The Aberystwyth Times Cardiganshire Chronicle and Merionethshire News

bout tht ..riI. For the very venom of dishonour coramend us to some who plume themselves most proudly upon their delicate sense of honour. What could be worse, for instance, than he following really wicked utterances of Sir John Pakington's at the meeting of the Church Institution in London briefly recorded in another column 1- What could have been the motive—the animus of the Prime Minister—in such an exercise ot his right, to recommend to the Crown such a person for a vacant Bishopric ? It has been suggested, and the suggestion is net annatural- though it is one that I confess I am unwilling to adopt, because it might appear uncharitable-but the suggestion has arisen not unnaturally as following upon the destruction of the Irish Church, that the motive of the Prime Minister may have been to show that the connection between Church and State is a dangerous one, and had therefore better be terminated. That is a suggestion which I am unwilling to adopt; but I can see no escape from this alternative—that if the appointment was not made with a sinister and unfaithful intention, it was an appointment of the most singular unwisdom ever perpetratted by a First Minister of the Crown. Sir John Pakington knew perfectly well that "the suggestion was one of those miserable slanders which fall 90 thick upon Mr Gladstone, and ought to have been ashamed to endorse it—and especially to endorse it while pretending to disown it. Only silly men resort to such manoeuvres for discrediting a political opponent. What Sir John says about "the unwisdom" of the appointment can make no difference to anybody. One does not expect the baronet to understand Dr Temple. A correspondent writes to the Times- I trust you will grant me a small portion of your space to warn ladies against the scoundrels (male and female) who are now infesting the thoroughfares and omnibuses of London and steal- ing hair. A young friend of ours has just had the whole of her hair cut off in broad daylight in West bourne-grove, one of the most crowded streets in London, and the theft was so cleverly Eerformed that she was quite unconscious of it until her return ome, although her bonnet string was cut through and her net divided into three pieces. It is to be hoped that the police will really endeavour to put a stop to this serious nuisance, otherwise ladies will be afraid to walk in the streets. I am at a loss to suggest any precaution that the ladies themselves may take. A more sensible shape of bonnet than the present might do some- thing, but fashion, I fear, will not change in time to be of much use. The Cork Examiner states that in an audience which the Pope recently gave Mr Maguire, M.P., his Holiness referred more than once to Ireland, and said that it was with great satisfaction he perceived that the Government and Parliament of England had of late evinced a real anxiety to deal in a wise and generous spirit with that country; and that he had learned with much pleasure that the Government were about introducing a measure to improve the condition of the cultivators of the land-an undertaking which had his best wishes for its success. He hcped that such a measure would be soon accomplished, and that it would be attended with good results in assuring the happiness and comfort of the people. God's blessing, he said, would be sure to follow legislation conceived in a good spirit; and he had reason to think that the intention was wise and good, which it must be when it was for the benefit of a people and a country. The banns of marriage have just been published at Lille, in France, of M. Pierre Paux, officer of health, aged forty-seven, and Madlle. Felicite Lelong, aged eighty-four, and worth 300,000 francs. A plea of lunacy was not unreasonably put in by the relatives of the lady but after a legal examination, she was pronounced sane, and consequently marriageable. The Daily Newi tells us of a tradesman's wife in Paris who went into a linen draper's shop and solemnly asked for a suit of men's clothes likely to fit her. The order seems odd, but as the time of Carnival approaches the shopman complies with the request, supposing that the woman is bent on some gay adventure befitting the season. A boy carries the clothes home, and the lady retires to her room to try them on-the boy waiting foi payment. At this moment the husband arrives, and is prodigiously puzzled when he learns from the boy about the suit of clothes. His astonishment is not lessened when his wife appears on the scene dressed as a man, and solemnly de- clares that as the accomplices of Traupmann are about to murder all the mothers they could meet she thought it only prudent to disguise herself. The poor woman had become quite mad through constant reading about this Traupmann. So much for morose literature. The difference between English and American manners is shown in a story told by the New York Times. Such an incident is hardly conceivable on the English stage. The New York Times says- Mr and Mrs Lingard, whose matrimonial quarrels have caused so much stir lately at New York, seem to have made it up. On New Year's Eve the Grand Opera House was crowded, and the scene of something different from the ordinary professional exhibition of feeling. During the evening it was evident that Mr Lingard was in very low spirits, as his songs in character lacked their usual heartiness, and his playing in Pluto bore evi- dence of much nervousness. Mrs Alice Dunning Lingard entered into the requirements of her role of Orpheus with great dash and enthusiasm, although at times there was a very apparent constraint in the jollity with which she attempted to invest it. Aware of the quarrel between these artistes, the audience marked attentively their looks and gestures when the business of the burlesque brought the couple together; but as portions of the dialogue between them were cut short for obvious reasons, nothing but Mr Lingard's retirement from the stage, or some agitation when first he and his wife met in their respective parts, occasioned any comment. They did not meet again until the scene in which Orpheus demands of Pluto his release from Hades. At this particular moment Mr Lingard (Pluto) was as pale as a sheet. The lady representing Proserpine handed him the pasteboard pass from the infernal regions, which Mr Lingard gave to Miss Dunning. His excitement now was very plainly perceptible to the audience, and just as the lady began the song, "Fare thee well, love," Ac., he flung aside all restraint, and catching her in his anus, he kissed her again and again. With some difficulty she broke from his embrace and rushed behind the scenes leaving her husband pale and almost fainting, with his head resting on the shoulder of Miss Harris (Proserpine). He recovered his consciousness in a few minutes, and followed his wife. Then, delighted with this out- burst of genuine affection, the audience approved of it, by thunders of applause. The stage was deserted for a brief period, until Mrs Lingard, the first to regain her self-possession), came forward to the foot-lights, made a bow, was greeted with a round of plaudits, and continued the piece. Mr Lingard mechanically went through his part, until the finale, when using the words Remember Pluto," the audience once more brought the performance to a standstill by their repeated demonstrations of pleasure at the reconciliation. It became necessary to drop the curtain. The clamour continued amid loud cries for Mr and Mrs Lingard. After a lapse of ten or fifteen minutes, the former came before the curtain, and said, Ladies and gentle- men, I thank you for your good wishes. Mrs Lingard and I will get along nicely now. Ana I am desirous to commence the new ▼ear well, and to do better for the future. But (in great agita- iion) I fear my conduct on the stage this evening has only offended her whose regard I value more than the good opinion of all the world." And after this speech, Mr Lingard retired amid renewed proofs of delight. The "Revivers" had better give up. Lord Derby has pronounced against them, and now one of the few remaining able conservative politicians has done the same thing. Speaking at Exeter last week, Sir Stafford Northcote said- Whilst believing that the original promoters had exaggerated the benefits to be derived from free trade, it was important reso- lutely to put a stop to any reactionary feeling. As reaction was impossible, the wise course was to regulate our commercial affairs without too much reference to the proceedings of our neighbours. Reciprocity was desirable; but matters would not be mended by saying that, if restrictions were not taken off on the other side, we would impose them on ours. It is fortunate for country politicians that the leaders have spoken, for there was some disposition on the part of rural conservatives to support the new movement. They will, now know that it is the wrong cue. The New York Times devotes a long article to the review of Mrs Stowe's Vindication of Lady Byron. At the outset it is compelled, it says, with regret to express the opinion that the reputation which will most suffer by the new revelations is that of Mrs Stowe herself. It says that she contradicts her former true story;" that she contradicts the story which she now declares Lady Byron told her and that she contradicts, in the last part of her present volume, the accusations which she makes in the first part. Citations in support of these statements are then adduced. The New York Times thinks it was im- possible to prove the charge, and that as, moreover, it was one fraught with cruelty and wrong, it ought never to have been made. We deeply regret, it says in con- clusion, "that Mrs Stowe has been willing to have her name handed down to posterity as the authority for one of the most revolting and indecent slanders ever concocted against either the living or the dead." The New York Nation received the book too late, it says, to fully notice it at once. It declares meanwhile that the new volume does not contain any authorisation, formal or implied, for Mrs Stowe's action in the matter: that the only addi- tional proof of the charges offered is more extended and explicit reports of the conversation in which Lady Byron revealed the secret; and that this conversation will help to confirm the impression of many people that she was not sound in her mind on this subject in later years." The New York Tribune, on the other hand, is of opinion that Mrs Stowe has nearly made out her case, but it doubts the propriety of her conduct in bringing the story before the public, and wishes "more than ever that she had been content to hold her peace." The scenes which took place among the crowd when Traupmann was guillotined, last week, have directed public attention in Paris to the system of public execu- tions, and in more than one quarter it is urged that that system should be abandoned. The Dehats says that the snouts, the jokes, and the songs recalled a carnival night, and that it is a complete mistake to suppose that public executions exercise any moral influence whatever. They are, on the contrary, it considers, profoundly immoral. The Dehats thinks it high time to do away with these old customs, which are merely the legacies of barbarous times. France," it adds, must not rest behind England and Germany; henceforth executions must take place inside the prisons. We must be rid of these sanguinary spec- tacles, which are full of danger, and the scaffold, which is always an objectionable sight, must be hidden. An equit- able sentiment of humanity should curtail also the pre- liminaries, and remove all the obstacles which delay the passage to the guillotine." The subject has also come up in the Chamber. M. Jules Simon has given notice that he will shortly bring in a Bill for the abolition of capital punishment, and the question of private executions is to be oonsidered by the Cabinet. Papal Infallibility is a plant of very tender growth. According to the letters from Rome in the Gazette de France, the Pontifical authorities have forbidden Mgr. Dupanloup, the Bishop of Orleans, to publish his reply to the address in favour of the new d put forth by M. Dechamps and Archbishop Manning. The Daily News draws a contrast between the speeches of Mr Bright and Mr Forster The difference of tone between the President of the Board of Trade and the Vice-President of the Committee of Council was most marked. Mr Bright was cautions and a little depressed Mr Forster was chivalrous and sanguine. Mr Bright saw a great group of measures coming up abreast and declared it to be im- possible that they should all be got through the narrow gateway of a single session Mr Forster saw them coming in single file in the order of their importance, and had no fear of obstruction or confusion. The Irish measure is to go through first; the Educa- won Bill is to follow, and measures on Trades Unions, on Uni- ZKr ests' licensing system, and on the machinery of may bru¥ up rear- 'ihere seems, however, to be "Thence of, opinion between the members of the ( lovern- weni as to the order of importance in which these measures should come. All are agroedithae fthef Irish measure should come first, but Mr Bright hardly seemed? to,-be of Mr Forster's opinion that an Education Bill should be second. Mr Bright thought discussion was gradually bringing uS" to agreement on the funda- mental principles of such a measure, Mt Forster thought we were already sufficiently agreed for legislation to be easy. The religious difficulty is diminishing in magnitude is all that Mr Bright could tell us; I am not afraid of the religious difficulty which is the bugbear of so many persons," exclaimed Mr For- ster, and he was quite surethat Parliament would not be afraid of it. On the question of "University Tests the divergence was even greater. Mr Bright, while admitting that everybody was agreed upon it, discouraged all hope of settling it this year it would take several nights, and several Government nights mean several weeks." Mr Forster expressed the hope; which all the j liberal party share, that Mr Gladstone will find time to deal with it, and declared that it would on the whole be a saving of time to settle it this year. Mr Bright, in fact, seemed anxious to j impress on the public his great sense of the powerlessness of a strong Government, while Mr Forster, taking counsel of his or courage, saw nothing to be impossible to well-directed efforts. And then the Daily News proceeds to insist upon the im- portance of avoiding anything like a policy of inaction or delay, and to urge the Government, as the only strong Government of recent times, to show their strength and do their duty while it is called to-day." The health of The Dissenting Ministers" proposed by a clergyman-and on the occasion of the opening of a church—and in the presence of the bishop of the diocese what next, and next, and next! Let our Protestant readers be re-assured. If we are drifting towards Rome, and fraternizing with Greek archbishops on one hand, on another we are quite as certainly moving with rapid strides towards a more genial union amongst all sections of the church in England-and we are inclined to believe very confidently, that in the long run the more natural and, as we believe, more Christian and healthful movement will win the race—especially if we have a few more Temples in high places. This is what the Rev. G. J. Wallas said at a public luncheon after the opening of Holy Trinity Church, Barnstaple, in the presence of Dr Temple, and the toast, we read, was heartily received— I am about to propose a toast, ladies and gentlemen, which I never yet heard proceed from the ilouth of a Church of England clergyman, but which proceeds from my mouth with great sin- cerity, and with the highest and best and most Christian feeling. Since I have lived here I have not only been associated with many clerical brethren of the church, but I have always met with the greatest respect and the kindest ■treatment from the minis- ters of other religious bodies. As a proof of their kindly feeling towards the church I may mention a circumstance in connection with the services of to-day. There are three established bodies of Dissenters in the town which occupy a more prominent posi- tion than ahy others, and the minister of each of those congre- gations has intimated his intention to be present at the service at the parish church this evening. I believe the time is not far distant when that exaggerated shyness and reserve which have always existed between the church and those who on points more of discipline than any other subjeet dissent from us will be to some degree softened down. I have the greatest pleasure in proposing their health, and I am glad to see one of them here to-day. We gave Mr Ruskin's views on fox-hunting last week. Here is another view of the question-the speaker being Sir E. C. Kerrison, Bart., an M. F. H. In these days, when education was so prominent a point, and when it had been facetiously said that there would be regula- tions under which boys who dropped their h's would be taken up by the police—(laughter)—even the morality of foxhunting was questioned, and it was said that foxhunting involved cruelty to the animal. Cruelty to the animal! Why, the fox was a Robin Hood among animals he enjoyed his marauding life as long as he could, and he liked being chased by hunters quite as well as being caught in a trap and hung up for eight hours. Other writers had shifted their ground they knew that they could not maintain their objection to foxhunting on the ground of cruelty, as they knew that if a horse dragged a cart in a street and was overweighted, he suffered daily more deaths than a fox ever did but they contended that if vigour and strength of con- stitution was secured, as it was said to be secured, by foxhunting, it might be obtained equally well by landlords assisting in agri- culture at the head of their tenantry. Let the meeting fancy the gallant chairman pitching a load of corn and stacking it! Why, they would not be at the head of their tenantry, but at the tail of them—(laughter)—because every one of their tenants would perform the operation better. But, dismissing all this, there was nothing which tended so much to produce mutual good feeling as hunting. (Cheers.) Agricultural meetings were no doubt very useful things; they tended to foster agriculture and to show the best implements of the day, the best stock, and so on; but the dinners afterwards were generally of the most ponderous description. The sentiment generally expressed by speakers at agricultural dinners was that it was a matter of the greatest pleasure to them to meet their friends and neighbours whom they had no other opportunity of meeting during the year. Well, hunting should give these opportunities—(cheers)—for, in the accidents of one day and the successes of another, a fox- hunter met with friends whom he would otherwise never have known. Besides that, when he as a foxhunter went over a vast amount of country, he found out where the best-drained lands were, and where the best steam-ploughed lands were; the ex- pression "steam-ploughed lands was an appropriate one enough, 11(s because his horse would probably have had his steam taken out of him. (Laughter.) He made his first beginning with hunting within a mile of where he was now standing; at sixteen years of age he hunted a pack of harriers, but he had only one to his field. (Laughter.) He rode up two parallel furrows on a dry March day his "field was left in the bottom of a ditch and when he wanted his hounds to be drawn there was no one to do it. (Laughter.) He received, too, next morning a reception- a very different reception to that which he had now experienced, as he got a notice not to trespass. (Laughter.) He afterwards hunted in various countries, until, not having leisure, he was obliged to sell his hunters and live upon his property. Although he liked hunting better than any other sport, he should have continued business rather than have taken pleasure, if his health had permitted him; and he believed that if there was one thing which invigorated the system, cleared the mind, and enabletllt to do work, it was the hunting field. Further on the speaker made the curious assertion that he did not believe that a pack of hounds which went steadily across country did more harm than twelve sparrows."

( £ cd cystica I. Favourable accounts have been received from Addington Park relative to the condition of the Archbishop of Canterbury. His grace's physicians agree that perfect rest for a time is all that is necessary to restore the most rev. prelate to his former good health. Archdeacon Denison writes to the "Standard"—"Will you kindly make public that I have given notice to the secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel that, in the event of Dr Temple being proposed for election as vice-president, I shall oppose the election ?" The Rev. Dr Pulsford informed his congregation on Wednes- day night that he had received a unanimous and cordial invita- tion to succeed the Rev. Dr Binney, minister of the Wiegh House, London, and wished them to give the matter their serious con- sideration.—Glasgmc Herald. By letters from Rome, the "Westminster Gazette" learns that 480 bishops have signed the address to his holiness praying for the definition of infallibility. It is, however, considered certain that the Pope will not accede to the request unless this number is very largely increased. At the opening of the new schools at St. George's, Somerset- shire, the Bishop of Bath and Wells (Lord Arthur Hervey) declared that secular education must produce widespread infi- delity. He earnestly urged all lovers of the Bible to resist, as a matter of life and death, all attempts to thrust Christianity from our schools." The Bishop of Gloucester, at a church aid meeting at Bristol, attempted to explain how the Church of England had lost her hold on the masses of the people. Among the reasons cited by the right rev. prelate were the coldness of the church of the past towards the working classes, the evils of the pew system, and the utter absence in the generality of sermons of any reference to the home needs, and personal and spiritual needs of the people. Recently, a Mr Rafferty, a Roman Catholic of Birmingham, at a public breakfast, moderately stated his preference for secular education over denominational education. For this offence a Roman Catholic priest named Sherlock denounced him in no measured terms at a meeting in the Birmingham Town Hall, on Tuesday night. He was charged with having the hardihood" to avow opinions contrary to those maintained "by all the bishops and priests of the country." He was further compared to a drunken helot amongst the Spartans, and characterised as little better than a traitor to his church. Interesting papers have been published on the Disestablish- ment of the church in Jamaica. Sir Peter Grant at first sug- gested concurrent endowment, but, finding that such a plan would not be accepted disestablishment was at length resorted to. Sir Peter thinks that English churchmen can and will give quite as freely as the great nonconformist bodies have given to their missionaries and he holds that no place has such claims upon England as Jamaica and the West Indies. We forced these Africans from their homes, and fixed them there. We made them slaves, and we have emancipated them. We cannot abandon them now; we dare not say to them, knowing what the certain result would be, Subscribe for all your own religious wants, or go without religion, as you please. A meeting of the Central Council of the Church Institution was held last week in King's College, to hear a paper from the Dean of Norwich on the election of bishops in the Church of England. The dean reviewed with much ability the historical aspects of this important question, and, in reference to its prac- tical bearing upon the church of the day, he suggested that, while the right of designation should undoubtedly remain in the Crown, the privilege of acceding to or rejecting the person so nominated ought to be conferred upon the capitular body; in other words, that the conge d'elire be a reality instead of a sham, and that a refusal to yield obedieuce to it ought no longer to be visited by the penalties of a pramunire. Sir John Pakington, in the course of some remarks on the subject, took occasion strongly to condemn the recent appointment to the see of Exeter. Forty church clergymen of Liverpool and Birkenhead have, following the example of certain members of the Church Union, presented an address of welcome to the Greek Archbishop of Syra and Tenos. The Greek Church, these reverend gentlemen declare, "has ever been regarded by the church in this country with profound reverence and sincere sympathy;" desire is ex- pressed for a speedy union between the East and the West; and assurances are given that the fervent prayers of the forty priests and deacons are offered for the archbishop, for the holy Eastern Church, and for the high and holy object of his grace's visit." In return the rev. gentlemen earnestly request to be remem- bered" in the archbishop's intercessions at the celebration of the divine mysteries." His grace, in reply, begs his admiring friends to believe that, "having no other means by which I can recompense these your friendly sentiments, I will continually stretch forth supplicatory hands to the Most High for you and for the lasting prosperity of the renowned English nation." The Evangelical clergy of Liverpool are protesting against the reception accorded by the High Church brethren to the Greek Archbishop. The Rev. W. F. Taylor, LL.D., of St. Silas, declines to accept the proposal of a Presbyterian clergyman to exchange pulpits, because, though he would be personally willing to do so, he cannot be a party to a breach of the law. Dr Taylor preached a sermon in his own church on the recent fraternizings, in con- cluding which he expressed the opinion that unless Ritualism was effectually and speedily eliminated from the church the days of the Anglican Church, as an establishment were num- bered. To his mind it was utterly inconceivable how persons holding the distinctive Protestant doctrines of the Thirty-nine Articles could fraternize with the corrupt and superstitious com- munions of the Greek or Latin Churches. He did not believe in the union of Christendom except on the basis of truth of doc- trine on any other it would be like the whited sepulchre, or a revived pantheon of false doctrines and practices. The Ritual Commission is stated to have agreed to a report on the "Lectionary," which has been submitted for her Majesty's approval. The nature of the recommendations made has not transpired, but the Times" is probably not far from the truth when it conjectures that those parts of scripture which contain the history of Susannah, of Bel and the Dragon, or which give minute information respecting the domestic habits of Tobit, will be omitted from the lessons. The Record" states that the sub-committee recommended that the lessons from the Apocry- pha, which for Saints' days numbered twenty-six should be rednced to four; but that for ordinary days forty should be still retained out of the 106 lessons. A second series of "Lessons for Evensong on Sundays" is provided, so that they may be used either as alternative lessons at the second service, or at the third service, if thought desirable. It is mentioned that forty meet- ings were occupied in arriving at these conclusions, but the time that each meeting lasted is not mentioned, nor the number of members who attended. According to the above alterations of the Lectionary, the Gospels and the Acts would be read once in the year at Evening Prayer, and the Revelation in Advent. The Books of Chronicles would also be admitted into the new Lec- tionary, and the divisions of chapters are not always to be followed. j

Mr Leigh Murray, the actor, died suddenly last week. Mr Oliver Wendell Holmes is said to have a new volume nearly ready- A man has !been committed to take his trial for intimidating a witness at Middlesex sessions. Another new word-" suicided haa been introduced America. One of the Liverpool Guardians, Mr Glover, is trying tosprove that it is bad ibeer which, to a very large extent, renders people mad. It has been decided in the Liverpool police court that the owner of pledged goods destroyed by fire, they not being insured, cannot recover the value of them from the pawnbroker. A number of boys were sliding or skating a few days back on Lake Kunitz, near Leignitz, in Silesia, when the ice broke and sixteen fell into the water and were all drowned. A few nights ago, in London, a child fell out of its mcfter's arms, while she was asleep in bed, into a pail containing.a qaart of water, and was drowned. Sir W. Stirling Maxwell has declined the rectorship of the Aberdeen University, and-a fresh election will- be necessary. It is thought possible Mr Disraeli may be invited to stand. Garibaldi is at present suffering severely from his old enemy, rheumatism. He has been obliged to give up all correspondence, being unable even to sign his name and, confined to his bed room, he sees only the members of his own family. The first iron-clad vessel ever built in Turkey is nearly ready for leaving the slips. It is said that she has been built entirely at the expense of the Valide Sultana (the Sultan's mother), as a present to his Imperial Majesty. Mr Foster, a well-known banker of Cambridge, fell down dead in his bank the other day. On the fact being communicated to a woman named Rooke, it had such an effect upon her that she, too, fell down and instantly expired. The "Countess of Derwentwater's" bailiff has been appre- hended and bound over to keep the peace for threatening to sign the death-warrant" of Mr Grey, agent of the Greenwich Hospital Commissioners. Money has actually been paid over to the Countess for the of stock a few days since. It is very probable that the Red River rebellion will end with- out bloodshed. The New York correspondent of a London paper telegraphs that the rebel half-breeds have been persuaded to send a deputation to Ottawa in order to effect a peaceable settle- ment of the difficulty with the Canadian Government. In the course of his appeal last week against the judgment of the Divorce Court, the Rev. Mr Kelly said on one occasion his wife was actually reading a novel-(laughter)-and she a pro- fessing Christian. (Laughter.) No wonder Mrs Kelly finds her husband a difficult man to live with. Mr John Hardy, M.P., has been committed fortrial at Burton- on-Trent on a charge of libel against one of his tenants, an auctioneerl whom he had charged with gross fraud and extor- tion for giving evidence against him in a suit with another tenant. A new honour has been conferred upon Lord Lytton. He is made a K.G.C. of the revived' Order of St. Michael and St. George, in compliment, of course, to his services as Colonial Secretary during the Derby Government's tenure of power in 1858. At a meeting recently held at Edinburgh in support of the movement for conferring the franchise upon women who are householders, Mr Duncan M'Laren, Mr Jacob Bright, Pro- fessors Mason, Caldewood. and Lyon Playfair, and Sir D. Wed- derburn were amongst the speakers. A Bill on the subject is to be introduced next session. The discussion concerning the head-mastership of Rugby School is stated to have tranquilly ended. The masters will remain at their posts, and do their best, in conjunction with Mr Hayman, to maintain the traditions of the school. There is reason to believe that the good feeling which previously existed has been restored. The War Office has just given its sanction in conjunction with the Horse Guards to an entire change in most of the principal points of infantry drill, which is to be applied to the volunteer as well as to the regular service. It is said the new drill will tend to combine simplicity of movement with greater rapidity, so essentially required when the new breech-loading arm of the service is distributed generally. The Marseillaise" states that M. Ledru Rollin, who can now return with safety to France whenever he may be disposed, is to represent the Noir family at the trial of Prince Pierre Bonaparte. M. Ledru Rollin, however, announces that he must decline to act as counsel, on the ground that he would thereby recognize, by implication, the status of the Imperial Judges. The "Pall Mall Gazette" learns from Washington, on what it considers to be good authority, that President Grant and his en- tire Cabinet have decided that the honour of the United States demands the prompt conclusion of the purchase of St. Thomas, negotiated by Mr Seward, and that there is little doubt that Congress will earnestly be recommended to fonvard the sum originally named to Denmark without further delay. According to the correspondent of a London paper, the secre- tary of a reciprocity association recently wrote to Lord Derby, requesting him to attend a meeting in support of its object. His lordship replied that he could not attend, and, further, tliat he did not approve of the policy advocated by the association, and would not be a party to the reimposition of any of the im- port duties which had been repealed. Marshal Lopez seems determined to wear his enemies out. Instead of being a hopeless fugitive, as was reported from Itio do Janeiro and .Vlonte Video, he is again at bay. According to the news brought by the Cordillera, he has now an army of 20,000 men—5,000 Paraguayans and 15,000 Indians-and has taken up a p.osition in which it is impossible for the Brazilian army to at- tack him. An American paper says-Venry Seitz, a German boy, sixteen years old, visited the house of Mrs Wehowski, in Alleghany City, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, to solicit the company of a young lady to the skating park. She gave him no decided answer. He declared if she would not go he would shoot himself, flourishing a pistol at the time. Shortly afterwards the boy was found shot in the forehead. He died in a few hours. The inquest concerning the death of the two youths kiDed at the tire at a London colourman's the other day has resulted in the following verdict being returned" The jury find that the deaths were accidental; but they cannot separate without expressing an opinion that it is highly dangerous to work in such confined places with an open light, and think that a safety- lamp should be used in places containing materials of so com- bustible and inflammable a nature." The replies made to the inquiries of the North Riding Chamber of Agriculture, suggested by Government, as to the working of the Highway Act, are generally unfavourable to that measure. The returns of sixteen districts are to the effect that in the great majority of instances the roads under the new system are more costly and worse than before the board system giving the waywardens plenary powers, is approved of; and many parishes recommend the repeal of the Act, and a return to the old system. The men charged with being concerned in the roVcery from Earl Russell's are said to have been engaged in duping the public for some time past by an advertising scheme. An advertisement was inserted in Lloyd's" offering a premium of £ 300 for the adoption of a child. Hundreds ox letters were received in a few weeks at the residence of the prisoner Steel, Red Lion-street, Richmond, and it is known that many of the letters contained postage-stamps. One gentleman, who sent 10s. worth of stamps, applied for a warrant against the prisoners on Wednesday last week. It appears that about a score of young women have called at the scene of the Finsbury murder, and represented themselves to have been sisters of the unfortunate Cecilia Aldridge. It is almost unnecessary to say that the stories which they have told are fabrications intended to gather sympathy of a substantial character from the unsuspecting British public. Some of the tales were very ingeniously constructed, notably that of the girl who stated on Monday that she and her murdered sister were natives of Liverpool, and that although she was herself respect- able, she could not be held responsible for the path in life which the unhappy Cecilia had taken. The coroner's enquiry into the circumstances connected with the explosion at the Platts Bridge Colliery, near Wigan, when twenty-five men lost their lives, was concluded last week. The evidence pointed to the conclusion that there had been a sudden rush of gas into the workings, and that this was ignited by a shot fired at the time. The jury endorsed this view in their verdict, and found that no one was to blame for the calamity. Mr Higson, the Government inspector, intimated that it was his intention to issue a circular directing that no shots should be tired until the adjacent places had been thoroughly examined. The" Sentiuella Bresciana" narrates the following extraor- dinary incidentTwo children were amusing themselves by torturing a mouse which they had caught. They covered it with petroleum and set fire to it. The little animal in its fright fastened upon the leg of one of its tormentors, and the other in going to his brother's assistance was bitten in the hand. The cries of the boys attracted the attention of the mother, who sent for a doctor but notwithstanding his attention, they died in three days afterwards from the effects of the bites of their mad- dened victim." It is announced that preparations are being made at the Palace in Brussels for the reception of the English deputations of the municipalities who took part in the manifestations in favour of the King of the Belgians when he was in London. It is on Tuesday, the 1st of February, that the English committee which organized this manifestation is expected at Brussels, ac- companied by various local authorities, to present the King with a silver box containing the national address. The members of the committee, as well as all the magistrates accompanying them, will be received by the King; in presence of the Royal family, the Ministers, and Court dignitaries. The next day a ball will be given in their honour. Mr Lovibond, Mr Kinglake's agent, has obtained a mandamus from the Court of Queen's Bench, compelling the Election Com- missioners to grant the certificate which they had withheld, on the ground that he had not made a full disclosure of all the facts within his knowledge. The Lord Chief Justice, in deliver- ing judgment, expressed his opinion that Mr Lovibond was subjected by the Commissioners to a rigorous, inquisitorial, and almost oppressive examination, and that he had given proper answers to the questions put to him. The proceedings which had been commenced by the Attorney-General against Mr Lovibond will now be stayed. One of the speakers at the soiree of the Manchester Unitarian Home Missionary Board, last week, was Lady Bowring. Her ladyship asked permission of her husband, Sir John, who pre- sided, to address the meeting, for a thought had struck her, and she wished to speak it. Why, she asked, should not the Mission- ary Board open its doors to women? "I, for one," continued Lady Bowring, should be delighted to see such an opening. No one can feel the weaknesses and deficiencies of our sex more thau I do; but I say, let them have the same chances, and then if they fail, you may fairly blame them if they fall behind. I have now said my thought, and I have no more to say." Some time since several barrels of paraffin oil were washed ashore on the Galway coast, and the poor fishermen who seized and secreted them have paid a terrible price for what they con- sidered their good luck. In dividing the contents of one of the barrels a few weeks since, a fearful and fatal explosion ensued and a similar catastrophe, arising in precisely the same way, has just occurred at a place called Crcggan. About twenty persons met in a house to divide another barrel of the oil, and again a terrible explosion occurred. A young man, named King, was literally blown to peces; two others are believed to have re- ceived fatal injuries; while of the remainder not fewer than ten persons have been frightfully burnt. The village of Eastoft, in Lincolnshire, has been the scene of a shocking murder. A few evenings ago an altercation took place in a public house, between a young man named Brown and several Irishmen, one of whom, named Welsh, engaged in a scuffle outside with Brown. The latter was seen in a few minutes afterwards leaning in a, helpless state against a wall. and on being carried home it was discovered that he had been stabbed in three places. He died a few hours afterwards. The murderer was taken to the deceased man's house, and the brutal fellow burst out laughing on the body being bared before him. The coroner's jury have returned a verdict of "Wilful murder against Welsh. The President of the Poor-Law Board has made a handsome offer, in his private capacity, to the Emigration Society. In re- sponse to an appeal made to him, Mr Goschen says he will be happy to subscribe 10s. a head towards the expense of each emigrant sent out by the society this year, up to the number of 2,000 emigrants, "paying you, therefore." says the right hon. gentleman, "by results." He adds that he "has spoken to a friend who, he expects, will similarly subscribe 10s. a head for a further 2,000, so that zP2,000 for the emigration of 4,000 persons would be secured during the current year. Subscriptions on similar terms might, Mr Goschen thinks, be largely obtained for "people like to see their money utilised, and would contri- bute more largely the more they know that they are only paying for results." The Cabinet (says the Echo") met on Friday, and we believe were enabled to study, with a view to its improvement, printed copies of the Irish Land Bill. We said recently, that while something in the shape of fixity of tenure was the demand of a very formidabl e bulk of respectable opinion in Ireland, we believed it was the desire of the Government to conciliate this feeling, and now it seems that the awkward and somewhat absurd phrase, fixity of tenure," is to be commuted into the much better expression, "non-security of tenure." We venture to predict that while the Government measure will interfere with no rights of property, it will so far reverse the position of landlord and tenant as to indispose the former to evict the latter on grounds which have hitherto been not uncommon. Lord Derby must support such a Bill, for he has laid it down that every good tenant has a fair claim to a proper security of tenure. The Government have to take care that their measure is not I e.;s liberal than Lord Mayo's suppressed scheme, a copy of which, we understand, is still in Mr Diwaeli's possession. 1 » -■ < Mr Cardwell, the "Broad Arrow" believes, will probably adhere to his proposals as to a new scheme for the<volunte«r service ia the main. It is said that a daughter of Madame Lind-Goldmthmidt has a beautiful voice, which she is educating with a view to her pro- fessional appearance. The Court of Queen's Bench has decided that betting on com- mission is a contravention of the law, and affirmed-the conviction of a London commission agent named Wright. Sir Francis Lycett has retired from the contest in Southwark, leaving Sir Sydney Waterlow, Mr Odger, and Col. Beresford now in the field. It is positively stated that it is the intention of'the Postmaster- General to begin the transfer of the telegraphs on the morning of the 29th instant, and to complete the whole of the transfer by the 5th of next month. After a protracted struggle the revolutionary party in Hayti has attained complete ascendancy. The insurgent leader, Saget, has been declared provisional president, and Salnave, who made his escape to the woods, has been declared an outlaw. Mr Gladstone has issued an address to his supporters, strongly urging them to be in their places at the opening of the session, as matters of great public moment will be submitted to the House of Commons on a very early day. On Thursday week Mr Elliman, whde replying to a toast at a volunteer dinner at Slough, suddenly expired-it is supposed from heart disease. Mr Charsley, the coroner for Bucks, was so overcome by the occurrence that he went into a fit, which lasted for twenty minutes. Mr W. Williams, of the Boys' Refuge, 8, Great Queen-street, Holborn, appeals to 100,000 persons to give one shilling each in support of the admirable work carried on by the refuges for homeless and destitute children and the Chichester training ship, When the Rev. James Kelly had concluded his arguments before the Court of Appeal on the 21st, the judges, before calling upon the counsel for Mrs Kelly, adjourned the further hearing of the case until Wednesday, for the pir-noss of considering the documentary evidence which had beer put in. The death of Sir G. F. Seymour, Admiral ui the Fleet, is an- nounced. The deceased officer, who was in his 84th year, was the heir-presumptive to the Marquisate of Hertford. He entered the navy in 1799, was at the capture of Surinam, fought under Lord Nelson in the Victory, and was wounded in the battle of Si. Domingo, in 1806. Sir Fairfax Moresby now becomes Admiral of the Fleet. Prince Arthur arrived at Washington on Saturday evening, and took up his residence with the English minister, Mr Thornton. The prince excited no popular demonstrations either on his journey or at Washington, but it is stated that, on his re- turn to Canada, public receptions will be offered him at New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. On Saturday afternoon, at four o'clock, Mr R. C. Allen, a farmer, residing at Bucklesham, Suffolk, went into a sandpit in a field called Crag-pit-hill. He was accompanied by another farmer. The pit was twenty feet deep. All of a sudden the pit fell in, and both were buried beneath the sand. A number of men were set to work, and after digging for about thirty minutes, both the bodies were recovered, but life was quite extinct. The annual report of the New York public schools refers to matters which will be interesting in this country in connection with the present education controversy. During the last year the expenditure for these schools was something under £ 600.000, and the whole number of pupils taught was 230,000. This state- ment may help to a settlement of the disputed question as to the cost of the League scheme. In the New York schools the Bible, in the Protestant or Roman Catholic versions, is required to be read without note or comment. In an appeal case, respecting a vote claimed by a Wesleyan minister in respect of a minister's house provided for him, the case was struck out for special reasons, but Justice Willes said- It must not be supposed that^there is any doubt upon the law of the case. The law is clear. If the minister were bound and required to live in the house as part of his duty to his flock, he would have no vote, but if he were not required and bound to live in it, but only had the benefit of living in that house as part of his remuneration, then he would have a vote. The other judges concurred in this view. The Paris Correctional Tribunal of Police found M. Henri Rochefort, on Saturday, guilty of insulting, in the columns of the Marseillaise," the Emperor and other members of the Imperial family. He was sentenced to six months' imprison- ment, and also fined 3000f. Two other contributors to the "Marseillaise," MM. Dereuxe and Grousset, were for a similar offence to that of which M. Rochefort was convicted sentenced each to six months' imprisonment, and in addition were severally fined 500 francs and 2000 francs. A sad boat disaster has taken place on the Northumberland coast. Three men and a boy, belonging to the fishing village of Newbiggen, were on Wednesday week overtaken by a squall, dur- ing which their boat capsized. In a short time the boat righted itself, and the whole of the crew managed to get on board, but only to sit for hours up to their necks m water. Two men and the boy died from the intense cold, and the other man was at the point of death when he was picked up, but it is expected that he will recover. A question as to the'meaning of the word "counting house," in respect of a voting qualification, has been raised in the superior courts. The claimant occupied the first floor of a house as offices, the landlord paying all the rates. It was objected that the tenancy of the claimant was not sufficient to confer a vote, there being no such structural severance as would consti- tute his rooms a "counting house" within the meaning of the 3rd and 4th William IV., cap. 45; and, secondly, that the claim- ant w:; s not an occupier of premises legally liable to be rated, because he was an occupier of part of a house not structurally severed from the rest of the house. The Court, however, de- cided that such an occupation came within the meaning of the Act, and allowed the vote. A terrible instance of railway decapitation occurred on the Midland Railway o:i Thursday week, near Leicester. On the express train arriving at Trent Station, a man's cap, full of brains," was found on one of the steps of a carriage. About the same hour the driver of a Peterborough train arriving at Leicester Station, noticed a dead body lying on the six-foot." An alarm having been given, the body was removed, when it was found that the flanges of the carriages had decapitated the man at the chin. The deceased was a scarf weaver out of employment, and it is presumed that he committed suicide, as there was no public approach to the place where the body was found. In the Court of Common Pleas last week judgment was given in the case of the "Guardians of Mailing Union v. Graham." The defendant was sued upon a bond which he had given as surety for Mr Assiter, who was in April, 1865, appointed assist- ant overseer for the parish of West Mailing. In this capacity it was Mr Assiter's duty to collect rates, but subsequently he was appointed to the office of collector of rates. The question now was whether the second appointment vacated the first one, or so varied his duties that the defendant as surety would not be liable. The Lord Chief Justice said that in reference to the first appointment the parish were the employers and paymasters, and had power to dismiss; whilst as to the second, the guardians occupied the position of the parish. The duties of the two offices and the control over their performance were also different. In his opinion, Mr Assiter ceased to be assistant overseer when he received the appointment of collector of rates, and the lia- bility of the defendant as his surety in reference to the first office ceased also.-Judgment for the defendant. A discussion has taken place on the question whether death by decapitation is instantaneous, and the Globe" says:—" It is more than probable that the poor wretch sees, hears, and re- tains all the faculties of special sense in their acuteness for an awful moment of uncertain duration after his execution." The Daily News says :—" A French physician, Dr Pinel, has con- tributed to 'Le Gaulois' an opinion that after its separation from the body by the guillotine there still remains for about one hour a degree of consciousness' in the human head and brain, and that to this consciousness a period of two hours' insensibi- lity or inertia (which is not absolutely death) succeeds. If Dr Pinel had written vital action' instead of consciousness,' he might have startled the general reader less but perhaps he would have found more adherents among physiologists. Surely the loss of consciousness is caused by the shock off the falling knife, not by the loss of blood, as any gamekeeper who has knocked a rabbit on the neck can testify. Divide a frog in two with a sufficiently sharp instrument, and the vital action will be seen to continue in both the severed parts for some hours after the experiment. Snip a bee in two, and the one half of the bee will continue to fly and sting, the other half to bite. Eviscerate a frog, and the vital action of the creature will not be instantly suspended. Knock it on the head, and it will be without con- sciousness in a moment. We are not, of course, arguing the question physiologically, but simply stating the results of the commonest observation, which seem to controvert the theory that it is on the loss of blood, and not the shock, that the instant unconsciousness of a guillotined head depends." The speech of M. Thiers gave special interest to the debate in the French Legislative Chamber on Saturday upon the com- mercial treaties. As was anticipated, he made a forcible attack upon the commercial treaties, urging that, whilst they had been of no advantage to the French silk trade, they had been posi- tively injurious to the French cotton manufactures, which could not compete in cheapness with those of England and Switzer- land. He also asserted that the treaty with England had ruined one-fourth of the linen manufacturers of France, and had damaged the woollen trade of that country. He admitted that there had been an increase of trade in France, but this he attributed to "fifty years of general peace." He contended that the duties which he and those for whom he spoke asked the Government to impose on imported textile fabrics and woven foods were not prohibitory; they would not in fact fully protect 'rench manufacturers, as they would not altogether neutralise the local advantages of motive power possessed by English and Swiss firms. He eloquently eulogised England for her liberal institutions and generous hospitality to exiles, but thought that her prosperity was on a very insecure basis, as it depended upon the markets of her colonies and of the United States remaining open to her. France, he thought, could build her prosperity upon a much more solid basis than this country, if she would only retain possession of her home markets. At the close of M. Thiers's speech, which was much applauded by the Pro- tectionist deputies, the debate was adjourned until Monday. Notwithstanding the eloquence of M. Thiers, the Free Traders have so far had the best of the argument, and apparently are in the majority in the chambers.

From a recent customs return, it appears that E73 is collected at Aberystwyth at a cost of 21,913 The Bishop-Designate of Manchester writes that, though he has the strongest possible desire to preserve the re- ligious character of education, he holds that any form of real enlightenment is both better in itself and more hope ful for the rightly understood interests of religion than the darkness of ignorance. Mr Stuart Majendie writes to the Guardian to state that his brother, the late Prebendary Majendie, contri- buted most liberally to appeals from Bangor diocese and also that the sinecure of Penmynydd was not abolished by the Bishop, but by an Act of Parliament passed several years ago, the income, subject to his brother's life, having been vested in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The Bishop of Exeter had an enthusiastic reception on Friday, from the friendly societies and the working men of Exeter generally. There were nearly 3,000 persons pi^sent. In replying to the address which was presented to him, Dr Temple referred to various topics, and particularly to the question of education, to which, he said, he had devoted a great deal of time and study. He remarked that schemes might be devised, but, no matter whether upported by Government or private interest, they would fail unless those who were to be educated were impressed that it was for their benefit and comfort they should be educated. As to the organization of education, nine-tenths depended on parents, and only one-tenth on organization. BREAKFAST.—EPPS'S COCOA.—GRATEFUL AND COMFORT- ING.—The very agreeable character of this preparation has rendered it a general favourite. The Civil Service Gazette remarks:—"The singular success which Mr Epps attained by his homoeopathic preparation of cocoa has never been surpassed by any experimentalist. By a thorough know- ledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected cocoa, Mr Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills." Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold by the Trade only in lb., lb,, and 1 lb. tin-lined packets, labelled—JAMES EPPS" & Co., Homoeopathic Chemists, London. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT.—There is a very general im- pression abroad that imprisonment for debt has been abolished entirely. This, however, is not the case. There have been certain modifications of the law, but the judges, both of the County Courts and of the Supreme Courts, have still the power of committing to prison persons who will not pay their debts. In the case of County Court judges the power to commit to prison is confined to cases in which debtors having the means refuse to satisfy judg- ment and costs. If a person obtained judgment in the Supreme Court against a debtor for a sum above 920, he had the power of obtaining a warrant and putting him in prison if the judgment was not satisfied when it became due. This power is done away with and before a debtor can be imprisoned by the Supreme Courts, there must be, as in the County Courts, a sumirions after judgment to show cause why he has not complied with the order,

gtflrirultal. A farmer at Preston has been fined £ 5, and costs, for not giving notice to the police that he had a number of sheep infested with the scab disease. FARMERS' HORSES.—Hitherto a farmer keeping horses for husbandry was at liberty to use them occasionally for other pur- poses without becoming liable to duty, but under the new Act this privilege is abolished. A letter from the Board of Inland Revenue, in answer to the question, Whether a farmer keeping horses for the purposes of husbandry could use them occasionally for drawing materials for the repair of the highways without becoming liable for licence duty," says, The exemption from licence duty in the case of a farmer's horses extends only to such horses as are used solely for the purposes of husbandry.Cham- ber of Agriculture Journal. A Cow ATTACKED WITH HYDROPHOBIA.—A few days ago, a cow belonging to Mr William Shackleton, farmer, Alcomden, near Hebden Bridge, appeared to be suffering from some strange disorder; a veterinary surgeon was called in to ex- a"uJ1? J! animal, and pronounced it to be a case of hydro- phobia. Previous to its death the animal became very violent, and showed all the signs exhibited by human beings in that state. Some time ago a strange dog was prowling about the farmstead, and bit the farmer's dog, but it was immediately destroyed. It is thought the cow was bittten at that time, but until recently it did not show any signs of madness. During the past few months many cases of this kind have occurred in the same neighourhood. Dogs, pigs, cats, cows, horses have been attacked, destroyed, or died from the effects of hydrophobia. Several human beings have been bitten, and last week a man died from the effects.- Leeds Mercury. GORSE HEDGES furnish a valuable supply of green food for milch cows and other stock. They are cut with a short scythe, or bagging-hook, as when gorse is grown on the flat, or with a hedgebill, or shears and care should be taken in the cutting to preserve both the health of the plants and form of the hedge, otherwise gaps will be produced by the injured parts ceasing to defend cattle. They are only adapted for the poorer class of ferruginous soils, where other kinds of hedges will not grow, and on such they should be more extensively grown than they artVi t naiTOW mound, faced at the bottom with a rough stone wall, from one foot to two feet high on both sides, makes the best foundation. Sow next month in our southern provinces, and in March and April in our northern. Gorse fences are also sown in poor sheep pastures, both for food and shelter, and the ground may be prepared for seed just now, by gathering up three or four furrows into a narrow ridge by a common plough. Or, if the ground is too rough—unlevel and stony—for the plough, the work may be done by simply breaking the sur- face with a pick and spade, so as to form narrow seed beds, at intervals of 20, 50, or 100 yards asunder, or just as the flock- master sees fit to provide food and shelter for his flock. We have converted a very poor stunted heath of several hundred acres into a fine sheep-walk by such means.- Agricultural Gazette.

THE EMPEROR'S MODEL FARM AT VINCENNES. The farm is a comfortable-looking place, without any attempt at superiority in point of building or picturesqueness, and the division between the fields is a sunk dry ditch, or a rough paling. The nrst_ thing we visited was the principal byre or cow-house, containing 200 cows. It is a long, straight, and rather wide building-high, well-lighted, and well ventilated. The cows face each other, having a space 6ft. wide between them, 4ft. of which is a deep asphalted trough. Each cow had a considerable space allotted to her, and was fastened by a leather strap round the neck with a ring and chain; at the other end of the chain is a second ring, that slips easily up and down an iron bar placed horizontally at the head of each stall-an arrangement we had often seen before. The cows could lie down or stand in any position, and were prevented from actually crossing the trough by a couple of iron bars run across the top of their stalls, so wide apart that the animals could get well for- ward to drink. Low racks on one side of their stalls were full and beet1 t ar<3 uPon tnat, chopped mangold wurzel, Turnips grow too badly and scantily in that part of France to be available. The divisions between the stalls were low, and of neatly-painted wood; a grating allowed all liquid manure to drain down into a subdram with a good incline, which carried it completely out of the building to a huge tub placed at a con- venient distance from the byre. At certain hours a cask of water at one extremity of the byre floods the trough and it was an interesting sight to see such a number of animals drink- ing at once, splashing up the water in each other's faces, and evidently enjoying themselves. It is scarcely possible to give an accurate idea of the fine appearance of the cows, or of the variety represented in that one place. The Emperor never does anything by halves, and he has agents all over Europe, who have the means of outbidding all competi- tors, the result of which is to bring together stock that, as a whole, are quite unequalled. There were Ayrshires and Short- horns that had carried off prizes at the principal agricultural shows in Scotland, England, Ireland, and France red Durhams and superb black polled Angus cows. The Devons were facing magnificent Swiss animals, with their enormous frames and huge udders; Brittany cows with their deer-like heads; hardy Highland cows, scarcely to be distinguished in shape and make from the sturdy little north country French animals; Dutch cows, with their ungainly rounded backs, and good milking qualities even the gazelle-eyed Brahmin cows were there, and all evidently quite at home. In some of the stalls newly-born calves were happy with their mothers, to whom they are taken at stated times, and with whom they remain during the night for the first few weeks. In a building close by were the bulls of the different breeds comfortably housed in loose boxes. We asked the manager which breed gave the best milk, on the whole, and at the same time gave the largest quantity. He said the Swiss, and that the average quantity was six to nine English quarts at a time. They are milked twice a uav. Looking at their immense udders and great size, one can quite believe the statement. He said their milk was very nearly as rich as that of the Aldemey cows, and he gave us some to drink, which cer- tainly verified his assertion. These large cows are great feeders, and are quite distinct from the small, active cows that are met with all over Switzerland; and it is from this large and profitable breed that the famous Swiss cheeses are made." After lingering in this place of byres, we went to see the sheep they were also well housed, chiefly in wooden buildings, but with spacious paddocks in front. There were Soutlidowns, Leicesters, Cheviots and various other kinds, of which the black-faced Highland breed and a small species from the Pyrenees (the prettiest as far as shape went) were the most conspicuous. There were also some very good specimens of the only fine breed to be found in France, the pre sale from around and below the Pas de Calais. We next inspected the pigs. They were all inside a building in small loose boxes, the ventilation more than imperfect. The stench was dreadful; nothing but a firm determination to see all enabled us to go patiently from pen to pen. Here, as in other things, the Emperor has laid all Europe under tribute. Im- proved Berkshire and great Yorkshire pigs improved Suffolks, with the shortest possible snouts the large Westphalian breed, and the smaller kind from Austria, with numberless other sorts, made it a very interesting collection; but the place of honour was filled by an English pig, called "Fairhope," which had gained many a prize in its own country. After recovering a little in the fresh air, we next bent our steps to a large shed where some old-fashioned and cumbersome machinery was kept in motion by the ceaseless round of a huge blindfolded Swiss ox. The object of this was simply to chop the mangel wurzel, Ac., for the cows, as not fifty yards off there was a blazing fire, used solely for steaming food for pigs; we could not help considering how speedily a Scotch farmer would have combined economy and efficiency, and done away with this waste of time and labour. A man was in charge of the ox, two men in charge of the fire, and at least twelve men and women were feeding the machine, and this with coals at 50s. a ton. We inquired of the manager why the pigs were warmly housed an-I so warmlv fed. He said They are kept so warm in England, and in order that they should thrive, we continue it." We asked the exact acreage of the farm, and the manager said, "it depends upon the stock; sometimes we have to hire a few fields, and sometimes not. We always have to buy food." Does the farm pay, then ?" Well, it generally covers its expenses. We never make butter; we sell the milk in Paris and it always sells well, and the young stock, being valuable, fetch high prices." In fact it is simply a breeding farm, in which expense is no object. The word "model" is a complete misnomer. There is a very pretty rustic summer house in a small garden, where the Empress and her ladies some- times go to drink milk out of Sevres cups with the Imperial crown upon them. The most curious thing in such a poultry-loving country as France is the absence of everything in the shape of poultry- there are even no pigeons. The manager said—" We used to have an enormous quantity, but they were stolen so continuously that we were obliged to give them up. They were very valuable, and it was, of course, a great temptation." [This was added in an apologetic tone.] Insensibly, as it were, we looked towards the fortress of Vincennes; the manager caught our glance, and gave a satirical smile and the inevitable French shrug. The only horses on the establishment are the white Norman breed for the farm work. They are heavy and powerful, and well adapted for the soil they have to work. Almost all the farm implements have the names of English makers. The stock on this model farm is assuredly well worth seeing, but most of our readers will agree in the opinion that none of our clear- headed, practical north-country farmers would approve alto- gether of the management. There appeared, for instance, to be a great deal of waste. Owing to the racks in the cow byre being so low, the animals trod a good deal under foot; and the hay being cut over ripe, the trough in the cowbyrewas strewed with the seed, which in our own country and in Holland is used with such advantage mixed with other things. We saw it swept away before the animals were entered, and asked if they. made any use of it. The manager smiled again, and seemed quite amused by such an economical idea. As we returned to Paris, we talked with our friend over what had most struck us. He had been both in England and Scotland, and admired the farms and man- agement exceedingly. We spoke of a probable time when France would support the Emperor's efforts more heartily, and take a greater interest in agriculture; but our friend seemed very incredulous, and said that though there were Isolated cases of agricultural pursuits being adopted by proprietors, so long as a man could work an ox during its best days, and then sell it well (French cooks having the talent of disguising inferior meat), he was not likely to give high prices for stock. And there is another reason. We are naturally fond of our centre—Paris. Out of Paris we do not exist—we vegetate; and I do not believe that the pursuit of agriculture will ever attract us—it is not in the people. The Emperor is filling the country with a better breed of animals, and in that he does all that he is ever likely to accomplish." But the saving of money ?" Bah, mon cher," he said, there are three things against the realisation of your dream—want of taste for it, want of capital, and want of habit. After all, what does it signify?" And with this morsel of French philosophy or pococurantism we conclude.—Iuverness Courier.

A NEW ART UNioiq.-A new Art Union has just been established under the title of Cassells's Art Union," for the dissemination of Fine Art volumes, which, from the advantages offered to subscribers, must neccessarily secure a very wide support. There will be no blanks. Every subscriber will receive a prize of the full value of his guinea subscription, that being the lowest prize to which he can become entitled, whilst he will have the chance of gaining, instead of such guinea prize, one of the higher prizes, which will be distributed in the proportion of ten prizes of the total value of thirty-five guineas amongst every one hundred subscribers. The drawings will be very frequent, that subscribers may not be kept waiting for the result of their investment. Every time a set of one hundred subscribers has been filled up, a draw- ing will take place. The tickets are now in course of issue by the Secretary, Mr J. C. Pare, rom the offices, La Belle Sauvage Yard, Ludgate Hill. PALATABLENESS OF DR DE JONGH'S LIGHT-BROWN COD LIVER OIL. -The united opinion of all medical men who have tried it, and the experience of countless patients, con- cur in proving that Dr de Jongh's Light-Brown Cod Liver Oil is infinitely more palatable and more easily taken than any other kind. Dr Granville, F.R.S., states: Being much more palatable than the Pale Oil, Dr Gran- ville's patients have themselves expressed a preference for Dr de Jongh's Light-Brown Cod Liver Oil." Dr Joseph Kidd observes I have found by experience that Dr de Jongh's Oil agrees perfectly with many persons who were unable to use the so-called refined or white Cod Liver Oil from its sickly and undecided taste, which was not at all complained of in Dr de Jongh's Oil." Dr Edgar Sheppard writes: Dr de Jongh's Oil has the rare excel- lence of being well borne and assimilated by stomachs which reject the ordinary oils." Dr W. Pearce remarks: "Another ad vantage of Dr de Jongh's Oil is the absence of that disagreeable and sickly taste, which is one of the characteristics of the Pale Oil." Dr de Jongh's Light- Brown Cod Liver Oil is sold only in capsuled imperial half-pints, 2s. Gd.; pints, 4s. Od.; quarts, 9s.; labelled with his stamp and signature, without which none can possibly be gemiine, by his sole consignees, Ansar, Harford, and Co., 77, Strand, London and respectable chemists.

TWO GOOD DAYS WITH SIR WATKIN S HOUNDS. The meet on Saturday was. Iscoyd Park, near Whit- church, the seat of P. W. Godsal, Esq., one of the most staunch fox preservers. The worthy Wonet was not out being present at the Merionethshire election. Drew the Neutral Covert, where there were a brace of foxes.' Got tb%-Ww °5e t the,riSht sort, up to the park and on to the Bier Wood through it to the Higher Barns the beginning of the Wyches but this was to be no Wych Hui or cfnttnn'a P Stockton, as if pointing for Cherry i ™ j i Gorse; bore away to the left, bv Newton thf p to the Wyches between Dymock's Mill and the Groves Farm, through like a shot, only two getting away at their tails; on towards Hanmer, where a check in some wheat let up the field; hit it off, and went merrily on, leaving Horseman's Green to the left as if for Penley, bore away to the left to the Whitchurch and Overton turapike, where there was a check Cast the Sin a moiS6 ^to-why?-^ back to the left, hit him t loolf8 at Greddin'gton Gorse Covert-too on to/hLn18' gS"k g the b°ttom to Bettisfield, and so W Tin^l8' fere' ^ke a long story short, we lost ™ aIT h°,Ur and thirty-five minutes, and ground very deep; as good a run as a man wants to see over a fair country, part of it good. He was a gallant fox, and a most discriminating one, for he always chose the best C°f Those who not had enough, and one! TnX CW Iscoed" ^und at th™b tbf l to the Higher Barns, rSS l fr nheJyche8, UP to Houghton, on to stonned ™ < t ? P^^gton, when the hounds were the wtl1 them-Mr Peel and Payne t « M e J0* was afterwards found in a SSed t i. £ m where the hounds were stopped, as stiff as starch. Payne showed his nerve was as that^/lw' he one of the finest horsemen if^Sir WatlH^b pigs^n" Everyone was delighted, and' if Sir Watkin has another run like it may I be there on the BROUGHAM HORSE.— Field. the BROUGHAM HORSE.— Field. On Monday last Aldersey was the fixture. This is a favourite meet, and always draws a large field. There were many ladies present, well mounted, who rather astonished some of the more nervous gentlemen by the ,1 jf1 they rode to hounds. Aldersey covers fieW should w A 5" Wa-kin' anxious that so large a Wootton ib tb n dlsaPP°inted, enquired from Mr W. Wootton whether Crewe Gorse would be a sure find and "nS? affirm*tive the pack were akS blink Thw-f°rsf has never yetbeendrawn in be considered as one of the best covers print erc^ thi^^ wa?held^d b«rten' J °nt the turnpike road he was headed back and ran for the gorse again. On tryiin undeTrWe'lT ?,n n8' them closed, however, he crossef Z vi £ r n?iJ the,riv,?r 8^e, a direct line for the viUage of Farndon, leaving it slightly on the left through Sibbersfield Hall paddocks for Royalty Gorse! ri^bt !!Liagaw cl?anS|d, hisi course, veered sharp to the ^iin' W b • T ? whence to near Grewe Gorse again but being headed at this point he skirted the cover, wr?# acrJoss the turnpike road, through nrmJard' and led them a rattling gallop to Shocklach Gorse, gaining the cover. It was some five minutes before he could be got away again, although he was quite spent. Instead of yielding and dying in cover, he made one more bold stroke for life. Breaking on the Shocklach side he ran across a large grass field, where he lay down, and the hounds passed over him but Payne, discovering the hounds had overrun their fox, blew his horn, got the hounds back, and shortly gave the final "woo-hoop." During this fine run great numbers came to- f7le ,7, i^Pund. yas very heavy and severely tested • me mettle of the noblest steeds. A large number of the members of the Cheshire hunt were present, and seemed bent on shewing the followers of Sir Watkin's hounds how the thing should be done by leading the run; but never were men more deceived, as the members of the latter gallantly held their own all through the day. Among those who went well we may especially mention the names of E. Peel, Esq., of Brynypvs, and W. Thelwell, Swvlh °% <¥r }V~ W°otton, Crewe Hall, bore y onour of tile chase. Sir Watkin, in awarding mm the brush, remarked that there were many there who only rode hounds, but Mr Wootton was a staunch pre- server of foxes, and to^ his vigilance and attention they owed many a fine run, including the one just ended. A more deserved compliment was never paid to any follower- of the chase, as he is a thoroughly true British sportsman. --Chester Chronicle. CARNARVONSHIRE OOTTRSTNYl Afttpyrnvn Messrs H. Humphreys, T. T. Parry, R. Humphreys, J. Williams R. R. W illiams, W. Jones, T. Jones, O. Thomas, G. Davies, R. Rowlands, Evan Evans, and J. Moreton, Stewards. Mr O. Thomas, Hon. Sea Air W. Hamer, Flag Steward. Mr G. Davies, Slip Steward. Mr Warwick, Judge. W. Wilkinson. Slipper. VAYNOL STAKES, for all ages, at zC3 10s. each winner P-50, se- cond £20, third and fourth £ 7 10s., fifth sixth, seventh and eighth £3 10s. each. Mr Hamer's b b Mrs Bright beat Mr J. Williams's f b Winifred(l) Mr Twiggs f b Topaz beat Mr H. Humphreys's r b Hebe Mr T. Roberts's bk and w d Joe beat Mr E. Edwards's bk b Sweet Home Mr J. Jones's f and w d Governor beat Mr W. Hughes's bk and w d Hawk Mr Moorhouse's be d Romping Bob beat Mr G. Evans's be d King(2) Mr R. Hughes's r d Dapper beat Mr Preston's r b Lady the Second Mr R. R. Williams's bk d Jupiter beat Mr Grifflths's bk and w b Nimble Mr J. Jones's w and bk b Governess beat Woolliscroft's Nomina- tion Mr Twigg's bk and w d Truce beat Mr T. Jones ns bk and w d Flyer (1) Mr R. Humphreys ns bk b Mona beat Mr H. Humphreys's f b Menai Mr Moorhouse's bk w b Merry Heart beat Mr E. Edwards's bk d Warrior (1) Mr W. Hughes's f b Happy Girl beat Mr J. Davies's bk d King Lear Mr T. Roberts ns f w b Pauline beat Mr J. Williams's bk w d Webster Mr R. R. Williams ns f w b Goodie beat Mr Griffiths's bk w d Cambio Mr jt. Hughes'sr bDeva bt. Mr Blackstock'swbkBlow for Blow Mr R. R. Williams's f b Runaway beat Mr Humpheys's f w b Menai's Pride II. Topaz beat Mrs Bright Mona beat Truce Joe beat Governor Merry Heart beat Happy Girl Romping Bob beat Dapper Goodie beat Pauline Jupiter beat Governess Deva beat Runaway III. Topaz beat Joe (1) Merry Heart beat Mona Romping Bob beat Jupiter Deva beat Goodie IV. Romping Bob beat Topaz Deva beat Merry Heart v. Mr R. Hughes's Deva beat Mr Moorhouse's Romping Bob. CARNARVON STAKES, for puppies, at E2 10s, each; winner £20, second £10, third and fourth 42 10s. each. Mr Edwards's bk d Barrister beat Mr H. Humphreys's bk w d Lord Penrhyn Mr W. Hughes's bk w b Prig beat Mr G. Davies ns bk w b Welsh Lady Mr J. Williams's f b Ellen (late Fanny) beat Mr Evans's f w b Menai's Pride Mr J. Beckett's bk w b Jenny Jones beat Mr Twigg's bkd Theory Mr W. Hughes's bk d Havelock beat Mr H. Owen's r b Fanny Drape(l) Mr H. Owens's bk w b Runaway beat Mr Davies ns w bk b Welsh Lass Mr H. Humphreys's bk b Lady Penrhyn beat Mr Edwards's r d Bracelet Mr Hughes's bk b Jenny Lind beat Mr R. Humphreys's bk d Knt of Snowdon (1) II. Barrister beat Prig Havelock beat Runaway Jenny Jones beat Ellen Jenny Lind beat Lady Penrhyn in. Barrister beat Jenny Jones (1 dr) Havelock beat Jenny Lind. IV. Mr Edwards's Barrister beat Mr W. Hughes's Havelock BANGOR STAKES, for beaten dogs, at Y.2 2s, each winner £ 6 6s., second P-4 4s., third and fourth 43 3s. each. Mr Griffith's bk w b Nimble beat Mr H. Humphreys's r b Hebe Mr H. Hamer's bd b Mrs Bright (a bye) beat Mr J. Davies's bk d King Lear (absent) Mr Edwards's Bracelet beat Mr W. Owen's Fanny Drape Mr R. R. Williams's Runaway beat Mr R. Humphreys's bk d Knight of Snowdon (1) II. Mrs Bright beat Nimble Bracelet beat Runaway III. Mr Edwards's Bracelet beat Mr H Hamer's Mrs Bright. RACING FIXTURES. Birmingham Feb. 8 and 9 Lincoln Spring Feb. 1G and 17 Carmarthenshire Hunt Feb. 22 and 24 Baschurch Feb. 25 Liverpool Spring March 8, 0, and 10 COURSING FIXTURES. Abergele Feb. 3 Hereford Feb. 3 and 4 Upton Magna Feb. 14 and 15 Waterloo Feb. 16, &c.