to consecrate-in Scotland or elsewhereanother Bishop of Natal in room of Dr. Colenso, the Bishop of London remonstrates with him on the impropriety and irregularity of the step. "You will remember from your recent presence at the Lambeth ConferenceI. That the assembled Bishops, under the direction of the Archbishop of Canterbury, deliberately abstained from affirming that Bishop Colenso's deposition was valid, either spiritually or in any other way. 2. That, at the adjourned meeting of the Conference, the report of the Committee, recommending the consecration of a new Bishop, was, by the wish of the Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as of the, Bishops of Lincoln, Ely, Chester, and myself, with others, deliberately, not approved, but only received. 3. That many of the English Bishops, feeling strongly, like myself, how dangerous is the teaching of Bishop Colenso, still hold that his see is not vacant, since his deposition has been pronounced null and void in law by the highest courts of the realm. 4. That some also of our body, whose authority is very great in such matters, believe that (quite independently of questions of English law) the deposition is uncanonical. You will remember also, 5. That, whereas the words of 26 George III., cap. 84, declare that by the laws of this realm no person can be consecrated to the office of Bishop without the Royal authority-if any doubt exists as to the applicability of these words to your case-that Consecration Service, which alone can be lawfully used within the Church of England, prescribes that the Royal mandate shall be produced before the consecration is proceeded with ; and, moreover, the Bishop elect is called upon to declare, in the face of the congregation, that he is persuaded he is truly called to his ministration in the office of a Bishop, not only according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, but also according to the order of this realm.' Under these circumstances, I venture to call upon you, my dear Lord, not to go further without the most perfect openness, and the most complete examination, by the authorities of Church and State, as to the legality and propriety of what you are doing. You surely will allow that you ought not otherwise to proceed to a step which must be fraught with the gravest consequences for the Church, both at home and in the colonies, and for which, certainly, there is no precedent since the schism of the Nonjurors.

21.-Miss Milbourne murdered in- her residence, Heneage-street, Manchester, by three men, who also robbed the house of all the valuables they could secure.

22.-Fire at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, destroying the left wing of the quarter occupied by the officers.

Banquet to her Majesty's Ministers at Bristol, presided over by the Duke of Beaufort. The principal speakers were Lord Stanley, Sir J. Pakington, and Mr. Hardy, who enlarged

upon the late Reform measure, the Irish Church question, and the Abyssinian expedition. 22.-Died at his residence in London, aged 59, Charles Kean, actor.

Writing on the Alabama claims, "Historicus" thus concludes an elaborate argument in the Times:-"Is the question whether a state of civil war did exist in the United States before the issue of the Queen's proclamation of May 13, 1861, a matter upon which any one either in England or America is entitled to entertain a reasonable doubt. I have shown what Mr. Seward, the recognised organ of the American Government, said at the time when the events were in progress. I have quoted the decision of a Court which is not only the supreme judicature of America, but the final Judge of the Constitution. If, in the teeth of such admissions, a Government is entitled to resuscitate a State claim, where is to be the end of liquidation? If, when you have not only got in writing the confession of your adversary that he has no claim against you, but have, further, a judicial decision in his own country, recorded at his instance, which authoritatively disproves his pretensions, you are again to submit the same question to arbitration, what subject is left on which you are safe from persecution? I can only say that a nation which, under such circumstances, should voluntarily submit itself to unreasonable vexation, would amply deserve the unjust and perpetual oppression which it would infallibly invite."

23.-Conference at the Society of Arts on the subject of technical education. The programme discussed included:-1. (a) The necessity for an improved national education for the working classes generally. (6) Improved primary education, and the measures necessary for securing the same. (c) Additional facilities in primary schools for affording elder children the means of learning the elements of scientific knowledge. 2. The necessity for the establishment of schools for technical and industrial education in relation to science and art, in which pupils, after leaving the primary schools, may obtain instruction suited to the special industries with which they may be connected as workmen, foremen, or managers. 3. The best means for securing the object. 4. How far technical education can be promoted by the aid of existing educational endowments.

24.-Violent storm, extending over the greater part of the island. On the west coast the wind-gauge showed a sudden rise in the pressure from 7 lbs, to 42 lbs. per square foot, while the velocity rose from 11 miles an hour to an average of 62, and in some of the fiercest gusts to 100 miles an hour.

February 1.-Came on for hearing, in the Court of Queen's Bench, before the Lord Chief Justice and a special jury, the action raised by the Countess D'Alteyrac, to recover certain goods and furnishings from Lord Willoughby

D'Eresby. The plaintiff was the divorced wife of Count d'Alteyrac, of high family and position in France, and an officer in the French Navy; and the defendant was Grand Chamberlain of England. The parties became acquainted in Paris in 1847, and in 1849 they lived together as man and wife in London, and continued to do so until 1864, when a disagreement took place between them. A daughter, the result of the cohabitation of the plaintiff and defendant, was now living, and her education had been superintended by the defendant. The latter, after the separation, sold all the property at Caen Lodge, Twickenham, for 8,000l., which property the plaintiff claimed as hers; and to recover it this action was raised. The plaintiff had watched Lord Willoughby through a long illness with great affection, and was addressed and treated by him and certain relatives as Mrs. Willoughby. His father,

however, objected to the connexion, and cut the defendant off from succeeding to the large estates of the family, till he could show, to the satisfaction of trustees, that he was legally married to some other person. At the close of the first day's examination, the judge's suggestion for having the case settled out of court, was concurred in; and Mr. Vernon Harcourt, as referee, afterwards adjudged the sum of 5,000l. to be paid to the Countess, and 1,2007. a year secured for life.

4.-Mr. Bright addresses a meeting at Birmingham in support of his scheme for establishing a peasant proprietary in Ireland.

5.-The Central Protestant Defence Association hold a large meeting in Dublin to move resolutions In favour of loyalty to the Throne; On Irish Protestant wealth, position, and intelligence; Its right to protection; and The wrong of dealing with Ireland as if it were a separate kingdom.

6. Mr. Bonamy Price elected Professor of Political Economy at Oxford by a majority of 427 over Mr. Thorold Rogers.

7.-At a meeting of the Reichsrath Committee on the War Budget, Baron von Beust said he considered the foreign relations of Austria to be of so peaceful a nature that all danger of a war must appear as a thing only to be brought about by extraordinary events. On the other hand it appeared necessary to maintain the army on such a peace footing as would enable Austria if necessary to assume an attitude inspiring respect, and at a short notice to send her army into the field ready for action. Mr. Edward Thornton, the newly appointed Minister at Washington, presented to the President.

The Fenian Captain Mackey, the leader of the attack on Ballyknockane Barracks in March last, arrested in Cork after a desperate resistance with loaded weapons.

9.--Mr. H. Rassam, one of the Abyssinian captives, writes from Magdala :-"You will be glad to learn that the Emperor still con

tinues his mock friendship towards me, and constantly sends me very polite messages. He is now within eight hours' ride of this place, but at the rate he has been travelling, since he left Debra Tabor in October, he is not expected to join us here before the middle or end of next month. A large mortar, which he had cast in Debra Tabor, weighing about 1,500 lbs., has been the cause of his delays. He is determined to bring this huge piece of ordnance to the fortress. We are all looking anxiously for the arrival of the British force, and I have not the least fear that we shall be treated roughly by our captor when he hears of the approach of our troops. So long as he looks on me as a friend we are all right. Thank God, both my fellow-captives and myself are enjoying good health.'

10. Died, aged 87, Sir David Brewster, Principal of Edinburgh University, and an eminent writer on the science of light and optics.

M. Arrivabene (a son it was reported of Count Arrivabene), member of the Stock Exchange, commits suicide by shooting himself in a wood near Maidenhead.

11. The "Oxford Music-hall," London, burnt. The fire originated in a gallery opposite the stage, and completed its work of destruction within an hour of discovery.

12. - Education Conference at Willis's Rooms, called by Archdeacon Denison to consider a series of resolutions in favour of the denominational system and the exemption of State schools from the operation of a Conscience Clause.

Lord Chief Justice Cockburn remonstrates with the Lord Chancellor against the judges being called upon to try election petitions:-" In conformity with your Lordship's wishes," wrote the Chief Justice, "I have consulted the judges, and I am charged by them, one and all, to convey to you their strong and unanimous feeling of insuperable repugnance to having these new and objectionable duties thrust upon them. We are unanimously of opinion that the inevitable consequence of putting judges to try election petitions will be to lower and degrade the judicial office, and to destroy, or at all events materially impair, the confidence of the public in the thorough impar

tiality and inflexible integrity of the judges, when, in the course of their ordinary duties, political matters come incidentally before them.

The functions which the judges are called upon to discharge are altogether beyond the scope of the duties which, on accepting the office of judges, we took on ourselves to fulfil. We are at a loss to see how Parliament can, with justice or propriety, impose on us labours wholly beyond the sphere of our constitutional duties, and which no one ever contemplated the possibility of our being called upon to perform. I have further to point out that we are thoroughly satisfied that the proposed scheme is impracticable, and that the performance by the judges of the onerous duties which this bill proposes to cast on them, is neither more nor less than a sheer impossibility. The time of the judges is known to be more than fully occupied. We would venture to ask which court is to be suspended, in order to furnish judges even for occasional petitions, to say nothing of the trial of petitions after a general election, when, if any material portion of the work of trying petitions is to be done by the judges, Westminster Hall would have to be shut up altogether? Is a judge to set aside her Majesty's commission, and have the gaols undelivered, and causes untried, while he is occupied in investigating the unclean doings in a corrupt borough?" The Lord Chief Justice goes on to suggest that, owing to the accidents which determine professional success and business at the bar, there are always a certain number of counsel whose business is not proportioned to their known abilities and learning, and whose sound judgment and judicial aptitude are recognised by the references which are frequently submitted to them as arbitrators. "Many of these," he says, "would probably be willing to undertake the trial of election petitions, and it might safely and conveniently be entrusted to them, while to put such duties on the judges would be a most fatal mistake." In conclusion, he repeats an emphatic and earnest protest, and states that he and his brother judges rely on the Lord Chancellor, as the head of the profession, to protect them, if possible, against this, in every respect, most objectionable measure.

13.-Parliament resumes its sittings in pursuance of the adjournment in November last.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer introduces the Government bill to amend the law relating to election petitions, and to provide more effectually for the prevention of corrupt practices. After describing the details of the scheme, and the opposition which had been made by the judges to the task of deciding upon petitions, he said it was now proposed to found a new Parliamentary Election Court, with judges at a salary of 2,000l. a year, and that appeals from decisions of revising barristers should also be referred to that Court.

-

Died at Bristol, aged 71, William Herapath, chemist and toxicologist.

14.-In an all but empty House the Earl of Mayo moved for leave to bring in a bill to continue the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act in Ireland till March, 1869; or if Parliament should not then be sitting, till three weeks after the beginning of the Session. The number of persons now in custody under warrants signed by the Lord-Lieutenant was 96. The number of arrests had been-in January, 1867, 14; February, 21; March, 111; April, 31; May, 7; June, 38; July, 8. During August, September, and October there were only two arrests, but within the last three months the number had risen to 33. Of the persons arrested, 10 were described as officers, 25 clerks, 90 artizans, II farmers, 66 labourers, and 28 shopkeepers. Leave was given to bring in the bill, though several members expressed regret that it had not been preceded by remedial measures.

Mr. Walpole moves the second reading of the Public Schools Bill-a measure based on the report of the Royal Commission, and substantially the same as that of last year, but excluding Merchant Taylors' and St. Paul's, as being more or less of a private character, under the control of two of the City Companies.

The advance column of the Abyssinian expedition reaches Antalo.

16.-The Abyssinian army encamps at Arranzum. Sir Robert Napier held an interview of a satisfactory nature with Prince Kassai of Tigré on the 24th, and on the 26th set out for Antalo.

17.-Illness of Lord Derby. Considerable excitement was created in political circles by the continued illness of the Premier, who was now considered in so dangerous a state as to call Lord Stanley in great haste to Knowsley.

Earl Russell publishes his views on the Irish question in the form of a letter to the Right Hon. Chichester Fortescue. Among the remedial measures which he concluded to be necessary, he said that the endowment of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, the endowment of the Presbyterian Church, and the reduction of the Protestant Episcopal Church to one-eighth of the present revenues of Ireland, would be just and salutary.

The Lord Advocate introduces the Scotch Reform Bill, designed to assimilate the franchise there to what prevailed in England under the bill of last Session. It was proposed to give seven additional representatives to Scotland, and to increase the number of the House to that extent; two of the additional members to be given to the Universities, three to counties, and one to Glasgow.

18.-Fire at the Charing Cross Railway Station, originating in the "custom-house" adjoining the river, and destroying the south end of the platform roof.

by him in a speech at Oldham in December last.

18.-Died at Ampthill Park, Bedfordshire, Lord Wensleydale (Baron Parke), aged 86.

The Upper House of Convocation (province of Canterbury) engage in the discussion of a resolution on Ritualism submitted by the Bishop of London:-"That this House, viewing with anxious concern the increasing diversity of practice in regard to ritual observances, as causing disquiet and contention, and perceiving with deep regret that the resolutions adopted at the Convocations of Canterbury and York have failed to secure unity, deems it expedient for the peace of the Church, -1. That the limits of ritual observance should not be left to the uncontrolled discretion of individual clergymen, and ought therefore to be defined by rightful authority. 2. That some easy and inexpensive process ought to be provided, whereby, while the liberties of the officiating clergymen and their parishioners are protected, the evils of unrestrained licence in such matters may be checked." The debate was protracted over two days, and ended in a division, showing a majority of 12 to 4 in favour of the resolution. The Bishop of Oxford urged the inconsistency of adopting two courses, one of which implied the failure of the other. "I do not," he said, "think this a likely way of restoring peace and truth to the Church. I think the only probable means of attaining such an end is that we should have a distinct statement of what the law of the Church is now; and that we should not invite men in one breath to have recourse to the law, and tell them with the next that, if the law is not in accordance As with our views, we will have it made so. finally agreed to and sent down to the Lower House, the resolution expressed that other means than individual discretion "should be provided for enforcing the rule laid down at the end of the rubric concerning the service of the Church, for duly interpreting all diversities taken from common usage, and if necessary for removing ambiguity in the existing law." The Lower House adjourned the discussion on the resolution, finding it inexpedient to proceed in that way in the meantime.

upon which parties guide their movementsthe laws by which public men regulate their own conduct. Looking to these matters, and taking the most impartial view in my power, I am bound to say that I do not think any gain to the Church will result from prolonging this contest. (Cheers). I do not conceal from the House for a moment that it is with the deepest reluctance of feeling that I give up any. thing that the Church possesses, but I am bound to look at both sides of the question, and not to content myself with a stolid opposition; not to give way to that tendency by which it seems so many of us are apt to be affected, of pursuing for many years a steady obstruction, and then giving way to an unrea. sonable panic. I think it wiser to accept the terms that are now offered to us, because I am distinctly of opinion that we may go further and fare worse. (Cheers.)"

19. In the Lower House of Convocation Canon Seymour presented a petition praying that the Upper House would take measures for declaring - first, that the Church of England accepts as valid the excommunication of Dr. Colenso, and that until he be reconciled unto and received into the Church by proper autho rity, they will by the Thirty-third Article hold him to be "cut off from the Church and excommunicated;" and second, that they accept the spiritual validity of the act of the Bishop of Capetown in deposing Dr. Colenso. The petition was accepted, against an amendment proposed by the Dean of Ely; but the Upper House declined acceding to the prayer, and appointed a committee to inquire into the canonicity of the sentence of deposition, and to examine Dr. Colenso's writings since published.

Mr. Beresford Hope elected member for Cambridge University in room of Lord Justice Selwyn by a majority of 531 over Mr. Cleasby. The gross number polled was 3,331.

21.-President Johnson issues an order removing Mr. Stanton from the office of War Secretary and appointing Adjutant-General Thomas ad interim. Mr. Stanton resisted the order, and caused Thomas to be apprehended. On the 24th the President sent a message to the Senate nominating Thomas Ewing permanent Secretary of War, vice Edward Stanton removed, and also a message in reply to the Senate's resolution of 21st February (declaring that the President had no power to remove Stanton), in which the President declared his right to remove the Secretary of War and appoint a successor ad interim. The fear of Stanton and his friends was that during the night the President might send a military force to take possession of the War Department building; the Secretary therefore determined to remain there all night, and in order to weaken Thomas as much as possible he resolved at once to invoke the aid of the "Tenure of Office Law," which declares that if any one shall, contrary to its provisions, accept any

appointment, or attempt to hold any office, he shall be guilty of a "high misdemeanour," and be subjected to 10,000 dollars fine and five years' imprisonment. Making affidavit of the facts before Chief Justice Cartter, of the District of Columbia Court, that official issued a warrant for the arrest of Thomas, and bailiffs were at once sent in search of him. Stanton in the meantime remained in the War Office all night, a constant succession of prominent Republicans visiting and keeping watch with him. The rival Secretaries each issued orders on the 21st, that of Thomas being a direction to close the Department on the 22d, that day being the anniversary of the birth of Washington. A similar order was also issued by Stanton. The bailiffs who were in search of Thomas did not find him until the morning of the 22d, when they arrested him at his breakfast-table about eight o'clock. The proceedings were managed very quietly, and being taken before Chief Justice Cartter, that official told him to find bail, which Thomas after some delay did, and at ten o'clock he was released on 5,000 dollars bail to appear for trial on the morning of February 26th. After an interview with the President, Thomas again returned to the War Office, but failed in making any impression on Stanton either to vacate his seat or permit any other person to meddle with the war mails. When General Thomas appeared to answer the charge made against him by Stanton, the latter did not appear, and the prosecution was abandoned.

22.-The Times correspondent, writing from the camp Ad Abagin, states that letters had been received from the prisoners, dated Magdala, January 30, and from Mr. Flad, in Theodore's camp, dated the 19th of the same month. They say that Theodore was still engaged in his exertions to get his ordnance and heavy baggage into Magdala, and that, on account of the difficulties of the road, he would not be in that fortress until the first week of March. "The reports among the country people here are that Theodore is advancing against Wagshum Gobazyé, of Lasta, who is at Lalibala, in the south of his province. The Abyssinians assert positively that Theodore will fight the British army, and have not that confidence in our success against him which is felt in our own ranks."

the House of Lords the Earl of Malmesbury intimates that in consequence of failing health the Premier had tendered his resignation to her Majesty, who was graciously pleased to accept the same, and empower the Chancellor of the Exchequer to form a Government if possible. A similar intimation was made in the House of Commons by Lord Stanley, who moved the adjournment of the House till the necessary arrangements could be completed. Mr. Gladstone said: "With reference to the special cause which the noble lord has by a singular destiny been called upon to be the person to announce to this House, I cannot help expressing for myself what I am sure will be the universal sentiment, the regret that a career so long, so active, and in many respects so distinguished and remarkable, as that of his father, should have been brought to a close by the failure of his bodily health and strength.'

26. At Newcastle Assizes two burglars were sentenced to fifteen years' penal servitude for breaking into a house at Haltwhistle in October last. The chief witness against them was a young girl named Elizabeth Storey, who defended her mistress and herself, first with an old gun and then with a poker, against the murderous assaults of the criminals. Mr. Justice Lush complimented Storey on her fidelity and courage, and ordered 57. to be paid to her.

The

Mr. Disraeli and the Premiership. Owl this morning states that General Grey, who defeated Mr. Disraeli at High Wycombe in 1832, was the bearer from Osborne of the Queen's autograph letter, announcing that she had selected him as successor to Lord Derby, and commanding him "to submit what alterations in the Cabinet his experience suggested." The Times wrote:-"The Chancellor of the Exchequer has served the Conservative party for more than twenty years. He slowly reconstructed its Parliamentary organization, and has thrice brought it into power. By the public he has always been regarded as the ruling spirit of the Cabinet, and it has been evident to all men that the Reform Bill of last session was only carried by his courage, his readiness, and his unfailing temper in the House of Commons. The time has arrived for the servant to become the master; nor could Mr. Disraeli have accepted a lower place without a loss of dignity which would have been unworthy of himself and discreditable to his party. "A few days later the Pall Mall Gazette wrote:-"One of the most grievous and constant puzzles of King David was the prosperity of the wicked and the scornful; and the same tremendous moral enigma has come down to our own days. In this respect the earth is in its older times what it was in its youth. Even so recently as last week the riddle once more presented itself in its most impressive shape. Like the Psalmist, the Liberal leader may well protest that verily he has cleansed his heart in vain and washed his hands in inuo