The Aberystwith Observer

CLOSE OF THE CHESS TOURNAMENT. The International Chess Tournament, which has been in progress at the Victoria Hall of the Criterion Restaurant, in London, since April 26th, was con. cluded on Saturday. Including drawer, 250 games were played in the tournament. The full score is as follows :—Zukartort, 22 wins, £306; Steinitz, 19 wins, £175; Blackburne, 16l wins, JBlSe; Tchegorin, 16 wine, £125; Englisch, Mason, and Mackeazie, lEi each, divided the fifth, sixth, and seventh prices of £100, J375, and B50 respectively. Rosenthal's 14 wins takes the special prize for best score against prize winners. Fifty pounds in consolation prizes is divided amongst the following :-Winawer, 13 games Bird, 12 Noa, > Sellman, 6i Mortimer, 3; and Skipworth (retired), 3.

THE RECENT FLOODS IN SILESIA. The Berlin Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, writing on Sunday, says Recent accounts received from Silesia reveal the extent of the devastations caused by the floods. Seventy lives are said to be lost, many houses have given way, and others are threatening to come down. Wooden bridges have for the most part disappeared, and sad havoc has been made with the produce of the fields. The Bober and the Neisse were subsiding yes- terday, while the Elbe near Dresden was rising con- siderably but to-day^ the newB arrives from the town of Nejsze that it had rained all day long on Saturday, so that a renewal of the inundations is to be feared.

DOORS OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Mr. Coleridge Kennard, M.P., has introduced a Bill for making it compulsory that all entrance doors of public buildings be so hung as to open outwards. For a breach of this regulation the maximum penalty is to be £20, to be recovered in any court of summary jurisdiction. Upon complaint being made that an en- trance-door does not open outwards the Court may re- quire the occupier to make it do so. And if he does not comply, the Court may empower the local authority to carry out the alteration. For doors already hung the reasonable expense of the alteration is to be defrayed by the local authority; and by the occupier for doors to be hung in the future. But the occupier may deduct his expenses from the rent, unless there be a contract to the contrary, or the Court direct otherwise on the ground that the alteration is necessitated by his act or default. The expression "public building" is made In this Bill to mean not only a building used for public amusement or entertainment, but one used "fofr the holding at any one time of 100 or a larger number of persons for any purposes whatsoever." This would include many private houses.

THE MILITARY TOURNAMENT IN LONDON. The great Military Tournament in aid of the Cambridge Fund for Old and Decayed Soldiers, which occupied the whole of last week at the Agricultural Hall, was brought to a close on Saturday night with the distribution of prizes by the Princess Mary Adelaide. The tournament proved a great success, the galleries of the hall having been crowded with spectators every day and evening, and exclusive of the takings of Saturday night the receipts are stated to have amounted to £5,600.

THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS BILL. After the meeting of the Council of the Central and Associated Chambers of Agriculture on the 19th inst., the secretary transmitted to Mr. Gladstone and to the leader of the Opposition copies of the following resolution:— That this council deeply regrets the postponement of the committee on Agricultural Holdings Bill in the House of Commons, Mid strongly presses upon the Government the necessity of making early progress in committee with this measure, so that ample time may be afforded to the House of Lords for the consideration of the Bill during the present session." Major Craigie has received the following reply t— My dear Sir,—I am directed by Mr. Gladstone to acknowledge the recept of your letter of yesterday, for- warding a copy of a resolution passed by the Counsil of the Central Chamber of Agriculture with regard to the Agricultural Holdings Bill, and to beg that you will inform the members of the Council that the Go- vernment will use their best endeavours to reach the Bill in Committee as soon as possible. In the mean- while Mr. Gladstone sees no reason to fear that its prospects have suffered by the precedence which has been given to the Corrupt Practices Bill.—I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, (Signed) "HORACE SEXMOCB,"

THE TRIAL OF LOUISE MICHEL. In Paris, en Saturday, the Court of Assizes of the Seine pronounced judgment in the case of Louise Michel and her fellow-prisoners charged in connection with the recent demonstration and bread-riot. Louise Michel was sentenced to six years' seclusion and ten years' police surveillance for pillage. Pouget, who, in addition to the principal ohacge, was also convicted of keeping explosive materials and distributing prints inciting soldiers to revolt and mmder, was aentenced to eight years' seclusion and ten years' police surveillanoa, Moreau, one of the agents who circulated the prints in the provinces, to twelve months' imprisonment. In the case of each of these three prisoners the jury found extenuating eircumfitances. With regard to the other persons charged with dis- tributing Pouget's seditious writings, two were con- demned in default to two years' imprisonment, and the reet acquitted, as was also a master shoemaker, who walked with Louise and Pouget at the head of the mob.

CUTTINGS FROM AMERICAN PAPERS. A Nebraska woman missed her husband for three weeks before she raised a row about it: and she might not have said anything then if his boots had not- been drawn up in a well-bucket. During a heavy thunderstorm in a Western city a few Sundays since, a church congregation was thrown' into a panic by the vivid flashes of lighting, but order was quickly restored when a cool-headed deacon went and stood at a window and waved the collection basket at the lightning. Every schoolgirl in the blue-grass region of Ken- tucky begins her compoaition' with—" The grass is green." Then why do they call it blue ? "Yes," said the Chicago damsel, "my health is none of the best; fact is, as I tell my friends, I've got one foot in the grave already. "So?" replied her friend then casting his eye toward the lady's pedals, he added, "Well, there's one comfort. Ycu'll never get the other in-unleos it's bigger than £ he common grave, you know." A Troy man had his ear ripped off by a buzz saw. An excited young doctor, who had been waiting seven months for his first case, stuck it on backwards, sewed it fast and it grew. And now that man IsokB like a crack trotter waiting to get the word, and he can hsar half way rcrand the square in both directions. j

GROUSE PROSPECTS. From the extensive moors lying to the nojukh and west of Scarborough varied reports have been received as to the quantity and condition of the young broods of grouse. On the whole, all broods may be sat 1 to be fully three to four weeks backward as compared with a more favourable season. Some gentlemen in the district have determined not to shoot until such time has elapsed as to render the birds thoroughly strong and healthy. On the other hand. however. there are exceptional cases where the coveys are said to be from six to ten in number, fairly strong on the wing, and apparently healthy.

COLLISION IN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL. SERIOUS LOSS OF LIFE. On Friday in last week, a collision occurred in the English Channel, resulting in the loss of a fine ship and twenty-five lives. The vessel which sank, the Waitara, belongs to the New Zealand Shipping Com- pany. She left Gravesend for New Zealand on the previous Tuesday in tow under favourable circum- stances, and the tug continued with her until after passing Beachy Head where she cast off and returned to London, leaving the Waitara to proceed on her way under sail. Another vessel belonging to the same company, named the Hurunui, also left Gravesend for New Zealand on the same day, and was towed down Channel in the same way as the Waitara, the tug leaving her after passing Beachy Head. All went well until Friday night, when at about ten p.m., the officer of the watch on board the Waita/ra reported a large vessel on the starboard bow, but before the Waitara's course could be altered the ship was upon her striking her with full foroe amidships. Instantly all was excitement on board. The dozen passengers on the ship hurried up from below, and then almost before they could realise what had oc- curred the strange ship came on again and with another terrific stroke cut the Waitara to the water's edge, the water rushing by tons into the vessel's hold. It was apparent that only a few minutes could elapse before the vessel sank, and great efforts were made by Lieu- tenant H. J. Middleton, the chief officer, and some of the crew to launch a boat. The efforts unhappily was unsuccessful as the vessel heeled over and went under while some of the men were still striving to get the boat afloat. For just a moment after the second collision the rigging of the two ships remained interlocked, and in this way a few of the crew and passengers were enabled to save their lives by climbing up the mizzen rigging of the sinking ship and clambering along the bowsprit to the deck of the vessel which had run into them, and which it was then ascertained was a vessel of their own fleet. From the time the Waitara was first struck to the time she sank could scarcely have been four minutes, so rapidly did she fill after the collision. Directly the position of affairs was realised the Hurunui was brought to and a boat lowered with a view to saving life. A few were picked up, but the majority of those on board went down with the vessel. The Hurunui, on examination, was found to be considerably damaged about the bows, and after re- maining on the spot for some hours while the boats searched in vain for further survivors she put about for London. The Waitara was an iron shipo 1883 tons gross, and was built in Glasgow in 1863. She was constructed with two bulkheads. The Hurunui is also an iron ship, but is somewhat larger than the Waitara, being of 1,054 tons gross. She was built at Newcastle in 1875.

The following official statement in respect to the disaster has been furnished by the New Zealand Shipping Company:— "The ship Waitara, K. Webster, master, left Gravesend on Tuesday, the 19th inst, in charge of a pilot, and in tow of the tug Victoria, bound for Wellington, New Zealand, with a full cargo of mer- chandise, 16 passengers, and a crew of 25 hands all told. The tug waa let go off Beachy Head, and the ship proceeded* down Channel under sail. At 10 p.m. on Friday, the 22nd inst., a vessel was reported on the starboard bow, and before the course of the Waitara was altered, struck her amidships, rebounded, and struck her again in front of the poop, cutting her below the water's edge and causing her to fill and sink immediately. For a moment the headgear of the colliding vessel, the Hurunui, became entangled in the mizen rigging of the Waitara, and by this means some of the crew and passengers saved their lives. An attempt was made by the chief officer and some hands to launch a boat from the Waitara, but the ship sank so rapidly that they failed to do so. The Hurunui was brought-to immediately, and boats lowered to pick up survivors. The following were saved :—Mrs. Check, W. N6ble, L. B. Dale, and H. G. Russell, cabin passengers H. T. Middleton, chief officer; H. Self, carpenter; Hyde, boatswain; Cutten, steward; Worsley, ape prentice; Arnold, Davis, Williams, Paterson, Sunderland, A.B.'s and K. Webster, master. The following were drowned :-Mr. Check, the Misses Haylor, two young lady passengers, and A. Noble, cabin passengers, eight steerage passengers, and thirteen of the crew, including Mr. Saunders, second officer; the chief steward, Stock and Cattrell, apprentices."

The following particulars of the disaster are ex- tracted from an account given by a passenger on board the Hurunui:— We had frequently sighted the ill-fated Waitara. She had left. Gravesend at the same time as ourselves, and was also bound for a New Zealand port-she for Wellington and the Hurunui for Port Chalmers. On Friday evening we were off Portland. Soon after we had retired for the night, about 10.15,1 was awakened by a sudden shock. At the same time the captain burst into cabin ordering evary one on deck. A large vessel was at our bows, its white porta show- ing plainly in the darkness. It had just ceased raining, but the moon was completely hidden in the miBt. On ascertaining that the ship we were on was safe for a few moments, I rushed below to wrap up in case we migbt have to take to the boats. I was not away two minutes, and when I returned the ship had disappeared, and the lifeboat was already lowered, in charge of the second mate, as well as another boat officered by the third mate. Rockets were at once sent up and blue lights and flare-ups burned to call the attention of other vessels. We had struck the HI. starred vessel on the star- board side just above the saloon. One of the passengers. said afterwards it did not seem to crash, but to cut its way through, the sides giving way like so much paper. We were soon busily occupied in attending to those who had succeeded in getting aboard. These were two gentlemen from the saloon and the under steward. The captain also had been saved in a singular way, having been caught in our rigging and literally dragged away from his sinking ship; but he instantly returned to it in our lifeboat. After a complete search our boat returned; it brought back six more people. One poor fellow seemed absolutely benumbed, but now I am glad to say, is doing well, although I despaired of ever bringing him round. One gallant young fellow handed his life- buoy to the only lady rescued. She is saved and doing well, and he also succeeded in reaching the boat. We all thought these were all that were saved, but were overjoyed to how that five of the seamen had succeeding in reaching the forecastle. While we were attending to the wants of the sufferers the damage to our ship was told us. The water-tight bulkhead only had been stove in, and had it not been for that the disaster might have been still more heart- rending. Our captain {Captain Hazelwood) was inde. fatigable in his exertions, and no one can possibly appreciate too highly the self-possessed manner in which he both looked after the safety of his own ship and strained every nerve to rescue as many as possible of the hands.of the unfortunate Waitara, Captain Webster, too, sttove hard to prevent any losa of life. After they had brought some to our vessel they again rowed back to the spot where the dreadful calamity had taken place, and traversed again and Main the same place, vainly endeavouring to augment the number of the rescued. Again, it is impossible to speak too highly of our officers and men; all seemed strictly disciplined, and there waa little confusion; in fact, one would not have dreamed the dreadful danger we were in. One of our lady passengers has been of immense service, waiting on the invalids. She has sot-been in her berth since the accident took place, and the whele of Saturday night was nursing one of the rescued ladies. We were fortunate /»no«gh to rescue the first offi- cer, Mr. Middlc, +,Olt he was only Just sensible when picked up. lIHe water must have been fearfully cold, as his extremities were completely numbed. He had been vainly endeavouring to launch a boat, but the collision was almost too sudden to allow of that. I suppose three minutes would have amply covered the time from which we struck her to the time we saw her founder. The second officer, whose watch it was, was unfortunately not picked up. I trust, how. ever, some others may have been saved, but am afraid the place waa too thoroughly searched to allow any such hope being cherished.

Miss Bird, one of the passengers by the Hurunui, has made a statement respecting the collision, in which she says that after the crash the captain called them all on deck. She then saw the Waitara, with all her sails set, on the port side. She ran down to the cabin to get some more clothing, and when she came on deck again, an instant after, the Waitara bad dis- appeared. Mrs. Cheek, who was rescued, was taking the two Misses Haylor to New Zealand. The three women held on to the lifebuoy,but the two younger were washed away and drowned. Mrs. Cheek was thoroughly exhausted when picked up. The crew behaved through. out in the most praiseworthy manner. The life-buoy by means of which Mrs. Cheek was saved was given to her by a young sailor named Arnold, who had secured it as the ship went down. Arnold was able to swim to the Hurunui, and was drawn on board in a very exhausted condition. The officers and saloon passengers have forwarded the following letter to the Royal Humane Society The New Zealand Shipping Company's ship Hurunui, Albert Dock, June 25th, 1883,-We. the undersigned, wish to call to your notice a brave sailor, George Arnold, who gave a lady his life-buoy in the collision between the Waitara and the Hurunui on the 22nd inst. She was saved and he also."

The Hurunui arrived on Monday morning at four o'clock in the Albert Docks on the Thames, bring- ing with her the four rescued passengers from the Waitara.

ONE HUNDRED MILES TRICYCLE RACE. A 100 miles tricycle race was decided on Monday at the Crystal Palace. The distance is the longest that has yet been attempted on a track with tricycles. The competitors were Mr. Lowndes, of Coventry (the 50 miles amateur champion), and Mr. Nixon, of the London Tricycle Club. The former succeeded in covering the half distance first, but in the 52nd mile his wheel broke, and the pedal struck him. This gave his opponent a considerable advantage, and when 60 miles bad been completed their respective times were —Lowndes, 4 hours 14 min. 52 sec. Nixon, 4 hours 12 min. 10 see. Shortly afterwards, however, the Coventry man finally retired, having completed 62 miles 1 lap. Nixon had then covered 66 miles, and ultimately accomplished his task of 100 miles in 7 hours 23 min. 50 sec.

FATAL ACCIDENT ON A RAILWAY. In London, on Wednesday afternoon, a shocking accident occurred on the London and Soubh-Western Railway. It appears that some platelayers were repairing the rails near Clapham Junction Station, when, in getting out of the way of a down line train, two of the gang, named Smith and Borham, were knocked down by an engine on the up line. Smith was killed on the spot, and Borham was seriously' injured. They were immediately removed to St. Thomas's Hospital, where Borham was found to be in a dying condition. The driver of the engine blew his whistle, but could not attract the attention of the men.

GREAT FIRE IN RUSSIA. A St. Petersburg telegram says that on Monday a great fire broke out in the warehouses used for storing herrings and cotton, on the Island of Gutujewsky, at the mouth of the Neva. The flames spread to the saw mills and the warehouses of Messrs. Grigovieff, and the vessels in the river also caught fire. A later telegram says that the warehouses and saw mills belonging to Messrs. Grigorieff were completely destroyed, as were also most of the private houses on the Island of Gutujewsky. The steam corn mills belonging to the Crown, which are rented by Messrs.' Owsiannikoff, a chemical manufacturer, -a bone mill, and a cotton warehouse, containing 3,000 bales of cotton, were all likewise destroyed. The loss was estimated at about 1,500,000 roubles.

TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IN ITALY. Intelligence from Rome states that a dreadful catas- trophe occurred on the evening of the 24th inst. at the village of Dervio, near Como. A performance of marionettes was proceeding in a large hall over a tavern situate at the entrance of the village, when some sparks from a Bengal light, used in the enter- tainment to represent a conflagration, set fire to a quantity of straw and firewood stored close to the building. The proprietor of the marionettes raised the cry of fire, but no one moved, the audience being under the impression that his object was merely to make the performance more realistic. Shouts of "Fire, fire! were then heard from outside, but the people within the tavern, thinking that there was an affray proceeding in the street, instead of trying to escape barricaded the door by placing a heavy table against it. Before the unfortunate beings had time to discover their mistake the flames burst upon them. On the room being subsequently entered tfl chaired bodies were found close to the table, among others those of the proprietor and his wife. Several other people were injured more or less severely. The audience numbered about 90 persons.

LEICESTER WOOL FAIR. The annual wool fair the first of the season, was held at Leicester on Wednesday, in very unfavour- able weather. Great importance attached to the transactions, because they practically determined the value of this season's produce all over the country. Buyers very largely represented, a large proportion being from Yorkshire. The "pitch," although below th^verage, was nearly 2,000 tods more than last year. Rowers declined to accept the lowest prices which have been offered for more than a quarter of a century for excellent wool, and buyers conceded an advance. Trade went briskly at 27s. to 28s. per tod for best Down wools 24s. to 25s. per tod for half-bred wools, and deep stapled lustre wools 21s. to 23s. per tod. The Scoteh fleeces were sold separately, and realised about 15a, 6d. per tod. The average prices are more than 50 per cent. below tboae which were obtained for not quite so good wool 1 ten years ago.

A BATHING FATALITY. A fatal accident occurred at Purton, near Swindon, on Saturday evening. Mr. Arthur Saunders, scholar of Oriel College, Oxford, and son of the Rector of Lydiard Millicent, an adjacent parish, went with a fellow student, Mr. Fisher, to bathe in the lake attached to Purton Home. The lake contains a great number of weeds, though at some places it is as deep as 18 feet. The young men took a header from a spring board which is erected over a part of the lake, and having enjoyed a swim came out and took another leap. Mr. Fisher became entangled in the weeds in making for the bank, bat was able to get hold of the post support- ing the spring-board, and by that means was able to extricate himself. On looking round, to his horror Mr. Saunders could not be seen. Mr. Fisher at once gave the alarm, and assistance came to the spot; but it wae not until two hours afterwards that the body was recovered. Mr. Saunders, who was in his 21st year, was a young man of great promise. He had done well at Marlborough College, and subsequently at Oxford, and looked forward to taking his degree next year.

SHOCKING TRAGEDY AT DERBY. A dreadful occurrence is reported from Derby. On Tuesday morning Mr. Emanuel Jackson, a retired gimp manufacturer and well-known balloonist, 65 years of age, shot his wife, Hannah Jaekson, 60 years of age, and subsequently inflicted severe injuries upon himself by shooting himself with the same revolver, from which he died on Wednesday morning without recovering consciousness. tkthe inquest on the bodies was held in the Town. hall, Derby, on Wednesday morning before Mr. Close. The first witness called was Maria Jackson, daughter of the deceased. Her parents, she said, had been on affectionate terms with each other and there had not been the slightest quarrel between them on the day in question. Her father had been very steady of late. On Monday last he went up in his balloon from the Arboretum. Witness went up with him. They descended at Rough Heanor, a village two or three miles from Derby, and reached home about half-past seven o'clock. He did not go out afterwards. He became somewhat strange in his conversation before going to bed, but appeared to be on the best of terms with her mother. He kept saying to the latter "I will tell you something some day." He had been rather strange of late, and had walked up and down in the house in a peculiar way. Witness had heard her mother tell him not to do so, but he said he could not help it. Her father got up at a quarter to eleven o'clock on Tuesday morning, some time after her mother. He remarked to his wife I shall never make another ascent in Derby Arboretum." She jocularly re- marked Don't talk like that." He looked at heothree times in the face rather strangely. Soon afterwards he went into the parlour, whither he was followed by her mother. While witness was in the kitchen sbe heard a noise, but thought it was her father clapping his hands as he often did, particularly during the past fortnight. In consequence of what she heard she went into the parlour, Her mother lay near the window on her back with a wound on her right temple from which blood was flowing. Her father lay close to her mother, and was also bleeding from a wound on the right temple. In his right hand he bad a six-chambered revolver. Witness, taking the pistol out of his hand, ran out for assistance. She had seen her father with the revolver about a fortnight pre- viously. He was building some property in the tewn, and had often remarked that he should never live to see it finished. Frederick Jackson, brother of the last witness, gave confirmatory evidence. Mr. Hutcheon, surgeon, said Mrs. Jackson must have died instantly from the wound, the bullet having entered the interior of she brain. After other evidence, the jury found that Mrs. Jackson had come by her death in consequence of a pistol shot, filed: by Emanuel Jackson, and that I Emanuel Jackson committed suicide while suffering from temporary insanity.

THE ALBANIAN INSURRECTION. According to a report from Hafiz Pacha, dated the 19th inst., the majority of the insurgent clans in Albania have:announced that they are ready to submit, upon an assurance of a general amnesty. The insur- rection is therefore considered as extinct. It seems that Hafiz Pacha, keeping a portion of his force in front of Tusi, succeeded in turning the Albanian posi- tion by carrying four battalions in steamers and boats across the lake, in the district of the Hotti, the northernmost of the insurgent clans. The surprised Albanians were asked to give up their arms. They asked for two days to consider, which delay was allowed, and led to the submission of the rebels.

SEVERE THUNDER-STORMS AND DEATHS BY LIGHTNING. There were thunder-storms in various parts of Eng- land on Monday, and the lightning caused not only damage to property but loss of life. At Chatham two persons were struck by lightning and killed. While a Royal Marine pensioner was eating his dinner in a sentry-box on her Majesty's ship Pembroke he was struck by lightning and killed. A boy who was taking shelter under some elm-trees near the Royal Engineers' Barracks was also killed.- At the inquest held on Wednesday the jury returned a verdict that death in each caae was caused by the visitation of God. Stalybridge was visited by a very heavy thunder- storm, such loud peals of thunder and vivid flashes of lightning not having been experienced in the neigh- bourhood for many years. During the storm the Unitarian church was struck by lightning, the flash first striking the front of the church, then travelling along the roof, where it came into contact with some birds' nests, which it set on fire, the woodwork of the roof also catching fire. Owing to the prompt attend- ance of the borough fire brigade the fire was soon got under. At Ashton-under-Lyne a boy was killed by light- ning while sheltering from the storm under a tree. Another boy who was with him was also struck, but not fatally. At Lees, near Oldham, a man who had sought shelter in a shed, was killed by lightning. The electric Suid passed along an iron bar and killed him instantly,

tlfealhraflits HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL THE WORLD'S WOOL PRODUCTION.—Statistical writers have estimated that the production of wool over the whole world in 1830 was 320,000,0001b. In 1881 the same authorities estimate the production at 1,926,750,0001b,, apportioning the yield as follow :— Europe, 858,750,000; South America and Mexico, 174,000,000 United States, 185,000,000; Australia, 255,000,000; and Africa, 96,000,000. THE PRECIOUS METALS IN RUSSIA.-Some in. teresting particulars are published by the Russian Government concerning the Russiln export and im- port of precious metals during the last ten years. Between 1873 and 1882 Russia Bent into Europe 37 millions sterling and imported lli millions; on her Asiatic frontier she imported £750,000 and exported £230,000. Altogether her imports of precious metals were little over 12.1 millions sterling, and her exports were 39i millions sterling, leaving a balance of nearly 27 millions to represent the drain of precious metals from Russia in ten years, which is chiefly accounted for by the necessity of meeting interest on loans con- tracted in Europe. A CHINESE SUPERSTITION.-Orackers play a large part in the superstitious observances of the ordinary Chinese (says Nature). It is a popular belief that the evil spirits everywhere inhabiting the air are dispersed by crackling noises, attende4 by fire and smoke. Ac- cordingly crackers are used on all special occasions to frighten away the demons who are tormenting a sick person, or who crowd around the people at the beginning of the New Year. Bambo, which when burning emits a crackling Round, is also used for the same purpose. A LECTURE ON ECONOMY.—A stupid-looking tramp knocked at one of the finest residences in Austin, and was received by the lady of the house. What do you want ?"—" Please'm, give me a dime to buy a glass of bread 'scuse me, I mean a loaf of beer. "I haven't got any money."—"Haven't got no money I Then, madam, I would suggest that you move into a oheaper house you are evidently living beyond your means. Economy is wealth. Economise in the matter of clothes and house rent. Cut your expenses, and then, perhaps, some day you will have a dime to spare-a dime, madam, that may be the means of preventing a hungry and thirsty fellow- mortal from committing suicide; or it may be a quarter—a coin of the value of twenty-five cents—that will upholster the dark clouds on the horizon of his despairing soul with a silver-plated lining, and fill his stomach with bock beer. Good day, fair lady."— Detroit Free Press. ELECTRIC LIGHT PesTs.-The "posta" for the electric lights in Union and Madison-squares, New York, are said to be 250 feet high, three feet In diameter at the base, and eight inches at the top. They are constructed in tubular sections of steel plate, each 50 inches long, and riveted end to end. The masts or towers are prevented from swaying by six wrought-iron guys, and are well bedded in a strong foundation. The carriages to which the lamps are attached run on guides each side of the mast, which serve also as ladders by which the lamps can be reached in the event of disarrangement. EXAMINATION CURICSITIES.—Commenting upon the spread of education in Belgium, the Globe says :-At a recent examination in Brussels a candidate described as an incident of the Spanish domination the at- tempt by Moses to possess himself of central Gaul," and Rubens as "an illustrious Belgian who left us many fine books." Another candidate, asked what he would do with a man apparently drowned, replied, Hang him up by the legs, get the water out of him, scrub him till he bleeds, fill him with tobacco smoke, and then make him stand on his head." THE OLDEST TREE IN THE WORLD.—The oldest tree in the world, so far as anyone knows, is, says Knowledge, the Bo tree, of the sacred city of Amara- poora, in Burmah. It was planted 288 B.C., and is therefore now 2,170 years old. Sir James Emerson Tennsnt gives reasons for believing that the tree is really of thia wonderful age, and refers to historic documents in which it is mentioned at different dates, as 182 A.D., 223 A.D., and so on to the present day. To it," says Sir JAmes. kings have even dedicated their dominions, in testimony of a belief that it is a branch of the identical fig tree under which Buddha reclined at Urumelaya when he underwent his apo- theosis." Its leaves are carried away as streamers by pilgrims, but it is too sacred to touch with a knife. and therefore they are only gathered when they fall. The King Oak, in Windsor Forest, England, is 1,000 years old. HOSING To-Muai(L-A planter who operates ex- tensively just below Little Rook, Ark., has devised a plan by which he is enabled to work a negro to the full extent of his physical ability (says an American paper):—" While visiting one of my fields some time ago," says the planter, "I became indignant at the lazy manner in which the negroes worked. All day I tried to think of a scheme by which the condition of things could be improved. Finally I hit upon a plan. I decided to apply music to field work. Next day I came to town and employed a drummer and lifer, and took them down to the farm. I started the musicians acrcss the field, playing an inspiring air. I never saw such a change. The negroes suddenly became enli- vened, and kept time with the music. The hoes struck the ground with rapidity, and the weeds and grass flew. The work progressed so rapidly that within three days my fields were as clean as an onion- bed." DESCENT IN RANK.—The Berlin Post announces that Prince Alexander of Sayn-Wittgenstein, the owner of the castle and estate of Sayn, near Coblentz, has re- nounced his princely title, and rank, and special privi- leges, and received from the German Emperor the name and titlp of Count of Hachenberg. His wife, the Princess Yvonne, died in October, 1881, and he has since married the governess of his children. Ac- cording to the family compacts (as with other media- tized princes) the Prince could only contract a morga- natic marriage with a lady who was not of rank similar to his own. Like many other German princes, and his own elder brother Prince Frederic in the same position a few years ago, he preferred to descend from his high rank to a lower level, where prejudice or tra- ditional etiquette will not hinder him from placing his wife by his side. The prinoely rank and estates have passed to his eldest son, Prince Stanislas, who is in his tenth year. Prince Alexander himself is nearly thirty-six years of age. LETTING HOUSES—The Building and Engineering Times says :-A verbal agreement for the letting of a house is of no legal value whatever, unless some act of part performance be done under it. If, therefore, two j parties meet and agree by word of mouth, the one to take and the other to let a house, and nothing more be done in the matter, the laad400rd will have no right of action for the rent, or for the breach of contract. This arises from the Statute of Frauds, which was passed in the reign of Charles II., and should by this time be pretty well known, but which is even now the cause of constant confusion and injustice. That statute pro- videe that no action shall be brought upon any con- tract relating to an interest in land, unless there be some note or memorandum of the contract ia writing, signed by the party to be charged, or his agent. Ay, THERE'S THE RUB."—Bather No. 1. CI I Fa" Charlie, I shall be glad of a glas3 of ale when I get outside; shan't you? By-the-bye, why is it people get so thirsty after coming out of the water ? "— Bather No. 2. "I don't know, unless it is because they rub themselves dry.Fun. CLEANSING THE STREETS OF PARIS.-The sweeping of the Paris streets, according to the latest official return, costs 5,243,000 francs. The number of persons employed in the work is 3,016, including 820 sweepers, 2,010 auxiliary sweepers," and 186 foremen. The sweepers receive a hundred francs (£4) a month, and the auxiliary sweepers 30 centimes (3d.) per hour. The total cost of maintaining, cleaning, and repairing the roadways is 8,502,000 francs a year, and of the uave- ments and crossings 1,265,000 francs, or 9,767,200 francs (about Bj90,680) altogether. THE FOURTH CENTENARY OF SWEDISH PRINTING.■ Next month the Swedes purpose celebrating the 400th anniversary of the first establishment of a printing press in their country by a German, named John Snell. It is recorded that a printed book was seen in Stockholm, for the first time, in 1474; its title was Vita sive legenda cum miraculia Catherine; b it it waanot until nine years later that, at the instigation of the Governor, Sten Sture, John Snell set up his press. It is, however, by no means certain that he continued to work it without interruption, since bibliographers are acquainted with only one or two books professedly printed during those party years. But it is known that printing has gone on at Stock- holm regularly since 1491. The monastery of VaoUtena followed in 1495, and the Upsala printing press was established in 1510, It is intended to celebrate the fourth centenary at Stockholm on July 8, and ilt. con- nexion with it, there will be an exhibition of printing from the 1st to the 9th of July. AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH OORN.-The following are the average prices of British corn for last week, as, received .from the inspectors and officers of Exc ise Wheat, 42s. 5d. barley, 31s. 6d.; oats, 22s. 6d. per imperial qr. Corresponding week last year:—Wheat, 46s. lid.; barley, 27s. 6d.; oats, 23s. 7d. A PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF ELECTRICITY.- The National Museum at Washington is one of the best examples in the United States of the practical appli- cation of electricity. In so large a building it was found advisable to take advantage of the best means of communication, first being its system of telephones and call-bells, by which those in any room can com- municate with every room in the building. Twenty- six telephones are connected by a local telephone ex- change, which in turn is connected with the main tele- phone office of the city. The result is that but three messengers are needed in this vast establishment. LORD SALISBURY AS A FARMER.—Lord Salisbury has (Land says) turned farmer. He has taken -in hand several farms upon the Hatfield estate, and, as a rule, devotes two days a week to his new hobbYt arranging all matters of details, and, in point of fact, actively interesting himself in the real work of agri- culture. After the cares and worries of party warfare in the Upper House on four days in the week Lord Salisbury seeks on Wednesdays and Saturdays the refreshing influence of scenes bucolic, and no doubt finds all he would seek. THE RECENT ILLUMINATIONS AT Moscow.-The fol- lowing are the details of the method by which the fairy-like illuminations at Moscow at the coronation were produced :—The Tower of Ivan the Great and its side galleries were lit up by 3,500 small Edison lamps, fed by 18 portable engines, which moved a number of dynamo-electric machines of every existing system. The portable engines and machines were kept at the other bank of the Moskwa. The sheds communicated with the tower by 70 aerial electric wires. On the ramparts of the Kremlin towards the river eight large and ten smaller electric suns threw their light over the river. The rest of the illuminations consisted in 200,000 lamps and 30,000 coloured glass globes, 50,000' lanterns of Venetian glass, 600,000 tapers, and 10,8001b, of fireworks. MISPLACED,—Bill (standing idly in market-place) "Arry do 'ee want a job ? "—'Any (eagerly). Ay what is it?"—Bill. Why, go and find me one, to be sure.—'Arry. "Gar-! "-Judy. SLAVERY IN BRAZIL.—On the 24th of May, the anniversary of the battle of Tuyuty, the abolition societies of the capital of Ceara held a great festival, at which all the slaves in the municipality were set free, making the fourth in the province wnerein slavery has been extinguished. The slaves in the province, numbering about 33,000 at the passing of the law of 1871, are now reduced to about half, and strenuous efforts are being made to effect the libera- tion of all the rest. BRITISH CALICO PRINTERS' GARDEN PARTLY.—.A garden party promoted by the British calico printers, with the primary object of demonstrating the suita- bility of printed calicoes for ladies' costumes, and the subsidiary purpose of benefiting the two local chil- dren's hospitals, was held at the Botanical Gardens, Manchester, on Saturday, and was a great success. There were between five and six thousand people present, the majority of the ladies wearing oalicc dresses. Others appeared in zephyr cloth or nun's cloth costumes, and all the latest designs and colours were displayed. Some ef the patterns had been specially designed and printed for the occasion. OUR MOST OBLIGING POSTMASTER-GENEBAI,— Little Girl. If you please I want two 'apenny stamps and one 'apenny wrapper and a post-card.,r Postmaster. Thank you, miss; where shall we send them to ? Moonshine, A RAILROAD ROBIN.—A robin, says the Rochester Post Express, has been building a neat on the main frame of engine 340, of the New York Central road, which runs between Rochester and De Witt, going east one day and west the next, ever since Sunday last, and notwithstanding the noise and motion has it all completed save the lining. The engineer and fire- man are very proud of their feathered tenant. A USEFUL DOG.-N. D. Ennis (Cadurcis, Minne- dosa co., Little Saskatchewan, Manitoba), writing to Land and Wllter says In this country a good dog is a valuable addition to the homestead. Through the kindness of friends I have had two water-spaniels sent out, but they never reached me. One was stolen in Winnipeg, the other went mad on the prairie. This caused me to try my hand on breaking in a young English sheepdog, one of your Trefoil breed, black, white, and tan, with "bob" tail. The result is I have a very useful all-round dog, good on prairie chickens and willow grouse, set and find dead or live birds, retrieve ducks, good on hares—hunting them into range in thick bluffs in excellent form—is a good watchdog, and will scent Indians any distanoe. This latter quality is not necessary, but thesa d ^9, as a rule, dislike the society of the red men. A s this time, when so many English farmers are coming to this country, they might do worse than bring a d')g of the same breed (Trefoil) along. A PICTURE IN THE HEART OF AN OAK.—A cor- respondent of the Waterbury (Conn.) Amenoan, writ- ing from Watertown, says that Mr. Benjamin Marvin, of that town, in splitting a log of blaek oak, observed a picture on the smooth grain in the heart of the tree. It is a landscape, or rather a clump of trees, with trunk and branches and twigs as clearly defined as though drawn with ink or photographed by the sun's rays. The trees form a picture about four inches square, showing like the open leaf of a book, and the same on the opposite page. Mr. Marvin says it is a pretty good portraiture of the clump of trees which he tailed, the picture appearing in the heart of the largest one. PREMATURE GROWTH.—In the record of the French Academy of Science for 1729, there is a description of a lad seven years of age who was then nearly five feet high. His strength at four years old was so great that he was able to throw the ordinary bundles of hay into the rack of the stables, and at six years old he lifted as much as a strong labourer of twenty could carry. A eimil-, icount has been given of a child born in Bou/ j" <,who, when four years of age, was four feet tb'.e ■ flea high, and when six had attained five feet sj,ud a beard. HIs voice wag strong and manly, ana ne had all the appearances of a full-grown man. But while everybody was expecting him iJo speedily shoot up into a giant, the signs of growth ceased, and those of age were as rapidly developed his voice grew weak, and before he had attained the years of manhood he was an imbecile, and Seable as a man in the extremity of old age. The old Paris Memiors contains an account of a girl who was four feet six inches in height when four years old, with well-rounded limbs and bust, looking like a girl of eighteen.—The World of Wonders, A PALACE OF DBLIGHT.-On the Herreninsel in the Chiemissee, at the entrance to the Bavarian Tyrol, the King of Bavaria has been for the last six years building a palace-villa, which rumour Br.l:P will surpass in splendour, aomfort, elegance, and almost in artistic perfection, all the other Royal residences in the world (says The Times). The main buildir.gr haa been for some time completed, including the great banqueting-room (which is 30ft. longer than that at Versailles), the reception-hall, and the State apart- ments. But additional buiidings are being erected, the ornamental grounds are being enlarged on rearranged continually, the system of water supply is_ being improved or extended—so that it would be impossible to estimate when the work will be judged to be fully completed. Five hundred work* men are constantly employed from the beginning of spring far into the autumn. Tha principal building has been completely furnished. The resources of ftrt have been taxed to the utmost, the very door-han-iles and window fastenings being of exquisite desism and workmanship. There is an abundance of beautiful wood carving. And if the walls are not clothed with paint- ings like those in the Doge's paiaca at Venice, they are lined with most beautiful and co&tly marbles. The palace is not visible from any of the neighbouring roads or places accessible to the mdina.ry traveller, aiti having been chosen so as to oecute complete privacy.