The Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald

TREATMENT OF THE CHOLERA IN PALESTINE. A correspondent of the Times writes thus:- "-Im your paper of the 30th of August one of your recommends, among other precautions against the cattle plague, the mixture of half a pint af prepared* charcoal with the daily allowance of food for each animal. M The same treatment, in a. modified form, may be auTBTstageouslv applied to the human family. I have seea it successfully used in the East as a precaution » the Prevalence of the cholera, or 'Howa el A&tat' (the yellow wind), as it is called in Arabic. ^le year 1855, when that terrible disease was ajtsjag about the Levant, I was living at Haifa, a sea- port town on the southern shore of the Bay of Acre, at the foot of Mount Carmel. This little town, the population of which was about 2,000, had never en- joyed the benefit of a sanitary commission. u guttered streets and nnpaved lanes "were tattle better than open sewers. The dust heaps near to the seashore had been allowed to grow into fao&a, steep, and firm barricades, formed of dead amma.1s, vegetable refuse, and all sorts of filth. j the 23rd of October a new Pasha far Acre •landed at Haifa. At the urgent entreaty of the Con- -sial- his Excellency ordered our little town to be aiaoroughly cleansed and swept. The work was com- menced at once, energetically, but not judiciously. The great dust heaps which had been so long undis- turbed were vigorously attacked, and the task of shovelling them into the sea occupied all the porters Mia boatmen of Haifa. Men and boys ran hither and thither with baskets of putrefying rubbish, and unwil- ling labourers were employed in raking and sweeping the deep and choked-up gutters of the crooked streets. The odours which arose in all directions were al- most unbearable. This attempt at sanitary reform in Haifa was suddenly arrested by the breaking out of oboisrs. 08 the night Jof the 25th of October. Chlo- Jids of lime was thrown over the heaps of corruption and along the disturbed gutters. "All the Europeans, with the exception of my brother (who was then English Vice-Consul at Haifa) artd myself, fled to the spacious convent on Mount ^arnael. Some of them, however, returned after the first shock of fear had passed away. The Moslems quietly smoked their pipes and a- waited their fate with resignation. "The native Christians—Latins, Greeks, and Mel- clites-were panic-stricken, and many of them re- treated to Acre and Nazareth. Those who remained .tZ'ied to propitiate Heaven, and to arrest the plague "a fasting. Relics, seapularies, and handker- eliieis which had touched the Holy Sepulchre were in great request. II The few Jews of Haifa (who, to their praise be it said, are industrious and skilful artificers) wisely whitewashed their houses, and pursued their daily avocations as usual. From the 25th of October to the 19 th of December cholera lingered in Haifa, gradually decreasing in mtensity. A large proportion of cases were success- fully treated. Among the Moslems the disease made the most aavoc, as they could not be persuaded to take pre- Ct. i ons- °lr aTly kind. There was not one case of eliolera in the Jewish quarter. The precautionary measures which appeared to sse to be the most effectual were. recommended by an intelligent native Christian doctor: A teaspoonful of fresh charcoal (made of wheaten bread, burnt in an open crucible), to be taken every morning before breakfast in a small cup of cafe noir-that is, strong aoffee without milk or sugar. "The same doctor advised the frequent fumigation of houses by burning fragrant gums; and, to the horior_of the ecclesiasties, he said it was very im- portant that no fast days should be observed during the prevalence of cholera. "As far as I could ascertain, those who used these measures wiih strictness and confidence generally ftaoaped, or recovered from attacks of the epidemic. An Armenian doctor, attached to the suite of the sjewly-appomted Pasha. of Acre, at my brother's re- Quest, was permitted to spend a short time with us at ille English Vice-Consulate. ."He: treated many cases of cholera successfully, "perhaps partly owing to the courage and confidence with which he inspired his patients. He generally, in the first place, ordered friction, and the outward appli- cation of heat. "He made a sort of smooth creamy paste, composed of equal parts of castor-oil, magnesia, gum arabic, sugar and water, and gave about a tea-spoonful every hour. (In this preparation I could sot perceive the slightest odour or taste of the oil.) The patient, who is generally very thirsty, was allowed to drink as 3Buch lime-flower water as possible, and was en- couraged to partake freely of gruel, made of three parts oatmeal and one part magnesia. Sometimes the doctor found it necessary to administer tincture of opium, in coffee, with a small quantity of pure spirits of wine, to overcome severe pain and prostration. Ae the patient progressed, camomile tea was given instead of lime-flower water. Bark and other stimu- lants with nourishing food of a simple kind could, in a arable case, Be taken on the third or fourth day. The Armenian doctor approved the use of char- coal, and encouraged it aa much as possible. The homes of the poorer classes of Haifa generally consist of one large room only. In these rooms a large OpeD basket containing a store of vegetable charcoal for fuel may always be seen. This accidental circum- fi 1Lce' helped to protect the inmates from wke bad air which surrounded them."

WILLS AND BEQUESTS. Probate of the will of the Right Rev. John Graham, B.D., Lord Bishop, of Chester, has been granted by the Court at Chester to the exeoutors-namely, Charlotte Graham, his relict, and Mr. Henry James Oakes, his brother-in-law, of Nowton-court, Bury St. Admundg. The personalty was sworn under £ 35,000. His lordship died on the 15th of June last, at the age -of seventy-one, having held the see of Chester since 1848, the revenue being returned at..84,500 per annum. He was formerly Fellow and Master of Christ College, m Ure University of Cambridge, and, upon his resig- nation of themastership received from the Master and Fellows ef Christ College a presentation of plate; this hia,lerdship leaves to his wife for her life, and after her decease to his- eldest son absolutely. He be- quesths to his wife an immediate legacy of X500, with the use of his boobs, plate, furniture, &c., and also leaves her a life interest in the remainder of his property, which, at her decease, is to be divided equally among all his children. The will of Mr. Robert Lucas Chsftice, of Summer- Seld-house, Warwickshire, was proved in the London Court, under .£300,000 personal property. The execu- tors are hissons—Robert Lucas Chance, Prank Chance, M.D., and John Homer Chance, to whom a special grant of probate was made, under certain limitations. The will and first codicil are respectively dated the 6th of December, 1861, and attested By W. Watkins and C. Baker, both of Sackville-street, Piccadilly. There is another codicil, dated 1862. The testator was an eminent manufacturer of glass, acids, and alkalies. He bequeaths to his wife an annuity of < £ 2,500, together jvith his resistance, and all the furniture, plate, library, c?»riages, &Q_ To his sister-in-law, the widow of his late brother Qfeorge, he leaves an annuity of £ 480; to his brother BdVrard, .£8000. year; and he his left various annuities and legacies to other parties; to his eldest SOD, Robert, a legacyof £ 19,000? to his son Frank, £ 16,000 and to his son James, = £ 14,000; and has appointed his said three sons residuary legatees in certain specified portions—to the eldest four-tenths, tmd the remainder in equal shares between the other two sons. To his daughter, Mrs. Sargant, he leaves a life interest in X20,000, and the principal, ather decease, to her children. To his eldestson he has left his entire interest in. i! E,,Imlby Fire-brick Company, Stafford- shire, The will of Francis Henry Fenton, of Fenton'sHotel St. Jameses-street, Piccadilly, was proved in the Lon- don Court, on the 7th ult., by the trustees and executors-Mrs. Ann Fenton, the relict; Claudius F. Du Pasquier, surgeon, 62, Pall-mall; and Robert Higgin (the testator's brother-in-law). The personalty wafs sworn under £ 45,000. The testator died on the 14th of June last, and* his will bears date December 13,1864. He bequeaths his hotel property to his wife for her life, subject to certain conditions and trusts also leaves her a life interest in X31,000 funded rpro- perty, which, after her decease, be leaves to his daughter Emily, wife of Martin Palmer (residing with the testator), and at her decease to her children; this is also subject to certain annuities and legacies to the grandchildren and others. The residue of his pro- perty he leaves to his son-in-law and grandchildren.— lilastratBd Lcmd&n News,

BISHOP COLENSO V. THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER AND OTHERS. Dr. Colanso, Bishop of Natal, has filed a bill in Chancery against the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Attorney-General, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Yiee-Chanceller Page Wood, Mr. Hubbard, and others, seeking to compel them to pay over the amount of kis salary from the Colonial Bishoprics Fund, which has been withheld during the last two years. The defen- dants in the case have filed their answer, and have fully set out the circumstances under which the fund was formed. In June, 1853, the council of the fund ap- propriated a capital sum of £10,000 for the establish- ment of the Bishopric of Natal, and Dr. Colenso was nominated bishop by the Duke of Newcastle, then Colonial Secretary. The defendants urge that they had nothing to do with the appointment of Bishop Colenso. Having adverted to the letters patent and the recent judgment of the Judicial Committee of Privy Council, the defendants say in their answer, We are advised that in accordance with the said judgment the letters patent are null and void so far as they purport to create any diocess, or to confer any legal jurisdiction or authority on the plaintiff, and that the plaintiff haa no power to exercise the function of a bishop in the colony of Natal, or, at all events, has no jurisdiction as a bishop in the colony, and is not himself subject to the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Cape Town as his Metropolitan, or to any other spiritual or ecclesiastical jurisdiction whatever; and we submit that if such is the case, the objects for which the funds hereinbefore-mentioned were subscribed and invested have not been obtained, which objects were in the first place to secure the pastoral care of a bishop for the clergy and people of the diocess of Natal, and in the second place to bring such bishop under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan, himself being subject to the Archbishop of Canterbury. And we declare our belief that none of the contributors to the Colonial Bishoprics Fund intended to contribute towards the support of a bishop such as the judgment of the Judicial Committee of Her Majesty Privy Council has decided the plaintiff to be-that is to say, a bishop without any jurisdiction over his clergy on the one hand, and entirely inde- pendent of all Metropolitan jurisdiction on the other." The defendants proceed to allege that the clergy of the diocess of Natal have refused obedience to Bishop Colenso; that one of the fundamental principles of all arrangements for the erection end en- dowment of colonial bishoprics was the maintenance and preservation of strict connection in doctrine and discipline between such bishops and the United Church of England and Ireland; that all the Arch- bishops and Bishops of such Church are trustees for the endowment of the see of Natal, and, as such, are authorised to withhold the income from the plaintiff. The case will be argued before Sir John Romilly, ia the Rolls Court, at the commencement of the forth- coming Michaelmas term.

A DESPERATE STRUGGLE WITH A HIGHWAYMAN. On Tuesday night one of the most daring attempts at highway robbery and murder that has occurred for many years in Ireland was made at a place a couple of miles, or rather more, to the north of Dublin. The perpetrator of the outrage had, it appears, been try- ing his hand on a smaller scale at highway robbery the two preceding evenings with some little success. On Tuesday, however, grown desperate or bolder, he at- tempted to plunder on a larger scale. A man named Joseph Cummins and his son (a. boy of fifteen) were returning from Dablin with two empty carts, having delivered some hay, when, after passing Finglas, a man came up from the side of a lonesome part of the road and seized the reins of the first horse. He called on Cummins to deliver up his money or take the consequences. Cummins, who is a power- fully-built man, refused, whereupon the man drew a revolver from his breast and repeated his demand. Cummins jumped off the cart and attempted to seize him, but the ruffian fired, and the bullet struck him in the left eye. Another bullet, the re- volver being fired a second time, struck him in the thigh, within a short distance of the femoral artery. They then closed, and a fierce struggle ensued, in which the efforts of Cummins to overpower his assailant were ably seconded by his son, who, with the butt end of a whip, inflicted severe chastisement on the head and face of the ruffian, and at length brought him to the ground. The ruffian fired at the boy, but the bullet went over his shoulder. The elder Cummins then held his assailant on the ground while hia son ran for the police to the nearest barracks. Having procured four constables at Finglas he returned with them to the spot, a car being pressed into their service, when they found the wounded man faint and bleeding, but still, by a desperate effort, overpowering his adversary. The Evening Mail savs:- He was at once raised to the car, and conveyed to Finglas Constabulary-barrack. The man was arrested, and taken to the same place. Constable O'Neill at once dispatched messengers for Captain Mndsay, the nearest magistrate; for Mr. Fennelly, the dispensary medical attendant; and for Mr. Gun, the sub-inspector. These gentlemen were soon is attendance. Mr. Fen- nelly attended to Cummins, whom he founds in a most- precarious condition, his life being in extreme peril. Whatever could be done under the circumstances, and) at the late hour of the night-twenty minutes past twelve o'clock—was done. Ms. Fennelly t&en turned his attention to the prisoner, whom he found very seriously injured about the fcea-3 and face. There was a lage wound on the top of the head, and other wounds in its vicinity. A portion of the head was also beaten to softness. The right ear, the eyes, and the forehead presented a shocking spectacle, being covered with gore from the wounds inflicted on them. The entire head was swollen to an unnatural size. The wounds were dressed, and the prisoner was conveyed to Glasnevin Police-barrack. On being questioned he stated that his name was Owen Flynn, and was a native of Spiddal, in the county of Galway, but had been taken to America when an infant, and that he had resided there ever since. He had lived in the Confederate Stefces, he said, and was understood to add that he had served in the Confed- erate army. The occasion of his return to Ireland was the confiscation by the Northerns of his people's pro- perty. He was dressed in a black frockooat, with velvet. collar, and dark waistcoat and trowsers. The coat was torn up the back in the struggle, and was covered with mud and filth. Therewere found on his person three silver sixpences, and a box containing fifty patent pistol bali) cartridges. Twelve of a similar kind of cartridge were found loose in his waistcoat pocket, as if for imme- diate use. The boy Cummins handed-the police a five- barrelled revolver which, he found on the road, and which he said he saw the prisoner drop as soon as he had fired the third shot. This weapon is of the most modern pattern; it is exquisitely finished and silver mounted. The prisoner admitted that it WAS his, and said he had bought it for twenty-five dollars in America. Two of the chambers were found loaded with the patent cartridges. Each of these contains a charge of powder, a ball, and the requisite detonating mixture, so that rabidity of load- ing and firing is attained with certainty. On going to the scene of the occurrence, constable Kelly picked up a knife with a spring and dagger blad0, the latter be- ing open." The Saunders says:— It would appear he is the perpetrator of other out. rages of a similar character, which have been reported as having occurred in the outlets of the city within the last two or three days. One of these was upon a cab- man named M'Kenna, who was hired by a person on Sunday night to drive him to Blanchardstown. When they had got as far as the Half-way-house, on the Navan-road, the occupant of the cab got out, and presenting a pistol at the driver, demanded his money. Tha cabman gave him all he had, and he then drove away with his cab. On the night of the 29th a carman named Sherlock was engaged by a person to drive him to the Green-hills, and when they had reached a lonely part of the road the occupant got out in the same way, and presented a pistol at the cabman, who, however, had only 6d. On Tuesday, about nine o'clock, a gentleman named Taylor was stopped at Cardiff's-bridge by a man who fired a pistol at him, but without inflicting any injury, however, and he succeeded in making his escape." An investigation into all the above cases was held by Captain Lindsay, D.L., J.P., at the GlaSnevin Police-barrack. The prisoner O'Flynn, who was in an extremely weak state, was accommodated with a seat. Thomas Cummins, son of the injured man, gave the following account of the occurrence. He said:— He and his father were engaged between ten and eleven on Tuesday night driving homo their carts from market, after delivering two loads of hay. They were both sitting on the first cart. On the road about three-quarters of a mile or thereabouts beyond Finglas, the man now in custody came out from the side of the [road and caught hold of the reins of the i first horse which witness held in his hand. He stopped the cart and asked his father to deliver up his money. His father said ha had no money, only a few shillings. The prisoner then put his hand into the left pocket of his father's waistcoat and tore away the lining. A few coppers which were in the pocket fell out upon the road. The prisoner then put his hand again into the pocket, when his father said, Hold en; sure .you are not going to rob us ?' The prisoner took out a pistol and fired, the ball entering his father's left eye. He was about taking hold of him when the prisoner fired again and hit him in the left thigh. Witness and his father then caught him and overpowered him. During the struggle he fired again, and the shet went over witness's shoulder. Witness immediately ran away to the police-barrick and brought the police." Captain Lindsay: You have acted with a great deal of courage and propriety. I hope your father will get over it. I shall send him the best doctor in Dublin immediately in addition to the dispensary doctor. The prisoner stated that instead of attacking Cummins and his s.;n he was attacked by them, and added—I tried to defend myself as well as I could. They both got me down and kicked me until the policeman came up and brought me to the barracks. He had not been in the Confederate army, but the Union had confiscated his property, and he had to come home. As to robbing, he did not believe in it. He denied that the dagger-knife found was his. The cabman above referred to fully identified the prisoner, who had plundered him. Evidence was then given as to the state of the elder Cummins, who is lying in a dangerous state in the hospital, The doctors cannot say that he will recover. The prisoner was committed for trial.

DEATH OF A VETERINARY SURGEON THROUGH DISS-ECYIIVG A DISEASED BEAST. Another instance of the fatal effects ef the terrible disease now ravaging our flocks and herds of cattle, and resulting in the death of a veterinary surgeon, has just occurred in the town of Sudbury, Suffolk. Last week the epidemic made its appearance in the stock- yard of Mr. Ruffell, farmer, Melford, and the cases were attended by Mr. Robert John Plumbly, veterinary surgeon, Sudbury. On Thursday a cow, which was evidently suffering from the disease, was brought out and shot by Mr. Plumbly, who afterwards made a partial post-mortem examination of the carcase. In doing so with a small scalpel his shirt-sleeves became saturated with blood, &c., from the animal. He re- turned home, and the same day was attacked with sickness and acute pains in the head and chest, accom- panied with a soreness in the bones generally. On the following day he appeared somewhat better, and was able to attend to his duties, but became worse towards evening, and was confined to his house on the following day. He considered that he was merely suffering from the effects of a severe cold, and did not call in medical assistance till Saturday night. He slept well that night, and seemed somewhat better on Sunday morning. About two o'clock in the afternoon he got out of his bed to have it made, when he appeared comparatively strong and in good spirits; but almost immediately a £ t<n-?vards he was taken in what seemed to be a fit, and expired in a few minutes, before the surgeon, who only lived next door, could come to hia assistance. It was thought that death had resulted from a fit of apo- plexy, and a medical certificate to that effect was given. Rumours, however, soon becoming current that Mr. Plumbly's death was caused by the cattle plague, the borough coroner directed a post-mortem examination to be made. But, by this time, so rapid was the spread of the virua through the system, that the body appeared perfectly plague-stricken, and by Tuesday morning, when the surgeons arrived to ex- amine it, and it was taken out of the coffin, the corpse scarcely retained the semblance of a hasaan being, the head and trunk being much swollen and black in colour, t-he features quite unciistinguishable, and all the flesh converted into a putrid jelly-like mass. The tissues were completely disintegrated, so that it was utterly impossible to make any examination. An inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon, at the oourt-room, Town-hall, before the borough coroner, R. Ransom, Eaq. and a jury; Mr. Joseph Harder, chemist, being chosen foreman. The mayor and other gentlemen were present during the whole of the inquiry, which lasted four hours. The jury went and viewed the body, which lay in an outhouse, but were so overcome with the fearful spectacle that they were permitted by the coroner to retire to partake of stimulants before they could further proceed with the inquiry.. Henrietta Dansie, nurse, said that deceased had been suffering from boils on his right arm, one of which she had poulticed-,on,"rednes(Ray, the day before he had examined the diseased animal. He removed the poultice himself, but declined to put on a plaster, as the place was a small one, although not healed. He changed his linen on his return from Melfordbut the same afternoon he was taken with sickness and vomiting, and complained of acute pains in his head and bonea: On Sunday afternoon, shortly before he died, he wished to have his bed made, and got out and stood while it was being done. He then complained of faintness, and got into bed again, and witness, to revive him, washed his face and hands;- in doing so she observed that the nails of one of the hands which had laifa in the bed were turning black. She was about to give him some pills, when she^noticed a sudden change come over him- and thinking, he was going, to faint or have a fit she rang for assistance, and went herself for the doctor who, being from home, another surgeon residing next door was called in, but by this time the unfortunate gentleman was quite dead. Mr. Maurice Mason, surgeon, said he was called in to see the deceased the night before he died, and visited him again on Sunday morning, and ordered him a lotion,, and leeches for his head, and effervescing drinks (the leeches were not applied). From the appearance of the body and the evidence which had been adduced, witness waa- of opinion that the death of the deceased was caused by the absorption of poisonous virus from the dead beast. Mr. W. B. Smith, surgeon, gave similar evidence. After half an hour's consultation the jury returned a verdict That deceased died from the effects of the absorption of virus or poison into his system upon the occasion of his making a post-mortem examination of a cow which had died from a certain disease called the cattle plague." The sad occurrence has caused much sensation in the town,, the deceased, who was only twenty-three years of age, being well known and much respected.

A WOMAN KILLED BY HER PARAMOUR. On Saturday afternoon, Henry Rickman, 31, a labourer, employed at Hartley's-wharf, was charged before Mr. Woolrych, at the Southwark Police-court, with the wilful murder of Sarah Scott, a widow, with whom he resided, at No. 3, White's-grounds, Ber- mondsey. The prisoner, who seemed to feel his perilous position very acutely, was allowed to be seated during the examination. M. Philip Raymond and inspector of the M division of police, said: On Saturday night, about six o'clock, I was on duty in the Bermondsey station-house when the prisoner was brought in by 308 M, charged with causing the death of Sarah Scott. After I had entered the charge on the charge-sheet, the prisoner commenced making a statement. I cautioned him not to say anything unless he liked, and told him that whatever he said I should take down in writing, and it might be used against him at another place. The prisoner wished to make a statement, and I wrote down as follows The deceased, Sarah Scott, has lived with me at 3, White-grounds, four years. Her husband died four years ago. On Saturday even- ing we had no dispute. When I came in I saw she was tne worse for liquor, and that there was no fire. I said Why don t you get my tea ?' She muttered something which I could not hear, and I could not tell what she said. I said to her, 'Any way, you will suffer for this; 'tis not the first or second time you served me so.' While she was trying to light the fire, I got out of temper and struck her, when I8,11? J klc,ked her with my foot, and I think the heel of my boot must have made a gash on her head, and caused her death. I then went into the yard and when I came again into the house I found she had not moved. I lifted her up and found she was immovable, and that life was gone. I laid her head on a small block of wood, and sent for a doctor by my next door neighbour. The deceased had two children by her husband. Mr. Woolryoh (to the prisoner): Do you wish to ask the inspector any questions ? Prisoner No, sir. It is just what I tolil him. After some evidence confirmatory of the prisoner's statement, and medical testimony as to the cause of death had been received, the:prisoner was remanded to await the result of the inquest.

A FEMALE BLUEBEARD. .,1;1. The Court of Assizes of the Garonne has just tried a woman named Souques, aged thirty, charged with having successively poisoned her two husbands, the first in 1863 and the second in March last. It ap- peared from the evidence given on the trial that the prisoner was married in 1855 to a blacksmith named Lacoste, and that they lived happily together for several years. In 1860, however, she formed an illicit connection with a man named Cazaux. The husband soon discovered his wife's infidelity, and did all he could to bring her back to her duty, but in vain. In 1S:(R3 Lacoste surprised his wife in company with oazaux unacu. rcry OMpMoua circumstances, and in his fury he gave her a sound beating. About a menth later the husband died after a short illness, and T_ there was a general suspicion among the neighbours that he had been poisoned, but no inquiry was made into the cause of death. The prisoner then endeavoured to induce Cazaux to marry her, but as he refused she married a man named Souques in September last. For two months she con- ducted herself well, but before the end of the year she had renewed her connection with Cazaux, and from that time she and her husband lived on very bad terms. In March, Souques, who had always enjoyed good health, suddenly fell ill and died before the end of the jnonth, with every appearance of having been poisoned. A post-mortem examination having shown such to be the case, the prisoner was arrested. Her first husband's body was also disinterred, but decom- position was too much advanced for the chemists to dis- cover traces of poison. With regard to the second nuabana the presence of poison was clearly proved. The jury accordingly found the prisoner guilty, but allowed her the benefit of extenuating circumstances, and the Court sentenced her to hard labour for life.

THE "SOIENTIFIO REVIEW" ON THE NON-EXPLOSIVE GUNPOWDER QUES- TION. Numerous experiments have been made for some time past with reference to the mode of rendering gunpowder inexplosivo devised by Mr. Gale, of Ply- mouth and all of them have been attended with the most complete success. Nevertheless, it is more than doubtful if the invention will be attended with any practical results. It can scarcely be said that the principle is new, having been tried long since and abandoned on account of practical objections, which remain in full force. Mr. Gale uses pounded glass as the protecting powder. When an equal quantity of this is well mixed with gunpowder, or two parts of it with one part gunpowder, the latter goes off like a squib. When there, are three parts pounded glass and one part gunpowder, there is combustion, but no explosion; but when there are four parts pounded glass and one part gunpowder, there is not even com- bustion, except of individual grains; and a mass of unprotected gunpowder exploded in the midst of the protected has no effect on the latter, further than to scatter it about. There will be a much larger quantity of material to be carried, but this will be much more than counterbalanced by the diminution of rate, con- sequent on what is to be carried being no longer dangerous. The efficacy of this invention depends on the fact 'o that, as room for the expansion of the gases produced by combustion is necessary to give rise to that rapid ignition which constitutes explosion, closing the inter- stices between the grains of gunpowder takes away the spaces required for expansion, and consequently diminishes the explosive power-isolating the grains destroys it. All this was known to Piobert, who tried experiments on the subject in 1835, and detailed their results in his "Traite d'Artillerie." Researches on the subject are to be found also in the "CampteS Rendus," vols. x. and xxiii. Similar experiments were made likewise by M. Fadeieff, Professor of Chemistry at St. Petersburg, between 1840 and 1844. M. Piobert used pure sand, but found it absorbent of moisture, which will, most probably, be the case with the pounded glass used by Mr. Gale-especially as it gradually be- comes alkaline. Sand is gritty also, and might cause danger from friction; it would, besides, destroy the glazing of the powder, which would be injurious to it. The same objections hold with regard to glass. He found that it is not necessary that the protective powder should be non-combustible; even gunpowder in a state of minute division was suited in some de- gree for the purpose and each of the constituents of gunpowder answered well; but of all the substances he tried, he preferred a mixture of wood charcoal and graphite, as being totally free from any tendency to attract moisture. He never used more of the protect- ing powder than was sufficient merely to prevent the gunpowder from being dangerous. But all such cqntrivances are liable to many objec- tions; and hence Mr. Gale's principle, though known for at least thirty years, has not come into use. Sift' ing cannot remove all the protecting powder, as will be evident if a. white substance is used for the purpose. -Somo^oftkopowdfvHfcaelfis removed by the sifting, and thus the protectin g material, if used repeatedly, may it- self become dangerous. If a dark body is employed, it will not be easy, by inspection, to distinguish between protected and unprotected powder. The protection may be destroyed by the spontaneous separation of the protecting material from the gunpowder, during carriage from one place to another. Cumbrous machinery would be required for mixture or separation on a large scale; it might not be easy to effect the latter with sufficient rapidity in cases of emergency, and both mixture and separation would necessarily be attended with considerable danger. Imperfect separa- tion of the protecting powder-and absolutely; perfect separation of it is not possible—would impair, and sometimes perhaps to a serious degree, the explosive powder, which, especially at present, could not be tolerated. Non-protected might be fatally mistaken for pmtectfid grnnpowdeir, or protected for non-pro- tected-both with highly injurious results.

THE CATTLE PLAGUE. Deputation to the Home-office. On Wednesday evening the Lord Mayor of London proceeded from the Mansion-house to the Home-office, and had an interview with Mr. Waddington on the subject of the cattle plague, and the desirability of establishing hospitals or sanitariams within the metropolitan districts for the reception and medical treatment of diseased cattle. His lordship was accoiu- panied on the occasion by the following deputation from the Markets and Cattle Plague Committees: Mr. Gibbins (Chairman of the Markets Committee), Mr. Webber, Mr. Gower, Mr. Brewster, Mr. Rudkin, and Dr. Sarvis (the Medical Officer of Health forBethnal- green). Sir George Grey having left London for Fallo- den, The Lord Mayor introduced the deputation to Mr. Waddington, and in doing so said that their object was to obtain the sanction of Government to the establishment of hospitals or sanitariums within the metropolitan districts, to which diseased cattle could be conveyed from the cowsheds in order that they might there receive medical treatment, and be, if possible, restored to health. He pointed out the progress the plague had made, and was still making, in the metropolis, and how its effects upon the high price of meat and milk were affecting all classes of the community. The difficulties he said, of adequately meeting the necessities of the case were at present very great, and some of these consisted in the alleged illegality of slaughtering diseased animals without an order from a magistrate, and also the ille- gality of removing those diseased from the cowsheds to the hospitals, supposing the latter to exist. But he hoped the Government, who had no doubt well considered a subject of such vast importance, would speedily do away with those difficulties, and render the fullest aid to the Markets' Committee and Metropolitan Cattle Plague.Committee, who were unceasingly devot- ing their time and attention to mitigate, and, if possi- ble, to put an end to the evil. At present, however, the object of the deputation was limited to that of obtaining the sanction of the Government to the establishment of the hospitals or sanitariums. This was an object which had not only received the general approval of the two committees mentioned, but also of the medical profession, and he might add, what it was by no means unimportant to bear in mind, that the cowkeepers themselves and the salesmen of the Cattle Market were also in favour of it. Mr. Gibbins and the several members of the deputa- tion corroborated what had fallen from the Lord Mayor, and strongly advocated the necessity of hav* ing the hospitals speedily established. Mr. Waddington, who listened very attentively to the whole of the statements, said he would take an early opportunity of communicating with Sir George Grey upon the subject. In the first instance, how- ever, he wished the deputation to forward to him their views in writing, and these also would be transmitted to the Home Secretary. The deputation promised to comply with the sug gestion, and thanked Mr. Waddington for the courtesy with which he had received and the patience with which he had listened to them.

Joseph Laeburn was present at a flower show at Street Gate, near Newcastle, on Monday night. After the show there was a dance in the village, which he also attended. Next morning he was found dead in a ditch near the place. There were marks of violence on his body, and it is feared that be has been mur- dered. The police are investigating the matter. A Curious Bequest.- On the church doors of the parish church at Holsworthy, Devon, the follow- ing notice last week appeared:—" Extract from the will of the late Rev. Thomas Meyrick:—'I give and I bequeath the sum of one hundred pounds in frist to pay the dividends annually to the churchwardens of the parish of Holsworthy, who shall openly give X2 10s, to the young single woman resident in that parish, who is under thirty years of age, and generally esteemed by the young as the most deserving and the most handsome, and most noted for her quietness and attendance at church; and on the next day shall openly give the remainder of the dividend to any spinster not under sixty years of age, and noted for the like virtues, and not receiving parochial relief.' The churchwardens will be glad to receive the names of any persons who consider themselves entitled to either of the aboft bounties, before the 19th inst.

EXTENSIVE FRAUDS ON FOREIGNERS. Louis Jordan, thirty-two, and Angelina Jordan, twenty-mne, his wife, both residing at No. 41 Whiskin-street, Clerkenwell, and Alexander Barthe, twenty-six, of No. 21, Martha-terrace, Beresford- street, Lambeth, described as an agent, were brought before the presiding magistrateat the London Mansion- house, on remand before the Lord Mayor, theltwo former charged with conspiring with others, not in custody, to obtain, and with obtaining, on the 21st ult., a Post- office order, No. 88, representing 100 francs, thereby defrauding alerio Castelbini of his money, and the latter with conspiring with others not in custody in obtaining, on the 19th Jaly last, by false reprssanta- tions, from the Bishop of Zamaria the sum of .£1; with intent te. defraud him of the same. Mr. Wontner appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Templeman for u Pri?onei?s Jordan.—Mr. Wontner said that he should have to ask again for a remand, but he would produce such evidence before his lordship as would show the extensive nature of the frauds that had been committed fey these parties. In a box belonging to the Jordans a letter was found stating that three hundred letters had been sent out. — Emily War. nicot said: I live at No. 2, New Milman-street, Pimlico, andi I gave the box produced to the officer Foulger on Thursday last. The female prisoner brought the box on the same morning in a safety cab; She asked me it Mr. Aaron lived there. I said no, but he had lived there. She asked permission to leave the box, and she. did BO.-Cross-examined by Mr. Temple- man: Mr. Aaron did live in my house for about four weeks, and left the Wednesday previous to the box being left. Susan Absolon, of 41, Whiskin- street, said Iknow the prisoners (Jordan) asLewis. Onthe4fchofMaythev engaged a sitting-room, bed-room, and the use of a kitchen. They remained there until the officer took them into custody. They had the box produced with them. I heard that the large box was taken away on the Tuesday before the officer (Sergeant Foulger) came and took them away. They appeared to do no busi- ness, and as they were generally at home, they took in all letters themselves. Sergeant Foulger said. I produce about 400 circulars, and a list of various per- sons taken out of a directory. There are also about 400 envelopes, all addressed according to the list and ready to be sent out. I shall be able to prove that they have beentrading under the following various Messrs. Dumassay and Co., 24,Blenheim-street; Ehab- bielats and Co.; Messrs. Flint and Co., 41, Whiskin- street • Messrs. Ledon andCo., 19,Colville-place,Fitzroy- square; Christy and Co., steam flour mills, 130, King's- road, Chelsea; Dutton and Collins, 13, Princes-street; bimmonds and Morton, steam flour mills; Smith and Son, and 10, Little Newport-street: Gerald. Samn. son, and Co., 24, Blenheim-street; John Ramon and n I ^t-street, Fitzroy-square; J. B. Rogers and Co., 5A, Gotlington-street; J. B. Rogers and Co., 39 Greek-street; L.Jordan, merchant, London: Rogers' Parrett, and Co., 93, Westbourne street, Pimlico! Greenham and Co., Hall-streetj City-road; Greenham and Co., 40, Caledonian-road — Maynard supposed proper name. In the box I foand a stamp, "Exporta- tion Society," and the centre has "The Council of Administration" on it. Another has "Bladenwick and Co. and there were also some loose type, and several foreign directories, including French,* Spanish, and Italian. There were also a great number of circu- lars with the name of Mallet and Co. on them. A great many letters had been sent out and about 1,000 answers had been sent but they had not been translated yet ?nno f ca.lculf^/f. I should say that from 4,000 to 5,000 foreigD letters have been sent to the prisoners, some of which contain money. A list of advertisements that had appeared in the German papers, offering salaries to agents who knew what the produce of land was, was here put in and read. They were all to be addressed to John Greenham and Co., 39, Old-street, City-road. Sergeant Foulger can. tmued: I found this letter (produced) on the prisoner. It was addressed to a Mr. Henry, and stated that he had about 600 letters, as many as he had addresses for, and that he hoped soon to have more —Cross- examined: I apprehended the prisoner at Whiskin- street, and there was another person with him.-—Mr. Thomas Beard said that he had three charges against Jordan, one for obtaining money from a German gentleman to defray the expenses of making him agent for an English company; another for an attempt of a similar description, but. in which the money was not paid; and the third, in which the prisoner obtained a large quantity of goods. He could not complete his case that day, and therefore he would ask for a remand. -The prisoners were then remanded.