r KVM'NING H A o VOL. VIlI-No. H4. PHILADELPHIA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER ! 7, 18G7. DOUBLE SIIEETTHREK CENTS. , f " FIRST EDITION EUHOP IE. Our Relations with England-The Alabama Claims -Two Des patches from Lord Stanley In Reply to Mr. Seward What England Will and Will Not Con sent to Do. The Alabama (iaestlon. The London papers or liocember 4 publish the following despatch from Lord Btanley la an swer to another from Mr. Seward, concerning the Alabama claims: 'I.OKD BTANI.KY TO MR. FORT). FonKioN Office, Nov. 16, 1807. Sir: In my desputcb loHtr. F. Bruce ot the 10th ot Bepi em ber I confined myseir to a mere statement of the mbstnnoe of a despatch from Mr. Howard which Mr. Adams had communicated to me In reply to my despatch of the 21th ot May, re specting the chums arising on either si. le out oi thoeveuts of the late civil war In the United btatts, "Her Majesty's Government having since the date of my despatch fully considered the terms of Mr. Reward's despatch. I wfll no longer delay acquainting you, for communication to thai Minister, with the impression H has made upon them. "Her Majesty's Government observe that the President of the United Htatea considers the terms used In my despatch with reference to tbe so-called Alabama claims to be at once com. prehenBlve aud sufficiently precise to Include all the claims of A merlcan citizens for deprada tlons upon their commerce during the late He. belllon, which have been tbe subject of com. plaint upon the part of the Government of the United Htates: those terms being, to quote the precise words of my despatch of lhe2llh of May, applicable to this class of claims, aud which, In eubntance, tepeala those ui by me In my despatch of the 0th of March, that the question on which Great Britain was ready to go to arbi tration was, 'whether. In the matters connected with the vessels out of whose depredations the claims of American citizens have arisen, the course pursued by the .British Government, and by those who acted upon Us authority, was such as would Involve a moral responsibility on the part of the British Government to make good, either In whole or in part, the losses of American citizens.' "In the same and In the previous despatches It will be found that, while agreeing to this limited reference as regards the so-called Ala bama claims, I have lepeatedly stated that ber Majesty's Government could not consent to reler to a foreign power to determine wnetber tbe policy of ber Majesty's Government In re cognising the Confederate Utates as belligerents was or was not suitable to the clrcumstauces of the time when the negotiation took place. After referring, however, to the terms of my despatch oftheiUlhof May, Mr. Seward goes on to say tnat. In tbe view taken by the United States Government, that Government would deem itself at liberty to lnsi6t before the arbiter that tbe actual proceedings and relations of the Bri tish Government, lis ollicers, agents, and sub Jpcs towards the United States in regard to the Rebellion and the Rebels as they occurred dur ing that Kebollion, aro among the matters which are connected with the vessels whose deprecations are complalued of; lust as iu the case of the iieneral claims alluded to by me, the actual proceedings and relations of her Ma jesty's Government, Its oftioers, agents, and subjects, in regard to the United States, in regard to the Rebellion and the Rebels, are necessarily connected with the transactions out of which those general claims arise. "rue language thus used by Mr. Seward ap pears to ber Majesty's Government to be open to the construction that it is the desire of the United htates Uovernment that any tribunal to be agreed upon in dealing with the so-called Alabama claims or with the 'general claims' rnlgtit enter Into tbe question, whether the aot of policy of her Mnjesti 'a Government in recD ni.irg tue Confederate Htates as a belligerent power was or was not suitable to the circum stances of the time when the recognition was made a consttuelion wblch, after the dis tinct and repeated Bvowal of her Majesty's Uov tmmiui, can hardly suppoi that it was in tended by Mr. Seward that the passage in his dec i atch should bear. "But to prevent anv misapprehension on this subject, her Majesty's Government think it necessary distinctly to say, both as regards the so-called Alabama claims brought forward by tbe citizens of the United Slutes, and as re gards tne general claims, that tuey cannot de part, direct ly or lndireotly, from thulr refusal to 'refer to a foreign power to determine whether the policy of recognizing the Confederate States as a belligerent power was or was not suitable to the circumstances of the time when the negotiation was made.' "As rewards the so-called Alabama claims, the only point which her Majesty's Govern ment can consent to refer to -the decision of an arbiter is the question of a moral responsibility of ber Majesty's Government, on tne assump tion that in actual state of war existed between the Government of the United States ani the Confederal States; and on thai assumption It would be for the arbiter to determine whether there had been any such failure on tne part of tbe British Government as a neutral In the ob servance, legally or morally, or any duties or relations towards the Uovernmont of the United Btales as could be deemed to involve a moral responsibility on the part ot the British Gov ernment to make good losses of American citi zens caused by the Alabama and other vessels . of tbe same clas. "As regards the general claims, the question of moral responsibility on the part of her Ma jesty's Government does not and cannot come Into dispute at all. "Mr. Seward rightly supposes that ber Ma jesty's Government contemplules two tribunals for the adjudication, cue or the Alabama claims, the other of trie general claims tue one being. In tbe first Instance, at all events, the tribunal of an arbiter, who would be called upon to pronounce on the principles of the moral responsibility of tbe Brush Government, and on the nature of whose decision would depend the question of the appointment of a mixed commission for the examination In detail of the several claims of citizens of the United Stales to which that declslou applied namely, those arising out of the depredatlous Of tbe Alabama aud other similar vessels, and tbe adjudication of tbe sums payable In ech ease; tue other, in Its commencement and to lis close, a purely mixed commission for the examination of the general claims of the sub Jecls and citizens of both countries arising out of tne war, aud the adjudication of the sums payable by either country In each case. "Tbe distinction betwteu the two classes of claims s clear, Tbe one may peyer come before a mixed comiuUhiou. and therefore tnav not require the assistance of an arhtler todeolde dlrh-rences cf detail arising between the com missioners the other, though originally brought before a mixed comuiUnfon, may p vi sibly rtqulre the Intervention of au arbiter lu cane of aditlereuce of opinion among tbe mem bers of the commission which could not be otherwise reconciled, aud for which, cs.se pro vision would be made lu the ordinary way In the convention for the set tleineul of the mixed claims by the iuserll:u of articles In regard to tbe selection of an arbiter, "The functions of such an arbiter, as well as an at biter for a like our pose lu tbe other mixed commission, for which prov Ision would have to be made to meet Utie contingency of the so called Alabama claims coming eventually under the cognlzanoe of a mixed commission, would have nothing in common wlm dim lunu. tlonsoftbe arbiter lowborn the question of principle luiuifcu iu mo ibv mentioned class of claims would be referred. 'Her Msleslv's Government cannot hnton. prehend that, if Mr. be ward really requires un restricted arbitration as app leublu to both classes of claims, and that the tribunals tn txnn rinuunf cases should proceed noon the sain principles, aud be clothed wlm tbe same v ' a. HA r. ii ..... u i . i.. ... i . .... . powers, up ii n . imii; " "v in. win inil Inevitable dtallucllou which exists t tween the classes; and, In directing you to sub mit to the consideration of Mr. Seward the ex planations and observations conlainel lu tut despatch, I have to Instruct you lo express the earnest hope of her Majesty's Government tliat tne Governmeat of the United States will, on furthei reflection, accept without hesitation the proposal made In my despatches to fVr P. Bruce of the 9th of March and or the 24th of May, both of this year namely 'limited refer ence to arbitration in regard to tne so-called Alabama claims,' and 'adjudication by means oi a mixed commission of general claims.' "You will furnish Mr. Seward with a copy of this despatch. I am, etc, Htamlby." COMMENTS Or THI LONDON DAILY HEWS. The London Dally flw remarks that the difficulty raised so gratuitously by Mr. Howard, on Lord Stanley's accession to offioe, still obstructs a teltlement. Lord Stanley cannot accept tbe proposition to refer to any tribunal the -policy of iier Majesty's Government, in recognizing the Confederate Htates as a belli gerent power. In any reference of the Alabama claims to arbitration. It mnst be assumed that au actual stale of war existed between the Government of the United States and the Con federate Htates. Tnat point being conceded, it would be for the arbiter to determine whether there had been any snoh failure on tbe part of tbe British Government In its duties as a neu tral, as could be deemed to Involve a moral responsibility on the part of tbe British Gov ernment to make good losses of American citi zens caused by the Alabama and other vessels of the same class. This Is the purport of Lord Stanley's despatch. Tbe Daily JVew expresses a hope that tbe question between tbe two countries may be settled before the Democrats the bitter ene mies of Kngland come Into office at Washing Ion. The Great Cyeloae In Bengal A Calcutta telegram of November 9 says: On tbe night of Friday, the 1st Instant, a cyclone raged in Bengal, extending, according to present information, from tbe Bay north ward to Sera zum, westward to Mldnapore and litirdwan, eastward to Burnsaul and Dacca. The rice crons throughout the track visited by the cyclone aro greatly lDjured. In many places it Is estimated that not one-fourth will be saved. Many buildings have been destroyed, as also boats on tbe lniand rivers laden with Jute and grain. Large quantities ol tbe growing Jute have also been destroyed. Great damage has been done at l'ort Canning. A storm-wave nearly six feet high carried away a portion of the river bank jetties; the railway Is much Injured aud the station de stroyed. At Calcutta the cyclone lasted nearly eight hours. Jt is estimated that it has done more damage to the city than the groat cyclone of October, 1804. In the city suburbs more than 11)00 lives have been ascertained to have been lost, and 4.'10,000 native huts destroyed. Tugs and other vessels have been wrecked at Snngor. Heverxl vessels are missing, and nu merous ships ore returning disabled. More than six hundred native boats bave been destroyed. The stesm transport Euphrates has put la at Calcutta to r fit, greatly Injured. At Burdwan, much distress has been occa sioned among tbe native population. The tele graph line along the Ganges has been thrown down. In Bengal, great distress is reported. The Bengal Government Is actively encaged lu taking measures for tbe relief of the sufferers; the Board of Revenue is co operating with It. Tbe Famine Belief Committee are collecting funds. The Commerce of Denmark. COPENHAGEN A GAINER BY THE LATE WAR. Some Interesting facts are furnished in a re port by tbe British Vice-Consul at Copen hagen, on the trade and navigation of Copen hagen for the year I860. lie says: "The number of ships of all nations that en tered that port from foreign ports during the yearlMJB was 4802, carrying 150,31)7 commercial lasts of merchandise. On the olber band, 4718 ships, with 87,873 commercial lasts of cargo, lett Copenhagen lor foreign parts during the same j erkd. jn early 10,0.0 sailing bins of a collec tive tonnage of upwards of 114,000 commercial lasts, cleared in and out of thin port duilug the year, engaged In tbe Inland trade. Steamers to tbe number of 2200, with about 40,000 oomioer cial itsts of merchandise, also cleared in and cut, likewise engaged In the lniand tra te. "The Danish meichant marine. In 18(10, con sisted of 8lMt ships, ofa burden oi 80,139 commer cial lasts, rne iraae Deiween ureal .Britain and Copenhagen is larger man that of any olber. The number of English vessels that en tered (he port or Copennagen during the year I860 was 709, ofa tonnage of 145,000, of whlc l the greatest number arrived direct from Great Britain. On the other hand, 142 ships, of UB.O JO tout-, cleared from Copenhagen. Their cargoes consisted or coals, sugar, aud general cargoes. The provision trade with Great Britain was formerly almost entirely monopolized by the Altona and Hamburg bouses, hut sinco the war it appears to have become localized In Copenhagen, "Since ine severance or me jjuomes rrom Denmark, aud tbe interruption of the Intimate commercial relations existing between the latter and the great German marts of Altona and Hamburg, the tendency of the Danish com merce In general has been to centre in Copen hagen, which is now the only place In the kingdom offering those facilities, both looal and financial, so necessary to the healthy de velopment ot industrial enterprise la these rei-pects, therefore, Copenhagen has been a de cided vainer by the late war, and is rapidly in creasing in Importance as a commercial empo rium." Oxford, the Potboy. After twenty-seven years of confinement In a criminal lunatic asylum, during wblch his con duct has been exemplary, ana no traces hve appeared ot mental aberration, Oxford, tbe pot. boy, wnosnoiat ner aisjesty in si. james' rarir., has been liberated. During this time many appeals bave been made In bis behalf by influ ential persons who have bad tbe opportunity of watching his demeanor and gauging his char acter. Ills owu story has always been, and was consistently from the first, that tbe pistol which be Area was nol loaded. 11 will be remembered that no bullet was ever lound. He attributes tbe criminal act which he has expiated by long immurement, and whlob, under a less merciful Government, must have cost him bis lite, to Inordinate vanity, fostered bv a variety of trivial circumstances in his domestic life aod training on which we need nol dwell, and which led to a senseless desire to attain notoriety by some means, and tbls foolish and criminal impulse led to bis lamentable crime. lie has occupied bis lime iu a certain amount of self, education, of which tbe means have been granted to him at Broadmoor and in tbe asylum In which be was iormerlv oondned, and has become a tolerable linguist. He has also tanght himself and practised "graining," wnicu ne uoes sumcienuy wen 10 earn a living. He bus been mercifully released, but has been very properly prohibited from remaining In or visiting Kngland. Whether directly iusne at I he time ol bis oflense, or led by a miserable love or notoriety, it is very rlaht that thenar. hon or tbe Sovereign should be protected from tbe vanity or a man wno. at however distant a period, conld commit tbe cowardly ou rage or u tncii ne was tne perpetrator. jsrumn Medical journal. II otv Lord Hoist's Great Tcleicops wti Tha London Guardian, sneaking of the creat telescope oi me late iora uosse, tens now it wa made: "Lord Kosseo's speculum Is six feet In diame ter, and lis looal distance that Is lo sav, the uiaiHuue oi tua point at wntcu the reueoieu Iniaye is formed is titty-three feet- This nec.et. bit ales a wooden tube or rather more than that length, aud at least seven feet In diameter. Let the reader figure the dltliouliy or suspending snch a tube, Heavily weighted at one extremity with four tons ot metal oasl Into the shape or a inn i w . fiw.it. vi. . iiiu ufi'ci vuu witn tne movable galleries for the observers, and the whole capable of smooth though limited mo tion, and he v. Ill Imve some notion of tbe easiest part of the problem which Lord Uosse had lo solve. For by lar the most difficult part was the casting aud polishing of tbe mirror itself These four tons of tin and Conner, mlnilmi tn definite proportions, had to be oast lulo the shape of an exact paraboloid, and the whole surlace raised afterwards lo a faultless polish. Three huge Iron crucibles, In three separate fui usees, held these vast masnes of fusing ui-UI, which, after three hours' exposure lo the heal, were lifted out by huge cranes, aud poured lulo Hie earelully-prepareu mount. "Tbe spectacle of Mial casting must have been sight til only to be described lulhe'Hougof iut-jiun.- ji iook place ai uint. -aoovo we qunttolrom Mr. Weld's picturesque description In his 'Vacations In Ireland' 'Hie skv orawdel With stars seeuid to look down ftiisiilcloiixl v on the work; below the fMrnas poured out liuae rolumns of nearly mono chromatin yellow flames, and the Ignited crucibles, during their raage through tbe air, were fountains of red Ighl, producing on the lowers of the castle such accidents of color and shade as might almost transport fancy to the realms of enchantment.' And when the crucibles discharged their seeth ing contents, 'for several minutes the metal rolled in heavy waves like those of heating quicksilver, and broke In a sort or fire on the sides of tbe mould.' This, however, was only the flrit process. For sixteen weeks tbe moulded metal was left In the annealing oven, and when it was with drawn It had still to undergo the delicate and hazardous operatlonsof grlndlugand polishing. These were successfully efl'octed by a small steam-enslne, Imitating, with the utmost nicety, the light touch of tbe human hind the only Instrument which had hitherto been thought capable or ibis work. Not even yet, however, had the speculum passed all Us dan gers. The construction of tbe framework, wblch was to support it, was a problem of no small difficulty. The slightest strain or flexure is sufficient to distort the Image ofa star. It was necessary to support the speculum by a pressure which shonia tell with exact equality on every portion of Its surface. A most Inge nious contrivance or a system or triangles, car. rylng at their angles eighty-one brass balls capable of revolving freely, supplies this want. On these balls the speculum reposes, with an absolute uniformity ot pressure, through the changes of direction communicated to It by tne universal Joint by which the whole vast appa ratus Is connected Willi Its foundation In the earth. This Is a brief sketch of the many dimcmlttes which bad to be overcome and tbe many prob lems which had to be solved in the const ruction of this great telescope. We have enumerated them in order that due meed or fame may be assigned to the genius, perseverance, industry, and munificence wblch triumphed over all. All this was done by Lord Kosse himself. The powerful and delicate machinery required for all these nice and difficult operations was con ceived and matured in his brain. Tbe work men who executed it were trained by bis care and worked nnuer his own eye. Tbe whole vast expanse was defrayed from his own re sources." ANOTHER TENEMENT HOUSE H0I& ROR IN NEW YORK. K Woman, Five Girls, and a Boy Smothered to Death Five Other Per sons In tha Hospital Supposed Incen dlarlim. From the New York Papers of to-day. Great disasters are, if not a consequenco, a concomitant or modern clvlllz ttlon; but as everything Is noticeable only by comparison, a succession of astounding eveuts has so prep ired us against surprise that matters of groit Import frequently pass our observation unnoticed and untbought of. Occasionally, however, something happens so sudden In Its nature and fearful In Us effects that the most callous Imagination is appalled, and tbe most hackneyed mind arrested in con templation. Of such a nature was a disaster lu Second avenue yesterday moruing. In a tene ment house not differing from the ordinary plan of bulldln? s of that character, the various families occupying apartments there retired at the usual hour, in the full vigor and strength of health, many of them to wake no more, vo doubt, fatigued from the recreation they tad indulged iu the previous day, and looking for ward to a week of toll, slumber visited them without much wooing, and dulled their senses to all outward perception. The never-ceasing current of departing time rolled lis Increasing moments Into hours, aud midnight found the occupants of this dwelliug wrapped in peaceful slumbers. Some three or four young ladles, boarders, who had In the tiue spirit of feminine coquetry adorned their persons in the expectation of seeing, probably, a preferred friend, extiloited even lu their un consciousness slgnsot the taste wbloU baU been exercised in their toilette. Ono o'clock struck, but awaked no echo In tbe ears of those who slept here; two o'clock passf d, but bad not long registered its testimony of deparllngllme upou the silence ot the night, before a cry rang out sharp and ciearin ineeariy morning air, -nrei Fire I" "Fire 1 Are 1" was repeated inside la smothering accents, and forms were seen at the windows In frantlo gesticulation, and fearful tllorla visible on the pari of tbe Inmates to escape from what seemed Inevitable doom. JNO name was to ne seen, no spara, no sign oi lire, but pouring from every o 'uit and crevice and loophole dense volumes ' smoke broke forth thick and menacing, . 3g harrowing testimony to arriving witnesses of what was being endured inside, la this house, and from suflocntion.thus caused perished Mrs. O'Meara, aged fifty; Eliza, aged nineteen; Mary Jane, aged sixteen, and Catharine, aged thirteen, her daughters; Hiiien murpuy, ugeu seventeen; Mary, aged fourteen; aud Thomas, aged ten. Besides these Cornelius O'Meara and Rosani Murphy are now in hospital In a very critical condition. Mo. 606 second avenue, tue scene or this cala mity, was occupied as follow: Basement and first floor, bakery aud residence of Maximilian Miller and wife. Secoud floor rear (front being unoccupied), Jacob Campbell aud wife, with two boaidets, Emma Eldrldge and Alice Dm vis. Third floor front, John O'Meara and wife, three daughters, and one son; rear, Mr. Thos. Kelly, wife, and two children. Fourth floor front, Lawrence Cunningham, wife, and four chil dren; rear, ratrick taurpny, wiie.iourcuuaron, and Ellen Eifly, a boarder. IBS ORIGIN OF THE FIRS. As near as can be ascertained the fire broke out very soon after 2 o'clock In tbe morning, wben all the inmates of the upper portion of the house were wrapt in profound slumber. At tbat time the attention of tbe police was attracted to tbe vicinity by piercing shrieks, and by cries of "Fire" and "Murder." The alarm was sounded, and a number of the Twenty-first precinct force hastened to tbe corner of St con d avenue and Thirty-third street. For some moments they were nnable to ascertain the precise locality of tbe Are. the glrong northwest wind which was prevailing at the time keeping the smoke from issuing into tbe street. At length tbe frlghtetied faces and agonized voices of persons In the house directed them to tbe fated No. 600. Bursting in the hall door, an effort was made to extricate the endangered. tenants ; -but the stifling smoke rendered all attempts at en trance futile until tbe Are engines had suc ceeded In subduing the flames in the basement. During this Interval the occupants ol tbe back room behind the store, as well as several of tbe tenants up stairs, succeeded iu making tbelr way to the street. A portion of the police force mounted to the roof of tbe adjoining building, and bv means of rone extricated tbe family in the frout room of the top floor by bodily hoisting each person to the roor through tbe windows. How far tbe loss of life might have been lessened bad il not been fair an un- lortunate accident at this time, is a matter of surmUe. une or me occupants oi tne upper story procured the ladder leading to the sky light, and placed it In position for an exit upon tbe roof. He had asceuded only a few steps wben it broke In pieces beneath bis welghtaod precipitated him to the floor. A subsequent examination of the ladder showed that It was u. most frail a Hair. The wood forming the sides had been cut bias to tbe grain, aud it is a wonder tnat it una DOl nereioiore pioveu us wuco. who, i hn wnluhi. of the ascending man had snapped 11 across in two places. It did not break. The wood split, owing to the grain being at an acute nr.ol lo the lenuth. An investigation of the . basement showed tbe woodwork charred to such an extent that one oi the gtruers naa biokeu and fallen aslant to tbe floor. The fire, however, was entirely confined to this portion .fi tiiiliitinir- it did not even make its way above the ground-floor, except In the vloloily i. .iAiruii where it burned up the sur rounding woodwork. In the front of the base ment was tbe oven of the bakery ana in me rear was boarded off a small apart merit used by l lie journeyman of tbe bakery as a bedroom. A (tfUft Itfltt. IH1A11 ed nut into the yard, and a nsrrow stone stairway at the front, covered with a wooden door, led lulo tue Btreeu DKHCBIPTION Or THE PREMISES. The noene of the fearful tragedy Is a four story brick tenement house of what is known as the secoud or third oIbhs. The grouud floor is a lore, with sitting-room In the rear. Tbe upper three stories are contrived for teuemeut occu pancy, lo the front, on each floor, is a Utile parlor, embracing two of the windows, with a kltoLtu taking lu the Iblrd, aod two dark bed rooms In the middle of the bouse, occupying tbe rpaoe between the wall and I he hallway, both openlug Into tbe parlor. The width of the houss enabled this very comfortable division of the space. The house Is twenty-five feet wide by forty-flve In depth. The rear apartment are contrived as counterparts of those in front, and each comprise sitting-room, kitchen, and two bed-rooms. The bouse Is substantially built, and Is unobjectionable on this score. THE BCENB INSIDE. As the visitor mounted the dingy stairway he had fearful evidence of the destructive nature of the death-dealing heat and smoke that had ascended from tbe burning haaemeut. The yellow or greenish paint on the walls was shrivelled And scorched, while In many plaoes its color had been blistered to a different hue. How so much heat could accompany tue all penetrating smoke Is one of the m ml remarka ble If not mysterious features or the disaster. The Interior or tbe house, rrom what was appa rent to the spectator, must have been as hot as the furnace of a foundry. In the front room, on the third story, evidences were plainly visible of the unexpected calamity which had so suddenly visited Its Inmates, The apart ment was the comfortable home of a working man and his family, who had retired calmly to repose. A little boy's sled was in the corner, while a jaunty Jockey hat, with a red flower, and the coll ana comb of l chignon, laid aside from a female toilet, told how unlooked-for at the time of retiring was the terrible vUltor death. Even the morning's meal, ready for cooking, was set apart on a tray. Tbe fearful fright and confu sion whloh ensued wben tbe danger was dis covered was too truly portrayed In ihesoittered farments and general disorder of the room, nto IbU cut de aa, wben tue alarmed Inmates opened the door, rushed tbe dealh-laden sirocco ot smoke, stilling in an Instant those who in haled It, and blistering and discoloring the paint on the woodwork, and even the varnish on the furniture. Everything was Impregnated with its pungent, creosote-like odor, and the r-niell haunted the nostrils of the visitor long alter he emerged Into the open air. FINDING THE BODIES. Immediately upon the arrival of the police and firemen an effort was made to give succor to the unfortunate people who It was known were Inside or the building, captain Allaire, of the Twenty-first I'recinct, who was early on tbe ground, and Deputy Engineer W. W. Rhodes, essayed to mount the stairs, but were forced back by tbe volume or smoke whloh filled the eutlre passage way. After much per sistence, however, they finally succeeded, and, having reached the third floor, a sad spectacle was presented to their view. The three girls, Eliza, Mary Jane, and Catharine O'Meara, were on the floor in tbe last agonies of dissolution, tbelr mother being quite dead, while their father, Cornelius, was t-lruggling with the most fearful muscular effort against suffocation. In this connection a very touching circumstance was observable. The girls were, of course. In their night clothing, but one of them still bore In the ar rangement of her hair evidence of tbe feminine instinct, which had probably on the previous day Induced her to "frizz" or curl it, or other wise dreRS it In anticipation of a visit from some admirer, in no expectation of Us being her last toilet. Having removed those bodies, and sent ibem to the hospital, in hopeful desire tbat some sparks of life might remain, the police and firemen penetrated to the fourth lloor, where, in the back room, they founa three more dead, Ellen, Mary, aud Thomas Murphy. The mother of these (Mrs. Rosanna Murphy) was removed in an Insensible condi tion, being almost suffocated, and is still in an extremely critical slate, while their father, Patrick Murphy, having escaped from the but ding by lumping irotn tue winuow. was likewise seriously mjureu. THE ESCAPE OF THE SURVIVORS. The circumstances under which some of the inmates of the building escaped are truly re markable, l'atrlck Murphy, who occupied the fourth floor rear, out of the simple instinct of self-preservation, jumped from tbe window, but has no recollection of the manner of bis exit. The Cunningham family the parents and four children who occupied the fourth lloor front, were rescued by Officers Corgao, Slatterly, and Carroll, wno, passing a rope to mem, named them through one of the windows on to the roof. Officer Clarkson was instrumental in rescuing the elrl Ellen Duffy. The third floor rear was occuplod by Mr. and Mrs. Kelly and two cniuireo. Airs, ivcuiy waa ratner Neriously lnlured by jumping cut of the window. The others escaped uninjured. A FORTUNATE ACROBAT. Butbv far the-most remarkable escape was that of Jeremiah Murphy, aged thirteen years, whose acrooatio uispiay iu euueavonng to insure his own safety was worthy of a profes sional. Finding his retreat cut off by the door, and being entirely opposed to perishing from suffocation, this little fellow, with a courage most admirable, swung nimseii outot tne win dow, and catching hold of the gutter running along the edge ef tbe roof above, by sheer ex ercise of muscle or wiU drew himself up lo a place of safety, THE CONDITION OP THE SURVIVORS. Apart from the spectacle of tbe seven corpses, which formed such a sad attraction at the Morgue, nothing has more calculated to give an Impression o. the Intense horror of this disaster than a visit to the bedsides of the various injured parlies in tbe hospital. Num bers of tbe philanthropic of both sexes per formed this work of mercy yesterday, while the friends and relatives of the hurt hunted the wards and passages In nnoontrollable anxiety respecting their condition. In ward No. 23 Julia Kelly and Honora Murphy hovered on the conflnesof tbatnnknown world from which no messenger relurneth, so afflicted thai but little aid to determine their status could be sained even from tbe best medical skill. Mrs. Kelly showed most signs of Improvement In ber condition, being, although much reduced and seemingly very weak. In an encouraging state of convalescence. Her companion in misfortune was, however. In a most critical state, and exhibited but scant signs of possible recovery. In ward No. 7 Cor. nelius O'Meara struggled in almost death throes. It was painful to watch the agony of a man struck down tn his strength, gasping for breath, panting and writhing with convulsive energy to overcome the influence that had prostrated him. It is extremely doubtful whether he survives or not, Tbe others injured, Patrick Murphy and Mary Ann Gorry, are doing well, and are In a fair way of recovery. THE ARRESTED PARTY. The baker. Maximilian Miller, In whose pre mises the fire originated, was seen. It is at. leged, on the street, fully dressed, about the time of tbe first alarm. The appearance of the fire aud other circumstances iuduoed the Fire Marshal to cause bis arrest, and he was appre hended by Captain Allaire and lodged In the eiatlou-hoNse. His wife, who rushed out Into the Btreet lu time to escape tbe dangers ot the smoke, was also arrested, bat was subsequently discharged by tbe Coroner. Miller, however, Is still held to await the result of the Coroner's investigation. Mrs. Miller, who speaks Eng lish imperfectly, says she was awakened by the smoke, and called out to her husband several times, but received no answer, and rushed out Into tne street. Miller bought out the previous proprietor In Peptfmber last, and has since oarrled on the businet-s, with the aid of a journeyman, uatll last Saturday, when i he latter left his situation. The baktbouse was not In operation on the morning of the fire, wblch fact heightens ibe my stery of Its origin. Miller was married about four months aio, and, as stated above, entered into business iu September. On being taken lo the Station Rouse he was searched, when two silver watches, about a hundred dollars in ereenbacks. some letters, and a memorandum- book were lound upon his person. By direction of the Fire Marshal he was pre vented from communicating with anybody, so 1 bat the public are for tbe present deprived of his statement of what he may know concern ing tbe orlglu of tbe fire. He bad an lnsurauoe of (1600 upon bis stock aud furniture la the Baltic Insurance Company, and his loss will amount to about $200. The building Is owned l y t nrl. a Hoffman, and Is Insured for $1000 In the Eagle Insurance Company. It is damaged to the extent of about $500. The loss lo the tenants by damage to furniture will not exceed rm. Whether the Are was tbe work of an Inoen dliiry remains a matter for the investigation of the Fire Marshal. i Railroad Itepalred. CiEVf LiNB, Deo. 17. Tbe repairs on the ta load bridge ever tbe Banducky river, at Fre mont, will be completed this loreuoon. The train leaving heie and Toledo this afternoon, will go through without Interruption. A street railroad Is talked of la Lafayette, Indiana. SECOND EDITION FROM WASHINGTON TO-DAY. The Cnso of Commodore Meade The Whisky Convention Rumors General Grant and the Clerks, Etc. Etc. special despatches to the evening teleokafii.) Washington, Doc, 17. Tbe Clerical Advance of Salary. Tbe subject of the 20 per cent, additional compensation totheclerks In the Departments, and its partial defeat yesterday. In tbe House, excites a great deal of discussion to-darinall circles, for not only the clerks, but many of their creditors, are deeply Interested. Maay ol I he clerks bitterly denounce General Grant for withdrawing his letter of recommendation, and If a vote were taken to-day, Grant stock in the Departments would be found at a discount. However much he loses in popularity, heoa tbat account will be more than balanced by the approval of the country tor his efforts in favor of retrenchment. Having cut down expanses heavily in the War Department, be could not consistently rccomtneud the payment of a mil lion and a half or dollars as a gratuity to clerics who are now well paid fr Ave or six hours' work dally. It is asserted, too, that his withdrawal of his former letter, recom mending the twenty per cent, lucre tie, was Induced by the discovery that the Com mittee from the clerks who waited on him lo secure his recommendation, misrepresented or misstated some important facts to induce him to give the letter; but Grant, on finding be had been Imposed upon, took the earliest opportu nity to withdraw it. Theclerks bad based much of their hopes of success on Grant's recom mendation. The Whisky Convention. Tbe sensational despatches from here tosome Northern papers, representing that the distil lers bave a fund of a quarter of mlltlou dollars or more to corrupt Congress, the press, aud the different Departments, are all moonshine, and are believed to be instigated by parlies who want to blackmail the distillers, to seoure their silence. The firms represented last week in the Convention here were among the most respect able and wealthy of uny in the community. They come from all parts of the oountry, and resorted to no improper means to advance their Interests; but after deliberating and agreeing upon certain reforms which their ex perience suggested would he beneficial for tbe Government to adopt, they waited on the Commissioner of Internal Revenue and sub mitted tbelr views to the House Committee of Ways and Means, who gave them a respectful and patient hearing, as they would any other Important Industrial Interest wblch might claim protection at their bands. The Case of Commodore Meade. General Meade Is here trying to have his brother. Commodore Meade, retained on the active list in tbe navy. A short time since Commodore Meade was before tbe Examining r.oard, who recommended that he be placed on the retired list. General Meade is understood to have appealed to the President to have tba action of the Board set aside, and his brother continued on the active service list. LATEST BY THE CUBA CABLE. WEST INDIES. Arrest of a Ship Captain at St. Thomas Severe Kirs in Demarara. Havana, Dec. 16. Advices, without date, re ceived here from St. Thomas repert tnat a ship captain (of tbe Tldert) bad been imprisoned at that port, charged with not having;reported the death of one of his sailors from a choleraic attack when out some days from Havana. He was soon released, however. We have news from Demarara whloh states that a terrldo dre oconrred there. The previous report of e irt b- ijuukb iiucKB hi Aiariinique and u uadaloupe are contradicted; CUBA. The Prohibitory Duty on Foreign Cattle. Havana, Dec. 16. In accordance with the new orders the prohibitory duty that was im posed on all cattle Imported Into Cuba canuot be enforced now until four months' previous notice has been given. Said notice has, as yet, not been published by the authorities. The steamer Blasoo Garay sailed hence to-day for the Island of Porto Hioo, with money and provisions to relieve the suffering Inhabi tants. FRENCH ANTILLES. Terrlfle Fire on the Island of Oaada. loupe No Ksithqunke at Blartlnjqne Havana, Deo. 16 We have tbe confirmation of ray previous despatch announcing tbe factor a terrlrio fire having taken place on tne Island of Guadaloupe. but no particulars have readied me. The report of an earthquake at Martinique Is now contradicted. . ST.KITTS. Earthquake Shocks and Upheaving of the Sea. Havana, Deo; 16. Later advices from the iflandofBt. Kills bave been reoeived at San tiago. Violent shocks of earthquake were ex perienced there on tbe 13th aud 80th of Nov ember, the sea rising several feet on each oc casion. FROM EUROPE BY CABLE. Horning Report of Markets. London, Dec. 17 11'15 A. M. Consols, 92 11-16; United States 5-20s firm at 71; Illinois Central, 8: Erie Kailroad, fiOj. FbaSkfort, Dec. 17 11'16 A. M. United States 6-20!-, 76. Livebpool, Deo. 17 1115 A.M. Cotton quiet and steady. Sales probably 81)00 bales. Bread em its quiet. Wheat firm, Londonderry, Dec. 17 1116 A. M. Steamer Moravian arrived out. FINANCE AND COMMERCE. Ornca or thb Bvbnino Tbivisaph,! Tuesday, I:0. 17. lnt)7. The vote in the House of Representatives yesterday on the motion of General Butler to suspend the rules in order that he might hve an opportunity of offering his resolution In favor of the payment of the bonds 1a green backs, may bo considered a pretty fair test of the opinioa of the House on that important topic. It developed tbe (Act that eighty-three members were opposed to and Qlty five iu favor of the motion. The vote was not a political one, each party being divided on the question. We do not think tbat those in favor of the motion were all In favor of the bill. Some of them voted for it out of eourtesy to General Butler. Of our Philadelphia delegation Judge Eelley voted aye and Myers, Randall, O'Nell, and Tay lor nay. It will be seen, by tbe compirative strength, that tbe party in favor of this infringe ment on the spirit of our national ceutract U in a helpless minority. It is a matter of no tmall dilliculty to determine as to what Is the sentiment ot the House, on various Import ant questions, by reason of the prevalence of tbe previous quenion rule, which virtu ally cuts off all debate. But judging from the vote, we would opine tbat a large majority oppose contraction and favor the payment of the bonds in (told. Tbe Stock Market wat inactive this mornlo?, but prices were without anv muterial ebanee. (fOverument loans were firmly held. 'C5 6 20s sold at 107J, no chtrnne: lOOj was bid for 10-40; 111 for G of 1881; and 1041 for June and July 7,30a. City loanB were in fair demaud, the new Issue sold at 98, a slight decline, aud old do. at 96. no ctasaae. f.aiiroad shares wore the most active on the list. Lehigh Valley sold at at GO.J, a slirht ad vance, Catuden aud Amboy at lM, " caauge: yeanajWanl Railroad at cUwige; aud Reading at 47J, no change. 28 was bid for Little Schuyllcill; Ci for Nornstown; 571 for Mlnehtll; 82 for North Penrmlvanla; 234 for Catawlnsa preferred; and 284 lor Philadelphia and Erie. ' . City Passenger Railroad shares were un changed. Germantowu sold at 27: and Hprnca nd line at 26. 184 was bid for Thirteenth and Hftoentta ; 44 for Cbesnnt and Walnut; 4 for ' West Philadelphia: and 114 tor Hcstotiville. , Bunk sbiires were in eood demand for Invest meet at full prices. Manufacturers' sold at 30, no change: Mechanics' at29J, no change; and ' Commercial at 63, no chanee. 130 was bid for Farmers' and Mechanics'; 110 for Kensington; 65 for Glrard; 90 for Western; 70 for City j and ' 611 for Commonwealth. Cauitl shares were dull. LchUh Navigation sold at 30jffi)30, clo1ng at the former rate, a decline ol : aud Delaware Division at 48. aa advance of . 13 was bid for Schuylkill Navi gation common; 88 for Morris Caual preferred; and 12 for busquebRnns Canal. - Quotations ot Gold 10J a. M., 134j; 11 A. M., 135; 12 M.. 1.14: 1 P. M.. 1344, a decline of on the closing price last evening. The New York Herald this morning says: "Money win to abundant supply, and loais were made freely to Unit class stock houses at six per onnt. on mixed collaterals, ailhfingh seven was Kenerally kukfd by the banks. The transactions at the lower rate wre, howevor.more numerous tniin atthehlfiier one. The discount line ffilt tlis etrcl of th favorable bank statement to snm nzteot, and strictly prime names were ratod at lift per ceut. on the street, while the banks showed Increased willingness to dlHcount on a limited scelo for their cistomeraat the legal rate. Inferior grades of paper were never theIeH nut of favor, belli at the hanks and araonff private discounters. The nub-Treasury beKSn the dlBbumcuient of the semi-annual Inlnrmt on the J une seven-Hi Iny notes this morning. and also the redemp tion of the December compound Intereet notes. The ' prloclpal of the notes for live thousand dollars aud upwards was paid In thrre per cent, certldcutes or currency, at the option of tbe holders. Those of smaller denoiuloailoas were redeemed la currency exclusively." The N. Y. World this morning says: "The Gold Room opened rather dull at the last qno tatlon of Katurday, 13KI3IS,, and same sales were subsequently made at XiiVia per cent., but by 11 o'clock the turn of the market was upward again, and the afternoon sales were at 13 l(aViS, closing at laitj per cent, at 8 o'clock. The short interest IB the Room Is believed to be on the Increase, i be preponderating opinion among the speculators being In the direc tion of lower fiuores heiore trie New Year. The mag nitude or the short sales, however, and tbe firmness In the foreign Exchanges, have created in the last few days a pretty strong counter-Interest, and several of the German houses are buyers for the ad vance, Tho cash gold Is less abundant and the balances held lor the Hull account are el'.ber lent one free of Interest or carried over at from 2 to 0 m cent. Interest, according to the terms agreed upon between the borrower and lender. Kills on London Tor the Koston eteamer are quoted at H0.'t(flH0.l4 tor 60 days and l0!a(ajluu.' snort sight." The N. Y. Tribune this morning says: "Money Is abundant at ( per cent, on oall npon mixed collaterals. Commercial paper passes more readily, but rales are unchanged. Tne bent Is quoted at 7S(rf!, and second grade at l.ol2 per cent, ''Congress shows no aooearanceor bsaty financial legislation, and nothlug will be done until after the holidays. Contraction Is for tbe moment aa dead as Impeachment, and the Treasury has all it can do la meeting Its maturing obligations, without reducing tbe volume or United states notes. "As there are still 285.5(m.(X O of 7'30s to be fanded Into gold-bearing stock wlthlu tbe next seven months, it Is not probable tbat the money market will be made stringent until this task Is accomplished. The neces sity for an easy money market has ne 'er been greater than now, so far as funding short debt is concerned. On tbetsth ot January. IbflS. the last coupons or the 7 30s mature, when a general desire will be shown to iund them. "B'lls at 60 days on London are qno'ed at 109Vi09s for commercial; lKKuHIO1. for bankers': do. at short sight, 1I0?!1K: Pa'ls, at 60 days, vtsrdis UW: do. at short sight. B-12fc'$vt0: Hamburg. SO'ftOSB1,': Amster dam, 41('ii41Ui Frankfort.. l(g)il!i; Bremen, 79j7; Prussian tbalers,71X(72'4." PIULADEIFHH 8T0CK EXCHANGE SALttS T0-DAI Reported by Cebaveu A Bro., No. 40 8. Third street jriKMT UUAKL). RO0 twos 61cp...jim.l(i7S I 1 ah cam A Am .12A liuooC AAmis.'ta s;s iiiioocityss, lS.cSp.ti uh' IMOO do.Ocitp. 9V4 (100 do.O.,.c&p. BSS, 111:00 Pa cp 5 95 fiOOO AU Co'y Co 6s.. Is. 60 year bds. 7i!i 12 sh TTazleton Coal. 47 iotiah Butler Coal ...... 7ll 200 sh Ocean Oll... Mish Msnu Hk....... 80 ii sh Mecb Bk. . 2!),',' 10 ah Leu N iik. 0' l0 dO............ 80 'i 2U0 d()....ls..sr. SUV 1U0 do S80. SQ!i 65 sn ien v ti 1( 0 sh Penna R..... 4D do. It sh Coin 'I Bk...... 2o sh I'ol Division., 49?2 . 4X Si Kb ((arm P H.. 6uo sh Head R...la.b34. 47,'tf Messrs. De Haven 4 Brother, No. 40 Booth Third street, report tho following rates of en change to-day at 3 P. M. : 17. 8. 6s of 1881, 11 li 1114; do. 162, 10SJai08J; do., 18(14, 104$ 104j; do., 18G5. 104J(ai05i: do., 1865, new, 107j(d 107J; do., 18G7, new, 107;q10; do. 6s, 10-403, 1003ai00,; do. 7-30, June, 104i3104; do., July, 104jai04i; Compound Interest Notes, June, 1864;Ti 119-40; do., July, 1864, 119-40; do. August, 1864, 110-40; no., October, 1864, 119-40; do. December. 1864, 119-40; do Mav, 1865. 117U7i: do.. Aucust. 1805. 116irai 1161: do., September, 18C5, 115115ij do., October, ISM, H5j115. Gold, 1341344. Silver, 128129j. Messrs. Jay Coofce ft Co. quote Govern ment secuiltles, etc., as follows: U. 8. 6s oi 1881, 1114(3)1114; old 5-20s, 108J1108; new 5-20s. 1864, 104C6104; do., 1865, 104Jf(fil05J: do., July. 1074107; do., 1867, 107f&107'; l5-40s, 100 100i; 7-308 June, I044104; do., July, 104J 104. Gold, 1344134i. Philadelphia Trade Report. Tfksday, Deo. 17 Bark. The stock la light, and No. 1 Quercitron Is lu eood demand at $36 V ton. 1 Seeds Cloverseed Is scarce, and commands $77 75 V 64 lbs. Prices or Timothy are nomi nal. Flaxseed Is selling to the crushers at 1215. The Flour Market Is remarkably dull; but prices, particularly of good family brands, are well mairitfilnoii. TlisiinmstvtiiMiimor. nn...- spariDKly. Tbe sales foot up 4U0 barrels, lnola-. ding superfine at $7-508-25j extra at 8 GOty9 It3 Northwestern extra family at f 9 75(10 75: Penn sylvania aod Ohio do.do.atS1075(dl2; and fancy brands at S 12-7614. according to quality. Kye Vlnnp la MAlllnir In Small uav ol. Bkl-toliQr: u . " - - r - - j w uvyo I J w barrel. Nothing doing in Corn Meal. There is a' fair inquiry for Wheat of prime quality, which is scarce, and held firmly at full prices; but commou grades are neglected. Hales or&outbern and Penusylvaula red at ll'i'yft'i-Sfi. Kye is in steady requfst, with sales of 1200 bushel Pennsylvania at $172 I '74. Corn is moderately active at a further advance. Hales of 1000 bushels old yellow at f 1 ii- and 6000 bushels new Western mixed at tl'30$l'35. tiia latter rate for choice dry. Oats are dull. Bales Of 20410 bushels at 6S(a)73c. Whisky Nothing doing. LATEST SHIPPIKS IHTELLISEHCE. For additional Marine Newt tee Inside Pages. POBTOV PHUAIXPillA.....DttCiMBEB.17. STATI Of fHKOMTK T THB SVXMlMe TBX.S- uaAfU oirricie. IA. U. M...-80ill A. M ,B4t f. V. .I8 ARRTVaD THIS BfOENIKTQ. Btearnshipltuuter.Uo(jeis. jday frpm Providence, with mdse. lo D. S. Human A txi. Brig Circassian, Bunker. 4 days frera Booton, la bsllSHl to J. K. UBi'ey A Co. City Ice Boat. KouetieiiKHr.from Newcastle, having towed lucrt-to brigs Herald and Beul. Carver, where tbey remained last evening From New Castle down there was no low In slHbt. The toe Boat is coallotf, and will leave again, to morrow aiorulug, M 1R M Olt OA -Bnrque Tejuca, Harrlmau, henoe, Qneenstown MMa"ii'erord Bvran. Kmberloos, '" don tor n$f&$i5ii!S&. bence, a. Brouwers- hMSV"M: Kindt, hano.. . Brouwershaveu Wth "li1?"- n m smith, from Providence: R. 8 Miller, ricbrs R. M smiin. Batchelor. Irom Bo Arjueisoii. '""".VoodrutT. Irom New ttodtord, ail lor I'ulls'Vt; "oeuTao. Bhato; T. Cw7t.on Brown; It. OloaSey, Pott S1- J. T Tkr. Allen; J. O. Thorn Perry, .,.,., m,u. .n 1,,,,,, 1 v.Al. rO .7. Potter, L. lluuier, hnmniton. VaaaauL! Judfi!Dn' MrrlcU, Blevena, all Iroui fuUadeluuia, at &hr W. ; Wallace. Scull, for Pbadelphla, sailed from Provioeiice 1Mb. Wis. felt brJ biirler, Wllllaius, hence lor Psotego,!. C I Kewbern ltih lusfc DOMKHTIU POm Jflrw Yoair. Heo. 17 Arrived, steamship City ol Boston, Hossell. from Liverpool. -ktleawablp Nebraska. Merry, trom Atplnwalll bteausbip Union, Uovey, from Mew Urleaua,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers