GIBSON PEACOCK. Editor. VOLUME xrx.---No. 216. VENING BULLETIN. PUB.LISEKD NVERY JEMEMEGI (Except Sunday) at No. 329 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, t 4 0 1 I :fin; Mt (1) ; Sta. SIM PROPYISTO ON PEACOCK (1 17 ) 3 1 : tSPElt 13017DM, V. L. YERHEBSTO k,ER NEST O. WAIJAACUE. monim J.NEON. The Bt TIN le served to subscribers In the city at annum cents per week. payable to the carriers. or $8 00 per DIED. RIJRGER—On the 23c1 instant, Ann Burgin, In the 70th year of her age, Friends of the ily areinvited to attend her funeral from the residence of her nephew. Jos. Bur gin, Third street, above Cooper, Camden, on Thurs day 28th instant, at 2 o'clock. CARPENTER—On the morning of the 26th inst., Wm. S. Carpenter, Jr., son of Martha and the late Wxn.. C. Carpenter s. , and grandson of Wm. S. Carpenter, aged 18 month COOPER—On the 18th of Dec., of apoplexy, James Cooper, Jr., son of the late Gen. James Cooper. DICKEY—On the morning of The 27th instant, Ell mabeth, widow of the late John Dickey. Due notice of the feneral will be given. FORD—On the morning of the 25th instant, of con gestion of the brain, Laura C. only child of Philip and Henrietta Ford, in the eth year of her age. Funeral on Wednesday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, from the residence of her parents, No. .38 North Nineteenth street. HARRIS—This morning, at 230 o'clock, from t. e effects of a fall received on Monday„ loth, William Harris, in the 64th year of his age. floe notice of the funeral wilt be given. I:4TT.L—FeII asleep in Jesus, on the 24th Instant, Jennie J., only child of Charles and Martha Hill, aged 19 years and 1 month. • The relatives and friends of the family, also the scholars of the Sabbath school of St. John's AL E. Church, are atlectionately invited to attend her funeral, from the residence of her parents, No. 1438 North Second street, on Thursday. the 281 h instant, at 10 o'clock, A. M. Services at the St. John's 111. E. Church. Third, above Beaver street. Interment at Laurel Hill. _ ELOPE INS-6n the evening of the 24th instant Catharine Hopkins. The relatives and friends of the family, are respect fully' invited to attend the funeral from her late re deuce, No 1618 Arch street. on Fifth day, the 28th instant, at 10 o'clock, A. M.. without further notice. Interment at South Lank - el Mill. LYBRAND—On the 24th instant, Mrs. Isabella W relict of the late Rev. Joseph Lybrand, of the M. E. Church. The relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral from her late residence, No. 1310 North Eleventh street, on Thursrlay morning 20th instant, at 10 o'clock. Isternaent. at Ronaldson's Ce metery. ROEISRTS—On the morning of the 21‘th instant William Cole Fife, son of Wm. H. H. and Martha F. Roberts, aged 5 months and 2 days. SAIIN br, RS.— Macpherson ziaunders, on the 25th instant, (having been thrown from a carriage.) in the 40th year of his age. His friends and those of the family are invited to at tend his funeral from his late residence, No. 543 York avenue, on rixth day, 29th instant, at 10 o'clock. A. DI, Interment at South Laurel Hill. se SHOWBLL—On the 15th instant, at SL Martin's, 'Worcester county, 31d., William Showell, Sr., aged 76 years 2t VAN BELL—Suddenly. on the Nth Instant, Har- man Van Bell, Esq., in the 67th year of his age. The relatives and male friends of the family, East ern Star Lodge, No. 186, A. Y. M., and the Oder in general, are respectfully invited to attend his funeral .trom his late residence, 521 Franklin street, on Friday morning, the 29th instant, at 10 o'clock, ss MELODEON, Piano and Table Cloths, richly em broidered, a new lot Just received for Christmas Presents. ETRE &T. A NDELL, Fourth and Arch eta mi - R - RTErmAo FAST COLORED PRINTS.—FuII as AIL - sorts:tent of these justly - celebrated Prints, cosi r • '8 - , ewpat • t SPEULiL NOTICES. 10b THE SKETCH CLUB, PRIZE EXHIBITION. OPEN DAILY At the Academy of Fine Arts, With 350 nets Works by all the great American Artists. SMTLPTITItE, PAINTING & DESIGN Admission, 25 cents 10* UNION M. E. CHURCH.—Organ Concert postponed until sometime in January, of which due notice will be given. 10. HOWARD HOSPITAL. Nos. 151$ and 152.0 Lombard street. Dispensary Department. Med ical treatment and medicines furnished gratuitously toithe poor. seas NOTICE, TO LOA.NHOLDFJAS.--City Loans Maturing January let, 1866. wiil be paid on and . I ,2`january 2d, 1866. HENRY 13IIMM, de27-Ut City Treasurer. NOTICE.—The Annual Meeting of the Penn sylvania Petroleum Company will be held on Sannary 9th, at 12 o clock M., at the office of the Company, No. 225 -South Third street. del ja6,9.2t* . F. W. NEWBO4D.Secretary, qATLANTIC PETROLEUM STORAGE COM PANY, No. 115 Walnut street. e b annual meeting of the Stockholders and an elec tion for officers of this Company will be held on AWN -DAY, January Bth, 1866, at 3 o'clock P. M. de27-10t* ELIRII ROBERTS, Sec' • . it.:KENgINGTON SOUP SOCIETY.-ZA. meeting of the Contributors to this Institution will be .17(1 on THURSDAY EVENING, December 28, at 7,'" o'clock, at the Soup Honseo.47 Allen street below Marl borough, to elect Officers and Managers for the ensu ing year. - CHARLES M. LUKENS. i i de27-2t rp* SecreSary. 14. MASONTO NOTICE.—The Officers and Mem , bers of EASTERN STAR LODGE, No. 186, A. ~ and the Order generally, are fraternally re quested to meet at the Hall, Chestnut street, on FRI DAY MORNING next, at 10 A. M. to attend the fune sal of their deceased Brother HARMAN VAN HEIL. By order of the W. M. It* r GEO. P. LITTLE, Secretary. SECOND NATIONAL BANK OF FREDA DELPI3IA, FoatiK.FORD, Dec. Dec.27, 1865. ' annual meeting of the Stockholders of this Bank for the election of Directors wilt be held atthe banking house on TUEeDAY, .Innuary,9th, HU, between the .hours of 12 and 3. WILLIAM M. BRAWN, Cashier. de27,t.ja9- - - - 4U. OFFICE OF THE ALLEGHENY VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY, PrrrsErneli, Dec. `4.11365. • The coupons dne let proximo on the first mortgage .bonds of this Company, held in Philadelphia, will be - paid on presentation at the office of TOWNSEND, WHELEN Ca, No. 309 WALNUT street, on and 'after January 2d, ISM • JOHN BALLANTINE, Treasurer. de27,tjan r&p OFFICE OF TIT LEHIGH COAL AND NAVIGATION COMPANY, PHILADELPHIA, • .December 21st, 1865. ' LOAN FOR SALE. IN SUMS TO SUIT • PURCHASERS. The Loan of this Company, due April Ist, DM, inte :rest payable quarterly, at the rate of six per cent. per annum ; . This Lean is secured by a mortgage on all the Com pany's Coal Lauds, Canals, and Siackwater Navigation i3n the Lehigh river,and all their Railroads,constructed hand to be constructed, bet Ween Mauch Chunk and Wilkesbarre; and branch roads connected therewith, :and the franchise of the Company relating thereto. Apply to SOLOMON SHEPHERD, Treasurer, dell-rptfl 122 Bomb Second street. OFFICE OF THE GREAT WESTERN OIL 11..,DY COMPANY, No. 414 Walnut street. PALLanzi,.. PBSA. Dec. 21at t 1865. SPECIAL NOTlCE.—Notice is hereby given, that a Special Meeting of the Stockholders of "The Great eStern Oil Company," will be held at the office ofthe •Company. No. 414 Walnut street, Philadelphia, on MONDAY, the 15th day of will be at 2 o clock - , :P. M.. at which a proposition will be submitted tore -duce the Capital Stock of the said Company from five .hundred thousand dollars ( 1 500,000) to one hundred and Ility thousand dollars (.150,900). [Signed] . CHARLES WISE, P. J. HOFFMAN, Directors, d27-2t 0. 0. OBILDS. . OFFICE OF THE WATSON PETROLEUM OU ' COILFANY, No. 414 Walnut street. PartADEL -7.111A. Dee. 21st, 1865. SPECIAL idOTlCE.—Notice is hereby given, that a Special Meeting of , the Stockholders of the "Watson Petroleum I!' Company," win be held at the Office of the Company, No, 414 Walnut street, Philadelphia, on MO 3MAY, the 15th day Of January, 1566, at two o'clock. P. 31., at which a propositionwill Compbmitted to reduce the Capital Stock of the said any from Eve hundred thousand dollars ($500,003) to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars 0150,000), LSlgnetil E, T. PUSEY, P, J. HOFTMAN, C. 0. CHILDS, I.olre7terB, 02NQ JONATHAN WATSON, • : ' _ . . '.: : . . .- . ... r. , ......, . , • . . . . . t : _ , . . . . . . , • . . .. , . e irille .. :: .. • - . . ~ . . : s . . , . • e .. ~ - - -1 1111 r :: It .' . 1 - . . ..„ •• • - .- • .. _ . •. • •• -r" " .. ~r, ' ,?-:. --- :.„, . • :•'.' , x. , e ~.. • .., . .. . . '- ........a 4' :.•'. • ...;.-.1.. . . ... ' • ... t .. : •.. ' .- • 'T. ' - : -..•,. ' , . . .._ , • .•• • : . • ..-, ... . . ~ .. . . :,.. ,•_, ~,, :'. • •. _ . S 1 e ' •'•-• . '.•• ';.7 , :,,,-., , ' , - ..:',.' ':• 4 0 • . - • ' - ,.7. -- : ),',..--;---•-•-,.. . . • . .. ~ . . -,,...... . : ..........,........., .... . . ...- .... . . - ' . BY THE dels rp f Us , OFFICE OF THE CITY THEAfiIIBER—PEI LADELPHIA. Dec 27, 1865. As the Banks wil be closed on the first of January. 1866. the interest on City Loans will be paid on and aiter January 2d, 1668. de27.3t HENRY BlThilf. City Treasurer. The Exhibition at the Academy of Fine Arts. NORTH GALLERY The prominent feature is the large paint ing by Mr. Glees, entitled "Donnybrook Fair." We cannot think that this picture, though painted with facility and humor, deserves the important position claimed for it. Stripped of its' color; (which is so im pudently bad that the piece does not deserve to be called a painting at all,) the picture is merely a design in the manner of the IThotrated News, a pell-mell of rather spirited sketches, without any desire for pictorial quality. We have a vast crowd of people and incidents, booths, games, tumblers, bumpkins, rogues and cockneyl, all sharply individualized, but hit with such a profuse and untrained brush that we would gladly exchange them all for a single figure painted with gravity and conscience. To these Hogarthian situations one should bring a little of the industry of Hogarth. To the right of it hangs the only land scape by Bierstadt in th collection. It is one of his many tributes to the glory of the Rocky Mountains. The longsierra notched against a pale sky in peaks of snow,stretches across the middle of the scene. One pre eminent mountain in the centre is cloven into the likeness of a crown,enamelled with blinding snow, and girt with the sun. From its base the land descends in one green table after another to the foreground, where reposes a lake occupied by drinking deer in various attitudes of shyness and at tention; and shaded by the immemorial trees of the Southwest. It is only right for a painter to repeat over and over again this poetical landscape, so new to all the world , where the country lies in immense stair cases; each ?nest; that "from level meadow bases of deep grass-, suddenly scales the light s " floating back, flat as a shelf, to the base of the next platform,andso on in inde finite repetition. Th& abrupt accentuation is characteristic of Oregon and California, and there is no more impressive landscape motive in the world. To the left is a pictureby D. C. Fabronins, of a girl seated by a shaded light, in Which, by a clever trick, the illusion of candle light is made startlingly real. NORTHWEST GALLERY. No. 153. "Forest of Fontainbleau," by J. E. Galvan. A picture wrought out to a great degree of finish, representing a soli-,. tary path in the Woods. From the loss of proportion here and there, we are forced to infer that all this elaboration took place in the studio, rather than in the place depicted. . [Another landscape composition (not quite finished at the opening of the exhibition) is now in Mr. Galvan's studio, on Walnut street. It is also a forest scene; but differs from this in embracing a number of figures. In the foreground a little girl with a basket is resting on a mossy seat, with a dog . anxiously awaiting his share of the basket's contents; beyond, a yoke of oxen hitched to a log, are also at rest, while the driver re freshes himself from a suspicious -looking bottle. A black teamster looks on with per sonal interest at this latter operation—form ing, perhaps, a sort of pendant to the child's canine satellite. The picture possesses a happy choice of subject, and has evidently been painted in an t ,earnest and appreciative spirit.] No. 154. Allegorical,, composition by J. C. De Vries. This is the only bit of burlesque art in the collection, and is the largest and most elaborate caricature we ever saw. It is an irresistible take-off upon the dreary court allegories ivith'which painters of a century or two back were fond.of smearing palace walls and exhausting the patience of beholders. This picture reduces all that class of mooning bores to absurdity. It has treated ul3 to many happy moments. Some placid and rather pious -looking females (it was a neat joke to place the heads of Davis and the rebels upon some of these figures, are pressing towards an inviting grotto at the left, looking round as they dance away to invite a drunken Mars, who limps after as quickly as he can. Our national fowl, in an attitude of profound dejection,looks after the party, profoundly believing that they will be too many for their solitary bean; to relieve whose embarrassment, perhaps, Mercury stands handy with a gunny bag full of nickels. Great use is made through out the composition of the now historical pettiCoats of Jefferson Davis; but though we love a pleasantry we must denounce the freedom of robing the forms of our sincerely mourned Mr. Lincoln and hardly-recovered State Secretary in t those habiliments of shame. We should, even in our pleasures, imitate the convict and "remember what's due." Apart from this, the witticism is de lightful. No. 170. "Oberon and Titania," by Geo. F. Bensell. This is an ample sylvan scene, crowded with figures of fairies, two of whom in the centre wear crowns, and are arrang ing a reconciliation, to which the rest pay no attention. The forms of the small peo ple are usually drawn with fancy and taste. No. 183. "Columbus at the Court of Spain," by E. Leutze. It is a treat to have this valuable picture exhumed and brought once, more before the public as a testimony to abilities once possessed and now appa rently forgotten by the artist. No recent work would do him half the justice. It is a most elaborate and ingenious composition, covered with study and research, and though somewhat hard and Germanesque in manner, an admirable lesson on the whole to, young American historical painters. The group immediately around the throne, including the eager Queen, Ferdinand, smiling a false smile, and the rnelo?) dramatic Colum bus, all, imbedded in a mass of varied and gorgeous drapery, is one of the best examples of the art ever achieved by Leutze. PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1865 No. 204. "Dead Girl," by Miss Davis. A morbidly careful treatment of a revolting subject. It is not within the domain of the Beautiful Arts. No. 212. "Hollyhocks," by Louis Rondel. A richly painted picture, of a singular ob long shape, accommodating, at fall length, the handsome plant which names it. No. 237. "Farmer's Daughter," by E. B. Bensell. A pretty little girl, with difficulty clasping a huge wooden tray, coming out among her chickens and turkeys, and ap pearing to meet their views. The picture indicates a very pure and tasteful fancy. Nos. 148,149,241 and 242, portraits by Geo. Linen, on miniature scale, painted with con siderable care and finish. [Correepoildenee of the Event= Bulletin.] Letter from Erie. ERIE, Dec. 23d, 1865.—Since the passage o' the bill by the Pennsylvania Legislature, authorizing the construction of a line of railroad from Erie to Philadelphia, great expectations have been entertained in regard to this place. Many indulged the hope that it would outstrip both Buffalo and Cleveland, and speedily become one of the largest cities upon the chain of Northern lakes. Real estate, in the way of lots, con sequently advanced to a high rate, and sober sensible citizens fondly imagined themselves transferred fr.pm a condition of comparative poverty to.abundant wealth. But the con fidently-cherished anticipations of rapid growth were not realized. .The important thoroughfare for which a charter had been granted, lingered in the hands of those who assumed to build it, and finally seemed to die a "natural death. - The boasted harbor advantages of Presque Isle—advantages un equivocally asserted by government engi neers, and freely admitted by all lake sail ors—failed to confer the desired benefits, and Erie appeared destined to no higher po sition than that respectfully acceded to her by rival places as the "Sleepy Borough." But a marvelous change has taken place —a change resulting to a considerable ex tent from the discovery of vast wells of oil in neighboring counties, the trade incident thereto finding at this point one of its princi par inlets and outlets. The final completion of the Philadelphia and Erie and Erie and Pittsburgh Railroads, proved material aid in the now witnessed development, espe cially as they have served to furnish neces sary means of transit; but the present state of prosperity is chiefly derived from local resources and local advantages, added to the newly-inspired energy and enterprise of the citizens. The population has suddenly increased from 6,000 to 15,000; new build ings have gone up, as it were by magic; ex tensive manufactories have been erected and put in successful operation; mercantile houses have been opened wich, in taste, elegance and variety, compare favorably with similar establishments in Eastern cities, and a spirit of activity and zeal con stitutes the distingtdahing characteristic of business circles. The most important of the improvements in progress is the "Reed House,"—a hotel going up on the site of the old one of the same name, destroyed by fire in the spring of 1864. It is a monstrous structure, occupying 165 feet square and being four stories high. It is also a creditable speci men of architecture, or rather promises to be, when completed—entitling both the enterprising proprietor, Gen. C. M. Reed, and the accomplished builder, John Hills, to much praise. It is designed to entrust its management only to a man of first-class re putation as a hotel keeper. Its cost, exclu sive of furniture, will be about $185,000. A direct line of railroad from Erie to the oil region is projected, and will probably be built at an early day. Indeed the citizens would be derelict to their local interests if they failed to, extend thereto adequate encouragement and support. The present means of transit fall farahort of the Impera tive demands of established trade, and therefore I shall be disappointed if the op- Forturdty presented for improvement in his respect is disregarded. J. B. G. Facts and Fancdes The late Mr. Thackeray had a nose of a most peculiar shape, as may be seen by his portrait. The bridge was very low, and the nostrils extremely well developed. On one occasion, at a party where Douglas Jerrold was present, it was mentioned that Mr. Thackeray's religious opinions were unset tled, and that a lady of his acquaintance was 'doing her best to convert him to Romanism. "To Romanism?" exclaimed Jerrold. "Let us hope she'll begin with his nose !" They manage things funnily in California —military funerals for instance. After bury ing the deceased the band comes back and serenades the widow. The most difficult operations in the prac tice of surgery is said to be "taking the jaw out of a woman." The fellow who said that must be an old bachelor, of the large blue sort. A secesh female publishes a pathetic ad dress to the "Jacket in Grey" in the Louis ville Courier, beginning: Fold it up carefully, lay it aside; Tenderly touch It. look on it with pride— For dear must it be to our hearts. evermor., The jacket of grey our lov'd soldiers w. re. It certainly was the dearest suit of clothes ever worn by mortal man. "Mrs. C. A. Ball" (which spells cabai,by the way) won'•t get her jackets folded up before they were well dusted. A friend of ours was asked, the other evening, to sing "The Three Fishers," 'but he excused himself becaUse be hadn't run over his scales lately. Mr. Styles, Internal Revenue Collector for Prince William county, Va., has been indicted by the grand jury of that county, for alleged mule stealing. Ile claims the right tosteal mules, as a GoVernment Ass essor. The latest fashion in Paris is for ladies to be accompanied, in the drive or promenade, by immense dogs. It is an old fashion here, only we do not usually call them dogs. We use a synonym. MaXimilian, of Mexico, has written to Paris, requesting that the statues of the Theatre Francais may be forwarded to him, with a view to applying them to the organi zation of a great theatre in his capital. It would have been judicious to have imported a pair of wings from the same establish ment. He will want them soon. A contemporary says: "It is fanny to see a young lady with both hands in soft dough and a mosquito on the end of her nose." Not at all—if she kneads it. Anybody, can tell you about the daily rate of gold, but who, now that the Evening.iEx change s closed, can tell about the nitrate of silver? The Chicags-Bcpublican said that. It is a curious fact that the rebel soldiers were discharged on parole, and the Union soldiers on pay-rolls. OUR WHOLE CO'UNT'RY Further Developments---Another Let ter Indorsing the Senate---The Approaching Congress-- Stephens Probably Not Coming to this Country. [Prom today's N. Y. Trlbune.J The troubles in the Fenian camp will evi dently culminate in a few days and come to a conclusion,much in the manner of a large bubble, which expands and bursts. And yet it is still difficult to safely conjecture whether the final victory will perch on the banner of the O'Mabony or take - up a final abode in the halls of the Fenian Senate. But though the atmosphere of the contro versy continues to remain decidedly murky the adherents of both factions are confident that very shortly there will be a general clearing up. What the dispersion of the angry clouds will reveal it is difficult to de termine. It may disclose merely the calm blue sky of the peace-loving Mahony, or an unmistakable thunderstorm may reform in the shape of the triumphant war principles of the Senatorial policy. We can only hope that the change will be of a positive charac ter, whether of sun or storm, so that the dis tracting dissensions may at last terminate and some harmonious action be pursued with respect to Ireland, Canaill, or what ever other portion of the globe may occupy the consideration of the Brotherhood. The Fenian Senate are not at present in session, and probably will not meet a g ain for several weeks. In the meantime, how ever, the, Executive headquarters at the Jones House continue to present a scene of active business. Letters continue to be received by the officials, strongly indorsing the course of the Senate in deposing O'Mahonv, and recog nizirg Col. Roberts as the real head of the Brotherhood in this country. One of those letters we give below, as it is the first that has teen received from the quarter whose Fenian sentiment it pretends to represent. TUrRARO CIRCLE F. 8., DISTRII'T OF MAN:IA TTA N, Dec. s 7/. W. R. Robert. s, President F. B.—SIR :—At the last regular meeting of this Circle, held on Fri day, the inst., Matthew Horan, Centre elect, in the Chair, it was Resolved, That we will, to a man, support the Constitution of the F. 8., as revised and adopted by the Philadelphia Congress: Resolved, That we will be untiring in onr efforts as a Circle to aid and assist the Secr etary of War toward the carrying ont of his plans. Resolved, That we abide by the recent action of the Senate in deposing Col. J. O'Mahony, and pledge ourselves to work wiei, renewed - vigor, as tree Fenians and lovers of liberty. MARTIN HORAN, Centre Elect. John K. Reilly, Secretary. Your address, etc., to the F. B. with copy of Constitution inclosed, has been received by this Circle, with the assurance that you Hill hear from us at the end of the month in the form of dollars and cents, to be donated for theprompt action of your administra tion, which has so far characterized it. I remain your devoted adherent in fraternity, JOHN K. REILLY, Secretary Tuckahoe Circle F. B. It will be seen from the above that the Senate and President Roberts have, at least, the unbounded confidence of their Fenian correspondents. It is reported by some of the Fenian mem bers that there may shortly occur even another presidential change, from the fact that Col. Roberts is weary of the heavy re sponsibilities which his position as president of the Fenian Brotherhood in America causes him to labor under, and owing to the fact that his private business has suffered materially during the time which his public duties have occupied. We do not know how true these reports may be, but we are certain of one thing at least. If, such a change shall be effected it will be only through the repeated requests of President Roberts himself. It is even doubtful that he could persuade his breth ren to permit him to relinquish an office which he has thus far filled with such marked ability and such an earnest, ner vous desire that something more than talking and circle forming should be done toward carrying out the objects of the com mon Brotherhood. In this respect there is a striking contrast between Roberts and O'Mahony. The latter moves with an air of mystery, and believes in the efficacy of intrigue. Roberts prefers to do everything above board, and believes that more can be ac complished by sturdy action than subtle scheming. O'Mahony seeks to elevate himself above the rank and file of his brethren, whom he would apparently have to blindly follow his lead, with absolute trust in his chief tainship. Roberts, on the other hand, wishes the humblest, the most unreasoning* of his brethren to comprehend, in their fullest meaning, the designs of the leaders, and would sooner lead them as a beloved pub lic servant than as a blindly trusted dic tator. These excellent qualities haw!, greatly enbahced President Robert's popularity and his genial Presence and unassuming address have alSo served to endear him to all. It is, therefore, most likely that the Fenian Senate and the Fenian Brotherhood would not listen to any proposals for his resigna tion. Deprived of his strong sense and ex ecutive ability for their guidance, the chances, of the Senate, in the fight with O'Mahony would be of a very uncertain character, For, °yen the foes of 0' Mahony generally accord to that magnate the posses sion of considerable long-headedness, com bined with fair eectitive ability; and, as the present controversy is of a diplomatic nature, 'wtth pen and ink and mental shrewdness for weapons, the intrigue-loving, mysterious working Dictator of the Seven teenth street Headquarters would be as much in his element as a fish in water,while the blunt faction Of the Jones House would be liable to fiouider ;about like a stranded whale. As the case n w stands—as near as we can make out,th O'Mahony "Convention," called to meet in Ithis city on the 2d prox., will tell the taib Of that chieftain's real strength. L . It is true this 'Convention" will be com posed almostent ely of 0' Mahony's friends. ai l But how large w U it be? If the demonstra tion be a sm 11, feeble affair, the mem bers composing it may be discouraged at their own panel and feebleness, and go in a body to the side of the Senate, or become so weakened by desertions as to be entitled to no consideration in the future. If, on the THE FENIAN FEUD. other hand, the Convention proves to be a grand gathering of determined, earnest men, strong in their attachment to o'- Mabony, and sincere that they have es poused the aide of justice, be may be' en abled to prove Roberts an usurper, and gain a decided victory over his opponent. The " Convention" from the Senate stand point is simply nothing at all. They contend that the constitution, as amended, makes no provision for the calling together of a Cony vention under any circumstances. It simply provides for a Congress, to be composed of a Senate and a House of Delegates. As the Senate will have no participation in the coming gathering, of course that convoca tion will not be a Congress; and, as Bitch a thing as a "Convention" is unconstitutional, of course according to the Senate—any action of anybody on the 2d of January will have no weight nor value whatever. Rumors regarding Stephens continue to be far more numerous than trustworthy. It is, however, at present the opinion of those who would appear to be best informed, that to eStephns has relinquished the idea of com ing America, if he ever entertained such an intention; They say that Stephens, is "all right," and that he will be enabled to accomplish more good where he is (wher ever thas may bel than in this country; but they are also confident that his opinion of the dissensions in America will soon be re ceived. and that it will operate powerfully toward restoring harmony. A Senator for the Congress—very Grave Charges Against the Senate and Presi dent Roberts. WoßcEs - rEn Mass., Tuesday, December 26, .15!:65.—P. A. Sinnott, President of the Fenian Brotherhood, declares himself for a Congress. He alleges that the Senators who impeached the President were under arrest five days previous to their act of im peachment; that Roberts has been guilty of falsehood and malfeasance; that Meehan must clear himself of a direct charge of complicity with the English Government, and that every extravaganeb committed has been by the contract of the Senate. Gen eral Sweeny appears in a new light pecu niarily. Fires in New York—Loss Over 860.000 Fran. Today's x. v. Herald.] Between eight and nine o'clock on 'rues day morning a tlre broke out in the cellar of building No. IS6 Pearl street. From a statement made by the porter to Assistant Fire Marshal H. 0. Baker, it appears that be opened the cellar door from the outside, and while engaged in putting ou his overalls he saw a light at the back part of the cellar. On going to see what it was he saw a small blaze between the turpentine barrels, and apparently on the floor. He tried to extin g dish the fire by removing some of the bar rels, but the heat and smoke soon became so strong that he was compelled to leave. On reaching the street he immediately gave the alarm of tire. He cannot account for the tire, and says no one had been in the cellar since Saturday, when he locked it up, and has had the key in his pocket ever since. Owing to the combustible character of the godds in the cellar, consisting of one hun dred barrels of turpentine and a quantity of rosin, the flames spread rapidly and defied all efforts of the firemen to extinguish them. The flames spread up the rear staircase and soon reached a Quantity of cotton stored on the third and fourth floors. In about half an hour after the fire was discovered a ter rible explosion took place, supposed to have been caused by the bursting of the turpen tine barrels. The window sashes and glass, and bricks and pieces of broken stones, were scattered into and across the street, severely cutting the faces and otherwise in juring several persons. FOrtunately, how ever, no one was dangerously hurt. The firemen worked well and succeeded in pre venting the spread of the fire to the adjoin ing buildings. Commissioner Pinckney and Brown were on hand and in their new uniform. They rendered the Chief Engineer and his assistants such aid as was required. The character of the burning material made the extinguishment of the fire very difficult. Several steamers were at work all day, and up to the time of our going to press were still at work; but the further spread of the fire was checked soon after it broke out. The basement, where the lire started, and the second, third and fourth floors, were oc cupied by C. B. Dibble, commission met-- - chant. Mr. Dibble estimates his loss at snout $40,000. He is insured for 135,000. The first floor was occupied by Henry Clucas, dealer in cordage and twine. His loss will be about $lO,llOO ; insured far $12,000, in the Brevoort, International, New England, and another insurance company. The building is owned by the Lorillard estate. It is damaged about $5,0110, and 'is insured in the Lorillord and Knickerbocker Insurance companies. Some slight damage was done to the stock of M. P. Brown, dealer in beds, at ISO, and also to the stock of M. Marcus .t Co., in the same building, dealer in glue, varnishes, .Cc.,all of which is insured. Yerance dr Mcahon's restaurant, No, 190, is damaged considerably, and many of the neighboring cellars filled with water. About twelve o'clock there was a fire re ported on the corner of Broad street and Exchange place, tinder a stairway. Several steamers were ordered away by the Chief Engineer; but on their arrivingin Exchange place the fire was found to have been extin guished by the police and citizens: No damage of any account was done to the premises. The police of the First precinct, under Captain Warlow and Sergeant Cherry, aided by a force from the Second precinct, under Se'rgeant Hutchison, ren dered good.service. Internal Revenue from the Piano Trade. The records of the Internal Revenue Bureau contain chapter after dhapter of at tractive facts showing how unexampled is the prosperity of the industrial interest of the country at the present time. An in-L stance going to show the increase in the demand for costly articles of luxury is afforded by the Assessors' returns of piano forte . sales made by the famous firm of Steinway Az; Sons during the month of November, 1865. The records demonstrate that thiS house alone paid for the period named a tax of Sit per cent. on the sum of $110,196 87, that amdunt being the proceeds fron the 'sale of 203 instruments, of which 28 belonged to the expensive class known as grand piano fortes. Among these latter was an immense concert grand, expressly ordered' by the celebrated European pianist, Herr Alex ander Dreyschock—the court pianist to the Czar of all the Russias. The amount of tax collected was $6,61182. 1 This indicates an annual sale of one and quarter million dollars' worth of pianos, on which the revenue amounts to over $75,000.1 The history of piano manufacture, the, world over, shows no parallel to this. At] such a prosperous rate, it is not only im-I probable that the present members of thef firm may Ifve to. turn out their hundred thousandth piano, for the produCtion of 2,500 instruments a year counts up very fast. Among the purchasers of Steinway Grands F. L. FETHERSTON. Publisher DOUBLE SHEET, THREE CENTS last month were Admiral Dahlgren, Mr. Harlan, Secretary of the Interior, and Gen eral Stephen Van Rensselaer,the "Patroon" of Albany. Eight instruments w'ere shipped to Europe.—N. Y. World. RIOTING AT ALEXANDRIA, VA. Four Whites and Six Negroes Killed ---A Number Wounded --Disturbances at Washington. [Correspondence of the Mew York Tribune.] WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Dec. 26. The City of Alexandria, Va., yesterday was the scene of rapine and murder, the result of bad whisky and traditional and diabolical hatred of the negro. The reports this afternoon relative to the affair are conflicting as regards the number murdered, but from the most trustworthy information it is inferred that at least six negroes were brutally killed by the rioters, whose wholesale assaults were entirely un provoked. So great was the mob of drunken chivalry that the police and military were powerless to stem their devilish work of death,and until long after nightfall they held high carnival to the terror of the more res pectable inhabitants of the town. This city was also the scene of a large number of acts of violence against unof fending colored men and women, who were brutally assaulted by drun_ken witite brutes who thus far have been permitted to go un whipped of justice—even such as is dis pensed to negro- haters by the magistrates of Washington. A Horrible Murder. From the Detroit Tribuirie, Dec.2othl A terrible murder was committed in the lumber camp of Charles Mcßride, on Pine river, Alidland county, %Mich., last week, the details of which are most shockingly cruel. John Conart, a man employed in the above camp, was found dead and fear fully mangled, under the roots of a tree, having been murdered by a man employed in the same camp, whose name is Camden. The details are substantially as follows— About a year and a half ago, Conart made the acquaintance of Camden's sister, whose parents are Canadians, and highly respecta ble, and, on promising to marry her, suc ceeded in seducing her, after which he left for parts unknown. About six months since, her brother, who has been a soldier in the United States service, returned home, and, learning his sister's disgrace, vowed vengeance on its author, who, by the way, he had never seen. Accordingly he started in quest of the object of his vengeance, and succeeded in tracking him to Saginaw, where he learned that a company of Canadians had just gone to the woods, employed by -Mr. - Mcßride, a Canadian lumberman. He then started for the place and - boon learned the location of Mc- Bride's camp, where he found the object of his search, whom he knew from description and then feigned want of work and easily hired out for the winter, and went to work with Conart for his partner. Matters pro gressed thus for a time, till one afternoon Conart and Camden were sent to cut timber some distance north of the shanty, Camden came up at night as usual, bat not his com panion, who he said, had gone to a lumber shanty a short distance across the woods and would not return betbre 9 or 10 o'clock. After supper Camden went from the shanty unnoticed. Being missed in the morning, and Conart not having returned, suspicion became aroused, when two men were sent to where the two had worked the day before. There they found traces of blood, and, in looking around they discovered an upturned tree, which had been cut off and let back to its former bed, and on digging under this they found the remains of the missing man, the head being horribly mutilated,as if done with an axe. Camden was immediately pursued, but as yet not the slightest trace of him has been discovered. The above par ticulars of his sister's wrongs, and the ob ject of his search, Camden related to a man of whom he inquired the way to Mcßride's camp. Bishop Rosecraos Shot_ at and Slightly On Saturday evening last Bishop Rose crans left the Cathedral about 9 o'clock, for the purpose of going to his- home at the Catholic Seminary, near Sedamsville. He had left orders with his servant to have his carriage at the Cathedral at 10 o'clock, but being ready to ,go home before that time, concluded to walk. Just after having passed the track of the 0. and M. Railroad, on the Sedamsville pike, he was accosted by two men, who demanded his money. He made no reply, but hastened his pace into a run, one: of the men then drew a pistol and fired at him, the ball taking effect in the left leg, just above the knee. Even this did not a ttop the Bishop, who succeeded in making k r good his escape. The wound, up n exami nation, proved to be merely one o the flesh, and, although painful, is by n means serious. No clue has yet been obtained to the perpetrators of the outrage.—Cincinnati Gazette, 25th. THE Reading Railroad Company, it is stated, contemplate placing four. tracks on their road—two for passengers and two for freight. They have now three tracks over a good potion of the road. The company have rece tly made valuable purchases of property t‘t Bridgeport, opposite Norris town, at Conshohocken ' Pottstown, and other way stations, with the intention of erecting large passenger and freight depots at thse points. Very heavy purchases of real estate have been made in Reading, and the erection of very extensive shops is now in progress and in part completed. When all the shops are completed they will extend a full mile in length. THE Presidenthas through the Secretary of State, relieved Judge Sharkey of his trust of Provisional Governor of Mississippi,.and recognized his duly electedsuccessor, in the person of Judge Humphreys. The letters addressed to them are similar to those writ ten to the Provisional Governors and Gover nors of the other Southern States, remitting to the constituted authorities chosen by the people the care and conduct of their proper affairs. Texas and Florida are the only States now remaining to be relieved of their Provisional Governors. AMUSEMENTS,. Our advertising columns give run notices of holiday amusements. At the Chestnut tomight , Pphe Bleeping Beauty" will be the attraction. . - .At the Walnut "Faust and Marguerite" and "Brother Sam," with Roberts and Barton Bill In the main parts Will be given. t the Arch "Lost in London" will be given tonight The circuses are in full feather: At Concert Hall tit' .111 Montan Tableaux will be presented all this week Signor Blitz will hold ,forth at Assembly Building during the week. Heller, the magician and musician will open a aeaSon at Concert Hall Via, Montia7 EVening. Wounded
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