The Aberystwith Observer

In the HOUSE OF LORDS, August 12, the Corrupt Practices (Suspension of Elections) Bill was read a second time, and the Public Health (Members and Offices) Bill, the Disused Burial Grounds Bill, and the Cholera Protection Bill were read a third time. In reply to Lord Laming ton, the Earl of Kimberley, stated that the Government bad received no official information concerning the reported concession to a Russian company to construct a railway from the Cas- pian to the Persian Gulf. The Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill was brought up from the Commons and read a first time, and their lordships rose at five minutes past seven o'clock. THE APPROPRIATION BILL. In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, on the third reading of the Appropriation Bill, Lord R. Churchill took the opportunity of making some general remarks on its contents. In the first place he called attention to the growing amount of the annual appropriations from the Consolidated Fund, which now were five millions above the figure of the last year of the late Government. This led him to make some severe strictures on what he contended was the unsuccessful financial administration of Mr. Childers, especially his failure to keep a controlling hand on the expenditure, and he called on him fcr some explanation of his nefarious proposal to debase the gold coinage. Next he commented on the numerous legislative failures of the Government, remarking that few or none of tv thee Bills introduced were meant to pass, which, he said, accounted mainly for the levity with which they had been withdrawn.. The whole session had been completely wasted and was destitute of any useful result. Passing to details, he called for further in- formation as to the mission of Lord Northbrook, anc .animadverted on the curious fact that the reorganiza- ion ofEgyptian finances was to be intrusted to twc members of the House of Baring, which, he said, was a departure from the strict rule hitherto followed by previous Governments, of keeping the public service free from connexion with private commercial enterprise. This mission andTne Gordon Relief Fund were mere electioneering devices-a species of "hedging "-to save the Government from ruin if the venture of Par- liamentary Reform on which they had placed their all failed. He complained also of the removal of Mr. Mackenzie from Bechuanaland, and finally commented on the condition of Ireland, and the large amount of civil and military force required to keep the peace there. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, after a sarcastic comparison of the noble lord's review of the session," with those of Lord Lyndhurst and Lord Beaconsfield, reminded him that their success was not gained by mere violent epithets and vulgar abuse, which hurt nobody. As his attack was entirely general it did not need much of a reply, but the few facts which he had mentioned were mostly inaccurate. As to the increase in the expenditure, he stated that during the coming recess he would pursue the enquiry which he had commenced last recess, and the Government after that would be ready, if it were thought desirable, to appoint an independent committee to inquire into the expenditure. He protested strongly against the attack on the Baring family, pointimg out that in former years members of important banking firms had taken part in public affairs with great advantage to the State. As to the personal attack on himself he reminded the House that he had passed two bills last year and one this year, and tnat the Coinage Bill had not failed because of opposition, but was sacri- ficed in the general holocaust. In the course of subsequent discussion Mr. Ashley in- formed Sir H. Holland that Mr. Mackenzie had been recalled from Bechuanaland by Sir Hercules Robinson, at whose instance he was appointed, and that the reasons for and the duration of his withdrawal were as yet unknown to her Majesty's Government. Mr. Forster warned the Government that unless they were firm the recent Convention with the Boers would be as futile as its predecessors. Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett also made some remarks on the foreign and colonial policy of the Government, after which Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Harrington, Mr. Biggar, Mr. A. O'Connor, and others again reverted to the case of Mr. Bolton, and Mr. O'Donnell spoke on the labour traffic in the Pacific. The Appropriation Bill was then read a third time, and the House adjourned at seven o'clock until Thursday.

In the HOUSE OF LORDS, August 13, the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill was read a second time, and, the standing order having been suspended, the bill was passed through its remaining stages. The Corrupt Practices (Suspension of Elections) Bill was also read a third time and passed, and their lord- ships adjourned at twenty-five minutes past three o'clock.

CALAMITOUS FIRE IN LONDON. FOUR PERSONS BURNED TO DEATH. At a quarter to eight o'clock on Tuesday morning, a fire broke out at No. 33, Wilton-road, Pimlico, London, in the occupation of Mr. Abrahams; a hatter, which, unhappily, was attended with the most calami- tous consequences, no less than four persons having been burnt to death, and others seriously injured. The fire originated in the shop, and, owing to the inflammable contents spread with such fearful rapidity that in a few moments all access to the upper rooms was cut off. Several members of Mr. Abra- ham's family were in bed at the time, and others were engaged in dressing, but despite the frantic appeals of persons in the street to attempt an escape, they hesitated to do so until it became neces- sary to jump from the second-floor windows of the house. Sophia Abrahams, 57, after being badly burnt about the body, jumped from the window and was caught in a blanket, and her daughter Jeanette Abrahams, also saved her life by the same means. She was burnt about the face, and, with her mother, was conveyed to the hospital. Mark Abrahams, the proprietor of the shop, Mrs. Julia Marks, aged 86, his mother-in-law, Lily Abrahams, aged 20, and another member of the family, were burnt to death. The aged lady was found in a chair in her bedroom, and, like the others, it appeared that she had been rendered insensible by the smoke before being reached by the fire. It is said that the fire originated through a gas stove in the shop, which had just been lighted by the servant. The gas jets, it is assumed, were blown by a draught on to a store of hat boxes, and in a few minutes the whole place was alight. The shop was burnt out before the arrival of the engines and escape, but there was no delay after the alarm was given. The inflam- mable nature of the stock was such that the house was gutted in less than three-quarters of an hour. The shocking occurrence caused great excitement in the neighbourhood.

THE FLOODS IN HUNGARY. A Vienna telegram says a heavy fall of rain that lasted from eight o'clock on Saturday night till seven o'clock next morning worked terrible havoc at Buda- Pesth and in the neighbourhood. The village of Zebegnv was almost entirely swept away by the torrent. from the adjacent hills, and many lives were lost. Railway traffic was interrupted. At the station of Maors the railway officials on duty had to wade through about four feet of water. At Buda, which is separated from Pesth by the Danube, immense damage was done, one part of the city being all but submerged. The fire brigade were at work with pumps all night. One particularly sad accident occurred in a neigh- bouring village. A tradesman named Kleinar had lately retired thither with his invalid wife and chil- dren. The sick room in which his wife lay was flooded before help could be obtained. He made an opening with a hatchet, and for two mortal hours the whole family managed to cling to the roof of the house. Towards nine o'clock the roof fell in, and Frau Kleinar, together with her children and maid-ser- vant, were carried away by the torrent. Her husband nearly perished while attempting to save her, but though carried off to the Danube, he managed to swim ashore and was rescued.

BREACH OF PROMISE CASE. In the Middlesex Sheriff's Court, before Mr. Under Sheriff Burchell and a Jury, the case of Tallentire v. Davies has been heard, and was an inquiry to assess the damages of breach of promise of marriage. The plaintiff, Miss Matilda Elizabeth Tallentire, said in April, 1883, she first met the defendant, who bad been invited home to spend the evening at her father's house in Quadrant-road, Canonbury. Her father was in the firm of Messrs. Rylands, of Wood-street, City, and bad had business relations with the defendant. Upon that occasion she was in the company of the defendant about two hours, and except at that inter- view she was never in his society, as soon after that he returned to Somerset East, South Africa, where he was in business in the firm of Messrs. Gobbett and Davies. He wrote from that country asking her father and herself whether he might be allowed to become engaged to her, as from what he saw of her upon that single interview he was desirous of making her his wife. His proposal was accepted, and the engagement was carried on by correspondence, which went on for about twelve months, when she pur- chased her trousseau for the wedding, a list of which things was handed in. Many of the articles, such as cabinets clocks, diamond rings, a watch and chain, and other articles of jewellery were held by the Court not to be necessary to a wife's trousseau. The articles were supplied by Messrs. Rylands. To show the posi- tion in life of the defendant, Mr. Jeremiah Howe, carrying on business in the City, who had been to South Africa, described the defendant's business as a very good one. Mr. Besley commented upon the attempt to saddle the defendant with the unnecessary articles of jewellery, and urged that there could have been little affection between the parties upon an engagement formed and carried on as this was. After the learned Under-Sheriff had summed up the case, the jury assessed the damages at £100.

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN MORAVIA. A Reuter's telegram says that a terrible tragedy has occurred in the town of Grulich, in Moravia. A man killed his son, 26 years old, with an axe, and then cut the body to pieces, declaring that he intended to cure the remains for food. The crIme was com- mitted in the presence of the young mans mother, who was crippled with gout and powerless to interfere. The murderer then locked the door of the cottage, whichis in an isolated position. On the second day after the occurrence of the crime, the unfortunate -,woman succeeded in communicating with a passing neigh- i bour, who informed the police. On the arrival of gendarmes, the madman defended himself vigorously ] with his axe, but was eventually secured.

I REMARKABLE SCORING BY THE; AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS. Up to Monday the batting of the Australian Eleven of 1&84 had, no doubt, afforded reasonable ground for unfavourable comparison with the achievements of the 1882 team. On Monday, however, the Colonial cricketers achieved a batting success almost unique in the history of the game. They went in first at Ken- nington Oval in the match against England, and though they lost their first wicket—that of Banner- man-after about ten minutes' play, a; d when only 15 runs had been scored, they remained in all the rest of the day, and at the call of time they had only lost one other wicket, and the total was 363. The Culonial innings, so far, had lasted just over five and a half hours-just over a run a minute throughout. M'Donnell was joined by Murdoch when the total was 15, and he was out at 158, the time then being about ten minutes past three in the afternoon. M'Donnell scored two-thirds of the runs while he was in, and, making allowance for the importance of the match, the achievement of the popular young Victorian will rank as the best thing he has done so far as his English cricket career is concerned. Up to this point of the day the game had been, of course, all in favour of Australia, but there was nothing very singular about it. The Colonists had gone in first on a perfect wicket, and had made a capital stand, only two men being out for 158 runs. This was a good performance, but nothing more than any first-rate side might have done under the circum- stances, or that England might have done had they had the good fortune to win the toss. From this point, however, no other wicket fell, and when time was called at half-past six, or three hours and twenty minutes later, the bowlers had been successfully defied, and the score increased by 205 runs. Murdoch, who, when he was in with M'Donnell, played a useful and fairly good innings-but certainly not in so free and taking a style as his partner-now improved in a very marked degree while Scott from the first hit with great freedom and confidence. The only real chance after Scott and Murdoch became partners was a catch that Scott gave in the long field when he had made 60. He hit a ball from Steel very hard and high to long-off, and Harris, running fast, got well underneath the ball, and looked as if he was going to bring off the catch. The mistake had the most serious consequence, for not only was Scott 60 at the time it was made, but the total was 283, or 80 runs less than the day's total. On Tuesday the Australians followed up their tre- mendous batting success, and completed their first innings for 551-the largest innings in a first-class match this season. Murdoch, who was 145, not out, overnight, increased his score to 211, the biggest in- dividual total of the year. The weather was delight- fully fine, without being so oppressively hot as on Monday, and as the cricket presented greater variety, the applause was louder and more frequent than on the opening day. The numbers who paid at the gate on Monday were 14,648, and 14,255 on Tuesday. Play began at seven minutes past twelve, the not outs-Scott,101, and Murdoch, 145—going on with the innings of Australia. The bowlers were Barnes and Peate, and when only a single and a leg-bye had been run, Scott was cleverly caught at the wicket, and the long stand was over. Scott had been batting as nearly as possible three hours and a-half, and had made one five (four for overthrew), fifteen fours, three threes, seven twos, and fourteen singles. Giffen was now Murdoch's partner, and another stand was made. The play for a time was strictly defen- sive, but after each batsman had hit Peate for four, the English captain changed the bowling at both ends, Ulyett and steel going on at 386. Murdoch hit the Yorkshireman twice for four, and a fluky two by Giffen sent up the 400 at one o'clock. Barlow went on for Steel at 4.20; and when he had made 171, Murdoch was badly missed from an easy chance at third man by Barlow off Ulyett. The total at this point was 423, and nine runs later the fourth wicket fell, Giffen being caught from a simple chance at mid- on by Steel off Ulyett for 32. This last partnership had put on 67 runs-a long stand in an ordinary innings, but one scarcely noticed among so many bigger things. Bonnor came in, and Murdoch scored three fours from Barlow. In the hope of getting a wicket before the adjournment Grace took the ball from Ulyett at 454. In his first over Bonnor was well taken at point for eight, and half the wickets were down by lunch time on the second day for 454 runs. Midwinter was Murdoch's partner when the game was continued after lunch. Barnes began the bow- ling, and Murdoch cut his first ball for four. Grace bowled from the Gasworks wicket, and Midwinter drove his first ball for four. Just after three o'clock, amid tremendous cheering, Murdoch cut Barnes for four, making his score over 200. Ulyett relieved Grace at 476, and in his first over Murdoch was let off by Steel at short mid-on—a difficult righthand chance. The Australian Captain had made 205. At 494, Murdoch's long and magnificent innings came to "S an end, after having lasted a few minutes over eight hours. Peate caught the Australian captain neatly at slip for 211, the biggest individual score in a first-class match since Murdoch himself made 286, not out, against Sussex at Brighton in May, 1882. Murdoch's hits in the innings, which began about a quarter past twelve on Monday, and ended just after half-past three on Tuesday after- noon, were twenty-four fours, nine threes, twenty- two twos, and forty-four singles. He was in while 479 runs were scored, in itself a tremendous effort of en- durance. Blackham joined Midwinter, and amid the heartiest applause the 500 went up at twenty minutes to four. Peate and Steel were put on to bowl at 506. Midwinter cut Peate for four, and at 523 Barlow took Steel's place. Peate was quite harmless, and as the other regular bowlers were evidently tired out, Lyttel- ton gave up wicket-keeping to Grace, and bowled lobs from the Gasworks end. The cricket that followed was curious, and afforded immense amusement to the crowd. It is neces- sary to say how the last four wickets fell. Mid- winter was caught by Grace at the wicket on the leg side from Lyttelton's first ball-seven for 532, or 38 for the partnership. Palmer came in, and at 545 Blackham was leg before wicket. Spofforth was next in, and as Barlow had been hit a good deal, Shrews- bury was tried, loud laughter greeting the last of the English Eleven as he went on to bowl. Spofforth's middle stump was bowled at 549, and two runs later Boyle was very well caught by Lord Harris running v from deep mid-on. The gigantic innings of the Australians lasted just under nine and a-half hours, so that the average rate of scoring throughout was a trifle under a run a minute. The last eight wickets fell for 191 runs. It is stated that Grace at some part of the innings or other fielded at every place. At ton minutes past five W. G. Grace and Scotton began the England innings. Bonnor was chosen to to start the Australian bowling. Grace bit the second ball to square-leg for four. Scotton cut Palmer neatly for four, and then the score rose by smaller hits to twenty as in many minutes. A couple of grand square-leg hits for four each by Grace, off Bonnor, were loudly applauded. Then Grace followed up very far, and was run out for 19, a very close thing-one for 32. Barnes was next in, and Scotton cut Bonnor for four, Barnes cutting Palmer for another four next over. A very short and risky run was brought off, and then Scotton hit a full pitch to the off for two, sending up 50, after 40 minutes' batting. Barnes cut Bonner splendidly for four, and so at 54 Spofforth was put on at the Pavilion wicket. The 60 went up at six o'clock, and just afterwards a very pretty catch by Midwinter, low down at third man, got rid of Barnes for 19—two for 60. Shrewsbury joined Scotton, and Boyle went on for Palmer at the Gasworks end. The first big hit was a neat four cut by Shrewsbury off Boyle. As Boyle could do nothing, Midwinter went on at 68, and a two by Scotton in his first over sent up 70 at twenty minutes past six. Spofforth bad bowled seven overs for two runs and a wicket, and he bowled two more maidens before time. Scotton meanwhile scored a single from Midwinter, and so the total at the drawing of stumps was 71 for two wickets or 480 behind with eight wickets to fall. Scotton had played admirable cricket for his 21 not out, the result of eighty minutes' steady defence. On Wednesday the match was concluded, when the English players batted so well that 360 runs were made for the loss of only ten more wickets, and at the drawing of stumps England was only 120 runs to the bad, with eight goed wickets to fall. The total number of runs scored by England for the twelve wickets that fell on their side was 431. These runs were made in six hours and forty minutes. Through- out the English made something more than a run a minute, and the Australians rather less than a run a minute. Altogether 982 runs were made in the match for. twenty-two wickets, the actual time of play being just over 16 hours. The. average number of runs per wicket was 44 and a considerable fraction-roughly 2.3. Only fow wickets were bowled down; there was onlj one cipher in the match; and while among the Australians there were three three-figure and three double-figure innings; there were on the England side double-figure innings; there were on the England side one three -figure innings and no fewer than ten double- figure scores. It is almost without precedent to see i four 100's in one match. Of the 982 runs that were scored for twenty-two wickets, 151 of them were made between the falls of the eighth and ninth English wickets, and 417 of them between the falls of the first and fourth Australian wickets. Thus the four long stands in the match produced 568 runs or con- siderably more than half the gross total. It should be mentioned that 8400 people paid for admission to the Oval on Wednesday, so that the total attendance was for the three days 37,303. The following is the score :—Australians: A. C. Bannerman, 4; P. S. M'Donnell, 103; W. L. Mur- doch, 211; H. J. H. Scott, 102; G. Giffen, 32; G. J. Bonnor, 8; W. Midwinter, 30; J. M'C. Blackham, 31; G. E. Palmer, 8; F. R. Spofforth, 4; H. F. Boyle, 1; extras, 17-total, 551. England: 1st innings—Mr. W. G. Grace, 19; Scotton, 90 Barnes, 19; Shrewsbury, 10; Mr. A. G. Steel, 31 Ulyett, 10; Barlow, 0; Lord Harris, 14 Hon. A. Lyttelton, 8; Mr. W. W. Read, 117 Peate, 4 extras, 24-total,346. 2nd innings—Shrewsbury, 37 Barlow, 21 Lord Harris, 6; Hon. A. Lyttelton, 17; extras, 4-total, 85.

CHARGE OF SHOOTING A WOMAN. In London, on Monday, at the Clerk enw ell Police- court, Christopher Sibley, age 30, a cab proprietor, of Offord-yard, Roman-road, Barnsbury; and William Edward Evans, 21, a coachman, of Vincent-terrace, Colebrook-row, Islington, were charged on remand with having been concerned together in shooting and causing actual bodily harm to Ossa Tourakoff, on the morning of Saturday, the 2nd of August. The injured woman "was now able to attend. The woman, accord- ing to the evidence, was suffering from a pistol-shot wound in the left breast. The shot had entered the breast on the inner side and fortunately, taking an outward course, had passed entirely through, and out at the other side. Had it taken an inward course the woman must have been instantly killed. Ossa Toura- koff was called and detailed the circumstances of the occurrence, which appeared to have been in the nature of a practical joke. Sibley having said he would shoot away some padding from her dress, she replied, If you like. I do not believe it is loaded." Evans said, Don't come here with that revolver." but did not further interfere. She could not exactly remember, but thought there had been some joking about firearms. She was leaning back in the chair and did not see; but she felt Sibley rest the revolver with both hands upon her right breast. Then there was a sudden report, with fire and smoke, and she felt an intense pain in her left breast. She cried out You have hurt me, and both the prisoners appeared very much alarmed when they saw blood flowing. Evans nearly fainted, but Sibley never lost his presence of mind. He directed Evans to fetch water, bathed the wounds, and stopped the bleeding with a postage stamp. After some time he drove her home, and promised to come and see her in the morning, telling her to be sure and not see a doctor. He did not come in the morning, and she went to Dr. Murray, who dressed the wounds and communicated with the police. Mr. Hosack discharged Evans and remanded Sibley, refusing bail.

EPITOME OF NEvVS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN. His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland has commuted the sentence of death, passed at the last assizes on Catherine Dooley for the murder of her cousin, whose body she buried in the farmyard, into penal ser- vitude for life. A Geneva telegram states that two young girls were assassinated on Tuesday night at Martigny, in the canton Valais. The police are endeavouring to discover the perpetrators of the crime. On Tuesday, at Bacton, Norfolk, a woman, named Little, was killed by lightning in her own house. She was carrying an infant in her arms at the time, but it escaped with a slight injury. At the Curragh on Wednesday, an artilleryman named Boder confessed to a sergeant of the same corps I that in August, 1881, he shot in county Kerry a farmer named O'Brien, for whose murder two men, named Puff and Darrett, were executed. Boder was then a policeman, but left the force and joined the army. When brought before the resident magistrate he re- tracted his statement, but was detained pending in- quiries as to his mental condition. During a fire in a warehouse at Boston, U.S., on Wednesday morning, two firemen carried the hose to the top of the building. It suddenly fell in, and they were burnt to death. After the flames had been got under both bodies were recovered reduced to cinders. The Oxford Ram Fair took place on Wednesday, and attracted buyers from all parts. A very large number of sheep were penned, but trade, as a rule, was dull, and prices were low, except for the finest specimens, from four to seven guineas being about the average. The highest price paid was forty-one guineas for an Oxfordshire Down bred by Mr. Pratt, of Haseley, the buyer being Mr Brassey, of Heythrop. A case interesting to commercial travellers aud others using carriages in their business was heard before Mr. Bridge at Southwark Police-court, on Wednesday, wherein it was decided that all persons who employed horses and traps in their business were liable to the carriage tax if at any time they used the vehicles for taking out members of their family or their friends. At Prague, on Wednesday, one of the lunatics at the Provincial Asylum was attacked by another of the inmates, who strangled his victim before the attendants could reach the spot. In Glasgow Infirmary on Wednesday Mrs. Macmanus died from the effect of severe scalds, caused by broth having been thrown over har while quarrelling with another woman. A coroner's jury at Derby on Wednesday returned a verdict of manslaughter against a man named Payne, who set fire to his wife by throwing a paraffin lamp at her. Payne at the time was intoxicated. On Wednesday a runaway horse drawing a waggon loaded with coals dashed through a procession of mourners and soldiers following the body of the late Colonel Montgomery, near Taunton Railway Station. A little child was trampled upon and instantaneously killed. At Glasgow on Wednesday two women named Mary Pool, aged 44 years, and Margaret Andrews, aged 47 years, committed suicide. In each case the woman hanged herself behind the door of her room. Both of them were in a despondent state of mind. On Wednesday morning a young man named Twitt, member of a volunteer engineer corps at Weston-super- Mare, blew out his brains with a rifle in a bedroom in which his invalid wife was lying. No reason is assigned for the act. The wife is not expected to recover from the shock. Particulars have reached Dublin of a cock fight in the Queen's County, the stakes being £ 500. Some of the birds came from America. The contest commenced at Queen's County, the stakes being £500. Some of the birds came from America. The contest commenced at six o'clock in the morning, before an immense crowd. The final battle lasted two hours and a half, until the birds were almost dead. The Stradbally birds were declared the victors as against those representing Mary: borough. On Tuesday a case of sunstroke occurred on the Western Heights of Dover to a labourer named Her- bert. He was walking near a cliff, and had a narrow escape from falling over. The heat on the south coast has been intense during the last few days, the thermo- meter registering 120 deg. On Wednesday an inquest was held at Macclesfield on the body of John Gee, aged 15, an inmate of the industrial school, who, after returning from an errand on Monday, complained of intense pain in the eyes and head. It appears that the deceased, with another boy, had tried who could stare longest at the sun. This piece of folly was attended with fatal results, for towards night the pain became intense, and despite all the efforts of the master of the institution, the boy died in great agony. Shortly before eleven o'clock on Tuesday night Clara Jardine, a visitor from London, died suddenly at the Hall-by-the-Sea, Margate. While dancing she suddenly staggered, and fell into her partner's arms. It was at first thought that she had fainted, but upon being removed from the room it was found that she was dead. A telegram published by a New York paper reports that the Chinese Vice-Consul at Victoria, British Columbia, has been stoned in the street by a crowd of people, excited by hatred of the Chinese. The number of failures in England and Wales gazetted during the week ending Saturday, August 9, was sixty-four. The number in the corresponding week of last year was 177, showing a decrease of 113, being a net decrease in 1884, to date, of 4311. A Parliamentary return issued on Wednesday, granted upon the motion of Mr. Slagg, shows that the gross revenue in the financial year 1883-84 was jg83,884,749, and the net produce (after deducting charges of collection) £71,902,060, as against £84,366,807 and B73,587,338 respectively in the previous year, and as against £74,481,172.and £65,169,990 in 1873-74. The Austrian Empress Elizabeth and her daughter, thej Archduchess Mary, on Sunday night made an ascent of the steep and dangerous mountain known as the Austrian Rigi, in the Salzburg Alps, 1700 metres high, • Having witnessed the sunrise from the summit thej r descended without accident. In New South Wales more rain is wanted in the dry parts. The absence of feed has prevented stock travel- ling, and has led to the formation of a shipping trade in cattle between Sydney and Gladstone. The supply of labour continues about equal to the demand. Domestic servants are scarce. The University of Heidelburg has declined an offer Ion of 100,000 marks, because of a condition accompanying it that ladies should be permitted to study at the Uni- versity A subscription has been opened at St. Petersburg, in order to raise the money for instituting at the Uni- versity five bursaries in the name of Charles Darwin, to be employed for the maintenance of five students in the chief branches of natural science. The number of visitors to the International Health Ex- hibition for the week ending August 9 was 223,178. Total since the opening 1,877,638. On Bank Holiday 71,884 persons visited the Exhibition, being 11,361 in excess of the attendance on any previous day, either at the Fisheries or Health Exhibition. Nine British and seven foreign owned vessels were reported as actual wrecks during last week, the total for the present year now being 909, against 114 for cor- responding period of last year. Two vessels (British) sunk by collision, causing the loss of 20 lives. A British sailer was wrecked with all hands, and a Dutch steamer with three. lives. During a fight between two miners named James Emery and William Ball, outside a public-house at Walsall, on Saturday, Emery fell down dead from the effects of a severe blow behind the left ear, dealt by Ball. Ball, who quickly fled, was apprehended soon afterwards. At Lord's Cricket-ground, the other day, W. Barnes, playing for M.C.C. v. Suffolk, hit a ball to square-leg with such force that it entered the open door of the tavern, traversed through two bars, and made its exit into the St. John's-wood-road by shattering a large plate-glass window in the front of the tavern. From Cracow it is reported that the indictment against two men named Moses and Gittel Ritter, oa a charge of murder, somewhat resembling the celebrated Tisza-Esslar case, has been published, and fills sixty-one folios. The trial is expected to last three weeks, and seventy-four witnesses will be examined. Ritter is accused of having murdered a Christian girl. In London on Tuesday, at the Mansion House Police-court, three women, who were severally charged on remand with attempting to commit suicide by throw- ing themselves into the Thames, were each ordered to find one surety for their good behaviour for six months, or in default fourteen days' imprisonment. A deputation of British workmen are about to pro- ceed to Germany, Austria, Holland, and France, to inquire into the condition of the beet sugar industry, and the effects of the bounty system. The delegates will address a meeting of workmen on their return. Another secret printing-press has been discovered at Saratow. It was managed by a fugitive from Siberia, named BogdUnow, who shot himself dead while the police were searching the cellar where he was hiding. They seized papers relating to a vast conspiracy for the release of exiles in Siberia. The plot extended to Saratow, Kasan, Torsk, and Simbiorok, in which towns numerous arrests have been made. Information from Geneva states that during a storm a house in the Villard-Lurin, near Brides-les-Bains, was struck by lightning and set on fire. The conflagration spread rapidly, and ninety houses were attacked by the flames. At Marseilles, a serious conspiracy, possibly induced by fear of the cholera, has been discovered at the prison on the Boulevard Chave. Twenty-five of the prisoners, provided with crowbars, files, &c., obtained from with- out, had formed the project of escaping last night after killing their warders. They were betrayed by one of their number, and have all been put in irons. The revision of the Old Testament, which was finished last month, does not include the Apocrypha But it is not improbable that some members of the committee will continue to meet—though not at West- minster-and undertake a revision of the Apocrypha on the same principles. A Reuter's telegram, dated Presburg, August 9, says that Captain Hofer, of the Infantry, an officer who has distinguished himself in several campaigns, has shot his wife dead, and afterwards committed suicide. The bill for continuing the appointment of a Fourth Commissioner of the Irish Land Court has been with- drawn. A successor to Viscount Monck, therefore, will not be immediately nominated. The Savings Banks Act Amendment Bill has also been withdrawn. Dr. N. S. Keith stated at a recent meeting of the New York Electrical Society that the number and extent of aerial wires in New York has been largely overstated. On reliable authority he found that the telephone com- panies had about 6000 or 7000 miles, the Western Union about 3000, and the other companies in pro- portion. The son of a Lancashire farmer, Mr. William Foster, of Radcliffe, near Manchester, has met with a shocking death on the Welsh mountains, about eight miles from Wrexham. He was staying at Bulchgwyn, and on the evening of his return home he fell down the disused shaft of an old lead mine, the mouth of which was completely concealed by wild raspberry bushes. A platelayer, named William Carpenter, in the employ of the Great Western Railway Company, was knocked down by an express train near Gresford on Saturday and died dreadfully mutilated. Death was instantaneous. The Archbishop of Canterbury has forwarded to the Earl of Mount-Edgecumbe a letter, received by him from Sir Henry Ponsonby, intimating that her Majesty has determined to give a donation of zC200 to the Truro Cathedral Building Fund. Two children, a brother and sister, named Maddock, were walking out with their nurse, and while crossing Low Flat-bridge, over the canal, the little boy fell into the water. His sister jumped in to rescue him. The nurse raised an alarm, but before assistance arrived the lad was drowned, and the girl was rescued by a youth named Manning in a very exhausted condition. Archibald Mackenzie, a young man residing in Edin- burgh, was drowned while bathing in the Forth, near Leith. Two of his brothers who were with him tried, but were unable, to rescue him, and with difficulty escaped themselves being carried to sea by a strong outgoing tide. The body was afterwards recovered with grapnels. The earnings of the American railways in 1883 averaged 4J per cent. upon the whole of the invest- ments the earnings per mile being, gross, 7400 dols.; and net, 3000 dols. By Russian Imperial order the delivery of the works cf 125 different authors, native and foreign, to libraries and public reading rooms is strictly prohibited, as well as of eight Russian newspapers and reviews. On Saturday morning the shipbuilding yard of Messrs. Roach and Chester, Pennsylvania, was de- stroyed by fire. The damages are estimated at 500,000 dols, A divine in the United States has been figuring about their future population. He estimates that in the year 2100 their population will be 400 000,000; in the year 2200 it will be 800,000,000; in the year 2300 it will be 1,600,000,000; and in the year 2400 it will be 3,200,000,000. During July, 541,801 tons of coal were brought to London by rail, and 290,571 tons by sea. This is a falling-off of 34,706 tons as compared with July of the previous year. Sea-borne coals were 21,390 tons in excess, but coals brought by rail showed a decrease of 56,096 tons. The return for the year so far shows a falling-off of nearly 100,000 tons. Last week's receipts of cotton at all United States ports were 2000 bales; since 1st September, 4,801,000 bales. Week's exports to Great Britain, 15,000 bales; ditto to Continent, 1000. Total since 1st September, 3,798,000 bales; stock at all ports, 193,000 bales; stock at interior towns, 15,000 bales. The London Gazette," of Aug. 8, announces that her Majesty has by warrant declared it to be her Royal will and pleasure that in all times hereafter the judges of county courts in England and Wales shall be called, known, and addressed by the style and title of' his Honour' prefixed to the word I judge' before their re- spective names, and shall have rank and precedence next after knights bachelors." A New York telegram states that the visible supply of wheat on Aug. 8 was 15,100,000 bushels, as against 12,800,000 bushels the previous week. Visible supply of Indian corn, 4,400,000 bushels, as against 4,700,000 bushels the previous week. The export clearances of wheat for Europe during last week amounted to 2,170,000 bushels; the export clearances of Indian corn for Europe during the week amounted to 300,000 bushels. A formidable vessel was added to the Italian Navy on Saturday. Her capacity is 10,000 tons; she is fitted with ten boilers to work very powerful engines. Two turrets will be armed each with two large guns of 76 or 100 tons; and the frigate will be fitted with a ram, and two tubes for discharging torpedoes. A Madrid telegram states that a destructive fire broke out on Saturday evening at La Granja, in one of the streets near the Eoyal Palace. The fire was not ex- tinguished until six houses had been burned down. | The additions to the Zoological Society's Gardens, Regent's Park, London, during last week, included a Rhesus monkey from India, presented by Miss Sturge; a bonnet monkey, from India, presented by the Rev. ] T. Eickards; a common fox (British), presented by Mr. Thomas Legg a king vulture, from South America, presented by Mr. August Strunz two red-tailed buz- zards, from Jamaica, presented by Mr. D. Morris; a martinique waterhen, captured at sea, presented by Mr. A. Jones; two jackdaws (British), presented by Mrs. Frank; a kestrel (British), presented by Mr. G. West- rup; a crested curassow and an anaconda, from British i Guiana, presented by Mr. G. H. Hawtayne, C.M.S.S., a grey amphisbsena, from Portugal, presented by Mr. W.[C. Taitj C.M.Z.S.; a golden-crowned conure from r South-East Brazil, deposited: a black hornbill, from West Africa, purchased; a three-quarter bred Mesopo- tamian deer, born in the gardens. Colonel Mon'gomery, the Thirteenth Regimental District, and formerly of the Prince Albert's (Somersetshire) Light Infantry, dropped down i dead in a Street in Taunton on Saturday evening. A barman named James Magor, of Scarborough, was drowned on Saturday while bathing near that place. It is supposed that he was seized with cramp. The town of Jaslo, in Galicia, a place of somr extent, has been almost entirely destroyed by fire. The Land Agents' record states that the large plot of land covered by the Millbank Penitentiary at Westminster has been sold at £135,000, or about 15s. per superficial foct. As the adjacent property is worth from £1 10s. to £2 per foot super, the purchasers expect to realise a profit of at least £ 45,000 by their operation. The Russian Government has expelled from the Vistula district about seventy unemployed foreigners of different nationalities.. Mr Howard Vincent, until recently the Director of Criminal Investigations in London, is now visiting Canada, to investigate fully the educational institutions of the country. He will afterwards proceed on a similar errand to the United States-and Australia. The Wellington Statue, which has- arrived safely at Aldershot, has been deposited at the military stores close to the South Camp, pending the erection of a suitable stand or pedestal on which to,place it. The new parish church ot Glendinnes, Banffshire, was OR Monday afternoon struck by lightning and set on fire. The belfry was completely consumed, and the roof was much damaged before the flasies eould be ex- tinguished. When its fastenings gave way the bell fell into the edifice, smashing many seats and some wood- work in the interior. At Oxford on Sunday, a ropemaker named Nutti committed suicide by lying on the line at Port Meadow railway crossing, and allowing a train to pass over him. The Board of Trade have awarded abinoeular glass to Captain Mathieu Correwyn, of the Belgian fishing vessel Avenir, of Antwerp, in recognition of his humanity and kindness to three of the crew of the fishing smack Ben Bolt, of Hull, whom he picked up near the Doggerbank, on the 10th December last, after they had been in an open boat for twenty-six hours without food or water. On Monday morning Mr. J. D. Peyton, teller of the National Bank at Dungarvin, was discovered with his throat cut and quite dead. The suicide was of a very determined character, the deceased having severed his jugular vein and windpipe. He was 30 years of age ana unmarried. The lately published report of the Superintendent of the Thuggee and Dacoity Department of India shows a remarkable increase in the number of acts of violence since 1880, especially in Rajpootana, Central India; and Hyderabad. The total number of cases reported was, in 1880 146, in 1881 244, in 1882 315, and in 1883 363. The number of Dacoits, or gang robbers, was estimated last year at 13,186, and the value of property stolen 5,08,140 rupees. Considerable activity is now being shown in the de- velopment of the coal resources of the Canadian North- West. The Galt coal mines, near Medicine Hat, are turning out as much as 1000 tons per week, the coal being largely used as fuel on the Canadian Pacific Rail- way, the main line of which passes to the north of the mines. The Merchant Taylors' Company have sent a second donation of 100 guineas to Professor Monier Williams for the funds of the Oxford Indian Institute. A terrible accident occurred to two men of the 1st King's Own Battalion of Lancashire Volunteers on Saturday morning, near Grange-on-Sands, where the Battalion has been encamped for the pastweeie.. Ser- geant Jones and Private Henry Airey were firing the- morning cannon at five o'clock, when it was blown to pieces. Airey was killed, but Sergeant Jones escaped without serious injury. The Democratic barbecue at Lexington on the 29th was attended by 10,000 persons. Eighty-five oxen, Southdown sheep, and hogs were roasted whole in trenches and served with waggon loads of bread, roast fowls, vegetables, &c. At Fairview, in Erie county, Penna., a crowd. of farmers attempted last week to lynch A. J. Nellis, who had attempted to collect a royalty on the use of an infringement on his patented hay fork. He was res- cued with a rope round his neck. In Paris on Sunday several bales of cotton landed on the Quai Henri Quatre took fire from the intense heat of the sun, and the damage is reported to be £ 4000. Four youths attempted to ascend Slieve Donard Mountain, in Donegal, on Sunday. One of them missed his footing, and was precipitated over the Eagle Rock, falling a distance of 240 feet. His lifeless and shock- ingly mutilated body was afterwards discovered. The body ol Herr Elsner, the Dublin musician, who mysteriously disappeared from a Holyhead steamer, was washed ashore on Sunday at the Isle of Man. A deliberate attempt to throw a train off the rails- on the narrow gauge railway between Letterkenny and Londonderry was reported on Monday. Several iron pieces were driven into the side of the rail, and bent over it so as to catch the flange of the wheel. The engine struck the obstruction, broke the pieces of iron in every case, and passed safely. The revival of brigandage in the Roman province is beginning to excite some concern in the capital. Another daring robbery has been perpetrated. The victim is the steward of Prince Torlonia's farm near Ceri, the ancient Caere. He and a coachman on the estate were carried off by three brigands, who com- pelled the former to write a letter to his brother asking for a ransom of £120, and the latter to be the bearer of it. At Skerries, county Dublin, a number of men were working in a sand-pit on Saturday morning, when some earth fell, killing one man and injuring several others. A band of stock thieves have been run down and captured by regulators at Willowa Valley, Oregon. Seventeen thieves were caught with a large number of horses. Two ringleaders were hanged. In North Carolina and Tennessee the mountaineers used to experience trouble with ivy roots in clearing land. These roots now bring 10 dols. and 12 dols. a ton from manufacturers, who turn them into door and bureau knobs, and instead of being the nuisance they were a very few years ago, now bring more than the land would at that time. Advices from St. Lucia state that the steamer Bracadaile arrived there on the 3rd instant with emigrants from Calcutta. Thirty-one cases of cholera occurred on board during the voyage, of which twenty ended fatally. There has been no fresh cases for 29 days. A telegram from Lloyd's agent at Saint Nazaire, dated August 11, states that the Red Rose, steamer, of Cardiff, from Decido, north coast of Spain, to Cardiff, with mineral, has been totally lost at Raz du Seine. The crew were landed at St. Nazaire. The Red Rose was an iron screw steamer of 1257 gross tons, owned by Mr. P. Rowe, Cardiff, and classed 100 Al at Lloyd's. Paris advices state that tne supplies of wheat brought forward upon the French provincial markets during the week have been restricted. On the other hand, the amount of business passing has been as limited as hitherto, and quotations have further given way to a slight extent. Prices have also shown weak- ness in the French ports. The Chilian Government has decided to engage a number of German schoolmasters- to carry out a com- plete reform of the educational system of Chili. A high official has come to Germany in order to conclude the necessary contracts. The fire insurance companies of Sweden, have offered a reward of 2000 crowns for the most practical device to arrest sparks and cinders from locomotive and steam- boat smoke stacks. A trial of different devices that may be sent in will take place in StOGkholm, d'iring the present month. The Austrian traveller, Herr Von Ilesse-Wartegg, has just returned to Europe from a tour of several months' duration through Mexico and the less-known Republics of Central America, where he made a careful survey of the lake diistricts of Chapala and Passenaro. As an instance of the extraordinary catches now being obtained by the herring fishing fleets in the North, it may be mentioned that a Kirkealdy boat arrived in Aberdeen on Saturday with 131 crans of good fish on board. Three soldiers belonging to the Royal Irish Rifles have had rather a narrow escape at Dover. They were bathing from the shore just beyond the East Cliffe, and were cut off by the rising tide, the sea having en- croached so far that they were unable to get back to the path they had eome down. A boat which was passing at the time noticed the men trying to wade through the water, and went to their assistance and landed them on the beach. The imports of live stock and fresh meat to this country from the United States and Canada landed at Liverpool last week show a falling off in the arrivals of both live stock and fresh meat when compared with those of preceding weeks. The total imports amounted to 1962 cattle, 5517 qrs. of beef, and 355 carcases of mutton. Ronald Irving, aged eighteen, and Neill Macullum, aged fifteen, both belonging to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, were swimming in Newbiggin Bay on Saturday after- noon, when, as they were making for the shore, they became exhausted, and both were drowned. It is stated that notwithstanding the reports pub- lished by the Turkish newspapers that the plague had been stamped out in the province of Bagdad, it has again appeared with increased force at Kerbellah, owing to the large number of pilgrims who have arrived there. According to intelligence received from Smyrna, Sadyk Pacha, a former Turkish Minister of Finance, who has been under the most strict police supervision, 1 has been handed over to justice, charged with illegal Bourse speculations detrimental to the State Treasury,