until Maggy was querulous again, and wanted to get up and walk.

"I must thank you first; let me speak to you as if I really was a child."

"You

"You can't do it," said the woman. are kind and innocent; but you can't look at me out of a child's eyes. I never should have touched you but that I thought you were a child." And with a strange, wild cry, she went away.

Three o'clock, and half-past three, and they had come over London Bridge. They had heard the rush of the tide against obstacles; had looked down awed through the dark vapor on the river; had seen little spots of lighted water where the bridge lamps were reflected, shining No day yet in the sky, but there was day in like demon eyes, with a terrible temptation in the resounding stones of the streets; in the wagthem for guilt and misery. They had shrunk ons, carts, and coaches; in the workers going to past homeless people lying coiled up in nooks. various occupations; in the opening of early They had run from drunkards, they had started shops; in the traffic at markets; in the stir at from slinking men, whistling and signing to one the river-side. There was coming day in the another at by-corners, or running away at full flaring lights, with a feebler color in them than speed. Though every where the leader and the they would have had at another time; coming guide, Little Dorrit, happy for once in her youth-day in the increased sharpness of the air, and ful appearance, feigned to cling to and rely upon the ghastly dying of the night. Maggy. And more than once some voice from among a knot of brawling or prowling figures in their path had called out to the rest to "let the woman and the child go by!"

So, the woman and the child had gone by, and gone on; and five had sounded from the steeples. They were walking slowly toward the east, already looking for the first pale streak of day, when a woman came after them.

"What are you doing with the child?" she said to Maggy.

She was young-far too young to be there, Heaven knows!-and neither ugly nor wickedlooking. She spoke coarsely, but with no naturally coarse voice; there was even something musical in its sound.

"What are you doing with yourself?" returned Maggy, for want of a better answer. "Can't you see without my telling you?" "I don't know as I can," said Maggy. 'Killing myself. Now I have answered you, answer me. What are you doing with the child?" The supposed child kept her head drooped down, and kept her form close at Maggy's side. "Poor thing!" said the woman. Have you no feeling, that you bring her out into the cruel streets at such a time as this? Have you no eyes, that you don't see how delicate and slender she is? Have you no sense (you don't look as if you had much), that you don't take more pity on this cold and trembling little hand?"

She had stepped across to that side, and held the hand between her own two, chafing it. "Kiss a poor lost creature, dear," she said, lending her face, "and tell me where she's taking you." Little Dorrit turned toward her.

They went back again to the gate, intending to wait there now until it should be opened; but the air was so raw and cold that Little Dorrit, leading Maggy about in her sleep, kept in motion. Going round by the church, she saw lights there, and the door open, and went up the steps and looked in.

"Who's that?" cried a stout old man, who was putting on a night-cap as if he were going to bed in a vault.

66

"It's

's no one particular, Sir," said Little Dorrit. "Stop!" cried the man. "Let's have a look at you!"

This caused her to turn back again in the act of going out, and to present herself and her charge before him.

"I thought so!" said he. "I know you.”

"We have often seen each other," said Little Dorrit, recognizing the sexton, or the beadle, or the verger, or whatever he was, "when I have been at church here."

"More than that; we've got your birth in our Register, you know; you're one of our curiosities."

"Indeed?" said Little Dorrit.

"To be sure. As the child of the By-theby, how did you get out so early?" "We were shut out last night, and are waiting to get in."

"You don't mean it? And there's another hour good, yet! Come into the Vestry. You'll find a fire in the Vestry, on account of the painters. I'm waiting for the painters, or I shouldn't be here, you may depend upon it. One of our curiosities mustn't be cold when we have it in our power to warm her up comfortable. Come

"Why, my God!" she said, recoiling; "you're along." a woman!"

He was a very good old fellow in his familiar

"Don't mind that!" said Little Dorrit, clasp-way, and having stirred the Vestry fire, he ing one of the hands that had suddenly released hers. "I am not afraid of you."

looked round the shelves of registers for a particular volume. "Here you are, you see," he

"Then you had better be," she answered. said, taking it down and turning the leaves. "Have you no mother?"

"No."

"No father?"

"Yes, a very dear one."

"Here you'll find yourself, as large as life. Amy, daughter of William and Fanny Dorrit. Born, Marshalsea Prison, Parish of Saint George And we tell people that you've lived there, with

"Go home to him, and be afraid of me. Let out so much as a day's or a night's absence, ever

me go.

Good-night!"

since. Is it true?"

"Quite true till last night."

"Lord!" But his surveying her with an admiring gaze suggested something else to him, to wit, "I say, though, I am sorry to see that you are very faint and tired. Stay a bit. I'll get some cushions out of the church, and you and your friend shall lie down before the fire. Don't be afraid of not going in to join your father when the gate opens. I'll call you."

Ah! just the thing! We have got Mrs. Bangham in this book. But what makes these books interesting to most people is not who's in 'em, but who isn't-who's coming, you know, and when. That's the interesting question,"

Commendingly looking back at the pillow he had improvised, he left them to their hour's repose. Maggy was snoring already, and Little Dorrit was soon fast asleep, with her head rest

He soon brought in the cushions, and strewed ing on that sealed book of Fate, untroubled by them on the ground. its mysterious blank leaves.

THE

This was Little Dorrit's party. The shame, desertion, wretchedness, and exposure of the great capital; the wet, the cold, the slow hours, and the swift clouds of the dismal night. This was the party from which Little Dorrit went home jaded, in the first gray mist of a rainy morning.

Monthly Record of Current Events.

THE UNITED STATES.

from Missouri, and asking for aid and protection. In consequence of this communication resolutions were adopted by the Legislature of Ohio instructing their delegation in Congress to use their best endeavors to secure the admission of Kansas into the Union as a State, and to vote, in the mean while, for the admission of Mr. Reeder as delegate from the Territory. On the 11th of February the

tions have been formed within the Territory to resist the execution of the laws, and to subvert by violence all present constitutional and legal authority; that persons residing without the Territory, but on its borders, contemplate armed intervention in the affairs thereof; that the inhabitants of more remote States are collecting money, engaging men, and providing arms for the same purpose; and also, that combinations within the Territory are endeavoring to induce individual States to intervene in the affairs thereof, in violation of the Constitution of the United States. The President declares that the execution of such plans from within will constitute insurrection, and from without invasion, which will demand the intervention of the General Government. He therefore orders all persons engaged in such combinations within the Territory to disperse, and warns those without that any aggressive intrusion will be resisted by the local militia and the forces of the United States. Orders have also been given to the officers com

HE complete organization of the House of Representatives was effected very speedily after the election of Speaker. Mr. Whitfield took his place as delegate from Kansas, under protest from Mr. Reeder, who contests the seat. In the appointment of Committees, the Speaker adopted the general principle of giving the chairman and a majority of the members to his own party, the Re-President issued a proclamation stating combinapublican, dividing the remaining members among the Democrats and the Americans. The principal exception to this rule was the appointment of General Quitman, of Mississippi, Democrat, to the chair of the Committee on Military Affairs. Up to the date of the closing of this Record (March 5), the proceedings in Congress have been wholly deliberative, no definite action having been reached on any of the leading measures under consideration. Of these, the principal have been those growing out of our present critical relations with Great Britain, the disturbed condition of affairs in Kansas, and the action of the late Naval Board. The President has recommended the appropriation of $3,000,000 for increasing our naval and military.efficiency; and a Bill has been reported authorizing the immediate construction of ten additional steam sloops of war. In answer to a call for information on the part of the Senate, the diplomatic correspondence between our Government and that of Great Britain, in relation to the enlistment of soldiers for the Crimea, has been published. It con-manding the United States troops at Forts Riley clusively establishes the fact that the conduct of Mr. Crampton, the British Minister, was such as to justify the demand for his recall; and that no adequate amends have yet been offered by the British Government. From a subsequent part of this Record it will appear that the Government of Great Britain takes a wholly different view of the matter. Affairs in Kansas continue to present a very critical aspect. Many isolated acts of violence have occurred, though no general and open struggle has taken place. The Executive Committee of the Free Soil party have transmitted communications to the General Government, and to the Executives of several States, stating that an armed invasion of the Territory is meditated

and Leavenworth to hold themselves in readiness to obey the requisitions of the Governor of the Territory, in maintaining the peace and repelling invasion.The Legislature of Kentucky have adopted a series of resolutions declaring an unalterable attachment to the Union, and hostility to every effort to subvert it; deprecating the agitation of the slavery question; declaring that Congress has no right to make either the allowance or the prohibition of slavery a condition of the admission of a State into the Union; opposing the repeal of the Nebraska Bill, on the ground that it has definitely settled the policy of the Government in reference to slavery in the Territories; urging the maintenance and enforcement of the Fugitive

will between the citizens of the several States, and, to this end, non-interference by Congress with questions appertaining solely to the individual States, and non-intervention by each State with the affairs of any other State ..... Twelfth. The maintenance and enforcement of all laws until said laws shall be repealed, or shall be declared null and void by competent judicial authority." This platform was adopted by a vote of 108 to 77. A number of delegates protested against it, and refused to be bound to vote for any Presidential candidate nominated upon it. On the 22d of February, immediately after the adjournment of the Grand Council, the National Nominating Convention of the same party assembled. After an ineffectual attempt to postpone immediate action, it was resolved to proceed to the nomination of candidates for President and Vice-President. An informal ballot was taken to ascertain the preferences of members, when, out of 143 votes, 71 were cast for Millard Fillmore, Mr. George Law, of New York, receiving 27, the remainder being divided among a number of candidates. The Convention then proceeded to a formal ballot, the votes being cast by States, according to their Federal representation. Mr. Fillmore receiving 179 votes out of 243, Mr. Law receiving 24. For Vice-President, Andrew J. Donelson, of Tennessee, received 181 votes. Forty delegates, principally from Ohio, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, withdrew from the Convention, and proposed that another Convention for nominations should be called, to meet in New York on the 12th of June.

Slave Law; recommending an alteration in the the Naturalization Laws; deprecating the appointment to office of any person who acknowledges civil allegiance to any foreign power, civil or ecclesiastical, but disclaiming any intention to prescribe a religious test for office; urging obedience to the Constitution and all laws passed in pursuance thereof; and repudiating the "higher law doctrines of the North, as well as the seceding and nullifying doctrines of the South and North."Governor Wickliffe, of Louisiana, in his inaugural address, affirms that the "steady encroachments made by Congress upon the reserved rights of the South have not only sanctioned but encouraged outrage, that, if not checked, will undoubtedly result in a dissolution of the Union." The South, he says, is "satisfied with the principles of the Kansas and Nebraska bill, and it is to be hoped that they will be adopted by the returning good sense of our Northern brethren." The demand that no Slave States shall be admitted into the Union, he affirms to be an insult to the Slave States and a violation of the Constitution, and he holds it to be "certain that if the time shall ever come when the South shall be in a clear minority in the Senate, as it is in the House and the Electoral College, the aggressive spirit of the North will direct the legislation of Congress, so that the South will be obliged to abandon the Union."The Southern and Southwestern Commercial Convention, at its recent session at Richmond, passed resolutions advocating the establishment of lines of steamers between Southern and European ports; requesting Southern Representatives in Congress A Convention of delegates representing the to vote for no appropriation in aid of mail lines Republican party convened at Pittsburg on the 22d terminating at any Northern port, unless a clause of February. Francis P. Blair, of Maryland, forbe inserted in the bill pledging like aid to lines merly editor of the Washington Globe, was apestablished, or to be established, from Southern pointed Chairman. He presented a paper purportports; advocating a repeal, or great reduction of ing to embody the views of many persons in the duties upon railroad iron; and asking the South-Southern States, who deplored the repeal of the ern States to aid in the construction of a railway Missouri Compromise. Multitudes in these States from the Valley of the Mississippi to the Pacific were in favor of restoring the Compromises of 1820 coast. Other resolutions advocate the release from and 1850, being sensible of the fatal effect which a license tax by Southern States of all direct import- dissolution of the Union would have upon the ations from foreign countries; recommend the cit- peace of the country, and the destruction in which izens of the South to give a preference to South- it would involve all the securities of the Slave ern manufactures, literary institutions, books, and institution. He had been sent by a body of busiplaces of resort for pleasure, over those of the ness men in Baltimore to submit to this ConvenNorth. A special session of the "Council of the tion a proposition to restore concord to the counAmerican Order” was held at Philadelphia, com- try. It was simply a repeal of the repealing clause mencing on the 18th of February, for the purpose of the Kansas and Nebraska Bill, which could be of considering a national platform. The 12th sec-effected in spite of the opposition of the Senate and tion of the platform of June, 1855, deprecated all President, if the Northern majority would determfurther action on the subject of slavery. After a ine to hold every thing in abeyance until the voice spirited preliminary debate, a resolution was taken of the nation had pronounced its irresistible decisup for consideration, declaring, as the 12th sec- ion to that effect. The Convention put forth a tion was "neither proposed by the South nor ac- long and elaborate statement of the principles and cepted by the North," that it should be stricken purposes of the Republican party. It commenced out, and that the party should "stand upon the by declaring a fixed and unalterable devotion to principles and provisions of the Constitution of the the Constitution of the United States, and to the United States, yielding nothing more, and claiming Union. It then proceeded to argue at length that nothing less." Strong opposition was made to for many years the powers of the Government had this by Southern members, and it was finally de- been "systematically wielded for the promotion cided that the whole platform should be abandon- and extension of the interests of slavery, in direct ed, and a new one adopted. This consists of six-hostility to the letter and spirit of the Constitution, teen articles, of which, besides those embodying in flagrant disregard of other great interests of the the well-known principles of the order in regard country, and in open contempt of the public sentito foreigners and natives, the most important are ment of the American people and of the Christian the 6th and 12th sections, which are as follows: world." The next Presidential election, it was "Sixth. The unqualified recognition and mainten- affirmed, would decide whether slavery was to be ance of the reserved rights of the several States, the "paramount and controlling interest in the and the cultivation of harmony and fraternal good-Federal administration, or whether other rights and

interests shall resume the degree of consideration | icans by the cannibals. A treaty was subsequently

entered into between the commander of the vessel and Thakombau, the principal Feejee chief.

SOUTHERN AMERICA.

Mexico presents its usual revolutionary aspect. There are a half-score or more revolutionary chiefs acting apparently without any concert. The city of Puebla was taken by Haro y Tamariz, after a very feeble defense. A Government was forthwith named, which began to raise funds by means of a forced loan, and collecting the consumption duty on goods from Vera Cruz, which is by law payable only in the capital on the arrival of the goods. On February 12, the garrison of the Castle of San Juan de Ulua rose against their officers, liberated the political prisoners confined there, and "pronounced" in favor of Haro. They then demanded that the city of Vera Cruz should be surrendered to them on peril of bombardment. This being refused, fire was opened on the city, doing some damage. On the 14th, the French frigate Penelope anchored between the Castle and the city, the captain threatening to fire upon the Castle if the bombardment continued. On the 19th, the Castle opened fire upon the national steamer Guerrero, killing and wounding a dozen men. An ammunition chest in the Castle was blown up by a bomb from Fort Santiago, and sixteen men were killed and wounded. On the 20th, the Castle surrendered to the city, and Salcedo, the leader of the insurrection, with other officers, was sentenced to be shot.-In Nicaragua, the Rivas and Walker Government appears to gather strength. The United States having refused to receive Colonel Parker H. French, who had been sent as Minister, the Government of Nicaragua has broken off diplomatic intercourse with Mr. Wheeler, the Minister of the United States. The British Consul at Realejo has recognized the present Government, assuring it of the sympathy of the English Cabinet while it conducts affairs according to the usages of nations. Nicaragua has announced its claim to the Mosquito territory, refusing to recognize the validity of the land claims of Colonel Kinney. That gentleman visited Granada, with the intention of entering into negotiations with the Government, but was arrested on charge of treasonable practices, sent under escort to the coast, and ordered to leave the country. Apprehensions are entertained of a confederacy of the States of Central America against Nicaragua.--From Hayti we have intelligence of an expedition, led by the Emperor Soulouque, against the Dominican Government, in the eastern part of the island. He was defeated in an engagement, which is described as very sanguinary, and forced to retreat to his own dominions. EUROPE.

to which they are entitled." The declaration concluded by "disclaiming any intention to interfere with slavery in the States where it exists, or to invalidate those portions of the Constitution by which it is removed from the national control." Another Convention of the party, to nominate candidates for President and Vice-President, is to be held in Philadelphia on the 17th of June. The passage to Europe has been obstructed by much larger accumulations of ice and icebergs than have ever before been known. The steamers have in some cases been beset for many hours in immense packs. The Collins steamer Pacific, which left Liverpool on January 23d, has not yet arrived in port, and as nothing has been heard from her by subsequent arrivals, it is still a matter of doubt whether she has been disabled and put back, or has been totally lost.-A fugitive slave case presenting some remarkable features has been decided at Cincinnati. A party of fugitives, adults and children, from Kentucky, had concealed themselves in a house in Cincinnati. In attempting to arrest them one of the United States Marshal's deputies was wounded. Upon entering the house it was found that one of the children had been killed by the mother, presumably to prevent its return to slavery, and the two others were slightly wounded. It was alleged, on trial, that their owner had frequently permitted them to enter the State of Ohio, and that, by the laws of the State, they were entitled to their freedom. The Commissioner decided that as they had in those cases voluntarily returned to Kentucky, they had waived whatever right they might have acquired to freedom, and were now slaves by the laws of Kentucky, and, as fugitives, must be given up. In the mean time a bill of indictment had been found against the mother for the killing of her child, and an effort was made to take her from the custody of the United States Marshal, and place her in the hands of the State authorities, to be kept for trial for murder. Judge Leavitt, before whom the case came, decided that as she was in the legal custody of the officer of the United States when the bill was found, the State authorities had no power to claim her from him; and that the only way in which the State courts could gain possession of her was by a requisition upon the Governor of Kentucky as a fugitive from justice. All the fugitives arrested were thereupon returned to their owners in Kentucky. Hon. George M. Dallas has been sent to Great Britain as Minister, in place of Mr. Buchanan, who has been recalled at his own urgent request. The Seminole Indians have recently committed outrages and depredations in Florida, and a detachment of United States troops has been dispatched to bring them into subjection. From the Pacific coast we have intelligence of continued Indian hostilities. In Washington Territory an attempt was made upon the town of Seattle by seven hundred Indians. The town was defended by the inhabitants and a detachment of men from the sloop-of-war Decatur. The guns of the vessel were finally brought to bear upon the assailants, who were defeated, with a loss of thirty-five killed and thirty-six wounded. Two of the whites were kill-protocol was signed at Vienna reciting that in coned. Further hostilities were anticipated.The sequence of this acceptance Plenipotentiaries furUnited States sloop-of-war John Adams, during nished with full powers to sign the formal prelimher late cruise, bombarded and burned five of the inaries should be appointed, who should proceed to principal towns in the Feejee Islands, as a punish- the work of concluding an armistice and a definite ment for numerous outrages committed upon Amer-treaty of peace. It was decided that the negotia

Negotiations have now assumed such a shape as to render the conclusion of a peace at no distant day highly probable. We gave in our last Record the text of the propositions submitted to Russia by Austria, with the consent of England and France, as a basis for negotiations. These propositions were to be either categorically accepted or declined. After some hesitation on the part of the Emperor, he definitively announced his acceptance, and a

692

same end.

tions should be carried on at Paris; and the first that in the affair of enlistment the United States meeting of the Plenipotentiaries was fixed to take had strong grounds of complaint. If the letter of place on February 23. The appointments of the the laws of the United States had not been inseveral Powers are as follows: For France, Count fringed, their spirit had certainly been violated. Walewski, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Baron But he hoped that the United States would accept de Bourquenoy, Embassador at Vienna. For En- the ample apology that had been offered, and that gland, Lord Clarendon, Principal Secretary of State, and Lord Cowley, Embassador at Paris. ensue. more friendly relations between the countries would For Austria, Count Buol-Schauenstein, Minister his opinion the true construction of the Clayton Lord Clarendon replied that although in of Foreign Affairs, and Baron de Hubner, Embas- and Bulwer treaty was perfectly clear, yet a differsador at Paris. For Russia, Count Orloff, Mem- ence of opinion between the parties certainly did ber of the Council, and Baron de Brunow, Embas- exist, and as in such a case correspondence was sador to the Germanic Confederation. For Sar-perfectly useless, an offer had been made and redinia, Count Cavour and Marquis Villamarina.peated for leaving it to the arbitration of a third For Turkey, Aali Pasha, Grand Vizier, and Me- power, to which he hoped the Government of the hemed Djemil Bey, Embassador at Paris. There United States would agree. seems to be a settled determination on the part of thought it unadvisable to refer in the speech from The Government had the Allies to exclude Prussia from all share in the the throne to the enlistment difficulty. He then negotiations. The Emperor of Austria has ad- gave his version of the affair, and said that the dressed a statement to the Diet of the Germanic Government was perfectly satisfied with the conConfederation, narrating the measures he had taken duct of Mr. Crampton, being fully convinced that to bring about the opening of negotiations, adding he had neither intentionally nor by accident viothat the King of Prussia had employed all his in- lated any law of the United States. A correfluence to bring Russia to conciliatory decisions, spondence, of no very amicable nature had inand that the language of the other German Courts, deed taken place between the two Governments, expressed at St. Petersburg, had contributed to the and this correspondence not being yet concluded, The conditions of the negotiations, he was not in a condition to lay it before Parlia he says, are essentially the same as those which the ment. Confederation had already approved, especially the which had induced the Government to accept the He then entered at large into the reasons two first, in which Germany is deeply interested, intervention of Austria. Though there were in which relate to securing the freedom of the mouths many minds grave doubts as to the motives of of the Danube by the rectification of the Russian Russia, he was firmly persuaded that she was deboundary, and the neutralization of the Black Sea. sirous of peace. He expressed his perfect confidence that the right moral courage in accepting terms that were disThe Emperor had shown great reserved to the belligerents by the fifth article, of pleasing to the war party, and should he continue proposing new conditions, in the interest of Europe, to manifest the same courage in abiding by the will not be so used as to compromise the work of spirit of the basis, there was every hope that a peace so auspiciously commenced. He concludes peace would be concluded, honorable to all parties, by expressing the hope that the Confederation will and safe; and no peace that would degrade Russia unite with Austria in the determination to accept could be a safe one. and maintain the basis upon which the approach- of France fully concurred. Meanwhile preparaIn these views the Emperor ing conferences are to build up and consolidate a tions for war would not be intermitted, and both general peace.The condition of the allied troops France and England would be fully prepared for in the Crimea is declared to be excellent. The hostilities on the very day on which it was underdemolition of the docks and forts on the south side stood that the negotiations had failed. In the of Sebastopol has been completed; the Russians Commons the debates took the same general turn. keeping up a heavy fire from the north side, which, however, produced few casualties. operations of importance had taken place since our No military last notices; and it was understood that pending the negotiations a suspension of active hostilities would take place; neither party in the mean while relaxing their warlike preparations.

The British Parliament was opened January 31. The Queen's speech referred to the capture of Sebastopol, and stated that while determined to omit no effort which could give vigor to the prosecution of the war, Her Majesty considered it her duty not to decline any overtures which might reasonably afford a prospect of a safe and honorable peace. She had, therefore, accepted the good offices of the Emperor of Austria for the opening of negotiations. Exception was taken by the Opposition to the omission from the speech of any reference to the relations between Great Britain and the United States. There was no country, said the Earl of Derby, in the Peers, with which Great Britain was so closely bound, and none with which a war would be so mutually suicidal. In relation to the Central American treaty, he concurred with the construction put upon it by Government; but admitted

-The regiments on home service have received ceed to Canada, it being the intention of the Govan intimation that they may be required to proernment materially to strengthen the forces in the North American Provinces.A new military order of merit has been established as a means of refor distinguished services. The decoration consists warding officers of the lower grades and privates of a bronze Maltese cross, to be suspended upon the breast by a ribbon. An additional bar is to be placed upon the ribbon for every new act of eminent merit.

of £10 a year, and an addition of £5 for each bar With the cross is bestowed a pension borne upon the ribbon.The kingdom of Oude, having some five or six millions of inhabitants, of which we recently gave some account, has been formally "sequestrated," and annexed to the British Empire in India. This kingdom was originally constituted by the British East India Company, by whom the sovereign was appointed. It is claimed that he has forfeited his right to the throne by gross oppression and treachery; and that his dominions revert by right to the crown. pension of £100,000 has been granted to the deposed king, A