The Aberystwith Observer

"SKETCHES IN LONDON. THE JAPANESE JtJGGLERS. (By one of our London Correspondents.) When the Japanese ambassadors were in England they were followed by a crowd of people who stared at their strange dresses and stranger faces. But the am- bassadors were silent men, and the most that the gazers at them could make out about them was that they were queer-looking. When, therefore, men of the Bame grave-looking race, come to our city and perform peculiar feats of legerdemain and acrobatic agility, and at the same time condescend to explain and elucidate their performances in their own language, it may be guessed that the interest is more intense, and the crowd greater than before, and that a London public does not grudge either one shilling or five to behold the marvellous and novel spectacle. The Japanese jugglers have taken up their abode in St. Martin's Hall, and adapting themselves to foreign customs have erected a huge gas transparency over the doorway, which lights up Long Acre like noon-day. But to give the accessories a more Oriental aspect, the entrance-ball has been hung with innumerable paper hnterM of diversifieù shapes and colours, and tbe soft and mellow light from these, falling upon the gay o era cloaks and many-hued dresses of the ladies who pass beneath, presents us with a scene as picturesque as it is unusual. When I entered the hall a consider- able number of people had gathered to witness tbernew strange performances, and as the hour approached which was advertised as the time *or fencing, the audience momentarily increased. The interior had been decorated PaPer lanterns of the same type as those below, upon which were painted landscapes in toiliar to us in the willow pattern plate..bight o clock came, but with it no signs of the Japanese—punc- tuality evidently being a virtue unknown in the far Eaet, or, at, least, if known, not practised by its representatives on the present occasion. By-and- by, the pianist appeared, and treated us to some Bausic of the usual concert-room type. One would have supposed that when everything else was so thoroughly Oriental in character, that Mr. Marquis Chisholm would have been engaged to give us some Japanese airs as studied on the spot. But either Mr. Marquis Chisholm was unwilling to come, or the management was unwilline to ask him, and, instead of the tunes which sound in Yeddo or Kagosima, we had Slap Bang," and Won't you marry me ?" How- ever, the music was well executed, and those who did *i?' Care ^8*en to it could pass the time in studying the scenic accessories. And very peculiar these ac- cessories were. To begin at the top, there was up at the ceiling what appeared to be a very small coffin composed of various coloured woods arranged in draught-board pattern, and round this box or coffin there was a sort of red night-shirt, while from it there Jttmg a cord which reached the stage. Upon the stage there was errcted a concern like a builder's scaffold, Composed of four poles with cross-bars joining them at and beneath there was a long, low table, crvered with a cloth of red and black pattern. In the back ground there was a magnifieent collection °* t°T a from the smallest tee-totum size up to the cart- Whtel stzp, while round the rear there stood, supported on props, what seemed to be a complete miniature Japanese village, with houses and mills, and boats, all many as heart could desire. And the whole was en- closed with a folding screen, on which were depicted orests and highways, and ploughed fields in endless BUrrot)nded by a border of yellow moons on Mr k sky, and red stars en a blue sky. Perhaps his screen was J apanese in execution—I cannot tell— ot the red stars bore a marvellous resemblance to those on the permanent decorations of the hall, and e perspective was rather too good to accord with pre- ous knowledge of Japanese drawing. j. t length, as time was rapidly flying, a British au- took the liberty of enlightening the illustrious eigners as to the British method of showing im- patience, and kept up a vigorous stamping on the floor, until at last the performers appeared. Slowly *ad solemnly they inarched up the little platform Wt-w ,up in» long line before the loot-lights..When all had taken their places, at a wgnal from their leader they dropped down into a lIort of squatting position, sitting upon their heels while their knees rested on the boards, and then at a Second signal bent slowly forward until their foreheads touched the floor. This was their obeisance. Hav- Jog resur ed the squatting posture, the leader J>egan a io jg discourse in his own tongue, and the la erpreter or rather showman informed us) expressed the pleasure which they had in seeing many spectators, and expressed a hope that their crmances would be satisfactory. The worthy Cr»?-8 Ifn^Ua^e resembled bad French, with a dash of ug *nd was uttered with marvellous PB.fi1 i i? aided by a considerable amount of i 011- When he had concluded his oration iinrvT'tQp 1_repeate<^ their salaam, and, with the same J J gravity with which they had entered, trowel e 8t"r again and disappeared. The smr«.l!e™=«.C0*n*H>,S(* twelve members, comprising from fVm nL, v° three women—although, of their national attire, it «« extremely difficult to say which were men and which w £ PeD; This national dress consists of a long e^lvWtoCtb^ie c^e.of^eme/», hangs loosely and into# fi' anm.in women is girt Wore a^tm-f1 f°K'\ mal.e members, as a rule, also brifht wJ•i',hor1t.tlPPet of cloth of gold, or some shoulder to tif w^lc^ Bto°d straight out from each ■eemed to hi 6xtent of about a foot- Every hue .med to be represented on the stage, and the general Were verv r> i indeed. Their faces also We Z7oZ of thafc tyP' to which we domestic tea tray° acca8tomed by means of the ^ter a long and wearisome time of wait- anc'eR■'ch?r8e intimated that the perform- the fo«r, l begin by a national dance, ana two of VIBTT- members of the company appeared. One, uaving seated herself in a corner, began to play upon wnat seemed to be a tin banjo with one string, accom- Paying the discord thus produced by one still greater Bong. Then it became evident that we had been "Pared the Japanese music at the beginning, out of Kindly consideration. The other then began to dance hornpipe very much like a burleeque upon Jacky Aar executed by a drunken fishwife, and when theøe tw° had exerted themselves till they were tired they D4lnl8?hPe"ed; • were succeeded by Asi-Kitchi-Sau the great juggler of the troupe, who Performed some of the national tricks of legerdemain, of tv?n i *J>^fiare(ui l e<lu»tted himself upon the top forr« j i • w ich occupied the centre of the plat. 1an *nd having_ surrounded himself with little black ^Panned boxes, began. He first took up a sheet of th« A' having kindled it, held it in his hand until am* came close. He then, apparently, rolled a»L»Cr*Pv remaining into a little ball, and flung it kiban^i W m 'rom there issued dosens of little n. These were drawn out and out to the usual .terminable length, and at last were gathered together 10 a round ndass, when suddenly the fire was still to be burning among them, and upon beine ■ei*ed by one c«rner and stretched out they resolred rh^mselves into a Japanese lantern. Loud app]aUse ioUOWed this trick, for it was cleverly done. Then •jfere was more and more producing of ribands, 7* greater and greater width, until the juggled "at almost concealed from view. All at onee A explosion occurred among them, and «-J £ itchi.Sau disappeared, leaving in his place a cJlge. extended umbrella, from behind which there on»? monstrous beast which devoted itself assidu- etching rermin. upon unlikely parts of its itself11-' *After a little while, this creature resolved aort ,a fepoy-looking individual who danced a Pullo^ dance, at the conclusion of which he rnjto- °? a mask and revealed the features of the toD.Brt& JUg?ler: ^hen he had retired, Gauesee, the & ier.t0 *he Tycoon, made his appearance, and trick, k ? wonderful performance. To relate all the but th« would only be to wAry the reader, of all tn^Cue ™ent. on a '*w may be interesting. First incr Tr,n4.i„ naving been set a going by receiving a twirl* two litti b1" fingers, kept dancing to tune upon hand • ingB butter sticks which he held in his ahoulA.-0 0 JPJ gyrated up one arm, across his al oUlders,. and down the other arm; tops wandered Points • +m ree twirled steadily upon their i^discrimin.? i*pan °pon their P°lnta °r fl»* ends span oKnv » top climbed over another and k«pt spinning 'whFi* al°u^ the of fan and *lown thin ni™ ? lfc was being opened tops glided the floor l" and hummed heirtily on Cn th« 'nlf aU a ^P twirled away merrily and I,HJ;IT FAAHIarp sword. Gaeusee was loudly »n mn ii j cheered when his performance came to Wa, u-e7edly; „ PQrin8 the whole display he fir^nf T 7 bW° wh0 kePt up a running ?.ra^° wei1 "g0 on Portion nf^ retired, the acrobatic and gymnastic formal? company came on the stage. Their per- be witmfo* ^6-re 110 near]y equal to many which may Penny booth at a country fair in chief V m*y acceuntedfor because the been disabled by an accident which hitoself^ H«Drf v.Voyage' and was unable to exert what he could in the way of encour- *is fine dress, shouting b!1°W the ?cfFoldin? Waving his hand in ^knLl t0P °J ^LlunKB»1 and Which greeted the effortTofe^ A appl^8# SS ss J^thpir mouths, and used them vigorously L the most Jjt.ely positions, whenever opportunity occurred! ES bau% moreover, seems to be at even a greater discount ™ Japan than it is in England, if one may judge from .extraordinary wig composed of a piece of a ver- milion door-mat which adorned the remarkable couaten- of one of the tumblers. It must be confessed that 18 part of the evening's amuiflment was somewhat a t° the flesh, but it came to an end and the exhibitor informed us that we would next be treated to WPareie.b&llad after the style of Lord Lovel.' The *°t°r« Ui this piece were G-aeusee's two children, the whom was a little urchin Besrcely three years ,e elder little better than six. These two themselves down, and the elder began the same J:nelancholy strumming which had ushered in the first bv tk J^eentei-tainment, and was vigorously seconded somT+kil i-.one' kept up a constant bawling, The JaniL of a bad pair of bagpipes, by the sincruT attendant sa«pied to be mightily affected portion cf the °r scr*eohiBg' and tfae ^ritiih edification and instrn1^09 uwere «|Uallyamu8ed; so Well When thev h S n 8 oombmed, all was and performed lianv Jktired' »gain appeared Worthy of mention wa^hinW°- feats. Especially < £ a piece of string, a^ fcpiaTg a °5 perpendicular cord whichT «au*l° £ ascend coffin box at the from thIcheqr^ Wooden Bides into the interfi t ?8t W Was i.nri i his greatest feat caused at y Bome means or other ho cCecteVtuP £ ° »l°Z tramway which CSlthe h0U8f-8 tbe+ W»t«e Japanese vil* it pasTf1 Ze notlctd at the, ^8mning, and made U had^i °u t0 h°U8?' a°d fr°m tower to tower, little door ^ru every e^vation, and visited every PlaudJfp^ t\-u lhl8 doDe be retired amid the heartv Sed t the wdience-but Asi-Kitchi-Sau soon reS w'as°t°kaclu1d1 the Performance. Hia final dis- t)oni off^»i r, ceiebrated butterfly trick." Having {h* w°Uttle scraps of paper h»*et them moving by vawtta of two fep#, antil it actually seemed as if they were alive! They flew high and low; steadily and flatteringly; and danced along the edges of his fans just as pleased him and however he turned his wrist—a more perfect imitation of insect life was never shown. I venture to predict a great success for the Japanese troupe both in London and Paris. Their entertain- ment is in every sense unique—and novelties are but rare. Londoners and strangers ought alike to pay St. Martin's Hall a visit, and seize this chance of behold- ing the amusements and skill of the natives of the far East.

THE SNIDER GUN. The following paragraph has appeared in the Owl:— We are sorry to hear that, after immense expenditure in providing ammunition for the new Snider gun, it is found in practice that the copper of the cartridge so obstructs the barrel after the discharge as to render the (run useless. This was not the case with the hand- made cartridges, and the fault is directly attributable to the use of machinery adopted by the government under the pressure of the great demand." On the above paragraph the Pall Mall Gazette remarks:— 3 This announcement is absolutely without foundation. It is not very easy, indeed, to understand what is meant by the copper of the cartridge obstructing the barreL No part of the cartridge case—which, by the way, is not made of copper—ever enters the barrel at all, either before or after firing, and could hardly, therefore, obstruct it. Read less literally, the paragraph may be understood as intended to express that the cases do extract easily—that they stick, and obstruct the chamber after firing. If this is what is meant, we have only to state that no difficulty of this description has been experienced since a Blight change was made in the form of extractor five or six months ago— a change which has long sinew been applied to the few arms which were made with the original con- tractor.

THE FORTHCOMING EXHIBITION. The following information has been oommunloated to exhibitors by the British Executive :— The punctuality of the opening of the British por- tion of the Exhibition is endangered by the backward- ness of many exhibitors, and the British Executive have pointed out the necessity of a strict adherence to the dates specified for the reception of goods. All objects of great bulk should now be in the building. All other exhibits must be in their places by the 1st of March, with the exception of jewelry and textile fabrics, which may arrive up to the 10th of March. If an exhibitor should fail to commence the fittings he would require by the 20th of February, it will be concluded that he does not intend to occupy his allotment, which would then be placed at the disposal of one of the numerous applicants desirous of obtaining space in the Exhi- bition.

ARCHDEACON ALLEN'S GRIEVANCE! Archdeacon Allen is clearly the enfant terrible of Convocation, and evidently Convocation does not like him at all (remarks the Pall Mall Gazette.) As soon as the lower house met for business he lost no time in bringing forward what is called, in convocational language, a gravamen, by which, as far as we can make out, is meant something like what plain people call a grievance. But the Archdeacon's gravamen was one which his brother clergy were most unwilling to entertain. He actually had the hardihood to in- sinuate that what he called the armchair discharge of the episoopal office" is inconsistent with the honest receiving of the episcopal income. Here, said he, we have a detachment of colonial bishops spending their time in England when they ought to be in their dioceses. The Bishop of Barbadoes has not been in Barbadoes for three whole years. If he is too ill to go back he ought to resign, and not countenance the theory that colonies can get on very well without any bishops at all. The Bishop of Exeter, too, is ninety years of age, and wholly incapacitated from work; and yet he continues to receive his large income, al- though if he resigned his bishopric, he would still have his rich stall at Durham, stalls being sine- cures. But the sequel shows that the Arch- deacon was spending his breath for naught. It is no business of Convocation to see that bishops do their duty; its gravamina concern an alto. gather inferior race of mortals. So the Archdeacon's gravamen was handed over to the committee on grava- mina, to decide whether or no it was a gravamen; and the committee, after a few dayx' interval, decided that neither In matter nor form was it a gravamen, and the Archdeacon felt himself duly snubbed. Upon this he begged to be allowed t. say a few words, but the chairman decided that he should say nothing, a deci. sion against which the Dean of Westminster protested, as being a shelving of the Archdeacon. To this the chairman replied that if the Archdeacon liked, he might present another gravamen; and so the matter ended, greatly, no doubt, to the satisfaction of the episcopal order in general. An archdeacon, we are told, is "the eye" of a bishop. It is evident, how- ever, that introspection constitutes no portion of the eye's duties.

PHEASANTS OUT OF SEASON! The Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph thus ocularly writes :— An Engllah gentleman in Paris Wit week nearly got Into terrible trouble, and, moreover, was the cauae 01 trouble in others. The shouting season ended here, by Imperial decree, on Feb. 10, and therefore, at five minutes patt twelve on that morning, game became a prohibited article in Paris. There is no keeping pbeManta here hanging by their tail feathers, (fee. high srame U not the little game of the Perls police Now Lord Z the most liberal ol landed pro- prietors, and who is never happy it he is not giving some- body something, brought u. all over a quantity of long tails. My lord came to the houses of his Iriends with certain braces of birds concealed in brown paper. The police winded those birds, and when my lord had left there was a visitation of police. In one instance the pheasants were put under the sofa, and the liberal donor was introduced as a High Church clergyman who wished to confess Paris generally—as indeed, I Dare say, he would like to do—and was so received with pleasure, nay dignity. But. truth to tell, these pheasants" have brought us within the action of the law." I am going to offer, in hospitality, two to-night, at eight o'clock, with a brown gravy, not too thick, and bread sauce—we sent for a man from London to make that—and I fully expect that the commander" of police will drop in with the cheese, llks our Don Giovanni friend—only he was asked—and so I look forward with apprehension to my repast. Here I think I will deduce another moral; "When you send game (ana please send It often) from England, send it before the end of the season."—Later intelligence enables me to say that Lord Z-. if he was incarcerated, has got out, and the pheasants were In full feather not an hour ago.

A LETTER FROM MR. BRIGHT. At a Reform meeting heM on Monday night at Bradford, a letter was read from Mr. Bright. In It the hon. gentleman said The course taken by the Government is an insult to the House and a gross offence to the whole body of Reformers in the country. I cannot say what the House will do till after the meeting which is called for Thursday next. The Administration is bitterly hostile to Reform. When in opposition this was abundantly proved, and it is confirmed by its course since its accession to office. It has not the honesty or the courage to pronounce boldly against Reform, but it seeks to murder the cause and the question by a course contrary to parliamentary usage, and odious in the sight of all honest men. If the House joins in the guilt of this proceeding, it will only add to the distrust with which it is now regarded by vast multitudes of the Pe?P'e in all parts of the country. You are right in noiding meetings, and in every town and village meetings should be held. Already they have been nexa more generally and more numerously attended any other time since 1832. Hitherto the 1 "it J1?' ,8° f"" as we may judge from the Administration, and whether further meeting will produce any greater effect, I cannot undertake to say. But f venture to say this, that a government unmindful of the opinion expressed so clearly in the great centres of our population is running the country into great peril. If meetings have no effect—if the open and almost universal expression of opinion has no power on the Administration and the Legislature—then inevitably the minds of the people will seek other channels with a view to obtain and secure the rights which are now contemptuously denied them. If I am wrong in believing this their history is a lie from the beginning, and we have all been mistaken in our estimate of the causes out of which many of the great and deplorable transactions it has recorded have sprung. I under- stand that in Birmingham a great demonstration of opinion is contemplated, and 1 suppose that other parts of the country will have something to 8ay to an Administration which abdicates its functions, and is ready to betray both Queen and people, that it may remain in office for another session.

SEVEN THOUSAND POUNDS DAMAGES! In the Court of Qneen's Bench the cause of Cal. thorpe v. the Great Eastern Railway Company has been tried, and was an action for a serious injury sustained by a passenger while travelling on the com- pany's line:— The plaintiff, Mr. Calthorpe, is a gentleman who farml a large quantity of land in Lincolnshire, on which between 8.000l. and OOOM. is invested, and which he personally managed. He is in hie 47th year, Is married, and has six children, of whom the eldest is nine or ten years ot age. At the time of the accident be was hale, hearty and athletic, and of active habits. Oa Saturday, July 1,1865, he was a passenger on the line from Ely to Lowestoft, and an accident occurred which, It was now admit- ted, (though at first disputed), arose from the negU- gencs of the company's servants, and the result of which was that the carriage was upset, and the passengers thrown violently about. He found himself at the bottom, and had to creep ont of the window. At the time he did not feel nimteif hurt, and went on to Lowestoft. At night, how- th»k'i?otw,th*t><ilng the natural fatigue of travel, he found i__ »?eMcou'd not sleep, and this was the first symptom. He aiia n until the morning, and then his head began to scarcely «fnt> wlth an fffort, to church, but could himself atlffen8"*6*T?ce ont now b*gaD» hesaid, to "feel terine" sen&ntloif 'i?11' moreover, a peculiar kind of "twit- a. sentation which h« £ e *iescrlhed it up and down his spine, he beg«to fc,dwnot ,lost to hour- Soon afteri J^iva tiD riding Than? i Kiddy on horseback, and had ° fbl and then de«ree» he lost the power of walk!11m canBOt wajk °ie use of hi* legs, insomuch that now he cannw wwk ioo y„d. a paralyzed. He had to neon u, baok aU d Mve for £ short time nn'wards of a twli6Ver slnce January last year—that is, for upwarfls °'* ^venjonth, been forced to remain in thl* recutnbe P Of course, he could no longer look after his f a paid manager, or the casual as.istance of a.friend and „ h con,dgn^ longer attend to it. he intended to give It Uti. January last year he communicated with the company as to hts con- dition, and they denied theirUsbllHyur.tilariay or tWo before the cause stood for trial at the wl»«n they suddenly admitted their liability, ind tt tt#aH^ann8. of course, a question only as to the amount of which would depend mainly on the nature au^ ° J: injuries sustained. As to this, it appeared that tnere raa been abundant medlcd authority appealed to on eltnernae, and of the highest order. The plaintiff had been attended not only by bis own medical man, but by Mr. Kricbten and I)r Russell Reynolds. Tte compary had appealed to air William Fergmson, Mr Skey, Dr Bennett, and Mr. Coulson, all of whom had examined him on several occasions, and wbo WHe in atteDoance to-rlay to give evidence. Mr. Coleridge, in opening the case, described It as another of thnse nuhapvy railway C88ea which were but too Ire- auent, and one of a peculiarly painful character—a esse In which a man in the prime of life, married, and a father J of a family, and their sole dependence and rapport bad 1 been, It was to be feared, utterly destroyed, and Unfitted for life for the only occupation-with which he was ao- quainted. The plaintiff was called as a witness, and had evidently been a very line man, but it was obvious that he could with difficulty stand or crawl into the box, and his examination was made as short as possible. The material facts are already stated. After the plaintiff had given his evidence, Mr. Webster, Q.C., who is connected with him by marriage, and the Rev. Mr. Spencer, the vicar of his parish, gave evidence as to his former health and strength, and his present unhappy con- dition Mr. Webster said he bad known him thirty years, and that he was a man of singular energy and activity, who had entirely. indeed, made himself by hili own exertions. He had never known a man of finer phynque, but he was now "utterly broken down," and could do nothing. The medical men fully supported this view, and said It would be long before he resumed active life. The Solioltor-General, on the part of the company, said they by no means denied that It was a serious case, and that it had been most truthfully told, but they were led to believe and hope that it might turn out not to be so hopeless as had been represented. Sir W. Fergusson, Mr. Coulson, and Mr. Skey were called in support of this view, all of them having seen the plaintiff lately. They, however, greatly differed in their opinion, Mr. Coulson feeling certain that the plaintiff would be restored in 12 months; but Sir W. Fergusson doubted whether he would ever entirely be restored. The Lord Chief Justice, in summiDg up, said where the medical evidence was so evenly balanced, perhaps it was better to err, if at all, on the side of the party who had sus- tained the Inj ary. The Jury gave a verdict for 7,0001

A MURDER BY BUSHRANGERS. (From, the Sydney Herald.) We are indebted to the proprietors of the Dubbo Diapatch. for a copy of the "Extraordinary" of that paper, published on the morning of the 10th inst., giving full particulars of the sticking up" last Friday of the mail from Bourke and Lower Macquarie. The attack, it appears, tjok place at Narramine, some 25 miles from Dubbo, and is thus narrated:— Oa Saturday lsst Dubbo was alarmed by the receipt of intelligence that the mail coach from Bourke to Dubbo had been stuck up by bushrangers, and one of the passengers shot. It was at first hoped that the facts were exaggerated but, nnfoitanately, subsequent information proved them to be onlv too true, for although the bags were left untouched, Mr. Grenfell was mcrtaUy wounded. The up-mail car- ried only two passengers, Mr. Commissioner Grenfell) who was removing from the Albert to the New England Dis- trict), and a Mr. Cantrill, from Congolgan. Aboat half-past 6 on Friday evening, as the coach was about two miles from Mr. Christie's station, Narramine, two armed men, mounted on spirited bay horses, rode out on the road from a patch of scrub, and several times ordered the coachman, Charles Stuart, to bail up. The driver was at the time filling his pipe, and the reins were held by Mr. Grenfel), to whom he said, "Draw up; these are the bushrangers." Mr. Grenfell took no notice of the robbers' summons, but Jerked the reins in order to increase the speed of the horses. Simulta- neously he drew out of his trousers pocket a small pistol, and deliberately taking aim, fired at the sooundrels. Asto- nished at their reception, the robbers retired a few yards, and then rode ahead of the coach, and began to fire at the passengers with revolvers. Six or seven discharges took plaoe; when one ball unluckily struck Mr. Grenfell in the upper part of the thigh; another bullet went through the trousers of Cantrill, and embedded Itself in the cusMro on which he was sitting; and a third shot "hissed past the ear of the driver. The horses were then pulled up, and Mr. Grenfell said, "Cnarley, I'm shot." The miscreants were at this time about a hundred yards in advance of the vehicle. Mr. Grenfell, whose determined courage never flagged from the moment the rascals rode up, jumped out of the mall, shook his little revolver threaten- ingly at the robbers, and exclaimed In a loud tone of voice, Come on, you scoundrels 1" However, they did not ac- cept the challenge, but galloped off in the direction of the Bogan River. The wounded man. weak from the loss of blood, and suffering painfolly from the effects of his injury, now staggered and feU. With the assistance of Mr. Cau. trill, Mr. Grenfell, woo was perfectly sensible, was lifted into the coach by the driver and brought to Narramine, where he received every possible kindness and attention. Information was forthwith dispatched to the police, and a msdical man sent for. Dr. Mountain at once started off, and Dr. Tibbits followed in a short time but oil the remedies which medical skill suggested could not save the brave but unfortunate man, who, alter suffering the most acute pain and agony, expired at 7 o'clock on Saturday evening, just 21 hours after receiving his death wound. The murderers are supposed to be the same men who stuck up and rifled the mail from Sydney to Wellington last Wed- nesday. They were disguised when they encountered Mr. Grenfell with white ganae masks, the holes around the eyes being painted black. Mr. Grenfell was formerly a gold commissioner at Forbes, and at the time of the reorganization of the goldfields man- agement, was appointed Crown Lands Commissioner for the Albert district, Bourke being his head-quarters. His gentle- manly manner and affability endeared him to all with whom he came in contact, either officially or otherwise; and we feel certain his death will be deeply deplored by a large circle of friends. He leaves a wife and two or three chil- dren to deplore hll loBS. The cool and brave manner In which Mr. Grenfell defended the mall, and prevented the rascals from robbing it is beyond mere eulogy and we trust the inhabitants of the district will practically illustrate their admiration of his heroic conduct by erecting to his memory a monument recording the manner of his death.

THE FENIAHJAID IN KERRY. The Times' special correspondent, writing from Killarney, on Sunday evening, gives the following in- teresting particulars of the Fenian rising:— This town now shows few signs of the panic which pre- vailed here last week. Yesterday was market day, and the country people came in much as usual, gasing enrionsly at the soldiers, but selling their small produce, and buying such wares as the shopkeepers have to offer, pretty much as usual. I am told that some of the peasantry shoved an anxiety to change bank-notes, which they offered timidly, in payment for trifling purchases, as though the trades- people might possibly think that the stability of the British Government, and the consequent value of bank- notes, were not quite beyond question. This mingled Ignorance and credulity seem to have prevailed also among others who, from their position as small farmers or traders, ought to have known better. I have heard of more than one case la the district around here, in which persons of this class have drawn money from the bank, and have not hesitated to run the risk of keeping large rams In their houses, in order to avoid what appeared to them a still greater rbk-the collapse, I suppose, of most Irish institutions, financial as well as political. As some- thing else has collapsed, and that not the Imperial Govern- ment, one would naturally expect the poor people hereabout to lose ialth in the Fenian enterprise. No doubt that faith has received a shock, for there was much preliminary boasting among the local Fenians of what was going to be done last week under the Irish-Amerloan leaders but the history of human credulity forbids us to expect that even the events of the last week will crush out all faith where so much gnorance accompanies credulity. Killarney is the seat of a Roman Catholic bishopric, and near the demesne of Lord Castlerosse is a handsome Roman Catholic cathedral of Gothlo design. The Bishop's residence and a monastery are situated close by. The cathedral seems large out of all proportion to the wants of Killarney proper, but a walk in the outskirts of the town this moruing showed that it is attended by the country population, who were has- tening towards it in considerable numbers. There was another proof that the district is no longer much dis- turbed at all events, that the peasantry if they ever felt distrust, onee more oonfide in the powers that be About a mile from the town I met a marriage party, who num- bered at least sixty, and made up a most picturesque pro- cession. F rst came an Irish car, in which were the prin- cipal personages—Norah smiling a pretty smile and giving timid looks at the bridegroom, who seemed as bash- ful as she was. Then followed, crowded with wedding guests, three or four of the oountry carts, Jolting, springless vehicles, which almost make your bones ache as you watch tM"* pass A greater novelty still were a dosen or 16 couples on horseback, riding Darby and Joan fashion and some more country carts brought up the rear. The women all wore clean white caps; I don't think there was a bonnet among the whole of them. Bright-coloured 'ker- chiefs, or the hoods of the comfortable peasant cloaks, pro- tected the head; and as one turned to see the gray pro- cession wind along the road, and heard their marry laughter when they were hid from view, it was difficult to bellere that a rebellion, which men of this class were ex- peoted to join, was imminent here only a few days baok. Evidently, though Fenians might come and ienlans might go, marrying and giving in marriage were not things to be hindered by a rising. All my inquiries tend to the conclusion that, ridiculous as the outbreak now appears, and hopeless as In any ease It must have proved, the timely measures taken by the authorities here have rfallYlaved perhaps the whole of the south of Ireland from bloodshed and disorder. The receipt of an anonymous letter has been mentioned which led to the arrest of Captain Morlarty on his way to KtUamey. This was really the turning-point of the whole movement, for there is no doubt that under his leadership the Fenian sympathisers in Ktllaraey were to have been organized and made ready for the approach of the Insurgents who were to oome from Cahlreiveen. This Morlarty Is a repulsive look- ing fellow, who has fousht in the American war, and Is there said to have lost his nose. He has lost his nose indeed, but not in the warfare fit Mars. Ic is not true that Fenian despatches were found upon him, together with a commission signed by Stephens. The only suspic ous letter in his possession was one addressed to a man named Sheehan, a clerk in a draper's shop at Killarney. It was a letter of introduction, written on the very day bt his arrest, February 12, and signed by a known Fenian, General" O'Connor, another of the Irish American soldiers. The letter, which was guardedly worded, stated that the bearer would be like'y to prove of much assistance tIS. Sheehan; and added that "private spys were about that morning, but unless they smell a rat, the thing will be done without much trouble (Jpon this infoJlDaMon Sheehan, who fought in the Papal Brigade—at least he served in it—was arrested, together with a tradesman named Gard, a person in arespeet- able position, with a good and growing business. When those arrests were made there was not a soldier in Killarney, or nearer than Cork, and if the small constabulary force of twenty or thirty men then in Killarney had been taken by surprise, they could not have held out In their barrack agaimt tbe numbers that would have been opposed to them. This Killarney barrack is one which should never have been selected for occupation in such a country by a quasi- military force. It is a wretched building, at one end of the long street that makes up the greater part of Killarney "town," is connected with the other houses in the street, and is perfectly indefensible. Again, it Is commanded by the high ground In the rear, or if the assailants were too cowardly to attack It they might set fire to the adjoining houses on either side and it would soon have been in a blaze. Mr. Colomb, in charge of the constabulary here, took his measures at once, and showed at a moment of great danger a military promptitude and energy which were happily rewarded with success. He ordered the evacuation of the barrack, and re- moved his men to the Royal Hotel, an isolated building close to the station, and from its situation and sub- stantial construction capable of being stoutly defended. It is of great Importance, as showing the feeling in the town, not only among the idle and disorderly characters—the Killarney "roughs,"—but among people who should know better, that the police as they retired towards the hotel through the street were groaned at and hooted; and I am told thst seditious songs and cries were afterwards heard throughout the town. Not unnaturally, perhaps, some of the respectable inhabitants and tradespeople complain of this retreat of the constabulary, who, they say, thus left the town to its fate. But, having closely examined the police barrack inside and out, I am quite sure that its abandonment was an act of the most obvious prudence, and that, even in the interests of the town, this strategic movement was the best that could have been deviled. Before the troops arrived from Cork and Curragh, a de- spatch had been sent by Captain Colomb to warn the police at Cahlreiveen. They, however, had already re- ceived timely notice from another of the informers, whom the Fenian movement fortunately produces with such profuiion. As you have already heard, the insurgents shot the mounted orderly, who was carrying the despatch sent to Killarney, and who behaved with a gallantry and devotion which I hope will not go unrewarded. But nothing couid have been better calculated to discourage the insurgents than the very despatch which thus fell into their hands, which showed that the authorities at Killarney were fore- warned. snd In which there was an allusion to the Fenian leader O'Connor, then in command of the party. It was this which disconcerted the advancing insurgents and induced them to take to the mountains. Instead of surprising Killarney, and by the help of Moriarty and their friends in the town, obtaining an easy conquest there, they themselves were surprised and disheartened. So the lirst success which *•« to bave roused the whole country wal never achieved. ■Nobody here seems to think that the Gov^rnmeni reward which has bepn offered for the apprehension of ov.„fnn0r' °r of 500! for the discovery nf the men who r.a.ant'ttabie DuggaD, will produce any tfftefc. The Irisn Llfh hi^epj faith ln thls w*y he Will have nothing to do t But d«feat the designs of rebels Is a different thing froni betraying them into the hands of the Government, end It 18 clear tb,.t some prison well ac- quainted with the Fenian designs have no sciuple in thwart- ing them by giving timely information to the authorities in ttie shape of anonymous letters. In the peculiar state of the country it is wise neither to disbelieve nor to disregard these too readily AI to a great deal of information which comes tenn the peasantry when questioned by the flying de- tachment* I think that not much reliance to to be placed upon it. One point continues clear—that the Fenian num- bers never exceeded If even they reached, 100. What number they might have mustered but for the causes I have described, no one can tell. I fear it-might have been con- siderable. The natlonallmpulalvenesB might have induced many lukewarm supporters of the Fenian movement to Join men who had gained even a small triumph and who called themselves patriots. No prisoners have been brought In by the flying detach- ments, though not a day passes without Its expedition up the mountains. This morning a party of the 48th Regiment have been pushed forward to Killorglin, thirteen miles from this place, on the road to Cahlreiveen, which is thirty-eight miles distant. At midnight on Friday a party of the oOth Rifles and the constabulary were sent to beat up some Fenians who were said to have taken refuge In Donlow Gap. This spot, known to tourists, is a wild ravine amid the™0111? tain ranges of the Tomies, the Purple Mountains, and M Gliiicuddy s Reeks. It Is a spot so secluded and so wild that you would hardly expect to flnd these any human habitations. Yet a good many peasant cabins, with potato ploCl around them, are scattered in the Gap, where one would think there was not a yard of ground which would repay cultivation. The troops and constabulary, who were con- veyed from Killarney In cars to the entrance of the Gap, there dismounted, and in their passage through the ravine surrounded and searched the bouses of the peasantry, both for arm* and rebels. The search was unsuccessful, but some of the peasants owned, after considerable equivocation, that a few of the fugitives had taken refreshment in their houses. The Fenians, however, managed again to elude the search that was made for them, though the woodl wer. lcoored In every dlreotlon. According to the information obtained here the fugitives consisted of fifteen men, of whom ten were armed with tifias and five with revolvers. Only one shot has been fired by the scattered Fenians during the pursuit, and there is good reason for supposing that that was fired not in anger, but In fright. A party of | the 60th Rifles, accompanied by Mr. Herbert, M P., were beating the woods on the Tomies mountain, and came sud- denly upon a few men hidden in the thick cover. At the same moment a rifle went off In the air. The Fenians were fleet of foot and managed to get away, but in their hurry left behind them some ammunition.

Arrests under the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act have taken place in Limerick, Drogbeda, Dnndalk, and Cavan. In Limerick the persons arrested are John Healey and John Lawley, reported to be American colonels, John Murphy, a head-centre, who some time ago S?s escape from the police at Kilriib, and a man nlmed 0 Donovan, who was imprisoned In Mount Joy Prisons year ago, was liberated and sent back to America, whence he had only recently returned. It is supposed he was en route to Killar- ney. At the hotel where he stopped his trunk was Marnhed, and a six-barrelled revolver (every chamber loaded), a sword, sash, military cap, and a book for drill instruction were found In it. At last mUlln Killarney on Sunday the Bight Rev. Dr. Morlarty denounced the Fenians in the strongest terms. His language appeared to excite a feeling of indignation In the congregation, and several persons left the churcn. A very mysterious affair is reported to have occurred In Tralee, on Friday night. The sentinels on gnard In the barracks, In which there was a detachment of a hundred of the 6th Foot, heard a noise outside the walls, and saw a party of upward* of two hundred men assembled close to the walla. An alarm was sounded, the constabulary and military hastened from the town, but the Fenians had dis- appeared. A detachment of military and police were thrown out in the roads, but no traoe of the Fenians could be discovered.

In the House of Commons, on Monday evening, in reply to Col. Greville, Lord Naas said he received a telegron a few hours previously, saying that everything was and that there wa* no appearanoe of any renewed attempt at insurrection In Kerry. At no one time were there more than 120 or 110 engaged. Mr. Bruen asked if the Government could confirm the reports of the gallant conduct of Police-constable Duggan and the loyal bshaviour of the Rev Mr. MIIW, a Roman Oathelle priest, who gave information of the approach of the Fenians, and endeavoured to persuade them from attacking the police barracks at Ross Bay. Lord Naas said Duggan showed the greatest possible gallantry and devotion to his duty, and, after being wounded, tried to travel on, but was unable to do 10. The party who attacked him were met by the rev. gentleman referred to, who warned them of the perilous course they were pursuing. After leaving him they turned off Into the mountains, and desisted from attacking the barracks. The rev. gentleman proceeded to the wounded constable and remained with him until a doctor arrived.

ROSA BONHEUR'S HORSE FAIR MADE POPULAR! In the Court of Common Pleas the case of "Gsmbart v. Potter," has been tried, and was an action to recover penalties for the infringement of copyright In an engraving of Mdle. Rosa Bonheur*s picture, •• The Hone Fair." Sir R. Collier said that the plaintiff was the well-known publisher of engravings in business in Pall- mall, and he spent large sums of money in procuring engravings of the highest class from the beat pictures. He sometimes gave 5,000?. or 6,000i. for a picture, and sometimes the price almost reached 10,000?., -The Horse Fair he purchased for 1,600?., he having out- bidden the French Government, who 1,0001. He had engravings made from the picture, and one of them was by Mr. Lewis, an artist of great emmence, and this particular engraving was published on the the 18th February, 1863. They might conceive the astonishment of Mr. Gambert, when he found that this engraving had been copied on wood and printed upon house paper by the defendant, so that for a few shillings a man might have dozens of "horse fairs" covering the walls of his room. The action of this course of proceeding was to depreciate the value of the engraving, for the jury could easily conceive there were plenty of fastidious people who would not give two or three guineas for an engraving when they knew that there were dozens of copies all over the walls of the neighbouring public-house. The copy could be of course but imperfectly done in this way, but still it was a copy, and not the less so that there was a great deal of colour upon it. ) The Lord Chief Justice: Not the less a copy be- cause it was a colourable copy (laughter). Sir R. Collier asked the jury to imagine, if they could, Mdlle. Rosa Bonheur's feelings when she be- came aware that her picture was pasted all over the walls of rooms. The Lord Chief Justice: It would increase her popularity. Sir R. Collier But she did not want that kind of popularity; Bhe was not a candidate for a borough (laughter). The jury would see by looking at the two productions that the wood blocks were undoubtedly cut from Mr. Lewis's engraving for the precise atti- tude of every horse and of every person was copied, and the background was put in as far as it could be. The Lord Chief Justice doubted whether what the defendant had done would injure the sale of the en- graving—for, looking at the defendant's work, he rather took shame to himself that he had not purchased an engraving. He added that he thought that there was great credit due to the artist who engraved the picture on wood, for he had caught the spirit of it to a wonderful extent. At this period of the case a consultation took place between the counsel engaged in the case, and it ended in a verdict being taken for the plaintiff by consent for 40a. damages, and an arrangement that the wood blocks should be given up to the plaintiff, and that no more of the paper should be sold-

TEMPERING JUSTICE WITH MERCY! Some of our readers will remember that William Smith, a workman, of Hurst-street, Birmingham, was tried before Mr. Justice By lea at the last Warwick Assizes, for the murder of his wife, on the 23rd August last, at Birmingham. He was acquitted of the crime of wilful murder, but was found guilty of man- slaughter, and was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude. The Birmingham t»-as Company, in whose employment the prisoner had been for some years, interested themselves in his defence, and engaged Mr. Fitzjames Stephen as counsel for him at the trial. They were also instrumental in getting up a memorial to tke Home Secretary, praying for a commutation of the sentence, urging, in support of the memorial, that the prisoner killed his wire without any premeditation, but under the influence of uncontrollable anger, caused by the following circumstancesHis wife had carried on adulterous intercourse with a man named Langley, who died at Liverpool pnor to the murder or man- slaughter, and she taunted her husband in the bitterest manner with her preference for Langley, and declared that if he had lived she would never have returned to her husband. She made use of extremely foul as well as irritating language to her husband, and spat in his face, on which he immediately stabbed her. Smith had always borne the character of a singularly humane, affectionate, and well-disposed man. On these repre- sentations, Mr. Watpole "has felt warranted in advising her Majesty to commute the convict's sentence to five yeara' penal servitude. 1

ROYAL MARRIAGES. The Journal au Dtba&t of Saturday contalnl ions article on the subject of the approaching marriases an- nounced ol King Louis of Bavaria with hU <3L the Princess Charlotte-Augusta; 01 Prince TJmberto of Italy with the Archduchess Mary, daughter of Arohduke Albert 01 Austria; and of the Count de Flandre with the Princess Mary of Hobensollern. With regard to the last of these marriages, the Debats says :— We learn from our Berlin correspondent that when Prince Charles of Hohenzollern, the father of the Princess Mary, and the King of Prussia, were asked for their consent to the marriage, they hesitated for some time, fearing to unite a daughter of their house with a Belgian Prince whose position seemed to be threatened as being bound up with the destiny of Belgium. But the position of things is not now the same as it was a short time ago. Queen Victoria has formally asked the Princess-of Hohenzollern for her cousin the Count de Flandre, to whom she is very much attached, and the court of Prussia has been in- formed, it is said, that whatever government may exist in England, Belgium would be protected by Great Britain, especially if it could rely on the friendly disposition of the court of Berlin—a disposition of which the marriage in question should be the pledge. The Debats proceeds to remark that It does not believe Belgium has anything to fear from France, as the entire neutrality of Belgium, since it acquired lu Independence, has given no cause of umbrage to France.

THE AZTECS. The curious children who about fourteen years ago so much excited the curiosity not only of the multi- tude but also of some members of the scientific world, who, by the way, laboured rather to show what they were not than to demonstrate what they were, have returned to London, children no longer, but rejoicing in a state of maturity that has endowed them with seemly stature, so that they measure Bome four feet or so from the ground. This height is not great, but the young persons repel the appellation of dwarf, since, although they retain that bird-like expression of face which is more marked in the gentleman than in the lady, and which, after a lapse of fourteen years, still renders them perfectly recognizable, they are otherwise perfectly formed, without anything squat in their appearance, while they are protected by the well- turned throat from the application of the word "Cretin" unless, indeed, that bj loosely extended so as to comprehend all persons of intelligence below the average. The odd dresses which the Aztecs wore in their childhood are now cast aside, and the strange pair are dressed in the adult coetume proper to modern European civilization, the gentleman, who is altogether of a grave, sedate appearance, wearing an intensely respectable suit of black that would do great credit to a missionary tea party. Ihe lady is far the livelier of the two, and is most demonstrative in her joy if anything like a cake is presented to her, but her manners are much more child-like than,idiotic. The only way in which the Aztecs seek externally to distinguish themselves from ordinary folks ia a strange method of drawing their hair. This is very long, and instead of hanging down stands upright like an enormous brush, approaching the dimensions of a grenadier's cap, and what is singular enough, instead of being of a wiry texture, it is extremely soft to the touch. Our readers need scarcely be told that these odd specimens of humanity travel about accompanied by the hypothesis that they are relics of the ancient inhabitants of Mexico, and that this hypothesis is indicated by the name Astec," habitually be- stowed upon them. But at this point a debate begins into which we have no wish to enter. Whether the so-called "Azteoø" are degenerate types of an ancieat race, or whether they are the result of some lusus natures that is without ethnological importance, they form a curious spectacle likely to produce discussion.

POISONING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. A remarkable case has been undergoing investiga- tion before the magistrates at Ely during the past week. Mr. G. S. Hall, solicitor, of Ely, lost within a few days a valuable dog, a sow pig, and finally two horses of great value, the cause of death in each case being proved to be the administration of strychnine. Suspicion was directed towards Dr. Henry Pearson, a physician of about twenty years' standing in the city, and he was apprehended. It was proved that Dr. Pearson was in possession of strychnine, that he had recently asked a veterinary surgeon how much strych- nine it would take to kill a horse, that he was seen to go to Mr. Hall's stables, taking with him a handful of wet bran, seemed confused when detected coming away, and that when the horses were found dead a small quantity of bran was observed in their manger. This bran contained strychnine. The magistrates have committed Dr. Pearson for trial at the Assizes. There has been no ill-feeling between the parties, and the motive seems inexplicable. Other animals have been recently poisoned in the neighbourhood, in a similar mysterious manner.

EDUCATION IN AUSTRIA. The Vienna correspondent of The Times writes under date of the 12th:—" The appointment of Professor Hasner as Minister of Public Instruction, although publicly announced two days ago, has not yet been officially confirmed, and it is understood that the pro- fessor's reluctance to accept the post offered to him arises from his objections to the Concordat. The Con- cordat must and will be done away with before the work of regeneration can commence in earnest in Austria but it has its protectors in very high places, who will make ereat efforts to sustain it. It is in the field of public instruction that the influence of that obnoxious treaty or law is found to be most pernicious. The Roman Catholic schools are entirely under the control of the priests, the provincial diets have no power to resist the exercise of their authority, the lower priest- hood is again absolutely ruled by the bishops, and these are universally believed to be theenemies of progress and enlightenment. It cannot, at any rate, be denied that education in Anstriais at a lower ebb than in any other parts of Germany. Protestants and Jews are exempt from the influence of the Concordat, they can manage their own schools, and seek their salvation in their own way. They are admitted to the service of the empire on terms of perfect equality, and can preside in the Council of Ministers, or command armies in the field. But woe to the lukewarm Roman Catho- lics They seldom rise to eminence without putting on, at least outwardly, the show of piety and devotion to the Church. The hopes of the supporters of the Con- cordat rest on the assumption that it is an interna- tional treaty, and connot be annulled without the con. sent of both parties concerned. The opponents of the Concordat Msert that it interferes too much with the internal affairs of the empire to be treated otherwise than as a law of theland, and, as such, subject to con- stitutional legislation. There can be little doubt as to what the fate of the Concordat will be in Hungary, and if the ultramontaines were wise they would not resist its abrogation on this side of the Leitha. But they are not wise, and it would be idle to hope that they will ever become so on matters connected with their Church.

A COMFORTABLE VIEW OF THINGS! The telegrams printed by the foreign papers in reference to the alarm at Chester have a curious effeet, and will give a not altogether untrue idea abroad of the tolerance shown by our Government to Fenianism and Fenians. In a Belgian paper, now before us (remarks the Pall Mall Gazette) we find it stated in one telegram that "much agitation has been caused at Chester by the sudden appearance of 1,400 Fenians," and that the first battalion of Guards has just arrived;" while in a second it is simply men- tioned that the Fenians have gone away, and tran- quillity is re-established." In M. Paul Feval's admirable novel entitled "The Mysteries of London," the house and person of the late Mr. Burke, of burking notoriety, are introduced, and it is explained to the reader that the tenderness of the English law for criminals whose guilt cannot be clearly proved is such that Mr. Burke, having an eye to business, could with impunity describe himself on his street-door plate as "Burke, EtoufFeur." The account of 1,400 Fenians entering Chester to attack the castle, and being allowed to march quietly out again when they had decided that that would be the most prudent course, would seem in some measure to confirm M. Feval's view.

ARTISANS' AND LABOURERS' DWELLINGS. The bill which has been again laid before the House of Commons by Mr. M'Cullagh Torrens proposes to make it the duty of the officers of health to report any premises which are unfit for human habitation, or in a state injurious, dangerous, or prejudicial to health, and to state whether the defects can be remedied, or whether the premises ought to be demolished. Notice being given to the owner of the premises, the report is to be considered by the grand jury at the quarter sessions; and on their presentment or order, made according to what they consider the requirements of the case, the local authorities are to prepare a plan and specification of any works that are to be executed. The owner of the premises may appeal to the petty sessions with a view to an amendment of the plan and specification; and he may appeal against the present- ment to the next quarter sessions. The owner may either do the works to be executed, or he may re- quire the local authorities to purchase the premises at a valuation or by assessment of a jury. The purposes for which the local authorities are to hold the property are the construction of new dwellings, or the repair or improvement of the old, for the labouring classes, and the opening out of alleys or courts. The Public Works Loan Commissioners may lend money for building; but no local rate for the purposes of this bill is to exceed 3d. in the pound in a year, and the local authorities are not to be oompcllable to pur- chase premises except for building. They are, however, to pay compensation for the demolition of premises ordered to be taken down.

AN EXAMPLE WORTH FOLLOWING! The London Qiuttdictn, In a notice of the late Countess of Devon, says:— Conscious that Providence had placed her at the head of a very large establishment, she felt that the numerous members of it were persons committed to her charge, and the business of her life was to make them good and happy members of one united Christian family. For this purpose she sat them an example of unostentatious piety, and of perfect meekness, gentle- ness, and loving-kindness. During the day Lady Devon devoted herself to the management of her domestio affairs, the instruction of the younger servants, the looking after her industrial school, the hospitalities of the house, and the like and in all that she did she endeavoured to carry out practically in the affairs of common life those principles which all the followers of our Lord profess. Thus, to every servant she spoke as kindly and as gently as to her equals; she never permitted any office to be performed for her without a "Thank you," and a smile. She took a lively interest in the welfare of her domestics and of her poor and richer neighbours, and she did not conceal from them the interest she felt. She was, therefore, served willingly and lovingly; there was no lip-service and no grudging among those who waited upon her; they knew that every little service was ob- served and appreciated by her, and that the only per- son she ever forgot was herself. She bore her bodily pains with the most extraordinary heroism. No an- guish could betray her into a complaining expression or a haøty. word. She showed those around her, without being conscious of it, how a Christian should suffer and although her nights were for many months before her lamented death spent in watchfulness and racking pain hard to witness, she would meet her friends in the morning with a smile as though she had just awakened from the sleep of youth. Pain made many a furrow on her brow, but failed to make one frown. Lady Devon was not without her reward on earth. Though apparently unconscious of the beauty of her life, she could not but see the effect of some of her efforts upon her household. She could not, more- over, help observing the quiet, the cheerfulness, the regularity, and the peaoefulness which reigned around her, nor the willingness and the affectionate care with which she was tended; and when her hours became few, there were none but loving eyes which -watched her breathing thro' the night Her breathing soft and low. As in her breast the wave of life Kept heaving to and fro. And when the news was whispered through the great house that the soul of the good countess had passed away, and all were smitten with a common sorrow, on her face was a sweet happy smile, telling the mourners that, although she had passed from their sight, she had not passed from His, and that she had found peace at the last. Although the funeral was strictly private, between six and seven hundred persons from all the country-side voluntarily attended, and pre- ceded the bearers in a long double line.

ADVERTISING FOR CURATES! The jEcclesiastical Gazette is not exactly light read. ingr, but to any one who has a quarter of an hour to "pare its advertisements are somewhat amusing, and decidedly instructive (remarks the Pall Mall Gazette.) How people ever got curates or curacies when eccle- siastical periodicals were unknown it is difficult to say. Certainly to judge from the Gazette, there must now be an cmoarras des richesses on both sides. In a single number we learn the particulars of about fifty curacies to be had, and about as many curates wanting employ- ment. It is pleasant to observe that there is a large amount, both of rectors and curates, who exhibit a preference for "moderate views." Probably, if we ] took up the Record or the Church Times we should find the "moderate" gentlemen only conspicuous by their absence. However, the qualifications put forward or asked for are abundant in a variety of their own. One gentleman is "of liberal views," and desires "a numerous and intelligent congregation." Another says nothing at all of his views, but wants a bracing and cheerful locality" of the rustic kind. A third adopts the recommendation so prominent in the advertisements of coachmen, and states that he is married, but has only one child. He also has no views, except that he would like a curacy in Yorfc Ihire. Then there is "married evangelical clv¡yman.1 whose chief claim appears to be that he has "four of t&i f V'der ,f<>u.r ye*?8 ?f » pitiable state or things for himself, it is obvious enough. mindS priest" de8CribeS 48 ea™st- The VIews of the rectors who want assistants are equally One of them wants a curate who has a "good voice" and" believes in the power of God's word and the preaching of Christ crucified." n^iKiifrh^8 curacy is in a pleasant neighbourhood, near a nobleman's residence," from which it is to be gathered that the said nobleman is Jl .^S^oring parsons. As was to be expected, there is nothing here said about views. But there is nobody like the vicar of a parish near Leeds for good sense. He wants a gentleman and a Churchman" for a curate, and says that "a preacher of short but good sermons is much to be desired. If there are *ny houses to let in the parish of this excellent vicar, the house-agents ought by all means to make known this element of attractiveness to all inquirers. We do not see that anybody advertises u a' }'teraW though there are curates who advertise themselves as such. One of these announces himself as "decidedly evangelical," and adds the information that he has one child, aged ten years," and has a strong voice." ^J*e coolest invitation in the list is that of an incumbent" who asks for a curate to help him in a parish with 2,200 people, all for love, or, as he puts it, "for the work's Bake;" the recommendations being that he may live in a fashionable watering-place a mile distant, that the church is beautiful, and the "services choral, &c."

GALLANT BEHAVIOUR. Mr. Thomas Wright, M.A., F.S.A., Sydney Street, Brompton, writes, under date Feb. 18 Tn the midst of so noble a display of good English charitable feeling at this winter has witnessed, I am en- coursged to call the attention of the public to a case which I think calls for especial commiseration, not only on account of the swiout injuries sustained, bat becaase they were the result of an act of great and generous bravery. A railway porter named John Preece, aged 32, at the level crossing at Wombridgf, In Shropshire, saw a child running across thenne as a train was near approaching, and he instantly rushed to its re:cue and saved its life. The child was not Injared, but the brave man was knocked down by the train, and sus- tained such lrjdries thst It was necessary at once to ampu- tate hi. lelt arm at the shoulder, his right hand at thewrtat, and his right foot at the ankle, and In this mutilated and helpless state he is now in the Salop Infirmary in progress of recovery. He has a wife and two little children, and sub- scriptions are earnestly solicited for the purpose of collect- Ine a anm which will place him and his faintly in a way to obtain a living by setting them up in some way In business fi? J I Le5vel ,'he hotpttal. About 1802. has been sub- scribed In Shrewsbury and the neighbourhood, and Is is cal- culated that with a little more than 8002. a small annuity might be purchased for him. It would be difficult to point out a caie more deserving, and I *m sure you will allow me to make this appeal to the good feelings of my countrymen and country women. It would, indeed, be hard it this humble man, who, out of sympathy, performed a generous deed which was so disastrous to himself, were allowed to feel the want of that suoeour which he supplied to another at the tlik of his own life.—Subscriptions may be sent to Mr. gamuel Wood, surgeon, the Infirmary, Shrewsbury.

A HORRIBLE DEATH. Oa Friday, an Inquest was held at Southampton, on the body of John Painter, aged 26 years, who met with his death In the following horrible manner William Barnes, a foreman in the brewery of Messrs. Cooper, of Southampton, deposed that the deceased was the engine driver, and had charga of the brewery steam engine. On Wednesday morning witness was in the brewery, attending to the wort, and heard de- ceased call out "-William." Witness looked round, and saw deceased lying across the tank, which con- tained very hot liquor, his body partly out, and immediately went to his assistance, and with the aid of another man got him out. Deceased must have attempted to cross this hot-water tank in order to turn oS a tap, and witness believed that the cover of the tank, which was nearly new, must have tipped in some way, and so he fell in. The cover was perfectly secure, and was strong enough to support twenty men. He imagined that it must have become shifted, and so tilted when deceased stepped on to it. Witness did not believe blame was attached to any one. Mr. Shorto, the resident surgeon of the infirmary, stated that when the deceased was admitted he was in a very exhausted state, and was suffering from extensive scalds. The case was quite hopelees from the first, and the deceased became gradually weaker, and expired at an early hour the following morning. Deceased told witness that he had accidentally fallen into the hot liquor, and that it was entirely his own fault. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," and added that there was no blame attached to any person.

A SPECIMEN OF RED-TAPEISM, An amusing instance of red-tapeism has occurred lately at the Poor-law Board. It was found advisable to put up a email wooden partition to separate some books m one of the rooms occupiad by the department —a very simple operation, one would have thought, for which one carpenter and a quarter of an hour would have sufficed. But they don't do things after this rash style in our Goverment offices, else what would become of the public money ? So in the first place a formal application for a piece of wood was sent by the Poor-law Board to the Board of Works. Next, Board No. 2 sent down an inspector to the offiae of Board No. 1. He drew up a report, and some days afterwards there was sent a surveyor, who made the necessary survey, and instructed the carpenter to com- mence operations. The carpenter, after a safe interval of time, appeared and took his measurement. Another period elapsed, and then he reappeared with his par- tition, which he fixed. The next person to make his debut was the painter, who painted one edge of the partition. Having accomplished this feat he rested from his labours for a time, and then resumed them by painting the other edge. The work was now com- plete. But long before this the partition had become a standing joke among those gentlemanly young fellows, the clerks. They are pretty well acquainted with all the resources of circumlocution, but this little affair was too much even for them, and at last the date of the next step in the great partition achievement became the subject of the lieveliest interest, and, let us hope, of not very heavy betting.

SUICIDE OF A YOUNG LADY AT A BRISTOL HOTEL. On Friday night, a young lady of about twenty years of age, respectably dressed and of prepossessing manners and appearance, went to Redman's Railway Hotel, Bristol, apparently from the train, and intimated her intention to remain there for the night. Her only luggage consisted of a carpet-bag, but as travellers from places proximate to the city often bring with them small encumbrances in this way, nothing particular was thought of that circumstance. She stated that she was not in the habit of taking suppers, but requested to be served with a biscuit and a glass of weak brandy and water, with which she was supplied. Sometime afterwards she retired to rest. In the course cf the night some of the family heard loud snoring in the room in which she slept, but they were not at all alarmed by it. In the morning, as the young lady did not come down or call for any breakfast, they knocked at her door, and receiving no answer opened it, when they found her lying on the bed in a state of stupor, and frothing at the mouth. Messengers were dispatched to obtain medical attendance, and Dr. Ellis arrived and used all the remedies skill could suggest, including the galvanic battery, in the effort to arouse her. All, however, proved unavailing, and she died very shortly afterwards. A two-ounce phial, which appeared to have contained laudanum, was found in the room near the bed, and a letter was also found as follows :— My dear sisters and brothers,—I grieve to be the osuse of so much anxiety to von, but do forgive me: you will know the cause of this.—Your unhappy sister. Many thanks for all yeur kindness. My love to LiDle.

SINGULAR ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH BY A MISER. On the 12th January last, an aged man, named Hugh Angus, residing in Dunlop, was found lying dead on the roadside near the farm of Lissens, in the parish of Dairy. Deceased had been at one time a farm servant, and in that capacity never earned more than 71. in the half-year. Subsequently he had been a cattle driver, but for a considerable time had been supported by charitable donations from friends and acquaintances. (We are quoting from the Kilmarnock Standard.) After his death an inventory of the furni- ture remaining in his dwelling (a dingy and mouldy garret) was taken at the instance of the parochial board of Dunlop, when a number of bank deposit receipts were discovered, to the value of no less than 24M., the prlnoipalsum being deposited in the Union Bank, Kilmamock. There was also found m various nooks of the small garret the 13s. 9d. in gold, silver, copper, and notes. As we have said, the old man (who is believed to have been about sixty years of age) lived a life of the most wretched penury-eagerly accepting the small««t pittance of charity from those who believed him to be poor. No heir has, we under- stand, yet turned tip to appropriate the laboriously accumulated wealth.

A CHILD'S UNAFFECTED ELOQUENCE; In the California, a San Francisco paper, we find an affecting account of what took place at the Denman Grammar School" exhibition there (remarks the Pall Mail Gazette), Many entertaining exercises delighted the parents and friends assembled on the august occasion, but nothing was so remarkable as the neat little speech of Miss Delia Curtiss, who, while presenting a pair of vases to the founder of the school orated as follows:— Dsar Teacher,—Will you permit a tiny human flower to offer you these little bud vases as a slight token of love and gratitude from the seven hundred immortal blossoms which are dally deepening into richer beauty beneath yonr kindly culture T Oar regard for you growl stronger and purer, as each hour shows us more and more how lovingly you care for tn. You command our bisection by a watchfulness that never wearies, an omnipresent tenderness, and a solemn interest In our welfare which no carelessness or waywardness on our part can ever alienate or chill. We know, wo see, that to aultlvate our mind, to elevate our character, to refine our manners, and to purify our hevt, Is your oOIl8tant thought and study. We are too young yet to feel as grateftil as we should, to one, who, cultured for a more ambitions field of usefulness, has serenely pushed aside its brilliant fascinations for the more quiet, but aleo the more weMying career of the instructor ot youth-one, who at the call of what his own loftier nature deems duty, has bravely turned away from aU that Italy, Greeoe, Spain, Egypt, or Palestine can offer him of the suolime, the beau' iful, and the holy for the commou place existence of a teacher in San Franc.aco. But though we cinnot appreciate all that you have MMt ced tor us, we can 8tiU love you and pray for you-prey, < M, 10 earneatly-that, after your life -if devotion to those 01 "horn He has said, Their angels do always behold the fac Vf our Father in Heaven," all old age, sar^ne and bright an lovely as a Lapland i>ijht, may lead you to the grave. Hnnaur us by accepting our p^or little gift, for the love's rake (which we may not fully utter) that suggested the offering, and secure our tearful wttMM for your best welfare here and hereafter. Mr. Denman—" who was entirely taken by surprise (hadn't the leaet idea, you know)—seems to have «A^aracter ,or self-immolation nobly. Still serenely pushing aeide the brilliant fascinations with which Italy, Greece, Spain, Egypt, and Palestine allure him he vowed he was no sacrificed all, and then thanked the youthful hearts "around him in language curiously like that of Miss Curtiss herself. What a privilege does San Francisco enjoy in one who can teach the lips of little girls to utter such simple, unaffected eloquence as we find in that dear child's speech!

PROFLIGACY AND CRIME. A young man named Gentil, an ironmonger's shop- man. was tried last week in Paris for an attempt to murder a laundress named Pauline Dabouville. The accused, who was of respectable parents, appears, n"t- with standing his youth, to have led an irregular life, and to have been of a violent and vindictive temper. He bad become inspired with a passion for the young woman, who was some years older than himself, and who had accepted different presents from him, among others a watch, but refused to accede to his proposals for forming a closer intimacy, and at length to rid herself of his importunities, refused to see him any longer. Gentil, whose jealousy had been also excited by learning that she was the mistress of a man named Ohalmandier, went on the evening of the 25t.h Novem- Der to a public dancing-room where he had been ormed that she was to be found, and then meeting her with her paramour, fired a pistol at her head, and swallowed the contents of a phial con- tainmg four ounces of mercury. The woman was wounded in the temple and, although now partially recovered is still suffering from a paralysis in thefaci. The quantity of poison taken by the accused being too large, did not remain on his stomach, andso he escaped all danger for his life. The young woman, who remained in court during the trial, was a person of a tall figure and pleasing countenance. The jury. after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of Not Guilty and the prisoner was acquitted of the criminal charge but the court giving judgment on a demand made for 10,000f. damages put forward by the woman, reduced the sum to 4,000f. which it ordered Gentil to pay.

AN ENTERPRISING AMERICAN! The whale fishery off Iceland had long ceased to be carried on until recently an enterprising American, finding that a century of repose had caused the fish to increase abundantly, established himself at Seydisfjord, on the east coast, where, in company with his four brothers, he adopts a peculiar method of 'fishing, which Vice-Consul Crowe describes in a report just laid before Parliament. This American puts out to sea in a small screw steamer, with a large whale-boat in tow, and strikes the whale by means of a harpoon shot from a sort of rocket apparatus. The handle or stock is charged with some detonating compound, which explodes as the weapon enters the Ash, killing the whale almost instantly, but the generation of gas in its body prevents the sinking of the carcass. This destructive missile is the American's own invention. He had counted upon being able to approach the whales in his steamer near enough to take aim, but they invariably avoid it, and it has been found necessary to shoot them from the boat. The body of the whale is towed to land, and the carcass cut up on the strand, and the blubber and bones at once crashed and boiled down for the oil. Last year the American's catch was twenty-five whales, which gave an average of 100 barrels of oil per whale. The belly is sold to the natives for food, under the name of "kenge." The whalebones are sent to England, where they are said to be used for making Prussian blue, and the American has a project for pressing the flesh and shipping it to England for feeding dogs and pigs.

THE CHINESE IN CALIFORNIA. At a banquet in San Francisco, in honour of the opening of a steam mail service with China and Japan, connecting the newest part of the new world with the oldest part of the old world, three Chinese merchants addressed the company in acknowledgment of a com- plimentary toast. They all spoke in English, which, one of them remarked, he had found indispensable in his business. Mr. Quan Yuen stated that he had also acquired a little French and German," and took great interest in arts and sciences, which formerly were to him a sealed book. "We of China," said Mr. Fung Tang, "are very fond of trade and commerce. He stated that there are 60,000 Chinese on the Pacific coast, engaged in mining or in trade and commerce. Mr. Choy-Cum-Chew observed that the existing: friendly feeling of the Chinese Govern- ment towards the United States is, undoubtedly, in a great measure, the result of the intimate commercial relations between the two countries. He noticed the great advantage which had been derived from the establishment in San Francisco of a free school for teaching Chinese the English language, and stated that a great many of the young Chinese are now able to do the work of interpreters, and a number of Chinese stores regularly take the American daily papers, so that the Chinese become well-informed in the news of the world. He added that it is also contemplated to teach the Chinese language in San Francisco, BO that young persons may learn to use either language with equal facility. AU three of these gentlemen expressed warmly their sense of the kindness with which they had been treated in San Francisco.

A STARTLING FACT FOR THE LADIES: We should be sorry to say anything that would unnecessarily disturb the peace of ladies in their com- pliance with the present remarkable fashion of wearing chignons. The custom may seem very irrational to the male half of mankind, but this objection would apply to many of the fashions by which ladies con- sider that they adorn themselves, and so must not count for much. A more serious objection, and one more calculated to have weight with English ladies, has been started, according to a correspondent of our own, (remarks The Lancet) by a Russian professor, M. Lindemann. According to this authority, 76 per eent. of the false hair used for chignons and similar purposes in Russia is infested with a parasite to which he has given the name of gregarine. The gregarinous hair, It I 18 aaid, is very like other hair in appearance, but on C 088 fnøpectiOD, little dark-brown knots are seen at L. and may even be distinguished by the naked ey* The«e w gregarines. These para- sites have a most jgnoble ancectry- and habitation, being found in the interior of the pedicuk,* capitis. It is only due to them, however, that these statements should be verified by other observers before we give all the particulars of their natural history. They are not easily destroyed. They resist the effects of drying, and even of boiling. Acids, alkalies, ether, and other agents would kill them; but these would be injurious to the hair, and so cannot be used. According to the authority quoted, in the conditions of a ball-room the gregarines "revive, grow, and multiply by dividing into many parts—so-called germ-globules; these fly about the ballroom in millions, get inhaled, drop on the refreshments—in fact, enter the interior of people by hundreds of ways, and thus reach their specific gregarian development." We do not answer for the truth of all this natural history; but when the natural history of chignons themselves is considered, it may well be all true. In Russia the hair of them is sup- plied by the poorer people, especially peasant women of the MordwineS and the Burlakes, near the Volga, who do a large trade in it. "When the Burlake goes out to work in the spring, he perhaps puts a clean shirt on, but he deeidedly never takes it off until he returns home in autumn." Verily, as the professor argues, here is a fine chance for parasites; We must leave the subject with ladies and naturalists. Half the awful possibilities of the fashion—which it does not require a microscopist to suggest—would deter men. We can- not so certainly reckon upon affecting ladies in a matter of fashion. But of all false things, one of the most objectionable is false hair.