The Aberdare Times

MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. ynconformist of June 7 publishes some stat is ive to the missionary societies, which have ding their anniversary meetings during, the th; Those which promote foreign and colonial about a dozen in number, including the reabyterian bodies, have an aggreg&te income 72. The resources of the six leading societies Ult year were as follows:—Church Missionary, Propagation of the Gospel, £ 125,294; Wes- lissionary, £ 159,106 London Missionary, Li ^Q1BA^18T8ionary. £ 44,762 Colonial and „In nearly each case there has been Mofreceiptaior 1876. Among them the several employ some 2,COO European missionaries, t 4500 native pastors or catechists. A list of missionary societies is given, the entire receipts .are a little over £210,000. These include the Pastoral Aid, £57,114; London City Mission, ^eW8' Society, £ 41,363 Irish Church Va^523; Mission to tieamen, £ 12,391; J^Pture Readers' Association, £ 10,583: r e Readers' Association, £ 9,276; Ragged 3A00n» ^194; Congregational Home Mis- I Several of these, especially the first two, large increase of Income. If the Ragged hion is not BO flourishing, its day school is are being to a large extent superseded by ion School Board. The incomes of the British elgn Bible Society and the Religious Tract were £222,320 and B146,821 respectively. In 3'r the strictly missionary contributions were in the IattsrB22,013; in both the proceeds sales help to swell the annual expenditure. iday School Union has also an income of chiefly from the sale of publications. Adding r of smaller societies of, each of the three ,nd: giving an estimate for several which have drnished details, the Nonconformist comes to nsion that the aggregate incomes of organising f 1 mi!8ioiia"ry work at home and abroad otal of little short of a million and a quarter

AND ITS FUTURE PROSPECTS. May lowing leader on Ihe Board of Trade **d of Trade Returns for May present no that the evil times on which we have fallen \r. Exports continue to decrease and values ;0 fall. The increase in imports for the last ayourable in so far as the figures show a ortation of raw material, but this is accom- decline in value#. Explain the present ■epression as we may, it is impossible to e- conclusion' that we still are in as era of w. transition. With an extended business 'n, the remotest regions of the earth there must &ynew circumstances which seriously affect The extension of railways and telegraphs or some-time altering the conditions under waercial energy is applied. It ia only within years that an important market for jpd8> the Eastern Coast of South America, brought within reach by telegraph of this •■he Suez Canal has revolutionized the cany* tk °f the globe; and with this the machinery of commercial intercourse has Variety of changes in the larger branches of !n« Up to 1873 the tide of prosperity flawed l«.and with this favourable time came the "o^e.r"^rading. From the close of the vivil-War the course of trade proceeded with :D.isaøters<occurred-, but they were casual 4 was only in 1873 that substantial occasion Mid anxiety arose. In all parts of the world eclined. In many places grave commercial hWose«. In Vienna, in New York, in Berlin, there- was in succession a crisis of heavy rWBuye. Various explanations depending on tttetanceq.w.ere in each case offeree), but the 'pt remained, commerce had ceased to ad- was. universally, a tendency to restrict' 4 operations, and a subsequent spirit of .[kterval between the American Civil War ot 1873 the system of foreign loans had given Pstfiusio trade.. Ot the large sums extracted under the pretence of loans Spates a certain proportion was employed in goods, and the result was a consi- edition to the influences which for the time trade. With the arrival of new inflnences was lost. Many of the circumstances Qtfifented to swell the tidfc of commercial up ta 1873 werfi evanescent; 'A this ..short lease of prosperity 1. the -necessity of re-adjusting our relation to the new means of cam- 11 which had been gradually opened to com- ^Uona, A new arrangement was inevitable Mi°n with widely extended commercial rela- 10- Our own case this new settlement was E&ere trying by the controversy which had 0 the distribution of profits between labour • As long as the high tide of prosperity i the workman felt that his demands must -with increased wages came h expenditure, and for the time a quicker 'eturnii in general trade. It was not °te9 that the artisan should fee more oon- real natufe of the commercial period *9fch' he was passing than the capitalist. the manufacturer wanted labour, and Jk'Ehet wages, for his l&botir. He was not obtaining this, but limited the time of 1 u- aPP^t(i the increased wages to thrift, »*i8urefor niautal c" physical improvement, lotions from the ordnary rules of employ- Sat have been an ad-. 'go but, however Used. they were conceù". h"canse the capi- e tbil labourer, was thinking inlylof advan- Won in the present, and was heedless of the ■has come a time when all these hasty It? 8 Wuatbe recons d red iu relation to the t'aaof commerce, urd it is wniU7 the trading slowly feeling its way to :» r.ew basis ato*1*8' be prepared {<IT con.nnt-d depres- oT tl?a4t -bhows' aston'«tii j just Pe ^1° P°rtion of this tr.i(ie' ej*i><ls "!■ the &s tip whose fortunes are ahesidy m»de It pr otters-out of capital th*u »-> i .t ri-Liants trade are to L-V <-■ naidered. 6ctlv moome seeured, their expeL; t. depend 011 their profits, and the home business goes on very much as befoio, though 8 may be on the wholb "considerably [0f" 0 Accordingly there is maintained a steady i, Bj]^rtain articles of import, as for Bugar, do this has continued through the 16 repression down to the last month, f( returns show a considerable Ahat, however, is to be taken in condition with the fact that the returns for May, 1875, exhibited an abnormal advance, due to the sudden demand for raw cotton. The sustained rate of the import returns, as compared with those from exports, is still largely due to the quantity -of raw materials imported for manufactures—as of hemp, jute, silk-though the re- turns for May are not so satisfactory in this respect as those for the previous month, raw cotton showing a decrease of 16! per cent. It we turn to the tables of exports, there is the old tale of diminishing values, only compensated by the reflection that as long as production continues there is a hope that lower prices will produce greater consump- tion. The quantities of cotton piece goods continue to increase both in the month and in the portion of the year which has already elapsed and the same may be said of iron and steel. The tonnage engaged in our coasting trade is largely increasing. It would be rash to assume from these isolated cases, however import- ant the branches of commerce to which they relate, that the worst period of depression is over. The transition to new conditions of trade, to new relations between capital and labour, cannot be disposed of so suddenly, but the facts we have men- tioned do show that, trying as the time necessarily is, the energies of the country are not paralyzed or ex- hausted. The general course of business at home re- mains undisturbed, and those engaged in the higher order of commercial enterprise are neither discouraged nor apathetic, but are vigilantly awaiting new trading opportunities. Weaker communities as rich in accu- mulation might seek consolation in reckless speculation, endeavouring to force new markets, but the genius of English trade is more orderly and sober, and, while it is active, is content to await a new commercial sera. The various resources of the country meanwhile prevent our suffering acutely from the delay. Instead of hurrying on in the race to get rich, the capitalist and the workman have an opportunity to measure more accurately their relative positions. It may be true that we are not yet come to the worst period of depres- sion, that the diminution of exports will continue, with the prospect of an increasing balance of trade against this country and this disadvantage is no longer compensated by the purchase on foreign account of bonds in London; but, however gloomily we regard the future, the striking fact shown up to the present is that so ample are the resources of the nation, so hap- pily are they adjusted, that continuous depression neither produces general suffering nor crushes out com- mercial enterprise.

FROZEN FRESH MEAT FROM NEW SOUTH WALES. Mr. R D. Adams writes to The Times under date Sydney, New South Wales, February 28;- "The growth of meat in Australia is so much greater than the requirements of the population that the pastoral tenants have, according to seasons and circumstances, either had to boil down' the surplus or else 'tin' and export it as preserved meat.' How- ever good in quality, or however carefully prepared, experience has proved that there is a great prejudice against it in the mother country, especially among the very classes for which from its cheapness it was ex- pected to be beat adapted; and as the matter is of too great a moment to Colonial interest to be allowed to languish, various methods have been proposed here by which the meat could be sent home in some more palatable or, at any rate, more marketable form. Mr. T. S. Mort has come to the front, and, after eight years of unwearied efforts and repeated disappoint- ment, has at last succeeded (at a cost to himself solely I believe, of over £100,000) in perfecting appliances by which whole cargoes can be shipped frozen, and kept frozen while on the passage, so that on arrival in Eng- land the whole uncooked fresh carcass can be handed to the meat salesman as sweet as when first killed here. As far as successfully accomplishing all he sought for on shore, there is no doubt of that, as meat kept at the works for months, has been tested here by hundreds of us, and we could detect ne differ- ence in flavour or appearance between it and ordinary butchers' meat; but, of course, the stowing it in a ship's hold and sending it through all changes of climate involves a special adaptation (for the sea voyage), of means only hitherto proved suitable on shore, and as there is, of course, therefore, a new element of risk, his fellow colonists have felt that he should not wholly incur that, and a public meeting called for the purpose unanimously arranged to raise £25,000 for the sole purpose of sending a trial shipment to England. Mr. Mort, with his usual liberality, forgoes all claims for patent right profit, and also arranges for his partner in it (Mr. Nicolk), to go personally in charge, so that in event of there arising some unforseen difficulty his inventive genius may be at hand to promptly remedy or remove it. Over jSi 8,000 has been already collected towards carrying out the experiment, and you may therefore expect to hear within a very short time of 500 tons of frozen fresh meat being on it way from Sydney to London. Should it succeed fully, it requires no prophet to foretell what a real blessing it will prove to the whole of the lower and middle classes at home and if it be true, as said by Sydney Smith, that the heart of good government is roast mutton,' it will also prove a boon to the whole commonwealth indirectly, besides opening up a profitable market for our surplus of beef and mutton here, the extra profits from which will again return to the mother country in payment of extra goods we could not otherwise have ordered and paid for."

THE LAST HOURS OF ABDUL AZIZ. The Times publishes the following letter (taken from the Temps), dated Constantinople, Jane 5, which says;- The day before yesterday the ex-Sultan went down to the quay, with which three gates of the palace com- municate. He walked about and was very excited. Since his deposition he had frequent attacks of frenzy, followed by great prostration. The sentry who was in the small garden in which the house is situated seeing his agitation, thought it right to apprise the gendaimerie officer, who came up and respectfully begged the ex-Sultan to re-enter. Abdul Aziz, as his only reply, drew a revolver from his pocket and aimed it at the officer. Fortunately, there was no discharge. The officer,. without at all losing his composure, bent down and begged his old master again to return. Abdul Aziz then returned to his apartments. The Colonel specially charged with his custody was immediately informed and repaired to the Dolma Bagtche Palace to report what had happened. Sultan Murad was painfully affected. He ordered the Colonel to go at once to his uncle and ask him in his name about his health, and tell him everything he could desire should be at his disposal, but that in. his own interest and for a time he would do well to give up his arms. The Colonel was also ordered to have all the gates of the ex Sultan's residence closed, and was enjoined to have a gate made with as little noise as possible in the wall sepa- rating the house from. the Court of the Guards. The Sultan's habitation was thus converted into a priaon. The Colonel immediately went to fulfil bis painful and delicate mission. He found the ex-Sultan very calm. As he was elaborately explaining the orders he had received, Very well,' eaid Abdul Aziz, 'I under- stand. You want my arms,' and taking a revolver from 'his coat pocket he presented it to the Colonel. The latter excused himself, saying he would never presume to take an article from the Caliph's hand. Abdul Aziz Bmiled and laid the revolver on a sideboard. As the Colonel was leaving with it, the Sultan called him back to tell him he was only imper- fectly performing his mission. 4 They do not want me to kill myself, and that sabre (pointing to a splendid yataghan suspended on the wall), why leave me that?' The Colonel did not wait for a second invitation, took the sabre, and withdrew. In the night the Sultan was very excited. Yesterday morning he fell into a rage on seeing the foreign guard-ships in the Bosphorus decked with flags. They were celebrating Whitsun. tide. It is supposed he took this for a proof of recognition of his successor by the Foreign Govern- ments. At any rate, he frightened those around him by his outburst of anger. Then he got calm again, and about nine o'clock asked for a looking-glass and scissors, wanting, he said, to trim his beard according to custom. His mother, who had sinister presentiments, had very small scissors given him, convinced that with them he could not take his life. She soon afterwards went to him. He was holding the glass in his left hand and with his right he was cutting his beard. He asked her to heat the bath. She told him-she would order it. No,' he insisted, look yourself to the thing being done, and well done.' She had no sooner left him than he locked the door of the saloon in which he was. The slaves not seeing him come out, and not hearing him call them by clapping his,hand?, as he was accustomed to do every instant, became alarmed and informed his wives. One of them threw herself against the door and en. treated him to open it. No reply. Terrified, she had it broken open, and the Sultan was found stretched on the sofa, covered with blood and dying. His mother seized him by the arms, endeavouring to close with her hands the wounds he had inflicted on his arms. A terrible scene followed then in the house in which was expiring miserably that man who the day before was the absolute master of a great Empire. The women's shrieks being heard on the other side of the Bosphorus, the sailors of the ironclads moored just opposite the house ran as fast as they could to give help. The Minister of War, Hussein Avni Pasha, who lives close by was soon on the spot. Several medical men from the village offered their services to the un- fortunate Abdul Aziz. It was in vain. He soon breathed his last without uttering a word. Near him, covered with blood, were the scissors he had used to destroy himself. His mother, when he was declared to be dead, not wishing to survive him, rushed to the window, and it was with the greatest difficulty that she was prevented from accomplishing her aim. She is still being watched; "Still the Ministers sent messengers in all direc- tions to fetch all the medical men they could find to corroborate the death. This was a judicious measure, as the public could not help saying and believing that the ex-Sultan bad been assassinated. The customs of the country indued such a belief. Sultans in the past have never survived their fall, and they expected that Abdul Aziz would soon disappear. This expectation was unjust. It is averred that the Sultan Murad would never have consented to sign the Arret de Mort of his uncle. But how can one struggle against the vox populi even when the people is wrong ? There is only one way, and that has been adopted. The certificate of death is signed by 19 medical men, several of whom are Europeans. Among them are the names of M. Marrion, who represents here worthily the science and scrupulous honour of our great French medical body. His "name is enough to give supreme authority to this document. His veracity is further attested by M Dickson and Sotto, the former the physician to the English, the latter to the Austrian embassy, as well as by other doctors too well known among us to admit of a suspicion respecting their verdict. That Abdal Aziz killed himself is an incontestable fact. Be it also re- marked. that it would have been materially impossible to assassinate him with the wounds his body bears. Sveral assassins would have been necessary. Abdul Aziz was strong. He would have defended himself, and he was in Li* harem with his motheramont/Ms wives,his children, his slavff most of whom would have covered him with their Utiles, and all of whom wonld have screamed, called for help, and given evidence now against the murderers. It must be further noted that the Mus- sulmans, if they have often killed their Sultana, have always revolted from shedding their blood; they have got rid of them by strangulation. This is, or rather let us hope it was, the rule. It is iniquitous to charge the new Sultan or his Ministers with a crime which they have not committed, and it 8 » duty in 80 grave a case to prove their innocence with all possible carej or, in the contrary case, to establish their guilt.. The body was taken to the neighbouring Corps de Garde. It is a Turkish custom to carry dead bodies at once out of the houses in which they have expired. It would require a master in the art of writing to paint that lugubrious scene—the body of a Sultan stretched on a coarse mattrass, and covered by a cotton shroud in a smoky guard-house, to reproduce the terrible aspect of this bloody chamber, of the desolate young women and children of this family plunged into despair and mourning."

The Special Correspondent of The Times also gives the following account of the suicide of Abdul Aziz "Already throughout Thursday and Friday he had. it is said, given proofs of mental alienation, and on Friday, at the time of the new Sultan's progress to Stamboul, he had addressed some of the crew of an ironclad anchored close to the Palace, asking them why they did not fire on the sacrilegious usurper ? He was seen walking restlessly up and down his apartment, took little or no food for two days, and seemed plunged iuto such depths of savage melanaholy, that-as on Saturday he aimed his revolver at one of the sentries at his door-the people of his household deemed it ex- pedient to remove all weapons beyond his reach. Early on Sunday morning he parted with his women at the harem and shut himself up all alone in his apart- ment, locking and bolting the two doors which separate the harem from the selamlick, the women from the men's apartment. All was silenca till about 10 am., when the women, who could see their lord from their windows at his toilet, saw him fail on a sofa; and rais- ing an alarm, succeeded, with the aid of the persons Bnmmoned by their cries, in breaking open the doors, when the Sultan was found lying half across the sofa, with his feet on the near, in a great pool of blood, and with the traces of recent death. He had, it seems, secreted a small but sharp-pointed pair of embroidery scissors with which he was wont to trim his beard, or which he had borrowed from the Valid6, his mother, for that avowed purpose he had with it very dili- gently cut off his bear 1 close to the skin, leaving only the thick moustache on the upper lip, probably to disarm any suspicicn of those who were watching the operation from the harem windows, or possibly to express by that outward sign the sense of his degrada. tion and deposition, and had then deliberately gone to work, endeavouring to cut the veins of both his arms at the elbow, jobbing the scissors with great deter- mination at both arms, till he succeeded in severing the ulnar artery of the left arm, inflicting a wound or cut which must needs put an end to his life in ten or fifteen minutes. He then allowed himself to bleed to death like an old Roman hero, till he sank exhausted in the posture in which he was found. His face and body were utterly bloodless, his skin white and scrupulously clean, and no braise or swelling, no trace of a struggle or violence, could anywhere be discovered. At the express request of the Government, a professional examination of the body was made one hour later In a guard-room on the ground floor, where it had been removed, attended by native and foreign doctors, about twenty in number, among whom were Dr. Dickson, the physician attached to her Majesty's Embassy, and other European surgeons and general practitioners, either belonging to the European Embassies or Lega- tions, or residents in Pera or Galata; and these gen- tlemen delivered a certificate, now in print, signed by all of them, and to the effect that the ex-Sultan had died of wound3 or cuts which he alone and no other person could possibly have inflicted. Dr. Dickson came out this morning to Therapia, on a visit to Sir Henry Elliot, and gave the Ambassador a minute account of the circumstances on which the unanimous opinion of himself and his' colleagues was founded. The verdict, therefore, was Felo de se," which did not prevent the burial of the body with solemn pomp at Mahmoud II.'s monument at Samboul later in the afternoon. I scarcelyjneed advert to the fact that this is the first instance of a Sultan putting an end to his days, as suicide is by no means prevalent among the fatalist Oomanlis. Many, however, are the Sultans who have met with a violent death three of them were strangled, and others despatched with dagger or poison. Some have also been deposed or compelled to resign. Abdul Aziz thus withdraws from all compe- tition to the Throne he has forfeited, and goes to give another world his account of the manner in which he has occupied it for nearly 15 years (June 25, 1861, to May 29, 1876.)

The Correspondent of The Times also adds to his letter- Part of the ex Sultan's stud of horses are already being sold by auction. It may not be equally easy to dispose of his female establishment, amounting, it is said, to 1,500 persons, between what people improperly call wives "-for a Sultan never marries—and nurses, slaves, singing and dancing girls, and other attendants. As I was walking yesterday in the neighbourhood of Beikos, across the Bosphorus, on the Asiatic shore, on the road frcm the kiosk or palace of Tokat, I met two arabas," or country carts, drawn by oxen, and laden with women of various ranks with children and nurses and negro attendants. My surmise was that these were some of the inmates of the the ex-Sultan's harem, for whom a temporary home was provided in the vacant apartments of Tokat till the new Sovereign or his Ministers had time to consider what permanent arrangement cjuld be made for them, in which case other flocks of the same birds could find their nest in some of the many other Imperial country homes. Many of the former women of Abdul-Medjid, and even some of those of Mahmoud II., who died in 1839, are still enjoying the pension allowed to them by the Civil List. A widow or cast- off woman of a Sultan has a high value in the matri. momal market among these loyal Turks those who have borne children to the Sultan are, however, de- barred from marriage. It is reckoned that of 200,000,000). T. constituting the debt of the Ottoman Empire, a sum of 53,000,0001.T. has been absorbed by Sultan Abdul-Aziz during the 15 years of hia reign. If we reflect that of the 200,000,OOOLT. issued at nominal price little more than half was ever actually encashed, and if we take into account the interest at the average rate of 5 per cent. for so many years, we shall easily understand how little of the ill-borrowed money ever found its way into the State Treasury.

THE SPOONBILL. The Rev. F. 0. Morris writes to The Times from Nunburn holme Rectory, Hayton, York :— In The Times on Monday there was an account of a spoonbill having been seen near Lymington, in Hampshire, a part of the country where I have no doubt these birds used to be in abundance in ancient times. Singularly enough, the same pest brought me a letter from my friend the Rev. R. P. Alington, Rector of Swinhope, Linolnshire, in which he mentioned he had just been informed that the evening before a flock of seven swans had been seen flying over a neighbour- ing village (the birds incur no risk from my mentioning this, as they certainly would not stop on the Lincoln- shire Wolds). He added that the statement was con- firmed by more than one person. It watt, however, stated to him that their tails were black, wh ch at once showed that they could not have been swans. I have not the slightest doubt they were spoonbills, for though their tail is white, their long black legs are stretched out behind in flight (not that I have ever seen the bird alive my sell), just in the eame way as those of the heron, which, as every one knows, have all the appear- ance, when so held, of a tail much longer than the short one wh'ch the bird really has. The spoonbill is one of the too few birds protected by the Birds Pro- tection Act, and I hope whithersoever the ones in question were on their way when seen, this notifica- tion of the law may in some degree be for their safety. These very carious birds used formerly to breed on various parts of the Eastern Coast, as well as by inland rivers in England. Not a few have since been observed from time to time in various places, and no doubt they would again become denizens if only allowed. May I add one word as to the Act of Parliament just alluded to ? In the Spring of last year our Court of Quarter Sessions at Beverley memorialised the Home Secretary to enlarge the close time for sea birds, a measure pro- vided for in the Act in this way, from the 1st of August to the 15th of that month, a great boon to late or second broods and their parent birds. This was at once granted, and I would fain express the hope through your columns, if you will oblige me with the opportunity of doing-so, that the magistrates in other counties which have a sea coast boundary will this year follow so good an example at the«&pproaching Quarter Sessions.

F. B. D." also writes to The Times Adverting to the notice of the recent occurrence of the white spoonbill in England, printed in The Times of Monday, it may be interesting to your readers to know that this bird is pretty common in Holland and Germany, as well as in Italy. There is a beautiful variety (Platatea Agaga) found in the south of the United States of America. Its colour is that of a beautiful rose, and its wing coverts are crimson. Yarrell records several instances of the capture of the white species in England, where it was formerly quite com- mon."

THE QUEEN DOWAGER OF SWEDEN. A Swede" writes to The Times of Friday, the 9th:- The Queen Dowager of Sweden and Norway, Josephine Maximiliane Eugenie, whose death at Stockholm was announced yesterday, was the eldest daughter of Prince Eugene de Beauharnais, the step- son of the Emperor Napoleon I., and Princess Augusta Amalia, daughter of King Maximilian of Bavaria. She was born on the 14th of March, 1807, at Milan, where her father was then residing as Viceroy of Italy. When only a few months old the Princess Josephine was named Princess of Bologna by Napo- leon, and in 1812 she received the title of Duchess of Galliera, with the Castle of Bolagna and the territory of Galliera, The first years of her childhood were passed at the beautiful Castle of Monza, but on the downfall of Napoleon her father removed to Bavaria, and received from his father-in-law the title of Duke of Leuchtenberg. Here at Eichstiilt and Ismanirg, on the Ifar, a charming family, remarkable for intelligence, goodness, and beauty, grew up in the ducal court. At the age of sixteen, Princess Josephine was batrothed to tbe Crown Prince of Sweden, after- wards King Oacar I., the only son of Marshal Berna- dotte, who had been called to the throne of Sweden as Charles XIV., and was married at Stockholm on the 19th of June, 1823. By this marriage there were f our sons and one daughter. Ot the sons, the eldest, King Charles XV., and Princes GUitaf and August died before their mother. Only the third son, the present King Odcar II, and the daughter, Princess Eugeaie, .survive her. She became a widow in 1859. Qiieen Josephine had won the universal affection and esteem of her peoples of Sweden and Norway by her good- nets ot heart, the elevation < f her character, and the superiority of her intellect, combined with womanly gen leues3 and queenly grace. She was a devout Ca?.ho'ic; but notwitstanding the known ultra-Protes- tantism of her subjects the diSereuce of faith never affected her relations *i'.h them. Of her not incon- siderable private fortune she made the noblest use, and many are they who will bless and cherish her memory. Her death will, therefore, be felt by all as the loss of a revered mother. How greally she was loved and esteemed was well proved on the 13th of June, 1873, the fiftieth anniversary of the day of her first landing in Sweden, when the whole nation, in an un- exampled manner, united in paying their reverence and affectionate homage to a Queen who had not only gained their love, but also awakened the feelings of deep sympathy by the submission' she had shown in great domestic bereavements, having seen not less than eight members of the Royal family carried to their tombs. "Of the other children of the Dake of Leuchten. berg, now all dead, the Princess Amelia married the Emperor of Brazil, Peter I. and the son, Prince Maximilian, the Grand Duchess Marie, eldest daughter of the Emperor Nicholas, whose death was lately announced."

ERRANT BABIES. Foreigners who may happen to be wandering about Paris just now without any particular object, had better beware how they give way to their feelings of generous humanity. They will very likely find their attention attracted, as they take their walks abroad, to some of the prettily attired babies which are to be seen in every public place in Paris. They will, no doubt, commend, and may justly envy, the superior taste with which these little people are dressed, and they may even go so far as to admire the quiet carelessness with which the nurses abandon the care of their charges in favour of some Adonis of the Palais Royal or the Champs Elyeees. But let them not go the length of assisting these domestic Arguses in looking after their precious proteges. If they do, they may find themselves encumbered with a family of which it is not at all easy to rid themselves. It appears by -the French papers that the practice is still in full vogue of requesting strangers to hold the baby for a few moments while the mamma starts on a voyage of amusement. From this journey she is ex- ceedingly fond of forgetting to return, in which case the temporary substitute finds himself or herself saddled with an incumbrance for which he or she little bargained. This desire of the French mother to dis- pose of her offspring shows at all events that the country is not discouraged by the falling off in its population. But it is none the less troublesome to those who are expected to provide for the surplus offspring of these unpatriotic parents. English people are not unlikely to be made victims. They are all supposed to be good natured and rich, so that a baby more or less will not be thought to add much to their trouble. They are probably, however, of a different opinion, and had better not be too eager to take charge even of the most promising infants. -Globe.

SELF-MURDER IN ENGLAND. The British Medical Journal remarksConsider- ing the abnormal mental condition that produces suicidal mania, there is room for much specula- tion in the constantly steady proportion of suicides that occur year by year in the English population. In the reports of the Registrar-General, the attempt to distinguish suicides from other violent deaths was first made in the year 1815, when 1,275 cases of suicide were returned. It is trne that the annual number of suicides in England and Wales have lIinca 1858 slowly but steadily increased to 1,592 in 1874. If, however, the increase of population in thrse seventeen years be taken into account, we shall find that the proportion has been remarkably constant. The annual number of suicides to 1,000,000 persons living was equal to 67 in each of the three quinquenniads ending 1864, 1869, and 1874. During the five years 1870 4, the annual suicide-rate was equal to 70 per 1,000,000 persons living in 1870. and the lowest rate was 65 in 1873. The 1,592 deaths by suicide in 1874 included 1,204 of males and 388 of females; 597 resulted from hanging 340 from incised wounds, principally in the throat 280 from drowning; 149 from poison; and 93 from gunshot wounds besides 133 from other ill-defined injuries. Suicides are generally more numerous in urban than in rural populations; but the variation in their pro- portion in different parts of the country is not due to this cause alone. Taking the year 1873 as an example, this being the most recent year for which the Regis- trar-General has yet published his detailed annual report, the proportion of suicides to 1,000,000 persons living in England and Wales averaged 65, whereas in London it was 83. We may here remark that some statistics of suicide in London, recently published by the Metropolitan Police, have conveyed the erroneous impression that the number of suicides in the metropo- lis fluctuates in a remarkable manner from year to year. This is by no means the case, as the proportion to population is almost as constant in London as in the whole of England and Wales. The numbers pub- lished in the Police Report only show the suicides that come within the knowledge of the police; and it is very evident that, as regards the numbers in some recent years, either the police only heard of a small proportion of the suicides that occurred or their returns show very care- less compilation. But to return to the proportion of suicides in 1873 in different parts of England and Wales—the highest suicide rate occurred in the south- eastern counties-Surrey, Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire here, although the population is prin- cipally rural, suicides in 1873 were in the proportion of 88 per 1,000,000 persons living, and somewhat higher than in London. In the south-western counties of Wiljr shire, Dorsetshire, Devonshire, Cornwall, and Somer- setshire, having also a population principally rural, the suicide rate did not exceed 51 per 1,000,000; and in Wales it was so low as 39. It would be interest- ing to observe the relation between the statistics of suicide and of lunacy in the different counties, although we doubt whether any well-defined connection between the two could be established. Suicide, as a crime in England, is far more prevalent among the educated than the ignorant classes, and the proportion of suicides appears to be in inverse ratio to the education of the people. The frequency of suicide appears to be one of the penalties resulting from the progress of so-called civilisation, leaning to intense competition."

NEW PORT IN CHINA. In view of the expected opening of the port of Wenchow to foreign trade, the Celestial Empire of Shanghai says:- The iahabitants of Wenchow have, for many years past, been most anxious that their trade should receive the impetus inseparable from an influx of foreign enter- prise they have viewed with feelings almost akin to jealousy the superior prosperity of Ningpo on the one side, and Foochow on the other and we are therefore glad, in the interest of the Chinese nation at large, whenever the Imperial Government so far extends the provisions of the foreign treaties as to throw open fresh ports to the healthy influence of outside commerce, at the immediate instance of Western nations. Wenchow is a city which in itself embodies the elements of much commercial prosperity. It is charmingly situated some ten miles or so up the Wenchow river, and, in addition to much natural beauty, eDjoys a most lovely climate. The approaches to the' estua'y of the river present some difficulty to navigation, for, numerous as they are, they are so full of shoals and sandbanks as to call for extreme wariness indeed, only one is of any practical value. The channel which is thus at the disposal of foreign vessels has, however, been well surveyed, and the dangers in using it are easily avoided. The city is even now a thriving one. Com- mercially, the city is far from being unimportant. It has been said that the opening of Wenchow to foreign trade will htve a serious effect, sooner or later, upon Foochow; but we believe that the only places at all likely to suffer at first are a few neighbouring coast-ports of insignificaut standing, wbi ;h during the last sixteen years have attracted the legitimate trade of Wenchow to themselves. Wenchow will probably become an important emporium for the purchase and export of tea. An opium trade also exists, and a good business is done in timber, poles, and bamboo. The arrangements of the citv too, are such as to render the transaction of business easy, in detail; for the leading firms have their warehouses conveniently situated on the banks of the numerous canals surround- ing the city, by which means the goods are conveyed from the ship's side to the godown without the expense and annoyance of coolies. It is also satisfactory to notice that the people are a well disposed and friendly set, harbouring no absurd prejudices against foreigners, but anxious, rather, to share the benefits of Western enterprise.

THE HOMING OR CARRIER PIGEON. Mr. Tegetmeier—a gentleman who has devoted a great deal of time and study to the habits and uses of the pigeon-recently delivered a lecture at the Z )010- gical Gardens on the Homing or Carrier Variety, its natural history, training, and exploits." He gave some particulars of the pigeon concours of Belgium, in one of which a carrier had come home from Rome to Belgium, a distance of 900 milea. His more imme- diate object was, however, to show how the carrier pigeon might be used in war and diplomacy, and more especially for the prevention of shipwreck. He de- scribed the collodion letters which were carried to and fro by the pigeons during the siege of Paris, which the Prussians could not intercept, but after many vain trials finished by adopting the system themselves. Mr. Tegetmeier strongly urged the. expediency of keeping carriers on board the light-Bhips all along the coasts, and showed by means of a map and diagram that every Boul on board the Deutschland might have been saved had the crew of the light-ship only bad a carrier pigeon, under whose wing news of the ship's perilous position might have been sent into Harwich. Minute details were next given of themannei^n which the Belgians manage their annual pigeou^^ncours, and by a course of gradual selection obtain the best carriers. Specimens of the blue rook dove, the wild parent of the whole pigeon family, were compared with the cultivated and selected bird, and examples were cited to show that in a great many cases a pigeon service might be made to supersede the electric tele- graph. The employment of pigeons in this way would be merely the revival of the practice of the great stock- brokers at the commencement of the century. Those gentlemeu kept, during the war, relays of pigeons all along the road from Paris to London, aud it was by means of a pigeon express that the_ late Baron Roths- child was able to inform the British Government of the occurrence and result of the Battle of Waterloo. The pigeon had ever since been enlisted m the military service by the watchful Germans. Every German fortress had now its stock of carrier pigeons, and so much had the demand raised the price that a good traveller could not now be obtained in Belgium for les3 than six or seven pounds. The lecturer finished with an announcement that experiments were being made to test the practica- bility of conveying news of wrecked vessels from light- ships or lighthouses to the shore by means of carritr pigeoup.

TUIIBATJDIC NEWS.—The Levant Herald is announced to reappear now there iil nQ chance of the late Abdul doing ditto. It was "put down," we believe, for not giving the Sultan sufficient Abdulation -a want of decorum which could not fail to affect turbanity iu such a quarter.—Fun. SAYING A GOOD WORD FOR HcRSEFLMH.— In a curious article in the Abeille Midi code, M. M. Decroix, Chief of the Veterinary service to the army of Lyons, says that horseflesh is more healthy and more nourishing than that of oxen, sheep, or pigs. It is easier of digestion than that of any other animal killed by the butcher, after having been enormously aud prematurely fattened, and is more particularly suited to weak persons, and to workmen who make grea muscular efforts.

A STORY FROM SHANSE. Strong-minded ladies are by no means confined to western countries, and we begin to think that even the women of China are far from being the mindless puppets they are generally represented. Some time ago a wealthy tobacco-grower from Shanse arrived in Shanghai on business, bringing his son with him. Now the young lad had plenty of money at his disposal, and while his father was engaged in the transaction of business, hp. fresh from the country and quite dazzled with the magnificence of the model settlement, found no trouble whatever in enjoying himself amazingly. When his father's visit was over, it was with great reluctance that he ac- companied him back to his native place and highly delighted was he when, a year or two afterwards, the old gentleman determined to let him pay a second visit to this agreeable spot. He arrived here with his pockets full, and sadly neglected the business on which he had been sent. He gambled madly night after night, and rapidly lost all his money. At length he was reduced to such a pitch of destitution that, not daring to show his face at home, and indeed without the means of getting there, he was fain to accept the post of doorkeeper in an establishment which had been the scene of some of his most discreditable orgies. Meantime his father waited, and the prodigal did not return till one day his daughter-in-law—for the hope- ful youth was married—asked him whether he did not intend to take any steps to recover his lost son. What steps can I take?" said thet)ldman, brokenly; "he has been away nearly three years now, and there is now knowing what may have happened to him. He may be dead." Yee, and he may not be dead, too," retorted the damsel "I shall go and look for my husband myself." "You?" replied the old man, astonished, "why, what grood will you be? What do you know of the world ? How can you, an unprotected women, go about all alone?" Give me thirty thou- sand taels and leave me to act, rejoined this cool young lady, who was not much over twenty. The papa-in- law said he would give her three hundred thousand if she would only get him back his son and the arrange- ment was made forthwith. The girl then proceeded to shave her forehead and disguise herself in male clothes, and accompanied by a single old servant, set out for Shanghai. On her arrival she seems to have known by instinct what sort of places to look for her husband in, and her experiences must have had the charm cf novelty to the fullest degree. The handsome, richly- dressed youth, with pockets lined with money, was well received at all the restaurants, gambling-houses, and other places of entertainment, and the money cir- culated freely. All this time, however, her search was fruitless. At length, outside a house, ragged, dirty and half-starved, she saw a being who rather reminded her of her last husband. Casting a careless glance at him as she passed, she turned in at the door, and calling for some refreshment began to chat with the inmates. The place was doing well, they told her; they were growing rich lots of people from the country came there. Shanse why that poor devil crouching at the door was a Shanesman, and once as rich and gay as the young gentleman himself. The young gentle. man" laughed carelessly, paid for his refreshment, and sauntered away. The next day he—she rather —returned, and offered to purchase the poor Shanse- man of the proprietor. The bargain was soon struck, and then she entered into conversa- tion with her miserable husband. He told her he was the most wretched of men that his father was a wealthy gentleman in the North that he had a wife at home; but that he had irretrievably disgraced him- self, and did not dare return. But if the honoured one were a Shanseman, would he take a letter for him to his family ? It would probably be better to take you in person," rejoined his wife. Then, beckoning him to follow her, she led him to the hotel where she was staying; took off her cap, and asked if he indeed did not recognise her ? The unfortunate fellow saw that it was his wife and, utterly ashamed, he fell at her feet crying, and knocked his head to her upon the floor. No time was lost in paying his old debts and getting him some decent clothes, and then the re- united couple went home again together. -Shanghai Courier.

GARDENS IN NEW GUINEA. 4 Some notion of the luxuriance of the vegetation of the Maclay Coast may be got from the following So thickly is the coast of Astrolabe Gulf covered with vegetation that houses are almost invisible, the only signs of habitation oeing perhaps columns of smoke. If, however, more careful observation be made, separate groups of Cocoa nut Palms will be noticed. The plan- tations or gardens of the natives are seldom laid out near their huts, but, for the sake of security, are hidden in the jungle. A clearing is made by cutting down the underwood, and, after it has been dried in the eun, it is set on fire. The space thus prepared is then sur- rounded by a hedge, consisting of two rows of a kind of Sugar-cane (Saccharum spontaneum), which soon takes root, the opposite stems being fastened together with Lianas, and the space between the rows filled with rough-hewn logs. In less than a month's time a new plantation is put iu full order and planted with bananas, sugar-cane, and the Colocasia and the Dioscorea. The tools which are used for this purpose are very simple, being the udja, a strong stick about two yards in length, and sharpened at one end— the implement of the men and the udja-sab, which is used by the women, a kind of small spade. The Papuans have throughout the year a rotation of fruit and vegetables. Every day the women go forth to fetch from the plantations what is necessary for the same evening and the following morning. The coast people have the most property in cultivated land.- Qwden.

THE DWARFS OF INNER AFRICA. In a paper communicated by M. de Lesseps to the French Academy of Sciences, M. Mariette, better known as Mariette-Bey, the distinguished Egypto- logist, gives an account of the Akkas, or dwarfs of Inner Africa. He says it is generally believed this singular race inhabits a space of 1,000 square leagues under the equatorial zone of this vast continent, the route lying through the country of the Niam-Niams and that of the Mombootloo?. Dwarfs are frequently met with in Egypt, but only as pathological deformi- ties, not as belonging to a peculiar race; and perhaps the same may be said of those represented in the grotto of Beni-Hassan, as servants of the Pharaohs or their great dignitaries. In former times dwarfs played a great part in the Egyptian religion. The mythological ones are the Bess, that dealers in antiquities call tryphons. These are d warfy gods; they are short set, with small legs and curly beards, W hen represented as of a natural size, they are generally painted yellow, a circumstance de- noting an Asiatic origin. The Bess are t-upposed to be Phoenicians; Herodotus calls them Phtapatics and their images n-led to be placed at the prows of Phoenician boats. The Btss of that description descend from the "land of the Poons," which was long thought to be Arabia, but i,, in p^int of fact, the country of the Somalit-—that is, tue southern coast of the Gulf of Aden, near the island of Socotra, which was called "the divine land," because Osiris was born there. Now, these Bess have the same characteristics as the Akkas of antiquity, and several of them have a tail, which circumstance may have led to the legend of the Niam-Niams. In Egyptian, Niarn means a dwarf, and Akka is an infant at the breast. According to the ancient ritual for burials, the deceased was provided with a series of prayers, by which he was to conquer all the serpents, crocodiles, and monsters that obstructed the route to the other world, and pigmies, called N'em- nem, were supposed to fight for him all the way. M. Mariette seems to think that the language now spoken by the Niam-Niams when conversing with their neighbours the Akkaa must have been an old Egyptian dialect.

METHOD IN MADNESS. If murder has its apologists as undoubtedly belong- ing to the fine arts, surely the inventor of the following ingenous swindle is entitled to a dishonourable niche in the temple of artistic malefactors. A lady of distin- guished presence, admirable manners, and irreproach- able toilette, lately presented herself before a doctor in Paris, who had made monomania his especial study, to ask his advice about her son, who had for some time past laboured under deplorable illusions. In his case the monomania declared itself by a demand for dia- monds, and 30,000f. on every occasion. Where can I see this young man, madam ?' paid the worthy medico. "Here, in a few minutes," replied the lady, and departed. Thence she repaired to a famous jeweller, where she ordered diamonds to the amount of 30,000f., and asked that one of the shopmen might be allowed to accompany her home, when her husband would pay the bill. The name and address of a celebrated doctor lulled, of course, all suspicion of a meditated fraud. On re-entering the doctor's house the lady took the case of diamonds from the shopman, under the pretence of showing them to her husband, left the former in the ante-room, and entered the doctor's sanctum. Here is my son, doctor, can he come in ?' The doctor, happy in the prospect of an interesting case and a fat fee, epens the door, and, with his most amiable air, invites inside the dupe, whom he is enchanted to Bee, and begs to be seated. The lady closes the door, from sentiments of delicacy, on the interesting consultation, and Gallice "sans herself," Anglici "bolts" with her precious spoil, Meanwhile the doctor is engaged with the usual business with his patient. 44 Sit down and talk," he says, "how old are you?" "Sir," replies the young man, "you are exceedingly kind, I am just 24; but, as I do not see what that has to do with the matter im- mediately before us, and I am in rather a hurry, would you be good enough to fcive me a cheque for 30,000f. and let me go ?" 4' Ha, ha thought the sagacious doctor, "he is soon coming to the point. Well, my young friend, no doubt, the lady was very beautiful, but at the same time very extravagant, and, in short, turned your head." Sir said the indignant shop- man, "I do not understand the drift of your questions, which have nothiug to do with my mission here. I am not ill. Be good enough to explain youself." The explanation ensued and the tableau, The story is so good that it ought to be true, but the Figaro (of Paris) is unhappily as ingenious in its absolutely historical" facts as the above-mentioned lady.-Globe.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CASE. Impulsive friends of the British labourer are fond of suggesting a voyaga to the Antipodes as a sovereign specific for all the ills to which his flesh is heir. If farmers do not feel disposed to raise wages in the face of a falling market for the products of their tielos, or squires decline to divide their broad acres into minute allotments, Hodge is recommended to seek the plea- sant laud of the wombat. There he will have un- limited" damper" at all hours there juicy kangaroo steaks and platypus pies f-re viands within the reach of all horny-handed ones, ^.s for beef and mutton, such food is beneath the notice of the Australian labourer, a.nd is therefore exported. in tins to poor old England. A pretty picture; un- happily, it seems to have a reverse tide. Some- times labour is as scant in Australia as among us, so that if a man desires to satisfy his appetite on opossum, he must catch the animal for himself. A paragraph in the Queensland Times mentions that a deputation of labouiing men recently waited on the mayor of Ipte wich with a representation of their utterly forlorn con- dition. Between last Christmas and the middle of March they had only managed to obtain work during a single week. It may perhaps be imagined that this failure resulted from their demanding exceptionally high wages. The Australian labourer, like his com- peer at home, sometimes complains of a want of em- ployment because masters refuse to pay an exorbitant price for his services. In the instance in question this was not the case, the men offering to accept 12s. a week if the mayor would find them some work. On that meagre pittance they might perhaps have existed until the cloud turned its silver lining, although a shilling does not go so far at the Antipodes as in Eng- land. It is true that a man could live very cheaply, if he would be content with pine-apples and tobacco. A Brisbane journal quotes the former at Is. to b. 6d. per dozen, and the latter at about the same rates per pound in bond. But bacon commands from Is. 2d. to Is. 8d. a pound, and is very scarce even at those prices, Taking it altogether, the position of a labourer in Queensland does not appear so remarkably affluent as to be worth seeking at such a distance. Nor can the society of gins and the nocturnal serenades of miscel- laneous dingoes be considered improvements on the state of things in the old country. Such novelties may have their charms for a time, but like an incessant dietary of pine-apples and pig-tail, they are apt to prove cloying in the long run.—Globe,

BRITISH TRADE WITH NEW YORK. The British Consul at New York observes, in his report to the Foreign Office, that the decline in the trade of New York in 1875 with the United Kingdom and British Possessions was less than in the New York trade with other countries, the value of the British im- ports into New York showing a decline of about 10 per cent, and the exports about 2 per cent., while the value of the New York imports from all countries declined above 13 per cent., and the exports to all countries about 6 per cent. But there has been an enormous de- cline in the value of British imports into New York since 1872, which was the year of the greatest British trade with that port. The value then exceeded 200 million dollars, and in 1875 it had fallen to the extent of 85 million dollars, or between 40 and 50 per cent. But the exports from New York to the United Kingdom and British Possessions, which were not quite of the value of 210 million dollars in 1872, still exceeded 206 million dollars in 1875. Consul Archibald adds that the falling-off in the imports into New York of British manufactured goods is not attributable solely to the depression of trade in the United States, or the diminished power of consump- tion. It is owing, in a considerable degree, to an increase in American manufacture of certain staple articles heretofore almost exclusively imported from the United Kingdom, and notably in manufacturers of iron and cotton. British manufacturers must henceforth expect an increasing competition in the United States in these two branches of industry, as well as in fabrics of silk. In regard to cotton goods, it is not alone that they are being produced nearly as cheaply as in Eng- land, but for certain qualities of eoods manufactured in some of the New York and New England mills a decided preference exists over the highly-finished cali- ches and shirtings of Manchester. But with stimulated production wages in the United States will doubtless advance, indirectly owing in no small degree to the increased expense of living caused by the heavy protec- tive duties to which American manufacturers so tenaciously cling, and this element in the co3t of pro- duction will tend to diminish the force of the competi- tion with which British manufaturers will have to contend, and give them a better chance in the struggle to retain their pre-eminence.

SELECTED ANECDOTES. A GOOD APPETITE—A nobleman had a house porter who was an enormous eater. 44 Frank," said he one day, ''tell me how many loins you could eat?" 41 Ah, my lord, as for luins, not many five or six at most." 44 And how many legs of mutton ? 44 Ah, as for legs of mutton, not many seven or eight, perhaps." "And fatted pullets?" 44 Ah, as for pullets, my lord, not many not more than a dozen." 44 And pigeons?" "Ah, as for pigeons, not many; perhaps forty—fifty at most—according to appetite." "And larks?" "Ah, as for that, my lord—little larks-for ever, my lord-for ever." CHURCH MILITANT.—In the American Army, during the War of Independence, was a chaplain named Cauldwell, whose wife was murdered during the sack of a village by the British, when Knyphausen was marauding the Jerseys. At the fight of Springfield Cauldwell dealt retribution upon his foes. None showed more ardour in the fight than he did. The image of his murdered wife was before his eyes. Find- ing the men in want of wadding, he galloped to the Presbjterian church, and brought thence a quantity of Watt's psalm and hymn-books, which he distributed for the purpose among the Boldiers. "Now," cried he, put Watts into them, boys."—Jrving's Life of George Washington. VERY SHOCKING, IF TRUE.—At a dinner party, one of the guests used his knife improperly in eating. At length a wag asked aloud 41 Have you heard of poor L 's sad affair ? I met him at a party yesterday, when to our great horror, he suddenly took up the knife, and 44 Good heavenB interposed one of the ladies and did he cut his throat!" 44 Why, no," answered the relator, 44 he did not cut his throat with his knife but we all expected he would, for he actually put it up to his mouth." A TRUE COURTIER.—One day, when Sir Isaac Heard was in company with George III., it was an- nounced that his majesty's horse was ready for hunting. "Sir Isaac," said the king, "are you a judge of horses?" In my younger days, please your majesty, I was a great deal among them," was the reply, 41 What do you think of this, then ?" said the king, who was by this time preparing to mount his favourite; and, without waiting for an answer, added, we call him Perfection." A most appropriate name," replied the courtly herald, bowing as his majesty reached the saddle, 44 for he bears the beftt of characters." MORE TRUE THAN POETICAL.—The clergyman in a certain town, as the custom is, having published the bans of matrimony between two persons, was followed by the clerk's reading the hymn beginning with these words. 14 Mistaken souls, who dream of heaven T* WIT, SO-CALLED.—Straws, junior, gives the follow- ing dialogue. It shows up the weakness of human nature, even where people gather together to please and be pleased but it is sharp, and rather too true :— The masculine world is made up of two classes," said a clever young lawyer—very much disgusted at being deserted for a "dancing man"—44those with brains and those with heels, and I find that the latter have the inside track with tha ladies."—44 The feminine world is made up of two classes," replied a lady "those with brains and those with pretty faces, and I find that the latter are favourites with the men !"— You are right, and so am I," continued the Jawyer. What do you suppoEe the next generation will be!" —41 Apes," answered the lady. Those two individuals went home in a happy frame of mind. A DUTCH WITNESS.—41 What is your name?"— "Vel, I calls mineself Fred, but maybe so—I don't know—it is Yawcup. You see, chudge, mine modder she have two little poys; one of them was me, and one was my broder, or one was my broder and t'other was me, I don't know which; and I was chust so old as my broder was young, or my broder was chust as old as me, I don't know which, and mine modder she don't; and one of us was named Fred and t'other Yawcup, or one named Yawcup and t'other Fred, I don't know which and one of us got died—but mine modder, she never could tell whether it was me or mine broder what got died BO, chudge, I does not know whether I am Fred or Yawcup—and mine modder, she don't know." INGENIOUS REPLY] OF A SOLDIER.—A soldier in the army of the Duke of Marlborough took the name of that general, who reprimanded him for it. How am I to blame, general?" said the soldier. "I have the choice of names if I had known one more illustrious than yours I should have taken it." SOMEWHAT INCREDULOUS.—TherA is, away out in Iowa, a very learned and very worthy missionary, known as "Father T who is more than sus- pected of being very fond of having his own way. He once attempted to cross a wide, unsettled prairie, and was compelled to 44camp out" overnight. In the morning he took the wrong course, and travelled twenty miles due north, while he wished to go east. Some one inquired how it happened, as it was a clear day, and asked him if he couldn't see the sun.—41 Why, yes," replied Father T-, 441 saw the sun, but I couldn't bring myself to believe that way was east! "— American Paper. CALCULATING RISKS.—44 It will not do," says Sydney Smith, to be perpetually calculating risks, and ad- justing nice chances. It did all very well before the Flood, when a man could consult his friends upon an intended publication for a hundred and fifty years but at present a man waits, and doubts, and hesitates, and consults his brother, and his uncle, and his first cousins, and particular friends, till lone day he finds that he is sixty-five years of age—that he has lost so much time in consulting first cousins and his particular friends, that he has no time left to follow their advice." A GOOD CIGAB.—An odd bit of dialogue occurs in a French novel:—"Where is your husband?^' asks a gentleman.—41 He went out to buy a cigar, replies the lady.—44 Has he been gone long?"—44 Eighteen years."—44 He is quite right," remarks the gentleman, philosophically; "he wants to choose a good one." A CLIMAX —A clergyman was addressing his hearers with some warmth regarding the great power which the devil exercises over the minds of men generally, and just as he had come to a climax on this point a be- wildered dog, which had entered the church in search of his mas'.er, uttered a loud bark, when, with a flash in his eye, and giving the Bible board a tremendous thump, the reverend gentleman exclaimed, "Ah, yes, my friends! the foul fiend is EO bent on recruiting his ranks tout he sent that dog in here to-day to interrupt my speaking, and carry away your minds." FORGETFULNESS OF STUDIOUS PEOPLE.—Dr. Stuck- ley once waited upon Sir Isaac Newton a little before dinner-time but he had given orders not to be called down to anybody till his dinner was upon the table. At length a boiled chicken was brought in, and StUck- ley waited until it was near cold, when, being very hungry, he ate it up, and ordered another to be pre- pared for Sir Isaac, who came down before the second was ready, and seeing the dish and cover of the first, which had been left, lifted up the latter, and turning to the doctor, said, What strange folklt we studious people are I I really forgot I had dined." LORD CHESTERFIELD.—When Lord Chesterfield was in administration, he proposed a person to his late majesty as proper to fiil a place of great trust, but which the king himself w.tS determined should be filled by another. Trie council, however, resolved not to indulge the king, for fear of a dangerous precedent, an; it was Lora Chesterfield's business to present the grar t of cSc t'.r -he king's eignature. (Nut to incente hiHm~je*t bv asking billi abruptly, hp. with accents of great humility, begeed to know with whose name his majesty would be pleased to have the blanks filled up. With the devil's F replied the king, in a paroxysm of rage. "And shall the instrument," paid the Earl, coolly, "run as usual. Our trusty and well-beloved, cousin and counsellor ?"—a repartee at which the king laughed heartily, and with very good-humour signed the grant.

HARD MONEY. No sovereigns were coined at the Royal Mint in London in 1875, a thing which had act happened in any one of the preceding seven years. But there were 2,122,000 sovereigns coined and issued at the Sydney branch of the Royal Mint, and 1,888.000 at the Mel- bourne branch and no less than £ 2,726,000 in Aus- tralian gold coin was sent in to the Bank of England available for issue here. There were 516,240 half- sovereigns coined at our Royal Mint in the year. A large amount of light gold coin, withdrawn from circu- lation, was sent by the Bank of England to the Mint for re-coinage. Silver coins to the amount of nearly j3600,000 were struck in the year, and the issue exceeded £700,000, one-tenth of which was transmitted to the colonies. No crowns were coined. The coinage of half-crowns, which was resumed in 1874, continued in 1875, ana in the letter year above 1,600,000 were issued. Above 1.100,000 florins were coined in 1875, and 4,356.000 shillings, and 3,265,000 sixpences. Above 3,000,000 threepenny-pieces were issued; but the demand for these coins has diminished. The Bank withdrew from circulation in the year worn silver coin of the nominal value of jE143,000, and returned it to the mint for re-coinage; and a further amount of 211,000 was withdrawn in Scotland, and nearly 220,000 in Australia. Owing to the low price of silver, the profit on the silver coinage alone reached £ 61,757, which is more than the whole expenses of the Mint. The profit on the bronze coinage account is still greater. The bronze coinage of the year was very large, and there seems to be a steady increase in the demand for it. There were nearly 12 million pence coined and above half as many halfpence. It became necessary to have thirty one tons struck under contract fcy Messrs, R. Heaton and Sons, of Birmingham these coins bear the Mint mark H on the reverse. The Deputy Master of the Mint, stating the above facts and figures in his report, expresses his regret that the Mint, with its obsolete structure and inefficient machinery, has been unable to execute even the compara- tively limited amount of coinage required. He is able to state that counterfeit coining has of late diminished. The only really successful imitations are made of gilded platinum, sometimes with a rim of pure gold, and are of correct weight and have a good" ring," but when the gold wears off the platinum is disclosed. In most cases, however, the best test for a suspected coin is to weigh it against a piece which is evidently genuine; the instrument called a detector," used for bending coin, does not prove that a coin is not genuine, neither does "ringing it," for genuine coins may easily be ren- dered 44 dumb by a crack. Counterieit silver coins are most easily detected through the difficulty of imi- tating the "milling" or lettering on the edge.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE DEATH OF ABDUL AZIZ. The following Is a translation of the official report of the physicians who were summoned to examine the body of the late Sultan:- In a lower room of the guard hpuse adjoining the Imperial Palace of Tcheragan we found a body lying on a mattress placed upon the floor, and covered by a new linen cloth. Upon removing the covering we recognised the body as that of the ex-Sultan Abdul- Az'z. Every part of the body was cols. and bloodlem, pale, and covered with coagulated blood. There was no rigidity, the eyelids were partly open, the cornea slightly opaque, and the mouth half closed. Upon re- moving the linen bandages from the arms we found a little below the bend of the left arm an opening five centimetres in extent and three in depth. The edges of the wound were jagged and irregular the direction of the wound down wards and from without. The veins in this region were cut, and the cubital artery was open for three parts of its internal diameter. In the bend of the right arm we found a wound in a slightly oblique direction, also jagged, of two centi- metres in extent and one and a half in depth. In this place only the smaller veins had been touched, the arteries being intact. A pair of scissors was produced to us ten centimetres long, very sharp, and having upon one of the blades a small lateral knob towards the point. The scissors were stained with blood, and we were told that it was by means of that instrument that the ex-Sultan had inflicted upon himself the wounds described above. We then proceeded to the residence of the deceased ex-Sultan, where we were shown a vast chamber looking upon the sea. We found there, upon the corner of a sofa, placed near a window, a pool of blood, and updn the matting on the the floor was a large quantity of coagulated blood in one mass, with several smaller patches in other places near it. Frcm the above facts, we are unanimously of opinion—1, that the death of the ex- Sultan Abdul Az:z was caused by hemorrhage pro- 'duced by injuries to the vessels in the bends of the arms 2, that the instrument produced to us was per- fectly adapted to effect such wounds 3, that the direc- tion and nature of the wounds as well as the instru- ment which might have effected them lead us to the conclusion of suicide. Signed by Drs. Marco, Nouri, A. Sotto (Meiecin Attache a l'Imperiale et Royale Ambassade d'Autriche Hongrie), Spagnolo, Marc Markel, Jatropoulo. Abdinour, Servet, J. de Castro, A. Marroin, Jules Millingen, C. Caratbeodory, G. D. Dickson (Meiecin de rAmbiassade d'Angleterre), O. Vitalis (Medecin de l' Administration Sanitaire), Edouard Spadaro, J. Nouridjian, Miltiade Bey, Moustapha, Mehemet.

THE MARKETS. MUK-LUE. —MONDAY. The grain trade has been without fresh feature. The at- tendance was moderate. English wheat was again sparingly offered. Without being active a steady firm demand pre- vailed. and prices were supported. As regards foreign wheat, the show was tolerably liberal, a fair Inquiry prevailed, and quotations ruled firm. Fine malting barley was in demand at extreme currencies. Other kinds were quiet but steady. The supply was moderate. Malt sold on firmer terms. Oats were in good supply owing to liberal foreign importations, nevertheless the demand was firm at full quotations. Maize was in firm request, and quite as dear. Beans and peas were in moderate demand at late rates. The flour market was quiet but firm. METROPOLITAN eATTLE MARKET. —MONDAY. The total Imports of foreign stock into London last week amounted to 16,168 head. In the corresponding week In 1876 we received 17,619 in 1874, 12,210 in lfc73, 21,842 in 1872 8,444 and in 1871, 14,899 head. The cattle trade, though not so firm as on Thursday last, has continued steady. Moderate supplies of stock have been an offer. The receipts of beasts from our own grazing districts were on an average scale, and some well conditioned stock was noticed. The market remained firm, though not so active as on Thursday. Occisionuliy 6i. 4d. per 8,b was realised for very choice Scots, but this quotation was quile exceptional, the general top price ranging from 6s. to 6-. 2d. per 81 o. From Norfolk, Saifolk, Ettex, and Cambridgeshire: we received about 2 000; fioin other par;s of England about 2b0 and from Scotlaud about 40 bead. On the foreign sid6 of the tlart-t was an increased show cf beasts, including fioin Dunkirk, Holland and Sweden. Tile trade was quiet but firm, at lull pric-s. The sheep peus were moderately well tilled. A fair business was transacted, and quotations were steady, th' nut quite so high as on tne last market day. The best Downs and half-breds msde6i. lOd. to 11 per 8ib. Lambs were in moderate request at from 7s. 61 to 8s 6d. per 81b. For calves there was a fair inquiry for choice breeds, otherwise the trade was quiet. Pig* met a slow sale. At Deptford there were 760 German beaan. as* i i and Inferior beasts 4a. 6d. to 5a. second quality ditto, i I to 6s. 6d. prime large oxen, 6s. to 6s 2d.; prime Scots, Scz. 6s. to 6s. 4d. coarse and inferior sheep, 4s. 6d. to 6s. 6cL second quality ditto, 6s. 61. to 6s. prime coarse woolled, 6s 8d. to 6s. lOd. prime Southdowns, 6s. 10 i to 7s. large coarse calvea 4s. 61. to 5a. 6d_ prime small ditto, 6a to 6s. 6J. large hogs, 4s. 6d. to 6s. small porkers, 6a. to 6a. and lambs 7s. Gi to 8s. 6d. per 81b to sink the offal METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET.—MONDAY. There was a moderate supply of beef on offer this morning, and in consequence, partly to the heat of the weather, trade was slower. Prices, however, were fairly supported. In- ferior beef, 3s. 4d. to 4s. middling ditto, 4s. 4d. to 4s. 8d. prime large ditto, 5s. to 6s. 8d prime small ditto, 6s. to 6s. Od. veal, 5s. to 5s. 8d.; interior mutton, 4s, 8d. to fill. middling ditto, 5s. 4d. to 6s. prime ditto, 6s. 2d. to 6s. &d. large pork, 4a. 4d. to 45. 8d. small ditto, 6s. 8d. to 0a. 4d. and lamb, 6s. 8d. to 7s. 8d. per Sib. by the carcass. HOPS. The amount of business passing in hops is very moderate. Scarcely any disposition Is evinced to speculate, and as the stocks held by consumers are understooa to be moderate the consumptive demand is on a moderate scale. Choice hops, being still scarce, fully support late rates, but inferior parcels, of which there is a plentiful supply, barely support late rates. The plantation accounts are mou favourable. East Kentgoldings, 1875, £ 5 12a to £ 7 7s. Mid Kent ditto, £ 3 6s. to £668. Weald ot Kent ditw..£2 6s. to £66s.; Sussex ditto, e3 to P.5 10s.; Worcester ditto, C4 15s. to jM ifarnham ditto, L4 10s. to £7 7s. Country ditto. « 4s. to R,5 lOa. yearlings, 1874, £41011. to L6 Bavarian, 1876, .ea 6&. to £6611. Belgian ditto, E2 lis. to je3 Alsace ditto, Q 108. to Li 10s. American ditto, JM to L6 6s. POTATOES. The supply of potatoes was very short, and for all kind a steady trade was experienced at the following prices -Kent regent., 160?. to 2003. Essex ditto, 120'. to 150; Scotch, 170A. to 200i. rocks, 100s. to 120s. flakes, 160a to 195a Victorias, iOOs. to 210s. and kidneys 140s. to 160s. per ton. SEED, LONDON, Monday, June 12.—A few straggling orders tot Cloverseed drop in from the country, which are secured with difficulty hr want of supply, Uttle English or foreign remain- ing over, and of Trefoil only inferior qualities remain unsold. Tares were offered freely, but few buyers, and prices still tend downwards. Dutch Hempseed was in good request, at very full rates. Canary seed could be bought for less money, the demand being limited and prices still point lower. White Mustardseed was saleable on former terms. Brown was scarce, and for want of fine Qualities hardly any sales effected; English Rapeseed enquired for, and a little offering; prices are high for fine qualities. Ewst-India samples ase very dear also. PROVISION. LONDON, Monday, June 12.—The arrivals last week from Ireland were ó4 firkins Butter and 2,94$bales Bacon, ana from foreign ports 30,377 packages Bu'ter, and 3,129 bales Bacon. The Batter market ruled slow for the finer qualities of Normandy last veek. and prices declined about 4a per cwt. The supplies of Jersty being short there was little change in value. Best Dutch advanced about 8s.—say to 112s. to 114s. lu Irish but few transactions in Corks. The Bacon market ruled nrm more business done ia the best descriptions, both of Irish and Hamburg. American singed- sides offering at 52s. to 54s. Butter, per cwt.: t. g. I Cheese, per ewt. s. s. Corset 134 to 136 Cheshire 54 ta 80 Friesland 103 l;2 Dble. Gloucester 60 74 Jersey 9i 102 Cheddar 73 84 Fresh, per doz 14 16 American 40 66 Bacon, per cwt: Hams: York 102 112 Wiltshire F4 86 Cumberland 102 112 Bacon, per cwt: Hams: York 102 112 Bacon, per cwt: Hams: York 102 112 Wiltshire F4 86 Cumberland 102 112 Irish, green, f.o.b 82 86 Irish 93 TALLOW, s. d. «. d. Town Tallow, per cwt. 42 9 Rough Stuff, ner cwt 14 9 Rough Fjt, per Slbs. 110 Greaves ig 0 Melted Stuff, per cwt. 29 0 Good Dress 6 0 Rough Fjt, per Slbs. 110 Greaves 16 0 Melted Stuff, per cwt. 29 0 Good Dress 6 0 Yellow Russian, new 47s. 6.t. per cwt." Ditto Ditto old 03. 01. Australian Mutton Tallow 42s. 6di Ditto Beef Ditto 40s. 6d. GAME AND POULTRY. Capons, 7s. to lis. 6d. fowls, 2s to 6s. chickens, 2s. 3d. to 4s, 61. ducks, 2s. 6d to 6a. 9d. geese, 4p.. 9d.. to 10s. Paeons, 6 l. to Is. rabbits, Is. 6i. to 2s. Su. wild ditto, 9j. to l«. 2". hare*. 2;. 6d. to 4«. 6d. haunches of venison, 65s. to 60s. e-.ch f arequarters of ditto, lid. to Is. 2d. per lb. FISH. Salmon, la. 2d. to 11. 6d. per ib. soles, Is. 6d. to 4s. per pair mackerel, 2a to 2a. 81. per dozen plaice, 18s. to 20s. per basket, turbot, 6s to 13J. each; bloaters, 6s. to 7s. 6d. per hundred grilse. le. Id. to Is. 4d. per lb. lobsters, 10,. to 25s. per dozen crabs, 36s. to 44s. per kit; native oyater.. lis. 6d. to 20s. per hundred; brill, 18. 6d. to 2s. 3d each mullet, Sa. to 5s. per score; whiting, 8s, to 12s. per basket.