STAR OF THE NORTH.
R. W. WEAVER, EDITOR. '
Uloontsburft, Wednesday, May 21, 1856.
DEMOCRATIOST\TK NOMINATIONS.
CANAL COMMISSIONER,
GEORGE SCOTTy of Columbia County,
AUDITOR GENERAL,
JACOB FB¥j Jr., of Montgomery Co.
SURVEYOR GENERAL,
TIMOTHY IVES, of Potter County.
DEMOCRATIC STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF
PENNSYLVANIA.— The Democratic State Cen
tral Committee will meet at PI ITSBURG, at
the ST. CHARLES HOTEL, on Monday, the 26 th
day of May, at 10 o'clock, A. M. Important
business should secure H general attendance.
J. W FORNEY, Chairman.
CliNlltAL AMERICA.
___
This region of the Western continent at this
lime possesses more interest to all classes ol
people than any other. It is a matter of re
gret that it has not (alien into the hands of
steady civilization, but is the prey of anarchy
and rapine. There is really no government
in Central America that has any character or
respectability among the nations of civiliza
tion. Tba generous earth yields riches with
out exacting labor, and there is no morale in
the socie'y to exact self tesnect from us mem
bers, or to enforce any civil law. The influ
ence of climate and soil over the moral and
mental condition ot a people is as well illus
trated iu Central America as in Mexico,
Spain or Turkey.. . *
The British writers and those Americans t
whoM mintim an il loglo run parallel Willi til win i
pretend 10 be very much shorked at the fill i
buster expediiions that play such wild pranks i
in Nicaragua under men like Walker and j
Quitman. Such things are doubtless to be '
regretted, but so long as men like Santa An
na are recognized by Great Britain as the j
head of any government il must not speak j
ill of Walker and Fiench. They are adven
turers of the same make and metal with San
la Anna, Cortez, Lopez, Pizarro, antl the rep
resentatives of Great Britain in India. Soci
ety, as well as the human system has its ul
cers designed for a wise purpose to give
vent to and carry off impurities; and it has
been truly said that great cities are the ulcers
ol the body politic. So it would be strange (
if New York and New Orleans did not breed
the same excrescences as London has done.
But the history of the Darien Isthmus shows
that great Britain was not decked when the
buccaneers came Irom her own soil. Sir i
Henry Morgan was the first of these. In 1670 :
tie gathered up about 1 000 rviTmlna, ooilud ■
for the Isthmus, captured the Island of St.'i
Calharina, where he kept a garrison, ami next j
stormed the strong fortress of St. Lorenzo at I
the mouth of the Chagres river. This dorte, I
he marched with the remainder of his ill Bp- j
pointed, unprovistoned dare-devila across the
matted and tangled wilderness to Panama.—
Ten days of intense suffering and hardship
were passed before they arrived within view
of the promised city, and then Morgan, with t
what remained of his half-famished follow j
era, had to fight a disciplined force of be-1
tween 2000 and 3000 men. He gave instant 1
and unhesitating battle; the Spaniards were
overthrown; Morgan took possession of Pan
ama,then containing about 7000 houses, thor
oughly sacked fl, and deliberately carried ofT
his plunder, together with a considerable
number of oapiives, for whose ransom he
•xlorted large sums of money. On reaching
hie ships, Morgan contrived, by vessels ol I
which the crews were English; and while
the French portion of the expedition were
regaling themselves on shore, ih wiry buo- I
aanneer salted with his treasure for Jamaica.
For this adventure he tens knighted by Charles !
11, invested with the Deputy Govei norshio of.
Jamaica, and appointed Chief Admiralty Judge.
Some'lime after, Mr. Patterson, a Scotch
gentleman of a remarkably speculative and
enterprising turn of mind conceived the idea
of securing the "door of the seas"—his own '
expression—by establishing half-commercial
half military colony like the East India Com
pany. He had the support of the Marquis of
Tweeddale, then chief minister of Scotland,
and an at! of parliament was duly consented to
by King William 111 authorizing and incorpo
rating the Scottish Darien Company. The.
firat part of tboexpedilion, consisting of about
1200 men, set sail from Leilh, and reached
the Gulf of Darien in safety. Hete they act
ed the fillibuater in attacking the Spanish
colony, until decimated by fever, hunger and
privations of ail kinds, the feeble remains of
this Company fell a prey to the Spaniards.
Certainly after these things the British
ought not to say much evil of the New York
adventurers, who cut themselvrs loose from
all connection with this government and seek
their forrupe in this Ei Dorado "on their own
hook."
The British gnverr.rrent was for many years
discussing several projects for a ship canal to
connect the two oceans, but while this debate
was going on in England Brother Jonathan
went to work and built a railroad to connect
Aspinwall on the Atlantic with Panama
on the Pacific. One proposition of our cous
ins over the water wss to employ all the con
victs of England at the proposed ship canal.
Another was to faster, at this work all the
blacks which English vigilance could pick
up on the sea in their journey from Africa.
Three routes for the ship canal have been
proposed by scientific explorations. The first
is tp enter the Chagrrs river on the Atlantic
—follow that about four leagues westward to
its junction with the Trinidad, and then con
struct a canal to the beautiful Bay of Panama
on (be Pacific.
BaronFHumboldt is the author of the sec
ond plan to cross trom the Bay of Cupica on
the Pacific by a 20 mile canal to the Naipipi
river about 30 miles above its mouth, and by
that river and the Atralo 120 miles to the
Gulf of Darien on the Atlantic.
The third project has fallen into the hands
of the New Yorkera and is known as the
Nicaragua route which gave rise to the fa
mous Claylon-Bulwer treaty. They propose
to render navigable lbs river San Juan de Nic
aragua from its mouth at Greytown on the
Mosquito coast 60 miles by a sinuous course
to the great lake of Nicaragua, a body of wa
ter 140 miles in length, 40 in breadth and 134
feet above the level of the sea. Fromjthe
western shore of the lake it ia proposed to
cut a canal through the mountain—a distance
of 14 mile* to the Pacific. To raise vessels
from Gr'eytown to the lake iti* suggested that
90 lock* be bcilt.
To all these projects (herewill of course be
found formidable obstacles, but baldly any
which time, science and capital cannot over
come. It was thought that the difference in
the level of the Pacific and Atlantic oceuns
on'he opposite side* of the Isthmus would
give much trouble. But this is not any long
er regarded as an irffjjediment. At high wa
ter the Pacific at Panama is 13.55 feet above
the Atlantic at Chagres. But at low water
the Atlantic at Chagres is 6.51 feet above the
Pacific at Panama. Sothe mean height of the
Pacific above the Atlantic is only 3.52 feel.
| The average width of the Isthmus may be
se'. down at 60 miles, and its nariowesi width
36 ntiles in a straight line. When we havb
again leisure and room wo may give other
facts of interest in this connection.
Appointment, by the Governor,
WARREN J. WOODWARD, ESQ , of Wilkesbsrre,
to be President Judge ot the twenty-sixth
Judicial District, composed of the counties
of Columbia, Wyoming and Sullivan, from
the first day ol June, 1856.
The above appointment has been officially
announced, and realizes the statement here
tofore made by us on the subject. The Cov
entor has acted judiciously in this matter, and
is entitled to commendation and the thanks
j of our people.
j This appointment continues until after the
i fall election, and the September term of our
I courts wilt. Itisretors. Is l,„l,l nriSs. it. I*
will then be for the people to choose the
Judge who shall preside in the District for the
constitutional term ol ten years, and, in view
of the appointment now made, there can be
little difficulty in making the proper selection fl
Ws entertain no doubt that tl.e people of the
' district will elect a good Judge, already upon
1 the bench, in preference to trying experi
ments in any new direction.
There are many considerations that units
to render this a wise and ,atislactory appoint
ment, to soma of which we may allude.
It is well, in the first place, that the ap
pointee does not reside in the district. We
I think a Judge should generally be chosen
' from some place outside of the district in
I which he is to serve. In such case he has
no clients or associates to give his mind a bias
in business that may corine before Itim, nor
is the public put to expense, or patties sub
jected to inconvenience, by spiyial courts to
' try cases in wbicn be may hava teen con
| cerneJ.
It is also well when, as in Ibis case, ju- j
dicial position is attained without personal j
solicitation, or an undue eagerness prompted j
by imprest. Many things are tolerable in i
candidates for political offices which are not
thought becoming in candidates for judicial'
ones, and which we trust may not obtain with |
them hereafter. Certainly the degradation of 1
the judiciary is to be guarded against wiih \
constant care and vigilance, by all who wish 1
well to the administration of justice.
The character and qualitiliss of a good
Judge have been oiten sketched by legal wri- \
ters, whose works are little read by lite mass j
of the peop'e. Il is an error to suppose that |
a successful lawyer is necessarily suited to
the bench. Chief Justice Gibson had not n !
large practice at the bar, but lie was a great
judge. Others have failed upon lite bench
who had reputation as lawyers. A superan- .
uated lawyer ought no more to go upon the i
bench than one.without experience. An in- i
dolent man is not fit for a judge: a visionary j
or erratic man ia unfit; and above ail, a man
ol uncertain or irregular habi'a, is unfit. In
dustry, sour.d common sense, a knowledge
of men, end weight of character, are bulia.
P .>.>•!.!• requisites of a judge—in (act are of
as much account as legal knowledge. Some
of the best judges who ever sat in court, went
upon the bench with limited knowledge of
law ; but they were otherwise fitted lor the
career before them. They were men of sol
id intellect, of sagacity, patient of labor,
steady in conduct, and ambitious only of that
honor which "s founded in meritorious servi
ces and high effort.
Our new Judge comes to its with all the
sanctions necessary to popularity and success.
Fifteen years of large and varied practice in
the courts, have given him experience and
knowledge. Hta industry is proverbial and
is tireless. A clear intellect, a dauntless spirit,
solid judgment, and high, honorable deport
ment, have given him a position at the bar
and in social life, which is an earnest nl his
success as a judge, and of his position as a
member of tho community into which his
official duties will carry him.
Gov. Pollock has regarded capacity and
the character of the judiciary in this appoint
ment. Having himself once presided in two
of the counties of the district, he has fell a
peculiar anxiety to select n poood Judge for
us, and in this he has been eminently suc
cessful.
FAITHFUL AND FlT. —The following collec
tors of county and slam tax for 1855 in this
county have settled up and paid their dupli
cates in full to the Treasurer. Keuben Knit
tie, Franklin; Isaiah John, Cattawissa; Mi
chael Keller, Orange ; Joseph M<U)ser< Mon
tour; Daniel Shuman, Maine; and Lewis
Eckroat, Mitllin. We venture to say they
have each had less trouble to make such
prompt collections than many others who
delay for years. We know that in some of
these instances the tax payers are desirous
that the same collectors should be reappoint
ed for 1856. It will be observed tbat four of
these six instances are on the south side of
the river, and were Mr. Keifer's appoint
ments, who, it is generally remarked, made
ono of the best Commissioners the county
ever had.
IV We learn that a number of the West
ern delegates to the Cincinnati Convention
have chartered a steamboat, which will leave
Piltsbnrg for Cincinnati on Tuesifay, the 27th
inst. They will be glad to have the compa
ny of as many ol their colleagues and friends
as can leave at that lime.
IV Mr. O. H. Moti, a sterling Democrat
of Pike bounty, hae taken charge of the Mil
ford Herald as its editor
EDUCATIONAL.
To Director* and leiiclier*.
-We have received copies of the School Ar
chitect for every district in the county, and
those boards of Directors who have not yet
received copies will be supplied by the first
opportunity we can find. We have alo a
good supply of the last annual reports of the
Sunn anil County superintendents, a copy of
which is due to each boerd of Director* and
to all good teachers in the coiguy. Within
a low dHys we have distributed some 25 cop
gk
Teachers' rolls and copies of law
and decisions are still on hand. The blanks
for reports ol directors to the Superintendent
have been sent to all the districts, and if any
hare miscarried early application should be
triad- for duplicates. It is highly important
that these reports and the certificate should
be returned by the first Monday it^Juue.
Dectslous of the suite Superintendent.
1. Debts of old and new districts. —The 4th
section of the School Law establishes a rule
for die distribution between old and new dis
tricts of any net surplus in the Treasury, al
ter n separation has been made. The same
principle ir applicable to the payment of
debts due by in old district, afteroneor
more new districts have been taken from it.
Each district would be liable lor thedabts of
the old district at the time oi the separation,
in proportion to the assessable value of the
properly within their respective limits, if the
funds in the Treasury of the old district or
ILL OIOL'IM of oolioolion , ttiiiula not bo suffi
cient ifrlicptidste them.
2. Hoarding Bills When teachers are in
the habit of boarding round among the pa
trons of the school, in part consideration of
their professional services, a charge by the
patrons against the District for the boarding
thus furnished, would not be legal and valid,
and Directors could not lawfully pay the
same.
Penally for Assessors' neglect of duty —lf any
Assessor should neglect to reluse to perform
I the duties enjoined by the 35th section of
the School Law. the penally would be fine
and imprison mety, under the 3d section of
the act of 15th of May, 1841.— See pamphlet
Laws, page 394.
A NEW FIELD. —A splendid field for Amer
ican enterprise ia now being opened in Rua.
sia. Since the cessation of the war the Rus
sians are showing an active disposition to
improve tbair condition and develope their
resources. Railroads will be built, manufac
tures encouraged, agriculture improved, and
the avenues of commerce thrown open. Iron
will be required for railroads, machinery and
materials lor manulactures, implements for
agriculture, and ships lor commerce. In ad
dition, they need instruction, and the more
cultivated and scientific nations will be called
on for engineers, machinists, superintendents
and agriculturists. The Russians are dispos
ed to lavor the Americans. They had our
sympathy during the late struggle, and wish
to cultivate our friendship for the future.—
England has heretofore profited more than
anv ottter nation t>v her intercourse with Rus
sia, but after this when England and Ameri
ca compete on equal lenni in Russian mar
kets, workshops and shipyards, the latter
will be unquestionably preferred. It is need
less to any that American enterprise is on hand
lor this harvest.
Doubtful Exercise of Power by the Governor.
Recently, Franklin Collins, a policemen.was
convicted ol a conspiracy to annoy Captain
Bavington and of poisoning his (logs. Col
lins forfeited his bail and ran ofl before sen
tence. The surely was Char!e9 P. Whiteear,
. *rylvocation of the Diatrirt Aitnrney,
the recognizance was forfeited and judgment
entered for the amount of bail, 351.500. The
members of the bar and of the court were a
little surprised, within a day or two, by an
order from the Governor remitting the judg
ment, and a rule has been taken by While
car's counsel, to show cause why this "par
don" should not satisfy the judgment, which
will he argued on Saturday next. The Gov
ernor has the power of pardon in a case of
conviction and sentence; but whether he
can release a person against whom there is
no conviction from the legal consequences of
obligationi he voluntarily rendered himself
liable to, is a new and interesting question
for the lawyers.— Ledger.
VV Messrs. Miller, Oiton & Mulligan have
proved to the reading world that an extensive
publishing house need not necessarily be in
a large city,to maintain its business. Though
the New York Auburn is not simply the 'love
liest village of the plain,' yet we doubt not
but that rent, labor and many other inciden
tals of a large establishment can be lonnd
much cheaper than in a swelling city. The*
firm whose advertisement appears in another
column have scattered thousands of their
useful books over every part of the Ameri
can continent.
CT The Shares in the Ilidgway Farm and
Coal Co. have been raised frem Two Hund
red Dollars to Three Hundred -Dollars aflor
the first of June. This has been done in
consequence of the great rise in good ELK
COUNTV LANDS within the past year. It forms
a fine tract ol the best Coal as well as farm
ing land, and the property in the vicinity is
selling much higher. It is principally bought
up by Coal Companies. In a short time it
'••ill no doubt be taken out ol the market by
Capitalists. The Company sells at the old
rates until the first of June.
ty Brigade inspector Kline gives notice
that the Spring Bniallion will take place at
Orangeville on the Inst tlay of this month.—
Theae occasions were formerly days of gen
eral merriment, and the whole ne.ghborhood
et,joyed it holiday to see the military arid re
vive old friendships. If a few hot headed
belligerents made brutes of themselves un
der the influence of bad whiskey, their bru
tal example was a shocking lesson to keep
many others sober.
(7* By the mercantile appraisement pub
lished in another column it will be seen that
oot any of the merchants of this county will
during the present year take out a license to
•ell liquor. ' •
Robbery in Monroe County—Another Gip
sy Victim.
A short time ago, a patty of traveling Gip
sies rquatted in the neighborhood of Fen
nersville, Monroe county, where they spent
several weeks "telling-the fortunes" of those
who were foolish enough to part with their
money for so iifling a consideration in re
turn. One of the party, a cunning girl, be
came acquainted "With Henry Fejtner, usually
known and respected by all his neighbors
and acquainting* as a pretty shrewd busi
ness man, too keen try be taken in by a black
eyed Gipsey. But she told Mr. Former that
she bad made .the discovery that a large
amount of money was buried at a certain
place on his farm, which had doubtless been
deposited by the Indians, and she persuaded
the old gentleman to believe her story to be
true. For a trifling reward she professed a
willingness to disclose the place of conceal
ment, and place him in the possession of the
long hidden treasure. Before she would do
so, however, she convinced him that a good
sum of money must be obtained by him to
be used in the prosecution of the work, which
she assured Mr. Fenner should not go out of
his possession. Mr. F. succeeded in scratch
ing together the sum of S4BOO, which he
handed to hi* wandering friend, who louk
the money, couh'teifit over, theo rolled it se
curely in paper, and handed the bundle to
him, with alriot instructions not to open it un
til the end of a week, when she would return
to bia house and \ottducl him to the plade
where the money was buried. He obeyed
her directions. List Thursday the week ex
pired, when MnFenner opened the package,
but instead of fiffitatik notes he found a bun
dle of brown rolled up. 01
course the Gipsy had disappeared from the
neighborhood and the S4BOO with her. Mr.
F. telegraphed to the New York police, to
put them on the track of his fair friend, But
we fear he will never succeed in finding ei
ther her or the buried treaeure.
What makes the matter worse, is the fact
that Mr. Ferine* had borrowed the money
from hie neighbors, the largest portion of it,
at least, in order lo accommodate the Gip
sies and haa been obliged to mortgage his
property lo satisfy hie friends. At the same
time he owed a note of *2OOO in one of the
Easlon banks. It is astonishing that in this
enlightened efts, and when similar cases
have been repeatedly published, a man
claiming to be HI possession of his common
sense, should be so "green' ; as to be taken
in by a miserable wanderer and for so large
an amount. A man who can be so abomi
nably atupid almost deserves to be imposed
upon.
New Railroad Arrangement.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Superintendents
of the different railroads forming the north
ern route to Niagara Falls and Chicago, met
in convention, in this city, and adopted a new
tune latde, which is to take effect on and af
ter Monday, the 20th inst. The Reading
Railroad was reoreeented by Mr. G. A. Nich
olls; Little Schuylkill, by J. Edward Barnes;
Cattawissa, by T. McKissock; YVilliamsport
and Elmira, by J. A. Rt-dfield ; Canandaigua
r * RAILS, VJJ n. iv. rmrwtv; -arm
Great Western of Canada and ihe Michigan
Central Railroad, by Julius Movius. The
action of the Convention chutiges the hour
of starting from Philadelphia, from 6 o'clock
A. M., to 5 o'clock, and makes the lime for
the arrival of trains at Elmira at 4 15 P. M.,
instead ol 545 P. M. At thai place passen
gers will have half an hour lor suppor, and
taking the trains for Ihe Falls, will arrive at
Ihe great cataract at 11 40 P. M, and the
Suspension Bridge at 11 45 P. M. This will
enable passengers to reach Detroit between
8 and 9 o'clock the following morning, and
Chicago in the aftefhoon of the same day.—
Leaving Elmira by ihe allernoon train on the
New York and Erie Railroad, Dunkirk can
be reached at p 15 P. M., and Buffalo by the
Buffalo divisioa of ihe New York and Erie
Railroad, at the same hour. The time for
leaving Nisgare Pille for Philadelphia is fix
ed for 550 A. M., and 4P. M. The after
noon train from Philadelphia will leave as
usuiff, at 3 o'clock 30 minutes. The delib
erations of the Convention were very harmo
nious, and the arrangements made are such
as canuot fail to be mutually beneficial to
the several companies interested, and the
traveling public, as it will insure regular con
nections at Elmir,and the Suspension Bridge,
and afford facilities for travel superior to most
of the routes beteeen the East and West.—
In addition to the members of the Conven
tion designated, Mr. Jacob Ridgway, and Mr.
E. T. Hubbell, ticket agenta on ihe route,
were present and participated in the proceed
ings .— Ledger.
Industrial Fxblbltione.
The next universal exhibition of at! and in
dustry is 10 in Vienna In 1859.
The effects of the- London and Paris exhibi
tions have been felt in the promotion of com
merce, ae well as in stimulating art; and, in
behalf of the material progreas of the race, it
has come to be regarded as an object of com
mon interest to oivilizad nations, that, as of
ten as every fourth yekr, the artisans of the
world should present at some conveniently
accessible centre, tin product ol their skill
and labor, for mutnll comparison and lor
public information. 11 knowledge of the beet
materials anil of Ihe i lost rapid anil effective
processes employed t manufacture all over
the world, becomes us Ihe common prop
erty of the workmen! f all nations. The uni
versal exhibition at lijndon showed the man
ufacturer of Great tifitain that, in many ol
the manufactures wh|ch they have hitherto
had a monopoly, niter nations of Europe
trod so closely upoiftheir heels, or even ex
| ceeded England, Ihlt other and greater ef
forts were necesnvf lot them to maintain
'he supremacy upo*vhich the great wealth
of that nation depmes. One of the means
suggested is a mof thoroughly scientific
training, and giving if artisans of Great Brit
ain the advantage of factioal scientific study.
—Ledger.
XW Mr. Lewis H.Maus is erecting an ex
tensive Railroad ort manufactory at Rupert
Station near tba jun lion of the Lackawana
and Cattawissa Ra roads. Wa understand
he haa a large contract with the Lackawana
Company.
Interesting Foreign Items.
Cardinal Wiseman bas been delivering to
a large Budience in London a lecture on the
effect of words on thought and civilization.
The Cardinal resides in a very unpretending
residence in Golden square, where on every
Tuesday evening he has a reception, or rath
er levee, of the young Roman Catholio no
bility, gentry, and many of the priesthood.—
By hia own co-re ligionirts he is treated with
intense veneration, all, even in mixed com
panies, falling on one knee and kissing his
hand when he enters. In person, he is of
enormous bulk and proportions, and hiscoun
lenance is dark and swathy. In manner, he
is most unctuous and oily, and hak all the
Celtic flattery and the desire to please Snme
short time since there were rumors of his
translation to high office in Rome, which
probably were thrown out to dissipa'e the
teelings of bitterness entertained against him
by the people of England since the period of
the celebrated Bull, but he is far too efficient
an agent of Rome to be lightly withdrawn
from a field in which he has been so suc
cessful.
Lord Clarendon has refused a Marquisate,
and doubtless in 60 doing has acted wisely
and well. An old Earl, especially one with
a high historio name, ranks far abave a young
Marquis. With a change of titles often comes
a change of luck. I'olteney, celebrated as
Pultenev, was despised and disregarded as
Lord Bath. So sensible was Peel of this,
that he r.ot only refused title himself, but
left A special entreaty to hie family tn hie
will never to part with thai name round which
he had thrown distinction. We hardly re
member a eingle person of late years who
has maintained his House of Commons fame
in the Lords. Lord Glenelg as Charles Grant,
and Lord Brougham as Cam Hobhouse, were
both celebrated in the Lower Chamber, and
unheard of in their transplanted sphere.
Prince Oscar, of Sweden, is expected im
mediately to England, on a flirtation trip, to
woo the hand of Princeas Mary of Cam
bridge, a sister of the present Duke of Cam
bridge, and first cousin of England 7 * Queen.
The Princess Mary is young, and the fairest
of all the females of the English Guelphs
She is (all and of fine figure, like her moth
er, with a profusion of brown hair, and a
tfery joyous," ingenuous expression. With
this last match all the Cambridgea will be
wedded but the Duke, who lives after the
fashion of his uncle, William the Fourth,
with a beautiful actress, Miss Fairbrother,
by whom he has five children, and lor whom
he cherishes an unwavering love. The for
tune of the Princess Mary ia somewhere
about that of a fashionable Fifth Avenue
belle, three thousand pounds a year.
The peace rejoicings in England appear to
be regarded as a very hollow joy. They are
to consist chiefly of a review in Hyde Park
of the household troops, always a tame, stu
pid pageant, and a huge display of fireworks
in the evening. On the peace of 1815,
the event was celebrated with far greater
pomp and circumstance, but then England
had all the "glorie," whereas now, more,
perhaps, from misfortune than fault, she
| prestige.
Palmer's (the poisoner's) trial is fixed for
some day shortly alter the 14ih of May.—
The prosecuting bar consists of the Attorney
General, Sir A. Cockburn, Sir Fred Thessi
ger, and Mr. Edwin James. Mr. Ballantyne,
a good criminal lawyer, conducts the de
fence. Sir Fiixroy Kelly was applied to, but
demanded one thousand pounds, which was
deemed too high a Tea.
A W outlet Tut I'henoinena.
We visit this afternoon from a
young man named Meredith Holland, from
Kentucky, who has a marvellous gift for cal
culating figures. A variety of questions that
would have required hours of calculation be
fore an ordinary individual wduld be able to
give an answer, were answered instantly by
young Holland, and in every instance with
perfect correctness. He telle the day of the
week upon which any date fell since the
commencement of lime, and he can tell
with equal readiness what days dates will
fall upon for millions of years to come.—
This result is attained to without a moment's
hesitation, and among a great variety of the
most difficult problems of this kind, he was
not delected in a single error. He also adds
up or multiplies almost any number of fig
ures, and gives the results instantly and in
variably coirectly.
The most wonderful of all ia. that this
marvellous human calculating machine is
almost entirely uneducated : he ia very feeble
in intellect, and moreover his memory is
very defeelive. He has no knowledge of
written figures, and is entirely unacquainted
with arithmetical rules. He has no knowl
edge of how he reaches the wonderlul results
he attains, and, to use hie own phrase, 'they
seem to come to him.' Hie story is, that
this marvellous gift, or intuition, was first
developed when he was four years old. At
six and seven he was attacked with epileptio
fits, and these attacks continue to this time,
evidently weakening his memory, but in no
way interfering with his faculty for calcula
tion figures and dates.— Phila. bulletin.
"WHERE IS JAMES?'' was after the final ad
jnurnnient the enquiry of a number of mem
hers of the last Legislature who voted for the
New York side of the Erie Bill. Some years
ago after adjournment the general inquiry
was "where tsSankey 1" In Monday's Ltdg
er we find an announcement of the failure of
the Warren county Bank,an institution which
waa oharlareJ by llie Know JNvtliing trrgtattt
ture of 1855—0f which Mr. James was a
member.
GOOD DIVIDENDS.—The Banks of Philadel
phia have all declared their usual half yearly
dividends except ihe naw City Bank. The
highest is that of the Bank oi Commerce, 10
per-oent., and the lowest the Girard and Con
solidation, each 3 per cent. The rest range
from 4to 7 per cent. During this month
about 800,000 will come upon the market in
dividends and interests paid, to be re-invest
ed.
Five thousand slaves iu the city of Charles
ton, S. C., it is stated, have contributed (he
last year to benevolent objects $15,000.
American Books In England.
The following letter is from the Rev. Titos.
Timpson, an able and pious Minister in Lon
don, the author of many valuable theologi
cal and other worka; and a person who has
distinguished himself as the originator of va
rious benevolent movement* in that great
city. It breathes a spirit of peace and good
will toward America, creditable alike to the
head and the heart of the writer. To such
sentiments we heartily respond, and hope the
peace and intercourse now existing between
England and America, may long be preser
ved inviolable.— Ed. American Saturday Cou
rier.
"London, (.Eng.) March 22.
"MTT. ROBERT SEARS :
"My Dear Sir: I am constrained by a
sense of obligation, to testify to you on the
part of myself, my eons, and my daughters,
the inexpressible gratification that we feel in
the possession of the sixteen volumes of your
beautiful works which now odorn my library'
with their elegant bindings. I look at them
with astonishment, as I reflect on their hav
ing been the production of one individual;
comprehending, as they do, so large a varie
ty of the most important subjects, and cam
piled, as their valuable contents ahow, from
a vast number of the best publications, and
by a gentlemen otherwise engaged in an ex
tensive business! Having been honored
with '.he commission to offer a set of them to
Victoria, queen of Great Britain—and whioh
she has graciously accepted—l examined
these volumes more particularly ; end I feel
admiration of their excellent and uselul in
formation, their pure and Christian morality,
and their truly scriptural theology. I may
most justly apply to you, what a reverend
doctor of America once said to me, after ex
amination of my rather numerous publica
tions—'l observed a line of all your
writings, which you may wish to blot out
when you come to die.' I considered thsl a
very high compliment from such a judge.
"By your publications, you have matin all
classes through the whole community in the
United Stales very greatly your debtors.—
This they are in soma good measure -act
nowledging, as I perceive, by the large and
increasing demand for your valuable works;
but the man who has placed in their hands
illustrated pictorial volumes, relating to such
a variety of that which is wonderful in "na
ture, art, and mind ;" so much that is instruc
tive in biography ami history; and what is
most divine!} consoling in religion and the
oracles of God—in forms well adapted to j
promote the edification of all classes, espe- j
otaily those in the peculiar condition of the
millions so widely scattered, as the people
of your vastly extended Union, can not ea
sily be remunerated lor Iho requisite expert
| diture of mental and physical labor, with
the large amount of properly employed in
I producing these works.
| " 'The Pictorial Family Instructor,' the
'Wonders of the World,' the 'History of tlio
American Revolution,' and 'lnformation for
- the People,' must be invaluable treasures to
| tbe rising members of thousands of families
( throughout America ; especially because of
| limited sphere of observation
j on men and manners existing in Hie 'Old
j World;' while the 'Description of Great
j Britain and Ireland,' will afTord them the
most ennobling ideas concerning the people,
the riches, and glory of their 'fatherland' and
the 'mother-country.' For this good service
we are indebted to you as Britons.
',Yonr 'Bible Biography,' 'Pictorial Sunday
Book,' anil 'History of the Bibte,' oannol fail
to be highly prized by those of a more reli
gious or established Christian'rharader; on
account of the previous stores of pore ititln*
ity which they conlain, anil the concentra
tion of the rays of heavenly light which they
throw upon the Scriptures. Yon can not
wonder that I rejoice to see my name and
labors so prominently placed in one of your
volumes, with my 'Thirty Dissertations'on
the Scriptures, from my 'Key to the Bible,'
ill your 'Bible Biography.'
"ft is natural for you to wish my judg
ment— as that of an Englishman, more par
ticularly—upon your 'Description nl Great
Britain and Ireland*' Regarding this word
especially, as I am acquainted with most
parts of this country, I beg to assure you
that it does very great credit to your talents,
research, and industry; the information, I
perceive, is derived from the best sources,
and the pielorial representations are gotgl—
many of :bem eqml to those of the same
kind published in England. You have done
wisely by giving so extended an account of
London, our wonderful metropolis: for though
Edinburgh and Dublin are Irultsplendid
cities, as the ancient capitals of the king
doms of Scotland and Ireland; and, while
Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Sheffield, Man
chester, Liverpool, and Glasgow, ate really
magnificent as provincial boroughs, great
manufacturing centres, and emporiums of
trade—London, with its sister city of West
minister, is the seat and source of intelli
gence, commerce, wealth, legislation, and
government of the vast British empire. The
palaces of the sovereign and the mansions
of the nobility are grand. No language or
pictorial description can, however, adequate
ly represent our.mighty metropolis to a
stranger; yourself, on a personal survey, will
be like of Sheba in her visit to
King Solomon and Jerusalem.
"One word as to the spirit of your writings.
I admire exceedingly the benevolence, lib
erality, and enlarged philanthropy, which
they all bieathe; itidioating the author to be
in the best sense, '* CITIZEN or THE WORLD.'
I cordially delight in the unseolariamChris
taiu spirit wnicn prevmles those that ate re
ligious: this is worthy your protession as a
follower of the world's Redeemer, and as to
your work on 'Great Britain and Ireland,' I
lender you my warmest thanks for the noble
sentiments it expresses. I can not look up
on the Americans but as our own hrethieo.
As an Englishman, I feel the full lorce of
the significant expression uttered by some of
our profound worldly politicians—'ENGLAND
AND AMERICA agaimt ALL TUE WORLD!' but at
a minister of the blessed 'PRINCE or PEACE,'
the Redeemer of all nations, I would rather
say, what in my judgment your work is hap
pily designed and adapted to promote, tod
the whole body ol British Christians would
joyfully acho my wordt-'ENGLAND and AHSR
ICA for ALL THE WORLD!' May W6 continue
increasingly loco operate, by the Bible, Mis
sions, and Commerce, in promoting the ir.-
telligeuce, liberty, and happinen of every
people 1
"I am convinced that the two conntriei
are deeply interested in the prosperity of
each other. Our people are one in blood,
one in language, one in science and art, and
one in religion. Ourselves mutually united
in the bonds of peace and friendly inter
course, both must prosper, and essentially
serve each other; and increasing in popula
tion, by our moral Influence, our intelligence,
religion, liberty, and commerce—all imr
proved and perfected—we may be the megne
of removing the ten thousand evils of des
potism. superstition, and false religion,
which afflict the great nations of Europe;
Asia, Africa, and many parts of America,
and of regenerating the world, uuder the
gracious providence of God.
> "Wishing you success in your various no
ble, benevolent, and Christian enterprises,
I and that your life and health may long be
preserved, to enjoy the fruits of your labors
on earth, I remain yours,in Christian esteem,
"THOMAS TIMPSON."
Terrible Railrbnd Accident,
Thirty Killed—Over Fifty Wounded.
A terrible eccident has occnrred on the
Pannma Railroad to the passengers who
went out from New York in the George Law.
The train vras thrown off the track on the
Obispo' hridg,, bol.l fitlwn mitov from Pan -
ama. It consisted of nine cars containing
900 passsngers.
Owing to '.he accident the passage through
could not be effected, and the pasaengera
were sent bask to Aspinwall. Over fifty
wounded had arrived, two of whom died af
ter reaching Aspinwall. The next morning
there was a further arrival of the woanded
and uninjured.
1 At the last advices brought by the George
Law, the wreck had not been wholly cleared
fiom the road, but thirty bodies had been ra
covered. Very few ladies or children were
injured. Among the wounded end killed
were a number of brakemer. employed on
the road.
The only name given is that of Mr. Dal'
house, a clerk at Aspinwall, who was killed.
. California News.
There had been heavy rains throughout
the State during the past fortnight, which
hud given mining operations a new
The grain crops promise a most abundant
1 harvest. The Governor had signed the bill
consolidating the city and county of San
Francisco.
The Democrats hud carried the municipal
ticket si the recent election in Sacramento.
The Republicans attempted to hold a mass
meeting at the satne place, but were driven
from the ground with violence.
A powder vessel at Sacramento was stink
in the river on election day. Loss 870,000.
A large fire occurred at Placerville on the
16th. Loss, 850,000.
Business at San Francisco was dull.
Louis Napoleon and the English Pre*i.—
Since the oassatton of hostilities, a much less
triendly lone pervades the Kttglish press to
wards Louis Napoleon ; his acts are criticised
with more asperity; ami the recent speech
which Count Walewski made at the confer
ence, the burden of which was to silence
the press of Belgium, to order to please his
Imperial master, has been resented in strong
editorial articles.
The Growing Wheat Crop. Advices from
all the Western States, with the exception oi
Tennessee, speak of the fine appearance of
the wheat, which is expected to be twenty
five per cent, larger than any ever gathered
in the United States.
The Cincinnati Convention.—TlgyPennsyl
vania Central and the Ohio and Pennsylvania
Railroads intend carrying parsons wiahinglo
attend the National Democratic Convention
at Cincinnati lor one-half the usual fare char
ged.
Post Ojjice Matters. —On Tuesday last,Pott
master General Campbell appointed Mr. Jaa.
B. Falls route agent between Port Clinton and
Elmira, on the Caltawista, Williamaport and
Klmira Railroad, at a salary of S7OO a year
in place of Mr. Joseph Houghlwout resigned.
2Ac Appropriation Bill Signed. —Harrisburg
May 13.—Gov. Pollock returned to Harris
burg to day from Milton. He haa signed
the Appropriation bill, the supplement to the
Consolidation act, and the bill relative to li
bels.
Fillibusteis to be put Down. —The Washing
ton Star s'aieg thsi the President, having re
ceived the oew Minister from Nicaragua, haa
determined to prevent at all hazards, the de
parture of armed band* from the United
States for Central America.
I* A prodnsiiion will pass Congress thin
session, to extend the eastern boundary of
California, so as to take in a portion of the
Territory of Utah, the inhabitants of whioh
desire to livo under the jurisdiction of that
State.
Q"" Six hundred Mormons, men, woman,
and children, passed through Port Jervit, on
ihe Erie Railroad, last Monday morning,
for the West.
Cf Barnum says he has got about half *
ouetiet ui wrns ana protests, and is compel
led nearly every day to sweat before some
court that he is not a swindler.
C 7* The receipts of the Erie Railroad in
April are reported unofficially at 8665,000,
which is very large. For the last few daya
they bare avereged $29,000 per day.
I3T The Post Office Depsrtment he* cans
ed to be prepared a new stamp with tfi#
head of Jefferson, of the value of fire cents
expresaly to prepay postage on foreign ler
lera.
l* Green peat and ripe strawberries, her*
made their appearance in the New Yotk
markets.