Nnutt .

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND.

ANOTHER great warehouse fire took place on Friday evening in London. The large sugar-works and refinery of Messrs. Harrison and Wilson, Upper East Smithfield, a pile of buildings nine stories high, were discovered to be on fire early on that evening, before the workmen had left work. The fire broke out in the lower part of the warehouse, and, the flames and smoke ascending, drove the workmen engaged on the upper floors on to the roof, the only means of escape from which was by sliding down a water-pipe, which led to the roof of the store- house, twenty-five or thirty feet below. In the rash made by the wdekmen to avail themselves of this, two of them missed their foot- ing, and fell on to the roof below, one of whom died on the following day from the effects of the fall, and the other still remains in great danger. Mr. Marshall, a boiler-maker, happened to be on the roof of the warehouse, engaged with six of his men in repairing a cistern when the alarm of fire was raised. His men escaped with the rest, but being himself an elderly man, and corpulent, he did not venture upon the perilous descent by the waterpipe, and before a ladder could be raised to the roof of the storehouse, nearly three-quarters of an hour had elapsed. Mr. Marshall ultimately, however, escaped almost unhurt, thanks to the strong wind, which blew the dense and suffo- cating smoke away from him while on the roof of the warehouse. Notwithstanding the efforts of several fire-engines, the flames con- tinued to rage until the whole of the warehouse and the greater part of the remainder of the buildings were destroyed. The damage, which amounts to nearly 50,0001., is covered by insurances in various offices. Great fears were at one time entertained for the safety of the densely- crowded shipping in the London and St. Katherine's Docks, to which the buildings destroyed were in close proximity. Had the flames once reached it, there is no telling what limit there would have been to the consequent destruction of property. — Another alarming accident, though fortunately not so fatal in its results as the collision on the Brighton line, occurred to an ex- cursion train on Thursday morning. An excursion train from Darling- ton to Windermere, by the South Durham and Lancashire Union line, was on its return from the latter place, about eight o'clock, when the engine left the rails at a curve, and, together with the whole train, was precipitated down an embankment twelve feet high. Six of the passengers were more or less seriously injured, besides many others who suffered slightly. The engine-driver and one of the stokers fell underneath the engine, and seven or eight hours elapsed before they could be released. Though both are severely injured, hopes are entertained of their recovery. — Her Majesty's visit to Ireland was terminated on Thursday by her departure for Scotland. On Wednesday, her Majesty spent the day until four o'clock in quietly admiring the scenery from the grounds of Muckross Abbey. Great—as it turned out, too great—prepara- tions had been made for a stag-hunt on the lake, and hours before the time fixed upon, every available boat on the lake was afloat and filled with expectant visitors. Shortly after five her Majesty and the Prince Consort appeared on the lake in Mr. Herbert's barge, accom- panied by Lord and Lady Castlerosse in their barge, and the Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred in a six-oared gig. The royal party were received with the most uproarious shouts of welcome, which followed her all throughout the afternoon, but which had the unintentional effect of spoiling the success of the day as regarded the stag-hunt. The hounds were laid on in the woods which cover the foot ofthe Toomies, a range of mountains stretching down to the shores of the lake, and round which a cordon of beaters had been drawn in order to keep at least one stag within a moderate range of wood. This pre- caution, however, defeated its own object, as the result showed, for there were evidently so many stags in the covert that the pack was hopelessly divided on three or more different tracks; and whenever one of these packs approached the water, and her Majesty's barge drew closer to the spot where it was anticipated that the hunted stag would take to the water, the renewed cheers of the visitors in the boats near that part of the shore headed him back into the woods again. After the return of her Majesty and the attendant swarm of boats to Muckross, a stag immediately took to the water, but was soon snared and turned into the wood again. While on her return to Muckross, her Majesty passed close to the picturesque rocks on the lake known as the O'Donohue's Cellar, which she named, in commemoration of her visit, " Victoria Point," breaking a bottle of wine against them. On Thursday morning the Queen left the station at one o'clock, amidst, if possible, more enthusiastic acclamations from greater crowds than had yet greeted her Majesty, and which were renewed at every stage of her journey to Kingston. After remaining all night in the royal yacht in Kingston harbour, her Majesty left for Holyhead at five o'clock on Friday morning, and arrived there about nine. Her Majesty remained all night at Holyhead, and started for Balmoral. on Saturday morning. Prince Albert and Prince Alfred left by special train for Carnarvon, where they hurriedly visited the castle and other objects of interest, and returned immediately to Holyhead. Owing to their visit being totally unexpected, no prepa- rations had been made for their reception. They were met at the station, however, on their return by the Mayor of the borough, and a salute of twenty-one guns was fired on the departure of the train from the brass field-pieces belonging to the corporation.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD.

— A railway accident, surpassed by that of Sunday week at Brigh- ton in immediate loss of life only, took place on Monday night on the Hampstead Junction line, close to the Kentish-town station. The line, which is an extension of the North London from Camden- town to Kew, was opened about two years ago, and is managed by the London and North-Western. There exists among the officials em- ployed on the North London Railway who work the line a mutual in- surance society, by which provision is made for any of its members or their families disabled by accidents on the line. An excursion to Kew, is connexion with this society, had been agreed upon for Monday morn- ing, and it is computed that 7000 people, including the families and friends of the members of the society, were conveyed by excursion trains to Kew from Bow and intermediate stations. At five minutes to seven the first train, consisting of about twenty-five carriages, left Kew on its return, and arrived at its destination in safety. It was fol- lowed shortly after by a second train of thirteen or fourteen carriages. It appears that a siding is in course of construction near the Kentish- town station, the ballast for the formation of which is brought up from Bushey by a train of trucks employed solely for that purpose. About half past seven, the driver of the ballast train having deposited his load of ballast at the siding, was slowly shunting his tram from the up on to the down line, when the second excursion train from Kew dashed into it before it was clear of the former. At the spot where the collision took place the line is carried over the fields at the back of the Carlton-road for some distance on an embankment, then on a viaduct, both about forty feet in height. After striking the ballast train about mid-way, the engine of the excursion train left the rails, and directly afterwards plunged headlong over the embankment, with what is described as a " half puff, half bellow," and buried itself partially in the ground. After running a few yards further, the break and the two first carriages followed the engine, the third immediately afterwards ran down on to the other two, and remaiued upright on the side of the embankment, while the fourth ran on till it was checked by the stonework at the corner of the viaduct, where it remained poised on the extreme edge of the embankment. The collision was witnessed by numbers of persons from the neighbouring houses, who immediately flocked to the spot to render assistance. It was now rapidly growing dark, but when some fragments of the shattered carriages were collected in a heap and set fire to, the light thus ob- tained disclosed a fearful scene. The first two carriages were so thoroughly smashed as to render the extrication of the mangled occu- pants a matter of great difficulty, that difficulty being increased, as in the case of the Brighton accident, by the volumes of steam escap- ing from the shattered engine. As the night wore on, and the news spread, the spot was thronged by thousands, who were with difficulty restrained by the police from impeding the efforts which were being made to aid the sufferers by their crowding round the debris of car- riages. As far as can yet be ascertained, eleven dead bodies have been removed to various hospitals, while it is feared the number of injured will turn out to be enormous. It is said that seventy-three had been received at the University College Hospital alone, up to 11 o'clock the same night. — Mr. Wrigley, the well-known paper-manufacturer of Bury, writes to the Times on the subject of the Brighton Railway accident, in connexion with a new system of signalling, which he has fre- quently advocated. The basis of his system is, that the normal posi- tion of all signals should be one indicating danger, thereby requiring an "affirmative" signal from the hand of the signal-man before any train is allowed to proceed, and, directly the signal-man removes his hand from the lever falling back into the position indicating danger, in which it must remain until again changed to safety by the signal- man. This system is the precise reverse of that now in general use, in which the normal position of the signals implies safety, and danger must be indicated by a special action of the signal-man. Under the present system the failure of a signal, or the neglect of a signal-man, is followed, most probably, by an accident ; the train rushes on at full speed, while, under the proposed "affirmative" system, such failure or neglect would only result in the detention of the train until, by whistle or otherwise, it had attracted the attention of the signal-man. Mr. Wrigley shows that had this system been in use, neither the Atherstone accident nor the recent one at Brighton could have occurred.

— John Grayson Farquhar, a person of independent property, and said to be well connected, was charged, on Monday, before Mr. Kynnersley, the stipendiary magistrate at Birmingham, with having murdered his housekeeper, a young woman named Elizabeth Brooks. It appeared at the inquest previously held on the body of the de- ceased, that the prisoner, who was a widower with one daughter, was passionately attached to the deceased, and intended to marry her, but had on several occasions exhibited great jealousy of her fami- liarity with others. On the day of the murder, they had been out together to purchase dresses, &c., required for the wedding, and on their return he was offended by her stopping to speak to some young man. They arrived at home apparently good friends again, Mr. Farquhar, however, not being quite sober. Almost immediately upon entering the house, Mr. Farquhar sent his daughter, a girl ten years old, for a pistol which he kept up -stairs, and shot the de- ceased in the left breast, causing instantaneous death. He then went out, and told a neighbour named Penny what he had done, assigning jealousy as the motive. He gave himself up to the policeman who took hug into custody, and expressed a wish to be hanged, and fol- low the deceased as soon as possible. He now, however, makes a defence, stating that the deceased shot herself by accident with a button when he was showing her the pistol. He was fully committed for trial.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH.

— It appears from the Registrar-General's weekly return that the deaths of 1127 persons were registered in London during the week ending on Saturday last, 577 of whom were males, and 550 females. This is slightly below the average rate of mortality for the corre- sponding weeks of the last 10 years. Deducting from the total the deaths from epidemic cholera in the 35th week of 1854, that rate is 1058, or corrected for increased population, 1161, so that the deaths of last week are 37 below the average rate. The usual summer in- crease of cholera and diarrhoea is noticeable. During the week there were 183 fatal cases of diarrhoea, 155 out of which occurred to children. Cholera, or choleraic diarrhoea, was fatal to 14 persons, several of whom were far advanced in age. The deaths from small- pox, thanks to the rapid spread of vaccination, were only 5. Scarla- tina and diphtheria were the cause of death in 34 instances and 16 respectively. A weaver died at the age of 99, and two other persons at the respective ages of 91 and 90. The births during the week were 871 boys and 851 girls, in all, 1725 ; the average for the corre- sponding week of the last 10 years being 1625. The greatest heat in the shade during the week was 80.0 degrees on Wednesday, and the lowest 46.2 degrees on Saturday; the extreme range of tempera- ture in the week, therefore, being 33.8 degrees. — At the monthly meeting of the corporation of Dublin, on Tues- day, the Lord Mayor reported to that body the presentation of the address to her Majesty agreed upon at their last meeting. He also

related the circumstances attendant upon his introduction to her Majesty :

"As this is the first time the council has met since I had the honour of pre- senting the corporation address of welcome to her Majesty the Queen, perhaps it may be acceptable to state to the House the mode of procedure on the occasion. I was introduced by his Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant into the Queen's presence, and her Majesty received me most graciously. In attendance on her Majesty were the Earl Granville, one of her Majesty's Secretaries of State ; Lord Sidney, Lord High Chamberlain; the Hon. General Grey, and the ladies in waiting. On presenting the address, I said, May it please your Majesty, I have the high honour of presenting to your Majesty the loyal and dutiful address of welcome from the aldermen, burgesses, and citizens of your ancient and loyal city of Dublin on your Majesty's visit to this part of your Majesty's dominions.' The Queen then took the address, and said,' I feel much gratified at the improved state of Ireland since my last visit.' Her Majesty's manner was most gracious and cordial throughout. I then retired, accompanied as before by the Lord- Lieutenant, and also Earl Granville and Lord Sidney. We expected an answer to the address. I will read a letter I have received from the Chief Secretary: " Dublin Castle, Aug. 30.

" am directed by the Lord-Lieutenant to request your Lordship to convey to the members of the corporation her Majesty's gracious reception of the loyal and dutiful address of the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of the city of Dublin, on the occasion of your Lordship having in person presented their address to her Majesty at the Viceregal Lodge on the 23rd inst.

" I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's obedient servant,

" ROBERT REEL.'

" To the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor.' "

— The examination of Vincent Collucci, the Italian artist who was charged by Miss Frederica Johnstone with having obtained 19001. from her under false pretences, was resumed at Marlborough- street on Tuesday. Miss Johnstone was cross-examined by Mr. Kean, who appeared for the defence, and stated that though marriage bad been agreed upon between herself and the prisoner, all thoughts i of it had been abandoned n May, 1859. Mr. Kean then applied for the production of the letters written by Miss Johnstone to the pri- soner during the years 1859 and 1860. Mr. Serjeant Parry, for the prosecution, objected strongly to the production of those letters, which would inflict needless pain on his client. They were couched in warm and affectionate terms, and would merely satisfy public curiosity without anylbenefit to the prisoner, or the slightest bearing on the case. After a long and warm discussion of the question, the two learned gentlemen agreed that the letters should be given into the custody of the constable, and Mr. Kean should be allowed to inspect them, but not to make copies of them. Miss Johnstone's cross-examination was then resumed, but nothing of importance was elicited. Mr. Patrick Johnstone, her brother and guardian and trustee, was called. He simply confirmed his sister's evidence. Mr. Parry then asked the magistrate to commit the prisoner for trial on the charge of attempting to extort money by threats, under 6 and 7 Victoria, cap. 93. The whole of the letters must be taken together, to see whether they did not contain threats ; but if there was any doubt about the matter, the court would take the case under the charges of larceny and of obtaining money by false pretences, leaving it open to him to prefer the charge in another shape if found expedient. Mr. Kean wished to know if, after the letter of Mr. Johnstone, in which he asked the prisoner to send a stamped receipt for the money, the magistrate considered that the charge could stand ? Mr. Mansfield considered that it would, and committed the prisoner for trial. In reply to an application to admit the prisoner to bail, he consented to accept bail if substantial sureties, two in 10001. each, were procured. — William Maloney, a labourer, of Leg-court, Peter-street, West- minster, was charged at the Westminster police-court, on Monday, with the murder of his wife. The prisoner was at work on that day at the Duke of Buccleugh's mansion, and about twelve o'clock went home to dinner, and while at that meal stabbed his wife in the heart with a clasp-knife. This was given in evidence on Monday and Tuesday, and it also appeared that the prisoner and the deceased, though living on good terms when sober, were frequently drunk together, and when drunk very quarrelsome. The prisoner's defence was, that his wife, being sober on Monday, and as he thought peni- tent for previous excesses, lie remonstrated with her about her spend- ing all the money she could get in drink, upon which she snatched up the knife and stabbed herself. This statement was clearly disproved by the evidence of James Saunders, a labourer, who looked in at the door of Maloney's house to ask his way, when he saw a man run a knife into a woman's neck. On being confronted with the prisoner, he immediately identified him as the man. Evidence of constant quarrelling between the couple, and of frequent violence on his part, was given. The prisoner was remanded till Saturday.

— The tenders of Mr. Mare, of Millwall, Mr. Laird, of Birkenhead, and the Thames Irian Works, for the construction of three iron-clad frigates out of the five ordered to be built at the close of the session, have been accepted. They will differ from the Warrior in several important particulars. Their dimensions will be—length, 400 feet ; extreme breadth, 59 feet 4 inches ; depth, 21 feet below the gun- deck, and tonnage, 6815, exceeding those of the Warrior by 20 feet length, 1 foot breadth, and nearly 700 tons burden. Their breadth of deck will, however, be no greater than in the Warrior, the incline of the sides inwards from the water's edge being much greater than in that vessel. They will have pointed bows, projecting under water for at least 20 feet farther than their apparent bows above, and will thus be specially fitted for use as steam-rams. Their cost will be about 430,0001. each, or 70,0001. more than the Warrior. The masts and spars will all be of ikon, the great advantage of which, besides its greater strength, is, that if shot away, it sinks at once, without any danger of fouling the screw. Their armament will consist of 36 100 pounder Armstrong's on the main-deck, and 21 on the apar-deck. They will each Armstrong's

a 200-pounder pivot-gun in the stern, and two in the bows. These latter will be fired through port- holes in a species of iron-plated shield, inside the bows, which are only protected on the outside by ordinary teak bulwarks, which can be lowered down. The bowsprit will move on a hinge, so as to be capable of being moved sideways or backwards over the deck when the vessel is to be used as a ram. Now that the Warrior is fully completed, the Admiralty have oome to the determination to do what has never been done yet—try the effect of pounding from a large Armstrong gun on a target constituted so as to be a precise fac- simile of the Warrior's broadside. The experiment will be made at Shoeburyness in the course of a week or two.

— Lord Palmerston paid a visit to Shorucliffe camp on Tuesday for the purpose of reviewing the troops stationed there, and also in- spected the practice-ground, and the school of musketry at Hythe. His lordship rode over from Dover, and was met on the Folkestone heights by Captain Dalzell, aide-de-camp to General Dalzell, who is in command at Shormaliffe, and Lord Elcho, and was received at the entrance to the camp by a salute of nineteen guns. The troops sta- tioned there were then passed in review before his Lordship by Ge- neral Dalzell and his staff. Lord Palmerston then dismounted, and minutely examined one of the Armstrong guns on the ground, the mechanism of which was explained to him by Captain Purvis. He was also shown the land lately purchased for the enlargement of the camp, and then visited one of the huts of the married soldiers, in- specting closely all the provisions for the comforts of its occupants. After lunching with General Dalzell, he then rode to Hythe, where he watched with interest the firing which was going on at the prac. tice-ground, and where preparations were being made for exhibiting. to his Lordship the effect of Captain Norton's rifle-shells for ex- ploding ammunition-waggons.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH.

— The rapid increase in the assessment to the income tax of several descriptions of property since the first imposition of that tax is very striking. Mines, which were assessed in 1843 on an income of 2,081,3871., had very nearly doubled in value in 1860, their assess- ment amounting to 4,015,455/. Iron works increased from 559,4371. in 1843 to 1,517,2301. in 1860. The rapid development of the rail- way system since 1843 is shown by the fact that while the assess- ment on that source of income was then only 2,598,9431., in 1860 it had reached 12,032,5621. The increase in the value of all kinds of property, however, is best shown by the increase on the annual pro- duct of one penny of duty. In 1843 one penny of income tax pro- duced 847,0131. During the following ten years its product increased but slowly, and in 1853 was only 882,1361. On the extension of the tax in that year to Ireland, and its imposition on incomes of 1001. a year, it rose to 1,101,3341. in 1854. In 1858 it rose suddenly to 1,217,1401. from 1,138,3351. in the preceding year ; and after re- maining nearly stationary in 1859, increased to 1,239,7641. in 1860. The annual product of one penny of duty in Shedule D in 1843 was 240,2641., and remained very nearly at the same amount until 1854, when the extension of the tax to trades and incomes of 1001. a year increased it to 380,9861. In 1860 it produced 371,1971.

— Rumours are current in Liverpool that the Government of the United States have adopted a system of espionage worthy of any of the European military .despotisms, which that republic appears in so many ways bent upon imitating. It is said that on board every. pas- senger steamer between that port and New York are stationed spies in the service of the Federal Government. They engage in conversation with as many of the passengers as they can, and their favourite tactics are, by simulating strong Southern tendencies, to elicit some expression of opinion from unwary visitors to the United' States. — Mr. Johnstone, the brother and guardian of the heroine in the " story of love and fraud," as it appears according to'the detestable slang of the day to be the fashion to term a simple case of swindling by a disappointed Italian fortune-hunter, applied to Mr. Beadon, at the Marlborough police-court, as the claimant, on behalf of his sister; of her portrait, which was in the hands of a shopkeeper in the neigh- bourhood. At the request of Mr. Colletti, solicitor for Collucci, the application was heard in the magistrate's private room, and Mr. Johnstone left the court. Mr. Nosotti, a frame-maker, in whose charge the portrait was, then appeared in court, and asked the advice of the magistrate as to what lie should dowith it. It had been claimed from him by both parties, and he had been subjected to great an- noyance from Mr. Johnstone, who in claiming the possession of the portrait, told him that he was in the position of a man who had committed a theft or felony ; Collucci, on the other hand, objecting to the portrait being given up, on the ground that it was not paid for. Mr. Beadon promised him the protection of the court against any further annoyance, and the subject dropped. — No less than three destructive fires occurred in the metropolis on Wednesday. Shortly before two in the morning, the extensive premises of Mr. J. Seaton, cooper and packing-case maker, Lime- house, consisting of a cooperage, packing-case factory, and timber- yard, were discovered to be on fire, and before any material progress in checking the spread of the flames could be made, the adjoining cooperage of Mr. Woodley, also of considerable extent, became ignited. The fire raged with great fury till after five, when it was checked by the vast quantities of water poured upon it by several engines, and shortly afterwards was finally extinguished. Shortly after the extinction of this fire, the firemen were called to Lower Thames-street, where the large tea warehouse of Messrs. Batten, ex- tending nearly as far back as Monument-yard, and six floors in height, was enveloped in flames. In a very short time after the first out- break, the flames, rushing through the back windows, ignited all the adjoining houses in Fish-street-hill, and also a fruit warehouse in

ging's.Head-court, behind Monument-yard. Among the former was the coffee-house of Mr. Puddick, where a number of persons who were going by the early steam-boats were lodging. The following is the official report of damage :

" 125 and 126, Lower Thames-street, Messrs. J. and J. Batten, wholesale tea-dealers.—The warehouse all but destroyed. Insured in the Phoenix Fire- office. Cause of fire unknown. " Mr. Puddick, coffee and chop house.—Back window burnt out, back rooms severely damaged by fire, and contents severely injured by fire and water. Con- tents insured in the Atlas Fire-office. Building unknown if insured.

"King's Head-court, Messrs. Keeling and Hunt, fruit merchants.—Back windows and skylight damaged by fire and breakage, and contents slightly injured by water, &c. Insurance unknown. " Mrs. W. Puddick, Lower Thames-street.—Similar damage as to the other house on Fish-street-hill. Insured in the Sun Fire-office.

" No. 33, Fish-street-hill.—Mr. Knott, general booking-office; back rooms and top floors burnt out, most part of roof burnt off, and rest of house and contents severely damaged by fire, and contents by fire and water. Insurance unknown." About twelve at night, a fire broke out in the corn and hay ware- house of Mr. Fox, in London House-yard, between St. Paul's-church- yard and Paternoster-row. Before the engines arrived, the flames had spread into Paternoster-row, the adjoining tallow warehouse of Messrs. Knight and Son, and several other premises, having caught fire. By half-past twelve the steam fire-engine of Messrs. Shand was on the spot, and though the two warehouses were beyond all hope of being saved, the further extension of the conflagration in Paternoster-row was prevented by the untiring and judicious exertions of the brigade. Their utmost exertions could not secure the houses on the opposite side of Paternoster-row from taking fire more than once, but the flames were never allowed to get a sufficiently firm hold on that side of the street to cause any serious damage. Towards one o'clock, the scene from Ludgate-hill and St. Paul's-churchyard was grand. The flames from the tallow ware- house, rising high above the building, cast a lurid glare over the west front of St. Paul's, which brought out every column and cornice into as distinct relief as the clearest daylight, while the oppo- site side of the dome remained shrouded in the deepest gloom. A dense crowd had assembled, hundreds of whom had climbed over the railing in the churchyard, while every available inch of standing room outside was occupied, the limits prescribed by the police being with difficulty enforced. The scene was also very striking from the bridges, and especially from those points where St. Paul's intervened between the eye of the spectator and the flames. The dome stood out against the illuminated horizon like a distant mountain, while the numerous steeples of the City churches, rising from the dark mass of houses, caught the glare from the unseen flames, and gave a most curious effect to the scene. It was past four o'clock before the ad- joining premises could be pronounced out of danger, and the burning ruins were not thoroughly extinguished till considerably later. The following is the official report of the damage :

On the south side of. Paternoster-row: Messrs. Knight, tallow-melters, totally destroyed.

J. Lemaire, 42, publisher, totally- destroyed.

Messrs. Longman and Co., publishers, 38 to 41, damaged by fire and water. Hitchcock and Rogers, 45 and 46, silk store considerably damaged by fire and water. Adjoining houses damaged by water. On the north side: Messrs. Ward, 27, publishers; Mr. A. Heyling, 28, publisher; Messrs. Nelson, 29, publishers ; Mr. A. J. Patties 31 and 32, publisher; Mr. J. Piper 31 and 32, printer;

Mr. Hamilton, 33, publisher;

In London House-yard, the Rose and Crown Tavern;--scorched, and severely damaged otherwise by tire and water. Mr. Fox, fruiterer, stable, coach-house, and other parts of the premises, de- stroyed.

— The thirty-first annual session of the British Association was inaugurated at Manchester on Wednesday, by a meeting in the Free- Trade Hall, at which Mr. Fairbairn, the president of the year, deli- vered an address. Lord Wrottesley, the retiring president, briefly introduced Mr. Fairbaim :

"We may derive important instruction from the career of Mr. Fairbairn (Cheers), whether we view him as the successful engineer or as the distinguished man of science. (Cheers.) In the former capacity he is one who has, by perse- verance combined with talent, risen from small beginnings to the summit of his profession, and he forms one of that noble class of men, the Stephenson, the Brunets, the Whitworths, the Armstrongs, who have conferred such important services on their country (cheers), and some of whom, unfortunately for that eountry, have perished, alas, too soon, exhausted by their arduous toils. (Cheers.) Again, if we look at Mr. Fairbairn's claims to scientific distinction, they read to us an important lesson; for they show what can be done by zeal and energy, and the exercise of a strong and resolute will, fully determined to carry out objects in which the public is deeply interested. Well and truly was it■said, when the royal medal was conferred on Mr. Fairbairn for his researches, Perhaps there is scarcely a single individual living who has made so many careful experimental inquiries on subjects of primary importance to the com- mercial and manufacturing interests of the country, and has so liberally contri- buted them to the world.' (Cheers.) Such a man is one whom all should delight to honour. And to such a man I resign with great satisfaction the chair which I now vacate." (Cheers.)

Fairbaim's address extended to a very great length, and we only find it possible to give brief extracts from the most interesting passages :

OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION.

"These periodical reunions have been of incalculable benefit in giving to prac. tice that soundness of principle and certainty of progressive improvement which can only be obtained by the accurate study of science and its application to the arts. On the other hand, the men of actual practice have reciprocated the benefits thus received from theory, in testing by actual experiment deductions which were doubtful and rectifying those which were erroneous. If the British Association had effected nothing more than the removal of the anomalous sepa- ration of theory and practice, it would have gained imperishable renown in the benefit thus conferred. At no former period did science contribute so much to the uses of life and the wants of society. Looking, then, to the fact that, while in our time all the sciences have yielded this fruit, engineering science, with which

I have been most intimately connected, has pre-eminently advanced the power, the wealth, and the comforts of mankind. I shall, therefore, not dwell so much on the progress of abstract science, important as that is, but shall rather endes- your briefly to examine the application of science to the useful arts, and the results which have followed, and are likely to follow, in the improvement of the condition of society."

THE aeon ON THE SUN. "Our knowledge of the physical constitution of the central body of our system seems likely, at the present time, to be much increased. The spots on the sun's disc were noticed by Galileo and his contemporaries, and enabled them to ascer- tain the time of its rotation and the inclination of its axis. They also correctly inferred, from their appearance, the existence of a luminous envelope, in which funnel-shaped depressions revealed a solid and dark nucleus. Just a century ago, Alexander Wilson indicated the presence of a second and less luminous envelope beneath the outer stratum, and his discovery was confirmed by Sir William Herschel, who was led to assume the presence of a double stratum of clouds, the upper intensely luminous, the lower grey, and forming the penumbra of the spots. Observations during eclipses have rendered probable the supposi- tion that a third and outermost stratum of imperfect transparency encloses concentrically the other envelopes. Still more recently, the remarkable dis- coveries of Kirchoff and Bunsen require us to believe that a solid or liquid photosphere is seen through an atmosphere containing iron, sodium, lithium, and other metals in a vaporous condition. We must still wait for the application of more perfect instruments, and especially for the careful registering of the appear- ances of the sun by the photoheliograph of Sir John Herschel, so ably employed by Mr. Warren de Is Rue, Mr. Welsh, and others, before we can expect a solution of all the problems thus suggested."

THEORETIC CHEMISTRY IN CONNEXION WITH THE USEFUL ARTS.

"The largest development of chemistry, however, have been in connexion with the useful arts. What would now be the condition of calico-printing, bleaching, dyeing, and even agriculture itself, if they had been deprived of the aid of theoretic chemistry? For example, aniline—first discovered in coal tar by. Dr. Hoffman, who has so admirably developed its properties—is now most extensively used as the basis of red, blue, violet, and green dyes. This important discovery will probably in a few years render this country independent of the world for dye-stuffs ; and it is more than probable that England, instead of drawing her dye-stuffs from foreign countries, may herself become the centre from which all the world will be supplied. It is an interesting fact, that at the same time in another branch of this science, Id. Tournet has lately demonstrated that the colours of gems, such as the emerald, aqua-marina' amethyst, smoked rock crystal, and others, are due to volatile hydro-carbons, first noticed by Sir David Brewster in clouded topaz, and that they are not derived from metallic oxides, as has been hitherto believed. Another remarkable advance has recently been made by Bunsen and Kirchoff in the application of the coloured rays of the prism to analytical research. We may consider their discoveries as the commencement of a new era in analytical chemistry, from the extraordinary facilities they afford in the qualitative detection of the minutest traces of elementary bodies. The value of the method has been proved by the discovery of the new metals caesium and rubidium by M. Bunsen, and it has yielded another remarkable result iu de- monstrating the existence of iron, and six other known metals, in the sun. In noticing the more recent discoveries in this important scieoce, I must not pass over in silence the valuable light which chemistry has thrown upon the composi- tion of iron and steel.

THE COTTON MANUFACTURE.

" When Arkwright patented his water-frames in 1767, the annual consumption of cotton was about 4,000,000lb. weight. Now it is 1,200,000,000Ib. weight- 300 times as much. Within half a century the number of spindles at work, spinning cotton alone, has increased tenfold ; while by superior mechanism each spindle produces 50 per cent. more yarn than on the old system. Hence the im- portance to which the cotton trade has risen, equalling at the present time the whole revenue of the three kingdoms, or 70,003,0001. sterling per annum. As late as 1820 the power-loom was not in existence; now it produces about 14,000,000 yards of cloth, or, in more familiar terms, nearly 8000 miles of cloth per diem. I give these particulars to show the immense power of production of this country, and to afford some conception of the number and quality of the machines which effect such wonderful results. Mule spinning wasintroduced by Crompton in 1787, with about 20 spindles to each machine. The powers of the machine were, however, rapidly increased ; and now it has been so perfected that 2000 or even 3000 spindles are directed by a single person. At first the winding on, or forming the shape of the cop, was performed by hand; but this has been superseded by rendering the machine automatic, so that it now performs the whole operation of drawing, stretching, and twisting the thread, and winding it on to the exact form, ready for the reel or shuttle, as may be required. These and other improvements in carding, roving, combing, spinning, and weaving, have established in this country an entirely new system of industry; it has given em. ployment to greatly increased numbers, and a more intelligent class of works. people. s.

people. Similarly important improvements have been applied to the machinery

employed in the manufacture of silk, flax, and wool; and we have only to watch the processes in these different departments to be convinced that they owe much to the development of the cotton manufacture. In the manufacture of worsted, the spinning-jenny was not employed at Bradford until 1790, nor the power-loom until about 1825. The production of fancy or mixed goods from alpaca and mohair wool, introduced to this country in 1836, is, perhaps, the most striking example of a new creation in any art of manufacture, and is chiefly due to Mr. Titus Salt, at whose immense palace of industry, at Saltaire, it may be seen is the greatest perfection. In flax machinery, the late Sir Peter Fairbairn was one of the most successful inventors, and his improvements have contributed to the rapid extension of this manufacture."

IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY.

" It is to the exactitude and accuracy of our machine tools that our machinery of the present time owes its smoothness of motion and certainty of action. When I first entered this city the whole of the machinery was executed by band. There were neither planing, slotting, nor shaping machines, and with the exception of very imperfect lathes and a few drills, the preparatory operations of construction were effected entirely by the hands of the workmen. Now everything is done by machine tools, with a degree of accuracy which the unaided hand could never accomplish. The automaton, or self-acting machine tool, has within itself an almost creative power; in fact, so great are its powers of adaptation, that there is no operation of the human hand that it does not imitate. For many of these improvements the country is indebted to the genius of our townsmen, Mr. Richard Roberts and Mr. Joseph Whitworth. The importance of these constructive machines is, moreover, strikingly exemplified in the Government works at Wool- wich and Enfield Lock, chiefly arranged under the direction of Mr. Anderson, the present inspector of machinery, to whose skill and ingenuity the country is- greatly indebted for the efficient state of those great arsenals." In conclusion, Mr. Fairbairn said : "My apologies are due to you for the length of this address, and I thank you sincerely for the patient attention with which you have listened to the remarks I ham had the honour to lay before you.. As the President of the British, Association, I feel that far beyond the consideration of merely per. sonal qualifications, my election was intended as a compliment. to practical science, and to this great and influential metropolis of manufacture, where those who cultivate the theory of science may strangers who have been attracted here by this meeting, I offer a the general liberty of moral influence. most cordial welcome." Lord Stanley then proposed, and Mr. " That this war has not been proclaimed a war for the emancipation of the Aspinall Turner; M.P., seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. Fairbairn, negro specifically was because the extent and magnitude of the issue transcended after which Dr. Phillips announced that the total number of tickets the wants of uny particular race, and had to do with the very existence of free issued up to eight o'clock this evening was 2388, and the sum re-

ceived, 2916/., showing au unprecedentedly rapid application for Such was what we understood the issue to be. admission. This concluded the proceedings. " It is no fiction, my Lord, when we say that our Government is the Govern.. — A letter from Mrs. H. B. Stowe to Lord Shaftesbury on the sub- ment of the people; and our people of the North are a sober and thoughtful one, jest of the American war has appeared in an Irish journal : and not in the least given to demonstrative enthusiasm and inconsiderate expen- "My Lord,—The very pleasant acquaintance which I had with your Lordship,

my remembrance of your life of Christian and philanthropic labour, and especi-

ally issue, that the Government has been literally flooded with men and money. The ally the part which you took in originating that address of the women of England strife for office that usually wages at Washington was nothing to the strife of to the women in America on the subject of slavery, which first reached this country through me, have moved me to address you as the fit representative of in like manner embarrassed with volunteers pleading to be enrolled. All parties that portion of the Christian public in England on whom we have most relied for were united as one man. Though national existence, not negro emancipation, moral support during our long and desperate conflict with slavery. was the announced battle-cry, yet existence in this case was felt to mean the " It is not to be disguised that one unfortunate result of our American crisis extinction of slavery.

has been a weakening of national confidence in England and a feeling of great " The philanthropist with a robber's pistol at his throat must think of Next nice_

sensitiveness and soreness in our relations with the country. "Did this exist alone in the minds of politicians, it would he less to be re- gretted, but I am sorry to be constrained to say that it probably lies deepest in " There is one party in this country, my Lord, who have made the abolition of the minds of that Christian and philanthropic class who have hitherto been the slavery the sole thought and purpose of their lives. They are distinguished closest affiliating bond between the two countries. In this class the feeling has from all other anti-slavery men in America by the fact that they have confined the intensity of wounded friendship and disappointed confidence, so that they themselves to this one single idea, and for its sake given up every other interest, were little prepared to act the part they have for years pursued, of peace-makers. political or ecclesiastical. They have abandoned all connexion both with Church It is not to be disguised that they regard themselves as suddenly abandoned in and State that they might feel free to give themselves to this alone. This party, the very crisis of a battle by the moral forces of those brethren on whom they had represented by the well-known names of Garrison and Wendell Phillips, what- relied as undoubtedly as on themselves, and the possibility of whose failure had ever their peculiarities on some points may have been, certainly merits the con- never entered into their most distant calculations. It is also most unfortunate fidence given to men who have abandoned all things for a cause which they love that this failure of moral support comes at a moment when the moneyed interests better than themselves. Their instincts have always been an unerrinz indication of England appear to be threatened by our course, and therefore the impression of what made for the anti-slavery interest in this country. is most liable to go forth that financial interests have prevailed over moral " For twenty years this small party has met every movement in Church or principle. State with what often has appeared to be unreasonable criticism, on account of " It is not principally by the governmental course of the English nation that alleged deficiencies towards the slavery cause. this class among us feel aggrieved. It is not with that that they principally " For the first time since the anti-slavery struggle began, this body of men concern themselves. Governmental action, as your experience, my Lord, must at last stands shoulder to shoulder with their whole country in a popular have made you fully aware, is the last expression of that cultivation and training movement.

which the national conscience receives from the energetic labour of men whose " In a late speech at an anti-slavery gathering, Mr. Phillips thus defends their lives are directed by high moral and Christian aims. It is the. power that lies Position: behind the Government in the minds and opinions of the Christian people of " I feel satisfied that the end of the slave system has come. I have no doubt England that is the subject of our chief anxiety. To suppose that all this class that we begin to touch the end. My reason is this. The age of discussion is in England, fresh in the traditions of Clarkson and Wilberforce, so high in moral over. We have had fifty years, more or less, of what is called agitation, discus- position in other respects, so various and rich in their contributions to the pro- sion, and party divisions. Now a new act has opened. It is the hoar of fight— gross of Christian civilization, has suddenly become blinded by interest on a the age of bullets. That never lasts very long. It does not take as much time

i

great vital question, relating to the cause of universal humanity, is not possible. for a nation to fight itself clear as it does to talk itself clear, only it is necessary Such a supposition would be too near to a general bankruptcy in all faith in that the talk should precede such a fight. It is only necessary that the mind, human virtue. We have, therefore, but one alternative. Our cause must have the substratum of purpose, should .be deliberately formed. I think it has been. been misunderstood. By false representations and false issues, our friends in I do not mean to say that the whole North is anti-slavery, much less for abolition ; England have been blinded to the real significance of the sublime movement but I do mean to say this, that the South has fully come to the conviction that

which the American nation has just commenced. unless she can use the Union to support slavery, the system is gone ; and I think "Allow me then, my Lord, through you, to define to our friends in England, the North has come to this conviction, that the Union never shall be used to

what we, the Christian men and women of America, understand by this war. sustain slavery. 1 think, so far, the public mind is made up. I do not mean " We consider the struggle to be the direct result of the conscientious agita- that the popular mind objects specifically to certain constitutional provisions, tion which has been carried on during the course of the last century by the united that men have made up their minds not to return fugitive slaves; but I think forces of the anti-slavery people of England and America. We consider it as the there is a prevailing and unconscious, perhaps, but assured sentiment and great decisive issue of the slavery question in the civilized world. The causes purpose of the North, that the Union neither does nor shall mean liberty in which brought on this war first began to work when Clarkson began to give up the end.

all earthly prospects and devote his life to enlightening the conscience of the " Some friends criticize me because I seem to them to have surrendered my world on the slave trade. Then was set in motion a stream of activity that first favourite plea of disunion, and welcomed this war. But let such remember that abolished slavery and the slave trade in England, and since then in the Free no man should flatter himself he can mould the world exactly in his method. He States of the North, and that since has been acting with yearly increasing force on must consider it rare success if his contemporaries adopt substantially his par- the slave institutions of the Southern States, till at last they have been driven to pose. I have advocated disunion for fifteen years, because I thought it a pray- endeavour to destroy our national organization as the only means of preserving ticable and peaceable method of freeing the North from the guilt of slavery, and

peaceably this institution. of planting at the South the seeds of early and entire emancipation—wringing We consider that this war is a great anti-slavery war, not in form, but in justice from a weak and bankrupt South. But it has pleased the nation to seek fact; not in proclamation, but in the intense conviction and purpose of each of the result in a different way. The majority about us, starting with the principle the contending parties, and still more in the inevitable overruling indication of that this was a nation, not a partnership, have constantly claimed that the

Divine Providence. corner-stone of our Government, the spirit of '76, was the full liberty of each and " The distinct issue made in President Lincoln's election was No more slave every human being. They waited with what they thought brotherly patience, territory.' This was confessed both by North and South, and, whatever the with what the South fancied was selfish fear, for the whole nation to acknowledge North understood by it, the South certainly considered it as equivalent to the this theory. The half success of Fremont, the election of Lincoln, were the destruction of slavery. Accordingly, in the Southern election the success of Lin- handwriting on the wall.

cola was always spoken of as the overthrow of the slave power. Not all the "'The North replies: "We should have preferred debate—a free press, educe- tranquillizing speeches of conciliating politicians, not even the pledge of the pro- tion—ballots ; but if you choose bullets, agreed ! The stars and stripes meant !peewee administration to respect all the constitutional rights of the slaveowners, liberty in '76, and shall now." I myself should have preferred peace and argument, for one moment blinded them to the conviction that if this election were carried one but the twenty millions have chosen otherwise. I have only to accept the Red doom of their peculiar institution was sealed. In view of this issue, every such Sea through which God wills to lead His people, and I rejoice still that Canaan State, without exception, voted against him. is beyond. If we are to serve our age, we must serve it in the way it chooses. "It was the first time in our-national history that such a division ever oc- When the people, thoroughly awake, and as well taught as the times allow, cured, and it was a decisive indication of what was understood by the movement deliberately choose any honourable way of reaching an object of pressing import-

on both sides. ante, the duty of an honest man is to aid them all he can in their effort. Hence I "As soon as Lincoln's election was proclaimed, the conspiracy, long secretly bow to the masses, and welcome emancipation by war.' meditated, and only waiting for this moment to develop itself, was openly "In opposition to such a mighty tide of influence, all sweeping in one direction, organized. it seems to the friends of the anti-slavery cause but a slight abatement that indi-

purposes, resolved to destroy it. They formed their Confederacy ; and Vice- have been, in isolated instances, returned from Federal camps. Such instances President Stephens declared to the world in bold unequivocal terms that theirs have always met with a prompt and energetic rebuke on the part of the was the first Government in the history of the world based upon the right to Northern people; and already the number of slaves liberated by our army enslave the weaker races. He proclaimed with a blasphemous adaptation of is counted by hundreds, while the number returned have been the rare words applied once to the great Liberator of the oppressed, This stone which exceptions. The refusal of the North to enlist negro regiments has also been

was rejected by the builders has become unto us the head of the corner.' criticized in England, as showing a want of proper feeling to the race. But, my "The Confederacy which thus commenced by proclaiming in the face of Lord, it has been the desire of our Northern States, as brothers, as Christians,

Christendom the right and purpose of robbery and piracy was carried on by as men of humanity, to avoid, as long as possible, raising the awful whirlwind of kindred means. During the time that elapsed between the election of Lincoln conflicting races. While we hold in our hand the match which might ignite that and its inauguration, officers of this Confederation robbed the treasury, forts, powder-magazine, an awful pity and fear stays us. Any other way is better and arsenals of the United States of millions of property which, by oaths of office, for the slave himself than the way of blood; and if once this deadly strife is they were sworn to protect, and subsequently they have repudiated en masse all precipitated, this war will become one of barbarities hitherto unknown in

obligations of commercial honesty to Northern creditors. civilization. It has been the object of our Government to preserve our army free " When this Confederacy fired upon our national flag, and trampling it in the from all impulses of vindictive passion, and to make it an instrument of preserving dust, boasted that they had humbled the banner of our Union, then the Free order and tranquillity in all the region where it moves. A negro insurrection States rose as one man. Such a sublime uprising of such masses in such a cause would be the most unfortunate thing possible for that injured race, whose freedom is

I will venture to say the world has never seen before. . coming on the wings of every hour. Untaught and furious, they would perpetrate " The issue was more than the liberation of any specific number of men; it deeds which would check the rising sympathies of the world, and needlessly com-

was for vital principles of free society to endure to all generations. plicate the majestic movement which we trust is destined at last to humble and " The two Confederacies sent their armies to the field; the one founded on destroy the power of tbeiroppressors. Our armyis followed by the prayers of slaves,

the right of the strong to enslave the weak, and claiming the right of out-voted who find no difficulty in understanding that our success means good to them. Let minorities to secede from the authority of governments whenever it eo suited our friends in England who gallantly laboured with us in the moral struggle them. Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and all the great privileges of which brought on this crisis now understand its high significance, and aid us the Anglo-Saxon liberty, were practically repudiated and denied by this party. with their prayers. witness, on the grandest scale, its application to the industrial arts. On the other hand stood the American Union, founded on the declaration that all As a citizen of Manchester, I venture to assure the association that men have equal rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness--resting govern_ ment on the will of the majority, and allowing to the minority the right only of its intentions are appreciated ; and to its members, as well as to the

such redress of grievances as they could gain from free speech, free press, and

most cordial welcome." Lord Stanley then proposed, and Mr. " That this war has not been proclaimed a war for the emancipation of the Aspinall Turner; M.P., seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. Fairbairn, negro specifically was because the extent and magnitude of the issue transcended after which Dr. Phillips announced that the total number of tickets the wants of uny particular race, and had to do with the very existence of free society. A deep thinker and popular lecturer well embodied his view of the issue

in a lecture delivered at the time, which he entitled, • Civilization at a Pinch.'

admission. This concluded the proceedings. " It is no fiction, my Lord, when we say that our Government is the Govern.. — A letter from Mrs. H. B. Stowe to Lord Shaftesbury on the sub- ment of the people; and our people of the North are a sober and thoughtful one, jest of the American war has appeared in an Irish journal : and not in the least given to demonstrative enthusiasm and inconsiderate expen- diture. Yet so well did every man in the community understand this to be the ally issue, that the Government has been literally flooded with men and money. The ally the part which you took in originating that address of the women of England strife for office that usually wages at Washington was nothing to the strife of to regiments pressing their claims to be called into service; and every regiment was country through me, have moved me to address you as the fit representative of in like manner embarrassed with volunteers pleading to be enrolled. All parties that portion of the Christian public in England on whom we have most relied for were united as one man. Though national existence, not negro emancipation, moral support during our long and desperate conflict with slavery. was the announced battle-cry, yet existence in this case was felt to mean the " It is not to be disguised that one unfortunate result of our American crisis extinction of slavery.

has been a weakening of national confidence in England and a feeling of great " The philanthropist with a robber's pistol at his throat must think of Next nice_

"Did if he means to help the poor, and a nation threatened with national inc- emancipate slaves. tion must live if she means to gretted, but I am sorry to be constrained to say that it probably lies deepest in " There is one party in this country, my Lord, who have made the abolition of the minds of that Christian and philanthropic class who have hitherto been the slavery the sole thought and purpose of their lives. They are distinguished closest affiliating bond between the two countries. In this class the feeling has from all other anti-slavery men in America by the fact that they have confined the intensity of wounded friendship and disappointed confidence, so that they themselves to this one single idea, and for its sake given up every other interest, were little prepared to act the part they have for years pursued, of peace-makers. political or ecclesiastical. They have abandoned all connexion both with Church It is not to be disguised that they regard themselves as suddenly abandoned in and State that they might feel free to give themselves to this alone. This party, the very crisis of a battle by the moral forces of those brethren on whom they had represented by the well-known names of Garrison and Wendell Phillips, what- relied as undoubtedly as on themselves, and the possibility of whose failure had ever their peculiarities on some points may have been, certainly merits the con- never entered into their most distant calculations. It is also most unfortunate fidence given to men who have abandoned all things for a cause which they love that this failure of moral support comes at a moment when the moneyed interests better than themselves. Their instincts have always been an unerrinz indication of England appear to be threatened by our course, and therefore the impression of what made for the anti-slavery interest in this country. is most liable to go forth that financial interests have prevailed over moral " For twenty years this small party has met every movement in Church or principle. State with what often has appeared to be unreasonable criticism, on account of this class among us feel aggrieved. It is not with that that they principally " For the first time since the anti-slavery struggle began, this body of men concern themselves. Governmental action, as your experience, my Lord, must at last stands shoulder to shoulder with their whole country in a popular have made you fully aware, is the last expression of that cultivation and training movement.

which the national conscience receives from the energetic labour of men whose " In a late speech at an anti-slavery gathering, Mr. Phillips thus defends their lives are directed by high moral and Christian aims. It is the. power that lies Position: behind the Government in the minds and opinions of the Christian people of " I feel satisfied that the end of the slave system has come. I have no doubt England that is the subject of our chief anxiety. To suppose that all this class that we begin to touch the end. My reason is this. The age of discussion is in England, fresh in the traditions of Clarkson and Wilberforce, so high in moral over. We have had fifty years, more or less, of what is called agitation, discus- position in other respects, so various and rich in their contributions to the pro- sion, and party divisions. Now a new act has opened. It is the hoar of fight— gross of Christian civilization, has suddenly become blinded by interest on a the age of bullets. That never lasts very long. It does not take as much time great vital question, relating to the cause of universal humanity, is not possible. for a nation to fight itself clear as it does to talk itself clear, only it is necessary Such a supposition would be too near to a general bankruptcy in all faith in that the talk should precede such a fight. It is only necessary that the mind, human virtue. We have, therefore, but one alternative. Our cause must have the substratum of purpose, should .be deliberately formed. I think it has been. been misunderstood. By false representations and false issues, our friends in I do not mean to say that the whole North is anti-slavery, much less for abolition ; England have been blinded to the real significance of the sublime movement but I do mean to say this, that the South has fully come to the conviction that

which the American nation has just commenced. unless she can use the Union to support slavery, the system is gone ; and I think "Allow me then, my Lord, through you, to define to our friends in England, the North has come to this conviction, that the Union never shall be used to

what we, the Christian men and women of America, understand by this war. sustain slavery. 1 think, so far, the public mind is made up. I do not mean " We consider the struggle to be the direct result of the conscientious agita- that the popular mind objects specifically to certain constitutional provisions, tion which has been carried on during the course of the last century by the united that men have made up their minds not to return fugitive slaves; but I think forces of the anti-slavery people of England and America. We consider it as the there is a prevailing and unconscious, perhaps, but assured sentiment and great decisive issue of the slavery question in the civilized world. The causes purpose of the North, that the Union neither does nor shall mean liberty in which brought on this war first began to work when Clarkson began to give up the end.

all earthly prospects and devote his life to enlightening the conscience of the " Some friends criticize me because I seem to them to have surrendered my world on the slave trade. Then was set in motion a stream of activity that first favourite plea of disunion, and welcomed this war. But let such remember that abolished slavery and the slave trade in England, and since then in the Free no man should flatter himself he can mould the world exactly in his method. He States of the North, and that since has been acting with yearly increasing force on must consider it rare success if his contemporaries adopt substantially his par- the slave institutions of the Southern States, till at last they have been driven to pose. I have advocated disunion for fifteen years, because I thought it a pray- endeavour to destroy our national organization as the only means of preserving ticable and peaceable method of freeing the North from the guilt of slavery, and

peaceably this institution. of planting at the South the seeds of early and entire emancipation—wringing We consider that this war is a great anti-slavery war, not in form, but in justice from a weak and bankrupt South. But it has pleased the nation to seek fact; not in proclamation, but in the intense conviction and purpose of each of the result in a different way. The majority about us, starting with the principle the contending parties, and still more in the inevitable overruling indication of that this was a nation, not a partnership, have constantly claimed that the

Divine Providence. corner-stone of our Government, the spirit of '76, was the full liberty of each and " The distinct issue made in President Lincoln's election was No more slave every human being. They waited with what they thought brotherly patience, territory.' This was confessed both by North and South, and, whatever the with what the South fancied was selfish fear, for the whole nation to acknowledge North understood by it, the South certainly considered it as equivalent to the this theory. The half success of Fremont, the election of Lincoln, were the destruction of slavery. Accordingly, in the Southern election the success of Lin- handwriting on the wall.

cola was always spoken of as the overthrow of the slave power. Not all the "'The North replies: "We should have preferred debate—a free press, educe- tranquillizing speeches of conciliating politicians, not even the pledge of the pro- tion—ballots ; but if you choose bullets, agreed ! The stars and stripes meant !peewee administration to respect all the constitutional rights of the slaveowners, liberty in '76, and shall now." I myself should have preferred peace and argument, for one moment blinded them to the conviction that if this election were carried one but the twenty millions have chosen otherwise. I have only to accept the Red doom of their peculiar institution was sealed. In view of this issue, every such Sea through which God wills to lead His people, and I rejoice still that Canaan State, without exception, voted against him. is beyond. If we are to serve our age, we must serve it in the way it chooses. "It was the first time in our-national history that such a division ever oc- When the people, thoroughly awake, and as well taught as the times allow, cured, and it was a decisive indication of what was understood by the movement deliberately choose any honourable way of reaching an object of pressing import-

on both sides. ante, the duty of an honest man is to aid them all he can in their effort. Hence I "As soon as Lincoln's election was proclaimed, the conspiracy, long secretly bow to the masses, and welcome emancipation by war.'

The slave-party finding that they could no longer use the Union for their vidual generals have promised to put down slave insurrections, and that slaves "The Confederacy which thus commenced by proclaiming in the face of Lord, it has been the desire of our Northern States, as brothers, as Christians,

"Even as I write, my Lord, the great decisive battle is waging, our troops are leading the assault, the telegraph brings hourly report, and we know not who amongst our bravest and dearest may be offering their lives this moment in this holy cause. Yet no heart faints, no voice fakers, there is not a thought nor shadow of regret at the sacrifice we are making; for now, if ever, we have a country worth dying for, and a cause in which we count nothing too dear. "My Lord, I am yours in the great fellowship of Christian freedom, " H. B. Srown." FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH.

— The various sections of the British Association held their first meetings on Thursday morning. Their proceedings were as follows : SECTION A.—MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE. Professor Airey, the President, delivered an address, and papers were read by others on various subjects.

In Section B (Chemical Science) Professor Miller read his open- ing address; and in Section C (Geology) Sir R. Murchison addressed his department at great length. Other papers were also read.

SECTION D.—ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY.

The President (Professor Babington) dispensed on this occasion with the customary opening address, and the section proceeded at once to the reading of papers. Professor Owen then read two papers, the,first "On the Vertebrae of the Mole," and the second " On some Objects of Interest, including new Varieties and Species of Animals brought by Mr. du Chaffin from the interior of the Gaboon, Equatorial Africa." The latter consisted chiefly of highly interest- ing observations on the gorilla tribe, noticing especially the differ- ence between the dental formula of those animals and that of man. A lengthy discussion followed, in the course of which Mr. du Chaillu addressed the section.

SECTION E.—ECONOMIC SCIENCE AND STATISTICS.

Mr. Newmarch, the president of this section, being compelled to postpone his address through indisposition, Lord Monteagle was called to the chair, and formally opened the proceedings. The chief interest of this section, and indeed of the whole day's proceedings, was centred upon a paper by Mr. Bazley, M.P., entitled "A Glance at the Cotton Trade," of which the following is an abstract : In the course of one century the population of Manchester has increased from 30,000 to 350,000, a result produced by the large reward to be obtained by industry in one particular branch of manufacture. In the zenith of prosperity, however, a check has been given to that manu- facture. At first, the manufacture of cotton was carried on entirely by hand labour: " Almost simultaneously Watt gave available power to the steam-engine, Har- greaves, Arkwright, and Crompton invented their spinning machines, the power- loom was the result of the labour of Dr. Cartwright, the fly-shuttle came from Kay, of Bury, Heathcoat's genius contributed the wonderful mechanism by which lace was essentially taken from hand labour by the rival power of water or steam, and Nixon originated calico-printing in the vicinity of London. These distin- guished men gave an impulse to the multitudinous productions of manufacturers, chiefly in cotton, and Lancashire has obtained the largest share of the great in- dustry thus initiated. Supplies of raw cotton had been procured from the Levant and from the British East and West Indies ; but, by a singular coincidence, while Crompton was engaged with his invention, and maturing the spinning mule at the Hall in the Wood, near Bolton, Seabrook, an Anglo-Saxon in South Carolina conceived the possibility of successfully growing cotton in the States of America. He attempted and succeeded. He obtained his experimental seed from the Bahama Islands, and, availing himself of the negro labour left as the legacy of Great Britain, he introduced into his country an agricultural industry which has only been surpassed by the trade dependent upon it in this country. Hence with an imported plant and imported labour there began the cultivation of cotton in America, which has extended till the production 'of it yields more than 40,000,0001. sterling per annum. What an example for enterprise and perseve- rance!"

The next step in advance was increased facilities of communica- tion and transport of goods :

" The Duke of Bridgwater was the first to form a large canal among us, and, while he superseded the pack-horses which then chiefly conveyed the merchan- dise of Lancashire, he not only placed Manchester and Liverpool in convenient communication by water, but he opened out the coal mines of Worsley, which promptly supplied the fuel Watt's new engine needed for its successful application. Hence the prolific power and greatness of the manufacturing arm thus added to the strength of the nation. In support of these views a few facts gleaned from the highest authorities will be interesting. During the last 50 years up- wards of twenty billion pounds weight of cotton from all sources have been consumed in Great Britain, and the value would be probably not less than 750,000,0001. sterling, or might equal a sum of the amount of our National Debt, the chief supply haviug. been obtained from the United States of America. Upon a fair computation the import of that material, which has so largely employed the capital and labour of this country, has yielded a profit of not less than 1,000,000,0001. sterling to the people of the United Kingdom within that period." Almost the- whole of this enormous a mount of cotton has been obtained from one source—the United States—while this country, possessing almost a monopoly of the remainder of the cotton pro- ducing territory in the world, has done little or nothing to encourage its production : " During the last year the consumption of cotton in Great Britain was 85 per cent, from the United States, 8 per cent. from other foreign sources, and 7 per cent. from British territory. In the supply of food from new sources renewed activity and prosperity arose, and if from twenty important new fields of culti- vation, instead of mainly from one field of supply, the cotton trade could receive its supplies of its first element of existence, thence would arise a renovated trade placed upon a permanent basis. These new supplies of cotton would be paid for by manufactures of every class, and increased employment for borne labour would be the result. The present position of the trade is most precarious and dangerous. Existing stocks and prospective supplies of cotton may enable the mills to be worked into the spring of next year at moderately full time ; but afterwards, unless supplies be received from the United States, independent sources can only furnish the means of keeping the mills at work little more than one day in the week. With the growth of this in- dustry five millions of our population have become, directly and indirectly, dependent upon it for their subsistence; and the productiveness of their capital and labour, including the raw material, was for the last year nearly 80,000,0001. sterling. Of this large value 25,000,0001- of cotton manufactures were absorbed in the consumption of the people of the United Kingdom, and there remained for exportation-55,000,0001. The estimated capital engaged in its fixed and floating investments is 200,000,0001. Now, when we contemplate the vast interests involved in this surprising trade, seeing that the people employed and connected with it exceed the population of the kingdom of Belgium, of Holland, and of Portugal, that the national treasury receives from it an amazing sum in aid of the expenses of the State, that a commercial marine of unparalleled magnitude derives support from it, that the comfort and happiness of the labourers employed in it are imperilled by any indications which threaten to disturb its existence and prosperity, and that its suspension or serious curtailment would even endanger the general weal, we may well inquire what efforts have been made to sustain the usefulness, prosperity, and permanency of this source of national riches."

Mr. Bazley then explained at some length a scheme for the esta- blishment of a large cultivation of cotton in Queensland :

"To prove the possibility of immense and immediate supplies of cotton being grown in Queensland with comparatively little difficulty, we must recollect that the present yearly consumption of cotton in the United Kingdom is 2,500,000 bags. Now the negro labour to raise this quantity of cotton would be one man for every ten bags, but for ploughing, harrowing, ginning, and packing, horse or male labour is, of course, employed in aid, and iu spring and harvest-time' for weeding, gathering, and cleaning, women and children afford their help. For that production of cotton 250,000 men only would be required, and supposing the women, the young, and the children to be 750,000 more, the total would thus be 1,000,000 of human beings to ensure the whole supply of cotton now consumed by us. Such a population could be obtained In China, in the East Indies, or in Southern Germany. Some alarmist exclaims, ' What ship a million emigrants to Queensland?' Yes ; take them gradually and make judicious arrangements for their reception. An unhappy and compulsory neces- sity existed for emigration from Ireland a few years ago, when famine expa- triated 2,000,000 of our fellow-subjects, who in less than two years were absorbed chiefly by the demand for labour in the States of America and Canada. Should not we, then, to avert the evils of a cotton famine, and to promote freedom, combat the besetting difficulty, by giving liberty to the slave, by removing from our own industry the dark stain which morally damages it, and at the same time obtain that permanency of supply of our raw material which will secure our labourers from the frightful contingency of a people able and willing to work not having the means of employment.' Mr. Bazley narrated in conclusion that— "Very recently an extensive Louisiana cotton planter has asserted that be could grow cotton at 3d. per lb. which is now worth 9d. per lb. in Liverpool, and of course he has had to buy his labourers, and afterwards to sustain them. The confessed profit is 200 per cent., but in all sobriety of judgment, cotton growing would afford 100 per cent. of recompense. Here then the governing, the capitalist, the mercantile, and the manufacturing classes have duties in common to perform, and from which none of them should withhold their willing help. Upon this subject the warning voice has been long and often heard, and the present embarrassment in cotton supplies has been anticipated ; having, therefore, been forewarned, may this great and world-benefiting industry be forearmed."

The address was received with loud cheers. Considerable discussion then took place on the subject of Mr. Bazley's paper, in which a considerable number of gentlemen took part. Dr. Strong then read an interesting paper on the altered condition of the embroidery ma- nufacture of Ireland and Scotland since 1857. Mr. Ashworth also read a paper on cotton bleaching, and the section adjourned till the following day.

— The annual cutlers' feast took place at Sheffield on Thursday. The banquet was held in the large hall in the evening, and among the principal guests were Earl Manners, Lord Teynham, Lord Den- man, the Right Hon. James Stuart Wortley, Sir J. W. Ramsden, M.P., Mr. J. A. Roebuck, M.P., Sir W. Armstrong, and numerous other gentlemen of influence. Several of the speakers commented on Mr. Roebuck's recent expression of confidence in the sincerity of the Emperor of Austria, with regard to his recent grant of a constitu- tional government to his dominions. Mr. Roebuck, however, was not called upon to speak until a late hour in the evening, and bis speech was in consequence very short. In reply to the attacks of several previous speakers, lie said :

" In reference to Italy the Emperor of Austria had given to his various sub- jects constitutional government. He bad put that government before them, and where there was absolute government -before he had introduced constitu- tional government. For that he praised Austria, and for that he was censured. Now, what could he get for praising that? There was a thing in Punch bandied about that day, in which the Emperor of Austria was represented as having run away with the dog "Tear 'em ;" but had he run away with the dog? Was he not here (laughter), and what had the Emperor of Austria done to make him follow him away? Why, he had only done what every constitutional monarch would do—he had given his people constitutional government. Well, but he was told there were countries in the dominion of the Emperor of Austria that would not accept the offer that had been made. This, he said, was exactly the case which England fell into in 1800 with respect to Ireland. The Times news- paper had turned round upon him and said that the Emperor had not adopted the rule that was adopted when England appealed to Ireland. The Emperor of

Austria had adopted no such thing. He said, am here. There is nothing before me. I have no constitution to consider, and will give the best I can. And what did he give? He gave an exact counterpart of England when he appealed to Hungary that she should elect representatives to the R' eichsrath."

— The inquest onthebodies of the excursionists killed by the recent accident on the Brighton line has been continued throughout the week, and was again adjourned on Thursday. Nothing which throws any fresh light whatever on the attendant circumstances has been elicited. A warm dispute took place between the Company, repre- sented by their solicitor, Mr. Faithfull, and Mr. Slight, secretary, and the legal representatives of the families of the killed, as to the produc- tion of certain returns made by the engine-drivers and other officials of the company who were in charge of the Brighton excursion, or second train. The coroner more than once threatened to commit Mr. Slight for contempt, but it was ultimately agreed that no further steps should be taken until after the next Board meeting of the

Company.

— The excitement caused by the dreadful accident on the Hamp- stead Junction line has been unabated throughout the week, large crowds having visited the spot every day since it occurred. Two more of the victims have died, raising the total of killed to thirteen. The coroner's inquest was opened on Wednesday by Mr. Wakley, coroner for the eastern division of Middlesex, in the absence of Humphreys, coroner for the western division, but no progress has hitherto been made beyond viewing and identifying the bodies.