daring is reported from Albemarle Sound, in North Carolina. On the 27th October Lieutenant Cushing, of the United States steamer Shamrock, ascended the Roanoke river towards Plymouth in a steam launch, with a torpedo, for the purpose of destroying the Confederate ram Albemarle. He passed successfully up eight miles of river without attracting the notice of the enemy's pickets, though the river is only about 200 yards wide, passed the Con- federate ship Southport within twenty yards without drawing atten- tion, and reached the ram. The crew of his launch were only thirteen in number. The crew of the ram were immediately alarmed, and began firing, wounding one of the crew at least, and per- haps others. The Albemarle, moreover, was surrounded by logs for thirty feet from her side, in order to protect her from such enterprises. The steam launch was put at the logs, which were broken in some feet, the bowsprit of the launch resting upon them. The torpedo boom was then lowered, and Lieu- tenant Cushing managed "to dive the torpedo under the over- hang and explode it just as the Albemarle fired her gun right into the launch, filling it with water." Lieutenant Cushing then ordered such of his crew as survived to jump overboard and save themselves, but most of them were captured. The Lieutenant himself, however, contrived to swim ashore half a mile below, and bide in the swamp till daylight. For some hours he walked through the swamp, and so managed to get out below the town, where he found a negro, who brought him information that the Albemark had really been sunk by the torpedo. He skulked along through another swamp, captured a skiff belonging to a picket of the enemy, and so reached his squadron. Only one of his crew escaped cap- ture or death except the Lieutenant himself. Lieutenant Cushing is only twenty-two years old. He is of course recommended for promotion.
Earl Spencer, the Lord of the Manor of Wimbledon Common and Putney Heath, proposes to turn Wimbledon Common into a park surrounded by a light iron railing, and to cover the expense
by enclosing for building "outlying portions" of the common,— supposed to mean Putney Heath,—if he can obtain the assent of the House of Commons and of the copyholders to that step. If the "outlying portions of the common" referred to by Lord Spencer when he speaks of them as-contributing "in no way at present to the benefit or enjoyment of the public' really include Putney Heath, we think the Earl is very much mistaken in so describing them. As he tells us, with his usual generosity, that the scheme has " been conceded in the interest of the public, and whether he proceeds further in it will depend on the support he receives from the public," the public are certainly bound to speak out candidly. And we should doubt very much whether the conversion and improvement of Wimbledon Common into a park would at all compensate the public for the loss of any large portion of the neighbouring heath.
Mr. Gladstone, whose true interest in the welfare of the working classes has lately been repeatedly and strongly evinced, ha sent a liberal subscription to the Working Men's Club and Institute Union, with a letter heartily approving of its objects. The real utility of the association has already been great, but the condition of any considerable extension of that influence is that which Mr. Gladstone thus aids to supply, and of which there is great need— money.
Lord Granville and Lord Robert Cecil have both been talking in public about education,—the former at Willis's Rooms on Wed- nesday, in distributing the certificates of the Oxford local exami- nation,—the latter on the same day at Droitwich in taking the ohair at the Worcestershire Union of Institutes. Both of them were a
little melancholy as to the prospects of education. Lord Granville, speaking of the middle classes, said that the candidates for the Oxford local examinations came up better prepared, and twice as large a per-centage passed as passed at first, but fewer presented themselves than last year, instead of more. Indeed London had only sent about 200 candidates. Lord Granville announced that in a few days the commission on middle-class schools would be formed, and that it would be at perfect liberty to re- commend what it pleased, but he hoped it would not recom- mend any State interference. If it does not, we do not see of what use it can be except as .merely furnishing the public with knowledge which will soon cease to be exhumed from the blue-book. The Education Department doubtless depre • cate further trouble, but without recommending at least a system of voluntary inspection, and that a few large schools should be set up as standards by the State, we do not see what good the inquiry will have done.
Lord Robert Cecil was even more gloomy, but more practical in his suggestions as to the education of the poor. He said the great thing wanted was a more liberal encouragement by the Privy Council of night schools, and schools generally for children above twelve years of age, who, Lord R. Cecil thinks, are the only real learners, and are almost ignored by the State-aid system. He went so far as to say the time spent in teaching children under twelve was mere waste,—but this he can scarcely believe, though it may be true that three years' teaching after twelve is worth a great deal more than all the teaching that precedes that age.
The Italian Parliament has not yet come to a vote about the transfer of the capital, but it seems to be admitted that it will pass, perhaps without a division. The main argument of its oppo- nents seems to be that territory is to be ceded in return, that Genoa is to be given up, that Sardinia is to be sold, that the French will return, that, in short, Napoleon is not to be trusted. That argument is not, whether, true or false, worth much. If false he will not cheat Italy, if true he can cheat her just as easily while remaining in Rome as by going out of it. The notion that Turin is abandoned to facilitate the transfer of Piedmont to France in return for Rome and Venetia is simply absurd. France does not want a Venetia upon her south-eastern flank., nor could Napoleon act so directly in the teeth of the rights of the nationalities. Genoa he might demand, and then perhaps his uncle's dictum that Italy united could not be conquered by France might be fairly put to the test.
A correspondent of the Star, obviously well informed, furnishes an account of the principles accepted by the Canadian Convention for consolidating British North America into a single State, which we trust may be confirmed. According to this statement the Central Legislature is to be a sovereign power, able to do any act circumstances may require to be done, and all powers not specially reserved to the provinces are retained by the National Assembly. The American Union is breaking up for want of those two provi-
sions The Provinces are only empowered to deal with civil rights, and even on these all new laws must be sanctioned by the Central Government, which, again, is to initiate all measures for the repres- sion of crime, taxation, commerce, railways and canals, and mili- tary or naval organization. This is true federalism, and if the programme is adhered to will enable the Canadians to construct a strong State aided, but not obstructed, by strong municipalities. The measure is nearly complete, and will be first of all submitted to lier Majesty's Government.
Dr. R. Lee, Professor of Biblical Criticism in the University of Edinburgh and general civilizer of Scotch theology, opened his -classes last week with a very sound and (for the latitude) bold addrees on the true function of Biblical criticism. The more sacred, he said, are the books of the Bible, the truer it is that they con- tain words of God, the more essential is it that the soundest appliances of scientific criticism should be brought to decipher their true meaning and bearing, and that they should not be left to the arbitrary caprices of private fancy. "That this is a sacred book makes no difference except that we should apply our method more accurately, carefully, rigidly, lest the sense of fallible and foolish men should appropriate to itself the honour which belongs to the divine logos." The method to be used ought to be precisely the same with sacred as with profane -writers,—to apply all the aids of grammatical, historical, geographical, antiquarian commentary in .order to ascertain the true meaning. That the Biblical critic deals with writers "who claim the assistance of a divine impulse and illtfinination " should make no difference at all in his method. The language, the thoughts, the feelings, the apprehensions being strictly human,—the divine truth contained can only be reached by truly appreciating this language, these thoughts, these feelings, these apprehensions. Nor should any Church formula prevent them from discussing the true meaning quite without regard to the .Church formula. The only answer to the rationalistic criticism of Germany would be to defeat it with its own weapons.
Leeds seems to be, in proportion to its wealth, even more active in Church extension than London. In May last forty-two gen- tlemen offered 25,000/. for this purpose if in the next six months an equal sum could be raised. Last week it was announced that more than 28,000/. had already been raised to meet the offer, so -that 53,000/. is now at the disposal of the Church Extension Com- mittee. A gentleman stated that within his recollection Leeds had only five churches, which, with eight in the out- townships, made thirteen in all at that time. There are now thirty-seven, and two building. The committee consider that while the population increases at its present rate,-3,500 annually,—at least one new church and school should be added yearly.
The National Temperance League held their annual meeting at the Guildhall on Monday, the Lord Mayor presiding. This -society disclaims all coercive measures, but Mr. S. Morley, the speaker who was most warmly applauded, declared that he would imprison habitual drunkards as lunatics, would forbid beer to be drunk on the premises, would shut up all public-houses at six in the evening, and would allow the majority of inhabitants in any dis- strict to refuse licences for public-houses. Mr. Morley and his friends are a great deal too lenient. No party was ever created for ends such as he has proposed, and the coercive teetotallers must in the end become logical. Why do they not propose at once that which they really desire, a law making the manufacture of liquor a highly penal offence? That really would prevent drunkenness, which their worrying little remedies, as weak as they are tyranni- cal, never will do. A drastic law would half ruin the agricul- turists, increase disease among the feeble about thirty per cent., take out of life one of its few innocent enjoyments, and probably provoke a revolution. But it would enforce their principle, and we doubt not succeed in raising the standard of English morality up to that of the Hindoo, who, not having the excitement of drink, makes out his necessary quantum by torture and debauchery.
Some farther details have reached England of the loss inflicted by the Calcutta cyclone. The number of persons killed can only be guessed at, but 4 iron ships, 40 Al wooden ships, 5 other wooden ships, all of large tonnage, 6 country ships, 1 sea-going steamer, and 19 river steamers and flats are totally lost or destroyed. Besides these 139 more vessels, with an average of 900 tons, are more or less injured, and eighty-nine thousand native huts have been de- stroyed. The European residents of Calcutta, who are the heaviest losers, imtnediately raised a fend for the benefit of the native sufferers, but the rich bahoos,—men frequently possessing from 10,000/. to 80,0001. a year,—refused to contribute a penny. They always do, considering that benevolence is merely an investment in Heaven, and preferring negotiable security.
The proposed visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Knowsley and Liverpool has been postponed indefinitely in conse- quence of Earl Derby's serious illness. The attack is not, how- ever, apparently one of a dangerous character, and the latest ac- counts are more favourable than the somewhat alarming notice issued on Monday.
The Australians have gained another victory and got themselves into another scrape. It is announced that on the re-assembling of Parliament a bill will be introduced abolishing transportation to the Australian continent. Mr. Cardwell has done the right thing, but we trust his despatch announcing it will contain also a very distinct assertion of the Imperial right to deal with all foreign and intercolonial quarrels, and the resolve of Her Majesty's Govern- ment to enforce it. If it does not we may before long have a civil war raging among the colonies. They have just attempted to ostracize Western Australia, and now New South Wales is quarrelling with Victoria on their respective limits. Melbourne insists on sending her goods into western New South Wales free of duty, and Sydney has sent officers to collect the duties refused. These officers seized a punt on the Murray, the Victorian Govern- ment sent up police to guard its people's rights, and but for the moderation of the inspectors blood might have been shed. As it is, if the Government of Sydney persist there will be a regular border war between the smugglers and themselves. The remedy would seem to be a confederation such as the Canadians are now carrying out.
A touching incident is reported from Melbourne. Three chil- dren of a Scotch carpenter named Duff,—a boy of nine, a girl of eight, and another boy of five,—wandered into the bush to collect firing and lost themselves. The neighbours hunted them without success, but at length the blacks were employed, and on the eighth day after their disappearance the children were found lying together fast asleep. The eldest boy was so emaciated that his lips would not cover his teeth, the girl had taken off her frock to keep the little one from crying with cold, but all were alive and uninjured, and recognized their father as if just awaking from a dream. According to their own account they had had no food and only one drink of water between Friday and Saturday week, but the latter statement is simply impossible, unless they had found some berry or succulent root which would assuage their thirst. It is creditable to the people of Melbourne that they were so deeply touched with the little girl's self-devotion that they im- mediately commenced a subscription, which rose to " several " hundreds of pounds.
The return of the Bank of England shows a further increase in the stock of bullion and in the reserve of notes and coin, the former being 13,852,355/. and the latter 8,307,970/. The Bank Directors, however, have not made any alteration in the rate of discount, the lowest price for accommodation at the Bank being 8 per cent. Consols left off on Saturday last at 91 to 911 for money, and 891 * for account. Yesterday the closing prices were :—For money, 901, 91; for account, 891 . The scrip of the New Egyptian loan has marked 11 1 prem., but closed yesterday at to I* prem.
The closing prices of the leading Foreign Securities yesterday and on Friday Week were as follows :—
Greek • • • . • .
Do. Coupons .. .. Mexican .. .. • • Spanish Passive • • ..
Do. Certificates Turkish 6 per Cents., 1858..
„ 1862..
„ Consol'id5s.. .. • • ..
• • ..
• • .. •• • • • • ..
• • ..
• • • •
Friday, Nov. 11.
231 — 281 31 141 71 721 .. 51 Friday, Nov. 19.
*4 23 .. 91 .. 29 .. 301 .. — .. •-•.
.. 711 .. 50
The leading British Railways yesterday and on Friday week left off at the following prices :—
Friday, Nov. 11. Friday, Nor. 1 I .. 129 .. 1311
44 ..
.. 13 187
77 70
CO 671
115/ 11
b45 1 A 119 129 97i 91
31i 39
135s
WI .. 11.4 1 io1 1C4 Caledonian ..
Great Eastern ..
Great Northern ..
Great Western..
West Midland. Oxford .. Lancashire and Yorkshire London and Brighton .. London and North-Western London and South-Western London, Chatham, and Dover Midland .. .. • . North-Eastern, Berwick .. Do. York ..
