The Cardigan Observer and General Advertiser for the Counties of Cardigan Carmarthen and Pembroke

LONDON CORRESPONDENCE. 'rHE words we know not what a day may J_ bring forthr are emphatiotlly applicable to an anxious crisis like the present when the ques- tion of peace or war is trembling in the balance. The political situation undergoes such sudden and rapid transformations that comments on events, though only a few days' old, seem flat, stale, and unprofitable. A ringle de- spatch, consisting of a dozen lines or less, may instantaneously change the entire aspect of affairs. By far the most im- portant of the recently published de- spatches of Lord Derby was also the briefest. It informed Lord A. Loftus that, in a conversa- tion with the Russian Ambassador, the Foreign Secretary had told him that any movement of troops to Gallipoli, or of such a nature as to threaten the communications of the English fleet, would be regarded as compromising the safety of the ship3; apd it was significantly adied by Lord Derby that, in the actual state of public feeling, he could not answer for the consequences, which might be most serioas. Count Schouvaloff could have no diffioulty in understanding what these few words meant, er the critical situation in which they placed the relations of the two countries. It is jfut at a time like this, when Cabinet meetings are being held every day, when de- spatches are being constantly wired to and from the Foreign Office, and when there is universal anxiety to learn the latest news, that the evening papers and the day editions of the morning papers command the largest sales on the streets. The vendors, by fussy movements and loud bawling, attract as mush attention to themselves as pos- sible, in the leading: thoroughfares, when the news possesses more than ordinary importance; and they are rather unscrupulous at times in inventing sensational cries, though they render themselves liable thereby to be ushered into the presence of a police-court magistrate. One even- ing lately some gullible people were taken in by shouta of Abdication of the Queen! Abdica- tion of the Queen!" and the fvening papers, supposed to contain this alarming and astound- ing intelligence, were actually being sold to simpletons at double and triple their proper price. The Globe advises intending purchasers to take the precaution of demanding a sight of the bills, with which vendors are, or ought to be, provided. Paris, which sets an example in many useful things, has done so long ago in the matter of kiosques for the sale of news- papers in the thoroughfares. It Is thought that London would be all the better for similar institutions, and a question on the subject has been put by Sir E. Wilmot in the Heuse of Commons to the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works. Sir J. M. Hogg, in his reply, stated that the thoroughfares were under the control of Vestries and district Boards, and ex- pressed his belief that they would be happy to give their best attention to any proposal for the comfort of the sellers and convenience of the purchasers of newspapers. The kiosques would certainly be a desirable improvement upon the street vendors, who bawl alarmingly loud, and whose importunity often goes the length of impertinence. In wet weather, besides, papers purchased on the streets are apt to be uncomfortably damp. Ladies when they take up a newspaper are said to make straight for the list of births, marriages, and deaths, leaving the telegraphic news, even In anxious times, for leisurely perusal af terwards. It is quite natural that ladies should do so, as they generally take a greater interest in social than political life. But the fact is, apart from the special interest that may be taken in individual births, marriages, and deaths, there is food for reflection in such lists of notices of the kind as appear in the Times every day. On two consecutive mornings last week the notices leading off the obituary lists struck me as giving a vivid impression both of the world-wide extent of the British Empire, and of the many different parts of the globe in which English families have resident friends. Following each other, in the one list, there were notices of the deaths of the daughter of English parents at Walhalla, North Gipps Land, Victoria; of the wife of H.B.M.'s Consul for Tientsin and Pekin at Shanghai; of the widow of a Lieut.-Governor of Natal, at East London, British Kaffraria; of a gentleman at Colonarie Vale Estate, St. Vincent, West Indies and of a Cf dearly beloved daughter" at St. John's, Antigua. In the other list four deaths, also suc- ceeding each other, were reoorded as having taken place at Gealong; at Melbourne; at Libertad, Nicaragua and at Sylhet, India. Let it be re- membered, too, that all such noticea, which are cursorily glanoed at by thousands of eyes, make tender pulls at heart-strings at home. In the last issue of the Illustrated London News there is a full-page picture showing Mr. H. M. Stanley in the act of addressing the members of the Geographical Society and some distinguished visitors in St. James's Hall; The illustrious traveller may now be con- sidered as having cleared himself pretty well of the stigma of having practised unneces- sary cruelty upon the natives of Africa in the course of his explorations. Commander Cameron -who formed one of the audience—can congra- tulate himself, as Livingstone could also do, that the retrospect of his discoveries is not darkened by recollections of violence; but as these two travellers were not accompanied by a formidable force like Stanley's, their presence did not have the same effect in rousing the passions of warlike tribes. The widespread interest taken in Stanley's discoveries was evidenced by the fact that, in addition to the members of the Geographical Society, he had among his auditors the Prince of Wales and the Prince Imperial of France, the Chinese Ambassador and Midhat Pasha. The English Prince and the French Prince, who sat side by side at the meeting, have been a good deal togetherof late, and this circumstance serves to recall an incident mentioned in the third volume of Theodore Martin's Life of the Prince Con- sort "-namely, that when the father of the Prince Imperial was at Windsor in 1855 he wrote in Bertie's Autograph Book some lines in German which had been originally written for himself, and of which the following is a translation: Youth, of soul unstained and pure, Innocent and fresh in feeling, Choose and ponder, but be sure, World's praise never sways thy dealing! Though the CTowd with plaudits hail thee, Though their calumnies assail thee, Swerve not; but remember, youth, Minstrel praises oft betray Narrow is the path of Truth, Duty threads 'twixt chasms her way." On three days last week there was exhibited at the studio of Mr. William Day Key worth, jun., the sculptor, In Buckingham Palace-road, a re- oumbent figure in marble of the late Dr. Hook, Dean of Chichester, which is to be placed in the parish churoh, Leeds. The figure, which is an admirable piece of art-the result of two years' careful and conscientious work-represents the dean recumbent in his ecclesiastical vestments, with the placid impress of sleep, rather than of death, resting upon his well marked and familiar features. The head rests grace- fully on the figure of a cushion, and at the feet there is another cushion sustaining two volumes which may be regarded as representing The Lives of the Archbishop of Canterbury," which was the dean's greatest and most elaborate literary effort. Though Dr. Hook was Dean of Chichester when he died, he had filled for a longer term of years the Vicarage of Leeds, and therefore it was appropriately arranged that the monument, with the recumbent figure, should be erected by public subscription in that town, where the broad and advanced opinions of the deceased, especially in educational matters, were warmly appreciated by intelligent people of all olaase?. D. G.

FOREIGN IRONCLADS.—The Imperial Japanese armour-belted corvette Kongo has recently been despatched from the Number for Yokohama, Japan, under the command of Captain J. W. Webb, R.N. She will proceed by the Suez Canal, first touching at Milta to coal. The sister ship Hi-yei and the iron- clad Poo so will be despatched by Mr. Reed M.P., who is sending them out, in the course of the present month. The Kongo hoisted the Japanese flag on leaving HulL HOHNIICAX'SRXA, guaranteed Pure. I HORNIMAN'S TEA, best value for money.) I HO&NIMAN'S ISA, sold only in Packets.

11 WILLS AND BEQUESTS. {From the Illustrated London Neu>a.n) I The will (dated October 11, 1876) of Lieutenant- General Lord Henry Hugh Manvers Percy, V.O., K.O.B., late of No. 40, Eaton-square, who died on the 3rd of December last, was proved on the 31st ult. by Lord Algernon Malcolm Arthur Percy and Lord Hatherton, the personal estate being sworn under £140,000. The testator bequeaths to his orother, the Duke of Northumberland, 'o be placed either in Sion House or Alnwick Oastle, and kept as heirlooms, the picture of Oatesby, the conspirator, said to be by Porbus; all his works in and upon Oriental lan- guages hie military books, the straight sword he used at Inkerman, with the words, Es- pirance 818 Diett" engraved on the blade, and hia Victoria Cross and other decorations, except the Bath, which is to be returnfd to her Majesty; t8 his nephew, the Hon. Algernon Charles Littleton, his house in Eton-square, with the stables, furniture, and effects to his nephew, Algernon Malcolm Arthur Percy, £20,000; to his sister, Lady Louisa Percy, an annuity of £400 for life; and there are several other legacies and annuities and liberal gifts to his servants. The residue of his property the testator leaves upon trust for his brother, Lord Josceline William Percy, for life, and then to his said brother's son, George Algernon Percy. The will (dated April 21, 1870) of the Bight Hon. Louise Denise Adele, Baroness Graves, late of Gravesend House, Torpoint, Cornwall, who died on the 21st of November last, was proved on the 30th ult. by the Hon. Miss Jane Adele Graves, the daughter, the acting executrix, the personal estate being sworn under £1500. The testatrix leaves all the real and personal estate to her two daughters, Jane Adele and Louisa Eleanor. The will and six codicils (dated May 23 and June 19, 1872; May 22 and June 7, 1873; October 7, 1874; July 24,1875; and March 26, 1877) of Lady Oatherin3 Julia Harcourt, one of the three daughters and coheiresses of the last Earl of Liverpool, late of Buxted House, Uckfield, Sussex, who died on the 5th of December last. were proved on the 23rd ult. by, her husband, Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Vernon Harcourt, the personal estate being sworn under £120,000. The testatrix bequeaths to the Royal Isle of Wight Infirmary, Ryde, £1000; to the Sussex County Hospital, £1000; to the Albion Home, Brighton, £500 and there are several legacies to the governors of Queen Anne's Bounty and the official trustees of charitable funds for certain churches, schoo s,and almshouses in which he was in- terested upon trust for her sister, the Viscountess Milton, and her children by her present husband, Mr. Foljambe, j635,000 Consols; upon trust for her sister, Lady Louisa Harriett Cotes and her children, £35,000 Consols. The Buxted property she devises upon trust for her niece, the Hon. Mary Selina Charlotte Portman, for life, with remainder to her said niece's eldest son other than the one who will succeed to the Portman estates. All her diamonds the testatrix gives to her said niece, the Hon. Mrs. Portman. There are many other legacies and annuities, and the remainder of her property she leaves to her husband. The will, dated Aug. 23,1877, of the late Sir Charles Forbes, of the Oastle Newe, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, and Broomwood, Surrey, was proved in the Principal Registry on the 11th inst., by his two sons, Sir Charles John Forbes, and Mr. George Stewart Forbes, and by Mr. Horace B. T. Farquhar, and Mr. B. P. Davies, the four executors. The testator died on November 2 last; he was senior member of the firm of Forbes, Forbes, and Co., of London, and Sir Charles Forbes and Co., of Bombay. The whole real estate in Scotland, of large extent and value, descends to the present baronet, as heir, who takes, as legatee, the Bombay service of plate, the whole of the personal estate in Scotland, and the freehold residence in Queen's-gate- terrace. Mr. G. S. Forbes has a legacy of £25,000, and the testator's stock in the firm of Forbes, Forbes, and Co., and the leasehold house in Eaton-place West, and stables. The value of the real and personal estate in England, Scotland, and India exceeds £250,000. The will and codicil (dated November 15,1870, and November 27, 1875) of Mr. Bobert Hollond, late of Stanmore House, Great Stanmore, who died on the 26th of December last, were proved on the 24th ult. by Mrs. Ellen Julia Hollond, the widow, and John Bobert Hollond, the nephew, the acting executors, the personal estate being sworn under £850,000. The testator bequeaths to Ira wife, for life, two pictures by Arv Scheffer, Saint Augustin and Saint Monica," and on her death to the National Gallery; the por- trait of Charles Green, the aeronaut, by Hollins, engraved by Payne, is also left to his wife for life, and then to the National Portrait Gallery to his wife he leave.£IO,OOO, his properties in Devon and at Cannes, the lease of his town residence in Upper Berkeley- street, with all the furniture and effects in any of his residences; and there are some other bequests, in- cluding £20,000 to his nephew, John Robert Hollond, and £10,000 to his nephew, Edmund William Hol- lond. The will (dated December 16,1872) of Mr. Joseph Mortleman Eastty, late of Wellesley House, Wellesley- road, Oroydon, who died on the 5th ult., was proved on the 39th ult., by Alfred Eastty, the son John Eastty, the brother; Job Ashton, and Frederick Thomas Edridge, the surviving executors, the personal estate being sworn under £120,000. (From the "Oity Press.") The will of Mr. George William Oolhns, late of 11, New-square, Lincoln's-inn, bajf^ter at-law, who died on the 11th ult., was proved on the 4th inst. by Mrs. Lydia Boux, the sister and sole executrix; subject to four complimentary legacies of 19 guineas each, the testator gives his property to his said sister. The will and codicil of Dr. Francis Hawkins, for- merly of 18, Bolton-street, Piccadilly, but late of 16, Ashley-place, Victoria street, who died on the 13th December last, were proved on the 18th ult. by Miss Sarah Jane Hawkins, the widow, the sole executrix. The testator, after leaving some legacies to his chil- dren, leaves the rest of his estate to his wife. The will of Mr. Edwin Adolphus Tamer, late of High-street, Marylebone, and of St. John's Lodge, 1, Tilbury-place, Brighton, who died on November 16th last, was proved on the 29th ult. by Mr. Edwin Til- bury Tarner and Mr. Arthur Tilbury Tarner, the sons, and Mr. G. E. Tarner, the nephew, the executors, the personal estate being sworn under £80,000. The testator gives £100 to his said nephew, one year's wages to his servants, and the residue of his property to all his children in equal shares. The will of Mr. John Stephen Banning, late of Great Tower-street, of Ogbourne St. George, Wilts, and of Aldeburgh, Suffolk, who died on December 30th last, was proved on the 4th inst. by Miss Elizabeth Jane Banning, the widow, Mr. F. T. J. Knapp, and Mr. E. S. Judkins, the acting executors, the personal estate being sworn under £18,000. The testator bequeaths £50 each to Mr. Knapp and Mr. Judkins, in acknowledgment of their trouble as executors. The remaining provisions of the will are in favour of testator's wife and his two children, Stephen Thomas Banning and Edith Spencer Ban- ning.

KIT'S COMPOTTMD ESSEKCX or LOTOSES, Adem ulcent expec torant, for Coughs 'Qolds. Sold everywhere, 91d., Is. U SCARCITY or VEGETABLES.—A correspondent, signing himself "A. D. writesasfollowstothe Garden Living in the midst of market gardens where hundreds of acres are devoted to the growth of vegetable pro- duce for the London market, I read with surprise the quotation given in your columns, from Truth, as to the assumed scarcity of market vegetables. Never, perhaps, was there greater abundance, and rarely have growers had to complain that winter crops sold so badly. All kinds of greens have been growing from the time they were, first put out until now without cheek, and much faster than they could possibly pro- fitably be got rid of. There can be no greater mistake than to assume that growers hold hack their produce to get an exorbitant price; so far from that being the case, they are only too glad to sell at a reasonable profit. In all directions acres of fine Savoy Cabbages are literally bursting from want of sale, and it may curiously be remarked that it is to be regretted that so much good food should be thus wasted but it is not the erower's fault. When prices are so low that it wi'l not pay to cut a crop and send it to niarket, it can hardly be expected that the grower should be so indifferent to his c wn interest as to lose by it. The great want is a more intimate connection between grower and consumer, not so many middle dealers, fewer profits, and quick returns. London is very daficient in the matter of vegetable markets. Instead of one there ought to be twenty, where the consumer may purchase of the grower retail, and get the vegetable produce of our gardens fresh and cheap. Growers would be delighted to get 2d. for a bunch of Turnips, or for heads ef Cabbages or Ooleworts that now cost 4<L As a rule, however, they get about ltd. out of that sum, and the rest goes into the pockets oi the dealers. Garden vegetables, when fresh and good. rank truly amongst the most healthy and valuable ot all forms of food. SEBIOTTS ACCIDENT.—A Berious accident has occurred at Hayle. The Bride steamer, which was moored against the quay, was having her cargo dis- charged by a crane fixed on the pier. Suddenly the wheel of the crane broke into pieces, which new all round. One of the men, named Chinn, was struck with such force that he died almost instantly. Two or three other men were also struck, but not [severely in Jured. A medical examination showed that Chinn's back was broken. He leaves a wife and seven chil- dren. BERLIN WOOLS and GERMAN NEEDLEWORK The above are imported direct by M. LEADER, 9, NEW INN-YARD, SHOBBDITCH, LONDON, E.G., from whoir price lists are sent, on application, of every descrip tion of fancy wools, canvu, filoselle, ic. »

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL. Phylloxera vastatrix, the scourge of European vine- yards, has made its first appearance in Victoria, near Geelong. The Agricultural Society of Mel bourne gave the alarm, and a bill was at once prepared under its directions and introduced by the Government, which gave the inspectors power to inspect and condemn suspected land and destroy infected vines, and put the ground in which they grow in quarantine for five years, during which no new vines should be planted there. This useful bill, which was intended to come into active operation immediately, has been shelved owing to the squabble between the two Houses. The despatch of the Agenee Russe, intimating that Germany ought to interfere as soon as the action of Ergland threatens to imperil the results of the Bus sian victory, would have attracted attention here for its coolness, if for no other reason. To many persons it is not quite clear why Germiny is called upon to do anything of the sort. That Germany, because she sympathised with a campaign which had for its avowed object the improvement of the condition ef the Chris- tians in Turkey, is bound to approve and even support every subsequent political enterprise of Russia is an assumption which does violence to common sense, and if made the basis of a false policy might lead to dis- astrous consequences. Prince Gortschakoff of course knows whether, during the armistice and the peace negotiations, he has taken Germany into his confidence to an extent which warrants him in presuming on her unconditional co-operation. The common opinion that Germany has received the earliest and fullest in- formation about Russia's purpose is not shared in that smaller circle here which may be supposed to know. The Melbourne correspondent of the Times says: The death of Mr. George Paton Smith deserves more than merely incidental notico. He was one of the most efficient of the small minority in the Assembly which is left to do duty for an Opposition. For some twenty years he occupied a prominent position here; first as a journalist, and afterwards at the Bar and in Parliament, and he held office as Attorney-General in thesecond M'Culloch Administration,which was formed in 1868. Beginning his career as one of the party which was willing to trust unchecked power to man- hood suffrage, his views gradually changed, and he be- came what passes with us for a Conservative. He was a trenchant and reckless speaker, and his comments on the degradation of representation witnessed at the last general election nearly brought him to the bar of the House. His death was not unexpected, for the disease to which he succumbed had unmistakably set its mark on him two years ago, and since then all who observed him saw that he was struggling vainly against it. He worked to the last with astonishing energy, and broke down in conducting a case in Court only three days before his death. Robert Williams Pohlman, an old colonist, identified with the earliest days of Melbourne, has also passed away. He served the colony in a number of subordinate judicial positions for about thirty-three years, and on two occasions oc- cupied a temporary seat on the bench of the Supreme Court. At the time of his death he was judge of the county court at Melbourne. The name of Judge Pohlman has been long associated with a useful and patient administration of justice, and with a host of charities, public and private, by which it will be held in remembrance. The Sydney correspondent of the Times says: I have mentioned in some of my recent letters that one result of the Philadelphia Exhibition was a greater pressure brought to bear on our Government to give a trial to American rolling stock on our rail- ways. The sample locomotive engine which was fur- nished by the firm of Messrs. Baldwin and Co., of Philadelphia, has just passed through its official trial on the steep grades and sharp curves of our railway across the Blue Mountains. The result is said to be that it sits the line more easily and rounds the curves with less friction than the more rigid rolling stock imported from England. These are considerations not to be despised, and are superadded to the equally substantial one that the cost is about £600 less than the English locomotive. A partner in the American firm is now cruising about the colonies for orders, and seems exceedingly likely to get them. If English manufacturers do not wish to lose the colonial market, they must bestir themselves to under- stand thoroughly the kind of competition they are now called upon to meet. In a sitting of the Folkething at Copenhagen the estimates of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs were dis- cussed, and at the instance of the Beporter upon the Budget, the Foreign Minister made a statement re- specting the position of Denmark in regard to affairs abroad. He said that the Government had not ynt given up the hope that the general peace would be maintained. They continued to use their efforts to keep Denmark beyond the reach of passing events, and at the present moment there was most certainly nothing which could weaken their hope that peace would be preserved. The Minister then alluded to the article in th* Berlingske Tidende, contradicting the statement that Denmark intended raising the North Sleswig question, and intimated that the article in question had been inspired by the Government. In conclusion, he denied in the most emphatic manner all the current reports respecting an intended bleckade of the Baltic and other similar fabrications, adding that no sensible man could have believed such state- ments. The Melbourne correspondent of the Times says The land question is just now the burning question of the day, and among the class of small settlers there is a strong feeling against tha rapid alienation of the public estate. The squatters, who have been making money fast out of the high price of wool, are! buy>ng their runs as fast as their own capital and that of the banks will allow. To check this there has arisen a popular cry to abolish the sale of land by auction. Before the late Ministry went out a peti- tion, signed by twenty members, was presented to the Government, praying for the suspension of the auction sales then announced. The M nister left the question to be dealt with by his successor, who has resolved on suspending any further sales till Parlia- ment can meet again and discuss the whole land policy. Of course this land policy is intinaately con- nected with our fiscal policy, because it is only by selling land in large quantities that we have been put in possession ef so large a revenue, and have been enabled so successfully to dispense with obnoxious Customs duties and develop a policy of free trade.

KAT*STIC PILLS, for Neuralgia,Faceache, Sea., 9td., Is. 1 JD. Postage Id. Sold by all Chemists. Kay Bros.. Stockport SERIOUS EXPLOSION.—A serious explosion haa occurred in a colliery belonging to the Wigan and Whiston Colliery Company, at Whiston, near Pres- cot. Taking advantage of the cessation of work at the week end, some men were sent into the pit to do some work, the object of which was to prevent an explosion. While they were thus engaged, however, an explosion unfortunately took place, and sixteen or seventeen men were very seriously burned, and three— one of whom is named Donnelly—have since died. It is feared, too, that other deaths will follow. Amongst those injured the following names are given: Makin- son, Hayes, Oarlow, Oritchley, and Anderson. The cause of the explosion is unknown. A DESPATCH FROM CALCUTTA reports a re- newal of the Jowaki war. On the previous day some English cavalry attacked the Jowakis, one of whose leaders waa killed, while three more were taken prisoners. DR. KBNBALT'S ELECTION FUND. — The learned member for Stoke, who, five months ago, issued an appeal asking for a million sixpences to form a fund for the purpose of returning to Parlia- ment men favourable to the Olaimant's release and the principles of Magna Oharta, has published a statement in which he says the fund "has not yet reached to the million sixpences, which at the last con- gress of Magna Charta it was thought only had to be asked from the Tichborne petitioners, and they would have flown in like a river of silver, a river that would float the poor captive from prison. It is evident that without help in Parliament we can do nothing, but can that help be got for .£70 or £80? Nothing less thin a large turn can be of any use. A million sixpences, which no one would miss, would secure Tichborne's release and make the Magna Charta the law of the land. If this were so, the people would no longer be ground down by taxation. But, then, the people will not help themselves. They have forgotten the old proverb,' Help yourselves and God will help you. The learned doctor announces the full amount subscribed towards the million six- pences (or £ 25,000) as £82 2s. GORED TO DEATH BY A BULL.—An inquiry was held at the Hope Tavern, near Ludlow, by Mr. H. Weyman, coroner for the district, as to the death of John Pearce, 34, in the employ of a farmer named Fletcher, of High Walton. Pearce, who was in charge of a large bull, was coming from Ludlow Fair in the evening, and the bull, which had a ring in its nose, to which a stick was fastened to guide it, was allowed to walk over Ludlow racecourse without being led. The animal suddenly attacked Pearce, tossed him in the air, and gored him severely. A man named Wall rescued Pearce, and another man named Price got the bull away. It then turned upon him, but was eventu- ally beaten off. Pearce was removed to his home and Dr. Higgins was called in, but he died at night. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally killed." WEI»HT*3 COAL TAB SOAP (Sapo r:Ca.rbonis Detergem), Antiseptic, Detergent,Disinfectant* The most healthful, agreeable, and refreshing Toilet Soap in the world. By its daily use, freedom from infectious diseases is secured the complexj-.il improved; pimples, blotches and roughness removed; and the sldu made clear, smooth, and lustrous In our hands it has proved most effective in skin diseases." —The Lancet. It is the only true antiseptic soap."—Brituh Medical Journal. In Tablets, 6d. an d Is. each of all Chemists. W. V. WMW send Co.* Southwark-street. London.

ALEXANDRA PALACE. A fête, attended by the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs in state, was given at the Alexandra Palace in aid of the victims of the war, the management announcing that the entire receipts, after deducting actual expenses, would be handed to the committee acting under the Lord Mayor for the Baroness Burdett Coutts's Compassionate Fund. There was a considerable attendance, and inasmuch as the whole of the artistes gave their services there can be no doubt that the Compassionate Fund will be largely recruited from this benevolent enter- prise. The entertainments were on a most extensive and elaborate scale, comprising, in the afternoon and evening, a concert in the concert hall, dramatic per- formances in the theatre, a ballad concert in the cen- tral hall, the vocalists composing Miss Palmer, Madame Enriques; Miss Julia Elton, Miss Mary Oummings, Mr. Barton M'Guckin, Mr. Lewis Thomas, Mr. Wadmore, and a number of other artists, includ- ing Mr. T. Harper (trumpet), whose efforts were sup- plemented by the British Vecal Choir and the Alexandra Palace Choir under Mr. Beardwell andMr. F. Archer. In the theatre were the Mohawk Minstrels, Mr. Harry Jackson, in his imitations. Mr. Lionel Brough, the principal members of the Criterion com- pany (including Messrs. Charles Wvndham, Standing. H. Ashley, and Misses Fanny Josephs and Rose Saker) the first act of "The Pink Dominoes." There ~so were given some scenes from the pantomime, St. George and the Dragon, culminating in the transformation scene, Vertumna and the Swallows." 7? item on the programme appealed with greater fprc6 to the martial instincts of the audience than a new patriotic song, written by Mr. G. B. 0*Hal- i?ran, entitled The Name and the Fame of Old Etogland;" nor did an ode, composied expressly for the occasion by the same gentleman, and evoking mercy alike to Christian and to Turk," less eloquently interpret the generous impulses which prompted the Compassionate Fund. The recital of the ode by Mr. Marlande Clarke was greeted with much applause, to which the reciter responded by |JJiJ>g Tennyson's Charge of the Light Brigade. Mr. rJ9* ^elham gave a selection of his Reminiscences of Rare Readers and of Street Sellers and Quacka," and an item in the entertainment which "ought not to be overlooked was the comic entertainment entitled Too Fatiguing," in which Mr. and Mrs. Arthur "°yd appeared, the lady singing Alexander Lee's Ansh Ba. ney O'Toole" with charming effect. The musical portion of an exhaustive pro- pamine closed with Jullien's "British Army Quad- played by the Coldstream and other bands, under Mr. Dan Godfrey. The march of pipers aroused the audience to enthusiasm. At nine o'clock there was a display of fireworks volunteered by Mr. ff16? -Pa'11* which would have been more brilliantly effective but for the miBt which obscured the set pwcfa; However, the representation of the Tnrkish flag, a are portrait of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, and a firework reproduction of the Union Jack, were received with immense cheering.

MAN who enters into the enterprise ef Manufacturing Drinks, in any di strict where they are required, renders a real service to the public, and no business offers a better return for a comparatively small outlay. To yose who propose investing in this lucrative business, the "^t object to ascertain is where such a district exists, the next for auocess is to have the proper Machines and Appli- for producing the different Waters in the best condi- H°U.-—Catalogse and all information sent upon receipt of stamps to Barnett, Son, and Foster, 21A, Forston- streek, Hoxton, London, N. FORGED NOTES.—The Journal OfficzëlcautIons the public that forged 100f. notes of the Bank of France have been discovered in circulation in Paris during the past few days. The paper of the forged notes is smoother to the touch than that of the genuino note, while the granulation peculiar to the 100f. note is wanting. The water-mark is imitated. by a lithographic impression, difficult to detect as such, though that of the genuine note, made in the substance of the paper and characterised by high lights and strong shades is sufficiently distinguishable from the impressed imitation. The scattered blotches of blue in the genuine note do not match with those of the imitation, which are deeper and denser. The notes already seized are numbered 417—I. 1471, but probably a fresh numerical series will be adopted if the issue continues. THE temperance people and the drunkards have at least a common plank in their platform. They are both unceasing in their efforts to put down liquor. HAVE IT IN YOUR HOUSE LAMpLouGH'S PYRETIC SALINE—and use no other. The only safe anti- dote in Fevers, Eruptive Affections, Sea or Bilious Sickness, Small-pox, and Headache; having peculiar and exclusive merits. Use no substitute. See per- petual injunction against imitators; also the unani mous judgment before the Lords Justices Bramwell, Brett, and Cotton, 22nd Jan., 1878, in Lamplough's favour. 113, Holborn-bill, London.

THE EASTERN QUESTION. [< THE BRITISH FLEET IN THE BAY OF 1 MUDANIA. 1 The Vienna correspondent of the Times, under date Feb. 18th, says: According to advices both from Con- 1 stantinople and St. Petersburg, the question as to the 1 entrance into the Golden Horn of the British fleet, ] on the one hand, and the occupation of Constants nople t»y the Russians, on the other, seems now, as was foreseen, to have been arranged by a compromise. Yesterday the British squadron was to leave its anchorage ground at Prince's Islands and go to Gemlek, in the Bay of Mudania, in the south- easterly corner of the Sea of Marmora; while, in return the Russians renounced their intention of occupying Stamboul. This is the Constantinople version, at least, while the.Agence Russe asserts that the Russians, at the desire of the Sultan, have decided not to occupy Gallipoli. The two accounts are pro- bably the complement of each other, only, parhaDs, the Russian promise not to interfere with Gallipoh was not made, as stated by the Agenee Russe, to the Porte, which, in existing circumstances, may be sup posed to be tolerably indifferent as to whether or not these lines are occupied by the Russians, but to England, who declared that any.att,p on the part of Russia cal- culated to hamrer or impede the movements of the fleet would be likely to produce very serious results. The news, it is true, of the Russians having renounced their intention to occupy Oonstantinople comes only from that city itself, and not even in a very positive form, merely as an expectation, but the fact that nothing more is said of the departure of the Sultan and that he still remains in the Yildiz Kiosk in the gardens above Dolmabagtsche, looks as if the concuss-on had really been made. RROUSSA. Broussa, which is spoken of as a retreat for the Sultan in the event of the Russians entering Constan- tinople. is a cltJ that has seen better days." Formerly the residence of the kings of Bithynia, it fell into the hands °f the Turks in 1356, and became the capital of the Empire, which position it held until the taking of Constantinople by Mohammed II. in 1453. A more pleasant refuge for a monarch in distress can hardly be conceived. Situated at the foot of Mount Olympus, in Asia Minor, it is faced by a beauti- ful plain covered for many miles with planta- tions of mulberry trees. Its streets are remark- able for their cleanliness and its bazaars, plentifully supplied European goods, afford unusual facilities for shopping, besides imparting an air of liveliness to the place that redeems it from the charge of dullness too ot ten brought with some justice against the cities in Asia Minor. Every rose, however, has its thorn, and isroussa is no exception to this rule. It is subject to frequent earthquakes, and those who live In in it must expect, like those who are in the habit of travelling much by railway, to be occasionally severely shaken. Apart from this slight inconvenience, Broussa, although, or course, not to be compared with Constan- tinople for beauty and splendour, is by no means a bad substitute for that capital on an emergency, and from its associations alone cannot be regarded other- wise than with a feeling of profound veneration by the Turk. TWO PARTIES IN "OFFICIAL" AUSTRIA. A correspondent writes from Vienna under date of the 13th inst: In our official world there are two con- tending parties. The one is anxious to force Russia to fulfil her promises at once, the other is in favour of not bringing any pressure to bear upon Russia till after the meeting of the Congress. Up to the present moment it remains doubtful which of these two parties will carry the day. Much depends upon the attitude of England. If Great Britainlshould take the initia- tive in decisive action, Austria would follow suit. In gungnT '"ere is the utmost enthusiasm in favour of war» but at Vienna public feeling is not so excitable, At all events we are on the eve of important decisions, as i* shown by the fact that the Archduke Albert has been summoned by telegraph to Vienna from the gouthern Tyrol, and that, according to common re- port, the Emperor has addressed an autograph letter to the Vza5' Relieved that Count Andrassy is determined to object to Bulgaria being erected into an independent State, unless the new Principality should be made It a secundo geniture of Austria. ALLEGED SEPARATE TREATY BETWEEN rru t- v S TURKEY. The Times Vienna correspondent says The world as yet knows nothing about the precise tenour of the stipulations made at Ananople, but the rumours of a $epara ,rea 7 &vmg likewise been signed come back Pertinacity. According to a tele- 2™?°* orresPondeng from Constanti- 86111 bv ot Athens» the signature ? u. T A'a c?nyention had ceased to be a secret ,n the Turkish capital. Besides several clauses relat- ,ng to the future relations between Turkey and Russia a stipulation 18 said to exist that a portion of the Turkish fleet shall be surrendered to Russia as part of the war indemnity, and that 1800 sailors and naval officers are already in Roumelia for the purpose of manning the ships. It ia a fact, at any rate, that sailors have passed through Roumania into Bulgaria, though it may be impossible to ascertain the numbers. The Russians, moreover, have stipulated tor the occupation of the Egean coast from Makri to Ursha, in the Gulf of Xeros. There is, therefore, nothing in the way of Hobart Pasb. receiving orders to proceed to Dedeaghatch, at the mouth of the Maritza, to surrender the ships under his command, so that the new ironclad fleet of Russia may make its appearance any day in the Golden Horn, thus securing both by sea and land her position in Constantinople and in the Straits. But even without such assistance from an iron- clad neet, Russia, with the position by land abe already has, or may at any moment take, may, if not exactly blockade, at least greatly im- pede the movements of the foreign fleets in the Golden Horn. t> With Constantinople in her hands, the forts on the Bosphorus are also virtually in the power of Russia, while the position of Sharkoi, apart from its close vicinity to Gallipoli, may itself be used to prevent the movements of vessels out of the Dardanelles into the Sea of Marmora. The distance to the opposite point of Kara Burun is not more than ten or twelve miles, and then the course taken by vessels from Gallipoli is to the island of Marmara within a few miles of the coast, so that, what with strand batteries and torpedoes, the pas- sage could be made rather insecure. The opening of the Black Sea navigation affords every facility for bringing down all that is wanted, and at Odesaa. tor- pedoes have actually been shipped. Contraband of war, it is true, is excepted by the terms of the armis- tice, but this is mere form « j WAR VICTIMS. A despatch from the Russian head-quarters at Adrianople, announces that on the 29th ult. the Rus- sian troops occupied Eski Djuma, which they found terribly devastated. The town was burning in several parts, and upwards of 200 mutilated corpses, among which were those of several women and children, were lying in the suburbs. From Eski Djuma the Russians advanced as far as Eski Stamboul and Verbitza, but on the 4th mst., when the intelligence of the conclu- sion of the armistice was received at Eski Djuma, the Russians were immediately ordered to evacuate Eski Stamboul and Verbitza, and withdraw beyond the line of demarcation. General Ignatieff has arrived at Adrianople. RUSSIAN REINFORCEMENTS. a?Vlunbei' men, says a St. Petersburg cor- respondent, leave there dailj for Soumelia to fill in the gaps m the Guards and reinforce the Army of Adrianople. From other Russian towns a similar movement is observable, and everywhere there is apparently a desire on the part of the military autho- rities to despatch all available men to Roumelia. In Poland this proceeding is very marked, especially in those districts where, in the event of a war with Austria, a rising would probably take among the Poles. These discontented" Poles are all sent to Caucasia. Last Wednesday the directors of the UIJ ~lU88ian railways issued a notice that they would be unable to carry out the intention announced the Previous week of resuming goods traffic on their lines, the Government having ordered them to pre- pare for the dispatch of further war maUriel for Roumelia. IN CONSTANTINOPLE. lne Pattern Budget hears from Constantinople that the feeling of the Turkish population there is abso lutely desperate. Revolutionary placards, posted in the evening at the street corners, are torn down every morning by the police, and the bitterest accusations *T-tur V* mJthem against the Sultan. In all classes of mabomedan society the Su'tan is now charged with having, by his incapacity and cowardice, ruined his Empire, and it is feared that, in the event of a revolu- tion at Constantinople, the Russian troops will be called in to suppress it. OONSTANTINOPLE AND THE FLEET. The Vimes says: A Atep, of which the significance is even greater than the immediate importance, has been taken by this country in the Eastern crisis. A con- siderable portion of our Mediterranean fleet is at length anchored near Constantinople. It is in many respects prudent that we have not entered the harbour of the city itself but a very powerful British force is now in a position to maintain the material interests which we possess in the Bosphorus and in the Dardanelles. The opposition of the Porte has been overcome or set aside in a satis- factory manner. The Turkish Government offered a formal protest against the passage of the Darda- nelles by our fleet, but it took no steps to oppose it, I or to attempt to oppose it. Lord Derby said that though in ordinary circumstances the Government would have respected the intentions of the Porte, they would have respected the intentions of the Porte, they could not at present regard it as a free agent. With- out any hostility against this country, the Sultan being for the moment at the mercy of Russia, might hesi- tate to incur towards his victorious enemy a responsi- bility which a distinct permission to our fleet might imply. The Government have therefore thought fit to take the responsibility on themselves. The admiral was directed to proceed to Constantinople, and he has proceeded accordingly. The ships are anchored at Prince's Islands, two miles from the city, and they have left behind a contingent to secure free eommuni- tion through the Dardanelles. These facts will not fail to reassure the public mind. The British fleet is practically in occupa- tion of the waterway to Constantinople; and, this being the case, we may watch with comparative calmness the course which the Russians, or which other European Governments, may adopt. The un- fortunate and ill-advised attempt to minimise the sig- nificance of this proceeding on our part will neither prevent its being apprehended by Europe nor diminish in any way its essential importance. It is possible, as has been suggested in our Vienna correspondence, that such a step might with advantage have been taken earlier, and it is quite certain this question has reached a stage when it would be childish to abstain from action until we can act without risk or respon- sibility. The moment has come when we must in the main know our own minds, and be prepared to say, not, indeed, what are our ultimate views in respect to the Eastern Question, for these must necessarily de- pend on circumstances which change from day to day, but how far we are prepared to allow Russia to assume a material command of the situation. If she were in Constantinople^and we were liable to be ex- cluded from the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus, the interests which, through our Government, we have consistently asserted that we should maintain would be dangerously threatened. This anxiety, however,, is now finally at an end. I have received the following letter (says the Times Paris correspondent), dated the 13th inst., from a friend of mine high in official confidence at Constanti- nople, relative to the arrival there of the British fleet, and you may rely on the exactness of his infor- mation Up to a very late hour on Tuesday there was great reason to fear that the Turks would fire on the neet if it persisted in passing in spite of protest, which Admiral Hornby had received orders to do. These orders were not known to the Ambassador until Tuesday afternoon. He immediately informed the Porte and was assured that the fleet would be fired upon. The Turks were obviously in a very difficult position: not only irritated against and dis- trustful of England, but also feeling themselves at the mercy of Russia. There was a strong philo- Russian party, too, in the Cabinet, its chief repre- sentative being the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Besides, they had the strongest reason to believe that the entry of the British fleet would be the signal for the Russians occupying Constantinople. The Czar had telegraphed to the Sultan to request him not to let the English ironclads enter, and informing him that if they did the Russians would march a division into Constantinople. The two Russian officers who came here last week made no secret that this was the view of the Grand Duke. The Porte thus found itself in a most embarrassing posi- tion. The attitude of the English Ambassador is represented as fully equal to the emergency—at once firm and conciliatory. He was obliged, how- ever, to assure the Porte that the fleet would not come exclusively for the protection of British inte- rests, but also for those of Turkey and this assur- ance had been already given to Musurus Pasha by Lord Derby, and telegraphed to the Porte. Nearly the rest of Tuesday, almost till midnight, was passed in the most anxious pourparlers, and at last the Porte was induced to withdraw its threat to fire upon the fleet and to permit it to pass under a strong protest. As the Porte knew from the Am- bassador that Admiral Hornby was sure to force his way, if necessary, in obedience to orders, it could scarcely help yielding, though, on the other hand, it was beund to make strong remonstrances in order to appease, so far as possible, the Russians, of whom it necessarily stood in great dread. Even after the decision had been come to to let the fleet pass under protest, the Sultan in the middle of the night sent another message to the Ambassador begginghim to give orders for stopping the ships, but he was told it was too late, as they were expected to arrive on the evening of the same or the following day. The fleet was not, however, going to Constantinople, but to Prince's Islands, more than an hour's dis- tance by steam. The philo-English party among the Turks was headed by Said Pasha, Minis- ter of Marine, but for whom the jeet might have been fired upon, and the English nation are under a great debt to him. Admiral Hornby is believed to have received orders not to use more violence than was absolutely necessary to force the paesage and protect himself but the mere interchange of shots would have created war between England and Turkey allied with Russia. It was thought that the pas- sage of the fleet without violence would not necessarily lead to war, unless the Russian military party, now strongly irritated against England broke from all control, and insisted on the forcible entry into Constantinople. If the Russians enter only as friends, on the ground that, as they have no fleet, they have the right to be represented by a land force, then peace may be preserved, though the situation will, of course, be extremely critical. It was expected that the other European fleets would follow the English, which, with the Russians, would make a general joint occupation. There was at first some talk among the small philo-English party of the Turks resisting a Russian occupation but this, on the whole, is most improbable, as the Russians have overpowering positions and numbers. The fleet is believed to be sent in consequence of the suspicion of a secret treaty between Russiaand Turkey, the suspicion arising, among other causes, from the mission of a special Envoy, M. Onou, formerly Chief Dragoman of the Russian Embassy."

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. Advices from Athens report that the idea of Greece following the example af Piedmont during the Crimean war is viewed with much favour by the Hellenic Go- vernment, and is likely, if the occasion should arise, to be carried into practice. The Observer contains the following announce- ments Representations have, we believe, been made by Russia to England to the effect that America, as a great maritime Power, should take part in the Congress. No objection, if we are rightly informed, has been offered on our part to this proposal, and the Government has taken advantage of the suggestion to propose that if any Powers which did not sign the Treaty of Paris are admitted to the Congress, Greece, as a maritime State deeply interested in the Eastern Question, should be directly represented at the Conference. We are informed that a communication has been made by the Russian Government to the Porte to the effect that it would be desirable to make arrangements for the! removal of the Mussulman population from Bulgaria. Advicss from Athens report that the idea of Greece following the example of Piedmont during the Crimean war is viewed with much favour by the Hellenic Government, and is likely, if the occasion should arise, to be carried into practice." The real cause of the adjournment or dissolution of the Turkish Parliament is understood to be the freedom with which the members have discussed public affairs. Not only did the Christian members expose the faults of the Administration, but they at- tacked the friends and relations of the members of the Government, and urged that they should be brought to trial.

KArt COMPOTOD E38INCB OF LiNSMn.for Colds & Coughs oures 9 cases out of 10. Sold everywhere, 9td.. Is. lid. A BIG FISH.—According to the Sheffield Tele- graph a pike, 3ft. 3in. long, weighing a trifle over 221b., and in splendid condition, was caught last week in the Witham, at Bardney, near Lincoln. It took a live bait, a roach of iialf-a-pound weight, and was landed just opposite Gresham's hostel, a well-known rendezvous of Sheffield anglers. The fish was caught at three p.m., and taken to Lincoln. At nine p.m. it was laid upon a table in the tap-room of the Horse and Groom, and was then supposed to be dead. A large party of fishermen had assembled to see it, and as the landlord was showing its fine points it suddenly revived, and in its final struggle for existence swept the glasses off the table, and finally threw itself upon the floor. KEATING'S COUGH LOZENGES oontaln no Opium, Morphia, nor any violent drug. It is the most effective remedy known to the Medical Pro- fession in the cure of Oceans, ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS —one Lozenge fdone relieves. Sold by all Ohemis in Boxes. Is. 14d. and 2s. 9d. each LETTERS FOR THE FLEET.—Letters for the ships of the Mediterranean fleet should be addressed as follows: Alexandra, T6m6raire, Achilles, Agin- coart, Swiftsure, Sultan, Ruby, Salamis, Antelope, Cockatrice, Torch, and Flamingo at Constantinople the Hotspur, Raleigh, Research, Devastation, and Cygnet at Besika Bay; the Rupert, at the Pirteus the Condor, at Boyrout; the Rapid, at Corfu and the Pallas, at Alexandria. The other other ships of the fleet should be addressed at Malta. WHELPTON'S VEGETABLE PCNIRRINA PILLS during the last 40 years have proved theiT value in Diseases of the Head, Chest, Liver, Kidneys, and Digestive Organs. They are a direct Purifier of the Bl(X)d, and in all Skin Complaints one of the best Medicines known. Sold by G. WHELPTON & SON, 3, Crane court, Fleet-street, and may be had of Chemists and Medicine Vendors. Sent free to any I part of the kingdom on receipt of 8,14 CIt 38 ■taw'

PA m J AM &NTARY jm: LLIGENCE. LORD DERBY'S STATEMENT.—In the House of Lords, Lord Derby stated, in reply to Lord Stratheden and Campbell, that Eussia was the only Power that had objected to the Conference being heldm Vienna; but he did not think this difficulty, which was still under discussion, was likely to continue long, or prevent the meeting of the Conference. The noble earl further stated, in answer to Lord Gran- ville's questions, that the fleet bad reached the anchorage of Prince's Islands,^about ten miles from Constanti- nople. Although the Turkish Government ofiVred a formal protest against its entering the Dardanelles, they made no attempt to oppose its passage. Her Majesty's Government regarded the Porte as hardly a free agent, and attributed its protest, not to any hostility or jealousy towards this country, but to reo luctance to incur responsibility towards Russia. They had, therefore, taken upc n themselves the respon- sibility, and had consequently been informed, in concilia- tory terms, that the Ru,sians contemplated sending troops into Constantinople. He did not consider a military occu- pation of the city and the senuing of men-nf-war into the harbour below it were parallel cases, and a despatch in these terms had been sent to St. Petersburg'. The noble earl added that the whole of the fleet had not passed the Dardanelles. THE BRITISH FLEET IN THE BOSPHORUS.—In the House of Commons the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to the Marquis of Hartington, made It similar statement to that made by Lord Derby in the other House. He added that no other Power had sent ships of war to the Bosphorus; he did not knuw whether the lines of Gallipoli were incladed within the neutral zone. THE CONSOLIDATED FUND (£".000,01)0) BILL. On the second reading of the Consolidated Fund ( £ 6,0:0,000) Bill, Mr. E. Jenkins made a bitter attack upon the Eastern policy of the Government. The Chancellor of the Exchequer defended the candour of the Govern- ment (which the previous speaker had impugned) in respect to the orders sent to the fleet; there had been no reservation whatever. Mr. Gladstone expressed his anxiety lest any combination should take place which would have the effect of limiting- the freedom to be granted to the Christian inhabitants of Turkey. Sir R. Peel believed the root of all the Eastern troubles was to be found in Germany. Lord R. Montague followed with a violent denunciation of Russia, in which he used terms to which the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr. Gladstone objected, and the noble lord withdrew them. Sir J. Lubbock, Sir G. Campbell, Lord Elcho, and other mem- bers engaged in the debate, and ultimately the bill was read a second time without a division, as also was its comple- ment, the Exchequer Bonds, &c., Bill. MOVEMENT OF THE FLEET.—Eeplying to Lord Gran. ville, Lord Derby stated that no further progress had been made in assembling the Great Powers in Confe- rence or Congress; but the delay was not occasioned by her Majesty's Government. As to the movements of the fleet, Admiral Hornby, who had bad Prince's Islands suggested to him, but who was vested with full powers to place the fleet where he thought best, had, in consequence of communica- tions from Mr. Layard, removed the ships from Prince's Islands to Mudania Bay, which, though further from Con. stantinople, was in telegraphic communication with that city, and h d a better anchorage than the former station. This movement was not a result of any negotiations between her Majesty's Government and that of Eussia. EASTJCRN AFFAIRS. — To further inquiries by Lord Granville, Lord Derby said he was una orare of any de- cision having been come to respecting a Russian advance on Constantinople. He had received a communication as to a possible advance on Gallipoli, but Ministers had not yet had time to consider it. He would, how- ever, take an early opportunity of placing a copy of it on the table. He desired, also, in justice to Mr. Layard, to read a telegram from thAt gentleman in reply, to attacks that had been made uptn him. It men- tioned that great indignation was felt at Constantinople with regard to the statements attributed to Server Pasha, but which that functionary denied; and Mr. Layard de- clared for himself that he had never encouraged the Turks to go to war or continue the war, or promised or encouraged them to expect material aid from England. On. the con* trary, he had always striven for peace. COLONKL WELLESLEY'S DESPATCHES.—In the House of Commons the Chancellor of the Exchequer appealed to Mr. Monk not to proceed with the notice he had placed on the paper to the effect that the long delay in presenting Colonel Wellesley's despatches to Lord Derby of the 20th of July and the 7th of August last had not con. duced to an early conclusion of the war. The reason for not presenting these despatches earlier, he explained, was that they were of a strictly confidential character, and that their publication would have been objected to by the Emperor of Russia. Mr. Monk, in response, disclaimed all intention of raising a discussion on the general policy of Ministers; but IÙthough the answer of the right hon. gen- tleman was not entirelj satisfactory, he felt that it would be impossible for him, as a private member, to oppose his judgment to that of the responsible Minister of the Crown. He therefore withdrew his notice. BOROUGH FRANCHISE IN IRELAND. — In the House of Commons Mr. Meldon called attention to the restricted nature of the borough franchise in Ireland, which he com- plained was not upon an equality with the same franchise in England and Scotland, and submitted his annual motion to the effect that the subject deserved the immediate attention of Parliament with the view of establishing a fair and just equality of the franchise in the three countries Mr. C. Lewis urged that what Ireland wanted was not a lower franchise but a redistribution of seats. Sir W. Harcourt thought there was no reasonable ground for resisting ihe measure. The Attorney-General for Ireland refused to admit that there was any grievance that required the immediate attention of the House. The proposed extension of the franchise ought not to be adopted unless it were ac- companied by other measures, including a redistri- bution of seats. Mr. D. Plunket said the effect of the motion wonld be the triumph of a misehievous democracy, for there was no middle class in Ireland to act as a check. Mr. Bright remarked that according to Mr. Plunket Ireland was in a deplorable condition. Could it be worse if the motion was adopted? He aid not believe that the result would be a very sensible change in the representation; but the granting such a measure wonld be a proof to the Irish people tha they might appear in the House of Commons in a posi* tion not inferior to that of the English people. He regretted the severance of feeling aul sympathy between the Irish members below the gangway and the bulk of the Liberal members of the House; but he thought it was not likely to continue llermanently, and the proposal under consideration would have a healing effect. The House, upon a division, rejected the motion by 134 to 126. The announcement of the numbers was received with Opposi- tion cheers.

ANOTHER ATTEMPT^ "Those who live in glass-houses should never throw stones," is an old proverb, and is continually proving how true it is. The latest edition of this truism is seen in the controversy at present being carried on between the Holy Alliance"—that is, the licensed victuallers and the teetotalers on one Bide, and the grocer-wine merchants on the other. A "small deputation of licensed victuallers and others" (that is a quotation) waited on Mr. Staveley Hill lately and induced him to b,) the medium of introducing a bill into Par.iatnenj for the express purpse, evidently, of entirely annihilating the t rocer wine merchants' wine nd spirit tra3e. This is not only un ai- on the face of it, inasmuch as it wishes to create a monopoly of a trade, but it is con" trary, and directly cor trary, fo the recognised desire to do away with drunkenness. The Duke of Westminster says, in speaking of grocers' licenses, That it was im- possible to prove that any direct mischief arose from such licenses;" that he thought that "grocers' licenses might be a great convenience to the public and prevent people going to the public-house." The Lord Chief Justice, in a recent trial brought before him, says that if women w sh to drink they would do it, in spite of Sunday closing, permissive legislation* restrictive laws, &c., &c., or words of like im* port. The effect of the law making all grocers go befere the Bench of magistrates at Brewster Sessions (the terror of all publicans) for their licenses (which licenses, by the way, the magifl" trates are de facto almost unable to refuse) haS only been to cause unpleasantness; and it must be a fact, patent to all but the wilfully blind, that home drinking, to which the grocer-wine merchants' trade is practically restricted, must be under home influence, and therefore much more likely to tend te the decrease of drunkenness than the indiscriminate sale of very small quantities of fiery and adulterated spirits by publicans. Again, it is urged that the grocers have undue advantage over the publicans in the matter of license expense, whereas, in fact, the publican's licence on the average is about one half the expense of the grocer's. Another point to be taken into consideration is the fact that the goodwill" of a public-house is so much more expensive than that of a grocer's business that, to make both ends meet;, publicans are obliged to charge enormously high rates for second-rate articles to make a profit, whereas grocers are able to supply first-class articles at reasonable price, as they are really enly agents ot large well-established firms of wine and spirit mer- chants, such as Gilbey and others; and the grocrtt invariably sell according to their fixed London tariffs. The discussions before the Durham Board of Guar* dians] and the Luton Borough analyst, reported during the past week, clearly demonstrate that quality and strength in spirits, and purity and value in wines are more surely to be obtained at the grocer's than through any other channel. It is plain, therefore, that this controversy must prove to the licensed victuallerS that "curses, like young chickens, always come hoØ1e to roost."

COAGTOLINE.—The best cement for Broken Articles,6d., 18. 2s. Postage 2d. Kay Bros.. Stoekport Sold everywhere. SAD AND EXTRAORDINARY GUN ACCIDENT.— A sad and extraordinary gun accident occurred OD Saturday evening near Bristol during the return ot some volunteers who had been practising at the rl ø range at Avonmouth. The party included members of the cadet corps formed in connection wit*1 Olifton College. The return journey was made by We Avonmouth Railway, a short line that runs fr°?j Avonmouth to Olifton Down. Shortly after tbe tr&JJ^ had left Seamills, an intermediate station, one of cadets, Mr. A. E. Hemmins, a pupil at Clif^ College, took up his rifle in order to expl^ 1 to Sergeant-Instructor Elton how one of cadets trembled while shooting off a tie afternoon. In the midst of his the rifle went off. No one in that division hurt, but when the train stopped at Clifton it ascertained that the bmlet had penetrated the tion, passed between two of the college masters, were sitting in the adjoining 1st class division their backs towards Mr. Hemmins, and then stro another college master, Mr. A. Fletcher Jones. was sitting opposite them, in the left breast, through his body, and embedding itself in the J ding behind him. Death was instantaneous. Jones, who was between 20 and 30 years of age, mathematical and science master at tbe college. the arrival of the train at Olifton Drs. Pritchard 0 Parsons were fetched, but their services were °j avail. A stretcher having been obtained the bodyf removed to the college. Mr. Hemmins is deeply dejected by the melancholy occurrence. I