The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

AGRICTURE. I i Failures in Hatching. We have received many letters, says the editor of the Field, respecting the failures that so often occur in hatching. The determination of the cause is puzzling alike to the oldest fanciers and the youngest tyroos in gallinacean lore. We really know but little about the subject. It is true that we are able to state with certainty that eggs that have not been fertilised remain perfectly clear, and, by examining the batoh egg by egg against a candle, can be readily detected at the end of a week, when they should be removed to afford more warmth and space for the others; but of the cause of certain eggs laid by the same hen being fertile and others sterile, we know no more than we do of the cause of some seeds in a pea-pod being fertilised and others not. Again, why chickens should die half-formed in the shells, or why, if fully developed, they should not have power to burst their prison, wecannot tell. It is all very well to say that birds in an artificial state are not so fertile as those under more natural conditions, which is doubtless true. But this state- ment will not explain the ever-varying circumstances that puzzle the breeder. In one yard under our ewn immediate inspection, three white Cochin hens are running with a vigorous young cook. They have free range over grass and arable land, are fed without stint, and well housed. A month since one hen hatched out two wretched chickens from 11 eggs. This week another produces 13 healthy chickens from 13 eggs. The accommoda- tion is the same now as then, and the weather has not been warmer; moreover, the advancing season would not aocount for the difference, as the earlier hatches from the eggs laid by the same hens were very fair. It appears one of those circumstances that in our pre- sent amount of knowledge does not admit of being satisfactorily explained. All we do know is the general rule, that the more healthy and vigorous our stock birds, and the more nearly they are kept under natural conditions, having wholesome food, clean water, exten- sive run, cleanly kept roosting-houses, and all those conditions which conduce to vigorous health both in man and the lower animals, the more successful we shall be in hatching. The Supply of Animal Food. An instructive paper on this subject was lately read fcy Mr. Robert Smith before the Farmers' Club. For some years past, and more especially within the last year or two, the question of How to increase our live stock" and meet a constantly growing demand has naturally engaged the attention of thinking men, and still remains to a great extent unanswered. Until the recent returns of the Board of Trade, we were, as a nation, profoundly ignorant of our resources. Very few had taken any trouble on the matter, and those who, like Caird, Lavergne, and others had attempted a calculation, arrived at conclusions from very insuffi- cient premises. Lavergne, for example, in 1850, cal. culated the area of the British Isles at over 77,000,000 acres, and put the horned cattle at about 8,000,000, and the sheep at 35,000,000, whereas, unless the returns just published are altogether incorrect, we had, on a certain day in March, 8,316,960 head of cattle, and 25,794,708 sheep. The latter are lamentably short of the estimate, and we cannot but feel that the proportion of sheep stock ought to be increased; and we believe that there is room for this. We naturally ask how ? Unanimity then changes into diversity. Every one has a theory; every one can suggest a plan which, if carried out, would set us all straight; but, unfortunately for these oracles, conditions are variable, and though much may be done and must be done, the plan of proceeding will be different. We de not know at present the proportion of stock kept on heavy and light soils; this would be valuable information. We believe that the heavy land is sadly deficient in sheep stock, and that under good manage- ment a great improvement is possible. Of course, nothing can be done until the land is made healthy by drainage. Then we feel confident that breeding flocks may be kept with advantage, the sheep being yarded during the winter, and the roots drawn from the land. Grass land is now too often shamefully neglected, and judicious outlay will bring a better return than money laid out on the arable land. Having made the pastures sufficiently dry-a point that can only be ascertained by experience, for grass may be and often is over drained, and frequently the effects of poverty are mistaken for evidences of moisture-we must see about restoration. The ques- tion of breaking up, cleaning, and relaying will depend upon the condition of the sward and the nature of the soil and climate, as favouring grass or otherwise. Where there is anything like a bottom, where the whole surface is not one mass of twitch-in short, in all but the very worst oases, we strongly recommend keeping the sward as it is. The first thing to do in the spring is to give it a good tearing with heavy iron harrows, to let in the air and tear up moss and bad grass; then, on a clay soil, sow a mixture of super- phospate of lime and a manure supplying nitrogen; nitrate of soda is perhaps the most direct and effective. The application should be made some time in April. The grass may be mown, or fed by sheep and cattle, eating some corn or cake; the good grasses are thus encou- raged, and the next year the land has a better face on it. Continue the artificial, and contrive a moderate dress- ing of soil and manure well mixed. The results on clay must be satisfactory. The face of the land alters, and we have double the produce, and sweet nutritious grasses in place of sour, unwholesome growth. Ewes that previously could not have been kept alive through winter will now, with management, live well if supplied with a moderate allowance of roots, and thus we at once secure a large increase of breeding stock. 0 -?1 by the assertion that clay land is t sh?ep> and thafc ifc WOQld be useless to breed. But assertions are not arguments; and whilst we entirely agree that, in the present exhausted and neglected state of grass land the attempt to winter sheep would be ridiculous, we as confidently affirm that, when done well good sheep keep will be produced, and the stock will thrive. The grass land thus being put in a fair way of recovery, we must turn attention to a snrmfv of food from the arable land. With proper drainage and deep cultivation no one will deny the possibilty of grow- ing good swedes, &-c.-indeed, they are more certain than on light soils; but, as these cannot be consumed on the land, there ia heavy outlay in removing them and the risk of poaching the soil; therefore a limited amount of such will suffice. The mangold ripening earlier and keeping better, is more suitable • but even of these we shall not need a very large area', and the bulk of our fallow ground is at liberty for summer and autumn crops, which can be safely eaten off in preparation for wheat; autumn and spring vetches, Italian rye grass and early turnips and rape, sown in spring, will afford a supply of good stuff all the summer, which will be desirable food for the lambs after weaning, the ewes either running on the grass or following and clearing up behind. When these crops are consumed the lambs must go to the market, and will be purchased by the light land farmer to make up his winter stock. There is no sort of difficulty in working sheep on strong land provided there is management, and with- out this success is out of the question anywhere. It is absurd to suppose that this country, at its present If it of increase, can ever supply its own population. It is probable that the present importations, enormous as they are, and rapidly as they have developed, will be exceeded, when new railways give increased faoi- i1 J 1 of transport, and improved systems of farming add to the breeding stock of our neighbours.

HI NTS UPON GARDENING. KITCHEN GARDEN.—The ground will be now, for the most part, covered, and everything in full growth. The hoe must never be idle; weeds grow faster than the crops, and exhaust the soil rapidly, and if allowed to seed make the mischief worse. Next to stopping blown weeds, the most important operation is that of watering. Plants lately put out should not be drenched to excess, or the chill will cheek them more than a drought would, and it is better to trust to moderate watering and shade combined than to keep the soil soddened about places that have barely taken root. Cucumbers, gourds, tomatoes, and capsicums may be put out; the soil should be rich; and for tomatoes a sunny aspect must be chosen. Sow beet, early horn carrots, scarlet runners, and Frenoh beans, turnips, lettuces, radishes, cabbages, spinach, endive, cauliflower, and peas and beans. All salad plants should have a shady position, or they may run to seed. Cropping: Sow succession beans, marrow peas, let- tuce, Portugal cabbage, cauliflowers, Walcherin broc- coli, stone turnip, and turnip radishes.—Celery to be got into trenches as fast as the ground can be made ready by the removal of other crops. Take up each with a ball, and do not injure a single leaf. Hoe over those that are established in trenches, to break the surface that has been hardened by watering.—Winter greens to be planted out in showery weather at every opportunity. If only one row can be got out at a time, it is a benefit to the seed-bed in giving the seedlings more room, and a benefit to the plants in preventing their getting drawn. FLOWER GARDEN.—Newly-made lawns want a little special care at this season. If the grass is thin, it must not be mown and swept in the usual way, for the roots of young grass suffer from the effects of a hot sun when there is not a close bottom to preserve moisture. It is a good plan to mow early, and leave the mowings till the evening, then sweep and clear up, and the grass will have 24 hours from the morning before the sun comes on it again, or, reckoning from the day before the mowing, 36 hours, which will materially assist in promoting a thickening of the bottom. Carna- I tions, picotees, and pinks may now be propagated by pipings on the north side of a fence, or in pots half filled with sandy loam. The old plan of striking them in heat and in exciting com- posts is quite exploded as a fallacy. Ranunculuses will want water frequently; they cannot endure drought. Pansies strike readily from short side. shoots the old hollow stems will strike also, but never make good plants; the new growth is that to be de. pended on. Dahlias not staked should be attended to forthwith; indeed, the stakes should be put in at the time of planting, so as to avoid damage to the roots when they have begun to grow. Perrennials should be sown for next season's blooming, so as to get strong plants. Sow thin in nursery beds, and prick out the plants in rows as soon as they make rough leaves. If left crowded together, they grow spindled, and never make strong plants. Roses need abundant supplies of water now, and green-fly must be kept down, or the bloom will be impoverished. As the hurry of the bedding-out is now over, a little time may be found to look over briars intended for budding soon, to cut away weak, ill-placed shoots, and shorten in the strong rambling shoots on which buds are to be entered. Generally the knife is used amongst the stocks at the time of budding, which gives them a check, and retards the taking of the buds. If cut in now, as may be needful, both to strengthen the shoots to be worked and make room between rows for the operation, they will break before budding time, and the sap will flow freely when it is wanted. Americans newly planted must have abundance of water overhead as well as at the root. Remove by carefully snapping out with finger and thumb the dead blooms of rhododendrons and azaleas, to prevent seeding. Auriculas will want occasional fumigating; keep them in a cool place, on a hard bottom, and pour water amongst them on the ground surface, to cause a moist air. Asters may now be turned out in the places where they are to bloom; make the ground rich, and choose showery weather. If the place is in- fested with snails, plant a few email lettuces behind the back row, which may be pulled up as soon as the asters are well rooted. Annuals of quick growth, sown now, will bloom late for succession. Nemophilas never make a better effect than from sowings in June, in moist, shady places. Asters and balsams to be planted out during moist, dull weather. Cinerarias may now be earthed-up, to promote the rooting of the suckers. Throw away all seedlings of inferior quality, and propagate only the best. They require a cool shady place while making suckers, which are to be removed as soon as rooted. Sow seed for next year, and pot off rooted cuttings.—Camellias may be got out in a shady place, on a bed of tiles or coal ashes, and kept frequently watered. Dahlias planted out to be staked before the roots extend. Plant out all that are in pots at once; they will do better in the ground now than with any more nursing. The shoots of dahlias may be bent down so as to render very short stakes sufficient.- Herbaceous plants may now be propagated from cut- tings as they go out of bloom. Alyssums, wallflowers, perennial iberis, &c., are easily propagated, and the borders may be richly furnished with them by a little timely trouble. Pansies Take cuttings of the best, look over seedlings, and root out and destroy all infe. rior ones. Sow again for autumn bloom. Tulips: Remove the shading, and let them have the benefit of rains and dews. Hollyhocks Stake at once, and tie in as soon as the stems are tall enough, and frequently look at the ties, to see they do not cut their swelling stems. Heavy manuring in the first instance is pre- ferable to watering with liquid manure, but in poor soils liquid manure may be used abundantly. FRUIT GARDEN AND ORCHARD HOUSE.-Frait Searoh among raspberries every morning for snails, which take shelter on the stakes and among the side- shoots. If large fruit are required, thin the blooms at once, and give liquid manure. Stone-fruits look well this season, and no blight yet, but it may come suddenly, and must be prepared for. Disbud and nail in. Pot trees to have plenty of water, and if weakly in their new growth, pretty strong doses of liquid manure at intervals of at least a week each. Pinch, regulate, and where fruit shows thick, thin it out. —Apricots to be thinned, young shoots nailed in- caterpillars destroyed, and water-engine used smartly, if any sign of fly, which rarely troubles them.—Wall trees to be nailed in, and the shoots thinned as they grow, that there may be no crowding of unnecessary wood. Shoots that run away with undue vigour to be cut clean out to the base, unless in positions where much needed, in which case shorten them back.- Gardeners' Magazine.

ATTEMPT To MURDER A NON-COMMIS- SIONED OFFICER. A shocking attempt to murder a non-commissioned officer has Just ocourrod at Fulwood Barracks, near -Ike companion of Private Hayes, of the 2nd Regiment, was locked up at the dniTik +ha ^kitsuntide festivities for being w. ? gay,e the order being Sergeant Sweeney. Hayes got very angry at this, and deter- mined to have revenge of a most murderous kind. It °ffl^7;n°+>1i1ln0n"COmmissionedofficors to have P^ade in tahe larSe square at the barracks, and whilst they were going through this the next morning Hayes came out of his quarters, and marched within about 25 yards of the men, for the purpose, as it transpired, of seeing where Serieent Sweeney was placed in the ranks. Having satisfied himself he retired to a dis- tance of 40 yards from them. He then raised a rifle, whioh he had brought out with him, took an aim and then deliberately fired it at the head of the parson whom he thought to be Sergeant Sweeney, but who was afterwards found to be Sergeant Rogers. At the time he discharged the rifle he exclaimed, I'll give it you now," and then made off. By a most fortunate circumstance the life of Sergeant Rogers was saved. The rifle which Hayes had brought out with him was sighted for a distance of 400 yards, and as he was only about 40 from the sergeants when he fired the ball went higher than he aimed it, but so near was it that all the sergeants heard it whizzing just over their heads. Sergeant Sloan, of the 68th Regiment, followed Hayes immediately the ball had passed, overtook him, seized him by the neck, and held him until assistance came. Hayes was then taken to the guard-room and handcuffed. He was afterwards taken before the captain, and on being asked why he had fired the rifle he openly confessed that he wanted to shoot Sergeanb Sweeney, and no one else. He has been about a dozen years in the 2nd battalion of the 21st Regiment, and has been at Fullwood Barracks about twelve months. He is a middle-aged man, and before enlisting in the 21st Regiment, was drummed out of the Marines for de- sertion. He was removed to the guard-room to await further proceedings

1 SPORTS AND PASTIMES. THE council of the National Rifle Association have offered prizes, open to all comers, for the best muzzle- loading and breech-loading rifles at 1,500 and 2,000 yards. The competition is to take place prior to the Wimbledon meeting, and most likely at the Milton range, near Gravesend, and facilities are to be given to competitors for previous practice. The prize of .£25 for muzzle-loaders is open to rifles of a maximum weight of 151b., with or without telescope, the weight of the telescope not included in the weight of the rifle, and the distance is 2,000 yards, at a target 18ft. by 24ft. The number of shots allowed is 20, with five sighting shots, and the entrance fee is £ 1. The breech-loader competition is for zC25, at 1,500 yards, is open to any arm of this character of a maximum weight of 121b., with the same rule regarding tele- scopes as in the muzzle-loading competition. A TRIAL of skill between female acrobats is the latest metropolitan novelty proposed. THERE is to be a grand field day of the Kent Volun- teer battalions, with probably some metropolitan corps, and the regulars on Woolwich-common, before the lord-lieutenant of the county, Viscount Sydney, on Saturday, the 30th June. THE committee of the Royal Thames Yacht Club have awarded the .£50 prize in the late ocean yacht race to Mr. H. Maudslay's vessel, the Sphinx, holding the Christabel to be disqualified by not having gone round the North Sand Head lightship. THE twenty-seventh annual meeting of the Thames Angling Preservation Society was held on Friday at the London Tavern; Mr. Samuel Whitbread, M.P., in the chair. The report of the sub-committee of pisci- culture stated that the young fry removed from the apparatus at Hampton to the receiving ponds at Sun- bury amounted to:—Salmon, 14,500; salmon trout, 910; Great Lake trout, 350; common trout, 20,720; eharr, ombre, chevalier, 1,300; and in addition to these 1,000 Great Lake trout have been sent to the royal lake at Windsor, making an aggregrate of 38,780. THE concert of Saturday morning at the Crystal Palace was one of the best and most attractive of the series. It was enriched by the magnificent singing of Titiens and Mongini. The former gave the celebrated monologue from Mendelssohn's unfinished posthumous opera, Lorelei, which she delivered with marvellous power, both dramatic and vocal. She also sang Home, sweet home," most deliciously, and was loudly encored. Signor Mongini sang "Ah, se ben mio," from the Trovatore, and "La donna h mobile," from Rigoletto, and was encored in both. The other singers were Madame Meric-Lablache, Signor Verger, and Signor Scalese; and Mr. Alfred Jaell played a brilliant solo on the pianoforte. The attractions of the concert were heightened by the beauty of the weather. NUMEROUS members of the Aristocratic Pigeon Shooting Club met on Saturday at the Old Welsh Harp-grounds, Hendon, to shoot off the Derby handi- cap-six birds each—the conditions being as follows: —Sweepstakes of five sovs. each, 1ft.; for peers, members of Parliament, officers in the army and navy on full pay, members of White's, Brook's, Boodle's, Arthur's, Guards', Carlton, Junior Carlton, Travellers' Senior and Junior United Service, Army and Navy, New Army and Navy, East India United Service, Kildare-street Club, Dublin, Arlington, St. James's Union, Windham, Pratt's, Egerton Pratt's, New Club at Edinburgh, certain Paris Clubs, and all the Jockey Clubs of Europe and America. Guns of 11-bore or less; charge, ljoz. of shot. Gentlemen shooting with less to go in at the rate of half a yard for every gth of shot less than It. All to load from the same 9 bowls, and all cartridges to be shown to the handi- capper before shooting. No wire cartridges allowed. Baroer to find birds, and pull. New rules to be strictly enforced. Mr. Frank Heathoote handioapper and referee; his decision to be final. 43 members com- peted for the prizes, and about as many more declared forfeit. The contest ended by the following four gentlemen killing all their six birds-as there were four prizes to be given they had to compete for first prize, and the annexed ia the result:—Captain de Winton (the first prize of £ 135), 1111111; the Hon. Captain Edwardes (second prize of .£60), 1 0 1 1 1 1 1; Mr. W. E. Oakley (third prize of £35), 1 0 1 1 1 1 0; Mr. H. Rudd (fourth prize of £ 10), 0.

DR. LEECH IN CONSULTATION ON THE CASE OF MR. GRASSHOPPER. During the summer and autumn, when disengaged at the theatre, Mr. Grasshopper was permitted to hire out his musical services at open air entertain- ments, more especially at cricket matches; and when the winter season came round again, he was found sticking to his post in the band at the Royal Bandbox. In pursuing his avocation, he caught a cold; and though he tried to make game of it; yet it settled upon his cheat both in and out of the Bandbox, and affected his lungs so much that his playing became very hard work. His daughters endeavoured to per- suade him to give up, but he held back from doing so. thinking that he might fight off the attack by Boxing Night. But one evening, during the performance, when his fife ought to have given out a shrill note, as the signal for the pet of the ballet to bound on to the stage, his breath failed him, and the note was merely a promis- sory one, that was dishonoured when it should have come to maturity. Instead of issuing the note, Mr. Grasshopper only gave a gasp, partly from pain, partly from fright, for he felt that this failure of his blow was a great blow to him. The pet of the ballet, in a great pet, complained to the manager, who at once gave Mr. Grasshopper a note of warning for his missing note, and told him that al- though he had engaged him to assist in; Raising the Wind, yet that he did not wish him to enact the cha- racter of Jeremy Diddler. Mr. Grasshopper might have excused himself on the plea that he was taking a bar's rest; but he felt that this would be a bar to the rest of his engagement, so he contented himself by promising that his mistake should not be repeated da capo. Nor, indeed, was it; for the very simple reason that he never again took his seat in the orchestra, and buckled to his work in the band. And, the next 'even- ing, when Lucinda and Leonora appeared in peri costume in the great development scene (by Darwin) of the Lustrous Lake of the Peerless Periwinkles." their father was not present on the other side of the footlights to mark the time with his fife for the peris' periodical movements; for the state of his own wind- pipe obliged him to lay aside his professional one. His cold passed into a cough, and he was unable to leave his room. His daughters told him that he should have the best advice; but Mr. Grasshopper said, Doctors are so expensive; we cannot afford them." Oh, but we can," said Lucinda. We have got a *ise in salary. That scene where we are sent up on a lift has given us a lift." "And," said Leonora, "you know, papa, that we shall never succeed in our profession unless we bestow every care on our pas." So the good girls sent for Dr. Leech; and that use. ful member of society came and felt Mr. Grasshopper's pulse, and looked at his tongue, and shook his head, and said that he would see him on the morrow. Was there any danger P" asked Lucinda, as she escorted Dr. Leech to the door. Yes; there was great danger," replied the doctor. In the morning he came again, and again shook his head. Leonora proposed further advice, and asked Dr. Leech if he would object to meet Dr. Sucker in oon- sultation. Not in the least," replied Dr. Leeoh. And, no sooner had this been agreed upon, than the manager of the Royal Bandbox Theatre proposed,, to send his own medical adviser, Dr. Oupper, to pay proper attention to a member of his orchestra, so that he might aid in his recovery, and make him able to come again to the play. Then the three doctors met together in consulta- tion on Mr. Grasshopper's case. Bad cold, is it ?" said Dr. Cupper, as he felt the patient's pulee. But a warm-hearted man-so the manager tells me. Like Wendell Holme's clerk, who had 'a glow in his heart and a cold in his head.' Well, well, we shall soon make you well again, and you will Deleft all right. It is more than a mere catarrh and bronchial affec- tion. Does that hurt you ? asked Dr. Leech, as he made a lunge at the lungs of Mr. Grasshopper, at which the patient somewhat impatiently flinched. How is your appetite ? asked Dr. Sucker. Ah! his physique looks as if he needed physio. His shrunken limbs have made his coat a great-coat; and what a length of leg! He might be nick-named 'LongshaBks. I think that I should exhibit small doses of ipeca- cuanha or nitric ether. Either would do." li Ishriuld prefer the carbonate of iron," said Dr. Cupper, with irony. I should prefer taking a little blood. There is nothing like blood-letting," said Dr. Leech, who,l n his earlier days, had been one of the young bloods at the Prince Regent's court. And then the three doctors held a consultation, in which, though they disagreed, as doctors would, yet they all eventually were of one opinion as to the benefit that their patient would derive from a little loss of blood. Mr. Grasshopper thought that he had none to lose, and so, also, thought his two daughters, who determined to shut the door upon the doctors, and not to apply any of their leeches, but to give their invalid all the nourishment and support that they could procure for him. When we are not dancing at the theatre, we will dance attendance upon you," said his daughters, "and we shall soon get you well again, and into your old place in the orchestra." But although, with their care, Mr. Grasshopper got tolerably well again, yet he was never strong enough to resume his post in the band at the Royal Bandbox Theatre. He could not say with Macduff, I'll to Fife!" for he was too ill to fife; but his daughters made such rapid steps in their profession that they were enabled to keep him in comfort for the rest of his days; so that, when he became weaker, he had reason to be grateful to those followers of Terpai. chore, Lucinda and Leonora Grasshopper, or, as they were named in the play- bills, The Sisters Grasshop- perini.Gomical Creatures, or Sketches in Social Zoology, in Cassell's Illustrated Familg Paper."

CHARGE AGAINST A FRENCH BANKER. Victor Widemann was charged at Bow-street with absconding from Guibillier, in the department of the Haut Rhin, with a large amount in money and securities, the property of his customers, the total amount of defalcations being about £ 4,500. Mr. Montague Williams appeared for the defence, and Mr. Albert attended as interpreter. The case derives peculiar interest from its being the last, probably, that will occur under the Extradition Act (amended) of 1842, passed in accordance with the treaty between England, France, and America, to facilitate the appre- hension of persons charged with criminal offences, which may have taken refuge abroad. The treaty was effected before the existence of the present empire of France, and some difficulties have been experienced in carrying its provisions into effect, partly owing to the difference in the mode of criminal proceedings in the respective countries. The French Government have, therefore, decided not to renew it. Mr. Adolph Picard deposed that he was clerk to Messrs. Schumberger and Co., of Guibillier, general merchants, and official assignee under the bank- ruptcy of the prisoner, who absoonded from Guibillier on the 13th ef March, taking with him 31,000f. in cash and 31,000f. in bills of exchange and other negotiable securities, all belonging to the banking company of which he was manager and responsible director, and which is a "Société en Com- mandite (limited liability company). This witness also produced a letter from the prisoner, stating that he had deposited the money safely in London. Cross-examined by Mr. Montague Williams: I am chief clerk in the house of Schumberger and Co., the first commercial house in Alsace. We have business relations with the prisoner, and I was also personally acquainted with him. I was appointed official assignee beoause all the shareholders and creditors requested me to act. I aet with another assignee. It is usual to appoint two assignees when the bankruptcy takes place at another town than that where the court is held. The first step in the bankruptcy is an appli- cation to the Juge de Paix, in order to ascertain if his absence was merely accidental or whether it was fraudulent. After this there was an inqui- sition at Colmar and also at Guibillier before the Attorney-General (Prooureur-Gdnerale), the Juge de Paix, and the Juge d'Instruction. He was then declared a bankrupt. The witness here produced a copy of the decree, by which Victor Widemann, manager of the bank of Widemann, Bontemps, and Co., having absconded, that house was declared to be bankrupt, assignees were appointed, and directions given for the usual advertisements, &o. The firm consists of the prisoner and a number of shareholders en commandite. Persons deposited their money, for which the manag- ing director was responsible to them; they were not partners according to the French law, but they had a certain interest in the concern. Mr. M. Williams thought he should be able to show that the prisoner was in partnership with the share- holders, but the evidence of this could only be ob- tained by sending over for it to Alsace. Sir Thomas Henry said that under the French law it was not a partnership. The prisoner was liable to the shareholders, and he had actually been made a bankrupt by the Tribunal de Commerce. The witness then put in a copy of his deposition before the Juge destruction (M. Rigaud), certified by him. At the request of Mr. M. Williams it was translated by M. Albert. It was a very lengthy document, setting forth the same facts as stated in the witness's information, with some additional particulars as to the circumstances under which the prisoner got into difficulties, partly by living beyond his means, and partly by a series of transactions with a person named Stocker, a silk manufacturer and merchant, to whom he bad given a number of accommodation bills and fictitious orders for goods to an amount beyond what would have stocked the establishment of Stocker for more than three years, besides which the goods were not of a class in which Stocker dealt. There was a warrant out against Stocker, who had also absconded; and, indeed, the correspondence showed that the flight had been for months preconcerted between Stocker and the prisoner. None of the transactions with Stooker had been entered in the books of the bank. Mr. Williamson, chief inspector of the detective force: I apprehended the prisoner on Saturday at a house in High-street, Peckham, on a warrant signed by Sir T. Henry, the chief magistrate. I asked him in French what his name was. He said his name was Bourgeois. I then made a signal to M. Pioard, who was outside, and he came in and identified him as the person named in the warrant. I told him I was an inspeotor of Dolioe. ana snowea hun the warr ant, which I explained to him: He made no reply. Another officer who was with me iett the room and brought in a portmanteau and a 8I?aH travelling bath. The prisoner being asked whether they were his, said they were. He found s}O Ar\A • contained about 61,000f., equal to about npt • money and securities. This concluded the case for the prosecution. After some discussion, Sir Thomas Henry desired the interpreter to explain to the prisoner that he was not now being tried, but that this was only a prelimi. nary inquiry, as if he were about to be committed for trial in that case. Sir Thomas also suggested that Mr. Williams and Mr. Kilby should consult in another room, with the assistance of the interpreter, M. Albert. This was done, and, on returning, Mr. Williama stated that the prisoner desired, according to his own expression, to "appeal." He (Mr. Williams) had ex- plained to him that there was no power of appeal but that he could move the Court of Queen's Bench for a writ of Habeas Corpus. For that purpose he should ask for a further remand. Sir Thomas Henry said all he could do would be to sign a warrant to commit the prisoner to the House of Detention, and it would then remain for the Secretary of State to determine the time when he should be re- moved; but of course lull time would be allowed for the purpose suggested. It being suggested, however, that the prisoner wished to call certam witnessaa, and also to consult with his solicitor and counsel as to a statement he desired to make, he was remanded.

— • The Blirgowrie Murder.-On Tuesday morn- ing Joseph Bell was exeouted at Perth for the murder :jMyBaker. The latter was shot on the hig w y and robbed; the erime waa traced to Bell by clear circumstantial evidence; To the last Bell protested his innocence of the crime, calling God to witness tnat he know nothing of it. Caloraft acted as executioner, and Bell died without a straggle. There was a large but quiet crowd. tl t? M.P.—1The following letter of Mr Koebuck has been received by one of the officers of the Excelsior-lodge, Sheffield May 14,1866.—Dear sir, -I am very Borry that I cannot accept your kind invi- tation j for, in the first place, my duty will keep me in town; and, secondly, I am so unwell that I cannot travel. I did myself great mischief the last time I went to Sheffield, and now the doctors absolutely pro- hibit my moving.—Believe me, yours truly, J. A ROEBUCK."

FACTS AND FACETIIS. --+- The right man in the right place is a husband at home in the evening. There are two directly opposite reasons why man sometimes cannot get oredit: one is, because he is not known; and the other, because he is. A contemporary, alluding to the oceanic tele* graph, wonders whether the news transmitted throng0 salt water will be fresh. Well, Bridget, if I engage you, I shall want y to stay at home whenever I shall wish to go oo* Well, ma'am, I have no objection," said Bri^f?, providin' you do the same when I wish to go out-' of Why is a dairymaid naturally the happiest 0 womei, P Because she always has her own whey. The reason why policemen are never run ofef JS, because they are never in the way. Are these pure canaries ? asked a gentle of a bird-dealer, with whom he was negotiating for r gift for his fair." Yes, sir," said the bird- deole" confidently, I raised them 'ere birds from seed! d Whether women be handsome or not," Blon, does not signify. If they are ugly, they ,3 one's stomach; if they are lovely, they turn ot>e head." The Boudoir, a ladies' newspaper published in :Naif York, tells an interesting story of a fair lady who boo operated as a bear in Wall-street, speculating ""A in gold, and emplojing a broker, and who has i°9. 100,000 dollars during the last year. She has 1 vested it all in jewellery and plate. b A gentleman whose son, a clerk in the Frene Treasury, died suddenly, wrote to the chief of L department in these words:—"Mr. presents jS compliments, and trusts that sudden death will su ciently excuse the non-attendance of his son." Two Frenoh notaries of Bourgoigne made 19 exchange of clerks the other day, one receiving fro the other, in addition to the clerk, two dozen hatØs, an equivalent for the superior article he resigned. The leading natives of Bengal, the learned pundi the wealthy zemindars, the old aristocracy, and tot orthodox Brahmins, have all united to the numb0'- 21,000 in praying Government to put down polyg9lvj The ladies are too many for them, as they are "Sr to be by mortal man in most other parts of the W0r A comedian at Boston, by way of puff for his, approaching benefit, published the following lines:- Dear public, you and I of late Have dealt so much in fun: I'll crack you now a monstrous great Quadruplicated pun! Like a grate full of coals I'll glow, 1 A great full house to see: [ And if I am not grateful, too, A great fool I must be! A Mistake.—"George," asked a minister of his parishioners' little boys, where is your 810. a Minnie ? Gone to Heaven, sir." What, is j dead ? Oh, no, no, sir; she went to buy a fr° » matches." Why, you said she'd gone to Hea,veflj Well, you said last Sunday that matches were m in Heaven, so I thought she went there." Old John Morris was a chronic toper. One while returning from the tavern, he found locomol' impossible, and stopped at the corner of a fence, he remained standing. He had been there only a* ti minutes, when the minister came along. John," said he, "where do you suppose you wiU when yon oome to die ?" Well, if I can't g° better than I can now, I shan't go anywhere." # Some years ago a gentleman died. His wid^ I herited his property and collected the I his life, and very soon enlarged, repaired, and iW J up her residence in quite a luxurious style. A y,ad calling, expressed some little surprise that sne n made these nice arrangements so soon after „ decease of Mr. •. "Why should'nt I do j replied the practical "relic." "My husband*, go man that he was, is enjoying a glorious man0101* the skies, and of course he wishes me to be as fortable as possible here on earth." Who says woman's faith was not shown by her works r A foreign turfite, much struok, ar,d, as a FroD^ man, much complimented, by the prevalent display the French colours along the road on the Derby /g had the temerity to ask of a great displayer of French flag what was the reason there were so in comparison with the flags of other nations P ■PL reason at all," was the rough reply; we display all of us, beoause wo get them cheaper than ope y flags." Here was a blow at the preconceived glof'0 flattery of La Belle. A "millionaire" advertises to the following effect in LaPatrie:—"A foreign gentleman, eldery but millionaire, and the owner of mines, desires marry a young French orphan (or oven a natural0 ..■!?. free from every natural family tie and completely wit j) out fortune. As compensation, the most irreproaC « able morality, a pleasant countenance, distinction manners, a certain amount of education, simple taste > and some notion of music, would be looked for." account is hardly fairly balanced. Millionaire an elderly, don't do it; neither constitutes the pert6 man that should meet the perfect lass. In a Hurry.—A curious marriage is reported tO have occurred some days since near Bay City, Miob.- gan. It appears that a farmer lost his wife by de:; I and that the said wife died early in the morning. ™ Ji i farmer did not appreciate being left alone in the worioj j and ere his wife's eyes had hardly closed in the sleep, I knows no waking, he decided to marry again. ing up his team, he takes in his servant girl and g0.. to Bay City to buy garments for the dead. there, he married the girl, and returned to his ho&. I the same night with his second wife, so that by count he was not a widower twelve hours. The wife appeared at the funeral the next day in black, and was one of the principal mourners over tn y body of the first wife. f Many the anecdotes Apropos of that | topic, breaking of banks, whioh people now regard the same jocular spirit as if it were the banks at Baden and Homburg that had been sprung. Among9 these anecdotes is one relative to the failure of t^ 1 Roy al British Bank. Amongst the customers of t" bank was a certain old Indian officer, who was al^y a^ont his connection with the concern. 1 the first rumeurs of its difficulties began to be spr08 i abroad, this gentleman's friends implored him to down to the City and withdraw his balance. > all these requests the officer turned a deaf ear. f Soldier, sir," he said, must stand by .his flag; and am not the man, sir, to leave a sinking ship." At la9„ the bank broke, and his friends re-appeared to V proach him for his infatuated conduct. GentlemeD> was his remark, when he had heard their statements* your news ia excellent. Henceforth I cannot dunned for my overdrawn aocount till the liquidators have got to work." A Monkey's Tricks.—"I lately had a little monkey who was a great thief," says Mr. Bucklapd, the naturalist, but I contrived to turn his thieving propensities to good account, faster Jack, after 1 had had him some time, showed evident symptoms ot consumption, and I prescribed cod liver oil. It Was placed openly before him, but he refused it with symp" toms of disgust and sundry tail shakings. I then poured a little into a saucer, and placed it in such a position that Master Jack should find it for himself while I pretended to be reading, and not to notice what was going on. The trap took; Jaek, thinking he was stealing the oil, sucked up the prescribed dose, making a face, not implying nausea, but rathet high glee at his own cleverness. He was certainly I better and fatter for his medicine, which was so sweet because stolen, and I really think it saved his life. Jack, too, had a marvellous propensity for picking things to pieces, and smashing articles that^ came in his way. One day he sneaked out L of his cage and had a good morning's work to him' } self, tearing off the leather and pulling out the lining or an old arm-chair. He was, after an hour or two, discovered in the act, and taken into custody to be duly chastised for his mischief. He cried murder' j when he saw preparations made to punish him, j the same time he held out his hand, firmly closed upon i something in it. His pickers and stealers were un- clasped, and in the palm of his hand was discovered » half-sovereign, which he had most oertainly found and picked out of the chair, and which probably had been buried in the lining for years. His proffered ransom got him off his punishment, but his investigation into the structure of watohes, books, ink and cruet stands, writing desks, MS. notes, &o., have not since produced equally valuable disooveries."