The Aberystwith Observer

At the police-court, at Newbury, the urban sanitary authorities prosecuted an Irishwoman, named Alice Lane, who keeps a common lodging-house, for allowing persons of both sexes above eight years to occupy the same sleeping apartment, the said persons not being married couples. The state of things prevailing at this lodging-house was recently brought to light during the hearing of a case in which a negro preferred a charge of theft against a girl. The magistrates fined defendant 15s., including costs. Sir Robert Fowler, M.P., distributed "the annual prizes on Wednesday night to the students of the North London School of Art. The report of the committee was of an encouraging character, the number of suc- cesses exceeding by 41 those of last year, and the general merit of the work being considered higher than that of any previous year.

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If you suffer from any Bowel disorder, such as PILES, CONSTIPATION, FLATULENCE, COLIC, you have here a remedy you can always rely upon. If you suffer from PALPITATION, and are afraid that your HEART is affected, you will find these Pills an EFFICACIOUS REMEDY. If you suffer from HEADACHE and GIDDINESS, George's Pills will remove these PAINS sooner than any other known medicine. If you have PAIN AFTER EATING, and feel DROWSY and LISTLESS, one dose of George's Pills will act like a charm. If your FOOD TURNS SOUR and rises into the mouth, a few doses of this Remedy will make your. troubles a thing of the past. If you feel NERVOUS, EXCITABLE, and LOW SPIRITED a perfect ANTIDOTE will be found in George's Pills. If you have a DISAGREEABLE TASTE in the month, a SINGLB DOSE of George's Pile and Gravel Pills at bed-time will clear the tongue before the dawn of another day. If SLEEP fails to give you REST Try George's Pills. They will make your bed easy, sleep refreshing, and REVIVE your STRENGTH. If you feel unfit for EXERTION, WEAK, and LIMP, this Remedy will restore your ENERGY and STRENGTH, and will make labour and Exercise the ENJOYMENT of your life. If you are troubled with NAUSEA and VOMITING at the thought of eating, a box of George's Pills will make your meat and drink both SAVOURY and PLEASANT. If your BLOOD is impure, it will keep open all the important outlets of the body, and thus give free exit to all GROSS HUMOURS, and no more BLOOD IMPURITIES will be seen bursting through the Skin in PIMPLES, BLOTCHES, SORES, or BOILS. In thousands of cases it has removed from the Blood, root and branch, RHEUMATIC, SCORBUTIC, and SCROFULOUS Taints that had defied all other Remedies. If you have a tendency to DROPSICAL SWELLINGS, this Remedy, by its action upon the KIDNEYS and SKIN, will soon bring' relief. If you have DIFFICULTY OF BREATHING, this remedy will prove a friend to you in the hour of need. It will change your constant ailing to freedom from pain. It will change the sallow complexion to the bloom of health. It will change your sickliness to vigour; your languor to activity; and your general debility to firmness of sinew and muscle. It is APERIENT, and therefore will remove CONSTIPATION. It is ANTIBILIOUS, and will, therefore correct all irregularities of the Liver. It is DIURETIC, and will, therefore, keep open the water passages. It is TONIC, and will, therefore, give tone and vigour to the DISGESTIVE ORGANS. It ia BLOOD-PURIFYING and NERVE-STRENGTHENING: it is, therefore, ALL YOU WANT. These World-renowned Pills are sold everywhere, in Boxes Is 1 íd and 2s 9d each. 2 A MAGISTRATE'S TESTIMONY-T have looked over hundreds of original testimonials received by Mr J.E. George, M.R.P.S., Hirwain, bearing upon the cures effected by his Pile and Gravel Pills. Th writers of these letters are unanimous in their testimony to the marvellous remedial powers of Mr George' remedies. I look upon the bundle of testimonials placed before me as a satisfactory proof that he has, by his discovery, been the means of alleviating the pains of a multitude of sufferers. D. E. WILLIAMS, J.P. for the Counties of Brecon & Glamorgan CONSUMPTION i I have a. positive remedy for the above disease; by itq use thousands of cases of the worst kind and of long standing have been cured. Indeed so strong is my faith in its efficacy, that I will send TWO BOTTLES FREE, altogether with an ENTIRELY NEW AND VALUABLE TREATISE on this Dis- ease to any sufferer. Give address in full. Dr T. A. SLOCUM, 5, Plum Tree Court, Farringdon Street, London. CONSUMPTION AND ITS FINAL CUEE. Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Copies have now been issued tf MR. G. T. CONGREVE'S Work on CONSUMPTION, ASTHMA, CHRONIC BRONCHITIS & other CHE £ DISEASES. SIXPENCE Post Free), from the Publisher, ELLIOT STOCK,62,PATERNOSTERRow.Londo s"E.C. Just Published, the APPENDIX To the above Treatise, being a reprint oI be tween Two and Three hundred INTERSTING AND AUTHENTIC CASES selected from those which hare appeared in the Weekly Jour- nals from 1881, t* the present time. NOTKI are appended to many of these case* which prove the cure to be FINAL Alt b PERMAKEWT." This Appendix sent POST FREE on applica ion to the Author only—COCMBB LODGJI PBCKHAM MONEY.—IMPERIAL DEPOSIT BANK, 18, I n Adam-street, Strand, London.—ADVANCES lIIade printely at a day's notice, from 20 ( to 2,0002. to male or femalt, in town or oountry, upon promissory notes, with- out bill of sale, on the following terml;- Advance £20 Twolve monthly repayments of 91 15 0 „ 30 „ 2 12 0 i, SO » 4 7 8 „ 100 „ 14 15 0 Larger amounts the same in proportion, and, if desirtd, the capital can remtfp so long as the interest is paid. Advmces also made upon the mortgage of Furnitnre Stock, Crops, Deeds, and Life Policies. I)istance no object. Seud or prospcstus to CHAS. J. KNIGHTLKY, Manager. BOOKBINDING OF EVERY DESCRIP- TION AT EDWARD EDWARDS, GREAT DAREGATE. STREET, ABEBYSTWTTH Back numbers of Serial Works Obtained. MONEY ADVANCED PRIVATELY From J22Q to £ 5000. To responsible persons, Male or Female, in Town or Countrj at One Day'g Notice, upon PROMISSORY NOTES, WITHOUT ANY OTHER SECURIT! Also upon Deeds, Leases, Life Policies, Stocks, Shari Legacies and Reversions at Five per Cent. Distance no object, as Loan. may be repaid by Cheques < Postal Orders, and so long as the interest is paid the capit can remain. All COMMUNICATIONS are STRICTLY PRIVATE. Apply peisonally, or by post, to the actual lender, C. CHARLES, Esq., 4, Waterloo Place, Pall Mall, London. V.B.—Established 1867, since which period the money ad- vanced by Mr CHARLES exceeds 5,800,0001, and no good application is ever refased. A CARD. MR. J. D. ROBERTS, M.R.C.V.S., VETERINARY SURGEON, IS now establishing a Practice at Aberystwyth, and can be consulted daily at the LION ROYAL HOTEL. E. & R. REES, COACH BUILDERS, MARY STREET, ABERYSTWYTH, BEG to announce that, having extended their pre- mises, they have additional facilities for con- ducting their Business. NEW CARRIAGES ON HAND. Every description of Carriages built to Order. WEIGHTY WORDS FOR ENGLAND'S DAUGHTERS. THE ENORMOUS REGULAR SALES OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TONS OF SINCLAIR'S SOAP FOR ALL WATERS Is the best prdof that The Public know and appreciate ITS MAGICAL CLEANSING PROPERTIES, mud THOROUGH STERLINQ VALUE. A BOON TO RICH AND POOR ALIKE. It cannot injure the most delicate Fabric. Sold by Grocers & Oilmen Everywhere. J. SINCLAIR & SON, Sowthwaik-street, LOll DON, S.E., and 35, Whiteehapol, Liverpool. Beware of ImiUtiens. BEFORE BUYING A WATCH ANYWHERE, write for The Illustrated Pamphlet," sent free on application by the LARGEST WATCH MANUFACTURER." FIRM FOUNDED 1745. WATCHES, £1 TO £1,000. Send your WATCH and JEWELLERY REPAIRS by post, Registered, which will be given only to Skilful Workmen. Estimates sent before doing the Work, and I take Risk and Cost of Carriage back. T. R. RUSSELL (MAKER TO THE QUEEN) CATRSDBAL WORK, 18, CHURCH-ST., LIVERPOOL

IN Singapore, if a lover can catch his adored in a canoe race, he can marry her. Hence the expression canoebial bliss." I;

THE BARRIER BETWEEN; OB, REPENTED UNTO DEATH. CHAPTER II.—(continued.) 'HE looked eagerly around. From my son--my long absent son ? Harold is coming home nay, he is here now, and you seek to prepare me to receive him Oh, no, sir. Pray do not jump to a conclusion so far beyond the reality. Harold has not come-is not coming, but something that must add greatly to his happiness has occurred." He regarded her doubtfully, and slowly said "You give me a riddle I cannot solve, Amy. There is but one thing that can increase the felicity of Harold, and that he must cross the Channel to claim." That is the error, sir, into which you have all fallen, for I will not affect to misunderstand you. I have long since told you that your son and myself are only good friends, and the event I come to announce will at last convince you that I am right." Mr. Danvers grew perceptibly paler, and his blue eyes emitted a sudden flash of anger—so sharp, so keen, that it resembled the bright glare of forked light- ning. He kept his searching glance fixed upon the 7 shrinking girl before him, as he slowly said, after she had told him all the news- And it is you who have taken it on yourself to an- nounce to me the marriage of the man who should have been your own husband who you know loved you above all created beings ? Amy Cunningham, did you cast my boy off at last, or, if—if it is not so, may the malediction of the father, whose name he has dis- honoured-" Amy started up, and deprecatingly clasped her hands. Oh, sir-oh, Mr. Danvers, pause before that terrible denunciation is completed. Harold, for three years past, has been as free as air, to woo or win whom he pleased. I gave him back his troth before we parted see, I am calm—I voluntarily took upon myself the task of revealing his marriage to you. Could I have done this, if my own hopes had been dis- appointed ?" The old man was still trembling with excitement, fauc after a pause of some length, he said I am bound to believe you, Amy, for you have always seemed to me the very incarnation of truth but you have wronged both myself and my son. I wished to have you for my daughter; you alone should have been the wife of Harold. Ah! my dear, who can ever fill your place to either of us ?" His new bride will doubtless be able to do so. See -here is his letter to you-read it, and see how glowingly he describes her. When she comes to your home, she will soon rival your poor Amy, even in your heart." "Never, child. Don't talk nonsense; no one else tan ever come so near my own children, as you have contrived to do. Break the seal of my letter, and get me my glasses; or, better still, Amy, do you read what he says, for this unexpected announcement has unsettled my nerves." She gently suggested— This letter was designed for your eye alone had you not better read it yourself, sir ? I scarcely think Harold would wish me to be the first to look on its contents." Who cares what he wishes ?" replied the old gentleman, testily. There can be nothing in it that you cannot see, and the vagabond may be glad that I will permit it to be read at all, in my presence. What do I care who he may have picked up in his travels, and given our name to, since he would not give me the only daughter I ever desired him to bring to me ? Read it, child, I bid you, for I am getting out of patience." CHAPTER III. THAT UGLY LITTLE PERSON. POOR AMY, thus commanded, unclosed the envelope, and, with a great effort, steadied her voice sufficiently to obey. She scarcely knew how to read the lines that seemed to flicker and fade before her but she did so without faltering. The letter was almost a counterpart of the one to Mrs. Anderson, but at its close was a message to herself, which ran thus I am aware, dear father, that you have long ex- pected that Amy and I would finally cast our lot together; but I despaired of winning her. Tell her that in my heart of hearts her image will ever be worn; though, alas nothing but this shadow can ever be mine. Had she been within my reach, no other woman should ever have been claimed as my wife. Amy will understand this, and you will both think of your wanderer and his bride with kind wishes for their happiness. Inclosed in the same envelope was another epistle, written in a delicate female hand, and that, too, Mr. Danvers silently motioned her to read. With even greater reluctance, Amy unclosed it, and glanced down a page, closely written in French and, with a sort of self-mockery, she read aloud the eloquent and graceful address of Mrs. Harold Danvers to her un- known father-in-law. It was composed with singular elegance, and was so charming a letter, that it was impossible to avoid being prepossessed in favour of its writer. Amy's heart contracted painfully, and she mentally said: This woman is worthy to be loved, and Harold has evidently been fascinated by her. Well, I am glad that it is so she may make him far happier than I could have done." The listener was evidently pleased. His features relaxed in a smile as he took the letter and scanned its pages. A highly-educated woman could only have written this, Amy and Harold says she is accomplished and rich. Well, well, since you would not have him, perhaps he has done a wise thing. But he does not say a word about coming home. I hope the foreign bride will not expect to keep him always away from England. Eh, my dear, do you think she would be so exacting ?" I cannot tell, I am sure, sir but if Mrs. Danvers has been educated in Paris, as she probably has been, like many other Italian ladies of position are, she probably shares the opinion of Madame de Stael as to the impossibility of living contentedly in any other place. At any rate, Harold must bring his wife home to visit his family, though in these letters he has not hinted at such an intention." "I will write to him to return immediately, if possible. I must see his wife before I die, and I have not a great while to live. Three years is a long time, and my son has been away till my heart pines for his presence. But where are the pictures of which Harold speaks ? Did they not come with the letters ?" Colonel Fredericks brought the letters from Paris with Government despatches, yesterday. The box will be sent by mail, I suppose. Ah, here is Madge; she may have heard something of it." As Mrs. Anderson entered, she glanced apprehen- sively towards her father, but the calm expression of his face reassured her. She came forward, kissed him tenderly, and said You have heard of this sudden marriage, father, and you seem reconciled to it. I am so happy that the news did not excite you, or give you one of your old attacks." Pooh, child! there is nothing in this affair to make me ill. Harold has but done what he should have done years ago only he has not taken the right wife. But if Amy, here, would not say yes, the boy was right to find one that would. Has the box come ? I am impatient to see the evidence of my new daughter's artistic skill." Yes, sir; it has just arrived, and I gave orders to have it opened. Have it brought in here, that I may see it done." The command was issued, and the box was brought in. With the childish eagerness of old age, Mr. Danvers watched the opening, and aided in placing the pictures in the best light. Four landscapes, brilliantly coloured in the style of the modern French school of painting, were taken out. They represented Alpine scenery; and as they were ranged side by side for inspection, Amy, who was also a tasteful amateur artist, felt a certainty in her own mind that they were from different hands. The drawing, colouring, and general treatment were entirely unlike, and a cold weight fell upon her heart at this evidence of deception on the part of Harold Danvers and his newly-wedded wife. Why was this done ? What was the secret of this hasty union ? She trembled for the answer time might give to these queries, and looked with deep compassion upon the father and sister, who seemed equally pleased with these evidences of Mrs. Danver's accomplish- ments. They had no fondness for pictures, and Mrs. Anderson had inherited from her father an eye defective in the judgment of colours; they saw not the dis- crepancy which was so glaring to the cultivated tasto of Miss Cunningham; and Mr. Danvers ordered them to De liung in the clrawmg-rooms, and eiinbited to theii friends as the production of his new (laughter. While the three were engaged in examining them, the servant drew from the box a smaller frame, and freed it from numerous wrappings which had been carefullv placed aroupd ;t. He placed it. on the low marble nvcmtel, and, as Amy turned from her survey of the other paintings, she was startled to meet the dark, smiling eyes of a most life-like portrait. It re- presented a vroman of five-and-twentv, dark as a gipsy, with a full, well-rounded form, and features which, if not beautiful, were full of an indefinite attraction that she could not analyse. It was not the face of one to love or trust, yet the eye was fascinated, and returned again and again to scan its lineaments, and discover, if possible, wherein lay the spell that attracted it. There was in it finesse, strong will, and an expression of power, which seemed to give Amy a clue to the event which had so suddenly wrecked her own future. This woman had loved Harold Danvers, and she had triumphed over his vacillating character through the strength of an unscrupulous nature. Such was her solution of his mysterious marriage and she became heart-sick as she thought of all the misery that must grow out of this ill-assorted union. She had no longer even the poor consolation of believing that Harold might be happy with the wife he had chosen. A small card was stuck in the corner of the frame, on which was written, From Adelina Danvers, with her best love to her new father." Amy had thoroughly examined it before the others turned, and saw it smiling upon them. Mr. Danvers exclaimed Ah here is the best gift of all. This shall remain here, that I may look upon the wife of my dear son every hour in the day, and become well acquainted with the shadow before the original comes to rival it in my regard. A very fine-looking woman, really, but not of so delicate a type as his own countrywoman. p Handsome enough, though; don't you think so, Madge ?" Mrs. Anderson replied, with some reluctance- Mrs. Danvers is a different style of person from the one I imagined would please my brother. That woman will rule Harold. Her face does not please me and why Harold has been fascinated by her sufficiently to marry her I cannot fathom." Pooh! nonsense. Let her rule him if she can. Harold has idled along through life till he is nearly thirty, following only his own desultory whims. I am glad he has found someone to rouse him out of this dream of self-indulgence, and I hope this spirited woman will make him do sometJung worthy of his talents." If she will do that," said the sister, gravely, it would indeed be a blessing. My brother has disap- pointed me in many ways, but I own that this last step is the severest blow of all." 11 Why, what would you have, Madge ? Amy re- fused him, and he has sensibly chosen a woman of talent, family, and fortune. What does he say of her family ? She is the descendant of the younger branch of a noble house. Her father was the younger son of a younger son, but lie has built up a large fortune in commerce the best kind of nobility, ac- cording to my ideas, is that true blood which will not remain dependent or obscure, but re-ascends by in- dustry to the height from which misfortune had cast its possessor." M"s. Anderson gently said Dear father, you are happy and pleased in this sudden marriage, and therefore I am contented. Let us take the wife of Harold to our hearts, and ignore such faults as she may possess in common with the rest of the human race." Now you speak like a true woman, Madge. I will reply to Adelina's letter with my own hand, and you doubtless will say all that is suitable on your part." Amy glided away, and left the two together, in- sensibly wounded by the cordial recognition of this new tie on the part of her guardian, for she loved and reverenced him like an attached child. She found an excuse for him, however, in the slight taint of worldliness, which is sometimes found even in the finest natures, and is a fault generally found in those whose existence has been passed amid the pomps and vanities of fashionable life. That Mr. Danvers was charmed with the high birth, position and accomplishments of his son's wife, she clearly saw, and his first emotion of disappointment at the choice made by Harold was dispelled by his pride in the brilliant match he had made: Well, it was far better thus, but she still felt it acutely—un- reasonably she thought. Amy entered her own room; she locked the door, lowered the curtains, and then sat down in the darkened room, to realise the events of the day. At first all within her was a tumult of passionate des- pair-broken aspirations, and bewildering anguish; but gradually the waves surged back, the lofty nature regained its lost balance, and she bowed her head and prayed earnestly for strength to lift this great burden 1!1 from her life, and go upon the path appointed her, with faith and courage for that future which now looked so dreary. (To be continued.)

DENSE FOG AND SHIPPING DISASTERS. As dusk was approaching on Monday the general gloom of the day was aggravated by a thick white I'll fog which invaded the metropolis, settling mainly on the S.E. and S.W. districts. The presence of the fog in the City of London necessitated the lighting of the street lamps half-an-hour before the usual time, the City being the only part of the metropolis in which the boon of artificial light is given to the public before the alloted hour for lighting the lamps on dark or foggy days. The atmosphere in the City, however, became pretty clear by seven o'clock; but the fog continued dense on the Surrey side of the river, and caused much inconvenience and delay there to the vehicular traffic, especially to that of the omnibuses and tramcars which were bringing home those who had finished the business of the day. The mildness of the earlier part of the day disappeared when the fog set in, and the temperature was much lower on Mon- day night than it was in the morning. On Tuesday morning the fog was very dense in London. The fog which prevailed on the south Irish coast since Saturday still continued on Monday, and steam- boat traffic in Cork Harbour was suspended, owing to its density. The Cunard steamer Gallia, from New York, was detained for 12 hours in endeavouring to make the harbour for the purpose of disembarking mails and cargo, and the Samaria, of the same line, from Boston, passed Rochester Point on Monday morning, but did not attempt to come near the land, The Liverpool tug Recovery, due at Cork on Saturday evening to tow the American ship Eureka to Liverpool, did not arrive until Monday morning, owing to the dense nature of the fog in the Channel. A steamship, name unknown, ran down the smack Conqueror early on Monday morning south-west of the Girdler light. The Conqueror sank, but all hands were saved and landed at Southend. The steamer proceeded to London. The fog on Monday made its presence felt in ths provinces. During the whole of the morning it wa- very dense at Liverpool, causing very much incon- verience both to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Ob, jects could not be seen at above six yards' distance and in consequence the speed of light vehicles, trams, and omnibuses had to be reduced to walking pace. On the river there was, as usual, great inconvenience to shipping, but up to the latest reports there was only one of a slight collision between a ferry steamer and a steam-tug, neither of which sustained any note- worthy damage. The fog lifted in the town about noon. Manchester and Salford were enveloped in a fog of the densest character on Monday morning. Rail- way and vehicular traffic had to be conducted with the utmost caution; gas was necessary everywhere. Along the course of the Irwell the fog was intensely black, some of the streets being plunged in absolute darkness. There were some narrow escapes on the part of foot passengers from passing vehicles at street crossings. Owing to an engine having left the rails at Patricroft, some delay was caused to the early morning trains on the Exchange branch of the London and North-Western Manchester system. As a result of the precautions taken, however, nothing worse resulted than a slight inconvenience to passengers. At Bolton, also, the fog was dense on Monday night. At the railway station it was difficult to see at all, and about seven o'clock a marble sculptor, named James Greenwood, who was going home to Manchester, missed his footing, fell on the metals, and before he could be rescued he was caught by an incoming train and terribly injured, his right arm bsing literally torn from his shoulder. It was only by an almost miraculous accident that he was not killed outright for had he fallen on the other side the engine would have passed over his body. In the Channel at Dover there wks a dense fog on Monday night. Mist and fog which had been prevalent over the greater part of England, half of Ireland, and over Denmark, Germany, and France for the preceding day or two, prevailed generally over the English Channel on Tuesday. In some parts of the metropolis the fog was very dense, but save at the East-end and near the Thames had partially cleared at night. In the Mersey many large steamers and other vessels were detained for several hours outside the bar, and the mail boats between Dublin and Holyhead were considerably delayed. One or two serious railway accidents occurred. SERIOUS LOSS OF LIFE.—GREAT INTERRUPTION TO TRAFFIC. Wednesday's report showed that although the fog had lifted over central France, it still extended over a very considerable area along the whole coast from Spain to the south-west of Norway. The West of Ireland and Scotland remained under clear weather and mild south-westerly winds. The fog in London late on Wednesday night was rather denser and colder than it had been since Monday evening, when it first enveloped the metro- polis. Its density during Tuesday night was evidenced by the condition of trees and shrubs on Wednesday morning, the branches and the leaves of evergreens dripping with water just as if there had been a night of rain. In most parts of the metropolis great confusion and danger were caused on Wednesday in conducting traffic, and in the midst of vehicles of almost every class, pedestrians found that to cross the street was a very hazardous operation. There was some serious blocks during the day at Ludgate-circus, upon which four very busy thoroughfares converge and at Holborn- circus, at King William's statue, and at the top of Cheapside, close to the General Post-office, similar blocks occurred. Along the suburban lines of railway there were large fires burning in iron cages close to every signal-post in order to warn engine-drivers. Attendance of children at Board and other schools was very small on Wednesday, parents being afraid to allow them out in the fog. At night tne fog had cleared away considerably on the Surrey side, and was not so thick in the City as it was during the day. Over the northern area of the metropolis and in the West-end it was very dense; and that could also be stated of the suburban districts of Norwood, Forest- hill, and New-cross. The fog has caused the most serious incon- venience and loss on the Thames. Billingsgate market only received 500 packages of fish on Tuesday, and there was none to hand on Wednesday morning, and when the cargoes arrived they were greatly depre- ciated in value through the delay. About ten o'clock on Tuesday night the body of a man named Andgreve was found on the railway line near Dalston Junction, a train having passed over it. He had apparently wandered upon the line in the fog, not knowing where he was. Almost at the same time another man named Faulkner was discovered at the London-fields Station of the Great Eastern Railway, having had both his legs mutilated by a passing train, the accident presumably being attributable to the fog. On Tuesday afternoon the body of a man was found floating in the Regent's Canal basin, at Millwall. He has since been identified as John Foster, aged 25, mate of a sailing vessel belonging to Guernsey, lying in the East India dock, and it is supposed that in returning to his ship he got lost in the fog and walked over the side of the quay before he was aware of his mistake. The body of a young lad has since been found in the river near the same spot, and identified as George Govatt, aged 16, late of 11, Reams-street, Monier- road, Poplar. He also is believed to have accidentally walked into the river during the fog. Foggy weather was experienced on Wednesday at Windsor, and in some parts of the country between Slough and the western suburbs of the metropolis railway traffic had to be worked with caution, and fogmen were out on the Great Western line in various places. Most of the trains between London and Windsor kept their usual times. All water traffic at the entrances to the river Thames and Medway was suspended on Wednesday on account of the fog, which was the thickest ex- perienced for many years. The troopship Wye, which is under orders to convey a party of naval cadets to Gibraltar for the Channel Squadron, was de- tained in harbour through the fog. The mail service between Queenborough and Flushing, by which the Dutch and German mails are carried, was also inter- rupted, the packets not being able to leave for the Continent all day and night on Wednesday. In East Kent the fog increased in density on Tues- day night, and Wednesday morning a thick white fog enveloped the country, retarding vehicular and rail- way traffic, as well as that on the water. An extraordinary dark fog continued on Wednesday along the Sussex coast. At Eastbourne it was, if any- thing, worse than that which has prevailed during the preceding two days, and artificial light was necessary indoors, while traffic in the streets was much incon- venienced. The Channel was enshrouded in fog, and horns and whistles were continually heard. It is stated that the fog is denser in the neighbourhood than ever before experienced. The fog that had hung over the Solent for the last few days so increased in density on Wednesday that the Royal yacht Elfin, which carried the Queen's des- patches from Portsmouth to Osborne was more than an hour late on her arrival. The ordinary traffic to the Isle of Wight was suspended, and the county court had to be abandoned owing to the judge being unable to undertake' the journey. The mails to the island were carried in steam launches, but the company declined to take passengers, who were compelled to travel in open wherries. About noon the mist grew still thickcr, and even watermen refused to convey any more passsngers. The fog which set in at Southampton last Sunday night still continued very dense on Wednesday. The fog ultimately became so thick that all the mail steam- packet service was suspended. The Great Eastern express trains have been much delayed in consequence of the fog. The express from Sandringham to York, conveying Prince Albert Victor, arrived at Spalding two hours and a half late. The mist which prevailed at Sheffield on Tuesday was succeeded on Wednesday by a dense fog, and traffic was only carried on with difficulty. Shops and fac- tories were lighted as at night. On Wednesday night a platelayer named Hammond, while engaged laying fog signals on the main North- Western line at Vauxhall, Birmingham, was knocked down by a goods train and killed. In the thick fog' which prevailed he did not observe the train. At Bilston on Wednesday, during a dense fog, a woman walked into the canal, and was drowned. At Willenhall a carrier was driving to Walsall, when his horse got off the main road and fell into an open work. The cart was smashed to pieces and the horse was killed, but the man had a miraculous escape, receiving only a few bruises. The dense fog which prevailed at Derby on Tuesday and Wednesday considerably interfered with goods and passenger traffic on the Midland, the London and North-Western, and the North Stafford Railways. Owing to the dense fog prevailing on the Mersey on Tuesday evening, the Inman Line steamer City of Berlin was unable to leave for Queenstown to embark the United States mails on Wednesday. A dense fog hung over North Wales on Wednesday, causing great inconvenience to railway and vehicular traffic. In South Wales the fog was also very dense. Special means had to be adopted on the Taff and other railway lines for the regulation of the traffic. Another heavy fog visited Dublin on Wednesday morning, but not so dense as to interfere with the shipping in the Liffey. Heavy fogs prevailed in a large number of places in Ireland, and in Dublin gas had to be used. At Guernsey the fog on Wednesday remained dense. No mails had been received in the Channel Islands on Thursday morning since that made up in London on Saturday afternoon. Owing to the dense fog prevailing in the Channel and the consequent danger to navigation, the pas- senger service between Boulogne and Folkestone was suspended on Wednesday. From Boulogne it was re- ported that two vessels went ashore on Wednesday during the fog.

A TALE OF THE SEA. Two Swedish sailors were landed at Plymouth on Monday, the sole survivors of the American ship Alfred Watts, of New York, which was wrecked with the loss of 26 lives off the Bahamas. The survivors passed a dreadful time. The ship broke up, and they remained on a part of the wreck, from the main portion of which nearly all the other hands were washed away. There was then only one chance for those on the raft, and that was to get back to the wreck. This some of them did, but the owner's son, in his delirium walked into the water. Another was drowned who jumped into the water with the intention of swim- ming. A Russian who leapt into the sea in despair was seized by a shark, and a fourth was too ex- hausted to prevent himself from being washed away. The two Swedes finally reached the waterlogged Alfred Watts. There they sank down, exhausted and unconscious. On recovering they found plenty of food and water, and thus managed to live on the floating wreck until the Lizzie Perry took them off. The Lizzie Perry was herself subsequently wrecked during a great gale at Barbadoes, but all hands, in- cluding the rescued Swede, were saved by taking to the boats. They were, however, stripped of every- thing by the natives on shore.

ASSIZE ARRANGEMENTS. There has always been trouble about the trial of quarter sessions cases at the assizes. And it certainly does seem absurd (remarks the Globe) to bring the whole machinery of the Queen's Commission of Gaol Delivery, including, it may be, the Lord Chief Justice himself, to try, perhaps, some little girl who pleads guilty to stealing a brass thimble. That is an extreme, but possible case; and if she chose to plead not guilty, the grievance might amount to very serious waste of that public time which it is usual to regard, in theory, as of such immense im- portance. The proposed method of economising this precious commodity, and of keeping the judges of assize to such cases as they alone are competent to try, is to hold an extra Sessions before the assizes, so as to clear the prisons of minor cases. To this the Warwickshire Court of Quarter Sessions, and the grand jury attend- ing the same, object that trouble and waste of time would be simply transferred from the judges and assize functionaries to jurymen and others summoned for this extra duty. It is also pointed out-very properly-that the extra Sessions, occurring while the Assizes were in progress elsewhere on the same circuit, might deprive prisoners of the benefit of retain- ing the leading Sessions counsel, who might be engaged elsewhere. It is suggested, therefore, that the Commission of the Judges should be so worded as to exclude Sessions cases which should be post- poned to the next regular sessions. This is all very well; but how about that bulwark of our liberties, the habeas corpus? How about the right of a prisoner to be tried at the very next sessions or assize ? If the suggestion of the Warwickshire magistrates and grand jurors be adopted, there will unquestionably be this difficulty to be got over, or we may have our imaginary little girl, like some law- breakers on other occasions, taking her stand upon the Rights of the People and Constitutional Law. Has the Crown power to qualify a Commission of Gaol Delivery? And, if so, to what extent ? The question raised between the Home Secretary and the magis- strates of Warwickshire looks altogether uncomfortably large and perhaps the best solution would be to leave things as they are.

The Best Magazines For 1888. lit THE SPECTA TOR says So much trouble is taken with these periodicals, so much ability is at the disposal of the conductors, that it is difficult to bestow the praise which is really deserved without seeming extravagant." The Best Magazine For Sunday and General Reading. MONTHLY, (id. The Quiver. Now ENLARGED TC 80 PAGES EACH 31 ON TIT. From the Guardian. The Quiver appears in a new and enlarged form, greatly improved as to paper and type, and offers in greater bulk the attractions for which it has long been noted. There is more of THE QUIVER, but it is THE QUIVER still." 0 From the Sunday School Times. "There are several complete stories in THE QUIVER better worth a guinea and a half than many for which that sum is charged." From the Church Sunday School Magazine. The Quiver.—"We know of nothing to compare with THE QUIVER among the religious monthlies." From the Christian Union. The Quiver. 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No family can afford to be without CASSELL'S MAGAZINE. It is a perfect treasury of capital stories, beauiiful engravings, exquisite poems, and charming music. "-Sheffield Independent. The Best Magazine for all Children. ENLARGEMENT of Little Folks With the JANUARY PART, price 6d. Each Part now contains More Pictures. More Stories. More Pages than hitherto. Two SERIAL STORIES are commenced in the yANUARY PART., which contains COMPLETE STORIES by Mrs. MOLESWORTH, EDWARD S. ELI.IS, and other popular writers a beautiful COLOURED PICTURE by J. CLARK, a series of Humorous Pictures by WALTER CRANE, and many other exceptional attractions. "'LITTLE FOLKS' is the best magazine for children." Crapltic. I The Best Art Magazine.. MONTHLY, 1s. The Magazine of Art. The Saturday Review says:—"THE MAGAZINE OF ART represents art and the artistic movements of the day better than any other periodical." The Liverpool Mercury says :—"THE MAGAZINE OF ART is far away the best publication of its kind. 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