The Aberystwith Observer

dmr i*cra&0rt CflrrrsponGtirt. fWe deem it right to state that we do not at aL timet identify ourselves with our correspondent' opinions. J Slowly and somewhat painfully the Irish Land Bill, of which most persons must now be weary, makes pro- gress. That progress haa been so tardy for a long time that many persons incline to believe that the measure will not, after all, be carried this session. There is, however, little cause to fear any such disas- trous result as the bill being either rejected or with- drawn. It will be passed this session, almost to a dead certainty. Scarcely so hopefully can the other great measure of the session, the Education Bill, be spoken of. There seems indeed considerable doubt whether Government will be able to carry it. That the people are to remain without adequate means of education, while rival dects and parties are disputing about the conditions under which education shall be offered, is in- evitable, but it is to be hoped that this difference of opinion will not impose a lasting obstacle to the Mtablishment of really national schools. There are some subjects which come before Parlia- ment which are in no degree party questions, and yet which create an immense amount of excitement and no little difference of opinion. Such a subj ect is betting and gambling. There are many who strongly deprecate the Government interfeiing at all in such a matter, bat many more who consider it the bounden duty of Government to do what in them lies to discourage gambling. The Home Secretary has been alluding to the subject, and reminding ua that he had instructed the Chief Commissioner of Police to prosecute the keepers of betting houses. And so far as these pro- secutions have gone they have undoubtedly been pro- ductive of good. But it now turns out that the keepers of such houses have flown to Scotland, where the law does not apply, and to Boulogne. ADd why should the law not apply to Scotland? Why, indeed, should not the laws be the same allover the United Kingdom ? Perhaps this is too much to expect during the present generation, but the more our laws are assimilated the better. And it is gratifying to find that there is some prospect of putting down illegal lotteries, the only difficulty being to prove their illegal character. It is a shame and a scandal that they should exist. Alto- gether we are progressing favourably, sofar as Govern- ment can exert power and influence. and they certainly are needed, for temptations to gambling still abound. The mischief, and even the ruin, to which these tempta- tions lead are incalculable. The annual camping-out on Wimbledon Common, under the auspices of the National Eifle Association, bids fair to be more interesting this year than ever before, in one respect at least—that there will be more prizes than ever. The association having invited manufacturers and tradesmen to send articles of their own manufacture, or in which they deal, they are coming in rapidly. And so our riflemen will have all sort of things to shoot for. Some of the articles are rather curious—for instance, a full suit of Shetland tweed (will the suit suit the winner); a meerschaum pipe, a box of cigars, and a pound of tobacco an easy chair, and so on. But all this will give additional interest to the annual rifle contest, and the donors of the numerous articles will in a very deli- cate way contribute to its success. The Chief Commissioner of Metropolitan Police states that the number of serious crimes against pro- perty during the last six months of the past year were less by 13 per cent. than the number during the first half of the same year. That is very satisfactory of course, but London burglars seem now to be more daring than ever at least since the era of the police. Among the latest burglaries is one at the residence of Mr. Beaumont, M.P., in Piccadilly, about J610,000 worth of jewellery being taken away, and it is sup- posed that the burglars may be the same band as those who broke into the houses of Lady Napier, and the American Minister, and of Mr. Bohn, the bookseller. Be this as it may it is evident that as much precaution as ever against housebreakers is needed. People ought to rely upon. themaelveB in such matters. However numerous, or however well organised may be the police, burglars will be more than a match for them unless housekeepers themselves are on the alert. If burglaries continue to be as numerous as of late, perhaps we shall have some new invention to raise an alarm as soon as burglars get to work. Ingenious mechanicians might well turn their thoughts in that direction. As almost every stranger who comes to London makes a point of visiting St. Paul's Cathedral, it may be interesting to note that the Dean and Chapter, the Metropolitan Board of Works, and the City Commis- sioners of Sewers (a commission that seems to have to do with everything but sewers), are in correspondence with regard to throwing open a portion of the church- yard to the public way, and thus vastly improving the locality. At present the hitch is that the ecclesiastical authorities decline to throw open the northern car- riage way, which is always blocked up by a barrier. If this could be done, foreigners and strangers would cease to wonder how it is that the road in which is the public entrance to the oathedral is blocked up, one of the funniest anomalies of London show-places. The proposed improvement has been talked of as long as I can remember anything, and perhaps it will be only talked of for many a year to come. Of greater general interest than anything affecting St. Paul's, is the discussion in the Hoose of Commons, arising out of the motion or opening the National Gallery and portions of the British museum from 7 to 10 on three evenings a-week. A great deal can be said, and was said, on both sides of the question. But there is evidently no hope of this proposition being carried out. The motion on this occasion was withdrawn, Mr. Allen seeing it was hopeless to press it, and the discussion shows pretty clearly that whenever a similar motion may be brought forward it will meet with a like result. Captain Shaw and the late Mr. Braid- wood, who ought to be regarded as authorities on the liability to fire, both gave it in evidence that to light up these institutions with gas would be highly dangerous, and as many architects, builders, and scientific men agree with this opinion, all the argu. ments in the world on the other side seem powerless. There is one little consolation—that ground at the back of the National Gallery has been purchased, and, as Mr. Gladstone puts it, "sooner or later that land will be built on." Whenever that occurs, no doubt the Government of the day will take into consideration the possibility of making such alterations as will permit of lighting the new building. So that there is hope for our children—or grandchildren. Mean while, the failure of the attempt to open these insti- tutions in the evening, will add force to the arguments of the National Sunday League, who advocate the opening of these "and similar institutions" (rather vague that) on Sundays. It is probable, therefore, that this League will recommence an agitation with greater vigour than before, and those who are opposed to such a step had better be prepared for it. Tit-for-tat is often a good principle to act upon, when we preserve the distinction between retributive justice and malicious revenge. One of our journals lately had a very severe article on the superstition of the lower classes, and now a oxrespondent points out that the upper and middle classes are also superstitious. "I observed lately," says the writer, "in The Times sixty-two advertisements of marriages on Thursday, the 21st of April, and not one of a marriage on the following day. A similar thing may be noticed, though perhaps not to the same extent every week, so that it seems that the class of persons who advertise their marriages in The Times are not above the super. stition of thinking it unlucky to be married on a Friday." The hit is a telling one. This superstition about Friday (arising out of the crucifixion of our Saviour having taken place on that day) is very widely spread, and perhaps exists in greater force in Catholic countries than in our own, bat there is no occa- mon for any greater strength of superstition than exists among ourselves. In what class it does not exist it would be difficult to say. We all remember that story of a shipowner desiring to counteract this superstition about Friday. He had a vessel as intimately connected with Friday as possible. Her keel was laid on a Friday; she was launched and christened on a Friday her cap. tain was appointed on a Friday; she sailed on a Friday and was lost! Very unfortunate that, though it had about as much to do with Friday as it had to do with, Mercury being in "aphelion," or of Saturn being in conjunction with the Moon. I wish some shipowner would have the courage again to try a similar experi- ment. But perhaps it would do no good. All the accidents that ever happened to this ship (and there is no vessel free from them) would be set down as owing to its connection with Friday. The Crystal Palace commenced its season well last Saturday, and the whole place looked bright and gay in ita lovely spring dress and with its brilliant com- pany. A great musical festival at this "palace of the people's pleasures "is like nothing else in the world. and a finer sight than the monster orchestra in full action, with the whole palace filled with a well-dressed audience, it would not be easy to conceive. The great musical festival of 1870 will bear comparison with its predecessors, and I hope it will be of good augury for the future. The sad and painful excitement created by the mur- ders in Greece is partially kept up by the exhibition, in the photographers' windows, of the portraits of seven of the Greek brigands. Their countenances certainly do not speak in their favour, and the comments of the -uamining- committee, who lounge at the windows, are anything bat complimentary. How far opinion is in- fluenced, however, by a knowledge of the previous facts, it would be difficult to determine. When we Visit Tusaaud s Chamber of Horrors we are prepared to find villanous physiognomies, and of course we find them—or our fancy makes them villianous. The temporary population of London must be some- what increased by the numbers of people who have come up for the May meetings," but at all events these meetings are very numerous j ust now. What an enormous amount of religious and moral activity is represented at these gatherings It is said that they are not so hrgely attended as they have been during previous years. That is a very difficult assertion to prove or disprove but at all events an immense amount of enthusiasm, a great deal of talk, and doubt- less a great deal more work, are represented by these May meetings"— meetings which find no parallel in any country in the world.

Lord RUSSELL and Lord SHAFTESBURY on the EDUCATION QUESTION. In London, on Monday, Earl Russell presided at the annual meeting of the British and Foreicn School Society, and spoke at some length on the Education question. He deprecated the use of catechisms and formularies in schools, but speke in favour of religious teaching founded upon the Bible. Respecting Mr. Forster's bill his lordship said that the three tests which he should personally apply to it would be—that there should be a convenient distribution of school dis- tricts on the plan he had adopted in his Act for the I registration of births, deaths, and marriages; ihat no tax should be levied without the consent of the people's local or Imperial representatives and that the teach- ing imparted should be thoroughly unsectarian. If it did not comply with these conditions, he snollJd ent..r his solemn protest against its becoming law. His lord- ship added, however, that he had full confidence in the Government and Mr. Forster, and did not believe that they would be parties to any measure of education that would in its working violate the consciences of the people. He had just left a country in which the question at issue wa3 the infallibility of the Pope; and he had not come home to vote the infallibility of any Ecglish Minister. The effect of pfroetuating denomi- national education in England would be that it would be necessary to extend it to Ireland, and the result would be that 24,000 Protestant children scattered throughout the country would either be driven into the Roman Catholic Church cr out of the schools. It should also be remembered that there was a new party in the Cbnrch, which was tryiug to assimilate the Church of England to the Cnurch of Rome, and, so to speak, to sink the ship by boring holes in the bottom. It behoved all true Protestants—whetherBroad Church, Low Church, or Dissenters—to take care that this great Protestant country should maintain inviolate its Pro- testant Bible, its Protestant institutions, opinions, and schools. Lord Shaftesbury, in presiding at the annual meeting of the Ragged School Union at Exeter Hall, on Monday evening, spoke of Mr. Forster's Education bill as one of the noblest measures that had ever been brought forward—and he trusted all the friends of education would give their energetic support to that good and true man. Not only were there opponents to the bill, but men who, while not unwilling to estab- lish national schools, were yet demanding to have the word of God excluded from them by Act of Parliament. This was an abomination, and the friends of ragged schools must reject the proposal with all their vigour, and must declare with an unfaltering voice that they would have the Bible, and that that blessed book should be the groundwork of the system for educating the children of this mighty empire. The bill in Parlia- ment would not deserve a moment's consideration unless the schools had the Bible for their basis.

A SAD CASE. General Codrington (writing from 110, Eaton-square, London) has addressed the following letter to The Times:— It is occasionally in your power to do a kindness in bringing to the notice of jour readers cases of real distress, and I venture to mention for thIs purpose the widow and eight children of Captain Frederick Brome. lately Governor of the Military Prison at )Veedon, about whom there appeared an advertisement in your piper of the 3rd mst. Captain Brome formerly served in Her Majesty's 46th Regi- ment he left it to enter the civil service of the War-office, and for 22 years was Governor of the Military Prison of Gibraltar, where I knew him well. Being subsequently appointed to the Military Prison at Weedon he removed his family to that place; but scarcely a year pasees when it is notified to him that the prison is to be closed and his employment to cease. The very existence ot his wife ond tamily seemed to de- pend upon his employment; mind and body gave way, and he died in March last. There is no pension for the widow; there is no allowance for the children the asshtance ot former friends at Gibraltar, with the kihdness of those at Weedon, form at present and for Ihe future the sole means of finding for them even the necessaries of a life. The Rev. J. Winter, vicar of Weedon, is honorary secre- tary for a subscription fund at that place and contributions may be received in London by myself or by }Iesars. Drum- mouds, should any of yonr readers wish to give assistance, of which none can be more in need than this widow and her family.

THE PLEBISCITE. An occasional correspondent of The Times thus describes how the Plebiscite is taken in France :— PARIS, May 8 I happen to be at Paris on the d 'y of the Plebiscite. It -is an operation which will, perhaps, be universal and ciistomary a thousand years hence, buf which to us is novel and unique. Eveiy Frenchman is asked to say before 6 o'clock whether or not he approves a general policy and a series of constitutional changes pursued during the 1 ist ten years. Kille years before tnat period he had been invited to accept an E nperor. He is now invited to accept the limitations which that Emperor has 101md it wise to Impose on himself and his successors. Oddly enough, this is the exact reverse of the change now in progress, or, at least, in contemplation, at Rome, where the spiritual chief invites his subjects to ralease him from the conditions and appeals alleged to qualify hia personal authority. Paris made no sign en Friday or even yesterday. On my arrivalllooked to the newspaper shops and stands for tokens of the coming Plebiscite. But, as I heard last night that four newspapers had been seized, only half the tule could be told by the Press. The only illustrations to be seen were grotesque figures dropping Oui and Non into a ballot-box, and a page of imaginary portraits, which, in the interest of fair play, the Democrats might have commended tl) tbe notice of the Censor They weie the portraits of the Minis- try and K-ngof the future, and were of the most savage Re- publican type. Yesterday I asked which was likely to be the most crowded polling-place. Our informant said there wcu'd be nothing of a crowd anywhere, French elections always being the quietest and dullest affairs. Some one suggested the Buurse. So I walked thither after an early breakfast this morning. Something was going on at the chief entrance of the Italian Opera as I passed perhaps taking places for a performance, I thought. I walked round the Bourse, and returned to the small aoor where the Plebiscite might 'possibly be. Ten or a dozen men were standing about it with bundles of small papers, and the steps, aa well as the pavement under the pillars, even at that early hour, were thickly littered with the same. Looking down, I read a hundred or two Ouis." These were, therefore, the polling papers, or bulletins, and they were pressed upon me by a dozen men whr. might be porters, the sort of people who undertake to find a carriage for you, in the hope of half a franc. Inside the door was a desk at which a man had charge of papers, and looked as if expecting I might want one. These papers I afterwards heard were the paper vouchers of your identity, and are called cartes ilectorales." If you had not already obtained one, you might repair the omission to-day. In an inner room or large lobby, a temporary table, made with boards and trestles, stood on a dirty piece of matting. Upon it was a plain box. Behind the table sat four men, of whom the biggest, best looking, and best dressed sat directly behind the box, with a cap that looked rather official, but that anybody might wear. I stood at the door. Shortly a working man passoo me, bare-headed, and took his station beiore the box, with his voucher or carte in one hand, and his "bulletin" in the other; but seemed not quite to know what to do with either. He was invited by a gesture to present the carte first, and after a glance at it was invited to do something with the bulletin. While he was fumbling it, the official with the cap took it out of his hand, completed the foldir g, and dropped it into the box. He then did something with the carte-tore off a corner, I believe, and gave it back to the voter, who took it not very readily, as if he had wished to be quit of it. He went off dangling it aa if waiting for a chance to dispose of it quietly. Four or five work ng men, one with an apron, went through much the same process, but they came up slowly. An elderly man, with the look of a gentleman, walked np without taking off his hat, exhibited his carte, dropped his bulletin, already folded, and walked out, as if it were a purely mechanical operation. On coming out I stooped down to pick up one or two clean bulletins. The men immediately surrounded me, each offering one from his bundle. I took two. Here is one of them :— "PLEBISCITE DU 8 MAT, BULLETIN DE VOTH. "OUI." Thinking it possible they might be private speculators, I tendered copper?, whi h were declined with a civil smile A simple fellow came up, ard was also pressed. By the time he had taken half-a-dozen bulletins the men all laughed in his face; and he rather slowly saw that one was enough. I have since learnt that the Yes" and" No" bulletins are respec- tively issued by two committees, the formeremployingtwice or thrice 38 many distributors as the ot h«r. Yen wtH catch probably soonerihan Idid that the immense quantity if "Yes "bulletins strewing the ground indicated not only the number distri- buted, but also the number rejected by voters who polled Noes." A notice posted on the railings of the Bourse informed me that the arroniiissement was divided into twelve sections for Joe present purpose, and that the Mairie and the Italian tth8, \,ere yae Polling places for two of them. I proceeded v>nii fi a*r!?' be'ore, there were a dozen men tendering "'?na Under the entrance, and in the courtyard were a f'"ny -National Guards and Sergens de Ville. Inside re ee eral stands of piled arms. Over a door on my left de1Pa7X -•" inside were the said National Guard, P „ i ?Losely- Ascending a staircase on my right, I th 8ame aPParatus. the same sort of persons, and the same process as before, a rather be.ter class voting, but coming up very slowly Thence 1 went to the Italian Opera/ Here, as te- fore, ten men were offering bulletins, but in one respect the dignity of thePlebiscite was better main- tained than either at the Bourse or the Mairie. On the threshold stood a stout, good-looking man, with a tricolour scarf round his arm. He had an attendant in a sort of liverv who stood a little in the background. The official seemed' in a pleasant, genial way, to invite the publte to enter. Every 1 body whoadvauced to the door he addressed, and, having re-" ceived a brief reply, motioned to pass within. Not being in a condition to make a pertinent reply, I held back. By and by, no one coming up, he looked at his at- tendant, who looked at him, and they went off together to a wineshop over the way. The coast being clear, I walked in, and to my surprise found BO less than fifty well-dressed persons standing in a corridor, quite silent, pair behind pair, waiting patiently their turn to vote. It appeared to me the last arrivals would have to wait half an hour or more. This was the only place where I saw anybody waiting. As I came out, the man with the scarf round his arm returned, rubbing his hands, and with his attendant resumed his place at the door. Since that I have come upon two other polling places— one a communal school not far from the English .Embassy, and the other a primary communal school in the Ninth Anondissement. At the former I waited rome time, soon after 11, and nobody came, though there were a dozen men ready to supply bulletins. At the latter, which I came upon at 5 30, half an hour before closing time, there were the dozen men as before and the whole pavement as well asthe passages of the school was thickly littfred with bulletins. Looking down, I saw that many of the bulletins were Nega- tive, though I had not noticed even one at the other rtlirraa I send you one "PLEBISCITE DO 8 MAT BULLETIN DK VOTlt. "NON." I have since heard of how things went on at various other polling places, one of them the Ministry of Finance in this quarter, and from all I hear the same—a tameness quite shocking to British notions. The operation itself is not one tj leave any opening far noisy results. This morning I heard that there might he a disturbance—at least that it was anti- cipated by ttiose who wanted it—in the Faubourg St. Antoine; but the only suspicious symptom I have myself seen is the em- ployment of a dozen fellows in the way I have described at the polling places Tiey do look a little as if paid to be on the right bide, alld quite capable 0: taking the othèr side, but for the retaining fee Thete must tie more than 2.0 polling places, employing alto- gether more than a thousand officials, and several thousand other persons. The operation itself may or may not prove of any value. Paris, within the Faubourgs, is no more moved by it than it is by the daily collection of rates and taxes, or by any other affair requiring the services of officials and the attendance of the public. The stars have been fighting for either one side or the other, for never was there a more brilliant or enjoyable day. The entire population was out walking, or sitting in the bits of garden now made wherever there is a chance. These broad streets and boulevards are as good for promenades as military men say they are for artillery and musketry, should the occasion ever arise; but certainly it is the peaceful aspect ef Paris I have been seeing to-day, Another correspondent writes: — Every one expected a majority against the Imperial "Oui," but I do not think that we outsiders did. The officials did not seem to me to be quite please d with the returns as they dropped in. That's bad," That's worse," "That's worse of all," But P-iria is always Radical, and against the. powers that be," said some one, "But Paris 13 power," said an elderly offi- cial, "aud if you add the Ilreat cities—Marseilles, Bordeaux, Toulon, Strasbourg, &a., &c.—what is the use of your pro vircial majority ?" Citizens hate provincialists. To my great astonishment, the Prime Minister himself Wall not only contented with the result, which I sent you by telegraph, but delighted with it. Then came the question of "fighting." Was it going on? "No." Likely to do so to-night? "We can't say; but think not." "Might a correspondent with a conscience go to bed?" Yes," said the Prefect of Police.

INCIDENTS OF THE VOTING. M. Lefranzais, a speaker of the clubs, presented himself at the gate of the barrack of the Chateau d'Eau, where seme troops of the line, popularly supposed at Paris not to be so favourahle to the empire as their brothers of the guard, are stationed. "let me in," he demanded. On ne passe pas ici," was the answer. Then," he cried, we shall take up arms." M. Emile Ollivier gave his vote like a aimple citizen. At midday he anived at the section of the Council of State, fell into the ranks lOf those who were waiting their turn to drop their papers into the urn, and patiently billed his time for over half an hour. It is stated he voted "Yes." The central committee established in favour cf the plebis- cite sat at its rooms during the greater part of the day and long into the night. Messengers arrived from the various sections at intervals with the latest result of the voting, and dispatches with the figures so far as they were known were S611t to the Emperor every quarter of an hour. Disputes were rare in any of the public sections. Nothing is known of what passed within the barracks, but a report is given in Figaro, that at the opening of proceedings at the Chateau d'Eau four soldiers posted themselves by the urn and declared that they would remain there to tie close, "even if they were to be shot for it." Many electors, not content with the simple Oui on their p ipers, added" Vive l'Empereur others tacked on to the Son a Yive la Republique In both instances these papers were rejected, bting declared legally inadmissible. The soldiers garri30ning the outlying posts were marched by companies to vote in Ute civil sections of their districts They were saluted with cheers by the populace at their en- trance. The customary sentry-duty in the sectians WIIS done in all cases by detachments of the National Guard. In 1851 the line shared that honour with them. The disturbances that occurred during the proceedings and after were comparatively insignificant, though the agitation was intense. Hard1y any arrests WHe made, a workman was arrested about half-past six opposite the section of the Recolleta for singing tbe Marseillaise," with some gentle emendations of his own. When M. Ptetri's placards were being attached to the wall outside the Mairio of Montmartre, a considerable crowd collected, and commenced tearing them down. The bill-poster had to run to save himself from rough usase. Some commotion was created io front of the Cour- tille Barrack by a drunkard, who hustled the sentry and an adjutant, who were at the gate. A mob gathered and took part with the drunkard. The most serious disturbance was in front of the barrack of Prince Eugene. A group, mostly of mischievous youths, assembled tnere at nightfall, began singing the "Marsellaise" and the" Chant des Girondins" mingled occasionally with cheers for Rochefort. A lieu- tenant and twenty men emerged from the barracks, and promptly cleared the (pace around the gate. The only damage aus'amed at this point was by 1m unfortunate rag gatherer, whose lantern was taken from him to be used as a revolutionary emblem.

THE RESULT OF THE PLEBISCITE. The final result of the PUbiscite for all France gives, in round numbers, a majority in favour of the Emperor Napoleon of 6,500,000 votes, against 1,500,000. These numbers will hardly convey any meaning unless they be compared with those arising from former experi- ments of a similar nature. The elevation of Prince Louia Napoleon to the Empire was due to the popular suffrage at three distinct epochs. In 1848, when he was raised to the dignity of President of the Re- public, the registered electors throughout France were 9.977,452, of whom 5,534,520 gave their vote in his favour, and his opponents were 1,891,732 In 1851, after the coup d'etat, his election to the Presi- dency oi the Republic for ten years was sanctioned by 7,437,107 vot<-a, against G45 211. The electors in- scribed in the lists were then 9.833,176, so that 1,716,800 abstained from voting. In 1852 the register gave the number of voters as 9,833,576. Of these there were 7.824,189 for the Empire, and only 253,145 against it. In the latter case 1,692,915 abstained from voting. Since 1852 there has been no Plebiscite, but at the Parliamentary elections of last midsummer it was found that the number of registered electors had risen to 10,416,668, of whom 4,093 056 voted in favour of Imperial candidates and 3,248,885 for independent candidates, while 2,291651 did not vote. The number of registered voters is now supposed to be the same as last year, so that if the votes recorded did not exceed 8.000,000, about 2,500,000 abstained from voting. The Emperor's Government, therefore, came off this time considerably better than at the last Parliamentary elections, but there is a very serious falling off in the votes given to the Emperor at this present juncture from those he obtained at the Plebiscites of 1851 and 1852. But this is Dot all. The return from Paris and the Department of the Seine gave—in 1851, 196,796 Ayes and 95,574 Noes; in 1852, 208,615 Ayes and 53,617 Noes. This year these numbers arenearly reversed. The Noes are 184 946, against 139,538 Ayes. All. too, the registered electors are supposed to exceed 400,000 it is reckoned that about 93,000 abstained from voting. It is not merely the negative votes, therefore, that must be ascribed to the Opposition, for in one alone of the Paris districts no less than 908 blank bulletins were found in the urn, besides 417 which had to be annulled. An elector who takes the trouble to go to the polling place without voting for the Emperor may fairly be set down among the Emperor's opponents. Another very significant fact is the result of, the voting at one of the Paris barracks, where the Ayes were only 1.000, against 700 Noes. These are, it is true, the Prince Eugfene Barracks, which were sup- posed to have been tampered with by the Republicans at the time of M. Rochefort's arrest—the barracks where the self-criminated assassin Beaury was lately quartered as a non. commissioned officer. In many of the great cities, such as Lyons, Mar- seilles, Bordeaux, Rouen, &c., the votes were not far from two to one against the Emperor.

AN OFFENCE AGAINST THE STATUTE. In the Court of Queen's Bench, the cause of Allen v. Thompson," has been heard, and was an appeal from the Sessions for the North Riding of Yorkshire, held at Leyburn, against a conviction under the Game Act (1 and 2 William IV., cap. 32). The third section of the Act provides that if any person whatsoever shall kill or take any game or use any gun, dug, net, engine, or other instrument for the purpose of killing or taking any game on a Sunday or Christmas-day," he shall be liable to certain penalties. The facts found that the appellant had set some snares on a Saturday on ground over which he had liberty to sport., and that he held an Excise licence. It was not found that he had been near the snares on the Sunday but a person who entered the ground found the snares set and a grouse in one of them. although it was not found that the grouse was caught on Sunday. The main questions were whether it was an offence to set snares on a week day, and allow them to remain set on a Sunday, and whether a en are Was an "engine" within the meaning of the Act. It was contended for the appellant that a snare was not such engine," but principally that where, as in the present case, men had not lifted the snares on the Saturday night, and thus allowed them to remain on the Sunday, bat without any personal control on that day having been taken over the snares, there was not a user within the mean- ing of the Act. The Court held that allowing snares to remain set on a Sunday was an offence against the statute, and the conviction was affirmed.

PARTICULARS, &c., OF THE GREEK MASSACRE. Amid the horror caused by the accounts of the recent atrocities by the Greek brigand?, it has been with a kind of savage satisfaction that the public has learnt that some at least of their number have met with the condign punishment they had so wickedly earned. The name of brigand has long been associated with ideas of heroic bearing and romantic generosity, but the mer- cenary and brutal wretches who perpetrated the recent horrors have effectually dispelled these fictions. A photograph just published will aisist to show what the brigands of Attica really are. It is a repre- sentation of the heads of the seven villains who were shot by the soldiers, and afterwards decapitated. None of them appear to be very young, and the majority are of middle age. In two instances the faces are dis- figured by wounds, but in others the ordinary aspect remains. One is positively fearful in its ugliness, but several are only noticeable for the truculence displayed on them. One head, with matted hair obscuring a low forehead, impresses the beholder with the idea that in life the man who bore it would never have shrunk from cruelty nor listened to an appeal for mercy. The youngest faces are the least repulsive, but all of them are of the lowest type, and indicative of savage greed. In further explanation of the incidents associated with the massacres by the cowardly brigands, Mr. Edgar Drummond, writing under date of the 8th in- stant, has sent the following for publication :— As there appears to be an impression that lots were drawn to decide who should go to Athena to obtain the money neces- sary for the ransom of the captives ou Mount Pentellcl1s, you will, perhaps, allow me to state that nothing of tbe kind oc- curred. The conversation of the captives on this subject re- lated solely as to the means at tbe disposal of each for pay- ing or raising so large a sum as £25,000. Lord Muncaster said he would guarantee half the entire sum, and Mr. Vyner said he would guarantee the remaining half, and that the details should be settled when all were at liberty It thus resslved itself into a question between Lord Muncaster and Mr. Vyner, who should go to Athens, and Mr. Vyner at once re- quested Lord Muncaster to go. It may be remembered also that at that time there was little or no apprehension for Jrvf-T J^tag considered as merely a money question. ~r ~le' was for Lady Muncaster and Mrs. Lloyd, who, at six in the evening, had been mounted on two gendarmea hones, and, with two gendarmes for protec- tion, had left them on "a wild mountain side, 16 miles from Athens. I venture to write thus positively as my brother-in-law, Lord Munoaster, has kept me fully informed of every circum- stance relating to this unhappy affair, in its minutest detail I also think it right that the public should be made ac- quainted with the generous and prompt conduct of Her Majesty's Consul at the Piratus, and manager of the Ionian Bank, Mr. Merlin, who within a few hours of Lord Muncaster's arrival at Athens placed the sum of £20,000 in gold at the dl8poeal of Lord Muncaster and Mr. Erakine. The Etkiwpkylatc, which appeared with a blade border, thus speaks of the shocking affair:— After having captured the honourable strangers, the bri- gands of the band of the Arvaniteos declined to accept any terms for setting them at liberty other than an enormous ransom, and that facilities should be given them to leave the country. The brigands demanded the convocation of a national assembly and the formation of a court of assize. which should try them in their absence. They wished they did not know exactly what Everyone began to be convinced —those most interested especially—that longer toleration could efftCG nothing It was attempted to compel the bri- gands to come to an arrangement. But it appears that the brigands, under the influence of an odious stupidity, had determined to kill their captives. To-day (Friday) we learnt the fad news that the brigands had murdered the honourable strangers. They contemplated flight, and tried to persuade the soldiers who were surrounding them that they were willing to accept theransom. Theyattempteli to escape, thinking perhaps afterwards to perpetrate their crime in safety. The army was about to stop them, but did not attack them Then, in sight of the troops, they drew their yataghans and carried out their threats. Seeing this, the soldiers rushed furiously towards them. The river Aso- pos, swollen by the recent rains, did not appear fordable. Despite the evident danger, however, they crossed it, and the blood of the noble strangers was avenged by the death of the two chiefs of the band. The bodies of six brigands were found afterwards eight fled, and are now being pursued; one was taken, the rest were wounded or are in hidirg. The army was furious. Tne band of the Arvaniteos is destroyed, but Greece will pay dearly for this massacre. Its hospitable soil has been reddened with the blood of the honourable strangers, infamous criminals have inflicted upon her these cruel wounds.

"REPORT OF DR. A. BOLTON. M.B." Mr. Herbert.—Two flesh wounds of right arm, one being situate three inches above the wrist and upon tne external surface of the arm. It was an inch and a hall long by an inch wide. The second was also upon the external surface of his arm, situated two inches below right shoulder. It measured three inches by four and extended almost into the shoulder-Joint under the muscles. Both wounds exposed the bone. He had also three wounds of the head, one ex- tending from the posterior and inferior angle of the right parietal bone to the molar bone, the bone being exposed for the whole length of the wüund. The second wound of the head extended from immediately below the tip of the right ear to the angle of the mouth, and cut through the vamus of the lower jiW and divided the internal maxillary artery. The third wound of head (or rather of face) was made by a pointed instrument; it was situated in the right side of lower lip, and was an inch in width. The firsttwowQundsweremade from behind the latter from in front. He also sustained three gun-shot wounds. One ball entered on right side of spine opposite third bone of sacrum, and travelled down to outer side of right thigh, at the junct'onof lower wish middle third. The ball could be felt under the cuticle in this posi- tion. It was an inch long and conical at bo'h ends. The other two shot wounds existed st the very extremity of the coccyx, and were about the sixth of an inch apart. They tock a direction inwards, and lodged in the pelvis. From the direction of these balls I believe they were fired while Mr. Herbert was lying on the ground. I also think that they were ioflicted by a single discharge. He was perfectly drained of blood, the hemorrhage coming from the internal maxillary artery. "Mr. Lloyd.—There were three sword wounds and one gunshot. The former were situated upon the right side of the body; two entered from behind. They penetrated the liver. The third entered below the lower edge of liver, and wounded the bowels in its course. The gunshot wound was situated upon the top of the right shoulder. It was two inches in diameter, the charge entered the upper outlet of the thorax upon the right side. It must have been inflicted while Mr. Lloyd was down, as, from iiS direction, it could not possibly have been done while he was ina standing or running position. Two small wounds of exit existed at the right sterno-clavicular articulation. The greater portion of the charge remained inside the thorax. The right clavicle and several of the ribs were shattered. The skin around the wound and the hair upon the right side of the head were burnt by the flash from the discharge. "Mr. Vyner.—April 24. 5 am. Dilessi. Body in a running attitude, left leg being slightly flexed. Arras bent and held out slightly In front of chest. Features calm and in no way indicative of having sustained pain. There was an immense quantity of condensed foam or saliva around the mouth, and this fact, when taken in connexion with the muddy state of his trousers and boots, renders it probable that he must have run to the full extent of his endurance. He only sustained one wound, viz a bullet wound. The ball entered on the left of the spine, opposite the centre of the dorsal vertebra, and after piercing the heart, mado its exit half an inch belo", and an inch and a half internal to the left breast (nipple). Death must have been instantaneous and painless. The body was not disfigured in any way. "M. BoyL—Sustained two gun-shot wounds. The first entered immediately below the lower angle of the right scapula, and lodged in the right lung. The second entered three inches below the lower angle 01 left scapula, and mad6 its exit on a level with and three inches to the right of umbilicus. He sustained no other wounds, and was not dis- figured. "No regularpost-mortem of any of the bodies was made, as the cause of death in each case was too painfully evident. a. BOLTON, M.B, Her Majesty's ship, Cockatrice, Piraeus. P.S. April 26, 1870.—To-day we discovered in Mr. Yyner's clothes the bullet which inflicted the fatal wound in Mr. Yyner's case. It was an ordinary old-fashioned round ball. weighing about an ounce, and having the runner still attached to it. Some small portion of the runner has been cut off roughly. I think that the condition and kind of this ball prove that Mr. V yner could not have been killed by a random shot from the soldiers. "A. BOLTON, M.B." In connection with this subject, which now possesses such a melancholy interest, Henry Coore, Esq., writing from Scruton-hall, the 5th instant, has sent the follow- ing for publication :— Having seen letters referring to the capture of a party travelling in Greece in the year 1865 containing inaccuracies, perhaps the following statement may be interesting at a moment when public feeling is so much excited by the recent atrocities in that country. In December, 1865, the party—consisting of Lord John Hervey, the Hon. Mr. Strutt, and my son—having previously been assured by the authorities that travelling in AcMnanta was safe, a shooting excursion was planned for a certain day. Beaters were engaged by their dragoman from a neighbouring village, and at the conclusion of the day's sport, and on their return to their yacht, their progress was suddenly arrested by shots fired at them from the bushes. The beaters imme- diately decamped; and, finding themselves surrounded by nine brigands, the dragoman begged the party to make no re- sistance After undergoing the humiliating process of being robbed of all they had on their persons, and witnessing the ransacking of their yacht, they were told that a ransom of £1,000 each must be paid, and that one of them would be de- tained as hostage until the money was procured in English gold. The lot fell to my son, who was hurried off to the hills. He was harassed from place to place day and night, only stopping for a few hours occasionally to rest under rocks or bushes food being obtained by robbing the shep- herds of their bread, and sometimes killing a goat. On the fourth day an alarm was raised that the soldiers were in pursuit. Spiro DtlIe, the chief, ordered the band to conoea I themselves at the same time he told his captive to prepare for death, as, if they were discovered, he would kill him at once. The soldiers passed within a few yards, but mercifully failed to discover them, or I should now be mourning the loss of my son. At Lord John Hervey's and Mr. Strutt's en- treaties, and hy the prompt measures) taken by Mr. Ersklne, further pursuit by the trcopø was stopped, the money pro- cured, and my son liberated, but not before he had under- gone great bodily fatigue, under which one of the brigands sank, as well as the mental anxiety consequent on the threats made to him from time to time hy his captors. His clothes were nearly torn to shreds by the hushes, and had he not been a strong and hardy sportsman he could never have borne the treatment to which he was subjected for nine days. In connection with the above letter, *'& writing under date of the 7th instant, has sent the following to The Times:— In his letter of to-day Mr. Coore, in relating the story of his son's capture and recovery, passes over one or two circumstances creditable to all concerned, and calculated to throw some light upon the happier possibilities of the recent tragedy. Young Mr. Coore foresta led the Ileal decision of the lot by volunteering to stay as hostage on the ground of his being physically more capable of enduring the exposure and hardship that were sure to follow and his offer was accepted by that one of his companions whom the lot had not yet exempted, because all the three friends were so sure of each other and of themselves as to know that, as far as the chances of life and death were concerned, it was the same whether they went or stayed. As long as the hostage was in danger the emissary's fate was bound up with bis. Acting on this principle, Mr. Strutt and Lord John Hervey, instead of uniting their action with that of the Greek Government, took an independent line of their own succeeded by extraordinary exertions in scraping together the requisite amount of gold (no light task in that region), and themselves returned to place the ransom in the hands of the brigands. Soldiers were scouring the country. The brigands were in a1øtate of alarm and irritation. But the prompt and frank reappearance of the two captives (for until their friend was free they were nothing less) set all suspicions at rest, and brought about the immediate release of Mr. Coore. In the case of the recent outrage, the pay- ment at the earliest possible moment of the .625 000 could have done no harm, and might very likely have induced the rank and file of the band (who. as we know, set no store by the amnesty) to insist on the money being divided and the captives of the money and of a responsible envoy, wnicn Mr. Vyner urges so forcibly on Lord Muncaster in his painlulletter of Saturday, could not fail to produce a most dangerous feeling of alarm and dis- trust in the minds of tnose who were masters of our country- en's fate.

The following correspondence has also been pub- ished „ Westminster, Paris, May 6. Sir,—I have just seen ™ The Times ot the 5th of May a letter, in which you state that it ought to be known that when the ransom (of ,i"to'oco) was demanded, the Greek Government immediately onered to transmit that sum.' As I brought the int9llige|jce into Athens on Wednesday, the 13th of April, Immedia.eiy after my release, that the sum to be paid had been finally reaueed to £ 25,000, or a pardon, and as within a very few hours on that same evening the money was forthcoming through the exceeding kindness of Mr. Merlin (the Enghshl! consul), on the guarantee of the English Minister and myself, I am at a loss to know from whom you rec?,ve, the Information that the Greek Government had offered to pay the sum. I may men- tion that on the evening of the 13th of April I wrote to Mr. Vyser, asking how and where the money was to be sent, and got an answer next day, saying. The brigands have changed their minds, and now want both ransom and pardon don't send the money by itself. i!r°m the time of our capture, on the 11th, to the fatal 21st of April, I was in hourly communi- cation with both the English and Italian Ministers, and I am perfectly certain that neither to them or to myself did tha Greek Government even offer to find one shilling of the ransom. "It was a question we intended to reserve for future con- sideration in case it was not offered. I hope you-will send this letter in correction of yours to The Times or I reserve the right to publish this correspondence. I hope to be in London to morrow, and a letter to the Carlton Club will always find me. I am, Sir, your obedient servant. MUNCASTER. « \Y. Domett Stone, Esq., M.D., <fee Medical Club, Spring-gardens, May 9,1870. My Lord,—In confirmation of the statement contained in my letter which appeared in The Times of the 5 h inst I beg to refer your Lordship to Mr. Erskine's communication to the Earl of Clarendon, dated Athens, April 14, 1870 from which it appears that M. ZaxmJS expressed to Mr. Ersklne the profound grief and humiliation with which His Majesty had learnt the misfortune which had befallen his country- men, and assured him that the Government were prepated to make any sacrifice in their power to effect the release of the captives. Further on Mr. Erskine states that he has had the honour of an interview with his HjU^nic Majesty, at which his Majesty said that he desired M. Zilmis to take any sum that might be necessary fr.m the bank, or elsewhere, to pay for the ransom. "Ecen supposing that I had not received the information respecting the payment of the ranson by the Greek Govern- ment from any other source than the above, I submit that alone would have warranted me in making the assertion, the veracity of which your Lordship would seem to impugn. In compliance with the request contained in your Lord- ship's letter, I forward this correspondence to The Times, and remain, Your obedient servant, » W. DOMETT STONH, M.D. The Bight Hon. Lord Muncaster, &c." Mr. Thomas Cook has sent the following for publica. tion, thinking that "this fragment of information will be acceptable to the British public :— While the Foreign Office is promptly furnishing to the Press every fraction of omcial information relative to the Greek massacre, it may interest your readers to have an ex- pression of public opinion in Greece, and unofficial informa- tion of the action of the Greek Government. The following is an extract of a letter which I have ra- ceived from an Athens correspondent, dated April 80 :— You will know, of course, by the newspapers, of the fatal end of the captives, which is a great calamity for Greece. Nevertheless, the Government has taken severe measures for the destruction of brigandage, and till to-day the detach- ments continue with great courage the prosecution of the brigands. They have destroyed the band which have cap- tured the poor victims 14 brigands have been killed, and seven taken alive, wounded, so that henceforth I hope that Greece will be safer than formerly." The extracts from Mr. Lloyd's pocket-book are as follow :— Monday, April 11,1870, 4 30 T M.— Cold, mist, rain, 6 pm. to 5.30 am. Wood of Raphini captured by band Arvanitakis. Night on Pentelicus. Language-lesson to brigands Supper on mountain, 2 am. Beached first Shemena in Stamata little copse on hill-side; discussion of terms with brigands Spend the day. Sixteen soldiers passed along road below in the afternoon. Alarm of all parties. Tuesday, 8 P M. to 6 A M-Left after dark along high road towards Cephnsm. ILd5 in plain. Alarm of parties near. Brigands surround us, ready to shost. Sleep on thorn bush. Resting place in pine-wood. Very wet and cold. Brigand warms Dormouse [Mr. Vyner]. by lying down close to him. Roused at dawn, and go to other pine-wood, a shert way off, for the day. Wednesday.—Day in pine-wood. Heavy rain. Caught two peasant-, and borrowed their capotes for us. Lighted fire for toast, and broiled lamb. Sent off peasant with Muncaster at 9 a.m After dark movd off to hut ot peasants for night. De Boyl's servant came with grub. Thursday.—Brigand reads two hour*' h'story—Eeramide St. John. Rainy and cold. Hut 6t1 by 20, our end badly closed by pine branches. Fires, but hard to keep warm. Roast lamb agr.in, ai d more presents of liver Evening came Dionys and agents from Athens. Scene by night—negotiating at one end, feasting at ours. Warmer at night, with my oil cloth from Poly. F"¡day -8 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.-Very fine day, and view of Mount Delphi in covered wit,h snow Lt-fr, II-t 8 a.m. Seven brigands, self on mule, Herbert and De Boyl 011 white horses. Dormouse on brown without saddle. Baggage horse O her brigands to follow. Pass wofd of Tatoe; oefile. Magnificent vie v over Athens, W. Euhoei, E Halt almost in sight of guard-house to breakfast. Bv P«ss of Deceleia, 3.000 feet above eea Guarohouce. Fratrrnizs with four soldiers. Alarm on descending to plain. Alexander sent. on with Erskine's toe (?) t-, troops seen btlow. Peace. Officer lunches with us and brigands Across plain and through fine wooded country. Marcopoulos. Received by Demarch, and general fraternization with Albanian inhabitants. Fresh eggs. Reached village of Wallack shepherds. Saturday.—Coraki.—Village twenty-five huts; shared one with chief and five brigands, circular, thirty by twenty dia- meter. Five In middle; people make everything for selves; spinning and weaving. Hut pretty warm. Walked up to Acropolis; cloudy. View over plain of Oropos, village of La Scala, and house ef Paparigopoulos. Two agents from Athens. Dance of brigands. Sunday —Down to church in morning. Blessing of palms; had one. Visit to Demarch and house of Pap coffee and raki; friendly meeting. Demarch to go to Athens to nego- tiate. Monday.—Jumping and throwing stone by brigands very good. Music at night, singing and fluting. Evening, came Dinoys, and Grisner, who slept. Tuesday.—Servants left. Afternoon marched over to Oropos; good house, room with fire-place, and seven bri- gands. Fine day, and pleasant half-hour's walk. Wednesday.—Very rainy. Colonel Theagenis come to treat; also Noel, who stopped all night. Long discussion as to terms. Thursday.—Messenger from Athens. Armistice partly withdrawn. Troops en cordon. We not to move. Chief says he will go to a place a quarter of an hour off on Ocyoupos. Know troops are in force; danger impending Love to J. and Erskines in worst case. Noel left early. Fine view of mountains in Eubcea. Covered with snow from Delphi to N.

A USEFUL HINT. Annexed is a practical suggestion (which The Timet notices in their Money Article), which might facilitate the operations of the Post Office, and alao prevent delays and mistakes in correspondence :— "Birmingham Wool Warehouses, oi — ew Canal-street, May 9. Sir,—In these days of correspondence it would be a great boon to the postman and a great advantage to the public if every one had envelopes with his name and address printed thereon, so that when writing a letter requiring an answer he should enclose one of his own printed addressed envelopes. This printed addressed envelope would then forma good reminder to his correspondent, would save his correspondent time and trouble, and would prevent mistakes in addresses, which mistakes sometimes cause great trouble, annoyance and delay. It would also expedite the postman in sorting and delivering. A great many trading firms have envelopes printed with the addresses of their principal correspondents, though they have no envelopes printed with their own addresses. My suggestion, if carried out, would be a great convenience in many ways to all parties. Yours truly, GEO NOSSITER."

JftisttllaiiMiis j'nftlliptt, HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. ANOTHER DEATH FROM HYDROPHOBIA.—An inquest has been held at the General Hospital, Not. tilJghBm. on the body of John Pinder. a boy fourteen years of a.e. On the Wednesday after Christmas Day the deceased was cooking a piece of meat before tbe fire, and his cousin, a little girl, was sitting Dear with a. black and tan terrier dog on her lap. The dog tried to get at the meat, when deceased pushed it back. The animal at once flew at the deceased and bit him in the face. The wound was burnt with caustic, and appeared to be getting better. A few days ago, however, he was seiz-d with hydrophobia, and hken to the hospital, where he died. The surgeon described the boy's suffer- ings as comparatively light. A verdict to the effect that the deceased had died from the bite of a dog was retumed. JEALOUSY AND MURDER,—The quarter of the Hotel-de-Ville at Marseilles was thrown into great commotion the other day by a deplorable crime. A young Italian sailor named Pascal Gervolino had for some time been paying hi* addresses to a fish girl named Rosa Robert, aged 17, and had even induced her to accept several presents; but latterly all his ad- vances had been peremptorily ejected. He still, however, continued to watch the girl's proceedings, in the hope of a more favourable answer, but in vain; and, being at length rendered desperate by disappoint- ment, he plunged a poinard into her side anj killed her instantaneously. He was immediately arrested. A LOTE STORY.— The Figaro relates the fol- lowing romantic story:— The Prince of Schleswlg-Holstein, on his return from a scientific voyage which had lasted for several years, found his library in a state of great disorder. He asked his steward to recommend some one who could re-arrange it, and the latter replied that the only person he was acquainted with was a young lady who acted as companion to his wife. This young person, Mdlle. Carmelita Eisenblatt, is the daughter of a merchant at Calcutta, who was formerly in wealthy cir- cumstances, but on his meeting with a reverse of fortune the children were obliged to earn their own living, and the young lady in question had even appeared on the stage. She accepted the proposals made to her, and OH her entering upon her duties the Prince found her so well educated and so intelligent, that he was quite charmed, and at last made her an offer of marriage. The union is to take place in a few days, and the bridegroom has applied to the King of Prussia for permission to lay aside his princely rank and assume the title of Cfunt de Boer, so that the marriage shall not be a morganatic one. A DUKS'S LETTER TO AN ACTRR8S.-S0me time since Mad lie. Gallmeyer—the Schneider of the Karl Theatre at Vienna—gave several representations at Gotha, and after the last received the following letter from Duke Ernest of Coburg :— In the arstplace, let me offer my kindest regards to our charming actress, and my most sincere good wishes upon her fete day. May you live to celebrate it as often as your friends and admirers can wish Yomr ante-room being, I have no doubt, filled with tbe worshippers who have come to congratulate you, permit me to submit to you, in the name of an anonymous deputation of the public, a petition bold enough to bfg you to arouse once more our minds from torpor by your sprightlv humour, and dissipate all captious and aesthetic fancies. Your gaiety, which is so communica- tive, worked wonders yesterday like the sun in spring-tide, it calls into existence happiness and lightness of heart. You will, t trust, see in this pressing entreaty only the effect of your brilliant acting, and not visit it with the fate which such an indiscretion may merit. Monday would be an ex- cellent day for giving •• Marguerite," "La Promesse pres du Foyer, and the" Cancan Diplomatique." I await a yes or a no, either that I may announce the good news from every steeple in Gotha, or else hang with black the Temple of the Muses. Like all supplicants, I conclude with the castomary formula, and remain yours most devotedly, ERNEST. MATRIMONIAL CHANCES.—(From the Manches- ter Examiner):- An English gentleman (29), in business, who has also small private means, i. anxious to marry.—As this is agenuine advertisement, nr'ne but bona. fide answers need be sent to C. H. W., Post-office, Bradford." A gentleman, aged 25, of very good family and fair pro- spects, wishes to correspond with a young lady of education and independent means, with a view to marriage strictly boni fide —Address (in the first instance), enclosing carte, Cantab, Post-office, Harpurhey, Manchester." Wanted, by a widower (bonA fide), a well broueht-upand educated young lady or widow, between 24 and 30. to take charge of his private establishment and small family of six, three provided for, with a view to matrimony state means. —Address A. 8. W., Post Office, Cheetham Hill." "A gentleman, having je600 in cash, about emigrating to a pleasant part of America, would like to marry a lady who would not object to accompany him. A healthy, industrious gervant girl, from 18 to 24, of good character and pleasant appearance not objected to —Address," &c. SHORT METHOD WnH AN ADVERSARY.—The Gazzttta di Torino announces from Rome that the Bishop of Mayence called lately on Cardinal Antonelli, and protested against the arbitrary seizure by the Roman police of a work from the pen of a learned German theologian against the dogma of Papal Infal- libility, copies of which had been forwarded by post to aU the Fathers of the Council. The Papal Secretary of State begged for time to consider the matter, but Bishop Ket: ler declared thatif the seizure were not re- voked within two days he would set out for Naples, get the work reprizfted there, and distribute the copies in Rome himself. AN EXHAUSTIVE ARGUMENT.—There is an old story of a corporation which once upon a time had to account for not ringing the bells on the occasion of a Royal visit, and which wound up a score of reasons with the statement that they had no bells to ring. This is very much the nature of Lord Lansdowne's rather superfluously elaborate reply to the claim which Lord Clanricarde brought forward in the House of Lords the other evening on behalf of the Irish College at Paris to a share of the fund provided by the French Government, after the great war, as compensation to British subjects for confiscation and other injuries during the devolution. Lord Lansdowne, after arguing that it was inexpedient to reopen a question which had already been decided against the college by the Com- missioners and the Privy Council, announced that whatever might be the rights of the Irish students, the fund available for compensation had been long ago exhausted, and not a penny remained in the hands of the Government! All the satisfaction, therefore, which Lord Clanricarde could obtain was an order for copies of the awards of the Commissioners and Privy Council on the case. CURIOUS SUIT AGAINST A PRINCESS.—The Civil Tribunal of the Seine gave judgment on Saturday in the disputed claim for the possession of the marble statue found in pulling down the Hotel Laffitte. belong- ing to the Princess de la Moskowa. A workman named Chultz, who had found the work of art plastered up in a niche, demanded the application of the law relative to treasure trove. according to which the tinder is en- titled to one-half the value. He maintained that the statue was a work of at,tiquity, and represented a Roman ernperor. According to the Princess it was t-iiiiply a Napolron I., and harl been conc ealed on the entry of the Allies in 1814, previous to which time it had formed part of the decorations of the building. The case was brought before judges sitting in Chambers in April of 1868, when the object of contestation was ordered to be sequestrated pending an investigation. The court now gave a verdict against the Princess, ordering the statue to be sold and the proceeds to be divided between the parties, and condemning the lady to the payment of costs. THE FKNIANS AGAIN !—With regard to the Fenians, the New York Times of the 27th ult. says :-1 The Fenian heail q iarters did not present so busy an ap- pearance yesterday M on the previous oay, but everybody connected with it was achely employed. A visit to the different bureaus showed Beversl clerK II, civil and military, engaged In ihe tnnscrlption of voluminous documents, which we were informed contained Instructions for the several circles of the Brotherhood. During the whole of the day General O'Neill and his officers continued their council of war as on Monday. Aids and bearers of despatches left for many points in the afternoon. The object of their mis- sions, however, was not divulged. Large sunn of money had been received since Saturday from the couutry sections 0' tbe organization, and our reporter was informed that financially the O'Neill party was very well circumstanced. The leaders assure us that this time they are In earnest, and that a warlike movement is now inevitable. The representatives of civil or- ganizations at the adjournment of the Congress returned to their constituencies to prepare for coming events. DR. LIVINGSTONE.^—At the usual fortnightly meeting of the Royal Geographical Society, on Monday evening, Sir R. Murchison, President, said :— I have taken a deep-felt and loving interest in the position lu which my very dear fnenc1 Livingstonetsnow left. We have every reason to believe that from the month of May last he has been at Ujlji, on the eastern bank of the great Lake Tanganyki, and that there he is fairly stopped. His advances are stopped, his provisions and means are exhausted, and most Of his attendants are gone. or lost, or dead, though he had got all his documents with him. It therefore became of intense interest to me to know how he ww to be relieved, and I am happy to say that, in consequence of a communication that I had made to the Earl of Clarendon, her Majesty's Government has consented, to my great gratificatii n, to provide the means for relieving Livingstone from Zanzibar. Dr Eirk had organised some supplies to be sent to him. but, as you know, the cholera broke out, and the caravan was paralysed, and the people lost. However, her Majesty's Government aTe now ready to support his claims and supply the money. We are heartily grateful to the Government for having thought geographei s worthy of this support. MOTBERLY AFFUCTION. — A few days ago a singular instance of motherly love was brought under the notice of the Sheffield magistrates. The mother of a lad who stood charged with pocket-picking had come all the way from America to him the moment she heard he was in custody here, and she now pro- duced a return ticket for recrossing the Atlantic the moment her unworthy son got liberty. Under the circumstances the chief constable was instructed to liberate the prisoner on finding the story told by the mother was accurate. A "SUTLER" SERPENT.—During the late American war a coloured preacher, feeling constrained to preach against the extortions of the sutlers, from which his little flock had suffered, announced for his text, "Now de serpent was more sutler dan any beast of de field. THE ROMAN CATHOLICS OF HUNGARY.—The North German Correspondent has the following:— The longing for eccledastlcal self-government and an inde- pendent and national Church appears every day to be getting stronger among the Roman Catholics of Hungary. Though originating with the laity, the idea is favourably regarded by the inferior clergy, at least, who are tired of the trammels in which they have so long been confined. It has been proposed to establish a mixed eoclesiastlcal Congress, or national Synod, of which the laity will form a majority—in fact, a plan of Church Government very similar to the system so warmly recommended, in 1849, by the Minister of Public Worship, Bishop liorvath. The whole question is discussed in a pam- phlet written by a learned Catholic. Professor Sch wicker, published at Pesth, under the title "Die Katholiken-Autono- mie in Ungarn." We quote a few lines by way of illustrating the views of the writer. "A system of Church government like that which it is sought to establish in Hungary is a purely national affair, to be settled between the Church and the State, and then, within the pale of the Church, between the clergy and the laity. No other authority, of whatever kind, has a right to interfere. This is the firm and unchangable conviction of all the Catholics of Hungary, and we hope that Rome will understand how It is to be appreciated and respected." MUNICIPAL SYMPATHY.—At a meeting of the Ripon Town Council, the following vote of condolence was passed :—" That this Council, at their first meet- ing holden since the barbarous outrage and murder re- cently perpetrated on British subjects by Greek brigands near Athens, cannot refrain from expressing their feel- ings of deepest grief and horror at that most atrocious crime, and of their most sincere and heartfelt com- miseration for the families and relations of those who, from no fault or indiscretion of their own, have met with so sad and heart-rending a fate. To their more immediate neighbours, the Lady Mary V yner and her surviving sons, and the Earl and Countess de Grey and Ripon, the Council, on behalf^ of themselves and fellow-citizens, desire more especially to tender their most respectful condolence, and most heartfelt sym- pathy, under the fearful afflictions which have befallen them in the loss of so near a relative under circum- stances of such cruel atrocity. Some consolation, how- ever, it is hoped, may be found in the heroism and honourattending such a death, untimely though it he. for assuredly many years must pass away ere Englishmen can cease to speak with pride of the noble disinterestedness and self-denying generosity of Frederick Grantham V yner." A FRENCHMAN "TAKING NOTES" OF ENGLISH LIFE!—About a fortnight ago » Parisian journalist was in London taking notes. His impressions were printed in last week's number of La Vie Paritienne. He had apparently paid a very short visit to England, and confined himself to enumerating the more salient points of London life. A few sentences were devoted to what he saw in the park by dav and the theatres at night. His admiration for well-born English girls riding in the R >w early in the day was extreme. In his opinion, their appearance in ridinft-habits was far more pleasing than when, at a later period, they showed themselves dressed in the fashions. The drawback in the latter case consisted, according to him, in the exaggeration of the styles which were the mode in Paris. If the Parisian lady would adorn her bonnet with a flower, or deck her dress with a ribbon, her English rival's bonnet was a miniature flower-bed. and her dress a mass of party-coloured ribbons. His conclusion was that in England good taste was unknown, and this opinion was confirmed by what he saw in several theatres. LEAVING HIS WIFB: ONE SHILLING.—The use of "Hobbs 11. Hobbs" has been before the Court of Probate. The testator, who died on the 9th of Sep- tember, 1869, was a farmer and publican carrying on business near Woburn, in Bucks. He made a will on the 4th of July, 1869, leaving his property, which was of the value of about £ 3,000, to the plaintiff in trust for the benefit of his son, who was a minor, and he gave his wife a legacy of Is. The preparation and execution of the will were clearly proved, and it also appeared that the testator had concealed its existence from his Wife, and had led her to believe that he should die intestate. Mrs. Hobbs, the defendant, contested the validity of the will on various grounds, and witnesses were examined on both sides. Verdict was for the plaintiff; and the Court pronounced for the will, and made no order as to costs. A DESPERATE COMBAT. —The Petit Marseillais gives the details of a homicide committed in that city on the person of a workman named Tronc, aged twenty- five, employed in the Mill of M. Canapal, by a guard of the octroi, named Sansonetti, a Corsican, and at- tached to that administration for the last ten years. This man had been for some time past made the butt of sarcasms on the part of the millers on account of his political opinions, and especially for the warmth with which he had espoused the cause of Prince Pierre Bonaparte during the trial. On the morning in ques- tion he came to the mill as usual, but in a state of high excitement, and showing a poniard, threatened to use it if he were subjected to any fresh insults. There- upon Tronc, with a view to preventing bloodshed, slipped behind the other, and locked him firmly in his arms, a proceeding which immediately led to a desperate struggle between the parties. Both soon lost, their balance, and rolled on the ground, Sansonetti striking at his adversary with the dagger, and four blows taking effect. He at length abandoned his victim on the arrival of M. Druere, the inspector, who came to separate the combatants, and in reply to some indignant remarks made by the latter drew a double- barrelled pistol from his pocket, saying, "And here I have the means of killing some more of you He then walked quietly off to the octroi, and there suffered himself to be arrested. Tronc was taken to the hospi- tal in a hopeless state. A Dosii PREVENTED.—The Newcastle detec- tives have succeeded in preventing a duel, which was arranged to take place between two Danes, on the Town Moor, at eight o'clock on Sunday morning. The principals in the intended duel were attended on the ground by five of their countrymen and a Swede. Fifteen paces were marked out, and the weapons (two pistols), ready capped, had been produced, when the officers arrived. 1 he cause of the quarrel was a love affair. The officers took possession of the pistols, and got the names of all concerned. One of the seconds alleged that though the principals were in earnest the rest were not, and that the weapons were only loaded with powder and wax balls. AN OPINION ON MR. DISRAELI'S NOVEL.—In a notice of "Lothair" the Saturday Review says :— If it is asked why Mr. Disraeli writes a novel which is certainly not of the highest order of ait it may be fairly answered that his main object ls his own amusement. The profound and salutary counsels which, according to the inti- mation of his motto, he offers to youth, probably appears to himself to b6 but wodei atsly serious • • The true precursor of the author of • Lothair' was the biogra- pher of Aladdln. It is a singular coincidence that two novels have been pub Ished in England within a few months on the subject of Italian plot. and straggles, and that one has been writteu by the hero of Rome, of Sicily, and of Aspromonte, and the other by the st»te«man who was one of the leading Ministers of England when the battle ot Men- tana was fought. 'Lothair' is Incomparably superior in literary merlt to the 'Rule of the Monk,' bat it is almost equally remarkable for the absence of official reticence. The only iU-nstured passage in the book is a per- sonal attack on the eminent man of wh°ni Mr- Disraeli evi- dently koows nothing except that he hu hirnaelf received from him strong provocation. His satire of the Oxford pro. fessor is pointless, inasmuch as it is utterly unjust and in. applicable, but it will probably to|™™oblef' in the opin- ion of strangers. it would be creditable to the good taste and good feeling of a writer wnots seidom malignant either in books or public life, if the P were expunged in future editions.. • • • lothair' is much more amusing than Juventus Munqi, and also more in- structive." THE STATUTES.—A return prepared at Her Majesty'* Stationery-office shows that, the contract with the Queen's printen is for two editions of the statutes passed year by year, viz., one in imperial evo., which is Bold to the public at Id. per sheet of four pages, andaupphedto the Government for promul- ption" at id. per sheet of pages, plus 5 per cent. and another edition in demy 4to., which is supplied to the Government for "promulgation," at iLl. per sheet of eight pages. This last, which is usually called the magistrate edition, in not sold to the public. These editions are printed for the Government; besides these, the Queen's printers print on their own account a two- penny edition in royal 8vo., and an edition in demy 4to. andinSvo, compirsiiig the pub:io and the titles of the local, personal, and privaU' xwfct IM I expurgated (revised) edition of the statures now in course of publication is estimated to co<-t £4:0 per volume of 60 sheets. It is to be sold to the pubHc at 4.1. per sheet of 16 pages to the Government at 3d. Assumii-g each volume to consist of 60 fheets, 1 he- price per volume (less the bidding) will he 2":>. to the public, 15J. to the Government. Io would be very convenient to the public it they could be upon th e same footing as the Government in regard to the promulgation" of the statutes the higher price charged to the public tends to make the hiatuses a sealed book. AVOIDING THE CONSCRIPTION.— A. curioua cuse has been Jately occipyrogthe attention of the Prussian la.w courts, which frond the novelty of the charges pre- ferred against the defendants deserves a passing m'tice. Six brothers of the name of Dieckhoff, residiug in dif- ferent paits of Prussia, were charged with the offmce of fraudulently aiding and abetting voung men to ev*de military service. The two rtjn^kable p iiuts wl.ich transpired in the course < f .he trh;l were the extensive sctle of the organisation for this purpose, and the marvellous "kill evinced by the aocu^Cu in carrying out their unlawful practices. The plaothey aa. t>>d was to produce artificially symptoms of disease, amovinf;'c £ to disqualiifcation, on the young men bound to sen -Po atui this they appear to have done so successfully as to h.70 taken in many army doctors in different parts of the kingdom. Thus palpitation of the heart was induced by dosing the reluctant warrior with strong coffee and Burgundy wine, or by causing him to smoke tobacco strengthened by schnaps; hemorrhage was imitated t Y pig's blood mixed with vinegar; various sores were imitated by the stings of bees, for which purpose August Dieckhoff always had with him a small box filled with these insects; tbe eyes were touched with caustic to make the sight defective, and enlargement of the pupils caused by striking them with atropis. One of the brothers was besides charged with having represented himself as a Government Commissioner for the receipt of the necessary sums for purchasing the. privilege of freedom from military service; and thu* between duping the doctors and the recruits, they setm to have realised a handsome fortune. A PIOUS NKGRO.—The following is from the Editor's Drawer," in Harper's New Monthly Maga- zine .'— There used to be a pious old negro in Boston namedf Ctesar, and he was iu the habit of praying so loudly as to be heard by many of the neighbours. On retiring for the night his petition invariably was Lord, send dy angel for ule Cæsar-old Cee-ar always ready." One evening two of his nelgh90urs. good men, but sometimes bored by his style," thought they would try him on. They took position at hia door, and when the usual petition was made that the Lord would send the angel," ole Csctar being always ready, they knocked leudly at the door. Who dar ?" and the darkey. "The angel of the Lord, come for old Cseiar," was the reply. Out went the light, a scrambling into bed was heard, aurl then, in trembling voice, that same old uncle said, Go way, dar! go way! Ole Ctesar bin dead dis ten year SUFFRAGE FOR WOMEN.—There is a good deal to be said for the bill which has passed a second read- ing (says the Economist). It removes an anomaly in our electoral system, and will admit some taxpayers to vote who care much for the privilege, though per- haps a good many more who care very little. The- balance of probabilities is that it will do some good. We shall gain by the addition to the number of active voters opinion pro tanto will be somewhat better re- presented perhaps a wholly fresh element will bw infused into political life. And to long as the measure is confined to the present limits, the addition to the mass of indifferent and corrupt voters, which is the only apparent danger, is not likely to be great. Nor is it any reason against the measure that the precedent may lead to a more general suffrage for women. If it does it will only be because the experience is favour- able—because a good undeniable reason has been fur- nished on the side of change. PROPOSED LAW ON SEQUESTRATION. — The Bishop of Winchester's Bill, now before the House of Lords, proposes to abolish sequestration of the profits of a benefice for debt, and provides in lieu thereof that a debtor's summons may be obtained by a judgment creditor, and on default in payment the debtor may adjudged bankrupt. If he fails to obtain his order of discharge within a certain period, and a representation to that effect shall be made to the Bishop by the Judge having cognizance of the bankruptcy, it is to oe lawful for the Bishop, after giving the bankrupt sufficient opportunity of showing reason to the contrary, sum- marily and without further process to declare that the bankrupt has forfeited his benefice. An appeal mav be made to the Archbishop, who is to confirm or annul this decision as to him shall appear just and proper. The judgment of the Bishop^ if not annulled, is to be pub- lished in the Gazette, and the benefice will become void, and the patron may present thereto. SHIP STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.—In mid-ocean on tbe 18th of April the ship Thomas Freeman, Cap- tain Charles Owen, which had left New Orleans thir- teen days before, was struck by a thunderbolt, which made a hole about two feet square on the port side of the vessel. Soon after the shock, which prostrated all on board, the vessel was found to be on fire. The boats were got ready for leaving the ship in case of necessity, but every effort was made to keep down the fire. At midnight the ship was on fire at all parts, the pitch frying out of the seams on deck. Early in the morn- ing the brig Omega, of Sydney, C. B., Captain Kerr, from Cienfuegos, was signalled, and, promptly respond. ing, took off the ship's company, including two ladies— the wife and daughter of the captain. On the 20th Captain Laird, of the Dacian, saw, it is suppose, the ship still burning in latitude 37 7 North, and longi.. tude7015 West. CURE FOR SEA-SICKNESS.—So many suffer, saysr the Scientiifc Review, from this disagreeable malady, that it will give general satisfaction to learn that a con. trivance for diminishing oscillation of vessel* has been invented. It consists in supporting a hollow frame of wood, iron, or other suitable material, on pivots affixed to pillars or supports in any suitable part of the vessel. Inside this fcame and supported by other pivotø placed on two of the arms thereof (the axial line of these said pivots being at right angles to the axial line of those before mentioned), is suspended a circular couch or sofa, the sectional form of which is that of a hemis- phere or basin, the said frame and couch being so sus- penned in relation to each other and to the vessel that osculation is reduced to a minimum, thus preventing the unpleasant feeling consequent on the rolling and other movements of a vessel at sea. DEATH FROM HYDROPHOBIA.—Within the past two years there have been several cases of hydrophobia. in Halifax and the neighbourhood, and two or three have terminated fatally. The last victim was Mr, Hawson, aged thirty-two, who lived at Warley. Last Christmas Jiis dog, a little bull terrier, bit him on his right hand. It has since died. The wound on Mr. K^wson's hand soon healed, and he was supposed to have escaped further dangerous consequences. On luesday in last week, however, he was seized with pain in the hand which hid been bitten, and sent for his mqdical attendant, who perceived avmntoms of hydrophobia. On Wednesday Mr. Bawson grew worse, and, although every effort possible was made to save the unfortunate man, he expired in convulsioif* ou Thursday night. SNAKE-BITE CURED BY THE APPLICATION OF A COAL 0IT FIRE.—Dr. Perkins writes to the Galveston Medical Journal:—A young man, eighteen years of age, was bitten by a very large rattlesnake (5 feet long) on the arm, above the elbow. A coal of fire was applied a short time after he was bitten. I saw him two hours after the accident, when he appeared very much prostrated, and was vomiting every few minutes —pulse very small and frequent, complaining constantly of the burn, which was severe. I him freely of diluted alcohol. His recovery was rapid, and the swel- ling in the arm slight. The question now is, did th» fire do any good ? I think it did not only by destroy- ing the virus, to a considerable extent, but also by pro- ducing a local incapacity in the veins and absorbent vessels to perform their functions. I think, in all pro- bability, he would have died before the alcohol was given, if the fire had not been applied. QUESTIONS TO BE D £ CIDKD. — When Lord Hartismere died recently, it was assumed that his son, Mr. Henniker-Major, would at once resign his seat for East Suffolk. The delay in proceeding to a new election is connected with a curious question. It appears that when a vacancy occurs in the House of Commons owing to a member succeeding to the other House, no writ can issue rntil such member proves his* right so to succeed. It is said to be the opinion of most competent authorities that it would be in the power of an eccentric or cantankerous person to delay the issue of the writ, and so far disfranchise his late constituency for the remainder of the term of that Parliament. Another question which has never been Bettled is whether a member having a primd facie right to a peerage, but not having proved such right, may or may not sit and vote in the House of Commons. If these questions are really in doubt, the House of Commons ought to lose no time in removing it. COUNSEL COMMITTED FOR CONTEMPT.—On the 12th ultimo Mr. Chisholm Aosieyi while dsfeiulu» a prisoner at the Criminal Sessions of the Bombay High Court, was committed for contempt by the Judge, Sir Charles Sargent. At the close of the case the Judge said—Mr. Anstey, I committed you in order to main- tain peace and quietness in the Court. That object has been attained, and there is no occasion for detaining you further, and you may therefore consider yourself discharged and the matter at an end. To this Mr. Anstey replied—It shall not end with me, and then quitted the court. IT'S SBT FOR TWENTY MINUTES.—A good story is told of a judge visiting a penal institution, and being practically disposed, the learned j'ldge philanthropi- cally trusted nimself on the treadmill, desiring the warder to set it in motion. The machine was accord- ingly adjusted, and his lordship began to lift his feet. In a few minutes, however, the new hand had had quite enough of it, and called to be released, but this was not so easy. "Please, my lord," said the man, yon can't get off. It's set for twenty minutes; that'a the shortest time we can make it go." So the judge was in durance untill his "term" expired. THE IKCOMK TAX IN ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES.—The income tax in Evgland produced up- wards of ten millions in 1869 70, although the rate was no more than 5d. in the pound -or a little over two per cent. An income tax of five per cent, in the United States produces considerably less than this, while the persons liable to the tax are probably more numerous here than in England. This might well lead our financiers to consider whether they have yet hit upon the best method of assessment and collection. The income tax is now to be reduced in England to 4d. in the pound, or about one and two-thirds per cent. We propose to raise a much smaller amount with a tax of three per cent.— Aew York Times. INTERESTING FACTS.—A legal atone is 141b. in England and in Holland. A fathom, 6 feet, derived from the height of a full-grown man. A hand, in horse measure, is 4 inches. An Irish mile is 2,240 yards; a Scotch mile is 1,»M a German, 1,806; a Turkish, 1,626. An acre is 1,840 square yards, 1 foot, and 3t inches e<chway. A square mile, 1,760 yards each way, contains 6«) acres. The human body con- tains 240 bonee, 9 kinds of articulation or joinings, 100 cartilages or ligaments, 400 muscles or tendons, and 100 nerves, besides blood, arteries, veins, &c. Pota- toes planted below three feet do not vegetate at one foot they grow thickest, and at two feet they are re- tarded two or three months. There are no solid rocks in the Arctic regions, owing to the severe frosts. The surface of the sea is estimated at 150,000,000 square miles, taking the whole surface of the globe at 190 000,000 Bquiwe miles. Its greatest depth is sup- posed to oe equal to the height of the hiKheat mountain, or four miles.