The Aberdare Times

TERRIBLE BOAT ACCIDENT AT EASTBOURNE. At Eastbourne, on Sunday morning, a shocking calamity occurred by which twelve persons, nearly aU young men be- longing to the artisan class, met with their death under the following eireametances Shortly after eleven o'clock, the fishing lugger Nancy's Pride put off from Eastbourne, in charge of the owner, Samuel Huggett, who had on board a party of eleven men and a boy. The wind, which was rather choppy, was from the nerth-east, and when the party had got about three-quarters of a mile out a sudden gust came, and the boat heeled on one side and shipped a little water. Some of the oceupants seem, in the excitement of the moment, to have rushed to leeward, the result being that the craft was overbalanced and capsized, the whole party being precipitated into the water. The Eastbourne Chronicle has published the follow- ing statement of the only survivor, Richard Dean. He says :— "When I found the boat going over, I sprang into the water and swam away to get clear. I afterwards looked round, and thinking, as the boat did not founder, it might, perchance, get righted-you don't know what to think at such moments-I swam back'and got held of her; the others were clinging to her and scrambling about in fright. I tried to perauade them to keep quiet. Huggett, the captain, who had not got hold of the boat, said something to the effect that if they had not all* got to one side of the boat, it would not have occurred. Almost directly afterwards his arms went up and he disappeared. Afterwards the boat went down, and I and the others were sucked under with her, but most of us came up again, I among the num. ber. I struggled about and tried to assist some others as well as I could. I was pulled under by them cling. ing to me. I came up to the surface again, and managing to release my self, got away after much strug- gling. One young man-I think he was A. RusselJ, but can't say for certain—came away with me, and I told him to threw his head back and keep nis arms down, and he might have a chance perhaps. He fol- lowed a short distance, and then went down close beside me. There were several afloat at that time, and they called to me to help them,ntl told them I could not. The last man I saw on the water had hold of an oar. I thought if it would hold one up it would hold two, and I struck out for this oar, and directly I got to it he came band over hand towards me. I eaid, Keep to the other end and it will be all right,' He went back, still keeping his hand on the oar, but directly after I saw his eyes roll, his arms went up and, and he went down. I kept afloat by means of the oar, and took off my boots and stockings and also my coat, but seeing a boat coming forward, I hailed it, and got my coat again. The little boy was pioked up after I was. I should think I was in the water about a quarter of an hour previous to the boat going down. I had my arms round the little boy, but the captain called him to him he was brought ashore alive, but afterwards died." The capsizing of the lugger was observed by the coastguard watchman on shore, and, several boats, in- cluding the coastguard galley, put off at once to render assistance. Most of the bodies were recovered during the afternoon and removed to the h Victoria Tavern for identification. The names of the dead are—Samuel Huggett, boat- man Eastbourne; Edward Parker, 22, carpenter, Rutherfield; George Payne, 22, carpenter, Rother- field; Frederick Wood, 25, carpenter, Shoreham; Edward Carpenter, 19, railway porter, Bedhamp- ton; William Rogers, 25, blacksmith, Wesham; Edwin Poole, labourer, place of abode unknown; Henry Russell, 25, fireman. EaBtbourne; his brother Alfred Russell, labourer, Eastbourne; Jacob Baker, labourer, Eastbourne; and the little boy Groves, son of John Groves, Eastbourne; and another which was not then known. All are single men except Baker and Huggett.

The inquest on the twelve bodies was opened on Monday afternoon by Mr. F. G. Fallagar, Coroner for East Sussex. The bodies were laid out in the large room of the Victoria Tavern," where the inquiry was held. Evidence *of identification was simply taken, and the inquiry was then adjourned till Monday next, the Coroner observing that additional evidence might in the meantime be forthcoming as to the cause of the accident.

GRAND MILITARY ATHLETIC MEETING. The above meeting, for the benefit of the Cambridge Asylum and the Soldiers' Daughters' Home at Hampstead, which was commenced on Friday, was concluded at Lillle Bridge on Saturday, when the prizes were presented to the successful competitors by the Duchess of Teck.—The Daily News gives the following description of some of the combats that took place :— The first of these was Sword v..Sword, for which there were eight entries. Each man was armed with a single-stick in lieu of a sabre, and was protected by the ordinary leather jacket and mask used in fencing. They were drawn together in pairs; the losers retiring, and the winners being drawn together again, until only two were left, the winner of this final bout taking the prize. The two combatants cantered quietly in a circle until the judges gave the word, when they wheeled round and dashed at each other, the first hit scoring one point. Some of these tournaments were exceed- ingly pretty, the docility and perfect training of some of the horses showing to great advantage; indeed, a swordsmen, however skilful, could have little or no chance unless his efforts were seconded by a tractable and easily-managed charger. The prize eventually fell to St rgeant T. Simmonds, 5th Lancers. Sword v. Lance, which followed, was scarcely so in- teresting as the previous contest; however, the Lancers managed their somewhat uuwieldly weapon with great skill, and eventually it proved too much for the sword, the prize falling to Corporal A. Kirby, 17th Lancers. This was succeeded by Lance v. Lance, which afforded great amusement. The men dashed at each other with a vieour that would have done credit to King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table, and some des- perate combats took place, one man running his lance through the bit of his opponent's horse, and appearing likely to carry off horse and man on the point of his weapon. After a very long trial the prize was awarded to Troop Sergeant-Major H. M. Martin, 5th Lancers. The tent-pegging for officers was decidedly the most interesting and popular contest during Friday after- noon. This is a very favourite sport in India, where, we believe, a genuine tent peg is generally used. On this occasion a piece of soft palm wood, about five inches wide, was driven lightly into the ground, the object of each man being to carry it away on the point of his lance. One after another they started about a hundred yards from the peg," and dashing past it at full gallop, made a pass at it, occasionally failing to touch it, but generally whirling their lances round their heads with the piece of wood transfixed very near the centre. Of course, as soon as a peg was carried away, another was put in its place by a soldier in attendance. All the officers were thoroughly well mounted, and some really splendid riding was ex- hibited indeed, there was only one spill," which served to show the fine training of the horse, which took the greatest care to avoid touching the fallen rider with its hoofs. The prize for this event was presented by the Prince of Wales, and fell to Captain Moore, 5th Lancers, who carried away the peg five times in succession in grand style. In a similar competition for non-commissioned officera and men, Sergeant W. B. Mayes, 11th Hussars, was snocessful. His performance, and that of his comrades, was by no means equal to the skill shown by the officers, but it must be remembered that they were not so well mounted, and had probably not had half so much practice. Tilting at the ring also proved a very popular exer- cise. Three rings, less than two inches in diameter, were suspended about forty yards apart, and each man coming up at a fast gallop, tried to carry them away on the point of his lance. This, as may be imagined, is a matter of extreme difficulty, but at length Troop Sergeant-Major J. Ward succeeded in doing it, and gained the prize. This was followed by cutting iemons, a Bomowh.t similar exercise; in which the sabre instead of the lance is employed. Three lemons were placed about the same distance apact as the rings, each being raised nearly three feet from the ground on the end of a thin stick, and each man, as be dashed by, tried to cut them ia half. This feat, like all the others, depends greatly cn the steadiness of the horse, as a swerve at a critical point renders success hopeless. Sergeant W. B. Mayes, 11th Hussars, who won the tent-pegging, again came to the front, and carried off the prize by cutting all three lemons in suc- cession very neatly. While these feats of horsemanship were going on trial beats for various races were run in quick am. cession, and large numbers of men competed for prizes on the horizontal and parallel bars, and the vaulting horse. One combat between sword mounted and bayonet was intensely comic. The horseman approached very cautiously, and, from the restlessness and continual starting of his charger, it was evident that it did not relish facing the steel. Seeing this the infantryman flashed his bayonet up and down before the horse's eye's, which soon became quite unmanageable, and reared and plunged in a style which must have com- pelled the rider to concentrate all his energies on keep- ing in the saddle. All this time his opponent was making vicious digs at him with the bayonet, and finally the luckless c&valryman had to fairly turn and flep. For some time, however, he cou'd not get his horse to gallop, and he was hotly pursued all over the ground by the relentless foot soldier, who ran at a great pace, and finally, getting him fairly in a corner, stabbed him in the back. The lance mounted v. bayonet was also very good. The first lancer came very cautiously at his opponent, and the latter, parrying the lance, jumped quickly within distance, and gained the hit at once. When the next pair came together, the lancer had evidently learned a lesson from the defeat of his predecessor, and setting spurs to his horse, dashed at his opponent as fast as he could go. The infantry man was evidently unprepared for this style of attack, and making little defence, received the thrust full in the chest, and was knocked clean off his legs. There were also some capital contests between infantry men with the bayonet, and the heartiness with which they went to work may be imagined from the fact that we saw a bayonet bent almost double after a successful thrust. Of course all the men were properly protected by fencing mask and leather jackets.

THE ELEVATION OF MURAD V. The following Is an extract from the letter of the Special Correspondent of The Times, writing from Therapia, on 3 Eighteen months ago I chanced to witness the acces- sion of King Alfonso XII. to the Throne of Spain. Yesterday I was present at the elevation of Murad V. as 33rd Sultan of the dynasty of Oaman. What I said on the former occasion I may repeat on the pre- sent. The new Sovereign appeared, in either case, all that his people could desire, and the Ministers who were instrumental in his rise might equally be said to have a great card in their hands if they knew how to play it. Yesterday, being Friday, the new Padishah for the first time showed himself to the whole assembled population of Constantinople, and I can freely testify that the enthusiasm his presence excited was as genuine and unanimous as that which hailed Isa- bella's son all along his progress from Barcelona and Valencia to Madrid. Indeed, the rejoicing of the masses who crowded the streets of Galata and Stamboul was even more free from alloy than the exultation which met the Spanish Monarch on his landing, inasmuch as in Spain some misgiving might arise in consideration of the immature age of the Prince, while in Turkey the Sovereign who is the object of popular acclamation comes before his people in the very prime of his life, and in full possession of such faculties as Providence has bestowed upon him. In every other respect the successors of Charles V. and of Mahomet II. may equally be said to have in- augurated their reigns by the exhibition of all those gracious and benevolent outward instincts which at once revealed them as the men of their age. Both of them were preceded by the announcement of a great retrenchment in their personal expenditure; both were anxious to lay aside that God-like sublimity that raised their predecessors into beings, as it were, of another sphere, and estranged them from the in- terests and sympathies of mankind. The King of Spain desired that the old form of tutoiement, which Court etiquette had maintained in Castile from the Figst to the Second Isabella, should be discontinued, himself giving the example of that mode of address which common courtesy had introduced among his subjects; and the Ottoman Emperor made his first appearance dressed in a plain military uniform, in a plain fez without his aigrette of diamonds, without decoration s, with none of the ornaments distinctive of his rank, and he moved through the throng not in the erectand statue- like stiffness of a Padishah, too high and mighty to seem aware of the plaudits which greeted him, but bowed to right and left in acknowledgment of his people's salutations, bowed to the very mane of his white steed, then raised his face radiant with a hap- piness which he was at no pains to conceal, and which he saw reflected in the countenances of the myriads of the delighted multitude. It was, to all outward seeming, the accession of a European Monarch that these Orientals welcomed, and this con- ceit was confirmed by the Order which was published yesterday, that persons admitted tp the Imperial presence should no longer, as was the custom, accost the Sovereign with their arms folded on their bosoms and their faces bowed to the ground, as if awed and dazzled by the superhuman light of a god's face, but that they should henceforth stand up to their natural height and speak as man to man, face to face, the Sultan valuing his subjects's true love and reverence, and dispensing with their abject, ser- vile prostration. At Constantinople, aa well as at Madrid, the sera of the citizen Kings was ushered in. The stormy rain and wind, in the midst of which the overthrow of Sultan Abdul Aziz was accomplished, during the night of Monday to Tuesday, and which, I am told, was considered auspicious by the Turks, was succeeded by calm and genial summer weather as the sun announced the Mahomedan Sabbath day. Friday was in this instance a holyday for men of all creeds, and the business of the whole population of the Bos- phorous was to crowd upon the line of thoroughfares along which Sultan Murad was to attend Divine Service at the Mosque. The Sultan left the Palace of Dolmabatsche at half-past eleven in a State carriage drawn by four English horses. He was driven along the main street of Galata to the Karakeui Bridge, across the Golden Horn, and through the quarter of the old Seraglio to the Palace of Top-Capou, and alighted at the sanctuary where the Hirlai Sheriff, or mantle of the Prophet, is preserved. There he was received by the Grand Viz er, the Sheik-ul-Islam, and a host of Church and State dignitaries; and hence, mounted on a magnificent white palfrey, he proceeded to the great Mosque of St. Sophia. There the Imam praised God for "long life to Sultan Murad, son of Abd-ul-Medjid, Khan Gazi, and grandson of Sultan Mahmoud Gazi." After the prayer the Sultan rode back to the bridge, recrossed it in his carriage en his way back to Dol- mabatsche, and reached the Palace about four in the afternoon. In the midst of all that military pomp of the troops of all arms drawn up in bright array all along the line of the Sultan's progress, and in presence of all that spendour of an Imperial retinue, unrivalled in the world for barbario gorgeousness, men seemed to have no eyes but for that one mild, benevolent face, and for the vastness of th9 motley crowd that pressed every- where on to his horse's hoofs. The Sultan's photo- graph by the Brothers Abdullah is by this time before the world; it is a perfect likeness, as all that come from the hands of these Armenian artists, and it is nO unfair index of a mind and character of which people entertain a favourable but not very exalted opinion. The Sultan is in his 36th year, he has a handsome brow and fine eyes, good straight features, somewhat marred by a projecting mouth and receding chin. He shaves all his beard with the exception of a thin moustache, and looks younger than he really Is. He is not uneducated, speaks French, and is supposed to have inherited some of the feebleness, with much of the uprightness and gentleness, of his father's character. In a quiescent state the countenance has a shade of melancholy, natural to a soft and yielding nature which has too long been brow-beaten and sat upon. The crowd, however, saw nothing but perfection in its idol of the moment; and what a crowd it was !—the squalid rabble from Greek, Jew, and Mos- lem quarters, the throng of carriages with Pasha's wives and Ambassadors'ladies; the colours of gaudily- dressed veiled women, clustering like bees at every window or balcony the Mollabs, the Dervishes, the Latin priests and monks elbowing their way through the hamals, the water carriers, the vendors of cake and lemonade, and all the hurly-burly of the Galata Bourse, the Bazaar entrance, the landing stairs-all the noise and bustle of three great towns and a hundred villages blended in one swarming masfl. My head still whirls with the hubbub, my bones still ache with the crush."

A telegram to the Standard of Monday says "Sultan Murad is slightly ill, in consequence of recent excitement. He weeps bitterly over his uncle's suicide, which he 'ascribed to his own sudden change of fortune. He has taken Abdul's younger sons into his own palace. The eldest son is ill. Abdul's mother is seized with frequent paroxysms, which cause fears for her mental condition. Three hours before committing suicide Abdul had thrashed some gardeners with a heavy stick, wounding them severely, and had shouted from the window to some vessels of the fleet to hoist all flags and salute him with cannons. His servants found him breathing, but he expired a few minutes afterwards from loss of blood.

THE LATE GEORGE SAND. The Paris Correspondent of the Daily News writes The family of George Sand, which at first thought of sending her remains to Paris for interment changed their mind on finding that the deceased desired her final resting place to be in the Berri village of Nohant, which she greatly loved, and where the best part of her life was passed. The funeral took place at Nohant on Saturday morning. Alexandre Dumas, E rnest Renan, Flaubert, Prince Napoleon, Paul Meurice, Calmann Levy, Jules Claretie, Henry de la Pommeraye, and many other literary men attended. Pursuant to what the relatives believed would have been the wishes of the famous authoress, although it does not appear that she expressed them by any formal wish, no priest at- tended the burial Victor Hugo being unable to go to Nohant, oomposed a funeral oration, which M. Paul Meurice read over the grave. The following are the principal passages Je pleure une morte, et je salue une immortelle. I loved, admired, and venerated her whom I now contemplate In the august serenity of death. I re j nice in her greatness, and thank her for her goodness. I remember one day writing to her, I thank you for being such a great soul' 0, have we loat her? N,), These great spirits disappear under one form, only to become visible in another. Sublime transfiguration The human form Is a disguise. It maas. the true Divine visage wiiich is the idea. George Sand was an idea. She is no longer In the flesh, but dead she lives. Patuit dea. George Sand occupies an unique place. In our time there aro many great men. She is thu one great woman in this century whose mission was to ttnhh the French Revolution and commence the Revoln- tion of humanity. Equality of the Sexes being a branch of the equality ot men a great woman was necessary. It was for a woman to prove that her mind might possess a'l gifts without losibg a particle of her angelic nature, might be at once Btr'-iig "gentle. George Sand w. a that Happy is it that some one does honour to France wlien so many disgrace it. George Sand is Oila of the glories of our age and coui,try. She had a grei.t heart Ilka BarK- ?. <- al mind like Balzac, and a great soul like Laruariiue io enumerate her masterpieces were needless, and a plagiarism from the store", of universal memory, she was good, and accordingly she had detractors, but the insults to her were of that kind which posterity will count as glories. It Is a law of nature that, Qui est Couronni est lapidi." The address concluded by allusions to Qninet and Michelet, recently deceased, the grand apostles of ideas, who, like George Sand, had done their work before removal to another sphere, and whoie departure was signified In the ears of expectant humanity by a I mysterious flattering of wings which heralded a grand event. It is a curious fact that George Sand did not know her great contemporary, Victor Hugo, and never even saw him. She once heard his voice, and that was on the occasion of his reception at the Academy but she had a bad place, and was prevented by a pillar from seeing his face. in the Assembly on Saturday, M. Dreolle, a Bona- partist, proposed a Bill to erect a -statue of George Sand in the Palace of Versailles, at the cost of 25,000 francs. M. de Lacretelle, a Republican, laid on the table another Bill, proposing to allow 50,000 francs for the statue, and that it should be erected in the Luxem- bourg Gardens. He said France, the Democracy, and humanity, had lost one of their most glorious peisonincations, and that a national homage was due to the great mind which was the precursor of the Re- public. Urgency demanded by M. de Lacretelle was refused, and both Bills were referred to the Committee of Initiative.

THE EDUCATION BILL. The General Purposes Committee of the Congrega- tional Union of England and Wales have resolved that Lord Sandon's Bill is open to serious objection on the following grounds 1. It will bring powers of compulsion into operation in districts where there exist only sectarian schools, and will in the rural parishes practically place those powers in the hands of the clergy of the Established Church, who will use them to promote the interests of that institution. 2. It will unduly relieve the managers and ostensible supporters of denominational schools from the cost of their maintenance, both by increasing the amount received from the Parliamentary grant and by the pay- ment of school fees out of the poor-rates, and it will thereby prolong the existence of inefficient Bchools. 3. The permission of Town Councils and Boards of Guardians to delegate their powers to committees out- side their own bodies will probably lead to confusion, being exercised not by any public authority, but by the managers of denominational schools. 4. It affords no additional facilities for the appoint- ment of School Boards, and makes no provision for the establishment of additional schools even by the bodies to whom it gives compulsory powers, and it thereby intrusts the extension of education to those who are actuated by sectarian rather than by educational zeal. For these reasons the committee recommend that the friends of a national as opposed to a denominational system of education should endeavour to prevent the Bill from becoming law unless it can be so modified as to meet these objections.

THE PARIS EXHIBITION. The sub-committee, presided over by the Minister of Public Works, has just decided on the definitive plans for the Exhibition of 1878. The constructions in the Champ-de-Mars will remain as already described. Agricultural instruments and productions will be shown on the Qaai de Grenelle, where a space of 20,000 square metres will be reserved. The Pont-d'Iena will be enlarged to 130 feet by two lateral galleries covered over and richly deoo. rated. The two quays of the Seine will be lowered, and visitors arriving by the tramways and steamers will be raised by lifts to the interior of the ex. hibition. In the centre of the Trocadero will be con- structed a vast rotunda to contain eight or nine thou- sand persons. On each side will be galleries of a total superficies of 20,000 square metres, with greenhouses for plants and flowers. cafes, and refreshment rooms. The constructions on the Champ-de-Mars will cover 250,000 square metres, and those of the Trocadero 25,000 making together 275,000. Fifty steamboats and as many tram can will convey visitors from the centre of Paris.

"A FEMALE COCK PHEASANT." Under this heading Mr. E. K. Karslake, Q C., favours The Times with the following communication :— Permit me to call the attention of such of your readers as are fond of natural history to a very singular circumstance, which those who have the opportunity of doing so ought themselves to witness. On Tuesday last 1 went to the Zoological Gardens to look at the Prince's animals, when I was surprised to find a cock pheasant carefully nursing two (pheasant) chicks just hatched. This bird is a hybrid between a Reeves' pheasant and a Cheer. He is a large vulgar bird, with blotchy, rather dirty-coloured plumage in fact, in appearance unprepossessing, as hybrids are gene- rally, though not universally, for our half-and-half cross between an Amherst and a gold pheasant is a beautiful creature. The cock pheasant in question rose from his bed when he saw me, and the babies dived into the long grass, where they were invisible, though the tremulous motion of a few blades indicated their whereabouts. But one of the fair sex, dressed in a bright yellow gown, came to see what I was staring at, and thereupon the cock made a great fuss, cluck- ing and running round and round like an old hen whose brood of ducklings has just taken the water. I went on Saturday morning to see how the little phea- sants were doing. The old cock was reposing in the long grass, with his children under his wings, while the hen was walking about in the distance, not taking the slightest interest in the matter. Though I have no pre- tension to scientific knowledge as a naturalist, I was once a diligent breeder of first-class poultry, and though capons will taka care of chickens, I never before knew an instance of a gallinaceous cock, or of a male phea- sant, which first hatched and then tended its offspring. I accidentally met this morning that first-rate judge on such subjects, Mr. Bartlett, who ttlls me that the phenomenon which I mention is as much a novelty to him as it is o me. I am surprised that my able and industrious friend Mr. Frank Buckland, and the other ingenious gentlemen who cater in the weekly sporting papers for that healthy, and, I am delighted to find, daily increasing appetite, the fondness for indigenous and exotic fauna, have not yet, so far as I am aware, noticed my hen cock pheasaut. Bat, unless I am much mistaken, he will be much heard of in the course of the next few days, perhaps few weeks, and I have little doubt that' his praise will be- c Sllng by loftier harps than mine. The conduct of the cock pheasant suggests some valu- able hints. If my friend Mr. Forsyth should ulti- mately succeed to the full extent in his advocacy of the claims of the fair sex, the male parent, though he can- not exactly hatch out the baby, may yet, curled up in bed, keep it warm and comfortable while the hen bird is addressing to the House in the early hours of the morning an elaborate and eloquent address in favour of the abolition of chignons, or on the objections which fastidious persons might urge to dresses made very tight below the waist."

TORPEDO EXPERIMENTS. A series of fresh experiments, to test the effect of torpedoes on the hull of the Oberon, was made on Mon- day at Fareham Creek, the north-western arm of Portsmouth Harbour. The ship was moored at about 400 yards from the shore in 11 feet of water, and three charges were fi*?d against her. No 1 was a Harvey torpedo, containing 66 pounds of gunpowder, primed with the laboratory bolt and case, filled with gun- powder, and to be ignited by means of a powder fuse to be fired electrically, and placed on the starboard bow. The centre of the torpedo was placed 91 feet below the surface and 3 feet from the nearest point of the vessel's side. No. 2 was a rectangular iron case, containing 33 pounds of slab gun-cotton, 25 per cent. I of water being added, and was placed on the port side, the centre of the charge being 4 feet distant, and 9t feet below the surface. No. 3 was similar to the last, the charge being, however, 331b. granulated gun. cotton, 25 per cent. of water addtd, and was placed on the starboard side. All three charges were fired simultaneously by means of a dynamic machine, under the superintendence of Captain Heneage, R.E., assisted by Lieutenant Rhodes, R.E and a small party of Royal Engineers. The result was a loud explosion, followed by a great upheaval of water. The Oberon swayed slightly to and fro, and then began to settle down astern. She was at once grounded, and was then found to have shipped a large body of water. It was not expected that the Harvey torpedo would do any material damage but it was found that the rivets in the plates in its immediate vicinity bad betn started. Further aft, however, as was anticipated, much mis- chief 1iad been done. Water was rushing through the sides of the ship, and a rent was discovered on either side, opposite Nos. 2 and 3 charges. The roof of a wooden house had been lifted, heavy iron bodies were scattered about, and the deck started in several places. It was believed that the greatest amount of damage had been caused by the explosion of gun-cotton, but this will be ascertained upon a minute examination. A large number of naval officers were present, in. cluding representatives of France, Germany, Austria, and several other countries.

GOOD ADVICE. Writing to the miners' agent for North Staffordshire in re- ference to the impending reduction of wages, on which his advice had been asked, Mr. A. Macdonald, MP., counsels the men to accept the masters' terms, and adds I fondly hope there will not be one man found so extravagant, so unreasoning, as to propose that you should go on strike at the present moment. What is the spectacle all around ? On every hand, not in mining alone, but in every department of labour, there is a cry of depression, and almost a universal complaint of the want of trade. On the conti. nent of Europe everything is dark the coal and iron trades are in a most pitiable condi- tion. In America all branches of industry Buffer; the wages in most of the mining districts are lower than they were before the war. There is no work in that state of things^ At home what do we see? Last week the manufacturers of woollen stuffs in Leeds agreed»to run their factories on short time. The em- ployers of Lancashire in the cotton trade, in some of the large districts, have also been obliged to place their hands on short time, prices being ruinous. If, there- fore, you were to strike in such circumstances, you would be perpetrating an act of folly for which there could be no palliation, and for which, in my mind, there could be no atonement. With the first two courses open (accepting the reduction or going to arbitration), any one who would for a moment ask the men to submit to the terrible ordeal of a strike ou^ht to be execrated and jshunned by every honest man. If any one is so unwise, so ignor- ant of the true state of things in this country, ai to appeal to the popular passion, he would no doubt have the loud huzzjh and the popular cheer, but his triumph, or their triumph, woald he gained only for a moment; he cr they would live to be shunned and de- tested for advice which could OL!V eud in misery and v.ve'cbe'nefs to all concerned. Hundreds of are lymg idle &t tht ;:rexcct moment ior tiiti N-ait t-,tda; shipa that were built at jE20 per ton can be boughs tc- day for £6. This applies to several other forms of trading." At the recent conference of the National Miners' Union, at Manchester, Mr. Macdonald said he had never seen such a state of things existing for the last 3Q years as the present condition of the coal and iron trade, and, bad as things were in England, they were much worse abroad. The clothing of the workmen's children in many parts of Amerioa was nearly all gone, and they had to be kept from sohool in consequence. Every mining district should avoid strikes; no strike could possibly do any good. He advised workmen to make the best of their small earnings. No doubt a silver lining was within the dark cloud, but he was afraid the time was not near at hand when the dark cloud would burst.

BARON ROTHSCHILD AND THE OMNIBUS CONDUCTOR. There is a good story told recently of Baron Roths- child of Paris, the richest man of his class in the world, which shows that it is not only "money which makes the mare to go," but "ready money" (says the Court Journal). On a very wet and disagreeable day, the Biron took a Parisian omnibus, on his way to the Bourse, or Exchange, near which the "Nabob of Ficance"alighted,and was going away without pay- ing. The driver stopped him and demanded his fare, Rothschild felt in his pocket but he had not a "red cent" of change. The driver was very wroth. Well! what did you get in for, if you could not pay. You must have known that you had no money." "I am Baron Rothschild!" exclaimed the great capitalist, "and there is my card." The driver threw the card into the gutter. Never heard of you before," said the driver, and I don't want to hear of you again. But I want my fare—and I must have it! The great banker was in haste. "I have only an order for a million," he said. "give me change," and he proffered a coupon for 50,000 francs. The con. ductor stared, and the passengers set up a hoarse laugh. Just then an "Agent de'Change" came by, and the Baron Rothschild borrowed of him the six sous. The driver was now seized with a kind of remorseful respect, and turning to the money king he said :—" If you want ten francs, sir, I don't mind lending them to you on my own account."

A HOMELESS BOY. At the Bow-street police-court, in London, John Cronin, about eight or nine years of age, was brought before Mr. Flowers, the magistrate, on the ground of being a homeless vagrant. A constable deposed that the child was brought to the station by a woman who had found him in the Btreet crying, and saying that he had no home. Redstall, the gaoler, said he was evidently an intelli- gent little lad, for while waiting in the charge-room he had been amusing himself by reading a daily paper. He read aloud several paragraphs of the Shipping Intelligence extremely well. He could also write, and said he could do summing. The Magistrate: Let me see the boy. In answer to the magistrate he sa'd he had "no regular father and mother," and he did not know where he had been living. His first father died, and then his mother married again, and then his mother died, and his second father married another mother.—The Magis- trate I hear you can read and wrUe?—Boy Oh, yea I can draw.—The Magistrate What can you draw ? —Boy I can draw a jug>f beer. (Laughter.)—The Magistrate I fear that accomplishment is acquired very early; but I suppose you mean that you can draw a jug on a piece of paper?—Boy Yes that's what I mean.—The Magistrate What school did you go to ? —Boy A Sunday school.—The Magistrate I don't think they teach writing there. Have you been there lately ?—Boy Well, sir, I was to have a good mark. The lady said to me, she says, If you bnng another boy with you, and he attends the school three times, you shall have three good marks." So I gets another boy, and he promised to go with me to the school three Sundays running. He went with me one Sunday, but he ran away, and never came afterwards. The lady says, "Where is he?" I says, "I don't know. Hes run away," I says. So I never got the three marks. The Magistrate: I must get the School Board officer, to see the lad, and meanwhile he can be taken charge of by the parish.

LACROSSE and POLO at HURLINGHAM. One of the largest assemblages which ever met at Hurling- ham mustered last Saturday, to witness the games of Lacrosse and Polo —The Standard gives the following account of the gay scene All fashionable London was there, attracted by the hope that the Prince and Princess of Wales would be able to be present. For hours a continuous procession of carriages kept streaming by the gates, until in the end all four sides of the arena were covered. Such a large assemblage was never seen at Hurlingham before. It is impossible to attempt a list of names, and one is obliged to fall back on the well-worn expression, that "the rank, beauty, and fashion of the metropolis" were represented. The Row and the Drive must have been depleted for the afternoon. There were upwards of thirty drags drawn up to the right of the Royal Pavilion, and the promenade behind, where the band of the 1st Life Guards were stationed, was a brilliant parterre of all that is rich and diversified in ladies' costumes. The only members of the Royal family on the ground were the Duke of Connaught, the Duchess of Teck, and the Duke. At half-past three the lacrosse teams commenced amateh, the sides being the same as on the previous Saturday, the Iroquois from Cuagnawagha and the gentlemen amateurs of Montreal. Four goals were made, the whites scoring two and the copperakins a similar num- ber, so that the match resulted in a draw. It may be interesting to note that since they landed on this side of the Atlantic the Montreal men have won sixteen matches, the Indians two, and two have been ties. The play was very spirited, and slips, scrimmages, and wonderfully rapid dodging runs were not uncommon. After an hour and a half's hard work time was called, and then the indianB formed in two lines facing each other opposite the Royal pavilion and danced the Green Corn Dance" to the music of their own voices raised in a kind of monotonous chant, swelling and sinking in regular gra- dation. The dance was chiefly a series of jumps of the "Perfect Cure" order, with occasional fling steps and hand-clappings. At its close the Indians faced the the Royal party, and the chief, Teir Karoniare, doffing his head dress of feathers, made an impromptu oration in his native dialect. He said they had come across the great waters to show the Queen, their good mother how her children by the St. Lawrence could play bagataway, that they were pained that the Prince of Wales was not well, and that he could not come to give them the sunshine of his august presence and that of the beautiful Princess; that they were awed by the greatness and magnificence of England, and would carry back to far Cuagnawagha the tale of what they had seen and how they had been wel- comed and finally they thanked the soldier Prince who had witnessed their sports, and all the great people there, and made them their loyal and respectful salutations. This little speech was delivered in a sonorous voice and with much earnestness and ptower of gesticulation. At its close all bowed and pointed their head coverings towards the pavilion, and then the entire party scampered off like schoolboys let loose for play. Presently the chief returned, bearing his tomahawk (which is really a monster pipe, such as King Cole may have smoked out of), and waited on the Duke of Connaught, who wished to see him. His Royal Highness reminded him how had seen his tribe before, and remarked in French that he thought they had played rather roughly. Teir Karoniare replied in French that there was no diversion in the game unless they played it with enthusiasm and vigour. After a few more words the chief returned to his tent, his dusky countenance beaming with satisfaction, and soon afterwards the band of whimsical "savages, having changed the striped guernseys, scarlet trunk hose, and white tights that made them look so very like street acrobats, re-appeared in the nineteenth century dress of England.

'flttsallanxoits JittcUtgtnrf. HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. WRONG TO A T.—Mrs. Cluppina thinks as there's a T wrong in them Softas. The Ottomans and Sofas are more likely to be mixed up together on the Turkey carpet. Fun. COlQSUMPrION OF SPIRITS.—In the first quarter of the year 1876, duty was paid on 4,241,770 gallons of home-made spirits for consumption as beverage in Eng. land, on 1.504,449 gallons for consumption in Scotland, and on 1,675,115 gallons in Ireland; miking a tetal of 7,421,334 gallons, or 197,061 gallons more than in the corresponding quarter of last year. The increase in England was oniy 6.411 gallons, but in Ireland it was no kss than 2( 6,586 gallons there was a decrease of 15,9;)6 gallons in Scotland. The quantity of foreign spirits imported into the United Kingdom in the first quarter of 1876, and entered for consumption here, was 3.008,783 proof gallon*, or 66,808 gallons more than in the same quarter of last year. AN AKOMALY.—It is a peculiar thing that a man who will not be pleased with anything if, after all, the most contented person in existence, for, you see, nothing satisfies him. This will bear thinking over.—Judy. CAPTAIN WEBB AS A LECTURER.—On Satur- day evening, the Hero of the Channel," as he is now E>pularly styled, appeared at St. James's Hall, ondon, in what was probably a new experience to him—viz., the character of a lecturer. The lecture was upon swimming in general, and the great swim across the Channel in particular; and with it, as his stock in trade, Captain Webb means to visit most of the provincial towns of England. There are many sound practical hints upon the art of swimming given in the lecture, and some useful advice in the case of attempts at rescuing drowning persons. Captain Webb's delivery is good, and he becomes at once on good terms with his audience. A large chart, repro- duced from the original diagrams in Land and Water, assists the captain in explaining the two attempts he made to cross the Channel, and shows the difficulties from tides be had to encounter on the second and suc- cessful swim. Captain Webb's entertainment is under the especial patronage of the Duke of Edinburgh, and among many others Mr. John Macgregor (Rob Roy)" was present on the platform on Saturday evening.— Daily News. CBASB, RUDE BOREAS.—The Times states that the 81-ton gun is to be bored yet again. If the 81-ton gun is only bored half as much as the public is with it there will remain nothing left but an augeri- ferous reputation and a heavy bill of charges.—Fun. THK LATE MR. WALTER THORNBURY.—We (The Times) have to record the death, early on Sunday morning last, of George Walter Thornbury, a well- kiiown contributor to the lighter literature of the day. Although scarcely 48 at the time of his deceive, he had writien and published almost a library. In his 16th year he contributed topographical and anti- quarian papers to the Bristol Journal, and from that time scarcely a year has elapsed without the produc- tion of one or more works of his pen, His Shake- speare's England during the reign of Elizabeth and "Songs of the Cavaliers and Roundheads" were £ ,mou<r hi< earlier works; and bis "Old Stories Re- told "and "Old and New London" anconc; the later ones. He was at one time crt criiic to the Athenceum, and for many years a contributor to All the Year Round. Although an ardent literary student, he was by no means a mere bookworm. He knew most of Europe, North America, and Syria from personal observation, and, so far as social life in London is con- cerned, leaves many to regret him. A wife and young family lament hit loss, THE IRISK TIMES. — Small Girl: PlaZe, Misther Donovan, what o'clock is it ? Horologer: Half-past Wan. (Exit Small GirL—An interval of one minute. Re-enter Small Girl.) Small Girl: Plaze, Misther Donovan, what o'clock is it? Horo- loger: Sure amn't I afther tellin' ye! Small girl: Och! but 'tis another woman towld me to ax ye this time.—Judy. A VOLUNTARY RATE.—At a meeting of the managers of the South Metropolitan School, Satton, it was stated that the amount thrown this year to the children in coins of all descriptions by persons on their way to Epsom on the Derby and Oaks days was B106 16s. The children, who number 1,600, and belong to the various Metropolitan Unions of South London, were arranged, as usual, in three classes—viz., boys, girls, and infants—within the school grounds at the side of the road. Hitherto the girls have always had the most money thrown to them, but this year the boys obtained the larger sum. The amount thus contributed is in excess of any previous occasion, being J310 more than last year. It will be expended upon giving the children a treat to the Crystal Palace, or some similar place of amusement. FATAL COLLIERY ACCIDENT.ON Monday morning a shocking accident, by which three men lost their live3, occurred at High Brooks Colliery, Ashton, near Wigan. belonging to the Garswood Coal Com- pany. The colliery has been recently sunk the Arley Mine to a depth of 320 yards, and has been standing a short time awaiting the erection of a pair of winding engines, consequently, a quantity of water accumulated in the shaft. On Monday morning three sinkers went down to take out some airpipes remaining in the shaft, so as to facilitate pumping. A short time after the descent, a signal waa sent to the engine man to wind them to the surface, but by mistake he turned the lever the wrong way, causing the hoppatt to descend with full force. His attention was called to the mistake by some one in the engine-house, who immediately recti- fied the error, but the sudden jerk broke the rim, and the men were precipitated into the water at the bottom of the shaft. Assistance were at once procured, but when the men were got at they were dead. The names of the sufferers are John Rothwell, who leaves a widow and five children; Thomas Horton, who leaves a widow and two children and John Williams, married, who had only been in the district two weeks. THE "PROPEREST" DAYS.—Good day for parasols, Sunday. For mundane affairs, Monday. For eating, Chewsday. For travellers. Wendsday. For drinking, Thirstday. For cooking, Fryday. For fauns, Satyrday.—Fun. CHARACTER IN GARDENS.—Were each to con- sult his own taste in the garden, instead of imitating his neighbour, every garden, large or small, would assume a character of its own. This would give variety and the sense of novelty or individuality to each garden, which could hardly tail to enhance the pleasure to be had from it. The garden is the very place in which to ride a hobby. It is much safer to do so than in any other occupation; for horticultural hobbies are always innocent, harmless, and, relatively to others, cheap. One, for instance, delights in lilies—let the garden, therefore, be mainly a garden of lilies. Another cares for nothing but roses—what more charming than a garden of roBes? Another rejoices in Spring flowers above all others—let hers be a Spring garden. And so with all other plants, trees, shrubs, and flowers. Each man and woman's garden should mirror forth, as it were, their individual taste.—The Garden. THE CHANNEL TUNNEL.—In the House of Commons, on Monday evening, Mr. Bourke, in answer to Mr. Davenport, said—I am happy to inform the hon. gentleman that in the event of the scheme known as the Channel Tunnel scheme being attempted to be carried into effect, the Government have already pro- vided for authority to conclude a treaty—and a treaty will be necessary—and that treaty must receive the sanction of Parliament before being carried into effect. LATEST FROM CONSTANTINOPLE.—It is an- nounced that one of the first acts of the new Sultan of Turkey was to come out with a new Hatt. What a civilised person His Majesty must be Any other Turk woald have worn a turban as a matter of course. The Western nations ought to feel complimented.— Judy. AN EXPLANATION REQUIRED.—A Suffering Sister writes to one of the dress magazines:—I am quite tired of reading the abuse of women's dress in which men are so fond of indulging. Nothing we wear seems to please them collectively, though it is not diffi- cult to please them individually. We are always try- ing to look our best, and you are always willing to help us, but what is the use of it if we are to have nothing but abuse? Can you explain why it is that gentlemen enjoy a monopoly of criticism in the matter of dress? Have they arrogated this prerogative to themselves, or has it been conceded to them to be umpires in a contest in which they are debarred from taking part—that of dressing gracefully. FREE TRADE AND PROTECTION AS WELL.— "Wot's agoin' to win the Hascot Cup, old'un?"— "Well, it ain't no'oss as don't want nuth'n' putting on at no blanked Bhort prices, 'cos it ain't one as is fuat in the betting, and then nowhere in the blooming race. And I can't afford to tell you what it is for noth'n' neither. A man s purfeHsion must be purtected. And that's the straight tip 1 "—Fun. NEW Acr ON POISONING ANIMALS.—By an Act just printed (39 Viet., c.13) to prevent the administra- tion of jpoisonous drugs to horses and otheKnimals, it is provided that if any person wilfully and unlawfully administers to or causes to be administered to or taken by any horse, cattle, or domestic animal, any poisonous or injurious drug or substance, he shall be liable (unlesa some reasonable cause or excuse be shown on his behalf) on summary conviction to a penalty not exceeding £5, or at the discretion of the Court to imprisonment with or without hard labour, for any term not exceeding one month in the caM of a first offence or three months in the case of a second or subsequent offance. The pro- vision is not to apply to the owner or person acting by his authority, and nothing in the new law is to exempt a person from other punishment, provided he is not punished twice for the same offence. The Btatute is to be cited as the Drugging of Animals Act, 1876." THRIFT AMONG THE WORKING CLASSES.—The Earl of Shaftesbury, in speaking at the annual dinner of the St. Giles's Friendly Society, observed he was anxious to see thrift and economy instituted among the working people. Nothing was more beneficial. The nation on the other side of the water had set us a wonderful example. The French peasantry had lower wages than the English, and yet they saved so largely that only a short time ago, when it was necessary to raise a loan of nearly 200 millions sterling to pay the indemnity to the German Empire, a large portion was raised from among the peasantry. They were wonder- fully economical, especially in the matter of food, and out of 6f. per week as wages they even saved some- thing. The noble earl reminded the working classes that they were the architects of their own fortunes, and said their richer neighbours could not lift them out of the mire—they could simply render them assistance. TAILOR v. CLOTH.—Reverend Gent (much excited). Now, just look at this coat, do you call it a good fit! The fact is, you can't cut a coat I-Tailor (whose dignity is touched). Sir, if you could preach a sermon as well as I can cut a coat you would have been a bishop before now [Rev. Gent collapses j.—Judy. ,« TREASURE TROVE.—The Scotsman says — During the past week a large-sized horn has been found on the shore of Broad Bay, in Lewis. The horn was quite full of silver coins, most of them of the reign of James VI. of Scotland, but some bearing an older date. Broad Bay is within three or four miles of Skornoway, and has always been a great resort for windbound vessels. It is conjectured that this horn may have been stolen from some ship, and deposited in the spot where it was found, with the future inten- tion of returning for it when search in the district had been given up, and that the intention of the depositor must in some way have been frustrated. The coins have been taken possession of by Mr. C. G. Spittal, Sheriff of Stornoway, on behalf of her Majesty." BYGONE TiMES !—It seems strange enough to read now that little more than fifty yeara ago a Sove- reign of England should have taken direct part in an election. Yet this was the case at Windsor, when George III. canvassed the town in person against Admiral Keppel, and entering a rich mercer's shop, muttered in his hurried way, The Queen wants a gown—wants a gown. No Keppel—no Keppel." WHITTY IF NOT WISE.—Teetotallers are using all their might to make the Maine law a fact. They went at it, might and maia, at their Demonstra- tion against the demon Drink last week, and in re- cognition of their wishes the clerk ef the weather made it a Wet Monday, thereby showing his want of Whit. —Fun. ADAM SMITH.—The Economist observes that the Wealth of Nations' was but a part of a much larger work in which he meant to treat of something like what we should now call the evolution' of human society and of human improvement. He discovered, as it has been put, the natural progress of opulence while looking for the natural progress of all things.' And he was disappointed to think that he finished so little of so great a scheme. In this critics, instructed by longer experience, will not agree with him. These great plans are the bane of philosophy; the master mind,' as has been profoundly said, 'shows itself in limitation,' and, fortunate as Adam Smith was in many ways, it is his greatest good fortune that fate constrained and compelled him to it. But nevertheless, this wider design in which the Wealth of Nations' began, is one of its peculiar features and one which we much want Adam Smith to complete. The world is too much divided between economists, who think only of wealth' and of senti- mentalists, who are never so sure they are right as when they differ from what political economy teaches. We must not be deluded into thinking that the characteristic work of Adam Smith is over because the laws of which he disapproved are repealed. Perhaps there never was a time in which we more needed to combine a stern and homely sagacity resembling his, with the far reaching aims and ample knowledge for which he was so remarkable." WHY IS THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE LIKE THE CHINK OF GOLD ?—Because it's the ring of Sovereigns. Fun. A CURIOUS DISEASE.—The papers received by the Overland Mail report that a disease, called the new disease, lately manifested itself in the Madras Presidency. The symptoms are a tingling sensation in the toes and soles of the feet which rapidly extends upwards, producing fatal results in a very short time unleis measures betaken at once. The natives adopt M a remedy a mixture which is very characteristic. they administer the undigested and uiiassimilated food contents of a goat's stomach, which is reputed to be a povereign cure. Two cases, one of a womin and the other a man, came recently under the treatment of a medical man in Madras, who applied his own remedies vi'.h complete success. Hia import to the Madras Mail uu these two cases concludes as follows ;—From these 1 wo cases I think this disorder to be a form of the dengue, in which the spinal cplum is the firsi to Buffer as in meningitis. Whatever it may be I am not pre- pared to affirm, but with regard to the mode of treat- ment there can be, I opine, little dispute. A combina- tion of quinine and prussic acid, or opium andchloro- form, premised by a sharp emetic according to existing indications, seems to be the most proper course to Jrareue. It is said that the sequlw of .this disorder is ocfcjaw.

A FRENCH MANUFACTURI The tewn of Mnlhausen has been in days, celebrating the 50th anniversar cotton-spinning establishment of MM. and Co., at Dornach, founded in 1826. ning of the century the town had hardl; ants, while, according to the last cent tion is 65,000. It has no less than 83 Is by 286 steam engines, of a total power Among them are eleven cotton mills, t ning, twelve cotton weaving, eleven cali machine factories, four breweries, five s three cylinder factories, three starch fac most important of those is that of 1t: visit to which was an item in the pr that day was inaugurated a railway in the factory of more than a kilometre i breakfast given to 350 guests. M. Jet chief of the firm, was the object of t ovation, which was addressed, not only manufacturer, but to the former Mayor who knew how to preserve the dignit during the terrible trial of 1870. A fitt day was a visit to the Cite Oavrfere, of the creator, and the remarkable organic is so well known.

EPITOME OF I BRITISH AND FOREIG2 The income of the new Sultan will month. It is said on all sides that London ha dull a season for the last ten years. A Congress of German and other crei place at Lreiden on June 6 and 7. Prince Hassan, son of the Khedi London on Sanday evening. The ship Forfarshire, 1,238 tons, saili In last week, from Plymouth for Port Adel tralia, having embarked 410 emigrants. Mr. Lowe, it is said will oppose t tempt which Is to be made to abolish grocen sale of intoxicating liquors. Some hostility has arisen in Georgi Moody, the revivalist, In consequence of hit white and coloured auditors being divided t The second State Concert at Bucking fixed for Wednesday, the 28th IDIt. The Queen and Princess Beatrice wet church of Crathle on Sunday. The Rev. Dr. officiated, and dined with the Qaeen in the < Mr. Jefferson Davis, accompanied bi family, arrived at Liverpool on Monday, ii from New Orleans. Mr. Henry Kingsley at the beginning had Just completed a book lot Children, entl Duodecimo A highly humane patent has just bee Parla-an invention for catching mosqultos them. What, bowever, is to be done withtt is not mentioned. On Thursday in last week a fatal passed over the camp of the 134 th Regiment Valponne. Three soldiers were kUled, elevei or otherwise injured, and one was struck bli The Prince and Princess of Wales and went to Sandringham parish church on Sund was said and the sermon preached by the Re M.A. Mr. Henry George Trimnell, who burned in his endeavours to put out the 1 tower of Canterbury cathedral the other day day night. An Associated Home Company hi In London. It is a kind of strike of misti tyranny ef plain cooks and thorough Journal. The rage for centennial relics induced to advertise that he will exhibit Washington Philadelphia. There is another Bill in the Cemmi the sale of Intoxicating liquors on Sunday second reading on the 12th of July, when S move that It be read that day three months. Apropos of the spelling mania it ma] to know that a lady of Providence, &.L dm ments, has spelt 660 words out of the word alist," and in no case repeated a letter ia th word. At a large and important meeting of South-west Lancashire, held in Liverpool following resolution was passed" That in the great reduction In the price of coal and tt state of the market, all wages of the oollU west Lancashire districts be reduced 15 per c A gentleman, dining with a friend, w part of the fowl he preferred. Oh, only a I quest was literally taken, and a bone, well s to him. Half of that, if you please," said his plate. The ship Queen of Nations has sailed for Brisbas with the following emigrants117 single men, 73 singi* women, 48 married couples, 60 children between the ages va twelve and one, and 10 infanta, making a total of 298 soufe equal to 263 adults. A Times' telegram from Calcutta says that newa hal been received from the Persian Gulf of the increasng virul- once of the Plague.—The Inaian Medical Gazette says the climate, soil, and people ot Bengal are adapted for an exten- sion of the Plague, and urges extensive sanitary reforms In tb* native part of Calcutta. It describes the state of some quarters as positively loathsome. A Board of Trade return shows that during the months of January, February, and March, 816 persons were killed and 1,683 Injured by railway accidents. Of the number killed 30 were passengers and 185 servants, while of the in* Jared 382 were passengers 1,152 servants of the companies. Sixty-two trespassers (including suicides) were killed, and 701 injured. As the Rev. G. H. Davies, rector of Compton, near Guildford, was pronouncing the benediction at the evaninf service on Sunday night, he suddenly fell back in the pulpf and expired wtthln a lew minutes. The deceased was foH7 years of age. He was only presented to the living in Decembtf aat. The North-west African Expedition, the objects of which are to determine the feasibility of flooding a portion of the desert of Sahara by admitting to it the waters of the Atlantic, and to examine the coast for tha purpose ol dis- covering a good harbour, started on Saturday. Several China papers state that there is a movement being made to Introduce a mint at Peking. Should thia ttep be adopted It would greatly facilitate the settlement of mone- tary transactions, as the Chinese have no fractional currency except inferior copper cash, which is very cumbersome and unhandy. Mr. Meldon, M.P., presided over a meeting of the National Teachers in Dublin on Saturday. A resolution was adopted condemning the conciliatory principle of the Act of 1875, asking a maximum of j62, and a minimum of PI, aa class salary, and offering a deduction from salaries of supplemental funds towards State pensions. Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by Princess Beatrice, and attended by Lientenant-Oeneral Sir 1 M. Biddulph, the Dowager Marchioness of Ely, and Colonel Maude, will, according to present arrangements, return from Scotland to Windsor on Thursday week, the 22ad intt. An alteration made in the Customs and Inland Revenue has been pubiiahed a* to licenses to retail wine for consumption on the premises, under the 14th Geo. IV., Ac. The allowance 11 now to be an abatement of 7s. 4d. where the premise* in England and Ireland are under the rent or value of JMO a year, and 17.. lOd. where the rent or value is AN and upwards. The Coventry Herald aays :—A tradesman in that city has handed us a letter which he has received from a working man, who, with bis wife and family, emigrated from this neighbourhood to the United States about etgnt years ago. The letter enclosed a cheque for j66, being the amount of a debt incurred by the writer for goods supplied previous to his departure. No previous communication had paMed between the parties, and the receipt of the remittance was entirely unexpected. The Municipal Council of St. Petersburg, which Is said to be much in want of money, has elaborated a project for taxing all revenues derived from labour. The taxpayers are divided into seven classes, of which the first has to pay 1 per cent. on its revenue the second, 20 roubles; the third, 10 the fourth, 6; the fifth, 3; the sixth, 1; and theseventh, half a rouble a year. This projeot has naturally enough created much discontent among the working classes at St. Petersburg. For the purpose of considering the Government Education Bill introduced by Lord Sandon, an important meeting of Nonconformists was held in London on Monday at the Westminster Palace Hotel, Alderman M'Arthur, M.P., in the chair. Objection was taken to the measure on various grounds, but more particularly on that of its not grappling with the question of compulsory education, and because the tendency of the proposals was to consign the education of the people of England into clerical and priestly hands. A well-informed correspondent with Major Sande- man's Mission, says the Times of India, writes to the Lahore paper" The assumption of the title of Empress of India by her Majesty has given the Belooch chiettans the greatest satisfaction. We gather that their views on this point coincide with those of other native potentates. There can be no doubt that her Majesty's advisers have acted wisely in recommending her to take this step." Lynch law seems to have become very popular in America. A telegram dated from Fort Worth, Texas, on the 22nd ult., Ball that nine men were hanged by a mob for horse-stealing in Jack County last week, and six in Erath. Two of those hanged in Jack County are said to have been innocent. Another telegram from Elgin says that two un- known man were found hanging several miles out on the prairie. The Archdeacon of Leicester, in holding hit annual visitation, referred to the Burials Bill, and observed that the settlement of the question was desirable, in order to do away with religious animosity. He did not like it to be imputed to the clergy that they were an obstructive body, resisting all reforms. One could not read the speeches made In the Houses of Parliament without a conviction that something must be done in reference to the burials question. He trusted, how- ever, the Legislature would attempt nothing which would deprive the elergy of absolute protectorship over the sacred precincts of their church, Three boys, cousins, named Manson have met with a fearful death near John o' Groats. They had been climbing a precipice called St. John's Head In search of seabirda' eggs, when they lost their footing through a piece of rock glvnlg way, and fell on to the beach below, a distance of no feet The bodies were dreadfully disfigured. The little fellows were each aged nine years. An inquest has been held at Appleton Thorne, Cheshire, cn the body of a blacksmith named Kermode, who was struck dead with lightning while at his work. About twenty minutes to two on Friday afternoon a violent thun- derstorm broke over the district, andatbe electric fluid struck the reof of the smithy where the unfortunate man was at work While close to his anvil the lightning descended through the top with a terrible crash, and struck him on the right side of his head, running down his side, and killing him instantly. A young man who was near him at the time was also injured on the leg, and was for a time paralysed. The jary returned a verdict of died by the visitation of God. An official communication from the War Office noti- fies that Field Marshal his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, will review the Volunteer Force belonging to Londoa and the vicinity, in Hyde Park, on Saturday the 1st of July. Should any Volunteer corps within an easy distance of Lon- don wish to attend the review at their own expense, their applications will be taken into consideration with a view to thi 1r admission so far as space and numbers will allow, pro- vided that such applications be received at the War Office on or before Monday, the 19Lh Instant. Instructions will be issued as to the place and times at which the several brigades will be formed. The review is to be at five o'clock. The Evening Standard, in remarking upon the recent unseasonable weathtr, remarks:—" Ateanwhite, we may coa* gratulate ourselves on some small mercies. The year, which seems inclined to withhold frem us anything in the nature of well-ripened fruit, will at least not plague us with wasps and hornets to eat what little we may happen to have. It has been remarked that there never was such a dearth as there is this year of queen wasps and horu jts. In one district, where • head money' is paid for ail killed before the end of May, the number this year is but 78 as against 2,568 last year and yet our last wtner was very far from being a severe one, though it undoubtedly was protracted. Whether the sudden return of winter killed the more precocious of the insects, whether some other cause has prevented their production, or whether. In fine, they are still lying hid, awaiting their opportunity, Is as yet undetermined but the probabilities are that we ahaIl not be much annoyed by them this season. That is a poor set off against the loss of the fruit, of which they ana the demoralised bees took so Uberal a share last year; but we must make the best of It."