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ANNALS OF OUR TIME.

Feb. 24.-Earl Granville, on the part of her Majesty's Government, endeavours to obtain some modification in favour of France of the war indemnity of six milliards of francs said to be demanded by Prussia. Government, he wrote, felt the difficulties which arise from their ignorance of the offers made on the side of France, and they bear in mind that this country is one only among the neutral powers, all bound by the obligations of friendship to both parties. "But her Majesty's Government are willing, in consideration of the extreme pressure of time, to make representations to Germany on the amount of this indemnity, and to tender their good offices in the spirit of friendship to both parties, under the conviction that it is the interest of Germany, as well as of France, that the amount of the indemnity should not be greater than that which it is reasonable to expect could be paid."

Invasions of Looshai tribes into the tea districts of Cachar and Sylhet, North-east India, leading to the despatch of a combined party of British and native troops to recover a young girl named Winchester, who had been carried off after the murder of her father.

26.-Some remarks in the way of censure having been made in Parliament regarding the manner of the withdrawal of the British ambassador from Paris in September last, Lord Lyons writes to-day from Bordeaux :-"I conceived at the time that it was my duty neither to reject the advice of the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, nor to separate myself from my principal colleagues, and I thought it would be on all accounts inexpedient for me to allow myself to be shut up in Paris and to be deprived of all speedy and satisfactory means of communicating with your lordship. My subsequent experience has, I confess, confirmed me in these opinions. On the day after I left Paris, all communication by road with that place was intercepted, and on the following day the last telegraphic wire was cut. diplomatists who were left in the besieged city were refused by the German authorities positively all facilities for corresponding with their Governments otherwise than by letters left open for the inspection of those authorities. having resided at the seat of the Delegation of the Government at Tours, and having followed them to Bordeaux, have been accepted by the French as manifest proofs of the desire of her Majesty's Government to maintain intimate and friendly relations with them, while my doing so has afforded her Majesty's Government the readiest and most effectual means of maintaining such relations in fact.'

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26.-A person understood to be a police spy, engaged in watching the National Guards defiling in front of the Column of July, seized by a mob of infuriated Republicans, and, after being subjected for hours to a series of gross outrages, is at last bound hand and foot and thrown into the Seine.

27.-Proclamation signed by Thiers and Picard posted in Paris, urging the inhabitants to accept even the hard terms of peace imposed by the Germans as the only means of saving France. During six days, it was said, the negotiators fought foot by foot, and did what was humanly possible to obtain the most favourable conditions. "If the Convention be not respected the armistice will be broken, and the enemy, already masters of the forts, will occupy in strong force the entire city. Private property, the works of art, and the public. monuments are guaranteed to-day; but should the Convention cease to be in force misfortune will await the whole of France. The fearful ravages of war, which hitherto have not extended beyond the Loire, will then extend to the Pyrenees. It is absolutely true to say that the safety of Paris affects the whole of France. Do not imitate the fault of those who did not wish us to believe, eight months ago, that the war would be so fatal. The French army, which defended Paris with so much courage, will occupy the left of the Seine and ensure the loyal execution of the new armistice. National Guard will undertake to maintain order in the rest of the city, as good and honoured citizens, who have shown themselves to be brave in the face of the enemy, and this cruel situation will end in peace and the return of public prosperity.'

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The first Act of the Session, authorising an annuity of 6,000l. to her Royal Highness the Princess Louise, receives the Royal assent.

March 1.-This (Wednesday) torenoon the German army, to the number of 30,000, commence to enter Paris. The first Uhlan made his appearance at the Arc de Triomphe about nine o'clock. He was soon followed by other Uhlans, and then by the main body of the occupying troops, the 6th and 11th Prussian Corps, with about 11,000 Bavarians, which had previously been reviewed by the Emperor at Longchamps. Not being able to pass under the arch, they turned down the Avenue des Champs Elysées, and proceeded in the direction of the Place de la Concorde, their bands meanwhile sounding out the ever-popu lar "Wacht am Rhein." The Duke of Coburg, General Blumenthal, and their respective staffs, rode in at the head of the troops, followed by a squadron of Bavarian Hussars, with bright pennons of blue and white silk. Following these, and evidently in honour of Bavaria, came two batteries of Bavarian artillery, and then rifles and infantry.

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(writes the Times correspondent) was the "Leib Regiment," with its shattered companies only a quarter of their original strength, and their flag hanging in ribbons from the stump of a broken staff. As they marched past the closed arch an officer's horse slipped and fell, and a crowd pressed round the dismounted rider. Instantly a comrade rode to his assistance amid the hisses of on-lookers; one man was ridden over, and two or three horsemen charged along the pavement. This had the effect of scattering the mob, and from that moment they looked on in profound and respectful silence. For an hour and a half did the incessant stream of Bavarians continue, with here and there an interval occupied by some general and his staff. Then came the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg. Bismarck himself, smoking a cigar, rode suddenly up, looked on the scene for a few minutes without going beyond the crest of the hill, and then turned away in the direction of Versailles, whither the Emperor and Crown Prince had retired after the review in the morning.

Lord Lurgan's famous greyhound, Master M'Grath, shown to the Queen at Windsor, and afterwards to various members of the Court circle.

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Came on at the Central Criminal Court before the Recorder, the trial of Martha Torpey, aged 28, described as a married woman, charged as an accomplice in the robbery of jewels belonging to W. H. Ryder (see Jan. 13, 1871, p. 973). The shopman, Parkes, detailed his experience within the house in Upper Berkeley Street, into which he was admitted by a man describing himself as Tyrell, but now known to be Torpey. He took, he said, some of the jewellery out of a bag, and stated the prices of the different articles. He there saw the prisoner sitting at the fire. Witness stood at one side of the table, and the man on the other. When some of the articles were exa

mined, the man suggested that the prisoner should go and call her sister. She went out of the room. When she returned she placed a handkerchief over his face, and the man ini. mediately rushed at him and held his arms. He struggled, but the man continued holding him, and the prisoner pressing the handkerchief over his face. This lasted some minutes. He was then forced backwards on to a sofa. When he came to himself he found himself tightly strapped. The man Tyrell was standing over him, and said, "If you move I will murder you." Witness asked him to loosen the strap over his breast, and he did so. Witness attempted to get up to a sitting position and look at the table, but Tynell forced him down, and put a handkerchief over his eyes. He afterwards heard the front door slam. He succeeded in loosening the straps on his wrist, and broke a pane of glass in the window, and gave an alarm. All the jewellery on the table was gone, with the exception of a small gold chain. The jury acquitted the pri soner on the charge of robbery with violence, and also on a second charge for assault, on the ground that she had acted under her husband's coercion.

1.-Died at Edinburgh, John Carmichael, M. A., Senior Classical Master in the High School.

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capable of a still greater courage." Other journals appeared with black borders. To-day the German soldiers, in large numbers, visited the Louvre, Carrousel and other places of public resort, the populace, as a rule, looking on with sorrow and resignation. The "Red" leaders still maintained their cannon and barricades in the Belleville, St. Martin, and Temple districts.

2.-Writing to Cardinal Patrizi, Dean of the College of Jesuits and Vicar-General of the Holy See, the Pope explains the nature of his connection with the Jesuits, and defends the order against attacks made on it by "the invaders of our secular dominions." "We often apply to the Fathers of the Company of Jesus and entrust them with various interests, more especially those appertaining to the holy ministry; and they have continually shown more and more of that laudable affection and zeal in their fulfilment, for which our predecessors often had occasion to praise them largely. But this most just attachment and esteem which we entertain for this order-so well-merited from the Church of Christ, the Holy See, and the Christian community in general-is far from the abject servility attributed to us by the scoffers, whose calumny we disdainfully reject from us, as well as from the humble devotion of the Fathers."

Explosion in the Victoria Pit, Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire, causing the death of 19 out of 30 persons in the works at the time.

In the Commons to-day the sitting was chiefly occupied with a debate on the Government proposal for a Select Committee to inquire into the present disturbed condition of Westmeath, Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Osborne, and others, taunting ministers for seeking to obstruct free inquiry. On a division the Committee was carried by 256 to 175 votes.

Explosion of the powder arsenal at Morges, causing the death of twenty soldiers engaged at the time in withdrawing bullets from the French cartridges.

3. The German soldiers begin to leave Paris on their march homeward, Count Bismarck having obtained from Jules Favre, in the forenoon, official intimation of the Treaty being ratified by the Bordeaux Assembly. The Emperor telegraphed from Versailles to Berlin :

I have just ratified the conclusion of peace, it having been accepted yesterday by the National Assembly in Bordeaux. Thus far is the great work complete, which by seven months' victorious battles has been achieved, thanks to the valour, devotion, and endurance of our incomparable army in all its parts, and the willing sacrifices of the whole Fatherland. The Lord of Hosts has everywhere visibly blessed ur enterprises, and therefore by His mercy has permitted this honourable peace to be achieved. To Him be the honour; to the army and the Fatherland I render thanks from a heart deeply moved." This telegram was publicly read at Berlin amid salvoes of artillery

and peals from the church bells. The city was illuminated and an enthusiastic reception given to the Empress and Princesses.

3.-Acting under the advice of his medical adviser, Mr. Childers retires from the AdmiMr. ralty and is succeeded by Mr. Goschen. Stansfeld afterwards succeeded to the Poor Law Board, and Mr. Baxter became Secretary to the Treasury.

Destructive earthquake at Tanglandang Island, one of the Sanguir group in the Malay Archipelago, the sea rising to a great height and sweeping hundreds of the inhabitants off the streets and plantations on the coast.

4.-Commenced in the Commons, a debate on the proposal for a second reading of the Army Regulation Bill, Col. Lindsay moving that the expenditure necessary for the National Defences did not at present justify any vote of public money for the extinction of purchase.

Died at Haverstock Hill, aged 98, Lewis Doxat, connected with the Morning Chronicle in the early part of this century, and for fifty years editor of the Observer.

6. The Pope congratulates the Emperor of Germany on the assumption of the Imperial dignity as an event likely to be beneficial to all Europe. "We return your Majesty, however, special thanks for the expression of your friendship for us, as we may hope that it will not inconsiderably contribute to the protection of the liberty and the rights of the Catholic religion. On the other hand, we request your Majesty to be convinced that we shall neglect nothing by which, when the opportunity presents itself, we may be useful to your Majesty.'

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The ex-Emperor writes from Wilhelmshöhe, protesting against the deposition of his dynasty as unjust and illegal-" Unjust, because, when war was declared, the feeling of the nation, roused by causes independent of my wish, produced a general and irresistible enthusiasm; illegal, because the Assembly, elected for the sole object of concluding a peace, has exceeded its powers in dealing with questions beyond its competence, and because, even were it a Constituent Assembly, it would have no power to substitute its own will for that of the nation. The example of the past confirms this. The opposition of the Constituent Assembly, in 1848, yielded to the elections of the 10th of December, and in 1851 the nation, by upwards of seven millions of votes, supported me against the Legislative Assembly. Political feeling cannot overcome right, and in France the basis of all legitimate government is the plébiscite. Beyond it there is only usurpation by some for the oppression of the rest. I am ready, therefore, to submit to the free expression of the national will, but to it only. In the presence of lamentable events, which impose on everyone self-denial and disinterestedness, I could have desired to remain silent,

but the declarations of the Assembly compel me to protest in the name of truth disregarded and national rights despised."

6.-First bankruptcy trial by jury under the new Act-Emanuel, jewellers, v. Talbot. Verdict for plaintiff by consent.

- The Marquis of Salisbury introduces, but withdraws, after debate, a motion regarding the foreign guarantees of the British Government, and the deficiency of the naval and military forces of the country. What other people thought of us, he said, was shown by the conduct of Russia, Prussia, and the United States, the first of whom tore up a treaty in our face, the second concluded a peace on indefensible terms and in contempt of our views, while the third openly received and honoured those whom we had cast out as rebels. To maintain guarantees extending over Europe and even into other hemispheres, we had only a small army and a fleet, which, since the Declaration of Paris, was valueless except for the defence of our own shores.-Earl Granville maintained that our armaments were sufficient to support our policy, and that at no time had the influence of this country in Continental politics been greater.

Public intimation given of the sale to Government, for 70,000l., of Sir Robert Peel's fine collection of paintings by old masters, including the well-known Chapeau de Paille," and the finest Holbein in existence. They were soon afterwards arranged and hung upon the walls of the National Gallery.

-Died, aged 45, Henry Blackett, head of the publishing firm of Hurst and Blackett.

7. In reply to Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Gladstone states that Government had not been informed of any treaty negotiated last year between Prussia and Russia regarding the late war, and consequently Mr. Odo Russell had received no instructions on the point when sent to Versailles. Replying in similar terms to Lord Carnarvon on the 9th, Earl Granville ventured to ask, in return, if her Majesty's Opposition had any knowledge of the treaty in question.

-The freehold of White's Club House, St. James's Street, sold at the Auction Mart for 46,000l.

8. The condition of Paris reported to be uneasy and threatening, the streets crowded with men in uniform, and the heights of Montmartre still in possession of the disaffected portion of the National Guard, with guns disposed so that they commanded the whole city.

The insurgents may at any moment drop a shell in the Tuileries, the Hôtel de Ville, the Palais Royal, or any of the crowded boulevards. The respectable portion of the press and the people begin to cry aloud for the subversion of the Government of Montmartre. Troops of the line are pouring into Paris; but the party of order does not trust them-the party of disorder does not fear them. Some soldiers are already to be seen at Montmartre fraternizing."

8.-A report on the elections in Algeria submitted to the National Assembly. Gambetta, Andrien, and Colas were declared duly elected; but with respect to the fourth, General Garibaldi, the reporter proposed that, as he had already given in his resignation, a fresh election should take place. Suddenly a member rose and exclaimed that Garibaldi had no right to sit in a French Assembly, a declaration which brought M. Victor Hugo to his feet, exclaiming 'that when all Europe had abandoned France, one man came forward; but he was a power in himself. He came and fought, and was the only general who was not conquered." This speech encountered the loudest interruptions, and the tumult was such that Victor Hugo in vain endeavoured to obtain a further hearing. At length he exclaimed: "Three weeks ago you refused to listen to Garibaldi; you now refuse to listen to me. I give in my resignation." Frantic applause on the Left followed this declaration, and Victor Hugo proceeded to confirm his words in writing.

The monitor ship Glatton, commenced in 1868, from designs by Mr. Reed, undocked at Chatham, Miss Scott, daughter of the Dean of Rochester, performing the christening.

9.-Russian Five per Cent. Loan of 12,000,000l. issued at about 80 net. It was attempted to raise a popular feeling against this loan, but much more than the amount required was subscribed. A protest circulated on the Stock Exchange gave the following reasons for objecting to the loan:-1. The Conference is now sitting in London to consider the conduct of Russia in the matter of the Treaty of 1856. 2. The question raised by Prince Gortschakoff was, in the opinion of her Majesty's envoy, Mr. Odo Russell, of a nature in its present state to compel us, with or without allies, to go to war with Russia. 3. Under these circumstances, as good citizens and loyal subjects of our Queen, we consider that to supply Russia with means which might be used for aggressive purposes is most unpatriotic, and until the Conference has concluded its sittings in every way to be condemned.

- A party of French sailors excite a disturbance at the Column of July by fastening a tri-coloured flag round the statue of Liberty on the top.

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ever, degenerated into a culpable and factious attitude, but the Government hoped to be able to bring back the deluded people, and to avoid civil war. "As regards myself and my colleagues," said M. Thiers, "we are all of one mind. If the peace should be disturbed, you may count on our patriotism to repress disturbances with the utmost energy. We shall never fail in this, but let us hope that this extremity, which has been momentarily feared in France, will be finally avoided. If we can avoid the shedding of blood, we shall consider it an honour to have done so."

10. - Gustave Flourens and M. Duvorne sentenced to death by a council of war for taking part in the riots of Oct. 31.

11.-The Sun newspaper, established in 1792, discontinued.

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The Black Sea Conference terminates its labours by agreeing to a treaty abrogating the restrictions imposed in 1856, and permitting the Porte to receive ships of war of friendly and allied Powers, in case the Porte should deem it necessary to do so in order to ensure the execution of the stipulation of the Treaty of Paris. The treaty also provided for the prolongation of the European Commission of the Danube for twelve years, for the continual neutrality of the works already created or to be created by the Commission, and reserved the right of the Porte as a territorial Power to send ships of war into the Danube.

14.-Trades Union Bill read a second

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17.-Earthquake shocks experienced in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Durham.

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18.-Revolutionary outbreak in Paris. Early this morning a Government proclamation was issued, announcing that, after having given to the disturbers of public tranquillity time to return to duty and obedience, seeing that no attention was paid to counsels and injunctions, they were now determined to act in the interests of the city and of France. "Those culpable individuals who have pretended to institute a Government of their own are about to be given up to justice. Your cannons are about to be returned to the arsenals, and to execute this urgent act of justice and reason the Government counts on your assistance." To carry out this determination strong detachments of troops, under the command of Generals Vinoy and Lecomte, were marched in the direction of Montmartre. The artillerymen of the troops mounted the hill, armed with their muskets, and engaged in parley with the officers in command, who made no opposition to the cannon being taken away. time, the rappel sounded through the neighbourhood, and brought out great numbers of disaffected National Guards. Rushing upon the cannon, they were received with shots, when some of the Guards and a woman and child fell. After this words were exchanged between the National Guards and the soldiers, the ranks broke up, and they went off to fraternise and drink together. The 88th regiment joining the insurgents, seduced other troops of the line, and all together made an attack on the gendarmerie posted on the Place Figal. The officer in command here drew his sword, and ordered his men to fire, but he was shot down, and his detachment thereupon withdrew. In a state of wild agitation the insurgents, now complete masters of the butte Montmartre, rushed upon General Lecomte, whom Vinoy, Military Governor of Paris, had placed in command of the faithless 88th regiment. He was led, amid circumstances of gross indig nity, to the Rue des Rosiers, where he was joined, later in the day, by General Clément Thomas, who had ventured there, in plain clothes, to look after his comrade. These two generals were shot in a small garden adjoining the place of detention without trial, not, so far as could be learned, by the National Guard, but by infuriated soldiers, aided by some Mobiles who bore a grudge against General Thomas on account of the severity of his discipline during the siege. It was afterwards said that at the last moment General Lecomte, till then dignified and resolute, felt his courage fail. He tried to struggle, to fly, he ran several steps in the garden; then, instantly retaken, shaken, dragged, hustled, he fell on his knees and spoke of his chi.dren. "I have five!" said he, sobbing. The father's heart burst through the soldier's tunic. There were fathers in that crowd, and some voices replied with emotion to this heart-stirring appeal; but the implacable linesmen would not hear a word.

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