The Bangkok Recorder.

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Piracy.

Report of the British bark
"Bentinck."

The Bentinck, James Thomas, mas- ter, put back having been surprised by pirates, in Chino bay, on the morn- ing of Saturday 9th December, with loss of two men, portion of the cargo, master's and crew's effects, ships stores, furniture, &c. On the morning of Monday 4th, sailed from Hongkong bound to Ningpo, with a general car- go, and crew consisting of 14 men. All went well, and on Friday evening the 8th instant, being in with Chino Bay, and blowing a fresh increas- ing gale from E to N. I considered it would be advantageous, to the progress of the passage to anchor in Chino Bay, till 3 or 4 o'clock the following morning. accordingly came to in 6 fathoms. At 5.15 P. M., set the regu- lar watch, with orders to call all hands if any suspicious craft were appro- aching the ship. At 2.15 A. M. (Sa- turday.) the second mate called all hands, saying there was a junk appa- rently coming alongside. We all got on deck almost immediately, but in a moment the junk sheered up on the port quarter, heaving stink pots and firing pistol shots on board as she ranged alongside, I saw some of the men run to the fire arms a few of which were on the deck but as some of the pirates were by that time on board, I ordered them (my crew) not to fire a shot, but to get down below immediately as I considered it then the only chance for their lives. We then all made below. the deck being by that time covered with pirates, I called to those nearest me to get in the lazarette, and one man and myself got down. By this time the pistol shots were firing down the cabin, and the pirates had possession of the ship. They then began to call out for the Captain. The Chief mate came in the Lazarette at this time, and immediately after him what appeared to be the leader of the Gang. He called to me to come up, but I levelled a revolver at him, at the sight of which he jumped up quick- ly himself. A second man shortly after came below the scuttle, but he went up rather quicker than the first. I did not fire at either of those men, as the mate and man that were with us, and myself, were certain that if I did, it would be a signal for the murder of all the crew. I finally agreed to come up unarmed and at their mercy, the mate to pass the pistol to the Chinese afterwards. I considered throughout the entire affair, that my death was certain, but I now believe through my sparing their leader, the crew that I now have on board and myself were spared our lives.

On their getting hold of me, the apparent leader ordered me to show him where the opium and 2000 dollars were stowed. As we had neither, I could not tell him. He persisted that we had as he had information from Canton that it was put on board. In the mean time they were rifling every place on board the ship, breaking the hatches open &c., and dragging me with them, with continual threats of shooting me &c. As day was breaking they all at once at a signal left the ship, leaving me in the main hold. I extinguished all the lights they had been using, and watched the junk leaving the ship. I then got on deck and with the second mate, began to muster the men, when we found two missing viz. James Collier (A. B.) and William Tally (A. B.) We think they might have been chased over the Bows and shot in the water. All the remainder of the crew were unhurt, myself being the only one with either marks or bruises. The pirates had robbed the vessel of a portion of the cargo, ships stores, and furniture, and crew's and master's effects and break- ing the cabin lockers, and doors and rifling the cabin of everything of value.

CHINA

The fortnight which has since elap- sed has been rather barren of polit- ial events. Their is not a word of news obtainable from Peking, where Sir R. Alcock must have arrived at the last of this month. The nature of His Excellency's reception at the court at Peking may in some degree indicate forthcoming events, and therefore the advices communicating his arrival are looked forward to with some degree of curiosity.

It seems to be pretty well understood that anti-foreign Consuls are the order of the day at Peking. There is no doubt, either that Prince Kung was degraded because of his supposed pro-foreign aspirations, or that his re- elevation to power is to be ascribed to the discovery that this supposition was a grave error. Since the late evacua- tion of the Taku forts much labor and outlay have been expended in streng- thening the fortifications,—-in fact, it is said that when the plan adopted shall be carried out, these forts will be impregnable except to iron-clads. The proceeding is significant when taken in connection with the anti-foreign policy known to be cherished, but at the same time there can be no reason- able objection urged against the Chi- nese government fortifying their Capi- tal. On the contrary, the Mandarins will surely find that whilst they will be required to fulfill their proper du- ties and to perform their responsibili- ties, every measure adopted to streng- then their hands and elevate their prestige, will be heartily supported.

The whereabout of Tseng-kwo-fan is still a mystery, and the precise position of affairs as between the main body of the Imperial army under his command and that of the Nienfei, is not known with any degree of precis- ion. Rumor still has it that the Im- perial troops have suffered a defeat and are retreating on the Yellow Riv- er, and although these reports are not authenticated, still they are generally credited.

These Nine-fei insurgents are also appearing in force far to the westward of the scene of the Tseng-kow-fan's operation. It appears that the Pek- ing Cabinet ordered the Governor General of the two Kiangs, (ex-Footai Li) to dismiss all the foreign drill in- structers mercenaries in military em- ploy. Of these there are still a num- ber at various posts, the whole being British subjects with the exception of a few Frenchmen. Li hesitated to carry out the order and wrote to Pek- ing for fresh instructions, representing that the services of these mercenaries at the present juncture were much re- quired, and soliciting a postponement of the order, which was granted. It is probable that this circumstance was the origin of the rumor which prevailed to the effect that the service of the foreigners in the customhouse employ should be dispensed with at the end of the year.

An Imperial victory over the Tai- pings attended with the death of the in- surgent leader, is reported to have ta- ken place at Fuhkin. The previous impression was that the Taipings have been driven out of the Fuhkien prov- ince, and the accounts of the present victory do not therefore sound very well.

It would appear that some official degradations have taken place in the Province of Sze-chuen, and it is pretty well understood that the Chinese gov- ernment have accorded the French Minister ample satisfaction for the late outrage committed on the Roman Catholic missionaries in the province.

The Prussian government has assur- edly designs of some kind on Formosa. Some few years ago they had a store ship called the Elbe in these seas car- rying a pennant-—the Commander of her managed to embroil himself with the authorities of Singapore, and also with those of Hong Kong. He after- wards visited Formosa, and embroil- ed himself there. Some of his crew whilst on shore on liberty were mal- treated. This is said to be the pretext for a demand for satisfaction on the Chinese government, which demand, rumour has it, is to be accompanied by a requirement that the Mandarins shall be responsible for the good behaviour of Prussian subjects of the inhabitants of Formosa, which, seeing that the is- land is principally inhabited by vicious untameable savages, is an impractica- ble arrangement.

The Hongkong Mint is expected to be in operation in about three months. The local authorities of this colony, about two years ago, establish- ed a small coin currency, which has met with such singular success, that the supplies (from London) which were deemed liberal, have failed to supply the demand. There is very little doubt that the dollar to be coined here will supersede all others now in circul- ation in China, and so, a large pro- portion of the silver which now finds its way to London and New York, will be sent here direct so soon as the line of steamers between San Francisco and this port shall be established. The only fear is, that the local authorities may mismanage the affair. They are clearly nervous on the point, and have already taken a very questionable step. Uninfluenced by the experience which they might have derived from the suc- cess of small coin currency, apparently oblivious to the desirability of feeding the market gradually, they have an- nounced that for the first two months after the opening of the Mint, silver will be coined free of seignorage! The banks are clearly alarmed lest the new currency should supersede the old, for they have already decreased the circul- ation of their notes about one half. The Shanghai Chamber of Commerce is also alive to the contingency, and at a meeting on the subject it was suggested that the device should be a permanent one, and not the head of the reigning sovereign—-an excellent suggestion, which however came too late to be available. The local govern- ment would probably have confined the operations to issuing a sufficient a- mount to meet the pay of H. M. forces and local requirements—unfortunately the Home Government are dictating such harsh terms as to render acquies- cence almost ruinous to the colony.

The last fortnight has not been signalised by any remarkable events in the North, but a very important inquiry has been held here before a Marine Court, into the circumstances of a mutiny which has taken place on board a coolie ship called The Pride of the Ganges. The vessel which left Whampoa on the 8th of December, came into Hongkong on the 1st of this month, reporting that when off the island of Hainan, the coolies had suddenly and unexpectedly mutinied, had killed the captain and purser and had forced the mate and crew to take them to Hainan. This was done, the coolies all landed, and the mate then brought the vessel back to Hongkong. On the 6th the inquiry was opened before a Marine Court. The chief mate, Richard Vivers, said that the vessel was a British barque commanded by William Jack. She had been loading with coolies at Whampoa since about the 8th of October; altogether she took in 301 coolies bound for Dem- erara. The crew consisted of seven- teen in all, the captain, two mates, one supernumerary acting as purser, storekeeper, coolie, steward, eight able, and two ordinary seamen. The only barricades on board were two; one separating the married people from the single men, and one keeping the passengers out of the after cabin, but interfering in no way with their free circulation about the deck. They were allowed to move about as they pleased, on the poop or any where else. The seamen slept forward and unarm- ed, although they remonstrated with the captain on this arrangement and pointed out that they might all be kill- ed if a rising should take place. There were some few muskets on board, but at the critical moment it appeared that they were unloaded and that the am- munition was not immediately at hand. There had been some dissatisfaction amongst the coolies before the ship left Whampoa, about the rice supplied them, which appears from the evidence to have been of an inferior kind, and also about the advances. The coolies first engaged received $10 with which they were content at the time, but the market went up and the last batches were engaged at an advance of $15. The original coolies on hearing of this, claimed the extra $5 and it was grant- ed to them. In spite of this, the ris- ing took place in the way discribed and the captain and purser were murd- ered very cruelly. The finding of the Marine Court has not yet been deter- mined on, but the moral of the whole transaction is of the simplest kind. Proper barricades to keep coolies from the quarter deck, and loaded arms, are just as essential to the safety of a vessel carrying Chinese passengers as the rudder and the sails.

Romantic story of Stratford,
Connecticut.

That such a town as Stratford should afford anything in the way of romantic personal history was hardly to be ex- pected, but the subjoined story is au- thentic as well as interesting.

"At the commencement of the pres- sent century a young man made his ap- pearance in the village, and spent a few weeks in the tavern which then existed to afford shelter to stage coach travelers. Whence he came and what his business, none could guess. Di- rectly opposite the tavern stood the small cottage and the forge of a black- smith named Folsom. He had a daugh- ter who was the village beauty, and it was her fortune to captivate the heart of the young stranger.

He told his love, said that he was from Scotland, that he was traveling incog., but in confidence gave her his real name, claiming that he was heir to a large fortune. She return- ed his love and they were married. A few weeks thereafter the stranger told his wife that he must visit New Orleans; he did so, and the gossips of the town made the young wife unhappy by their disagreeable hints and jeers. In a few months the husband return- ed, but before a week had elapsed he received a large budget of letters, and told his wife that he must at once re- turn to England, and must go alone. He took his departure, and the gos- sips had another glorious opportunity to make a confiding woman wretched.

To all but herself it was a clear case of desertion; the wife became a moth- er, and for two years lived in silence and in hope. At the end of that time a letter was received by the Stratford beauty from her husband, directing her to go at once to New York with her child, taking nothing with her but the clothes she wore, and embark in a ship for his home in England. On her ar- rival in New York she found a ship splendidly furnished with every convenience and luxury for her comfort, and two servants ready to obey every wish she might express.

The ship duly arrived in England, and the Stratford girl became the mis- tress of a superb mansion, and, as the wife of a baronet, was saluted by the aristocracy as Lady Samuel Sterling. On the death of her husband, many years ago, the Stratford boy succeed- ed to the title and wealth of his father, and in the last edition of the "Peerage and Barontage," he is spoken of as the issue of "Miss Folsom, of Stratford, North America." When the late Prof. Stillman visited England some years since, he had the pleasure of meeting Lady Sterling at a dinner party, and was delighted to answer her many questions about her birth-place in Con- necticut.—-Lorain County News.

A New Invention

A London paper publishes a descrip- tion of a curious invention designed to catch Safe burglars. The depredator no sooner commences, in perfect igno- rance of the secret arrangements, to force open the door, drill the lock, or move the safe, than by doing so, he sends a telegraphic message to the near- est police office, exhibiting the number of the Safe he is attacking, and this number registered in the police books, has opposite to the house the address of the house in which the rob- bery is being effected.

Soochow

Liu, Acting Futai of Kiangsu, has resigned his appointment in conse- quence of constant squabbles between himself and the Acting Governor— general. He has based his request to be relieved on the ground of being obliged to retire from office and return to his home in Honan in order to soothe the declining years of his fa- ther who has attained great age. The Court of Peking has accepted his re- signation, but no successor has yet been appointed.Trade Report

Cyclone

A Cyclone of great violence has re- cently swept the Bay of Bengal doing great damage to Shipping. We ap- pend the following paragraphs taken from the Madras journals —-

Loss of the Ship "Alaya." —We re- gret, to hear that intelligence has been received by Messrs Brainbridge, By- ard Gair and Co., that the Ship Ala- ya, which was one of those which left our Roads on Saturday morning last, has gone down off Pondicherry. The captain and crew, we are glad to add, were saved. It appears that one of the steamers reported having seen what appeared to be a wreck somewhere off Pondicherry, and this probably gave rise to the rumour as to the loss of the Princess Royal.—-Madras Times, Dec. 2.

We are indebted to Messrs. Binny and Co., the Local Agents of the B. I. S. N. Co., for the following extract from a letter dated the 1st instant, written from Nagaptam, by Capt. Lew- is of the steamer India: "You will be interested to know, we passed, com- ing here some dozen or more ves- sels more or less damaged, three we spoke. 1st French Barque Caprice for Madras off Pondicherry, 2nd Brit- ish Ship Darra, on her broadside, car- go shifted and deck swept, 45 miles N. N. E. Nagapatam. 3rd, British Ship Hurry Hurren, with fore-mast gone at anchor off Karricul." —-Id., Dec. 5.

Odds and Ends.

—-Some men will do any thing for mo- ney—-even good actions.

-—It is worthy of notice that General Grant’s speeches grow longer and long- er, and it may be questioned wheth- er he will not become an orator by and by. His last speech was ten lines long.

-—A little girl after returning from church, where she saw a collection ta- ken up for the first time, related what took place, and among other things, she said, with all her childish innocence, that “a man passed around a plate that had had some money on it, but I didn’t take any.”

-—The following toast was recently pronounced at a fireman’s dinner: “The ladies—-their eyes kindle the on- ly flame against which there is no in- surance.”

He that good thinketh good may do, And God may help him thereunto; For was never good work wrought Without beginning or good thought.

Bangkok Recorder.

"The latest news from the U. S. Ameri- ca is to us exceedingly interesting."The irrepressible conflict" is not yet over. And while justice and injustice to the four millions of Africans in the south- ern states are the cause of it, we hope and pray that it may never stop until the African wherever found, shall be acknowledged a man in every member and faculty of his being, and as such worthy of all the rights of the white man. While the late civil war broke the fetters of those millions of our brothers, it failed to give them equal rights with their white neighbors' of equal grade of intellect and worthiness. There are mighty and terrible influences at work in the political arena of the U. S. to prevent the Africans at the South from ever blotting out the most unmerciful stigma with which the whites, by 200 years of slavery, have branded them. A vast majority at the South and a strong party at the North are doing their utmost to pre- vent the enactment of laws by which any of them, even the well educated, from ever coming to the polls, and thus asserting that they are really and fully citizens of the U. S. The following extract from the N. Y. Independent to so well expresses our views, we gladly give it the place of our own editorial.

"The Good Fight."

"We reiterate our battle-cry of equal rights! Many kindly voices and fav- oring presses are swelling the appeal. Every Sabbath adds to the cause some new pulpit; every week-day, some new editorial pen. As yet, the popular voice only half expresses the popular conscience. Like a smouldering fire, there is a suppressed conviction on the great subject, which, when it breaks into full utterance, will sweep the country. Among a free people a just cause grows apace; every day adds fiber to its trunk and greenness to its leaf, till it stands at last a Cedar of Lebanon. Already the belief posses- ses a majority of Christian minds that this nation was shaken with war in order "that the things which cannot be shaken might remain." These are the great principles of Human Rights, on which this Government is waiting to lay its only sure foundation. These principles which, in one form or an- other, have always kept the American people under the salutary necessity of free discussion, are now coming them- selves into a national question, and its image and superscription is Equal Suff- rage. To men who used to be mob- bed for demanding the Abolition of Slavery, it is now refreshing to see the whole nation advancing like an army toward the next great controversy— Political Equality. Some over-wearied friends are saying, "Let us now fold our hands a while, and enjoy the pres- ent victory." Not so! Stopping to enjoy Capua, Hannibal lost Rome. Stopping to-day contented with Eman- cipation, we shall to-morrow lose Equal Suffrage. Therefore, O friends, girt your loins! Welcome the remaining toils! The noblest discussion which ever engaged a free people is now op- ening. Of the result, we have no fear. Never was our faith firmer, our hope fairer, our zeal for labor in the Good Old Cause more ardent, than in these crisp October days!

The President's singular declaration that "Universal Suffrage in the South would breed a war of races," so forci- bly reminds us of the old story that Emancipation also would create "a war of races," that we will dismiss his apprehension as too familiar a ghost to be feared. The letter of Abraham Lincoln found upon the dead body of General Wadsworth declares that he meant to grant "universal amnesty," and to exact universal suffrage." Did Abraham Lincoln apprehend "a war of races?" Not at all! On the con- trary, he foresaw that Amnesty would carry joy to the rebels, and Suffrage joy to the negroes, and that, as a conse- quence, instead of a "war of races" all the bells would ring Glory Hallelujah! O that the mantle of Elijah may yet fall upon Elisha!

Meanwhile we plant ourselves upon the rock of EQUAL SUFFRAGE. Be- lieving this position to be right, to be manly, to be Christian, God forbid our feet to be moved therefrom a single inch—nay, a single hair! Through evil and through good report, we trust to be able to maintain an unwavering testimony to the truth. We solemnly believe that the word for the hour is Equal Rights! This is the dictate of Justice—-this is the claim of Human- ity. Parties must heed it-—Adminis- trations must conform to it! Its march shall be as irresistible as Time! It shall sweep with majesty into the Na- tional Capitol, and, shall seat itself in sovereignty as the Supreme Law of the Land! To-day; in advance, there- fore, we salute the coming victory, and cry joyfully ALL HAIL."

Arrival of the Mail.

The Steamer Chow Phya with the European Mail of the 11th Dec. arrived at Bangkok at 10 A. M. 28th instant. The Chow Phya left Singapore on the 23d and had fine weather throughout the passage. Spoke the three masted Schooner Hera off Pula Panjang.

The Steamer Viscount Canning from Hongkong with dates to the 24th arrived in harbour on the 31st.

H. B. M's Gunboat Coquette, from Singapore, with dates to the 24th arri- ved in harbour on the 31st.

Passengers per Chow Phya.

Messrs Blythe, Hunter, Mc. Lood, Thompson, and Bateman.

Passenger per V. Canning, Mr. Shannon, Photographer.

Passenger per Coquette T. G. Knox Esqr. H. B. M. Consul.

TELEGRAMS.

New York 9th December.-—Chilian American sympathisers, at a great Meeting held in New York, denoun- ced European intervention in affairs of American Continent.

New York 11th December.-—Ame- rican Congress has expressed sympathy with Juarez; French Ambassador send- ing home for instructions.

Reported that French Embassy will leave Washington if America appoints an envoy to Juarez's party.

Royal speech at opening of Spanish Cortez alludes to war with Chili—-en- dorses recognition of Italy; reiterates intention of watching over rights of the Holy See, promises liquidation of old debt and reduction of flowing one.

The local telegraph bulletins have reported for some days an interruption in Indo European line on the cable between Benghansi and Alexandria and that messages go by post from Malta.

EUROPEAN SUMMARY.

(From the Home News, December 4)

The trial of the Fenian prisoners in Dublin commenced on the 28th of November. The first prisoner tried, Thomas Lubby, has been found guilty, and sentenced to 20 years' penal ser- vitude.

Earl Russell, in reply to a depu- tation from Bradford, said that the working classes were now entitled to be admitted to the franchise, but that the Government bill must be founded on facts.

The American and Canadian go- vernments continue to make provision against the apprehended movements of the Fenians. Six companies of volunteers have been called out in Canada.

The liberation of the crew of the Shenandoah has produced a hostile feeling in America against England.

America.

Several of the agents of the Freed- men's Bureau have officially called attention to the fact that great suffer- ing will probably exist among the ne- groes during the approaching winter, and that the mortality among them is fearful and increasing. In one district over 900 died out of a body of less than 4,000 within six months. The mortality among the children and the aged is particularly great.

The President has approved the sen- tence of death passed by a court-mar- tial in Georgia upon two white sold- iers for the murder of a coloured wo- man.

The Rev. George B. Cheever, one of the most prominent abolition cler- gymen in the United States, at a lec- ture in his church in New York, made a most violent assault upon the course adopted by President Johnson, with whom he declared the Northern people were greatly dissatisfied, and who was acting as though he owned the coun- try, and could do with its inhabitants as he pleased. The speaker further declared that Mr. Johnson acted more like a counsel for the rebels than Pre- sident of the United States, and that public opinion—long suppressed— would soon be heard against him.

The discharge of Captain Waddell and his crew by the British authorities was unconditional, and not restricted by parole as at first reported. We should not be too quick in construing this to be an unfriendly act of the new cabinet. The fact that our mi- nister did not ask the detention of any one connected with the ship is an in- dication that in his judgment no such claim could be sustained. In our pre- sent limited knowledge of the facts, it is our business to assume that he re- frained from acting for good reasons. We cannot consistently blame the Bri- tish Government for failing to make an extradition which was never de- manded. Moreover, the surrender of the Shenandoah to our consul at Liver- pool as a Confederate war vessel, and his acceptance of the ship in that character, precludes us from all com- plaint against the British authorities for discharging the officers and crew. We could have no claim for the ex- tradition of those men, except as pi- rates. Whether piracy committed up- on ships on the high seas comes with- in the scope of the Ashburton treaty, which relates only to felonies commit- ted "within the jurisdiction" of either nation, is a debatable point. But were our claim for the extradition for pira- cy under the treaty ever so clear, we should be stopped from pursuing it by our acceptance of the ship as a Con- federate vessel of war. If the vessel itself retained that belligerent charac- ter, no hostile act committed against our commerce by those on board of it could have been piratical. Having ac- cepted the Shenandoah as a Confede- rate vessel, it is not for us to denounce the British Government for treating its officers and crew as mere belliger- ents, and not trying them for piracy in its own tribunals. Yet it is morally certain that the actual offence of pi- racy was committed. Conceding that the Shenandoah had a belligerent character up to the close of the re- bellion, and indeed up to the time when the news of that close reached the seas which the ship was infesting, it then lost that character, and became a cruiser without a flag. Captain Wad- dell's pretence that he continued to sail for months ignorant that the Con- federacy no longer existed, is bold impudence. He had no official noti- fication of the "fact," and could have none, because the authority which commissioned him no longer existed. But American captains have made affidavit that they personally made known to him the fact of the termi- nation of the war long before he ceased to make war. What is more, proba- ble not one of the vessels which he boarded and destroyed during the summer months was without some newspaper from the Pacific coast, or other quarter, abounding with conclu- sive evidence that the Confederacy had come to an end. There has not been a copy of an American newspa- per published for the last seven months from which any man not absolutely idiotic could not gather that the Rich- mond government was no longer in existence. Waddell unquestionably knew all through the summer that he was robbing and burning without any living authority; and yet, according to his own published statement, it was the very last day of summer before he shipped his guns and stopped his work. Whatever he may originally have been, he became a pirate to all intents and purposes; and no pirate ever more richly deserved hanging. Were he in the hands of our govern- ment, hanging would almost certainly be his fate. But as the matter has turned, he has as good a prospect as any other man of dying in his bed. It is a curious result, and not very creditable to the boasted civilisation and law of the age. N. Y. Times.

Mexico.

The news from Mexico is even more than usually contradictory. The recent report that the Imperialists had aban- doned the Northern States, and were concentrating at Mexico, Vera Cruz, and San Luis Potosi, to await the ar- rival of reinforcements, is effectually contradicted. Vera Cruz dates to Nov- ember 13th state that Michoacan and Oajaca had been cleared of Republi- cans and guerillas, and that a force of 600 under General Guzman, had been captured, and the leaders shot, in ac- cordance with the recent decrees by Maximillian. The emperor had ap- pointed General J. B. Magruder, late of the Confederate army, surveyor- general of colony lands.

France.

The arrival in Paris a few days ago of the American General Schofield has given rise to much comment in the Paris press. It is said that he is en- trusted with the rather delicate task of negotiating for the withdrawal of the French troops from Mexico, and for an alliance offensive and defensive be- tween Paris and Washington in the contingency of a war with England. But the Constitutionnel says the French government has no knowledge of any such mission, and the writer adds that he believes the news to be pure invention. Another announce- ment is that the general is not entrusted with any political mission, and that he visits Europe for the benefit of his health, with the intention of making a lengthened stay on the continent. The other papers, however, persist in asserting that General Schofield is en- trusted with a mission.

From the Home News Dec. 11th.

The Queen's assent to the marriage of Prince Christian of Schleswic-Hol- stein to the Princess Helena has been notified in the "Gazette."

The Queen will open Parliament in person, but will not wear the robes of State, and the Lord Chancellor will read the speech.

General Schofield has arrived in Pa- ris from the United States, and is said to be charged with a mission respect- ing the withdrawal of the French troops from Mexico. His alleged mis- sion has been affirmed and denied by different papers.

The Shenandoah has been forced by stress of weather to put back to Liverpool.

Mrs. Theresa Yelverton has brought an action in Scotland for defamation against the "Saturday Review," Ver- dict for the defendant.

Rome is reported to be in an unfa- vorable condition. The people are much exasperated against the government.

The Republicans in Mexico have raised siege of Matamoras.

A movement for the erection of a national monument to the late Lord Palmerston has commenced.

The twenty-first anniversary of the Princess Alexandra's birth has been celebrated with the customary hon- ors.

A destructive fire has occurred in Liverpool, causing a loss of upwards of £200,000.

Mr. Stephens, the escaped Fenian "Head Centre," is reported to be in Paris.

The following interesting notes of the late Soksö festival are from one of our correspondents. They supply well that which was wanting in our own article on the 18th ulto.

Notes of the order of the Proces- sion on the Hair cutting of Som- detch Chow-fa Choo-la-lon-horn.

1st. The bearers of the golden umbrellas and other sun shades.

2nd. 12 Gentlemen selected from the highest ranks of the nobility—6 on either side of the Sedan on which the young prince was carried, to guard him on his way to his royal father.

3rd. Four Amazons richly dressed in green and gold.

4th. Three little girls dressed in gold, gold cloth and ornamented head gears decked with precious stones of great value. The centre one held a beautiful tail of the peacock, and the other two gold and silver branches, sparkling with leaves and rare flowers, who danced to the gentle monotone movement made by the Bendes, and guarded by two elderly ladies on each side.

5th. Then came two Bhramins holding golden vases or cups full of parched rice or "Khow t'awk" which they scattered on either side, an emblem of plenty.

6th. Four Bhraminesses holding Bandos in their hands, which they rat- tled too and fro as they moved along.

7th. Two young nobles dressed very richly, who held golden vases, in shape not unlike the lotus flower when half blown, in which nestled the birds called "nok kurrawaks"[?] the ex- quisite melody of whose voice is suppos- ed to charm the wild beasts of the forest, so that when they hear its song they forget to seize their prey, and the latter are also so beguiled that they forget to escape from their natural foes.

8th. A troop of young boys, the rising nobility of Siam, richly dressed and covered with gold collars and neck- laces.

9th. Another line of boys repre- senting the Indians of Bengal.

10th. do the Malayan.

11th. do the Chinese.

12th. do the Cochin-Chinese.

13th. do the English.

14th. Infantry, or His Majesty's foot soldiers headed by Pioneers with pick-axes, and in front of all marched the Japanese soldiers. The men in long rose colored robes with tapering caps were supposed to represent the guardian angels attending on nations. The men in deep scarlet, were the musicians, they marched in front and behind the prince and imitated the crys of birds, the sound of falling fruit and rushing of waters on the sacred mount.

The order of the progression behind the golden sedan chair, in which was borne H. R. H. C. O. was somewhat as follows—

Four young damsels of the highest rank holding his betel box, spittoon, and two richly ornamented swords. Then followed seven damsels of high birth also holding or bearing tightly in both hands his vessels of pure gold, and other insignia of royalty, brought up by another holding over her right shoulder a golden fan,

Then came a troop of young child- ren, the daughters of the nobility of Siam, brilliantly dressed and decor- ated.

After which the highest maids of hon- or, attendants of His Majesty the King, beautifully and chastely dressed, though wearing heavy gold chains, and rings of great value. And behind them came persons representing—-

English Ladies, in crinolines English Children, Chinese Ladies, Japanese do, Malay do, and the Karians, and lastly all the female slaves and re- tainers of the young prince.

At the foot of the hill was seen two Yaks with long beards, holding in their hands weapons of marvelous power, and supposed to be riding on eagles, guarding the sacred mount from all irreverent approach. A little fur- ther off, close to the artificial peacock, were seen a number of young men supposed to represent the kings and chiefs of the various dependencies of Siam, who are coming to witness the ceremonies of the hair cutting, and who perform a sort of simultaneous war dance as they chant "O rah pho cha pi Krai lat" on which the Yaks or evil angels point out to them their deadly weapons chanting "O rah pho nope thâng pooâng" the monarchs are then seen to drop down, and so on alternately.

The persons of the mythology of the Hindoos was represented first by His Majesty who was the Phra In Suan himself, then by H. E. the Phya- Kalahome who was one of the chief P. I. S. under the name of Sis Summo Karn and the other by H. E. Phya Phoo t'sra P'ie, another angel under the name of Mah Soh Lee.

The sacred hill is supposed to be guarded on the N. S. E. and W. by the lion, the elephant, the horse, and the cow.

The king, dressed in state, receives the young prince from his nobles, places him at his right hand, and pre- sents him to the multitude assembled who do him homage. After which he is handed to two honorable ladies, sis- ters of His Excellency the Prime Mi- nister, who carefully conducted him down the marble steps of the Pavilion, at the foot of which stand two young and pretty damsels, who put his feet into a silver basin, pour on them wa- ter from a silver urn, wiping them in fine linen. On his way to the Phra Sârt he is met by another group of beautifully dressed damsels, who dance before him holding palms and bran- ches of gold in their hands. He is then conducted to an inner chamber of the Phra Sârt which is prepared to receive him, is seated on a "Ken- kaub" carpet heavily fringed with gold, and made to recline on a golden cush- ion; before him was an alter with six lighted candles, six gold vases con- taining roasted rice, or Khow tawk, and six others with fresh flowers as offer- ings. In his hand is placed a strip of palmyra leaf on which is inscribed a line taken from the sacred Buddhistic- al books as a charm. Four young damsels, also richly dressed, fan him, and he is fed in small delicate morsels by the ladies in waiting, which he opens his mouth to receive at their hands. A soft looking round ball of raw thread which is here used (as did the Romans of old) to keep out witchcraft, the ends of which is first bound tightly round the sacred hill, and then carried into the Phra Suan, and laid on the head of the young prince, from which is carried nine threads over the altar and the dividing screen into the next chamber, where the royal priesthood of Siam are seated. In to the palms of their folded hands they are passed along, and backward forming a magic circle to receive effectual consecration and benediction.

After the top-knot is removed, the young prince is dressed in a new suit, makes handsome offerings to the priests, and is conducted to the foot of the hill to receive his bath, when the custodians from the N. S. E. and W. of the sa- cred mount assemble to pour upon him the sacred waters from their mouths. His Majesty, who represented Phra In Suan, then ascends the top of the mount.

After which the prince is conducted by his chief augels[?]—the two Prime Ministers, to receive his blessing. For three evenings after the top-knot has been removed votive offerings are made by lighted tapers being carried round and round the hill, and the younger royal brothers perform a war dance during the offering.

This was the time when the presents were made to the young prince, and it was astonishing to see the contribu- tions in gold, money, jewels, etc, that were laid at his feet.

The presents made by the king were also enormous. All the nobles and chiefs received gold birds, little boxes of gold jewels &c. All the nobles who took a part in the procession re- ceived four ticals each day. The cap- tains and officers from two to four ticals a day. The children of the nobles, from two and upwards a day. The ladies according to their rank from two to four a day; and all the soldiers and commoners two salungs a day. Bands- men two salungs; the masters from two to four; and the English cook $60 per day: besides several extensive kitchens which were erected in the grounds of the palace, in some of which one hundred Chinese were seen cooking from morning to night, where all, high, low, rich and poor were in- vited to partake freely at all hours of the day and night.

At eight o’clock at night there was a procession of torches and lamps with Phra, In Suan borne in the midst, which terminated in brilliant fire works.

A royal Mandate.

This is to communicate the sad intelligence that the younger full brother of His Majesty the supreme king, generally known by the title P'rà Bât Somdêtch P'rà Pin-Klow Chów- yu-hua, as also by the still more com- mon title The Wâng-nà had long been sick of a disease depriving him of all relish for food, and producing a con- tinual state of vigilance by which he scarcely ever obtained any refreshing repose. His strength steadily declined. The royal physicians prescribed for him, and the shampooing doctors did their best to afford relief. Many times the disease would appear to yield and as often to relapse. From the 7th Siamese month (June 1865) until the fore part of the 1st month (latter part of Nov.) his symptoms became much more alarming in spite of all that the whole corps of royal physi- cians could do. On Sunday Jan. 7th at 18 minutes past 9 o'clock A. M. His Majesty the late 2nd king departed this life.

His Majesty the supreme king, be- ing present with his full-younger brother, gave commands to the per- sons to whom it belonged, to prepare the royal corpse with all the usual in- signia of royalty, and place it in the royal urn; and had the urn placed on the throne called Itisrn-winichei in the 2nd king's palace, according to the custom in vogue for deceased kings during the three last reigns.

This being done, His Majesty issued commands to the two Prime Minis- ters of the South and North, and the Minister of Foreign affairs to write letters under their respective seals to all the Provinces at the South and at the North, and to foreign countries, and to all nations in treaty relations with Siam, giving all to learn the sad intelligence of the demise of His Ma- jesty the late king of Siam.

There were also royal orders then issued that all citizens of Siam who have taken the oath of allegiance un- der lords and masters, together with the prai Loong (people belonging especially to the king,) and the com- mon people who belong to nobles, lords, and masters under the jurisdiction of the WANGNA (second king,) and to all governors under said jurisdiction as well as nobles, lords, and magistrates. Let all such together with their wives and children, -dependants and slaves, male and female, every one, shave his head. Let none be excused excepting children wearing their top-knots, and persons whose custom it is to wear a ope, and Chinese and women who are accustomed to wear long hair. But all persons who cut their hair as the Siamese do, both male and female, let every one of these resolve to submit to this custom of showing respect to the younger full-brother of the king —the Pra-bat Somdetsh P'ra Pin Klow Chôw-ya-hua, whose royal re- mains are now in the palace of the WANGNA.

Let all such as are above designated shave their heads on the 1st day of every moon from the 3rd Month until the funeral obsequies for His Majesty the late second king shall have been closed in the of the year of the tiger (March 1867) the 8th of the decade. Chinese who are marked on the back of the hand and come under the ju- risdiction of the WANGNA, let all such attach white silk instead of black to their cues, and thus follow their own custom for showing respect to the royal dead.

But all Siamese and Chinese, male and female, who belong to the juris- diction of the WANG-LUANG (the su- preme king) or who fall under the ju- risdiction of foreigners, themselves, their wives and children, their servants and slaves, male and female, who are not in any proper sense under the jurisdiction of the WANGNA, none such are at all required by this command to shave their heads or wear white silk attached to their cues. Let all such dress their heads as they have been daily accustomed to do. Those who belong to the class of foreign Malays who are accustomed to shave their heads as an habitual practice, let them continue that practice. This royal or- der is designed only for those who are in any proper sense under the juris- diction of the WANGNA throughout the city of Bangkok and throughout all the provinces of the kingdom who are under the oath of allegiance to the late second king.

LOCAL ITEMS.

Birth of another royal son being the 77th offspring, and the 39th son of H. M. the Supreme King of Siam, from the 29th mother being the 2nd, at 11 minutes past 5. A. M. civil day, 30th January 1866.

We are glad to learn that Mr. Thomson, (as per Advertisement in another column,) will leave the splend- ed views he has taken in Bangkok and other principal cities of Siam, in the care of Capt. S. J. B. Ames, Commissioner of Police, where they can seen by any Connoisseur of the Photographic art who may wish see them. We think H. M. the king is quite right in de- signating Mr. Thomson, the good Pho- tographer. We learn that Mr. T. has left his printer who will execute orders for his pictures as formerly. There need be no fear that the prin- ting will be executed with less skill during the absence of Mr. T. We wish our friend much success in his efforts to picture the interesting views of Ongcor.

The carelessness of those in charge of rafts of timber and bamboos com- ing down the river are likely to lead to serious accidents. A few evenings ago a raft of bamboo was being floated down the river, in direct line with the shipping moored in the harbour, sweep- ing past them with great velocity, un- till it stuck fast across the bows of a barque; and had she not been well moored, would have swept her away with the current, probably taking the vessel astern along with her, and by their united force sweeping all the vessels below along with them. Thus a vast amount of property would have been destroyed for the want of a lit- tle care by those in charge of the raft. As it was, the raft, not being very firmly put together, broke across the bows of the barque, and sped on its way. The next vessel had timely warning by the cracking and snapping of the bamboos across the barque’s bows, and sheered clear of the dan- ger.

Where is PENELOPE BROWN who came and introduced herself to the for- mer editor of the "Bangkok Recorder" and proposed to write a series of arti- cles for the paper, and in whose pro- position we took a lively interest? Has she become disgusted with the change which has taken place in the editorial department, and hence withdrawn? or did she find she had undertaken a job too onerous for one of her delicate frame? Judging from the spirit and power of the article she sent as the first of a series, we are not inclined to think this of her. Will she please to let us know from whence she hails, and why she has thus disappointed us?

—A group of six new houses in the Pennsylvania oil regions is called "Im- perial city."

—A Bachelor's definition of married people : "Ducks" and "Geese"

—The Richmond Bulletin speaks of the present peace as "the disastrous termination of the war."

—Don't always turn back because there's danger ahead: there may be danger in the rear.

—Never lay too great stress upon your own usefulness, or perhaps God may show you that he can do without you.

Transit of Mails.

In our issue of the 4th instant we gave a memo. of the number of days occupied in the transit of the Outward mails to this Port. We intend in our present issue to lay before our readers another memo. which has been care- fully compiled and sent to us for publication which shews the manner in which he Homeward Mail contract has been performed from the 10th of January to the 21st of October 1865. The quickest transit viâ Marseilles has been in 34 days. This was the Mail which left this Port per P. & O. steamer Benares, on the 23rd of April last year, and taken on to Suez from Galle by the Mail steamer Simla. The latest transit via Southampton was in 38 days This was the Mail which left Singapore per P. & O. steamer Singapore, on the 23rd March last year and arrived in London on the 30th April. On six occasions the Mails reached viâ Marseilles in 35 days. Twice during the year the Mails ar- rived in London viâ Marseilles in 36 days. The longest transit has been 46 days viâ Marseilles. These were the Mails which left this Port on the 21st May and 22nd June. The delay was attributable to the long passage of the Mail steamers Candia and Golconda which conveyed the mails from Galle to Suez. The following is a table of the departures of the mail steamers during last year, and the number of days occupied in the transit ;—

We have not yet been able to as- certain how many days the mails sub- sequent to those above-mentioned oc- cupied in their transit, but it is suffi- cient for all purposes to know that the average transit of the Homeward mails was nearly 38 days, and those of the Outward mails for last year about 35 days.

Assault on an Editor.

The following shews the dangers which surround the editorial chair in Ceylon. The plaintiff is the editor of the Ceylon Examiner:—

"This morning (Friday, 27th Oc- tober.) Mr. Cruwell and another tall person (since ascertained to be Lieute- nant Stubbs, of the 2-25th entered Mr. Lorenz's house, and on being shewn into his office-room (by Mrs. Lorenz,) the former asked Mr. Lorenz for an apo- logy for certain letters and articles which had appeared in the Examiner. Mr. Lorenz said that he would only be too willing to apologize for them, if Mr. Cruwell would state to him as a gentleman that the statements therein were not founded on fact. On this understanding, Mr. Lorenz proceeded to write a few paragraphs, when Mr. Cruwell objected to any reference be- ing made to his own assertion of the fact being incorrect. Mr. Lorenz said he could not suppress that important fact, as that was the only ground on which the article could be retracted or qualified. Mr. Cruwell then produced a large whip and inflicted a blow on Mr. Lorenz's back. Mr. Lorenz, seiz- ing a rule on the table struck Mr. Cru- well a blow on the forehead: but see- ing him walking out hastely, he called for his servants, and about ten or fif- teen of them, accompanied by his ne- phew, rushing out, found Mr. Cruwell in the act of getting into his carriage. He was calling out to the horse-keeper to drive on, when he was at once pulled out, and received a very severe beating from the house to the gate, where Mr. Cruwell and his friend, fairly took to their heels and ran away. It is said that, Mr. Cruwell received a very severe beating and was seen run- ning down hill in a very tattered con- dition.

"During the day, a warrant was issued against Mr. Cruwell by Mr. D. De Saram, Police Magistrate on an af- fidavit by Mr. Lorenz for an assault in his house. Mr. Cruwell was brought up before the Magistrate, and on read- ing the affidavit, agreed to its general accuracy, but demurred to his being called a man of a violent temper. Mr. Lorenz said he would - not press the assault case, as Mr. Cruwell had met with such severe treatment from his (Mr. L.'s) servants. The Magistrate thereupon bound Mr. Cruwell over to keep the peace in £1600-—Mr. C. him- self £800, and two others (Mr. Har- rison and Dr. Kelson, who became sureties) for £400 each.