The Week.

According to the case for the prosecution , he managed to separate the child from its mother , get it conveyed to London , and ultimately placed it in the hands of a female begger whom he met in AVindmill-street . In the meanwhile , the mother , Avho had been taken to the Continent , and ivlio disbelieved the story of the child's death , separated from her husband and made every exertion to

obtain a clue to its whereabouts . Last June she placed the matter in the hands of the police , and a few days ago—so" the story goesthe child was found iu a , wretched apartment in one of the courts that abound in Drury-lane , covered with filth , and in a deplorable state . It is alleged that the chain of evidence , identifying this child AA'ith the one that ivas lost is complete . It is further stated

that , under his wife's will , tho prisoner had a life interest in her fortune amounting to £ 14 , 000 a year , but that in the event of a failure of issue the property ivas devised to him absolutely . A fearful act of revenge AA-as committed on Saturday , by a private , in Preston Barracks , on his superior officer . The private , by name M'Cafferay , had , in consequence of some breach of discipline , been

sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment by Colonel Crofton , the commanding officer , and Mr . Hanhain , the adjutant of the 32 nd Regiment . Shortly after , Avhilst these gentlemen were quietly pacing the enclosed square of the barrack , M'Cafferay took down ¦ his rifle , cleaned and loaded it , stationed himself deliberately at a convenient place , overlooking the court yard , and , watching his

opportunity , deliberately fired at Colonel Crofton . The ball , aimed truly , passed right through Colonel Crofton's body into that of his companion , lA-here it lodged near the spine , causing the death of both , M'Cafferay has been committed for wilful murder . Some days ago the discovery ivas made at Motherwell , in

Scotland , of a battered hat , which belonged to a person named Simpson , residing in the neighbourhood , who AA-as missing ; that near the battered hat were found somo loose coins lying about ; Avith other indications of a struggle and a robbery , if not a murder , having occurred . For some days this matter caused considerable excitement in Scotland , but remained a profound mystery . The inquiries instituted by the police have now , however , put a different

and by no means so tragic a construction on the discovery . It is believed that Simpson , at first supposed to have been foully murdered , has simply quitted the country to avoid his creditors , and there seems to "be substantial evidence to support this supposition . The police are , therefore , in active pursuit of the supposed runaway . Meantime another discovery , which seems also , in the

present state of our information , to point to a dark crime , has been made at Both-vell . There , tivo boys playing in a Avood , a feAV days ago , found a man ' s coat and other wearing apparel stained ivith blood . An inquest has been held at Bubvell , Notts , ou the body of Christopher AVilliamson , a young man AA'ho ivas killed by his sister . A quarrel had arisen betiveen the tivo , and it appeared

the girl had been very shamefully treated by the deceased . Irritated by his cruelty she threw * a large bobbin ivhich struck him behind the ear , and ultimately caused his death . A verdict of Manslaughter Avas returned by the jury , and the prisoner was committed for trial . A serious accident occurred near Hudddersfield on Saturday morning . At an early hour the dwelling-house of Mr . "Hesp ivas discovered to be on fire , and at the time the alarm Avas

given three servants , AVIIO slept in a room upstairs , Avere , or believed themselves to be , in imminent danger . To escape the fire , tiA-o of them cast themselves to the ground before the ladders could be brought , and sustained severe injuries , which in one case , it is said , amount to a concussion of the brain ; the third , who remained behind , ivas rescued in safety .

A collision took place on the river , near Erith , so far back as the 5 th inst ., betiveen the itetis , steamer , and a brig coming up the river , by Avhich the steamer AA-as cut down on her quarter almost to the water ' s edge . Great alarm and confusion AA-ere of course pro - duced on board , but it was at first supposed that no lives Avere lost . Last Aveek , hoAvever , the bodies of a man and his wife were discovered in the river , and sufficient evidence was procured to show

that they were both on board the steamer . AV . Maloney , who stands charged ivith stabbing his wife in AA ' estminster , and Finch , who is charged Avith stabbing a young Avoman in the city ,, were both finally committed for trial on Saturday . Finch ' s victim is likely to recover .- TAVO prisoners named Clift are in custody on a charge of setting fire to their premises at Peckham . The most

pinching piece of evidence adduced against them ivas that Avhile one witness SAVOI-B that on the evening of the fire both prisoners took leave of him , saying they were just going to start for AValtham . Abbey , another , the landlord of a public-house in the neighbourhood , stated that one of the prisoners came to his bar , and called for some brandy , a very short time before the fire broke out . A

fire happened on Tuesday in the neighbourhood of Bethnal Green , ancl it is to be feared that several lives will be sacrificed . Already two deaths have occurred . Simultaneously ive learn that the jury have decided that the poor child Avho perished in the fire in Southwark on Sunday " was suffocated , " but that the origin of the fire is unascertainable . A diabolical attempt has been made to burn Kilkenny College , and all tho inmates with it . One of the masters

woke up Avith some noise , went into the school-room , ancl found it in flames in tAvo distinct places . On making further search it Avas discovered that preparations had been made by the incendiary in several other rooms of the building for effecting his fiendish object . AVhat the consequences would have been but for the providential waking of the master it is horrible to contemplate . No clue has

yet been obtained to the detection of the abominable miscreant . ——At Perth , last AI eek , the freedom of that ancient city was formally presented to Sir James Hope Grant , in the presence of a goodly assemblage . ' In handing to Sir James this mark of distinction conferred upon iiim by the authorities of his natii-e city , the Lord Provost remarked that the ornamental box which contained the

gallant General ' s burgess ticket Avas made from a rafter of Simon Glover's house . Sir James , in rendering thanks for the honour just done to him , alluded to the wonderful preservation of himself and his countrymen during the Indian mutiny , especially at its commencement . He also recounted his experience of Chinese AA-arfare , and expressed a high opinion of the inhabitants of the Celestial empire .

FOREI & N INTEILIGENCE . —In political circles in Paris there is little stirring , ancl the toiA * n is talking of an elopement in high life . The details of the affair are not accurately knoivn , which doubtless adds a zest to the tales of the gossipers on the subject . No names aro mentioned , but it is said that the lady is well-kno-vn in English society , and is also the Avife of a statesman high in oflice in Paris . King Victor Emmanuel entered Florence on Saturday ,

and met with an enthusiastic reception . The disaffected provinces are being speedily brought into subjection . Among the latest in Avhich order is reported to be re-established are Avelliuo , Terra di Bai-i , and Benevento . At the Italian Exhibition , which Avas opened by the King at Florence on Sunday , Victor Emmanuel made use of a feAv words Avhich bear a political significance . In his reply to the

address presented he said : •' Our great national work is not yet completed , but on this occasion Italy , AA-hich is completely represented at this Exhibition , again manifests her wish to be one united nation . " The King is shortly to go to Naples , Avhere he will remain some iveeks . On his departure a complete subversion of the present administration of Southern Italy is to be set about ,

Avith . a vieiv of clearing the ground for neAv men and a neiv system . Notwithstanding the assurances that much progress had been made in the suppression of brigandage in tiie . Neapolitan proA-inces , it seems very doubtful Avhether General Cialdini has yet effected very much towards the tvanquilisation of the country . Calabria ivas supposed to be less disturbed than somo other districts ,

and yet we now hear of a debarkation of Bonrbonists on the Calabrian coast , and of the destruction of a toivn called Cottoriei , long known as a haunt of brigands , which has bee almost entirely burned by the troops and national guards . ——