The Aberystwith Observer

THE FRENCH DEFEAT NEAR HANOI. The Calcutta correspondent of The Times says that the following account of the repulse of the French troops at Hanoi is abridged from the statements pub- lished in the Independent de Saigon:- For some days prior to May 19 the garrison had been much annoyed by a heavy cannonade from the Annamite troops surrounding them. The boasting and menaces of the enemy were constantly increasing, and the Chief of the Black Flags sent a sort of Homeric challenge, announcing that he would kill the French Commandant with his own hand. On the 19th, Commandant Riviere assembled all the troops, in order to make a determined sortie. Com- mandant Berthe de Vilers led the column, which con- sisted of 400 men, with some sailors drawing the guns. They marched into the open without resistance. The Annamites fled on all sides, and the French soldiers advanced with confidence, when, at the very place where Francois Garnier was killed, they were brought up short by a stockade, concealed by bushes, and affording cover to a strong body of Black Flags. A continuous fusillade was at once opened upon the French column, and almost immediately, without being able, to fire a shot in their defence, eighty sol- diers fell dead or wounded. Commandant Rivifere's first step was to endeavour to bring up his artillery and he, with Cadet Moulin, helped ou the sailors with the cannon, both being shot dead while so employed. Commandant Berthe de Vilers was mortally wounded, and two other officers, MM. Jacquin and Bresis, were also killed. The confusion was such that the soldiers were unable to recover the bodies of their officers, When the news of the repulse reached Saigon, the gunboats Velta and Saigon were despatched, with 500 regular troops, under Chef de Bataillon Chevalier, who opened negotiations with the leaders oUhe Black Flags for the recovery of the bodies of the French officers and soldiers.

PROPOSED BRITISH SCHOOL AT ATHENS. In London, on Monday, a meeting was held at Marlborough House to consider a proposal for found- ing a British School of Archaeological and Classical Studies at Athens. The Prince of Wales presided, and a number of reso- lutions were then agreed to, among them being the following:- That the object of the school should be to promote all researches and studies which can advance the know- ledge of Hellenic history, literature, and art, from the earliest age to the present day; that the echool should occupy a house at Athens, containing a library, under the care of a resident director; that membership of the school should be open to any person accredited by a university or college of the United Kingdom, or by the authorities of the British Museum or of the Royal Academy that it should be among the duties of the director to aid members with information and advice in the prosecution of their studies, and to transmit periodically to a committee in England reports on re- searches made under the director of the school, or on other subjects of interest in relation to Its work. In acknowledging a vote of thanks, the Prince of Wales expressed his warm interest in the project, and his readiness to assist its further progress.

The memorial to the late Canon Hugh Pearson at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle—a stained-glass window-was completed on Monday, the anniversary of his birth. The upper panels contain the figures of the Saviour, King David, St. John, St. Barnabas, and St- Hngh, the suhjacta beneath being emblematic of music J architecture, alifisgivihgr, sympathy^ ant^l acta mUhifetian charity; •

IRISH LACE EXHIBITION IN LONDON. In London, on Monday, the Irish Lace Exhibition at the Egyptian Hall, Mansion House, was opened by the Duke of Connaught, who was accompanied by the Duchess, there being a large as- semblage, consisting chiefly of ladies, who were admitted an hour before the opening ceremony commenced, and who spent most of the interval in carefully examining some of the beautiful specimens of lace by which they were surrounded. Their Royal Highnesses arrived at about four o'clock, and were conducted to a dais, on which were two State chairs, at the eastern end of the Egyptian Hall, and near them were the Lord Mayor, the Lady Mayoress and Miss Knight, Mr. Alderman and Sheriff de Keyser and Mrs. de Keyser, Mr. Sheriff Savory, &o., &c. The ceremony commenced with the reading, by Mr. 0. Harry Biddle (honorary secretary), of a brief address to the Duke, in which the committee, after thanking his Royal Highness for coming there to open the Exhibition, alluding in suitable terms to the presence of the Duchess, and expressing "sincere appreciation of the great interest shown in the Exhibition by Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, and by all the members of the Royal Family, and also of the magnificent contributions of lace lent to the Exhibition by the Queen and their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and' the Princess Christian," said that the Exhibition had been promoted with the view, and in the hope that it might be the means of reviving and extending what had been in past times a (Considerable industry in Ireland, and that any surplus profits would be devoted to the cultivation and advancement of that industry, the committee adding that the Exhibition was "unique in his cha- racter as containing many valuable specimens of recent as well as of present production, the inspection and comparison of which will afford considerable informa- tion to all, and be a source of instruction to those more particularly interested." The Lord Mayor, addressing his Royal Highness, after tendering on behalf of the Corporation grateful acknowledgments for the Royal visit, and speaking of the deep interest which, as the representative of the greatest commercial City in the Empire, he could not but feel in all matters concerning the induatrial in. tarests of the nation, said some months ago it became his duty to consider an appeal made for relief in the case of a portion of their fellow subjects in Ireland, but he regretted to find that the circumstances did not appear to be such as to enable him to approve of the suggestion placed before him. Bnt he thought that he might turn his attention to some oourse which might result in affording means whereby, through honest industry, increased earnings would accrue to some portion of the working population of Ireland, and thus it was that he became associated with the gentle- men who formed the executive committee of the Lace Exhibition which had been organized; and, so far, completed. The list of patrons, including the Queen and all the Princesses of the Royal House, besides some 150 ladies belonging to various classes of society, showed how willing and ready the people of Eng- land were to respond to a proper invitation to assist their fellow-subjects in Ireland; and that the Queen and the Royal Princesses supported the Exhi- bition in a tangible manner would be found on inspec- tion of the contents of some of the cases in that room. For the past six months the pending Exhibition had caused great activity amongst many hard- workers in Ireland. The orders already received were, he was informed, likely to afford considerable employment for some time to come; and should they be fortunate enough to prove through that Exhibition that design and quality in the manu- facture of lace could be found in Ireland equal to those seen in other manufactures, it might be the means of reviving what was once a very important in. dustry and lead to the earning of extra wages, which would contribute very greatly to the comfort of many a peasant family. The Duke of Connaught, who was greeted very eordially, replied as follows:- My Lord Mayor, I must thank you most sincerely, on my own part, as well as in the name of her Royal Highness the Duchess of Connaught, for your very kind reception here to-day, and for the loyal address you have just presented. I feel highly honoured by 19 y being called upon to open this Exhibition of Irish Lace, and sincerely do I trust that it may be productive of the best possible results. Irish lace has already won for itself a high reputation, and an Exhibition of this kind will, in all probability, still further tend to raise the quality and character of the work. Earnestly do I hope that it may not only be the means of extend- ing the usefulness qf this industry, but may also render it of a more permanent character than it has hitherto held, and that by giving constant employment to a large number of the working classes, it may be the means of advancing Ireland's prosperity. (Cheers.) At the request of the Lord Mayor I now declare this Exhibition open. The formal proceedings having thus terminated, their Royal Highnesses went round the hall to examine the lace, being accompanied in their progress by the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress and several members of the Executive Committee, and having completed their survey, they left the Mansion House amid the cheers of a numerous crowd assembled outside.

The Daily Telegraph says :-Decidedly the most re- markable and exquisite specimen of point lace in the show, a truly magnificent piece of work, was produced at Youghal. It is lent by Mrs. Alfred Morrison, who gave an order for it to a London West-end firm, and it is a faithful copy of an ancient lace flounce in her possession. The pine, conventionalised, figures in the design, which is light and graceful as well as rich and elaborate. Youghal appears to be the first school of Irish point lace, though the con- vent schools of New Ross, Kenmare, Killarney, Kinsale, Clonakilty, and Waterford all hold a good position. It is a touching thing to know that the piety and patience of a noble-hearted woman, whose life was devoted by solemn vows to doing good, raised the reputation of the Youghal convent when the famine was sore in the land and that little children wanting breacl were labouring at muslin embroidery which brought them a penny for ten hours of toil, when the good nun found a piece of the old convent lace, which she set about copying. Thus arose the study of lace-making at Youghal, which has greater originality than is usual in Irish lace, pos- sessing a large number of introduced and varied stitches. Guipure and applique lace of high merit comes from Carrickmacross rose-point from Innishmacsaint; several kinds from Limerick, where the lace-manufacturer is unfortunately on the decline, not one girl in the city now learning the art; crochet from Cork; plain tatting from Ardee; and various guipures, as well as Jesuit lace and imitations of Greek, Spanish, and Venetian work from Clones. Be- sides the loan-specimens eohtributeibythe Princess of Wales and the Princess Christian, and the notable work from Youghal, lent by Mrs. Alfred Morrison, many fane examples are spared by the Countess Spencer, the Duchess of Abercorn, the Duchess of Marlborough, the Duchess of Wellington, the Dowager Duchess of Roxburghe, the Marchioness of Bath, Christiana Marchioness of Waterford, the Countess of Caledon, the Countess of Cork and Orrery, the Countess of Meath, Viscountess Clifden, Lady Athlumney, Lady Bellew, Lady Brassey, Lady Carew, Lady Crichton, Lady Lawrence, Lady Louth, Lady Adeliza Manners, Lady O'Hagan, Mrs. Henry Roe, and other ladies- notably Madame Lind-Goldamidt, who has sent a beautiful skirt of Irish lace, which was almost her first purchase when, as the far-famed Jenny Lind, she came to this country. 101 ■„

EARL SPENCER AT LIMERICK. On Monday the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and Lady Spencer arrived at Limerick to attend the Royal Agricultural Show. Replying to an address of welcome from the Limerick Corporation, his Excellency observed that Ireland had lately passed through a period of great distress and peril, but he hoped that an improvement had set in-that bitterness between individuals and classes would disappear, that all public men would co-operate in obtaining improved laws for the cultivation of Ire- land's resources, the better education of the people, and the establishment of "a stronger and more suit- able local government."

THE GROWTH OF MORMONISM. Several of the hightest dignitaries of the Mormon Church arrived in Denver on the 7th of June from Salt Lake City. The party comprises Joseph F. Smith and one wife and Brigham Young. Woodruff aad Young are members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Morgan is president of the Southern States Mission, and Taylor is a son of President John Taylor. They are en route to Conejoa county, Colorado, to inspect the Mormon eolony there, and to arrange for the purchase of more land for the use of the converts now crowding into Utah. Brigham Young, in an interview, said :—" Reports from our labourers in the vineyards of this country and Europe warrant the expectation of fully 20,000 converts this year."

THE FISHERIES CONGRESS. a Monday at the Conference held at the Inter- 0 Y^onal Fisheries Exhibition, a paper was read by m'ofesøor G. Browne Goode, M.A., Assistant Director the United States National Museum and Gommis- T,ioner to the present Exhibition. Hia Excellency the American Minister presided, and | in opening the proceedings spoke of the high reputa- tion of the learned Professor, to whom, he said, was largely due the success of the American section of the Exhibition. The learned Professor began with an interesting account of the growth of the fishing industries of the United States. The first American colony planted at Jamestown in 1609 owed its permanence chiefly to the abundance of fish and oysters in the adjacent rivers. Little substantial progress was made, how- ever, until after the war of the rebelliorf. Since I860, and especially within the past decade, the fisheries, as the Professor showed, have increased in extent and value te a degree without* parallel in their pre- vious history. The present position of the industries is remarkable. Great freezing houses have been built on the Great Lakes, on the Pacific coast, and in the cities of the East, and refrigerator cars are running upon all the trunk lines of railway. Columbia salmon, late whitefish, cod, bass, Spanish mackerel, and other choice fishes are frozen stiff and packed up in heaps like cordwood, and can be had at any season of the year. Refrigerator cars carry unfrozen fish from sea and lake inland. Smelts and trout, packed in snow in the north, are received in New York by the car-load daily throughout the winter. Halibut are brought from the distant oceanic banks ia refrigerators built in the holds of the vessels, and 12,000,000 to 14,000,000 pounds are distributed, packed in ice, to the cities of the interior. Tinned fish, especially salmon, lobsters, and sardines, and mackerel, are extensively consumed, and value to at least 3,000,000 dols. is annually exported. In 1880, 2,153,000 salmon were received by the establishments of the Pacific slope, and were packed in 31,453,000 one- pound cans, worth at the factories 3.255,000 dols. Sardines to the value of 825,000 dols. were packed in Maine, these being simply young herrings, mostly in cotton-seed oil of domestic manufacture. 4,178,000 pound cans of lobsters were also packed in the fac- tories owned by Maine and Massachusetts. The ingenious devices for sea, river, and lake fishing aa exhibited in the American Court, were described, showing that a remarkable degree of perfection has been attained in every branch of the industry, espe- cially in the propagation and acclimatisation of useful fishes. In the last-mentioned undertaking, the fish cultuTists have been assisted by grants of public money. Professor Goode estimates the different fishes of the United States waters at 1,400; of these 300 have a recognised economic value. He divides the 47 recognised fishing industries of his country into four divisions-L Ocean fisheries, con- ducted by sea-going vessels; 2. Coast fisheries, conducted ehiefly from small boats; 3. River and lake fisheries, which produce shad, alewife, salmon, whitefish, smelt, and sturgeon; 4. Strand fisheries and shore industries, including seal, turtle, terrapin, clam, quabog, abalone, moaa, salt, and sea- weed trades. The whale fishery haa decreased in value of late years owing to the introduction of mineral oils and over-fishine. The aims. methods, and achievements of the United States Fish Commission were explained towards the clpse of the paper, which was supplemented by an explanation by Mr. Earle of a series of diagrams of the excellent hatching and re- frigerating apparatus in use in America. The Marquis of Exeter moved a vote of thanks to the Professor for his paper, taking the opportunity of thanking the Government of the United States for the aid they bad given him in information and in ova, in successfully carrying oat his own small experiments in pisciculture. Professor Huxley; who seconded the resolution, held by the Government of the United States as an example of what must be done in pisoiculture if it was to be of any value. His Excellency the American Minister, in replying to a vote of thanks for presiding, said, without any national vanity, which was far from his feeling, he might say that it was the wise and generous appropriation of £7,000 by the American Congress which had greatly encouraged the Fisheries Exhibition at its outset (hear, hear), and he had been greatly gratified by hearing from the very highest authority that the American section of the Exhibition was distinguished for its scientific arrangements, and therefore for its prac- tical utility to the lessons which might be learned from it. He had been struck by several points in Professor Goode's discourse. The figures (as to ova) were of such a nature that the mind lost itself as in the vast distances of astronomy; but it was gratifying to hear that the protection of fish in the United States was now due rather to individual effort, if he might so denominate societies of anglers and fishermen, than to the protection of the State. That was rather a curious and interesting illustration of one of the refeults of the progress of Democracy, of which many people stood so much in terror. It recalled to him the fact that the riots in Pittsburg ten years ago had not been put down by the militia, aa was supposed-on the con- trary, the rioters put down the militia — but by public opinion. On the strike of the working men beginning they had public opinion with them, people thinking the reduction unwise and uncalled for but the moment they proceeded to violence public opinion went round to the other side, and the workmen were left, as it were, in a vacuum in which they could not breathe. The difficulty of protecting anything in a country so wide as the United States he illustrated by the case of the repudiation of aa attempt on the part of the State of Maine to protect the moose by a trapper who went 180 miles into the depths of the forest, beyond any habitation, where, of course no moose warden could follow him but public opinion, he believed, would be able to protect even the moose in Maine. That sort of independence of the American was typified even in the American oyster. (Laughter.) The young of the European oyster remained within its shell for a certain appre- ciable period, but the young of the American oystet, far more adventurou", were turned loose into the wide world of the ocean to look out and provide for them- selves. (Laughter.) Professor Goode had spoken of the importance of the New England fisheries in early times, and it would be difficult to exaggerate that importance. The fisheries had been what the mines of California had afterwards become; and per- bars it would turn out that the fisheries would be more durable than the mines. They certainly, in one point, had been of very great importance, the point to which Edmund Burke had alluded in his speech to the electors of Bristol when he spoke of "those hardy fishermen who had whitened every ocean with their sails." Their great value, as estimated not only in New England but throughout the United States, was as nurseries for seamen. (Cheers.) One of the things which bad impressed him in that exhibition more agreeably than almost any other was the hint which it gave them of callings which summoned forth all those many qualities of endurance, self-reliance, and self- sacrifice in peaceful occupations which they had been too uaually led to think found only scope in war. (Cheers.) It was very agreeable to think that on their side of the water, the men who carried on these fisheries had always been encouraged, and encouraged, sometimes, be believed, by special bounties. So im- port,ant had they always been considered that in the State House of Massachusetts, over the Speaker's chair, a model of a cod fish hangs, as an emblem of what at one time was the most important industry of the State.

HARVEST PROSPECTS, Under the above heading the Daily News has an article from which we make the following extracts:- In some districts, perhaps, farmers have not yet bad as much rain as they desired but a showery period appears to have set in, so that every one will probably have enor.gh before settled weather comes again, as we hops it will come, in time for the bloom- ing of the wheat p'ant, now about to commence in the early districts. Already a most beneficial change is apparent, and farmers generally are in excellent spirits. It ia a pleasure to walk through the cornfields jnst now. v The autumn-sown wheat is coming into ear on strong, healthy straw-too thin in places, it is true, but as thick as need be in others. Spring wheat is thick and as promising as that h&Zivrdou3 crop usually is. Barley and oats are remarkably well planted and healthy almost every- where: bea-na are full of vigour, though rather short nfter bo much dry weather and peas, aa usual, vary considerably, bat are on the whole quite up to •veritge condition for the time of the year. All these crops are late, though instead of being a month late, as they were at the end of Apnl,nhey are now about a fortnight behind their usual stage of growth for the la,it week ef Jur e. These remarks apply, as a rule, t" nearly ail England and Wales, excepting the northern counties, which, with the greater part of fccotUr.d. lU1..Vfl a. decidedly poorer prospect at the prc-.««nt time, as they suffered more from the ungenial weat-har that prevailed through a portion of tho spring, at ri was prolonged with them after a favourable change set in further south. Of the root crops it is too eaivy to speak with any con-lance, and it Is not easy so give in a few words t't' t,i-!t of the various, and to some extent conflicting, reports that have been published in relation to them. Mat■■colds and Swedish turnips have generally planted wel;, hat h,ve ii, gerwn very rapidly as a rale. In sorue districts tiey are lemaikahly healthy, while in others they have been attacked- by insect enemies. Ev-rvtSlteie, ho*'?vt r, they have been greatly bene- fited hp the mb, which ha? come juss in time, too, to farmers to sytv white ttsroipa under favourable eccdi-.ions. } Hay nearly everywhere ia a very light crop on the pastiiies, clovers and cultivated grasses being fairly good, though not up to their early promise. Hay- making has been interrupted by the showers, but very little damage is reported at present, and farmers were too glad of the rain for their corn 'and root crops to grumble about a little hindrance te haymaking. Potatoes have seldom had a season better suited to them, excepting early crops, which were cut by the May frost. The land worked like an ash-heap when the tubers were sown. The dry weather that followed was well suited to keep the plants healthy, and the recent rain had been just what was needed to increase the yield. With fine weather as a rule up to the time for raising the tubers, we should have a great orop of potatoes, which will be of vast importance in Ireland and Scotland. The hop.gardens of Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire present a remarkable contrast to their appearance last year. The vines, almost everywhere, are strong and healthy in colour, while there are but few complaints of fly." In fact, present appearances denote a better hop crop than we have had for many years. From the fruit districts reports are variable except that a great apple crop is to be expected. Fears are fairly plentiful in some orchards, and thin on the trees in others. Stone fruit is rather scarce. Bush fruits are fairly plentiful, black currants being abundant. After the rain strawberries should also be plentiful. Early market-garden produce has been somewhat scarce, the spring frosts and the drought having alike been unfavourable to most of these vegetables. On the whole, agricultural prospects are decidedly cheering. Everything depends on the weather up to harvest, and especially during the critical blooming stage of the corn crops but if we should be favoured with an abundance of sunshine and a few showers occasionally, and should still further be blessed with a dry harvest, the produce of our fields and gardens will be far beyond the average of recent years.

The Magnet of Monday, in review of the British corn trade during the past week, reports The re- freshing rains which have visited all parts of the coun. try have greatly benefitted the crops. Barley, which was previously wanting moisture, looks better, but the progress of the hay harvest has been checked. The crops, regarded as a whole, are looking healthy, and should fine warm weather succeed the rains, favourable results may be looked for.

REDUCTION OF RAILWAY RATES. In a communication to Mr. Thomas Garnett, chair- man of the Railway Rates Committee of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, Mr. W. M. Thompson, chair- man of the Midland Company, states that the argu- ments urged by a deputation before the chairmen of various railway companies on the 2nd of May for a reduction in the rates for wool from London to York- shire, and shipping goods from Yorkshire to Lon- don, have been carefully considered, and after discus- sions extending over several days, it has been decided from the 2nd of July to reduce the rates. The reduc- tions, he states, are substantial, amounting in; the case of wool to 59. per ton, and for shipping goods to London, including carpets, to 2s. 6d. per ton. It was felt that if the woollen trade required relief, it would be better to afford it on the. raw material and export goods, but the feeling was unanimous that there was no necessity to alter the ordinary rates to London for woollen goods and carpets which favourably compared with rates for traffic of the like character from other districts. The question of the steamship companies' charge for wool from Dublin to Liverpool being 10s. per ton, if intended for Liverpool only, as against 15s. per ton if forwarded to Yorkshire, had also been investigated. It appeared that during a local competition between two steamboat services, the local rates were some years ago subject to fluctuation, but when the competition ceased the ordinary rates were reduced, and the local charge between Dublin and Liverpool now was, and had been for some time, 30s. per ton, as compared with the through rate of 36s. 8d. per ton from Dublin to Bradford. The new list of rates comes into operation on July 2, 1853.

THE PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS IN RUSSIA. The inhabitants of various Russian provinces are aghast at the devastating ravages of the locusts. In- telligence received from Charkoff states that in that district the locusts are swarming over and utterly destroying the crops of a fertile tract of 50.000 acres. Also in the district of Novokopersch, in the govern* ment of Veroneschki, and in the neighbourhood of Taganrog the same frightful destruction of the crops is proceeding. The most energetic measures to stamp out the plague are being taken, and with this object the district government of Novokopersch have voted 25,000 roubles, and the governor in person has left for the scene of havoc, In Taganrog the grain and locusts have been burned together in order to stamp out the pest. From Borissoglebsk the latest intelligence is still more lamentable. The locusts in this government are ravaging a trac" of about 70,000 acres. Six thousand soldiers sent to the assistance of tha inhabitants are powerleaa to check the appalling destruction.

A BODY FOUND IN A BOX. While a number of unclaimed boxes and parcels were being searched at the King's-cross (London) Station of the Great Northern Railway Company op Tuesday night, the body of a child in a mummified condition was found in a box. On the body being taken to a police-station the divisional surgeon pro- nounced that the child, who had been about two years old at the time of death, had evidently been dead for two years—though the cause of death could not then be ascertained.

¡. SIR THOMAS BRASSEY ON INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS. Sir Thomas Brassey, M.P., speaking on Saturday at the 21st annual meeting of the Working Men's Club and Institute Union, held in Westminster College Hall, said the interest of Parliament in regard to the social, moral, and material improvement of the masses of the people was undiminished. While; it was admitted that sanitary matters ought properly to engage the attention of Parliament, yet too much ought, not to be expected from the action of the State, for while the State could ensure obedience to sanitary laws, it could not raise the standard of living of a nation. The total loans advanced under the Artisans and Labourers' Dwell- ings Improvement Act of 1857 could not be compared with the amount expended by the building societies of England and Wales. Between the returns of July, 1880, and those of May, 1881, the aggregate income of those societies had increased from £16,417,000 to J618,694,000, and the aggregate assets from B31,864,000 to £ 37,000,000, and those statistics represented a most gratifying amelioration in the homes of the people compared with which the exertions of the State must have produced an insignificant result, As. regarded the condition of the working classes he said that, taking into view the rate of wages, the hours of work, the cost of living, and the general abundance of employment, the position of the British workman at the present time compared favour- ably with that of working people even in the United States. There was no reason to apprehend a reduction of wages in this country, and he would be sorry to see anything which could lead to a retrograde movement. On the contrary he cherished the hcpe that the in- crease and the improved application of capital might admit of additions to the reward of labour, but, at the same time, it was his duty to point out that the industrial position of this country was threatened in many quarters by those who were formidable rivals in skill and energy.

An international exhibition of manufactures, fine arte, and agriculture will be held at Nice from Dec. 1, 1883,t6MayI, 1S84. -? •

THE FISHMONGERS' COMPANY. On Wednesday evening a banquet was given at Fishmonger's Hall, London Bridge, by [the Prime Warden and Wardens on the occasion of the presenta- tion of the freedom to Mr. Edward Birkbeck, M.P., the chairman of the executive committee of the Inter. national Fisheries Exhibition. Mr. John Hampden Fordham, the Prime Warden, occupied the chair, and amongst those present were, besides the guest of the evening, the Earl of Ducie, Sir P. Cunliffe Owen, the Prime Warden-elect, Alderman Sir Thomas Dakin, Mr. W. L. A. B. Burdett-Coutts, &c., &c. After the loyal and patriotic toasts, the Prime Warden (Mr. Fordham), proposed the toast of the evening, and after dwelling on the interest which Mr. Birkbeck had shown in all that concerned the welfare of the fishing community, the Prime Warden spoke of the time, ability, and pains Mr. Birkbeck had be. stowed upon work connected with the Fisheries Ex- hibition. He then presented to the new member a certificate of the freedom of the company, contained in a handsome casket. Mr. Birkbeck acknowledged the compliment in an interesting speech. The Prime Warden elect, Sir Thomas Dakin, was invested with the badge of office, and, taking the chair for the remainder of the evening, proposed the other complimentary toasts.

THE RESOURCES OF MADAGASCAR. At a meeting of the Balloon Society held in London, Mr. J. Woodward delivered a lecture upon "The Land and People of Madagascar." Mr. Woodward, who was formerly a missionary in Madagascar, said the resources of Madagascar were very great. Many parts of the coast wero fertile and yielded large returns, and the country would support many times the present population. Aided by European energy and capital, almost anything could be there cultivated. Coffee, sugar, tobacco, and spices all flourished, and Would, he believed, at no distant period contribute to the supply of the English market. Cattle could be put on board ship for 44s. per head, which was equal to about Id. a pound, and they might be delivered in this country at 4d. per pound, and that being so, it was a question whether the grazing grounds of Madagascar might not soon be used as a means of supplying cheap food to this country. It was upon sugar, however, that those who believed in the com- mercial prosperity of the country pinned their faith. Madagascar was about to enter upon a new career, in which the advancement of civilisation promised to be as great as the progress which had been made in Christianity during the past thirty years.

THE REVENUE. From April 1st to the 23rd instant the Exchequer receipts amounted to £19,224,582, as compared with j318,475,034 in the corresponding period of last year., The expenditure to the same date had been £ 17,358,168. On Saturday last the balance in the Bank of Eng- land was £6,711,014, and in the Bank of Ireland, 21,202,036. __J_

A Royal Commission, presided over by Mr. B. Samuelson, M.P., has held a sitting at Sheffield to take evidence on the subject of technical education. The Commissioners first visited the school of art and other institutions, and then took the evidence of the mayor, master cutler, and other merchants and manu- facturers, all of whom spoke strongly in favour of such education, if our manufactures are to hold their own in competition with foreign producers. At Limerick, on Friday night in last week, the back part of a dwelling-house, built in the year 1618, fell, killing a man and his wife. The front portion fell in the early part of the year without causing any per- sonal injury. In the face of the wall which fell on Friday night was discovered a large marble mantel- piece erected in 1633. This had been removed as an article of curiosity, and the operations probably caused the wall tn give way,. The weekly return of metropolitan pauperism shows that in the second week of June there were 86,164 paupers, of whom 50,065 were indoor and 36,099 out- door. This is a decrease of 906 and 481 as compared with the corresponding weeks of 1882 and 1881, but an increase of 1,106 as compared with 1880, The num- ber of vagrants relieved on the last day of the sec' 4'91.

WOMAN'S POSITION IN AMERICA. In London on Monday a meeting waa held in Prince's Hall, Piccadilly, to hear addresses by Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Miss Susan B. Anthony on the existing political condition of women in the United States. The chair was taken by Mr. Jacob Bright, M.P. Both ladies are said to be well known in America as eloquent orators, firstly in the Anti- Slavery movement and subsequently as the leaders of the American Women's Suffrage Society. Mr. Jacob Bright briefly introduced the speakers, remarking that the subject was one of great interest, the change in the position of women both here and in America having been in the last forty years a very extraordinary one. He spoke of women's suffrage as the greatest of the claims of women; and said that although both in the United States and this country that had not yet been accorded, still a series of triumphs had been won which must in the end lead to the much-desired result. Next year would be rather a critical time. The door would then be opened to further voters, and the question would be whether the claims of women would be admitted or not. Miss Anthony first addressed the meeting. She said that forty years ago there were only four vocations epen to women in the States-teaching, sewing, cooking, and factory work. They then pointed out as a great example one woman who was a mer- chant—she kept a crockery store. (Laughter.) They also had one woman preacher and one woman phy- sician, Miss Harriet K. Hunter, Boston, who had been instructed privately, and who for years practised without a diploma. There were now many women's oolleges and over 1,000 women practising with diplomas, doing, as the speaker said, their full quota of the work of curing or killing, as the case might be—(laughter)—and what was more, being paid for it. (Renewed laughter.) The Rev. Olympia Brown had for twenty years been preaching in only three different parishes. In the last parish the con- gregation had almost died away under male preaching. The Rev. Olympia Brown went there and revived it. She also was now getting a good salary. All the law schools were aow open to women, and many were studying in them; and it had been decided in the Supreme Court that a lawyer could not be denied ad- mission on account of sex. In the State University of Kansas the professor of Greek was a young woman. Women in the States also were not only type-setters, but editors and publishers of papers. The speaker contended that whatever a man might do to gain an honest livelihood with hand or brain a woman may also do, and gave several instances of how women had made their way in the States, some of which, however, would be scarcely practicable in this country. A young lady went to Horace Greeley, and asked him for journalistic work, He advised her to seek for home work. Nothing daunted, she went round from newspaper to newspaper, until at last the editor of the New York Times found out what she was fitted for and made her a cattle reporter-to attend and describe horse fairs, cattle markets, and other similar meetings. Another young woman, born in Canada, did not agree with the direc- tions she received to stay home and help her mother." She saw the young men going West and making their fortunes, and she determined to do the same. With a very small capital she managed, by running at first into debt, to buy a tract of land, which speedily doubled in value and by selling part of it she paid off her debt and is now exceedingly well off. In conclusion, the speaker said there were three millions of self-supporting women now living in the United States. What they must have was women's suffrage, for they frequently found that the advantages they gained one session were taken away from them the next. Mrs. Stanton then addressed the meeting, and ad- mitted that she supposed there never was a nation of men so chivalrous towards women as those of the United States. Dealing with the social, educational, and religious phase of the subject, she pointed out, however, many instances in which women's rights were not yet fully admitted. In the course of an eloquent address, she strongly advocated women's suffrage, and expressed the opinion that before long they would be able to look back upon the success of their efforts,

DOGS IN TRAMCARS. An interesting point has been settled by the judge of the Portsmouth County Court. The Provincial Tramways Company sued Mr. Emanuel, jeweller, of Portsea, for Is., fare for a dog which had been carried on a car. His Honour, in giving judgment, said it was clear that the Company were not common carriers. By Section 23 of the Act, the Company were empowered to carry passengers and their luggage simply. If that were so, could they be compelled to carry dogs ? In his opinion, not only were the company not compelled to carry dogs, but every time they carried one they infringed their by-laws. The company's license allowed them to carry passengers and their luggage, but not to carry goods of any other kind. He did not think that under Section 59, which regulated the tolls for luggage, the Company could carry dogs, because a dog might not weigh a pound, and, therefore, was not liable to any toll. If they carried dogs, they could carry cats, pigs, and fowls. Then, where would the passengers be? It had been argued for the plaintiffs that the notice in the cars, Dogs, Is. each," was a sufficient publication of the scale of the toll, but he did not think it was so. It was nothing but a common advertisement, which he did not think meant a contract of any kind. He held that the company had no right to carry dogs, and, therefore, no charge could be made. There would be, therefore judgment for the defendant.

EVENING OPENING OF MUSEUMS* A document has just been placed in the hands of the trustees of the British Museum by the Working Men's Lord's Day Rest Association, which states that in 1860 a Select Committee of the House of Commons, after examining witnesses as to the safety, practica- bility, and usefulness of opening the National Museums at night, recommended that they should be opened three week-day evenings in each week from seven till ten delock. This recommendation was made when gas was the only available light. Since then the electric light has been brought into opera- tion, and the use of this light would still further reduce any possible risk from fire. The library and reading-room of the British Museum and # the South Kensington Museum have the electric light in use with great success.. Since 1857 the South Kensington Museum has been opened free till ten o'clock on three evenings per week, and the total number of evening visitors has been 6.397,515. In the months of January, February, and March, 1882, the evening visitors were 126,063, as against 49,209 morning visitors in the same months. At the Bethnal-green Museum, where the inhabit- ants are mainly of the working class, the total attend- ance since it was opened in 1871 to March, 1882, has been 6,195,821. Out of this total 3,019,515 have been evening visitors on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Satur- days. Resolutions have been carried in both Houses of Parliament in favour of opening the museums on week-day evenings; 2,335 working-class organizations, having 480,000 members, have supported resolutions in favour of opening the museums on week-day even- ings..

DEATH OF SIR WILLIAM KNOLLYS. Sir William Knollys, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, died at his residence in the House of Lords on Saturday afternoon. The deceased gentle- man had been so unwell as to be unable to fulfil the duties of his office for five weeks past, and he had been confined to his bed for about a fortnight, having been attended by Sir William Jenner and Sir Oscar Clayton. The immediate cause of death was inter- mittent fever, but Sir William's advanced age largely contributed to the fatal result, as he was in his 86th year. Sir William's death was not altogether unexpected, and all his sons and daughters were present when he died. The Prince and Princess of Wales and the other members, of the Royal family have been con. stant in their inquiries during the illness of the deo ceased gentleman. Sir Spencer Clifford, the Deputy Usher of the Black Rod, has, during Sir William's illness, been fulfilling the duties of the office, and he will continue to do so until a successor is appointed.

The Prince of Wales has been unanimously eleoteci sm, bon. mapaber of the Royal Natal Club of 1765,

THE ROYAL CALEDONIAN BALL. The annual Caledonian fancy dress ball for the benefit of the Royal Caledonian Asylum and the Royal Scottish Hospital took place in London on Monday night at Willis's Rooms, St. James's. It was under the patronage of the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Albany, and other members of the Royal Family, and, as usual, there was a long list of lady patronesses belong- ing to the noble and influential Scottish families, in- cluding the Duchesses of Richmond and Gordon, Hamilton, Buccleugh, Athole, Montrose Roxburghe, and Wellington, Ac. Company began to arrive shortly after ten, and by half-past eleven Almack's famous ball room was well filled. The ball room presented a gay and animated scene, owing to the various uniforms and fancy dresses. The Highland garb was generally worn.

COMPARATIVE THIRST IN FRENCH TOWNS. A summary of the quantities of wine, eider, alcohol, and beer, which have been consumed in the principal towns of France during the past year, has just been published. According to this summary, the con- sumption at Paris amounted to 107,511,426 gallons, corresponding to a consumption of 55 gallons per in. habitant. Lyons drank 14,317,402 gallons; Mar. seilles, 9,831,448; Bordeaux, 9,484,244 St, Etienne, 4,864,486 Toulouse, 4,824,534; Nantes, 3,674,902. Tourcoing is the town where the least quantity of wine was consumed, 8i gallons falling to the share of each inhabitant. Rennes drank more cider than any other town of 527,252 gallons each inhabitant drank rather more than 330 gallons, Havre is greatest in the consumption of alcohol, of which, on an average, 33 gallons go to each inhabitant. The consumption of beer is greatest at Lille, 68 gallons per inhabitant. At Paris the average is 330 gallons for every citizen.

MILITARY AFFRAY IN IRELAND. On Sunday evening a serious riot took place in the Curragh Camp between the men of the 4th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (late Royal Dublin City Militia), now under preliminary drill, and the 8th Battalion Connaught Rangers (late North Mayo Militia). The Connaught Rangers were on the eve of their departure from the camp, where they had earned an excellent character by their good conduct and atten- tion to their duty. The quarrel originated in a mis- understanding between some privates of the two regi- ments who were gambling together in the canteen. Their comrades took part with each side, and at 8'20 a.m. there was a general fight in the lines where the two corps were quartered. Stones, belts, and fists were freely used. Fortunately the arms of the Dublin regiment had been lodged for the night in the guard- room, and those of the Connaught Rangers had been packed in the chests ready for removal on Monday morning to Ballina. The officers were at the time at mess with a regiment on the other side of the eamp. Major Archer, however, and the officers of the Dublin regiment interfered between the combatants and suc- ceeded in partially quelling the disturbance. Shortly after nine 0 clock pickets of the other regiments in camp arrived on the scene, and by great efforts ulti- mately drove the rioters into their respective quarters, where the ringleaders were secured. Captain Butler, of the Dublin regiment, received a severe blow with a stone on the head, ana aV/out 20 men on each side'were injured. Order was not com- pletely restored until nearly one o'clock next morning. Sixteen men were admitted into hospital in camp suffering from the effects of the encounter. One of them, a sergeant of the Dublin regiment, was badly hurt about the head and faee. The Connaught Rangers marched out of camp at half-past six o'clock on Monday morning and left for Ballina by special train. Several men had their heads bandaged, while their torn and blood-stained uniforms bore testimony to the character of the engagement.

OVERHEAD WIRES in the METROPOLIS. On Monday Sir Charles Dilke received a deputation of representatives from forty of the metropolitan ves- tries, who called the attention of the Government to the extension of overhead wires, and desired to ascer- tain who were the responsible authorities to control such erections. Sir Charles Dilke, in reply, said the views which the Government took on the subject was that the owners of the wires had no greater rights of inter- fering with the streets than had any member of the public; that they could not, either with or without the consent of the local authority, interfere wijh the public highway in such a way as to cause obstruction to the public, even though such obstruction was limited to the execution of the work of erection. He said the Government were not prepared to say that in all cases it would be unlawful to carry wires across these streets where the permission of the owners of houses had been obtained; but it would be a question of fact in each case whether the wires so suspended were such as to constitute a nuisance, and that would depend on the number of wires, &c., and their length. His view was that the vestries had power to so control the erection of wires, but if after a legal test it was found that they had not such powers he quite agreed it was necessary that they should obtain them by seek- ing legislation.

—* CANADIAN ITEMS. In the month of May 99 patents for inventions were issued by the Canadian Department of Agriculture, the fees collected were 6,533 dols., against 6,002 dols. for the same month last year. The emigration statistics of Canada show that 45,450 persons settled in the Dominion for the five months ending May 31, as against 24,135 last year, an increase of 21,315. Very satisfactory reports are being received as to the crop prospects in Manitoba and the North-West Territory, Lord Dunmore's trip over the Canadian Pacific Railway has been completed. His lordship, with other members of the party, declared himself much impressed by the progress which hAd been mad, in the settlements of the Canadian North-west, and the rapidity with which the railway is being constructed. Emigrants still continue to arrive in Winnipeg at the rate of about 400 per day. The visit of the Governor-General and the Princess Louise to Toronto, in connection with the Art Exhibi- tion in that city, proved a great success. The Vice- regal party met with the most enthusiastic reception. In the course of a speech at the Toronto Academy of Arts the Marquis stated that there seemed now good prospect of the project for the International Park at Niagara Falls being successfully carried out. A farmer who discovered iron on his farm near Brandon, in Manitoba, refused an offer of 5,000 dols. for bis claim. Two English gentlemen from Sheffield have bought a ranche south of Moose Jaw, in the Canadian North- west, which they intend to make their head quarters for hunting during the next two or three summers.

THE IRISH. LAND ACT. The Parliamentary return of proceedings under the Land Act up to the end of May shows that out of a total number of 97,207 applications to have fair rents fixed, 49,228 have been disposed of. The agreements out of Court number 41,644. Of 1,500 applications to have leases declared void, 1,244 have been disposed of. The number of appeals respecting fair rent is 8,417, and of these 3,009 nave been disposed of.

POSTAL SAVINGS BANKS IN FRANCE. The French Journal Officiel publishes a report on the working of the new Post Office Savings Banks during 1882, thus giving the first year's experience. Four hundred and seventy-three thousand deposits were paid in, making a total sum of 64,634,000 francs. The withdrawals amounted to 17,811,000 francs, so that there was an overplus for the year of 46,823,000 francs left deposited. The deposits average 136 francs each; the withdrawals 312 francs. 1 Of the bank books taken out, 23,000 represented transfers from the private savings banks. The sum thus transferred amounted to 3,406,000 francs.

On Tuesday evening a sad fatality occurred at High- gate near London. Albert Trevatt, aged four, was playing with a number of other children in a black' smith's yard, when he climbed upon a grindstone standing in the yard. No sooner had he done this than the framework suddenly gave way, precipitating him to the ground, and the stone, weighing about 5 cwt., fell on him. Medical aid was at once obtained. but life was found to be extinct. On Saturday evening a large number of spectators assembled at the Belgrave-road Grounds, Leicester, to see a race between J. W. Raymer, of Manchester with a trotting horse, and John Keen, of London, a bicycle, for £ 50, the distance being five mileB. Both the horse and the bicycle kept well together for the greater part of the journey, but towards the close horse dashed to the front, and won by about 200 yards '1