THE FIELD 
877 
tioned to the trifling nature of the operation. The friends 
of Russia in Paris are delighted with this result. What would 
they have been had a similar backward movement taken 
place from the East ? — and, on dit., that was at one time 
seriously proposed ! 
We continue pretty free from cholera in Paris, though 
cases occur daily. In the provinces, unfortunately, it still 
continues its dreadful ravages, having been very fatal both 
in the south and in the east. 
A new field is said to have been suddenly opened, not only 
for emigration, but for the tourist, which, though in another 
way, does not yield in beauty of scenery to the fairest land- 
scapes of Italy, while, in richness of produce, its capabilities, 
with cultivation, would render the greater pari of Europe 
perfectly independent of supplies either from America or 
Russia. Letters are now in Paris from the east which 
describe the scenery, and even the climate, of the provinces 
as the most lovely that can be conceived ; and even, notwith- 
standing the cholera, the most salubrious in the world. 
Providence has made it a Paradise, and a Paradise it remains, 
in broken luxuriousness and beauty, even in spite of the 
wanton desolation and destruction, created by man, every- 
where visible. In different parts you encounter leagues upon 
leagues of the most beautiful country in the world, abound- 
ing with wood and plain, hill and valley, all teeming with 
vegetation, not only without an owner but without an 
inhabitant. Valleys, abandoned by their former population, 
are met with, but all in a state of ruins. Their gardens over- 
run with weeds, and the fields in their vicinity lying waste 
aud uncultivated, convey a terrible picture of the Turkish 
Government, aud the misery aud wretchedness of the 
unhappy people. One of the scientific commission sent out 
by the French Government, has, it appears, sent home an 
admirably-drawn tableau of the situation of the country, with 
its rich resources and the advantages it possesses, if they 
were brought to light aud rendered available by a reformed 
system of administration. The introduction of European 
civilisation, with its attendant ameliorations, would at tt is 
moment be easily effected. The rapport concludes with the 
remarkable averment, that agricultural science and capital, in 
an incredibly short space of time, would transform the present 
countless acres of wilderness in the Turkish provinces into 
the most luxuriant corn-fields in the world, while the magic 
variety of its landscapes and softness of the climate, when 
precautions are taken against the heat, form one garden of 
beauty. If these accounts be realised even partially, the 
Eastern expedition will have carried with it blessings and 
advantages never contemplated by those who carried it into 
effect. 
It appears that Mdme. Stoltz, who you will recollect lately 
returned to the Grand Opera after some years' absence, and 
who was the very reverse of satisfied at finding that the 
proceedings of M. le Ministre towards the journals had ren- 
dered them all silent on her performance at her dibut, re- 
solved to wait upon the great man and have an explanation. 
A very warm scene is said to have taken place, in the course 
of which the lady, with far more candour than politesse, ac- 
quainted son Excellence with her opinion of his pretensions 
as a judge of music and qualifications as the manager of a 
theatre. In a word, the angry Prima Donna told him more 
home truths in five minutes than he has heard from any 
other quarter ever since he came into office. The question 
is still in abeyance ; aud the opera, instead of rising under the 
new system of official patronage, seems to descend in public 
favour every day. Rachel has come back to the Franfais ; and 
though she had the vile taste to select “ Marie Stuart,” miser- 
ably translated from Schiller’s poor tragedy (as I think) by 
M. Lebrun, played the virago scene with Elizabeth, aud the 
scene of her execution with so much pathos and tenderness, 
as to obtain a complete triumph. Her parting with her ser- 
vants particularly, though far from well written, was played 
by Rachel with a touching reality, which scarcely left a dry 
eye in the theatre. Nothing worth noting in the other 
theatres, none of which are paying their expenses. 
A curious book, now in the press, is expected shortly to 
appear — no less than the memoirs of one of Robespierre’s 
sisters. The title is to be “ Mdlle. de Robespierre," and 
some letters and papers are promised of the terrible revolu- 
tionist. The editress is a well-known literary character, La 
Comtesse D'Ash. We have been so overrun with these 
“ Memoirs" lately, that the very name produces a panic 
among the literary world. Besides Dr. Veron’s “Memoirs,’’ 
the main object of which seems to be to hold out the author 
to the admiration of the public, we have had those of Mdlle. 
Celeste Mogador, one of the nymphs of Mobille — now on the 
retired list. These latter were of so scandalous a character 
that the police were obliged to interfere after three volumes 
had issued from the press, and prohibited the publication of 
tlm remainder. Another work just published is “ Les 
Mattresses Parisian*.! cs," the subject of which is quite as edi- 
fying as its title. So much for the light literature of the 
day. Lamartine's “ Lectures pour Tons," which is, of course 
more serious, has a certain success, but the prestige of his* 
name as an author is decidedly on the wane. He is now 
engaged on a history of Turkey, which is to be published in 
the Constitutionncl. A work by Thiers, on the history of art 
and literature in Italy, is also announced as one of the novel- 
ties of the coming season. Nothing else worth recording, 
touching what is culled here la haute litteraturc. 
Independent of their move against Sunday trading, the 
clerical party in France are just now remarkably active, 
scattering all over the country districts an immense number 
of tracts, intended to stimulate the religious feelings of the 
population, which have been dormant for a long time past. 
The titles of some of these sacred compositions are worth 
transcribing, as Le Pistolet dc la Foi (the Pistol of Faith) ; 
Le Poignard du Saerc Ctrur (the Dagger of the Sacred 
Heart) ; Le Tambour de la Contrition (the Drum of Repent- 
ance), &c. It does not appear, however, that as yet the 
sound of the ecclesiastical drum has reclaimed many sinners 
from the error of their ways. 
MURDER OF AN ENGLISH CONSUL AND HIS WIFI 
Athens, Sept. 1.— Great sensation has been caused her 
on receipt of intelligence from Negropont, that Mr. Hour 
Lt eves and his wife have both been murdered in their hous 
in the village of C.istaniotiza, of which village and a cor 
siderable extent of land he was the proprietor. All that i 
known here at present is, that the crime was perpetrated o 
Sunday, the 28th ultimo ; that a forcible entry’ of-thehous 
was effected ; that Mr. Lecve3 attempted resistance an 
wounded one of the assassins, but was overpowered, and tha 
: o- er « < V n, k le murder a quantity of silver plate was carrie. 
off. Mr. Leeves was about thirty years of age, son of 
former chaplain to the British mission at Athens, an, 
married about eighteen months since a young lady whos 
family reside at Manchester, who a few months since gave 
birth to a child, respecting the fate of which nothing is 
stated. It appears that Mr. Leeves held the appointment of 
British consular agent, or vice-consul, iu Negropont. 
Mr. Wyse, British minister at Athens, on receiving official 
intelligence of this shocking affair, instantly took steps 
towards instituting the most searching inquiry, with the 
view, if possible, of discovering the murderers and bringing 
them to justice. Immediate orders were sent to tho Piltous, 
to the commander of her Majesty’s war-steamer Medina, to 
get up her steam and proceed to Negropont ; aud Mr. 
Merlin, British rice-consul at Athens, aud Mr. Looock, 
attachi to the British mission, were directed to proceed iu 
the Medina with the Greek authorities, to make the most 
rigid investigations on the spot. They left tho Pineus 
yesterday, and the result of their inquiries will bo most 
anxiously looked for here. 
The Rev. Dr. Hill, chaplain to the British mission, volun- 
tarily accompanied tho expedition, as he had been intimately 
acquainted with the deceased, and thought he might bo of 
use in protecting the infant, should it have escaped the fate 
of its parents. Mr. Henry Leeve’s mother is at present iu 
Athens, and is much commiserated under the misfortune 
she has sustained. This foul crime is merely an additional 
proof of tho vitter personal insecurity that exists iu Greece. 
Surely if the present Government cannot, or will not, afford 
efficient protection to life aud property, it is time that 
means were adopted by England and Franco to bring about 
such a change ns would effectually do away with this lament- 
able state of things, and also cause Greeco to become a 
flourishing country. 
We learn from France that Prince Albert, before his 
departure, left l.OOOf. to be distributed among the poor of 
Boulogne. By direction of his Royal Highness, Geueral tho 
Hon. C. Grey also wrote to M. Carnegy de Bnliuhard, chairman 
of the British Free Schools iu that town, enclosing 500f. from 
the Prince. It is said that the Emperor has purchased the 
Brighton Hotel, which lias been his Majesty’s residence since 
his arrival, for the sum of £16,000. The purchase is sup- 
posed to indicate the Emperor’s intention of frequently 
visiting Boulogne, where he is extremely popular. 
Advices from Lisbon announce that the Queen Maria 
Christina aud her husband, accompanied by General Garrego, 
landed at the arsenal at four o’clock on the morning of tlio 
9th instant, and proceeded immediately in the royal carriages 
to the Spanish Embassy, where a guard of honour was im- 
mediately stationed. 
Despatches from the Danube announce that at eleven 
o’clock on the morning of tho 6th the Austrian troops 
entered Bucharest. Omar Pasha received them at the head 
of a Turkish division and a detachment of the Wallachiau 
militia, outside the gate of Padu Mogosclioy, where the 
Catholic aud Greek clergy, the members of the Administra- 
tion, some of the Boyards, and a dense crowd of citizens, 
were assembled. Count Coronini, the commander of tho 
Austrian corps of occupation, and the Turkish Sirdar, rode at 
the head of the troops. 
The Mail from New York, dated September 2, reports 
that the captain of a British schooner arrived at Baltimore, 
states, that on the voyage from that port to Nassau ho fell 
in with a suspicious-looking schooner, which steered for him, 
but, night coming on, she was lost sight of. The captain 
of an American vessel made a similar report. A schooner 
filled with men made for him, but a large ship heaving iu 
sight, she sheered off. Is this a Russian privateer l 
According to Mexico letters of tho 22nd ult., Santa 
Anna had issued a decree enabling tho religious orders to 
avail themselves of the civil tribunals, to enforce upon the 
monks and clergy an adherence to their vows. 
Newspapers at Varna. — “Lord Raglan bears an excellent 
name amongst the men, as he appears to bo ever mindful of 
their wants aud comforts. Send me out a newspaper when- 
ever you can. You would split your sides to see how the 
newB is devoured : tho last paper you Bent mo I cut up into 
pages and lent them to as many squads, each of which 
appointed a reader ; and when the squads had done with 
their portion, it was exchanged for another, until all wore 
gratified.” — Private letter. 
COLONIAL. 
Canada. — We learn that, pending tho action of the British 
and Colonial Legislatures on the reciprocity treaty, tho river 
St. Lawrence will be free to American vessels to navigate. 
The Cauadiau Assembly was to meet at Quebec on the 5th 
September for the despatch of business, and the reciprocity 
treaty would have to be assented to in Canada and the other 
provinces before it can come into operation. As remarked 
by General Cass, this treaty “ terminates all existing dif- 
ferences between the United States and Great Britain, aud 
leads to tho hope that the only contests betweeu them will 
be a generous rivalry iu all that constitutes the true progress 
of nations.” 
AUSTRALIANA. 
The departures from tho port of London for tho Australian 
colonies during the past week have comprised ten vessels — 
three to Sydney, with an aggregate burden of 1,809 tons; 
two to Port Phillip, with an aggregate burden of 1,199 tons; 
two to Adelaide, with an aggregate burden of 1,298 tons ; 
one to Hobart Town, of 358 tons ; one to Launceston, of 
292 tons ; and one to Port Fairy, of 258 tons. Their total 
capacity was, consequently, 5,514 tons. The rates of froight 
exhibit no great alteration, but in some cases they arc rather 
firmer. 
GOLD ^FIELDS. 
The subjoined is from tho Agua Fria Gold Company 
“ The Agua Fria Gold Mining Company have advices to the 
30th of July of the remittance, 453^ ounces of gold. Of this 
86J ounces was the result of two days’ stamping at Gold-hill, 
but the mill could only be worked occasionally, in con- 
sequence of the scarcity of clear water. A horse-whim, how- 
ever, had been erected to drain the mine until tho engine was 
put up; and Mr. Attwood expected thus to obtain a supply 
of water, and work the richer part of tho Gold-hill vein. 
The accounts from Agua Fria are very satisfactory. One 
of the mines recently tested and turned out rich, 19 tons 17 
cwts. 2 qrs. haviug been stamped, yielded 82 oz. 13 dwts. 
7 grs. The cost of hauling the rock to the mill was about 
$2 per ton, and Captain Williams estimated that the veiu 
could be worked, when laid open by a level and shaft, at 
per ton. 
33its nnir Ipiirs. 
Lucky Days. — In tho “ Rhymes and Proverbs,” gathered 
together by “ M.A.D.,” wo fiud these lines on wedding-days • — 
“Mondny for health, 
Tuesilny for wealth, 
Wednesday the best day of nil, 
Thursday for crosses, 
tYiday for losses. 
And Saturday no luci at all." 
Umbrella. — “ Jack, did you carry that umbrella home 
that 1 borrowed yesterday /” “ No, father, you have often 
told mo for to lay up something for a rainy day, and ns 1 
thought it would r.un before long, I hud tho umbrella up.” 
Cheai* Light.- With respect to tho oloutrio light, tho 
problem appears to bo solved at Paris. We mentioned a 
short tune since that it was in use to illuminate tho works 
ot the Napoleon Docks, which wore carried on by night as 
well as by day ; and the apparatus was so complete, that 
for four months the light has been steadily burning. Eco- 
nomy is not its least recommendation, for tho cost per night 
has not been more than 38 francs, which, as 800 men were 
employed, gives 4J centimes— less than a halfpenny per man. 
— Chambers's Journal. 
Peas and Potatoes.— Iu a recent Bitting of tho Agricul- 
tural Society of Saint-Marcellin, Isdro, a curious fact was 
related. A farmer stuck a pea in a potato, and planted 
them toget her in March last, Tho pea produced a stalk which 
was covered with peascods, and tho potato gave eleven healthy 
roots. Tho farmer is of opinion that by this system it is 
possible, not only to obtain a two-fold crop, hut to prevent 
the malady in potatoes. 
A Mermaid. Tho following story has boon published at 
Berlin under quasi-official sanction On the 15th tho 
wife of a painter iu Old Schouhaus-streot brought into tho 
world a most wonderful creature. This was a child born 
only a few weeks before tho regular time, which had tho 
regular human form down to tho loins, aud theuco down- 
wards that ot a fish, but without scales. Its fingers wore 
webbed, but otherwise perfectly well formed. It died half 
an hour after birth, iu tho presence of tho midwife, Dr. Hoff- 
maun." 
( urious Offer of Marriage. — It is a very common 
thing to see advertisements for marriage in tho French jour- 
nals, and some of them are very curious ; but I have novel* 
seen anything so rich as a printed card which was yesterday 
lelt at tho dittoront hotels, reading-rooms, and other places of 
public resort. I give you a textual copy “ Ruo do Long- 
champs, 35, h Paris (Seine). Un Jouuo hottuuo do 30 ans, 
certain do gagner 15 h 20 billions on 8 ans, dilsiro trouvor 
eu manage une Demoiselle ou uno Veuve do 38 ans an plus. 
II donne deux ans, si l'on vent, pour qu'on puisso bion lo 
connattro; inais il est certain qu’uu bout d'un mois, la De- 
moiselle voudra so marier k toute force. Miso k prix. 30,000 
francs (derive franco).” The m ine <i prix iH a magnificent climax. 
This extraordinary youth of 30, who is sure in eight yours to 
make a fortune of 1G to 20 billions of francs not millions, for 
that would be too small an amount, offers hiniHelf, not a fixed 
sum ot 30,000 francs to any maid or widow, but names an 
upset price, as for tho sale of a house, above which tho com- 
petitors may bid. Ho evidently expects a much larger 
amount ot purchase-money from the account lie gives of him- 
self. Ho is willing, ho says, to allow a trial of two years, 
in order that ho may bo thoroughly known and appreciated ; 
hut ho is sure that at tho end of a month the lady will marry 
him a toute force." 
Lobsters in a Moral Point of View.- Morally I look 
upon lobsters ub occupying a very low grade iu tho seulo of 
animals. They uro a kind of marine Muscovite, bristling 
with rage against every ouo ; fierce, hard, homy, and pug- 
nacious ; always tearing and rending something, and losing 
their limbs with as much indifference as if they belonged to 
some salt-water Czar. Then, they not only get into rows 
themselves, but are often tho causo (brandy and water com- 
bining) of other people getting into rows. If you wish for 
evidence of their pugnacity, look at their claws. One of them 
is always a great deal smaller than tho other. Observe tho 
left claw with which tho lobster (like a human being sparring) 
wards off the blows aimed at him ! Examine tho right or 
striking claw ; that which now garnishes tho doxtor limb is not 
the real original cheliform, but a supplementary pair of 
pincers, thrown off long ago iu some midnight submarine 
brawl. Iu case of emergency your thorough-brod lobster 
parts with a claw with as little concern ns a man tearing tho 
tail of his coat in a hedge when a mad bull is after him. 
The late Sir Isaac Coffin, who used to toll a great number of 
odd stories, was once witness, ho said, to a terrific combat 
between two armies of lobsters, in tho harbour of Halifax, 
in Nova Scotia. They fought, ho declared, with so much 
fury that tho sca-shoro was strewed with their claws. Sir 
Isaac w.as tho admiral on tho station, aud over afterwards, 
when he saw a lobster, he pointed io the disparity bctwcon 
the claws’, in corroboration of his story. — Dickens's “ House- 
hold Words." 
The Holiday Question.- I am a very hard-working mnn, 
and I know what overwork is, and I know, also, the good 
of moderate work. I was lazy till sixteen ; then I had five 
years' moderate work ; when I camo of age I wan all tho 
bettor for not having been overworked before I camo to 
my strength. For nearly thirty yearn I have worked about as 
hard ha any man in London, scarcely over taking a holiday ; but 
I find that it will not do to go on so. I am obliged to make 
a holiday now — to cut down my 311 days to Iosb than 300. 
And if 311 days’ work would bo too much for me, who was 
not overworked when young, it must be fur too much for those 
who had, as too many of our working men have hud, some of 
their pith taken out of them while they were growing. But 
many will say, “ Wo cannot afford to give up thirteen working 
days ; wlmt shall wo do for wages ? " This is all nonsense : 
if every man, woman, and child kept thirteen holidays a year, 
wo should all be as well off as now. You say, “ A fair day’s 
wage for a fair day's work." Try another cry, and say, “ A 
fair year's wage for a fail* year's work." If we all kept tho 
thirteen holidays wo should get the same wages in tho year 
as we do now. Wo could do more iu 300, with thirteen 
holidays to give us a spring every now and then, than wo can 
do iu the 313 days without the spring. Nothing is so bad 
fora horse as all collar-work. 1 have tooled a four-horse stage- 
coach in a hilly country in my younger days, and I well 
recollect how we went up a hill when wo had just had a bit of 
down-hill, with a huud-gallop along tho little bottom between 
the two. That is just what wo want ou our journey through 
this world— a steady trot through 300 days, with a springing 
huud-gallop on thirteen days every horo aud there, aud a quiet 
rest at the end of every one of tho fifty-two stages. — Corre- 
spondent of the Builder. 
