The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

THE VERNIEW WATER SOHEME AND THE SEVERN FISHERY. At a meeting of the Board of Conservators of the Severn Fishery District, held at Shrewsbury on Tuesday, May 14, (a short notice of which we published last week), Mr. Willis in the chair. The Cr pMK fMd the following report My Lords and Gentlemen,—The number of salmon netted in February and March have been unusually good for the upper district. During the two months above named 109 salmon ere netted between Shrawardine and Pool Quay, of an average height of 18lbs. This is admitted by the fishermen to be the best catch of spring fish they have ever had since they have fished the river. Only 10 or 12 fish were taken in April on the Same water. Between Shrawardine and Cressage about 80 fish have been captured. The largest fish taken weighed 381bs. One salmon has been landed with the rod, above Ironhridge, the only fish caught, though one or two have been hooked in the Verniew Very few salmon have entered the Verniew this season so far, though they have been unusually abundant both below and above the mouth of the Verniew. Last year there Was an unusual number of salmon in the Verniew in April and May Up to the end of April this -Year, 119 salmon hav,e been captured above Shrawardine, and about 30 below. On visiting the Gas Works at Newtown, which are situated by the side of the Severn, in February last, I found the gravel by the river side strongly impregnated with tar, and on probing the gravel I found the tar extended a foot deep, and for a considerable breadth. It appeared that a crack had taken place in the wall of the tar well, which is built underneath the buildings of the Gas Works, and the tar and ammoniacal liquor had escaped through into the gravel by the side of the river. On calling the attention of the manager of the Gas Works to the matter, and requesting that the whole of the tar:impregnated gravel should be removed, he at once assented, and about 150 loads of gravel Vrere carted away-(thaking excellent side walks) and about 800 gallons of ammoniacal liquor pumped out of the hole from Miich the gravel was removed. This latter was sent away in tanks, being now extensively jised in the manufacture of chemical manures. Fortunately, the Severn was low at the time. Had a strong fresh, occurred before the tar and Strimoniacal liquor had been removed, the fish would have been killed for miles down the river. Operations have already been commenced at Llanwddyn for the proposed'Liverpool Water Works. A number of men aftd a steam engine are at work on trial holes for the rock, which has been found in several places. Rain gauges have been fixed in the vale and on the mountain. —ALFRBD GEORGE, Superintendent. Tanyfron, Meifod, May ll> 1878." The CHAIRMAN said, according to the instructions at the last Jteeting he had an interview, and asked what compensation the Liverpool Corporation would be prepared to give if they took •he water of the Verniew, and the nature of their scheme, and the Water Committee replied that they could do nothing, but they would like to know what the Board wanted. He said it Was impossible to say what they wanted until they knew what their scheme "was. No person would feel himself capable of Haming a sum until they had the plans. When their plans were Jorked out the Board would know more of the details of it. The Corporation replied that that would be done during the Coming summer, and that they had already made a commence- ment, as would be seen by the report. The Town Clerk also ?*id that he would willingly show any members of the Board in ^hitsun-week over the ground. Mr. WATTON said the question seemed to him to be a most im- portant one, because so far as he could ascertain from the report ISsued by the Liverpool Corporation, it was proposed to divert the entire waters of the Verniew from the Severn, and to abstract |P.000,000 gallons per day from their reservoir at Llanwddyn. few years ago it was ascertained, by a caieful test that 000,000 gallons of water flowed daily over the weir at Diglis below Worcester, and if this1 scheme waS to lessen the volume of Jater by one-fourth, and every town on the banks of the river con- tmued to pour in the Same amount of savage as now finds its into the stream, they could easily imagine what sUte tl ^evern would be in. The proposed scheme would be absolutely destructive to the Severn as a salmon river, for it would no* £ ?ly dperive it of the winter and spring floods, which enabled he salmon to get over the weirs and run up the river, but It JJould deprive it of the summer floods which enabled the salmon to get down over the weirs to the sea again. He Jhd not know whether the towns of Worcester and Gloucester had taken any steps as yet, but he felt sure that if the scheme ever became law, the Severn as a breeding river for salmon ^ould become extinct. He thbught it important for the Board to ascertain the views of the Corporations and others interested 14 the salmon fishery throughout the Severn Valley, so that an Organized opposition to the scheme could, if necessary, be put force. It would also, he thought be desirable for the Board to ascertain, during the ensuing summer, the depth of the river at a considerable number of places along the Severn valley, so as to be in a position to calculate what amount of •hjury would be inflicted by the reduction of the stream by one fourth its volume, and the amount of water compensation they }"ould require to keep the Severn to its normal height. Even rro_m a sanitary point of view the scheme would be a most in- ^rioug one, and he trusted it would meet with the strongest *^r R. HARiNGTON said he was opposed to the scheme, and ^Sgested ioint action against it on the part of the Local Boards Illid Corporate Bodies of those towns which were situate on the tiver. It was then moved by Mr. WATTON, seconded by Mr. COMBES, carried That a communication" be addressed to thq, Jhfferent Corporations, Local Boards, and individuals likely to a affected by the Liverpool ater Scheme, and others, to seertain their views en the subject, with a view to united action It was^also resolved, on the motion of the CHAIRMAN, by Sir R. HARINGTON, That a superintendent be ^Pointed for the Estuary Fisheries, and it be referred to the 5**ecutive Committee to take the necessary steps to secure a j. °Per person to fill the office, subject to the approval of the to appoint an officer and fix his salary and duties.

? MARKET REPIPRTS. Corn, &c. CORN AVERAGES, For the week ending May 18. The following are the quantities sold and the prices this year and last vear :— The following are the quantities sold and the prices this year and last vear :— ¡- QUANTITIES SOLD. PRICES. This venr. Last year. This year. Last year. Wheat 41,222 37,193 42s. Id. 68s. 9d. Barley. 2,521 3,101 39s. 5,1. 39s. lid. Oats 3,186 1,224 26s. 3d. 29s 0d. LONDON, JIONUAV.—Tne market remains inactive. BoLli English and foreign W;¡,"(. <.u — a slow sale at rasher less money, or about Is. UnWr than last Monday. Flour very dull, and 6d. to Is. per sach and barrel cheaper on the week. Barley vcry quiet, and rather lower than last Monday. Oats made a slow trade at former values. Maize lower to sell for American. Beans and peas without change. The sowing demand jor farm seeds is now over, and the market is very quiet, without change in prices.—The following were the arrivals British wheat, 2,o9-, quarters; barley, 778 quarters; oats, 260 quarters flour, ]L,.ao sacks. Foreign wheat, 24,203 quarters barley 10,451 quarters; oats, 17,930 quarters; maize, 21,303 quarters Sour, 2,758 sacks and 16,768 barrels. LONDON, WEDNESDAY.—At Mark-lane business remains quiet. There was a thin attendance, and transactions were limited in extent. English-wheat was rather sparingly ottered. Foreign was in moderate supply. Scarcely anything was done, and quotations were nominally the same as on Monday. Barley was in moderate supply. Both malting and grinding produce was in moderate supply. Both malting and grinding produce sold slowly, at" previous currencies. Malt sold at late prices. Not much was done in either oats or maize. Prices remained about tile-same. Beans and peas were .quiet and unaltered. Flour was dull, but without change in value. Arrivals; British wheat, 502 quarters; barley, 20 quarters; oats, 150 quarters; beans, 20 quarters; peas, 28 quarters. Foreign wheat, 16, < 00 quarters barlev, 1,350 quarters; oats, 18,000 quarters; maize, 21,100 quarters;"peas, 850 quarters; flour, 900 sacks and 5,900 barrels. CURRENT PRICES OF GRAIN AT MARK LAKE. c-nuimg ilJ 1 L Wheat, new Essex and Kent (whiter 65 to 59 Ditto ditto ,(red) 47 52 Wheat, Norfolk, Lincoln, and Yorkshire (red) 48 5 > Barley (Chevalier) ™ Oats, English feed Beans (Mazagan) '••••• ^0 34 Peas, white boilers (English) ^2 (foreign) 40 Maize Flour, best Town Households, W sack of L6V IDs., In to 50s. LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY. There was a fair attendance, but the general tone of the market continued weak, and onlv a limited trade was. done in wheat at a ret uction of Id. to 2d. cental. Flour in but little demand, with tendency in buyers' favour. Beans and peas dull. Indian corn in moderate reauest. at a decline of ad. 1 quarter. PRICES (this day).. s. d. s. d. American Wheat, cental of1100 lbs 11 2 to 11 S English Flour,$280 lbs 40 0 42 0 Foreign Barley, CO lbs 3 2 3 7 English Oats,$45 lbs 4 1 4 G Egyptian Beans,$480 lbs. 33 6 24 3 Indian coril- ,Aitiorizan now vilite 26 6 26 9 „ mixed American 25 6 27 3 LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY.—The better tone of last market day was not maintained, and only a moderate business was done in -i wheat, at a reduction of Id. %) cental for red descriptions. Flour quiet. Indian corn steady at 25s. 9d. for prime conditioned parcels of new mixed American, but inferior sorts 25s. Gd. t] quarter and under. CHESTER, SATURDAY.—Prices of wheat were nominally un- changed, good red being worth 7s. 3d. ;0 bushel. Oats and barley scarce. WELSHPOOL, MONDAY.—Wheat, Ss. Gil. to 8s. 9.1. SO lbs.: barley, 7s. 6d. to Ss. o(I-V 40 quarts oats, 24s. Od to 24s. Gd {' bag; egg3, 0 to 12 for a shilling; butter, Is 3d. to Is. 4d. V lb.: fowls, 5s. Od. to 5s. 6d. <1? couple; ducks, 5s. 6d. to 6-i. 61. couple; geese, Os.Od. to Os. Od. each.; turkeys, Os. Od. to OK Ocl. each; potatoes, 0. 0.1. to 5s. Od. 11 measure; new, 2d. ::¡;1 It. NEWTOWN, TUESDAY (May 21.).Wheat, Os. Od. to Os. Od. t bushel barley, Os. Od. to Os. Od.; oats, OOs to 00. t) eggs 0 to 15 for a shilling; butter, Is. 2d. to Is. 3d.$lb.; fowls, 5s. 0 i. to Os. (,(I. I? couple, ducks, 0s. Od. to 7s. Od. V couple; geese, pie I Os. Od. to Os. Od. each; turkeys, Os. Od. to 00s. Od. each; potatoes 6 lbs. for sixpence; beef, lOd. to 12d. 53 lb.; mutton, lOd. to lid.; veal, 9d to lOkd.; lamb, Od. to Is. Od pork, 8d. to 9d. Cattle.. BIRMINGHAM, TUESDAY. We had 272 beasts on oiler to-day, for which there was a steady sale, at late prices in a few instances 9id. ii lb being made. 1,076 sheep the mutton trade quiet. Pigs, 606, with a steady demand. Current prices Beef, s £ -d. to 9Jd. lb.; mutton, 8M. to 9Ad.; lambs, 00s. to 00s. each; veal, Od. to OOd. lb.; bacon pigs, 10s. to 10s. 6d. W score porket'ditto, 10s. 6d. to lis. Od.; sows, 8s. Od. to 8s. 6d. ? score. SALFORD, TUESDAY. The show of cattle was similar to that of last Tuesday. Trade ruled slow, sellers de- manding last week's full rates for the best quality, but inferior sortii were rather lower. About 350 American beasts in prime condition were offered, and met a quick sale at 6^d.$lb. The sheep trade ruled heavy, and late rates were scarcely realized. Lambs neglected. Citlyes a fair trade at last Tuesday's rates; —Prices: Beef, (Id. to 9id. V It, mutton, 7Jd. to gad. veal, 8d. to 9d.; lambs, 20s. to 50s. LIVERPQOL, MONDAY.—There was an average supply of stock on offer, the numbers being 1,559 beasts and 4,872 siieep and lambs, included in which were 632 American cattle. A large attendance of buyers, and a good clearance effected.- The prices were :-Best boasts, 9d. to 9^d.$lb.; second ditto, 7id. to 8id. ¥ lb.; sheep, 9d. to lO!d.; lambs. 30s. to 50s. each. METROPOLITAN, MONDAY.—The Norfolk supply of beasts have come to hand in exceedingly fine condition, and the sup- ply of beasts was short. As a consequence rates have advanced about 2d. I stone choice Norfolks, 5s. 2d. to 6s. 4d.; Scotch, 6s. 4d. and a turn upward; foreign scarce, being without Ameri- can or Portugueese; good Spanish sold at 6s. V stone; best Danish realized 5s. lOd. to 6s. The sheep market was slow at fully late rates large coarse sheep, 5s. 6d. to 5s. 8d.; lamb, 8s. 6d. to 9s. A poor supply of calves.and pigs.—Current quota- tiuns Beef, 48. 6d. to 6s. 4d. mutton, 5s. Od. to 6s. 6d. veal, 5s. 6d. to 6s. 8d.; pork, 4s. Od. to 5s. Od. The stock on offer consisted of 2,670 beasts, 13,150 sheep, 100-calves, and 70 pigs; included in which were 700 foreign beasts. ,SHREWSBURY, TUESDAY. There was a large show of store stock for which there was slower sale than lately.—Beef, 8Jd. to Did. '61 lb.; mutton, shorn, 9d. to 10id.; lambs, lOd. to loid.; veal, 9d. lb.; pigs, 9s. 6d. to lls. Od. LONDON DEAD MEAT MARKET, MONDAY.—The follow- ing were the quotations$8 lbs. by the carcase Middling an inferior beef, 3s. Otl. to 4s. 4d.: prime ditto, 4s. 8d. to 5s. lOd. inferior and middling mutton, 3s. 4d. to 5s. 0d.; prime ditto, 5s. 8d. to 6s. 4d.; veal, 5s. 4d. to 5s. Sd.; large pork, 3s. 4d. to 4s. Od.; small ditto, 4s. Od. to 5s. Ocl.; lamb, 7s. 4d. to Ss. Od. —There was a quiet demand for meat this morning, and prices show no material change. The supply was moderate. Miscellaneous. LIVERPOOL PRODUCE, WEDNESDAY.—Sugar steady no change in other Colonial produce. Nitrate of soda, 16s. to 16s. 3d. V cwt. Petroleum quiet, at lOd. V gallon. Tallow flat, and lower, at 87s. Gd. ¥ cwt. for prime North American beef. 16s. 3d. V cwt. Petroleum quiet, at lOd. V gallon. Tallow flat, and lower, at 87s. Gd. ¥ cwt. for prime North American beef. Lard very dull, at 35s. 6d. to 36s.$cwt. Palm oil, steady; linseed oil, 27s. to 27s. 9d. P cwt. The markets generally are wealwin tone and inanimate. LIVERPOOL WOOL, FRIDAY. — Transactions this week have been chiefly confined to about 2,700 ballots Peru at last sale rates. About 4GO bales alpaca have changed hands at 15Ad. to 17d. for fleece, and 7d. to 12d. for inferiors; also 175 bags mohair at 2": ld. V lb. On Wednesday last 783 bales RivHi- Plate sheepskins were brought forward at public auctions I ore and 476 bales sold on the average quite on a par with the prices realized at the last sales in April. The third series of East India wool sales will be held here, with about 16,OOJ bales from 21st to the 24th instant.-Quotatiolls are: East India, white, 5d. to 13:d. 40 lb.; .yellow, 4d. to llfd.; gray, &c., 3d. to 10d.; washed Peruvian,. 9td. to 141d.; washed River Plate, 101d. to 13 £ d.; unwashed River Plate Gd. to 9kl.; washed Morocco, 8d. to 10.}d.; unwashed Morocco, 5d to 7d.; Egyptian white, Sd to 14id.; Oporto fleece, 12Jd. to 13d. mohair, 2s. 3Jd. to 2s. 8d.; alpaca, Is. 4Jd. to Is. 7d. WORCESTER HOP, SATURDAY.- Messrs. Piercy, Long- bottom, and Fa-ram, in their circular, say—Our market is a trifle firmer, with a little more inquiry, fly and flea being re- ported in Kent and Belgium, with less inclination to sell on the part of holders of stock. LONDON PRODUCE, SATUURDAY.—Sugar: Market quiet, without alteration in prices. Coffee Little done, but prices re- main steady. Rice: Floating cargoes realized full values. Cotton market quiet but steady. Jute remains dull. Tallow quiet; old, 37s., new, 37s. 3d., on the spot. Petroleum steady; on the spot 9id.; September-December lOJd. LONDON PROVISION, MONDAY.—The arrivals last week from Ireland were 00 firkins butter and -3,224 bales bacon, and from foreign ports 23,212 packages butter and 2,296 bales bacon. Early in the past week the finest quality butter met an improved demand, and higher prices were obtained for such, but after- wards, with increased supplies and the favourable weather, prices declined finest Normandy, 114s. to 116s., lower qualities in proportion, and best Dutch having made 114-9., declined to 100s. to 104s. The bacon market ruled slow, except for the finest Irish, which brought full prices; other qualities at ir- regular rates. The market closed steady. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE.—LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY. Hay,$20 lbs. s. d. s d. v ion. Old 0 9 @1. 1% B. A. s, a. New 0 0 0 0 Carrots 0 0@0 0 New 0 0 0 0 1 Carrots 0 0@0 0 Straw- I Turnips 0 0 0 0 Wheat 0 7 £ 0 9 Mangel Wurzel.. 0 0 00 0 Oat 0* 6 0 8 Manure 5 6 7 6 Barley 0 51 0 61 1 L4rass, 40 20 lbs 6 2 0 2i LONDON POTATO, SATURDAY.—There was a large supply of potatoes, and the trade remaind heavy. Kent Kegents 120s. to 160s. V ton. Essex Regents 100s. to 120s. „ Rocks. 80s. to 100s. „ Flukes 140s. to 160s. „ Victorias. 120s. to 180s. WOLVERHAMPTON HIDE, SKIN, AND FAT, SATUR- DAY.—Hides, 95 lb. and upwards, 5d. %I lb.; 85 to 94, 4Jd.; 75 to 84, 3|d.; 65 to 74, 3Jd.; 56 to 64, lijd.; 55 and under, 2}d.; Cows, 2|d. to 2fd.; bulls, 2Jd.; flawed and irregular, 2Jd.; kips,g0d. to 3d. Horse hides, Os.-Od. to 12s. Od. each. Calf, 17 lb. and upwards, li(I.; 12 to 16, 5Jd.; 9 to 11, 5jd.; light, 4d.; flawed and irregular, 3Jd. Wools, A-l, Os. Od.; A, Os. Od.; B, Os. 0d. each. Pelts, A, Is. 6d.; B, Is. Id. each. Lambs, A, 3s. Od.; B, is. lOd. each. Fat, 2Jd. to 2yd. ;øllb.-JNO. S. D'ARCY, Broker, Cleveland-street, LEATHER.—LEADENHALL, WEDNESDAY. v ib. s. a. s. d. Hides, crop, 28 &s. to 40 lbs 1 0 @ 1 4 Ditto, 40 lbs. to 60 lbs 1 3 1 9 English butts, 14 lbs. to 24 lbs 1 2 2 5 Ditto, 25 lbs. to 36 lbs 15 2 10 foreign butts, 16 lbs. to 60 lbs 11 2 3 Ci op bellies 0 7 ft 11 Shoulders.. 0 10 14 Dressing hides, common' Oil 1 6 Ditto, shaved. j j j 8 Calfskins 1 4 2 6

Trade Intelligence. WOLVERHAMPTON IRON TRADE.-WEDNESDAY. Derbyshire pig flrnis announced the abandonment of their effort coytinned throughout the past month to advance quota- tions half a crown 3P ton. They offered this afternoo'n to take 52s. 6d. for brands before quoted at 55s.; native sorts were also weakened by the continued fall in Cleveland prices. Finished iron orders were keenly competed for, and merchants placed specifications a little more favourably than last week. Singles were plentiful at ±7 17s. 6d. Tin plates were uninfluenced by the South ales compact. Common coke plates 18s.$box. the South Wales compact. Common coke plates 18s. V box. THE CROPS AND THE CORN TRADE The Mark-Lane- Express says :-The abundant rainfall has given rise to serious appiehensior-s and some complaints, es- pecially in the fen districts, where the growing wheat tends to run to straw rather than grain and from some quarters there are reports of injury to the barley crop on heavy land. The damage done to wheat is not, perhaps, irretrievable There is still a prospect of a fair hay crop, although many acres of grass land in the midland counties have been spoiled by the rain. In Scotland the agricultural outlook remains favourable but in certain districts oats have suffered severely from the depreda- tions of grubs and held insects. The grain trade has been ex- cessively dull both in the country and Mark-lane and although supplies of home grown wheat still come to hand sparingly farmers have shown more desire to realize, in spite of the de- clining tendency observable in prices. The offerings of English wheat at Mark-lane, although scanty, have been in fair condi- tion but a decline of Is. to 2s. took place at the market on Monday, and buyers showed little disposition to avail themselves of the concession. A similar reduction waa necessary to effect sales of foreign wheat* of the concession. A similar reduction was necessary to effect sales of foreign wheat.

FARMERS' COLUMN. -n.V'J FARM PERQUISITES. We extract the following from an article on "Labour Bill in Farming," by Mr. Frederick Clifford, in the eleventh volume of the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society (Second Series):— Perquisites are probably given on much the same scale in the eastern counties as in other parts of southern England. Beer is the chief, and certainly the most objectionable of these gifts in aid of wages. This item appears in the accounts of every farmer as an addition to his labour bill. If the labourer is kept at work' a little longer than usual, or is employed on harder work than usual, he goes to the house for his pint or quart of beer. Certain kinds of work carry with them an understood claim to drink. In harvest-time the consumption is enormous. An East Suffolk farmer gives me the following statement "11 this head We always allow each of our men," he says, "three bushels of best malt for harvest. Out of each bushel the men make from nine to ten pails' of three gallons." A pail is the Suffolk measure- ment in home-brewing. "They have, therefore, from 27 to 30 pails, or from 81 to 90 gallons, as the case may be, for the har- vest, which in average years lasts 27 days. Besides this quan- tity of beer, a 300-acre farmer never thinks of giving away less than 36 gallons, or a barrel, of what we in Suftolk cull harvest beer, )vhich is specially strong and is generally brewed during the previous March. This is exactly what-goes on year after year in this district with regard to beer allowance. I have often seen men come with tiiiiptv bottles during the last few days of harvest, and get their fellow-labourers to give them some and I always give them some myself, if I know they are ■without." When the weather is very hot, or any special effort is called for through fear of rain, I have heard of a big stone bottle being sent into the harvest-field tilled with spirits and water. Admit- ting that some beer is needful to enable the labourer to support the heat and burden of the day, the system of beer-doles at har- vest, as at other times, seems to be little less than a premium upon excessive drinking." The farmers say, if the men did not brew for themselves, they would buy publicvhouse beer, made heady by one knows not what ingredients, and would be unable to work upon it. On the other hand, is it not better to give the men the value of the malt and hops, and thus give them some in- ducement to drink less? In Forfarshire, as we have seen, the labourers receive milk as a. part of their weekly wages. We do not hear of much beer or spirit-drinking while they work, yet we know how well they work. Farmers say that the men like beer-perquisites, and will do more for a pint of beer than-they will do for twice its equivalent in money. One can quite under- stand this craving-. The same story is told in the cider counties. I think it will be found that ia districts where drink is doled out in the greatest quantity, the type of labour is the lowest; and, whether the labourer likes it or not, this vicious system should be abandoned. If work is being done, not adequately paid for by current wages, the extra earnings should be in cash. As it is, the labourer drinks far more than is good for him, and pours down his throat what he ought, in the form of money wages, to carry home to his family for such food as would give himself and them greater strength and stamina. In the harvest- field, too, one cannot help thinking that so much beer must tell upon many men. depressing their energies and hindering work instead of expediting it. The produce of the garden or allotment, or both, can hardly be called a perquisite, though it is certainly a privilege, and a valuable one. The labourer uses his leisure to raise vegetables, or sometimes a patch of corn, and he cultivates his quarter of an acre, more or less, to a profit. I am glad to say that, with some exceptions, allotments in the Eastern Counties are let at a moderate rental. Occasionally, the men have a potato-plot rent-free, and this, of course, is a supplement to wages, repre- senting a small addition to the labour bill. I have met with cases in which the farmer ploughs his men's land without charge.. Sometimes the farmers object to pig-keeping. There is a special objection to this bit of thrift in the case of horsemen or carters, because of the access these men have to the corn and their opportunities of peculation. The temptation, it is said, is so great in such cases, that men ought not to be exposed to it. Where the farmer does not allow pig-keeping he often gives manure for the allotment. Sometimes corn is sold for the use of the pig at market rates. Straw is given for the same purpose. Milk is occasionally given or sold at a nominal price, but is not always valued as it should be, perhaps, because it has to be fetched. Brushwood or underwood is given or sold at nominal rates. Then there are- the Christmas gifts of beef or money, and the farmers' subscriptions to the boot or clothes clubs of the Parish. These are voluntary- gifts, no doubt, and their value is not easily assessed. Neither would the farqiers wish such gifts to be regarded as more than good-will offerings, which help the labourer to tide over the winter and tend to promote kindly re- lations. There remains for notice the help given to the poor from the farm-house in illness—help freely given, and looked for almost as a right by the recipient. Wine, brandy, arrowroot, and other medical comforts, are asked for and given, with very little sense of dependence on the one hand or of patron- age on the other. In remote country parishes, where the nearest surgeon probably lives miles away, the great house, the vicarage, and the farm-house-are dispensaries, and something more. In the towns labouring men otmechanics would neverllretin of asking for such help, and many of them would perhaps spurn it with some indignation if it were offered. The same indepen- dence is hardly possible in the country. The farmer or the farmer's wife does not grudge this relief, but it has a money- value, and though no farmer would think of setting it down to the account of labour, such is really the form it fakes to out- siders.

SPORT. The six days' competition between horsemen and bicyclists ended on Saturday night, May 18, at the Agricultural Hall, London. The result was a victory for Leon, the Mexican rider, Jho in the six days completed 969 miles 2 laps Cann, the bicyclist, rode 910 miles White, 864 miles Phillips, 850 miles Patrick, 801 miles and Thomas, 704 miles. THE UPPER SEVERN AND VEKNIEW, &c.—The weather has been wet and stormy ever since my last report, and the water constantly out of order, so that there has been no angling except Mth the worm. The storms have been very heavy on the fountains, and the water very thick at times. There ought to be a run [ef salmon after the continuous high water. The *Jevern has been too high for the fishertnen to ply their nets all down the river, I expect as far as Gloucester. This, combined *ith the spring tides ought to bring us some fish up. The *erniew was nearly bank full yesterday, ^t is now falling, and Vill be in good order next "week if the weather holds up fine. I regret to hear of more grayling having been killed by anglers 'bis spring in the Verniew. I heard of one individual basketing ?1ght brace of large grayling a fortnight or so ago-of course, all 1J1 spawn. The end of this unsportsmanlike conduct will be that anglers will be prohibited from fishing the Verniew at all so that the fair angler will suffer for the sins of the unfair. Now that the grayling are beginning to increase again in the Verniew once a noted grayling stream—a little care and preservation Would soon get up the stock ef this sporting and delicious autumn and winter fish. It is in April when the mischief is done, grayling rising greedily to a fly when on the spawning beds. Anglers worthy of the name would not think of killing grayling in spring. I hope they will do all they can to put a stop •o the reprehensible practice.—A. (May 16) in The Field.

RACING FIXTURES. Bath May 28 York May 28 Uoncaster May 30 Epsom Summer .June 4

THE CRISIS, RUSSIAN ADVANCE FROM SAN STF/FANO. A general forward movement of the Russian troops from San Stefaflo has caused much excitement in Con- stantinople, wllfere it was reported that it was the inten- tion of General Todleben to march into the city to com- pel the Porte to evacuate the fortresses of Varna, Slmmla, and Batoum. The Russian Commander-in-Chief and the Russian Ambassador both assured the Porte that the sole object of the movement was to obtain more healthy quarters for the troops. The semi-official Agencc Russc repeated the statement that the movement was dictated by hygienic reasons, and added that it was authorized to give a positive contradiction to the reports that it was in- tended to put pressure on the Porte. The Agence further said These alarming, rumours are afresh manoeuvre of the war party at Constantinople, 'which desires to prevent an understanding between the English and Russian Cabinets." It was telegraphed from Constantinople on Wednesday night that the Russians had continued their forward move- ment towards the Belgrad Forest, and that the Turkish commanders had ordered the advanced detachments along their lines not to retire before the Muscovites.. The tele- gram adds that a Russo-Turkish commission is to fix the exact line of demarcation. THE CRETAN INSURRECTION. The fighting between the Turkish troops and the insur- gents has been resumed in Crete. There has been some severe fighting in Crete, in which the insurgents have been driven from their positions, but they have refused the proposal made by the British Consul for an armistice unless their position is made equivalent to that of the Thessalians. COUNT SCIIOUVALOFF'S MISSION. Count Schouvaloff arrived in Berlin on Monday morn- ing, on his return from St. Petersburg to London, and had a long interview with the Emperor. He was to leave Berlin in the afternoon to visit Prince Bismarck at Friedrichsruhe, and then to continue his journey to London. The Times St. Petersburg correspondent telegraphs, with reference to the couht's mission, that there is reason to believe the foundation of an arrange- ment between the Russian and English Governments has beeii laid. The Roumanian official organ also states that it has received information from a Russian source that the St. Petersburg Cabinet has taken the first step towards a peaceful solution, and that the meeting of a congress is assured. Rut the danger to the maintenance of peace from the military position before Constantinople, and the Russo-Turkish difficulty which has led to it, remains. The Russian ambassador, in receiving a deputation of Russian residents in Constantinople, on Sunday, expressed hopes for the maintenance of peace, but said it would not do to be too sanguine, as the situation was still one of great tension. Count Schouvaloff arrived in London on Wednesday evening. THE BALTIC. The Foreign Minister contradicted, in the Swedish Parliament on Monday, the report that there had been negotiations between the German and Swedish Govern meats relating to the despatch of a British fleet to the Baltic, or with the object of making the Baltic a marc clausum. COAST DEFENCES FOR INDIA. The Calcutta correspondent or the Times states that orders have been issued for the immediate construction of coast defences. Madras is to be protected by five bat- teries, armed with 68-pounder rifled guns. Batteries will also be erected at various ports on the eastern coast. Another battery for the defence of Calcutta is being con- structed at Fultah, one of the narrowest points on the Hooghly. This will be armed with ten 9-inch rifled muzzle- loaders, and will cover the torpedo defences. Bombay and Rangoon are to be similarly defended. THE CHIEF OF MECCA. The Chief of Mecca, the spiritual head of Moham- medanism, has issued an appeal to the faithful, saying that the Khalif is in danger, and calling on them to fly to the rescue. The appeal is made throughout Arabia and Asta Minor but as the Arabs especially are very much disaffected, and almost ready to rise against the Turks, it is not expected that this will produce much effect. THE RUSSIAN CORSAIR FLEET. The appeal of the Czarewitch for subscriptions in aid of the Russian corsair fleet, after describing the intervention of England in the south, the Czarewitch proceeds to describe how the intruder is to be chastised. Dozens of vessels, under the command of competent captains, may be scattered over all the commercial routes -of the enemy and put a stop to bis universal trade. A month's blockade like this will have a singular 'effect on his heaps of gold, of which he is so proud. He will find them melt almost like snow." THE DISTURBANCES IN CONSTANTINOPLE. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has telegraphed an account of recent disturbances. Some thirty refugees forced their Way into the garden of the palace inhabited by Ex-Sultan "Murad, and raised shouts of "Long live the Sultan," without mentioning any name. The senti- nels were fired upon, but the troops arrived, and the assailants were driven back, some, being killed and wounded on both sides. The leader of the revolution was killed. The semi-official St. Petersburg journals warn the public to be on their gueird-against the disquieting reports from Constantinople, where endeavours are being made to prevent an understanding between England and Russia. The riotous demonstration in the palace in which ex- Sultan Murad resided, but from which lie has since been removed, has led to the resignation of the minister of police. It appears that it was not merely a demonstration of hungry" refugees," for the leader, who was shot, was a veteran conspirator. A Constantinople telegram states that the city is perfectly tranquil. THE WELSH NATIONAL ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN. We have received copies in Welsh and in English of the proposed national address to the Queen on the subject of peace, as follow TO HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN. The humble memorial of her most devoted and loyal subjects in the Principality of Wales, showith. That under present circumstances, we deprecate war between Great Britain and Russia as unjust and uncalled for. That we consider a Congress of European Powers to be the most effectual means of obtaining such a settlement of the Eastern Question as will ensure durable peace and we humblv pray that your Majesty max. facilitate the early assembling of such a Congress, to which we see no just impediment. That in the Congress, when assembled, the influence of Great Britain may be used to promote and consolidate the freedom and good Government of the Christian Provinces of Turkey, as well as of the State of Montenegro, with whom we cherish the deepest sympathy. And your most devoted and loyal subjects will ever pray. AT EI GRASL'SAF FAWItilYDI Y FRENIIINES. Y Gofeb ostyngedi'j hon o ciddo ci Deiliaid nfudd a thra- theyrngarol yn Nhywysogaeth Cymru, a ddengys, Ein bod o dan yr amgylchiadau presenol yn anghymeradwyo rhyfel rhwng Prydain Fawr a Rwssia fel peth anghyfiawn a dialw am dano. Ein bod yn ystyried Cvunadledd o'r Galluoedd Ewropaidd y moddion mwyaf effeitliiol i sierliaii y fath drefniadary Cwestiwn Dwyreiniol ag a ddiogela heddweh parhaus a'n bod yn ostyng- edig erfyn ar i'w Mawrhydi wneyd a alio er hyrwyddo y ffordd i ymgyfarfyddiad prydlawn y cyfryw Gynnadledd, ac nad ydym yn credu fod un achos cyfiawn yn lluddias hyny. Pan ymgynulla y Gynnadledd hono, yr ydym yn erfyn ar fod i ddylanwad Prydain Fawr gael ei egnio ynddi er dwvn yn mlaen. a diogelu ar seiliau cedyrn.-ryddid aciawn-lywodraethiad Tiriog- aethau Cristionogol Twrci, yn ogystal a Thalaeth Montenegro, a thrigolion y rhai yr ydym o'n calon yn cydvm leiralo yn ddwys. A bydd i'w deiliaid ufudd a theyrngarol ddeisyf yn barhaus. —Mr. W. J. Williams, Carnarvon, is the general secre- tary of the movement. A volunteer list is being sent round for signature amongst the yeomanry cavalry regiments of the country, that such men as are willing to be enrolled for-f,,reigii ser- vice in case of war may sign. The intention is to raise a regiment of dragoons from amongst the yeomanry. A telegram from Bucharest states that the entire Roumanian army has commenced a forward movement eastward along the Carpathian Mountains.

FEEDING THE CHILDREN AT MERTHYR. The Rector of Alerthyr observes, in the course of an article in Mayfair, entitled, "Feeding Five Thousand": I do not suppose there ever were such-golden shciwei's since the time of Danae. Every post brought letters by the hundred. The firait great fall' was on a Sunday, the day after the account in the Daily News of thll first dinner given to the children. When the bag came in-I called my wife's attention to it before I opened it. It was filled to repletion, and ready to burst. Accompanying it was a Kind ot thiCK Drown paper bag, bearing an orheial stiynp, I and I wondered- what it could be. Bat I did not care much about opening it, lest it might prove a damper to the joy raised by seeing how full the other bag was. I never dreamt it contained what it really did. It was much larger than my own bag. It had also two strong bands round it, looking like girders. Judge of my astonishment, when I opened it, to find it was full of letters Letters by the hundred It was, in fact, what the postmaster called a Registered. Bag.' Thus I re- ceived, every day for weeks, between three and four hun- dred letters, registered' and unregistered, containing moneys in all shape and form—gold, silver, cheques, Post Office orders, stamps, drafts, recipes for making soup, samples of soup, inquiries for servants, and good advice how to face the difficulty without end.- In fact, there never was, I believe, such interest taken in any question before. The letters amount to several thousands. I have kept them nearly all. My sons, who were working in the other room, burnt a few after they had been answered, and before I had asked them to keep them as a record.. They came from all parts, wherever the Daily News circulated, and some of the most interesting of them from children. Some children sent money 'for the little children's dinner at Merthyr,' which, they said, wonld have been spenf otherwise in cakes and lollipeps.' One letter came enclosing a good sum of money from the children of one of her Majesty's Ambassadors in an eastern country. Another came from the West Indies, enclosing jS20 from a father who had just read the account of the children's dinner at Merthyr in the Daily News, and expressing a hope that the draft enclosed would enable me to repeat it. I had the satisfaction of telling him that it had been re- peated then daily for fi ve weeks, and that I had money enough to repeat it daily for twelve weeks more. This gentle- man, as I was afterwards informed, was so moved by the account given that, thinking of his own little ones out of health in England, he sent me the £ 20 as a thank-offering for their improved state since their arrival here, wirch news was conveyed to him by his wife by the same mail that took out the Daily News of the 5th of January. Then, again, other children sent me money, approaching nearly £ 20,'which the parents said would have been the cost of the children's annual party, which- for the sake of the Merthyr children, they this year gladly managed to do without."

THE COUNTY DOWN ELECTION. DECLARATION OF THE POLL. At nine o'clock on Saturday iiiasaing, May IS, the counting of the votes for the County Down election com- menced in the Court House, Downpatrick. Many people arrived by the train which reached Downpatrick at forty minutes past eleven, Lord Castlereagh and Mr. Andrews being among the number. They shook hands and inter- changed compliments on the railway platform in the presence of a large assemblage* At four o'clock the result of the polling was announced Lord Castlereagh (C) C.076 Mr. Andrews (L) 4,701 Majority for Lord Castlereagh 1,375 A telegram was received from Lord Beaconsfield on Saturday evening by Mr. E. S. Finnigan, Lord Castle- reagh's conducting agent, expressing the great gratification of the Premier at the distinguished demonstration of approval made by the electors of County Down in favour of the policy of the Government. After the poll was declared, Lord Castlereagh left for Belfast en route to London. There were great rejoicinj, amongst the Conservatives of the North of Ireland at tins victory, and on Saturday night bonfires were lighted on the County Down hills. Mr. Andrews has issued an address, earnestly thanking the electors who supported him, and-acknowledging the consideration for which he is personally indebted to she electors who opposed him. The statement that upon learning the result of the County Down election Lord Beaconstield telegraphed to Lord Castlereagh's agent expressing his gratification at the distinguished demonstiation of approval made 'by the electors of County Down in favour of the policy of the Government" produces (says the Pall Mall Gazette) an unpleasant impression. Indeed, we cannot help doubt- ing whether such a telegram was ever sent. But sup- posing the report to be true, the exuberant readiness tQ acknowledge the gain of a seat which Lord Beaconsfield displayed, strikes us as weak and undignified. The Northern Whig, iT\. commenting upon the results of this contest, admits that Lord Castlereagh was, under the circumstances, the strongest candidate that could have been chosen to win back to the Conservatives the seat they had lost. The district of the Ards could have been safely calculated upon to have given a very general vote in favour of Ir. Andrews against anv candidate hut Lrvrd Castlereagh. But many tenants, however independent in their sympathies, naturally hesitate to vote against their landlord, or their landlord's son andheir, when he comes forward as a candidate, and when they have been on the whole fairly treated. This loss to Mr. Andrews, when taken with other losses of a less creditable kind to those who brought them about, had, no doubt a very serious effect on the return. It must, however, be admitted that so far as organisation is concerned, and so far as the use and even the abuse of any legitimate influence could be brought to bear to influence the election, everything was done by the Conservative party to win. Money was spent freely and recklessly. Voters were brought from all quarters, not only of the United Kingdom, but even from distant countries. One invalid turned up from Nice. First-class railway tickets were even sent to mechanics, and the cars, wherever they could be obtained, were hired for the day. Then, ever since the defeat of 1874. the Conservative party in Down have carefully attended to the registration. They succeeded in putting on a thousand more votes, and these thousand votes, with other influences at work, just gave Lord Castlereagh the majority of which he has reason to boast.

THE RIOTS IN LANCASHIRE. The streets of Blackburn were on Friday afternoon almost entirely deserted, in consequence of a very heavy fall of rain, which dispersed the crowds of persons who had been seen congregated in the town during the early part of the day. Towards the evening a mob assembled in front of the Town Hall, but they were removed by the police. The Dragoon Guards left for Accrington during the evening, owing to rioting going on in that district. An appeal to the public for support has been issued by one of the societies connected with the operatives. Riotin"- tpok place at Pleasington, where a young man was badly injured by a grocer protecting his premises. At Oswaldtwiotle, on Wednesday night, a mob attacked a manufacturer's house, whence several shots were fired, and three or tour persons were injured. A large body of troops dispersed through the disturbed localities. Between eight and teno'clock on Thursday night there was some win- dowsmashingat Burnley; the police repeatedly charged and eventually dispersed the crowds. The military afterwards appeared on the scene, and an hour later all was quiet. The result of the Masters' meeting at Manchester, on Friday, May 17, is that they agree to open their mills at a reduction of 10 per cent., and at the end of three months they will receive a deputation of operatives on the matter of wages. A mill was destroyed by fire at Haslingden early on Friday morning, the disaster being attributed to incen- diaries. On Saturday no disturbance of any kind occurred. At Great Harwood, on Friday, fourteen persons were injured by the parochial authorities, who dispersed the mob with a volley. In a letter received by Messrs. Birtwistle and Whalley, of Accrington, from the Bishop of Manchester, his lord- ship says Could not a proposition which is made in the Manchester papers be accepted, namely that the men should resume work for three months at least at the 10 per cent. reduction, with that confidence in the fair deal- ing of the employers that if trade revives in the period they should he entitled to the return of the old or any pro- portionate rate of the old wage ? At any rate, whether the suggestion, which seems to me in the face of the ad- mitted depression of trade to be a reasonable one, be en- tertained or not, I do hope that the most strenuous effort will be made to put an end to the present deplorable state of things." The Home Secretary .has telegraphed to the authorities of the various towns in the strike districts that any num- ber of troops they may apply for will be sent down in eight hours, and adds that the authorities are not to hesi- tate for a moment in applying, if they think necessary, as the rioting must at once be put down. The authorities in several towns have applied for more troops in view of fur- ther disturbances. Hopes were entertained that the efforts of Mr. Alderman Pickop, of Blackburn, to arrange a compromise between the masters and the men, might be successful, but his mediation has apparently failed, two branches of the cotton operatives on strike having already refused the terms put forth. The weavers, however, have decided to submit the question to a ballot, and the meeting of the Masters' Committee, which was to have been held on Tuesday has been postponed to await the result. There was no renewal on Monday of the disturbances in any of the places affected by the strike and lock-out. The Press Association Blackburn Correspondent telegraphs that no incident had occurred they; on Tuesday to interrupt the general quiet, but the authorities, in view of possible con- tingencies deem it necessary to still further augment the force at command for the maintenance of order. A body of 100 of West Riding county constabulary came into the town on Tues- day, and have been billetted in a large unoccupied room in the Public Library building. The four men remanded on the charge of rioting on the previous Tuesday night were brought up at the Borough Police Court 011 Tuesday morning, and were committed for trial at the assizes. The distress amongst the families of the operatives is greatly increasing, and beggars are continually at the doors of the better class. The Press Association Preston Correspondent telegraphs:- The groups of factory operatives begging from door to door are on the increase. Great disappointment is felt here, not only by the operatives, but by the public, at the postponement of the meeting of the Masters Central Committee, to which a letter from the Secretary to the Spinners' Association, applying for a close of the lock out was to be submitted. In view of all indefinite prolongation of the strike, the members of the Carders' Union will hold a meeting of their institute to deter- mine, if any, and what increase of contribution per loom be paid by those still working towards the support of the hands locked out. There are crowds of operatives in the {streets, but all is orderly. I The Burnley Local Wearers' Committee have pa^sei a resolu- tion not to carry out the ballot proposal in that town among other reasons for this: They Ray that thev have no machinery for such a purpose. A Manchester telegram savs the strike is extending in the direction of yiat city, at .Messrs. ltviands'mills a large number of hands have corny out, alleging that the re- duction proposed to them counts about twenty per cent.

THE CHILD MURDER BY A MOTHER IN WALES. —COM MI IT AL OF THE ACCUSER Ai Carnarvon county petty sessions, on Saturday, May 18, before Dr. Millar, Mr. Powell, and Mr. White- head, Catherine Jones, the wife of William Jones a farmer, living at Llwynycoed Fawr, Llanliyfni, was charged on remand with the murder of her daughter Sarah, a girl aged eighteen months. Deputy-chief "Con- stable Protheroe prosecuted on behalf of the police. The prisoner, who was represented by counsel, is about thirty- five years of age, and of very respectable appearance. She was dressed in mourning, and appeared to pay but slight interest to what was going on.—William Jones, the husband, said that about noon on Thursday, the 9th May, he, the servant girl, and Ann, a daughter four years old' went into the garden, leaving the mother nursing the deceased, who was a very healthy child, in the kitchen. The mother had suffered from sleeplessness and puerperal mania since the birth of the child, of whom she was very fond, and she had been under medical treatment, having attacked both himself and a servant. On the day in ques- tion she was as rational as he had seen her for some time, and he was under the impression that her mind was im- proving, and that the symptoms of insanity had left her. After being about ten minutes in the garden he returned to the house, and not finding the mother and child he surmised they had gone to a neighbour's. He was on the point of sending the servant" girl to look for them, when his wife came in by the back door carrying the child, who, she said, was dead. He took the child from her and sat with her by the door to see if she would recover her breath, but his wife took it from him and sat near the fire, saying that she would warm it. When in bed that night she asked whether he was not afraid of her; and, on asking why he should be, she replied, Because of what I have done to little Sarah," adding that she only pressed her to her arms. Last winter she attempted the child's life with a razor, and consequently all sharp instruments had been kept out of hEW possession.-Ellen Roberts, the servant, gave evidence as to the violent conduct of the prisoner on certain occasions, and said that offer she had put the dead child into tlie cradle she went into her bedroom, and, calling to witness, asked her whether she thought they would hang her, and that all she had done was to press her hand over the child's mbutli.-Ann Williams, a neighbour of the prisoner's, said that a similar ad- mission was made to her, and that she bad told her that she attempted to cut the child's throat last winter, but upon seeing the blood she got frightqjiecl.—Dr. Roberts said he was satisfied that death resulted from suffocation. He had not deemed it necessary tp make a post-mortem examination.—Dr. Millar expressing his surprise at the absence of a post-mortem examination, Mr. Protheroe said that the coroner had deemed it un- necessary. as he told the jury that the case would not come on for trial.—The prisoner was committed for trial at the assizes on a charge of "Wilful murder." On be-- ing removed from court she threw her arms round her hus- band's neck and cried piteously and a woman in court, said to be her sister, fainted.

A NATIONAL WATER SUPPLY. At the Society of Arts Rooms, Adelphi, London, a Consxess was opened till Tuesday under the presidency of Sir Henry Cole, K.C.B., for the purpose of- considering the question of a comprehensive system of a national wlrter supply for the use and advantage of the nation at large. The idea had been sug- gested to the Council by the Prince of Wales, president of the Society, in a letter, dated January 50th. The Chairman observed that the suggestion of the Prince was f the greatest national ynportance, and could scarcely be overrated. H» believsu twt if instead of sending capital out of the country, it were applied to a great national water supply, even if it cost. one hundred or two hundred millions, it would be a creels thing accom- plished, and he had no doubt the Government would be able so to manage the finances as to guarantee a moderate interest which would be amply repaid commercially, and more than re- paid economically, in the improved health of the country.—Mr. G. J. Symons read the first paper, in which he maint ained that the available rainfall could not be increased, that the popula- tion was doubling every twenty-five years, and that in order that the water supply might keep pace with the demand, new and more extensive arrangements would be necessary. Other papers were revd, pointing out that GoVorninent was the only authority to look to for the solution of the problem of.the proper utilization of the abundant sources of water supply in the country.—After a short adjournment, the Congress was resumed in the afternoon —Mr. A. H. Brown, M.P., read a paper, in the course of which he referred to the 6th t report of the Eivers Pollution Commission, and the reports of medical officers of health, with the view of showing that in small town., and rural districts, where there was no public water supply. the sanitary condition was very unsatisfactory. At Wednesday's sitting of the Conference, a resolution was a(lopted urging Government to appoint a permanent scientific commission tft investigate the facts connected with wat^r supply throughout the United Kingdom, in orderio facilitate the utili- zation of the national resources of water supply for the benefit of the country as a whole.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has, by letters patent, constituted Lord Penzance Dean of Arches. On Friday morning the Prince and Princess of Wales returned to London from Paris. In the aftsrnoon his Royal Highness held a levee at St. James's Palace. The Crown Prince of Germany was present. Thunderstorms were experienced over the greater part of England on Saturday, May 18, but of most violence in the midland counties. In Warwickshire so heavv wis the rain that the rivers have risen rapid'y, and floods, which would be very disastrous to the crops just now, are feared. In Oxford the storm occurred at three o'clock in the morn- ing, and was so extremely violent that many people are said to have risen from bed, fearful lest their houses should be struck by the lightning. At Banbury the Cher- well overflowed its banks at Sunderland many streets flooded; and near Bath the rain caused a landslip on the Midland Railway, which blocked the line for several hours. In Liverpool a horse was killed in Chapel-street by the lightning, and a house was struck in Bootle. LOXDOX AND NORTH-WESTERN* RAILWAY.—At a special gèneral meeting of the shareholdrs of the London and North-Western Railway Company, held on Wednesday, May 15, it was unanimously resolved to create new capital to the extent of £ 2,025,000. in the form of perpetual five per cent. preference stock. Of this amount £ 1,350,000 is offered to the proprietors at 120, while the residue—viz., £ 1,285,000—will be issued as opportunity may occur. The Council of the Borough of Chelsea Liberal Association have passed the following resolution: Tli,,tt with a view to selecting a second candidate, two members of the Council be at liberty to propose any person (the consent of such person having been previously obtained) by sending a written nomina- tion to the Hon. Secretary, on or before the 31st of May." The Press Association is informed that the litigation in the Hereford College case is not likely to be continued, bv an appeal from the recent judgment to the House of V.rds; but that judgment will be regarded as a ground for renewed agitation the object of which will be to obtain such an amendment of the University Tests Act of 1871, lis will set at rest the doubts which have arisen respecting some of its provisions, and make it effective for the purpose of its promoters. The London Gazette announces that her Majesty in Council at Windsor, on May 16th, was pleased to declare her consent to a contract of matrimony betweerf H.R.H. Arthur William Patrick Albert, Duke of Connaught and Strathearne, and Earl of Sussex, &c., and H.R.H. the Princess Louise Margaret Alexandra Victoria Agnes of Prussia, which consent her Majesty also has caused to be signified under the Great Seal. A general meeting of the National Rifle Associatier. was held in London on Tuesday, under the presidency of Lord Wlnm- cliffe, in the absence of the Duke of Cambridge. The Chairman stated that the Wimbledon meeting would be held on the 18th July, the camp being ready on the Cth. With few exceptions the regulations of the prize list would be the same as the pro- gramme of 1S77. The War Office had consented to grant the use of Martini Henri rifles to Queen's prize competitors. The new prizes to be shot for were a challenge cup value £ 150 goblet to each member of wipning section, £ 30 in four other prizes to be given by Mappin Bros., &c. THROAT IRRITATION.—Soreness and dryness, tickling, and irritation, inducing cough and affecting the voice. For these symptoms use Epps's Glycerine Jujubes. Only in boxes 6d. and Is., labelled "JAMES Epl's & Co., Homoeopathic Chemists 41\, Threadneedle St., and 170, Piccadilly, AN EVENING BEVERAGE.— Ejips's Cacaeine (Quintessence of C icao) is equally liquid and refreshing as tea, affor ling more- over a sterling support to the system. Unsweetened. Each packet (6d.) is labelled JAMES JEPPS &.Co., Homoeopathic Chemists, London." HEALTH WITHOUT MEDICINE, inconvenience or expense re- stored by Du BARRY'S DELICIOUS REVALENTA ARABIC A. FOOD which repairs the mucous membrane of the stomach and expels and renews the blood rapidly, curing effectually chronic indi- gestion (dyspepsia), habitual constipation, diarrhoea, hemor- rhoids, liver complaints, flatulency, nervousness, biliousiiesslall kinds of fevers, sore throats, catarrhs, colds, influenza, noises ca in the head and ears, rheumatism, gout, poverty and impurities of the blood, eruptions, hysteria, neuralgia, irritability, sleep- lessness, low spirits, spleen, acidity, waterbrash, palpitation heartburn, headache, debility, dropsy, cramps, spasms, nausea' and vomiting after eating, eren in pregnancy or at sea' siukins fits, cough, asthma, bronchitis, cosumption, exhaustion epilensv- diabetes, paralysis, wasting away, and the feverish and bitter taste on awaking, or caused by tobacco or drink. 30 vears in- variable success with adults and delicate children. 9c 000 cures of cases considered hopeless. It contains four time's 'as much nourishment as meat. It is likewise the only recognised food to rear delicate infants successfully, and to* overcome ail in- fantine difficulties in teething, weaning, measles, fevers rest- lessness, diarrhcea, eruptions. Fed on this food infantsthrive better than on nurses milk, and the most restless even sb»»n soundly all night through It saves 50 times its cost fn dru^f Important caution :—Thirtyyears well-deserved and world-wide reputation of J>u Barry s Food has led some speculator* up all kinds of foods. However, Mr. Pve Henrv O^cf F.R.C.S author of" Advice to a mother." Analvz«UC of these and declared Du Barry s food to be the best. 'Likewise Dr B* E Routh, physician to the Samaritan Hospital for Women knd Children, declares Among the vegetable subsfauices Du Barry s Revalenta Arabica is the best, as it contains all the ele- ments of milk," and that under its influence many women and children affected with atrophy and marked debility have com- pletely recovered. Dr. William Wallace Elmslie,lof'i, Seafield: Brighton, >> writes to the Lancet Dn Barrv's Food is worth its weight in gold." Cure No. 89,915 TwentY-five years' incredible miseries from chronic dyspepsia, nervousness sleeplessness, low spirits, debility, and swellings all over to double my natural sizer-miseries I endured, and for which T tried the best advice in vain. For five months I have lived en- tirely on Du Barry's Revalenta Arabica Food. I never felt so well in my life as I do now. all the swelling and nervousness hay- ing left me..1 sleep well and feel happy, CHARLES IUSON — Monmouth, -30th of August, 1876." Du Barry's Revalenta Ara- bica Food (suitably packed forall climates) sells- In fins of in," at 2s. lib, 3s. Cd. 21b., 6s.; 5lb., 14s.; 12s. 32s' Mb f*vT DU BARRY'S REVALENTA AJIABICA C !IOCO LATE. ]WWcfir-I:n tin canisters for 12 cups at 2s. 24 cups, 3s. 6d. • 48 CUDS 6S • cups, 34s.; 576 cups 64s. y » • 1U\L5A,ILRY'S REVALENTA Biscuixs.-They soothe the most irritable stomach and nerves, m nausea and sickness even in pregnancy or at sea, heartburn, and the feverish, acid 'or bitter ta^tejp waking up, or caused by tobacco or drinking.'—lib., 3s. 6d.; 6s.; jib., los., l-_lb., 32s.; 24lb., 60s. AiDn wV L,MITi:f», >To- 77, Regent-street, London, W., and through all Grocers and Chemists in the world —Sold in this district: Carnarvon—Mr. Roberts, grocer. Pugh and Pritchard, 33, Pool-street/ Festiniog-R. Parry, general dealer. Llanrwst-Jos- Finchett, grocer. Machynlleth—T. Brees, grocer. Thos. Rees, grocer. Newtown, Mont.—B. Lloyd, juH., grocer.