The Aberystwith Observer

THE CLOSURE. At the monthly meeting of the executive committee of the London and Counties Liberal Union, the fol- lowing resolution was unanimously adopted :—" That the experience of the present session of Parliament confirms and strengthens the conviction of this Com- mittee, already expressed by resolution in January last, that a reform of parliamentary procedure is imperatively needed, in order to remedy the stagna- tion of public business, and that this Committee hereby expresses its satisfaction that her Majesty's Government have resolved that an end shall be put to this growing evil before the session of 1883, and affirms its hearty approval of the principle of closure by absolute majority contained in the new rules as originally introduced."

Am h Jonbott Corasgontai, (lie deem it right to state that we do not at all times fflMttiy ooraelves with o'ir Correspondent's opinions. The protracted sitting of.-the House of Commons through Friday night and Saturday has afforded another illustration of the absolute necessity for a revision of the rulea of Parliamentary procedure. Upon these the House had been engaged intermittently from the 20th February to the 11th May, when the murder of Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr. Burke induced the Government to bring in the Prevention of Crime BilL Notwithstanding daily sittings on that measure, the 1st of July found the House just half-way through the clauses in committee. It was then deemed necessary by the Opposition as well as by the Government to take some stringent step for expediting business, with the result that twenty-five members were suspended and the clauses were disposed of. Three years ago the mention of the name of King Cetewayo was unfavourably received by all classes of people in this country. He was the sovereign of a land with which for months we had been at war, and the memory of Isandula was at that time a bitter one. News had just been received that Prince Louis Napoleon had lost his life at the hands of the Zulus, and this increased the strong feeling of resentment against that sable population. Then came the battle of Ulundi, on the 21at July, 1879, which crushed the Zulu power, the flight of Cetewayo, his apture in the following August, and his subsequent detention at Cape Town, which has continued to this day. Cetywayo has long desired to come to England, and after a protracted delay his wish is to be grati- fied. He will be in London in the course of the autumn; and as "the English people always cheer the Sovereigns who come over here," it is likely enough that the black monarch will be well re- ceived. His letters prove him to a man of con- siderable intelligence, and much curiosity is certain j to be manifested in his movements. He will go to see the Queen, will dine with the Lord Mayor, will attend a military review at Aldershot, and see the Channel Fleet drawn up at Spithead. Having been im pressed with the wealth, strength, and resources of Eng- land, it is more than possible that the course of events in Zululand will render his restoration to power desir- able. The University Cricket Match at Lord's Ground is one of the most fashionable of the London season. It is closely ran by the contest between Eton and Harrow, which comes a little later. With fine weather the University Match, from the nature of its surroundings, is a spectacle well worth seeing. As the crowds in the streets of London wear light and dark blue respectively on the occasion of the annual boat-race between Oxford and Cambridge, so at the Cricket Match at Lord's the ladies appear in one or other of the University Blues. Doubt- less a large proportion attend merely to see and to be seen; yet the desire to witness the cricket is so great, that a guinea is the ordinary price of a reserved seat. The present cricket season has been an unusually brilliant qpe, and the visit of tha Australians has enhanced its interest in a remarkable dagree. Westminster Abbey, already rich in monuments and memorials, is to receive an addition in the shape of a tablet to the memory of Michael William Balfe. This tribute to the genius of an eminent composer is due to the efforts of the late Dean of Westminster, Dr. Arthur Peorhyn Stanley. Balfe's numerous compositions have been produced, not only in English-speaking countries, but in aoriiC continental lands, themselves rich in men of genius, landing France, Italy, and Germany. More especially may Italy be described as a land of song; and it was there that Balfe enjoyed a distinguished reputa- tion before his works became so well known in the United Kingdom. The., fitting nature of the monu- ment to his memory in our national Walhalla will be recognised both at home and abroad by all who admire simple and beautiful strains, whether in opera or ballad. The application of electricity to the working of railways sond tramways is an experiment regarded with interest not only by engineers, but by the general public. The success or failure will decide the practi- cability ct the new system of propulsion in the present state of electrical science. Tramways on this system have already been worked in Berlin and Paris, and it is clear that the mechanical diffi- culties whkh at first seemed to stand in the way have been overcome. The promoters of the newly- appliad agency base their calculations of success on the assumption that electricity is much cheaper than either horse or steam power, inasmuch as there is a diminished deteriora- tion of roiling stock and permanent way through dtcnase in friction. The weight of a heavy engine is dispensed with, and inclines are easily ascended. Ihe electricity is generated at one end of the line, and transmitted along the rails to machinery within the carriages, which works the driving wheels. There was some apprehension that the powerful current, passing along the unprotected rails, might constitute a source of danger to the public. On the contrary, electricians declare that the influences pro- duced are of such an agreeable character, that during the early history of the electric tramway in Berlin hundreds of people were in the habit of throwing themselves -upon the rails after a car had passed. The idea that a great Atlantic steamer is a floating town upon the sea is to be extended and developed by the eoMteuction of a fleet of ships in America of extraordinary size and swiftness. Each is to ac- commodate 600 first and 1,000 second and third- class passengers, at the same time carrying 2,700 tons of coal and 550 tons of goods. The projectors anticipate that the rate of speed will be such as te ensure the crossing of the Atlantic in five and a half days. Seven days between Queenstown and New York is now regarded as a splendid passage but if thb can be reduced by a day and a half, it might well appear to the finite vision that the diminution of the time occupied in the journey from the Old World to the New could not be reduced much further. Within a few days of each other, Royal recognitions of the value of the newspaper press have been made in a gratifying manner. The Duke of Albany pie- sided at tha annual dinner of the Newspaper Press Fund, at Willis's Rooms, and paid a high tribute to the value of the public journal as an educating agency, and as the chief instrument in the diffusion of know- ledge, the progress of enlightenment, and the advance- ment of civilization. Instead of consisting merely of expressions of opinion upon passing events and critical essays upon men and their works, the main function of the newspaper of to-day is to supply the reader with a contemporary and authentic record of the daily history of the world. The other occasion was the visit of the Prince of Wales to the office of the Daily Telegraph on the night of the opening of the splendid new effices which have been built in Fleet- street. The gathering Was a very distinguished one, including the Duke of Albany, Prince Leinengen, and many illnstrious names in science, literature, art, and politics. Internally, the new office of the Telegraph is a marbia palace externally it is an ornament to the thoroughfare of newspapers, in which it has been rawed. There are more newspaper offices in Fleet. street than in any other street in London. The trial of a recent cause at Guildhall has once more gi> en ri-e to the inquiry how long people are to wait foi the completion of the new Law Courts. The jur3' complained of the bad ventilation, and asked for air, but the judge objected to draughts, the window* were kept closed on a Midsummer day, and two witnesses were carried out of court in a faintirg condition. Those with good memories are able to reject that seventeen years have aJap«ef! sJnce the Act of Parliament was obtained for thft crrsf-ruttion of the Royal Courts of Justice, and this iJTii'iturfl is not yet ready for use. Meanwhile the t.rounnils of London are scattered here and there--V,"e "!iAitiater, Lincoln's Inn, Guildhall, and Basic-?hii'i-s' r?et; but mostly the accommodation is utter v and her Majesty's lieges who are t resort to these places, either as suitors, juryn f- i witae. come away with but a poor ;■ or the eonrts apart for the administra- tion of jtatise,

AN ACCOUNT OF THE EXECUTION OF GUITEAU. Guiteau was hanged at 12.40 on Friday, June 30th. The Times has published the following interesting particulars of the wretched man's last hours, and his execution, given by their American Correspondent:— On Thursday he abandoned his belief in aarespite and began preparing for execution, at the same time appearing more composed and seeming to think less about it than any one else in the gaol. He received the Rev. W. Hicks, his spiritual adviser, and Mr. Reed, his counsel, cheerfully. The former announced the failure of the efforts to get the President to interfere. Guiteau said, "That's all right; that settles it. I want you to examine the scaffold and make sure it's all right, too, so that there may not be any bungling. I want to be hung at 12 o'clock sharp." His sister sent him a bouquet; Guiteau kissed it, weeping for a few minutes. Then he suddenly rallied, saying, This does not become a man about to meet his God for doing God's will." This was the only exhibition of tenderness shown up to that time. Mr. Reed wrote for Guiteau the following, which he calls his will Washington, June 29. To the Rev. William W. Hieka. I, Charles Guiteau, of the city of Washington, District of Columbia, now under sentence of death, which is to be carried into execution between the hours of twelve and two o'clock on June 30, in the United States Gaol in the said district, do hereby give and grant you my body after such execution, provided, however, it shall not be used for any mercenary pur- poses and I hereby, for good and sufficient considera- tions, give, deliver, and transfer to the said William Hicks my book, entitled 1 The Truth,' and removal and copyright thereof, to be used by him in writing a truth- ful history of my life and execution, and I direct that such history be entitled I the Life and Work of Charles Guiteau;' and I hereby solemnly proclaim and announce to all the world that no person or persons shall ever in any manner use my body for any mercenary purpose whatsoever, and if at any time hereafter any person or persons shall desire to honour my remains they can do it by erecting a monument, whereon shall be inscribed the words—' Here lies the body of Charles Guiteau, patriot and Christian. His soul is in glory.'—CHARLES GUITEAU." This has two witnesses. Guiteau's sister and brother, at his request, signed a paper consenting to his disposition of his body. Guiteau also wrote a paper expressing unbounded appreciation of_ Mr. Reed's services as his counsel and requesting him to meet me in heaven." He took leave on Thursday of Mr. Reed and also of his sister and brother. At times he violently denounced the President and those wretches, as he termed them, who had hounded him to the scaffold. Finally, calming down, he requested the warden of the gaol to hang him at twelve o'clock sharp. A coloured woman, whom Guiteau owed 60 cents for washing, called, and he sent her 50 cents by the gaoler, astonishing him by saying. "Tell her I will pay the balance on Monday." At the parting with his sister, Guiteau said, "Let me kiss my sister through grated bars. Let it so go on record." Then, kissing her, he turned to his brother and handed him a dime, saying, "Here are ten cents-due to the washerwoman; I guess you had better settle that balance to-day." His sister and brother then left. Mr. Hicks and Guiteau's brother called on Thursday night, but Guiteau de- clined to see his brother. He told Mr. Hioka that he felt like a child going home to his father, and that he would see his Heavenly Father in the morning. After prayer Mr. Hicks left. Guiteau ate hearty meals on Thursday with evident relish. He was composed throughout the evening, and at midnight was in a quiet frame of mind. He said he expected to enjoy a good rest, and later was quietly sleeping. The gaolers report that Guiteau was restless during the latter part of the night, but towards morning, from exhaustion, fell into a sound sleep. He break- fasted heartily at 6.30 on steak, eggs, and potatoes, and told the cook to bring dinner promptly by eleven o'clock. Mr. Hicks visited him, when Guiteau asked him to speak with the Warden and have the trap sprung as soon after twelve as possible, also to see that the scaffold was perfectly safe, as he feared an accident. Guiteau then read a poem composed by himself, entitled Simplicity, or religious baby talk," after- wards trying to sing it. In conversation he firmly held to the "inspiration" theory. He then arranged for his execution, telling Mr. Hicks that he desired him to offer the first prayer on the scaffold. He (Guiteau) would then read his favourite Scriptural passage, the 10th chapter of St. John, afterwards offer prayer on his own account, and then read the above poem. He desired that just as he uttered the last word the drop should fall. At 9.15 Guiteau took exercise by walking briskly in the corridor. The gaol office was given up to correspondents and telegraph operators. Crowds assembled outside, where booths were erected for selling cakes, &c. At ten o'clock Guiteau asked for a bath a large tub was taken into his cell, when, in the presence only of the death watch, he nervously disrobed and plunged into the bath. The watchers said he did this evidently to get employment and to divert his thoughts from death. At this time Mr. Hicks. with John Guiteau and Warden Crocker, examined the scaffold, carefully testing every part. A detachment of police which arrived was posted outside the gaol; the Artillery Company on duty was sta- tioned inside. Guiteau, having finished his bath, called for paper at eleven o'clock and then for twenty minutes wrote a copy of what he called his prayer ;n the scaffold. His sister, Mrs. Scoville, then appeared outside the gaol seeking admission. The Warden de- clined unless the prisoner requested it. After finishing the prayer, Guiteau dressed for execution. He declined to admit his sister, saying he wanted no scene. John Guiteau went out and dissuaded her from entering. She sent in flowers. Guiteau then sent for a shoeblack and had his shoes polished. At 11.30 he demanded dinner, which was brought in. He ate with relish lib. of broiled steak, a dish of fried potatoes, and four eggs in an omelette, with slices of toast, and drank nearly a quart of coffee. Mr. Hicks had some religious con- versation with him and on coming out said Guiteau was ready; he committed himself to God with the utmost confidence. Mr. Hicks thought Guiteau might show some emotion, the nervous strain being so great. At noon Warden Crocker entered the cell and read the death warrant to the prisoner. About this time the artillery formed in the Rotunda of the gaol. Some 150 privileged spectators were ad £ gfcted to see the execution. The rattle of the ItitteKets on the stones startled Guiteau in his cell; he seemed overcome by emotion, and wept freely, show- ing great anguish. The soldiers were drawn up on one side of the Rotunda and the speetaters on the other side awaiting the prisoner. After the death-warrant had been read in his cell Guiteau became more composed, brushed his hair, and assumed his usual sang-froid style. At 12.25 the steam whistle was blown at the goal workshop this had been pur- posely delayed, as Guiteau knew it was usually blown at noon. Two minutes afterwards Warden Crocker led the possession to the scaffold, followed by Guiteau, with pallid face and the muscles about his mouth moving nervously, but otherwise showing no signs of faltering. His arms were pinioned. The procession moved quickly to the scaffold, Guiteau ascending the steep steps with comparative steadiness. At the last step he faltered, and the officers assisted him. About thirty spectators wit- nessed the closing scene. Guiteau gave a quick glance over the crowd and the scaffold, and the Warden waved to the spectators to uncover their heads. Mr. Hicks prayed, and then held up the manuscript of Guiteau's prayer before the prisoner, who read it mostly without emotion, though occasionally with a husky voice, shedding some tears. The following is the prayer My dying Prayer on the Gallows.-Father, now I go to Thee, and Saviour I have finished the work thou gavest me to do. I am only too happy to go to Thee. The world does not yet appreciate my mission, but Thou knowest it. Thou knowest Thou didst inspire Garfield's removal. Only good has come from it. This is the best evidence that the inspiration came from Thee, and I have set it forth in my book that all men may read and know that Thou Father didst inspire the act for which I am now murdered. This Go. vernment and nation by this act I know will incur Thy eternal enmity, as did the Jews by killing Thy man, my Saviour. Retribution in that case came quick and Bharp, and I know Thy DiviflB law of retribution will strike this nation and my murderers in the same way. The diabolical spirit of this nation, its Government, and its newspapers towards me will justify Thee in cursing them, and I know Thy Divine law of retribu- tion is inexorable. I therefore, predict that this nation will go down in blood and my murderers, from Executive to hangman, will go to hell. Thy laws' are inexorable, O Thou Supreme Judge Woe unto the men that violate Thy laws! Only weeping and gnash- ing of teeth await them. The American Press has a large bill to settle with the righteous Father for their vindictiveness in this. matter. Nothing but blood will satisfy them, and now my blood be on them, and this nation, and its officials. Arthur, the Presi- dent, is a coward and an ingrate. His ingratitude to the men that made him and saved his party and land from overthrow has no parallel in history, but Thou, righteous Father, wilt judga him. Father, Thou knowest me, but the world hath not known me,' and now I go to Thee and my Saviour, without the slightest illwill towards a human being. Farewell, ye men of earth." Guiteau submitted to the preliminaries of the execution, arranging the rope and cap, &c., with calmness, not showing any terror. When he had finished reading this prayer he surveyed the crowd and then said, with a firm voice I am now going to read some verses which ar,e intended to indicate my feelings at the moment of leaving this world; if set to ipusic they may be rendered effective. The idea is that of a child babbling to his mama and papa, I wrote them this morning about ten o'clock." He then chanted the verses in a sad, doleful style :— "I am going to Lordy I am so glad I am going to Lordy; I am so glad I am going to Lordy; glory hallelujah glory hallelujah I am going to Lordy I love Lordy with all my soul; glory hallelujah! and that is the reason I am going to Lordy glory hallelujah glory hallelujah I am going to Lordy." Here Guiteau's voice failsd he bowed his head and broke into sobs. Rallying a little, however, he went on with his chant:— "I savad my party and my land; glory hallelujah but they have murdered me for it, and that is the reason I am going to Lordy; glory hallelujah glory hallelujah I am going to Lordy." The drop fell at the close of the chant. Not a movement of the limbs or body was detected, and death followed instantly. When the announcement was made that the drop had fallen the crowds outside the gael raised deafen- ing shouts, making it impossible to hear a voice inside the gaol. At 12.43 the physicians pronounced life extinct.

In a letter on the 2nd, the Correspondent o The Times further says The surgeons report on the autopsy of Guiteau's body has not appeared yet, but the unofficial report says that the assassin's brain had a normal healthy appearance. It was slightly heavier than the average, weighing 491 ounces. All the other organs appeared healthy, except the spleen, which was greatly enlarged, weighing 15 ounces. Dr. Bliss says that many points in the brain show a good healthy mental and physical development. There was a slight ruffling of the aorta near the heart. The neck was not broken, as the surgeons at first sup- posed, but there was a rupture of the stern-ocleido- mastoid muscle in both sides and also of the thyroid membrane. Death resulted from suffocation. The corpse will be privately buried to-day in the gaol near the gallows. The interment will be temporary, the family hereafter removing the remains.

Despite the effort made at secrecy the negroes, who swarm at Washington, ascertained the shop where Guiteau's coffin was made. Some strange super- stition induced them to lay their hands upon it, and throngs filed past it all day.

THE GOVERNMENT AND CETEWAYO. The Daily News says :—" The brief debate in the House of Lords on Cetewayo's visit to England will confirm the great majority of the public in the favourable opinion concerning the policy of the Government which they have lately expressed. The position of the Government, as described by Lord Kimberley, is absolutely unassailable." The Morning Post says:—"The plain meaning of what was said on Monday night is that the Govern- ment have pretty well made up their minds to restore Cetewayo, but before doing so they desire to impress him with a sight of our material resources and to exact from him a promise of future good behaviour. We do not say that this is not a proper course to pursue, but at least it is one which, if contemplated, ought to be honestly avowed." The Morning Advertiser says:—"It may be taken for granted that Cetewayo will shortly visit this country as a preliminary to his restoration to the throne of Zululand. In this matter, as in almost every other political question, the Government have set aside all experience and authority, and decided to take the sentimental and emotional view."

THE NIGHT AND DAY SITTING OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. The House of Commons, which met at two o'clock on Friday afternoon in last week, sat until eight o'clock on Saturday evening, with the exception of the customary two hours between seven and nine on Friday. The orginal clauses in the Prevention of Crime Bill were disposed of, leaving only the new and postponed clauses for consideration. In the course of this long sitting, twenty-five Irish members were sus- pended for persistent and wilful obstruction-sixteen at one time and nine at another. Thirty-one divisions were taken during the sitting, the minority in no case rising above forty, and more frequently numbering from fourteen to twenty. Eight divisions were taken on motions to report progress and that the Chairman lieave the chair after the, first batch of suspensions, the minority never exceeding a dozen.

Among the personal incidents of the thirty hours' sitting one is worth noticing by those who amuse, themselves by collecting examples of extraordinary physical vigour and length of days (says the Pall Mall Gazette). One member, who sat in the old unreformed Parliament of 1830, was in his place on Friday afternoon; went away to dinner; came back in due time; and was actually still to be seen in the House so late as noon on Saturday, still in his evening clothes and with a faded- flower in his button-hole. He reappeared late in the afternoon, and saw the end of the scene.

The record of the 30 hours' sitting of the House of Commons is voluminous beyond precedent. It occu- pies 148 pages of the "Votes and Proceedings of the House," and contains 31 division lists.

A GLOOMY PICTURE. -Consul Stanley, at Odessa, gives a gleomy picture of the state of affairs in Southern Russia during the present year, and "points out how the troubles of the people have been aggravated by the persecution of their Jewish fellow-citizens. The year, he observes, commenced most inauspiciously. The failure of the crops in 1880 had driven up rye, the staple article of food of the people, to famine prices. Then came the assassina- tion of the Emperor Alexander II. For the whole month the entire country was appalled, and was only just re- covering from the shock, and under the influence of warm summer weather gaining some courage, when the anti-Jewish riots broke out. This put a complete stop to business, and the passenger traffic of the Russian Steam Navigation Company between Odessa, Nicolaieff, Kherson, and the Dnieper and also of the South Russian railways, fell lower than it had been in any previous year. The Kachovka May fair was a com- plete failure, as half of the Jews, who do nearly all the trade, abstained from appearing, and half the re- mainder hurried back their goods before the fair opened. At this time (Mr. Stanley says) barges were hired and moored off the shore, and household effects and valu- able goods placed on board, to be safe in case of riot- those Jews who had Christian friends bringing to them for safe keeping their jewellery and documents.

MR. MUNDELLA AND EDUCATION IN SOUTH WALES. On Saturday afternoon a deputation, beaded by Lord Aberdare, representing the mining population of Monmouthshire and South Wales, had an interview with Mr. Mundella and Sir Francis Sandford at the Education Office, Whitehall, to ask for a revision of the requirements of the department as applicable to the children of the mining population. The deputation represented that it was felt to be too much to require children to pass the fifth standard when twelve years old that the strain involved injury to their physical strength, and that its imposition prevented the employ- ment of hundred of boys in collieries where adults had in consequence to be employed to do their work causing irritation and sometimes provoking strikes. Mr. Mundella said the difficulty in question arose from parents not causing their boys to attend early enough and with sufficient regularity at good schools. The titth standard was the usual, one for examinations in mining and other districts, such as Middlesbrough, Barnsley, and Dudley, whilst in other localities, including Rotherham and Darlington, the sixth stand- ard was passed without difficulty. 5 He could not pro- mise to reduce the 'standard for' South Wales, but would consult with his advisers at the Education Department as to what could be done temporarily to meet any emergency.

IRISH CENSUS RETURNS.—During the year 1881 I 21,762 marriages, 125,840 births, and 90,085 deaths were registered in Ireland, and, 78,417 persons emi- grated. A decrease of 42,662 appears to have taken j place in the population. Of the 90,085 deaths, 11,425 were of children under one year old, and 36.687 were of persons aged 60 years and upwards. 7,088 deaths occurred from zymotic diseases, of which 69 were from small-pox, 362from measles, 1,269 from scarlet fever, of persons aged 60 years and upwards. 7,088 deaths occurred from zymotic diseases, of which 69 were from small-pox, 362 from measles, 1,269 from scarlet fever, H19 from diphtheria, 1,273 from whooping cough, 2,324 irom fever, 1,453 from diarrhoea, and 19 from simple cholera. One, inquest to every 32 deaths had ¡ been held.

PROBABLE CALLING OUT 01 RESERVES The Times (in a leader) says We are; 14 con- dition to land at once and in a state of efficiency an expedition consisting of one or even two army corps upon the shores of the Mediterranean. We have a full supply of trained and efficient soldiers for the pur- pose. In this respect we are in a far better position than ever before, although as regards the condition of some of the regiments standing first for service a little more time is required to make them what they ought to be. Upon the necessity of an expedition be- coming manifest, the Government will advise the Queen to issue her proclamation, declaring an occa- sion 'of great emergency,' and thereupon calliBg out both the army and the militia reserve. Herein lies the chief value of our military reforms. The army reserve consists of about 27,000 men and the militia reserve of about the same number. Each man of the former has undergone several years' and each of the latter several months' military training. These two bodies would, therefore, constitute a direct and posi- tive addition to our fighting strength of over 50,000 men, of whom one-half would at once take their place in the ranks as matured, trained and efficient soldiers, while the other half would be in a brief time scarcely less fit for the field.

THE LANDSEER MEMORIAL. The handsome memorial in memory of the late Sir Edwin Landseer, R.A., has just been placed in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral, where the uncovering will shortly take place, but without ceremony. The memorial is made of the finest statuary marble, and it is over 7ft. in height. On the top is a painter's brush and pallet, in token of the profession of the deceased artist, and in the centre is a medallion head of Sir Edwin Landseer; in the lower panel beneath is a refresenttaion from his well-known picture, The Chief Mourner," in which a shepherd's dog is seated by the coffin of his dead master; on either side are the representation heads of the lions in Trafalgar- square. The following is the inscription To Sir Edwin Landseer, R. A., son of John Landseer, A.R.A.; born March 7th, 1802, died October 1, 1873. This monument is erected by his surviving brothers and sisters. He hath made everything beautiful in his time."

The QUEEN and the ARTILLERYMEN. On Monday morning her Majesty, accompanied by Princess Beatrice, the Duke and Duchess of Albany, and the Princess of Hesse, drove from Windsor Castle through the private grounds to Frogmore, where her Majesty inspected the 4th Battery of the Royal Artillery, who have been billeted at Windsor on their way to Hay, in Wales. They were drawn up on the road near Adelaide Lodge. Her Majesty alighted from her carriage, and had part of the dismounted men presented to her by Colonel Thornhill. The Queen said to the men that she was pleased to see them, complimented them on their smartness in ap- pearance, and thanked them for their conduct in the Afghan war. The battery then marched past, and the Royal party proceeded on their route. The men were much pleased with the Queen's kind reception.

THE LABOUR MARKET. Firmness characterises the iron market. The mer- chants' stocks are exhausted, and they now have to purchase from makers. There is great inquiry for manufacturing iron, and in all districts home and foreign demands are on the increase. The advance of cotton during the week is a new feature, and it has taken the manufactures in Lanca- shire by surprise. They, together with the spinners, have raised their prices, and the mills are kept running full time. The woollen trade during the past week has been better business, both as regards the home and foreign departments, is now moderately active, and prices are steady. In the hosiery and lace trades there is anima- tion. The boot and shoe ti-ade at all the centres is very busy, workman in all parts having received an advance of wages. All the industries of London are fairly well employed. At all the dockyards there is great activity, and addi- tional hands are being taken on.

ASCENT OF THE ALETSCH-HORN. The first ascent of the Aletsch-horn, made this sea- son, was successfully accomplished on Thursday, June 29. It is the second highest mountain of the Ober- land range, being, according to Baedeker, 102fe. higher than the Jungfrau, and only 250ft. lower than the Finster-Aarhorn, the loftiest peak of all. The party, which consisted of Dr. Nankivell, of Bournemouth, and the Hon. Herbert Cairns, with two guides, started from the Ben Alp Hotel at half- past one in the morning, and reached the summit at eleven. The past winter had effected such changes in the glaciers and on the rocks as greatly surprised the guides, and added to the difficulties of the passage. Many new and wide crevasses had to be crossed, and a good deal of hard work undergone. The snow during the ascent was in fair condition; but on the return it was necessary to take to the rocks, and the Ober Aletsch glacier was not reached till six p.m., nor the Bel Alp till half-past eight. The day was clear, and the view as extensive as could be desired. The guides, Reuben ivlementz and Anton Walden, acquitted them- selves to the entire satisfaction of the party.