Weekly Mail

OOtkt!l paa SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1886. NOTES OF THE WEEK. [BY OUR LONDON CORJBESP8NDENT S.] The frequent conferences held between Lord Salisbury, Lord R. Churchill, and Sir M. H. Beach excite great curiosity in political circles. The Irish Tories give Lord Randolph credit for having matured a plan of his own for the settlement of the Irish question, and they suspect that he is now using his strong will and persuasive tongue to bring round the leaders of the party in both Houses to his way of thinking. They warn us that, if he suc- ceeds, we may look out for breakers ahead. It is clear that, whatever subject may be dis- cussed at these conferences, they have nothing to do with the Local Government Bill, which has been referred to a separate Ministerial Committee. Nor, indeed, does it seem reasoaable to hope that the cure for Irish discontent can now be found in a measure of local government reform appli- cable to the whole United Kingdom. You cannot give the control of the police, in. the present state of the country, to Local Boards in Ireland which wouid be composed of mem- bers of the National League; while, on the other hand, quiet and loyal ratepayers in Great Britain would be up in arms at once if the Government proposed to take away from the local authorities in England and Scotland the right to have their own police and so to put them on an equality with the Irish people. There can be no contentment in Ireland till the land question is settled. If a peasant proprietary were once created, and the temptation to commit agrarian offences removed, the Irish farmers would probably be found to be an exceedingly conservative class. The first step, then, to be taken in Irish legis- lation is to complete 3Ir. Gladstone's land policy by purchasing the freehold of the soil from the landlords. An absurd story is fascinating the fighting Radicals, to the effect that Ministers intend incorporating with the Address in reply to the Queen's Speech a vote of confidence in themselves. There is no foundation for this statement, which, however, usefully indicates the high tension to which the carpet-baggers of the Opposition have strung themselves in view of a possible early redistribution of the spoils of office. The proceedings of the Cabinet in relation to the Address will be obedient to routine and good taste but, of course, their opponents will endeavour to tind a flaw in their action. Some lines in the circular sent by Sir Michael Hicks-Beach to his followers have led to the impression at the Radical Clubs that Ministers intend taking an immediate vote upon their policy. The language used by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, however, will be found to differ in no substantial sense from the language uniformly adopted in these regulation sessional summonses from the leaders to their followers. Lord Richard Grosvenor, on behalf of Earl Granville and Mr. Gladstone, is issuing a similar circular to the members of the Liberal party in both Houses. It is now very doubtful if the meeting of Parliament will be preceded by a conference of the leader and members of the Opposition. A grand palaver was intended several weeks ago, but you can hear nothing about it now. The truth is, many things have happened since that meeting was talked of, the chief incident being the awkward revelation con- cerning Mr. Gladstone's thoughts upon Home Rule. It is now known to the chief Liberal Whip—and we may be sure the fact has not been kept from the right hon. gentleman, even though the gruesome dis- covery were conveyed in an euphemism-that if Mr. Gladstone meet Parliament with the scheme of Home Rule attributed to him he would split his party beyond all hope of re- constructing it on that subject. That being the case, the most strategic piece of general- ship is obviously not to tempt unpleasant or inconvenient inquiries by a preliminary ex- change of views. I have seen letters which show con- clusively that hostility to the ex-Premier's proposals is not confined to the Whig section of the Opposition, but is shared in by a large number of prominent Radicals as well. It is significant, and, perhaps, note- worthy, that the Scotch Liberals, who saved the party from something akin to annihila- tion at the polls, are almost to a man opposed to any tampering with the unity of the Empire. Of course, great efforts are being made to give a totally different complexion to the situation, but the facts are precisely as I state them. Hence a conference between the leader and his party would show that for the Opposition chief Ireland is practically a live volcano. For these reasons the palaver is likely to go off without coming off. That Lord Randolph Churchill's hand will be seen in the legislative programme of the Cabinet admits of no surmise. Lord Randolph is just now one of the busiest thinkers in the Ministry, and Ireland in particular would be found to occupy the larger portion of his attention by those who en joyed access to his confidence. The Secretary for India is popularly one of the most misunderstood men in England. His speeches are thought to indicate a tendency to frivolity if not to levity. This is an entire delusion. The noble lord is a grave man, with all a grave man's largeneas of purpose. He looks ahead to the Premiership, and to that goal his energies are directed. An enormous force in the councils of the Ministry, he is at once the hardest worker and the most popular man in his special department. Lord Randolph Churchill is gradually educating the country to an understanding of his character in politics. I refer to the subject just now because in a few days it will be found that the Secretary for India has shaped the course of an important event in the domestic history of the kingdom. An announcement in the Court Circular states how Lord Rowton arrived at Osborne and had the honour of dining with the Queen and Royal Family." An announce- ment of the kind may be frequently seen by students of the courtly columns of the lioyal newspaper, and those who are a little behind the scenes always know what signiticance to attach to this brief and formal intimation. The contidential secretary of the great Minister has become the confidential adviser of the Sovereign. Let me not be mis- understood. The adviser does not presume to tell the Queen what her Majesty should do, but he simply acquaints her with what she desires to know. Lord Rowton knows more of what is doing in the political world than the actual actors in it, for he is privileged to look on the play from such a position that he can see into the heart of both campa at once. Even between the Sovereign and her First Minister there is observed a certain stiffness of bearing arising from conscious responsi- bility. The Minister speaks with the tongue of party; Lord Rowton can tell her Majesty what is doing, or being talked about, or proposed beyond Downing-street and the Carlton Club. Of course, Lord Kowton is a good Conservative, and has his own strong opinions about Home Rule. But the Queen does not ask his lordship for his opinions so much as for his knowledge. If you cared to look over an old tile of the Court Circular you would, I think, discover that whenever a political crisis was in course of development Lord Rowton appeared amongst the Queen's guests. Lord Kowton's position in society is absolutely unique, and the Queen's confidence in his lordship's discretion may also be under- stood to show to the world that her Majesty's interest in the memory of Lord Rowton's late chief continues as deep as ever. Sir J. F. Stephen's powerful letter in the Times on Home Rule shows conclusively that such schemes as Mr. Labouchere's, if they mean anything, mean separation. "It is an independent Ireland, restrained by a thread, and veiled with a fif-leaf." With sledge- hammer and merciless logic, this shrewd reasoner smashes the arguments of the men of phrases who refuse to see what a disastrous thing Home Rule would be for England and Ireland. Whatever it is right to do for Ireland should be done by a British, and not by an Irish, Parliament." This is a conclu- sion in which most of us are disposed to agree, but it is disappointing to find that Sir J. Stephen, when he comes to speak of practical measures of legislation, has nothing better to suggest than the renewal of the Crimes Act. Mr. Parnell's Parliamentary success hitherto has been achieved by a march of stealth, and there is no reason that I can discover to encourage him to change his tactics, at least not just yet. My sources of information, which, on this subject, are found in men who may be fairly called the eyes and ears of the Irish chief, tend emphati- cally to the conclusion that if Lord Salisbury brings in a Bill investing the people of Ire- land with complete control of insular affairs Mr. Parnell will accept the offer provisionally. Such a power will add to his influence enormously. He will become a species of parochial Mahdi. The entire civil admini- stration of Ireland would pass into his hands. I am confidently assured that Mr. Parnell is alive to the advantages of the position, and will occupy it before making a more decisive advance. Someone has said that ideas do not grow in Bouverie-street and that any fresh departure in that quarter must be ascribed to the higher political influences. It may be so, but it is impossible to believe that the article in the chief Liberal paper on the first duty of Parliament was inspired from Hawarden. A more ingenious proposal for delivering the Liberal party over to the enemy could hardly be made at the present juncture than a proposal to commence the Session"with the imposition of fresh rules for tightening the discipline of debate in the House of Commons. If there is anything that re-acts upon Mr. Parnell and excites to turbulent wrath the self-contained spirit of that hon. gentleman, it is the mention of new rules of Parliamentary procedure. These, he always maintains, are directed personally at him and his followers, and the author of the proposal becomes in his sight an object of determined hostility. If the Daily News wished to preach a doctrine of Liberal- Nationalist irreconcilability it could not have adopted a more convenient and instructive text. The appointment of Mr. Rowland Tinker to be an inspector of factories and work- shops is gazetted. It will be remem- bered that some time ago, when the an- nouncement of it was first made, the appoint- ment created a great deal of criticism, chiefly owing to the fact that Mr. Tinker has been for some time closely connected with Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett, and has for some years published England. Mr. Tinker, however, seems to be well qualified for the post, as I am informed that he commenced life as a working lad in a Lancashire cotton mill, that he subsequently spent some years as a coal miner, and that he has gradually worked himself up from the bottom of the ladder to the position which he now holds. A marriage has been arranged between Mr. Harry E. Taunton Collins, eldest son of Mr. Eugene Collins, of 33, Porchester-terrace, Hyde Park, late M.P. for Kinsale, and Ada, youngest daughter of Mr. Frederick Penning- ton, of Broome Hall, Holmwood, Dorking, late M.P. for Stockport. The Princess of Wales and the Princess Louise are under the treatment of Sir Oscar Clayton for influenza. The reported improvement in the condition of Princess Christian, who is suffering from acute melancholia, is denied.

LOCAL JOTTINGS. [BY PENDRAQON.] I regret very much that my advocacy of a clear half-holidav for tho hairdressers' assistants of Cardiff has failed. In my simplicity of heart I thought they were as much entitled to the boon as those engaged in other businesses, and although I have been unsuccessful, I cannot conscientiously say I have encountered any reasons to induce me to change my mind. A man convinced against r his will is of the same opinion still," and I still labour under the impression that I espoused a good Z, cause. The great bulk of the hairdressers were quite willing to make the concession, if it can be called one, because they felt, I dare believe, as I do, that one's head or one's chin would not suffer materially for being untouched by the hands of the barber for a few hours. Two only of the hairdressers stood out, and the allega- tion of one of them is that the employes from other establishments could not be neglected for the sake of their congeners who use the scissors and the razor with so much dexterity. The hours of the latter are already sufficiently prolonged- from half-past eight in the morning until half- past eight at night is no joke, even for young fellows with robust physiques—and I do hope that the hangers-back will re-consider their determina- tion, as the other hairdressers do not feel inclined to close their places of business while the two indicated remain open. A Lover of Mercy," who tells me she is only a woman, and not in tho habit of writing to newspapers," complains of the over-loading of some of the vehicles which ply between Cardiff and Penarth, and describes a typical journey she made in one of these conveyances. She declares that more passengers were carried than were allowed by the regulations, with the result that the two horses which had to do the hauling were conside- rably distressed. She dwells with considerable bitterness on that part of the work which had to be done at the steep incline at Cogan, where the struggles of the animals were most painful to behold. Remonstrance only brought the retort from the little boy' who acted as conductor that 'it would take the fat off 'em, She con- eludes This is a strong letter, but if some of us did not open our mouths for the dumb creatures their voiceless wrongs might never reach pitying hearts." I do not single out any particular conveyance, but I must bear my testimony that the practice of over-loading in Cardiff has got to an almost un. endurable pitch. On Saturday nights this is especially the case, as anyone who takes the journey from, say, High-street to Canton and vice versa can bear testimony. The passengers are packed inside as close as herrings in a box and the conductors take no notice of the complaints except when they indulge in a little cheerful badinage at the expense of those who complain. I don't say that the omnibuses are worse than the 1 cars, or the cars greater sinners than the omni- buses. They all do it. It is six of one and half-a- dozen of the other, and I hope the managers will do something to stop a practice which bodes no good either to bipeds or quadrupeds. I do not like to appear selfish, but I certainly do object to being nearly suffocated because it pleases Messieurs the Conductors to put a dozen extra coppers into the coffers of their employers without the slightest consideration for the comfort and convenience of their fares. I wind up now, and hope I shall not have to recur to the subject, for a day or two at all events. I expect the minority of the Cardiff General Purposes Committee will "chortle in their joy" when I tell them that the Glamorgan Hunt Ball will not take place at Cardiff this year anyhow. It has been decided to postpone the event until the races and steeplechases early in the spring, and Cowbridge has been selected as the place in which the dancing shall take place. I hope, from the bottom of my soul, that all you tradesmen, inn- keepers, livery-stable keepers, and cabmen will send up a howl of execration which will not cease to reverberate until next November comes round again in the whirligig of time. By malice prepense you have been dished out of profitable business, and the only consolation you have is that it was not from any fault of your own, but from the deliberate action of those who profess to re- present you in the local Parliament. These narrow-minded nobodies now put the fault on the back of Mr. Birt St. A. Jenner, the hunt secretary, who is accused of discourtesy in not answering a certain letter. Was the letter sent, and by whom ? If the communication was an official one, and for- warded from the proper official quarter, there can be no difficulty in producing a copy. Where is it ? I am not concerned about Mr. Jenner—he must answer for himself, if he is in the mood to do so— but what I complain of is that the allega- tions of wanton damage and the reference to the mysterious letter were not made at the first meeting of the committee. It was an afterthought to be muchly utilised when the fogies and the feeble found the ratepayers of the town were down upon them like a thousand of bricks for diverting much-needed cash from the town into other channels. Supposing Mr. Jenner has not been so courteous as he ought to have been—I don't at all admit it as a fact—were the whole of the ladies and gentlemen connected with the Glamorgan Hunt to consider themselves tarred with the same brush? Well, I am not going to worry my internal economy out in the contemplation of what has happened. I hope the fogies and the feeble are proud of the part they have played in this matter, and that they will call a special meeting of the clan to celebrate their victory by singing— Come, let U3 be happy together, For where there's a will there's a way. Au revoir, ye myopes.—(See any common dic- tionary.) In answer to a flippant correspondent who signs himself "Mudsucker," and dates his com- munication from The Other Side of Styx," I can bear witness, from personal observation, that the Cardiff Corporation patent mud-maker. alias steam roller, alias" demon-crusher," is still actively engaged in its enlightened mission, and is likely to continue on the job till the crack of doom. The reason, I am assured, for keeping this costly and destructive piece of machinery in full employ is to save the pang which the local authorities would feel in having to discharge from their service two boys and a man who have always been honesi and faithful in the discharge of their duties, and the alarming distress which would immediately prevail among the shoeblack brigade of the town, who would be compelled to parade the streets singing the pitiful refrain, We've got no work to do, hoo hoo I always shake hands (in the spirit, of course) when I hear tell of an honest man. Isn't it Pope, in one of his epistles, who sings:- A wit's a feather, and a chief's a rod, An honest man's the noblest work of God? A glance up this column warns me I am in a poetic vein. Forgive me, kind readers, and I won't do it not no more-until the next time, which you and 1 hope may be far distant! What I want to record. after all this beating about the bush, is that a French gentleman who lives in Castle-road, Cardiff. has honoured me with a letter, in which he say- that a few days ago he gave a tramcar conductor what he believed to be a shilling and received the usual change; He afterwards missed a sovereign, and thought, perhaps, he had made a mistake in the car. He at once communicated with the obliging manager and heigh, presto! the sovereign came back to it rightful owner, it having been discovered in check- ing the accounts. Concludes Monsieur: "I writ" in order to publicly thank, through you, the tram- way company for their courtesy, and the con- ductor (Chamberlain) for his honesty." From Swansea writes Oyster "—I hope my cor- respondent will re-christen himself if he is going to address me again, as the very mention of the succulent bivalve always sets my mouth watering —in the following dulcet strains, and quoting a sentence which appeared in this columnDear 'Pendragon,'—Whilst thanking the manager of the Swansea Tramways Company, who is, as a rule, always willing to make the system under his con- trol as convenient and useful as possible,' for all small mercies granted to passengers, would you kindly ask him why the waiting-room at the St. Helen's Junction has been closed ? This junction is, I take it, one of the most popular and profitable positions on the system, joining, as it does, tht horse section to the steam, and the waiting-room there was a great boon (especially in wet weather) to passengers going to the Mumbles Last night I was returning to the Mumbles by the 8.30 tram, when, at the Junction, some six or a dozen ladies came in, literally drenched. There being no place to shelter in, they had to stand about in pelting rain until the tram came up This is really too bad. Perhaps a hint from you might mend matters."—1 have hinted, Oh! "Oyster"; and now close your shell and goto by-by. The following paragraphs have been sent along by an esteemed correspondent, and I give them as his opinions not my own:— The Corporation of Swansea on Monday decided by an absolute majority'—as required by Act of Parliament—to proceed with the Bill which seeks to abolish the bridge tolls and to construct a bridge over the Tawe at White Rock. Thirteen votes were required, but no less than fifteen were obtained. Considering the insuperable objections which may be taken to the course now adopted, it is postively marvellous how the majority was secured. The defects in the proposed arrangement were admitted by several of the speakers who subsequently voted for it. Messrs. Meager and Rawlings. for instance, will have some little difficulty in reconciling their votes with their expressed opinions, whilst Mr. Trew, whose vote being, as it were, in the balance, supported it only because he desired the subsequent sub- mission of the matter to the ratepayers. The defects in the Bill to which I have alluded are sufficiently obvious. In the first place, the construction of a new Tawe Bridge was to all appearances only thought of at the last moment, and without proper consideration in com- mittee, and this is all the more serious because the only scheme which is at present regarded as feasible will entail an expenditure of something like £25,000. To my mind, at all events, this is a sum not to be hastily spent. Then, with regard to the bridge tolls—the question is, where is the £4.000 of revenue which is proposed to be stopped to come from in the future? The bondholders will have to be paid for certain, or the trust become bank- rupt. The ratepayers will probably have to bear the burden in the end, for it cannot possibly be argued that the finances of the trust admit' of the abolition. In the meantime the ratepayers will be mulcted in the costs of an army of lawyers, who will suck more out of the bridge tolls in a short session than the trust have during several years. Mr. Yeo, the chairman of the trust, feels very deeply on the question, and he resented the attack upon the revenues of the trust with considerable bitter- ness. On the otrfer hand, the abolitionists are equally determined that the people shall be trampled upon no longer. I do not at present see the way clear to a compromise, but I think it will be the general desire of all sensible men that a settlement should be arrived at-even if it be in the Committee-room of the House-by which the public shall be freed from toll and the safety cf the finances of the trust at the same time satis- factorily guaranteed." A truly refreshing scene was to be witnessed at the Albert-hall, Swansea, on Monday, when many hundreds of poor children took tea together at the expense of a sympathising public. The hall actually overflowed with urchins of different ages, yet enough was found for all, and many whose stomachs were less accommodating than the dis- tributors of the good things bargained for found they had sufficient left in their parcels to provide those at home with a taste as well. It is gratifying to note in connection with this subject that at the happy season just past, when all were trying to make their money represent as much enjoyment to themselves as possible, the poor of Swansea, like those of most other towns, have not been alto- gether forgotten. Several instances have lately been given tending to show that sympathy is not altogether dead amongst us, and that the fires of British philanthropy are not paling before the tremendous rush of nineteenth century utilita- rianism. I feel bound to mention those I have heard of, so pray let me say my say. To begin with, Mrs. Vivian supplied the Work- house inmates with their usual Christmas dinner. The children of the Cottage Home were, I assure you, not left out when Christmas dainties were the subject of consideration before the guardians. In several parishes the necessitous poor have received marked attention, and a supply of clothing and food has been gratefully received in many a poverty-stricken household. Alderman Thomas, of Llan, I find, carried out his usual custom of providing the old women of Morriston with warm blankets for the winter season whilst a younger townsman, Mr. W. H. Edwards, on being supplied by the ministers of the eleven different places of worship in the same neighbourhood with the names of deserving persons, ensured each and all a good Christmas dinner in the shape of a substantial piece of beef. To come to my last instance, I must announce to my readers that a committee of ladies and gentlemen have been formed to establish a soup kitchen, and Mrs. Joseph Solomon, of Northampton, has undertaken the conduct of the institution, which is to be open twice a week from to-day. This latter scheme is one in which all can assist by the pur- chase and distribution of tickets. Funds are urgently necessary. Let them not be wanting now that a start has been made. An impudent beggar is my pet abomination. It is bad enough to be pestered, out of one's life almost, by pertinacious mendicants, but when they resort to threats and bad language if their demands tre not conceded my monkey gets up" in a moment. One of the tribe had to make an en- forced appearance at the Newport Police Court to- day. Whilst in drink he went into a public-house to beg, and because he did not succeed in his object he opened fire with his tongue upon the refusing individual and followed him out of the house, where he was in the act of opening fire with his fists if he had not been caught red- handed by a police-constable, who, singular to relate, happened to be on the scene just in the nick of time. A penalty of five shillings was imposed. It shouldliave been, your worships, unmitigated, inexorable chokey." Polite beggars, when bowled out, are almost invariably sent to gaol without the alternative of paying a fine; but abuse and violence, it seems, are a sort of mitiga- tion of vagrancy as it is regarded in the Mon- mouthshire borough. Supposing the fellow had only been charged with simple drunkenness, he would have had to pay no more. Mr. T. M. Price, M.E., of Neath, has just re- minded me that in most towns, except Neath, a subscription list has been opened in aid of the Mardy Explosion Fund. There are many persons in Neath who are desirous of contributing if a move were made in this direction. I am glad to find that in Cadoxton Church a collection has been made, and I trust the matter will not be overlooked at the various other churches and chapels in the town and district. I am sure the matter has quite escaped the attention of the worthy archdeacon, who is ever foremost in the furtherance of deserving objects. From Neath comes the following:—" Dear Pen- tagon,'—A gentleman of influence in the town a few days ago called my attention to the scanda- lous manner in which a pauper was treated by the 'powers that be.' She appeared to be extremely old and very weak. Yet, in the face of this, the poor soul was dragged to Aberavon Station with- out any conveyance, and in the same manner from Neath Station to the workhouse, a distance of nearly a mile. The unfortunate woman, he told me, was evidently suffering greatly, and he added that they did not even take a railway ticket for her. I could not help thinking how terribly true were the lines:— Rattle her bones ovpr the stones, She's only a pauper whom nobody owns." I have an unbounded respect and veneration for Home Secretaries generally. At least, I hope I have. I like some better than others, principally the latter. I do not, I trust, go into ecstacies over the hurly-burly sort, such, for instance, as the puffing-and-a-blowi^g Harcourt; but the present occupant of the office is my especial delight. I hope he will see these lines because he may per- chance feel in a good sort of a temper and listen xttentively to what I am going to reveal. The Glamorgan justices, in solemn conclave assembled, on Tuesday for the second time, agreed to augment rhe chief-constable's salary by £100. On the previous occasion when the amount was voted the then Home Secretary (I don't know whether it was the present) declined to sanction it, and so it came up again on Tuesday and was unanimously re-voted. We have an exceptionally good officer in Colonel Lindsay, and as he will only be getting what other gentlemen occupying his position receive if the addition is made to the salary, I shall not be friends with Sir Richard Cross—and if he had my card he would not like this to be said-if he does not concede a just reward to constant and meritorious service. More than one gentleman of means and position A the county of Glamorgan has been disappointed at not seeing his name included in the list of recently-selected county justices. One case in particular is entitled to sympathy. A gentleman well known for his successful colliery enterprise was approached some time ago by a local magnate, who intimated that a seat on the bench was to be obtained through his influence. But—there is always a but in these cases-the local magnate re- quired a loan of a few thousands-six thousand, I believe, was the exact amount. The local magnate always has been requiring loans since I knew him. Could he offer any security ? Why, certainly, the best of security-the policy of insurance on his own life. Well, the end of the matter was that the loan was effected. But the misguided lender has not yet been appointed a county beak, and I fear he never will. Who was it, you ask. Well, can't you guess? I should like to direct the special attention of my friends the colliers of South Wales and Mon- mouthshire to a piece of high-handed business in connection with one of the chiefs of the Liberal party which has so long and so pertinaciously thrown dust in their eyes. The constant cry of the Radicals has been Codlin's your man, not Short." Well, listen to this specimen of friendliness on the part of Lord Granville, the second in com- mand to Mr. Gladstone. On Monday the widow of a collier obtained in the County Court of Stoke-upon- Trent a verdict for JE150 against the noble (?) earl under the Employers' Liability Act, for the loss of her husband, who was killed in the mines; and the judge, referring to a charge brought by his lordship against the plaintiff's only witness for perjury, which is now pending, remarked that he considered the action most indecent. I don't sup- pose Earl Granville will care a fig for the opinion of anyone so insignificant as a County Court judge, but I do. He has founded his decision on the ovidence adduced before him.

JIR. CHILDERS AT EDINBURGH. Mr. Childers opened his electioneering campaign for the Southern Division of Edinburgh on Wednesday night, and met with a most cordial rectption." The right hon. gentleman referred at some length to the question of Home Rule for Irebnd, stating that, while prepared to give to some extent local government to that country, yet he was decidedly adverse to her separation from the United Kingdom. As to the disestablishment of the Church of Scotland, he said that any measure for such a purpose could only be considered at the desire of the people of Scotland shown at the general election.

Mr. Herbert Johnson, the artist who accom. panied the Prince of Wales throughout the Royal tcur in India, has been selected to design the memorial tablet to be erected in St. Paul's C,thedral in memory of the war correspondents, Mr. Cameron and Mr. St. Leger Herbert, who fell in the Soudan.

OUR PARIS LETTER. PARIS, JANUARY 6. France has had so many Cabinets that the for- mation of a new one now creates no interest. In times gone by the newspapers would, in presence of such an event, have been snatched from the vendors and hastily read under a gas lamp or be- fore a shop window. But we have changed all that; Cabinets have become as plentiful as black- berries but, what is worse, all resemble each other, as day succeeding day. The preliminaries of the latest comedy have been gone through. M. Brisson was urged to hold on; knowing more pleasure would be felt at his departure, he only decamped the more rapidly. He is reported to be terribly disappointed, as during the last six years he has been training himself to succeed M. Grevy, and the latter has found nothing better to do than remain in office. In presence of the difficulties of forming a per- manent Administration and the plethora of ex- Premiers, would it not be worth while to try a Cabinet composed of all the ex-Presidents of the Council ? The idea is new, and so presentable, for Parisians, like the Athenians, love novelty. M. de Freycinet is naturally the successor of M. Biisson, as fish follows soup at dinner. Up to the present be has been fortunate to sail between wind and water, now he is between, not two, but half-a- dozen stools. He is no man's enemy; nor yet has he trustworthy political friends. He practises St. Paul's doctrine of being all things to all men. Now, this eunuch policy will be sorely tested henceforth. France, as Lamartine remarked on the eve of the Revolution of 1848, s'ennuie: people are sour, angular, and out of sorts there is a leaven abroad that things are not what they ought to be, and that namby-pamby, jelly-fish, or the honey and jam style of governing must be wound up. M. de Freycinet appears to rely on a policy of immobility, which, interpreted, means doing nothing. Lord Melbourne played out that kind of statesmanship in his day. But there is no finality in politics-not even in reform. The Chamber of Deputies is not exactly now a Sleeping Beauty in the wood. If the deputies are not kept employed at some of the needed reforms they will continue the work of devouring themselves, with interludes of gobbling up Cabinets. A Government which exists merely to veto reforms and progress cannot be durable, while it may kill Parliamentary legis- lations as effectually as the coups d'état of the 18th Brumaire and the 2nd of December. It is not a Dr. Panglosse the present situation of France requires, still less a Ministry that simply has no other anxiety than the totting up of fluctu. ating majorities. That may be finesse; but finesse is not strength, no more than indecision is pru- dence, or expedients plans of conduct. The year 1885 has not been good for the Republic the latter has nothing to its credit on account of reform or progress. It has marched-but backwards. It has lost ground, and finds itself in presence of an im- posing Monarchal Opposition and divided ranks among its own partisans. The Republic has shaken off Jules Ferry-for the moment; but the Tonquin ball remains not the less chained to the feet of France. The era of great difficulties has opened for the Republic: its psychologic moment has arrived. It must either assert its vitality or enter on its period of decadence; it must either advance or recede; immobility is impossible. It is a question of re- form or revolution the latter can be avoided by union and unison-the real proofs of sagacity and strength. If not, the issues—anarchy and dicta- torship—are inevitable. The condition of Prince Bismarck is exciting a good deal of curiosity. It is next to unanimously accepted that he is rapidly breaking up. Recent European complications indicate that his hand has lost its cunning. Many persons strongly believe that Kaiser William, with more than one foot in the grave, will out-live his historical supports-Moltke and Bismarck. In the Balkan imbroglio Bismarck's diplomacy has been eclipsed, by England.who has, in championing the popular cause—the union of the Bulgarians-discovered an effective scientific frontier against the advance of Russia. To oppose that union comes with a bad grace from the apostle of German autonomy; and advocating the integ- rity of the Berlin Treaty looks unorthodox when Holstein is remembered, and the tearing up by Russia—a natural role with her-of the 1856 Treaty of Paris. Metternich's work was at one time viewed as the permanent solution for European peace. Where is the balance of power theory now ? If there be no Heines, Bcernes, Jalms, Ardots, &c., there will be Bulgarias and Carolines to intensify the rheumatisms and paralysis of the world's great medicine men. In the treaty of peace between China and France the former conceded the right to French capitalists to construct all railways throughout the Celestial Empire. That privilege is likely to become a dead letter, as the Germans are offering money to the Chinese to make railways and China will not wait —such clause is not in the Tien-Tsin bond-till France decides to act. A railway for China would no more find subscribers here than a railway to the moon. Yet the foreign Power that com- mands the railways of a region will have well-nigh a monopoly of its natural resources. It is thus that the Congo Free State is already Anglicised it is thus that the carrying trade into the heart of China from Upper Burmah, through all the Shan countries, will be organised, and in English hands, while France is making up her mind what she will do with Tonquin and the Red River. The world is to the nation that sets. Wishing a happy New Year, with a shake hands into the bargain, did double duty this season. It re-placed gifts and tips most extensively. After all, friendship is but a name. New Year's Day was true to itself-wet and muddy. Then, as every- body visits everybody, cabs were conspicuous by their absence, and splashed visitors going on foot had to largely patronise the wash and brush-up establishments. It is a veritable day of martyrdom for persons with slender purses. The Parisian bows to his fate in silence; he bleeds, suffers, and is ruined-but with twelve months before him to regain his feet. Your Parisian is the most singular of mortals on New Year's Day; he resembles a kind of amateur porter if on foot, he is so charged with packets; or, if he has a vehicle, he suggests com- petition with the Parcels Delivery Company, But woe betide him if, in visiting and wishing all the compliments, he fails to back it up with bon-bons or toys. What a blessing-aye. a salvation-would it be if the Republic re-enacted the law of 1793, which suppressed gratuities to barbers, coachmen, waiters, and concierges Failing this, let M. de Freycinet propose that the Roman custom be enacted-that of limiting New Year's gifts to figs, dates, and honey. That would be the way to end the old year well, and to commence well a new one. A gift was an omen of luck on New Year's day to a friend it was a token of friendship to a benefactor a token of gratitude to the poor a means to make their hearts sing with joy. The Romans had also the cheap custom of exchanging wax tapers at the commencement of the new year; and in ancient Germany the sexes exchanged clothing when visiting. The young women, too, went about with a wassail, a health-wishing bowl, composed of spiced ale, and singing some verses. In parts of Normandy this custom is limited to pledging good wishes in draughts of cider or milk stiffened with cider brandy. The Pope selected the epoch to send relics to princes; while the Scotch in the High lands are said to burn juniper before their cattle, as in Brittany the sailors burn box on the fore- castle. The season ending on the Jour des Rois," or Twelfth Night, has always been observed by all classes and ages as one for absolute relaxation and merriment. Business, if not suspended, was re- duced to a minimum. No malefactor was ever punished during the festive season. Slaves were allowed to wear their masters' clothing on New Year's Day; at present servants help themselves to their employer's wardrobe without permission. The Early Christians did not observe Epiphany by feasting, but by fasting. The fathers, how- ever, were relentless on anything recalling Pagan- ism, just as if jollity was the appanage of any creed. In parts of the South of France the "Jour des Rois is partly marked by the representation of a mystery play, recalling the visit of the Eastern Magi to pay homage to our Saviour; but after, the election of a mock king is celebrated. Inno- cent cheerfulness is no inconsiderable part of devotion. Though in full Republic, the King FSte is well kept up because in charge of youth, and nowhere more so than in Paris. The member among the guests who obtains the bean in the Royal cake is chosen King, and the right man is certain to be found. It is a wonder neither Poland nor France tried that plan of electing Sovereigns. Well, the happy one is lifted on the shoulders of his courtiers; three times he makes a cross in chalk or charcoal on the ceiling. This is meant to secure him, first, a happy queen; next, contented subjects; and last, peace within his realm. On being crowned the monarch selects bill queen, and opens the ball with her, and the revels generally. Ir. former days, in the rural districts, a poor, but intelligent child, was chosen for the Royal office, and a tax was self-levied by the courtiers to send him to school for the following twelve months. Had Louis of Bavaria been so favoured he would not be now promoting a society for the protection of debtors, or be held in pawn by his creditors, as was Richard Coeur de Lion by his captors. Worse, there is no Wagner- Blondell to evoke sympathy with the, "O* Louis, Oh! my King!" ballad. Louis III., Due de Bourbon, on one Twelfth Night took a poor child and clothed him in Royal garments, putting, not an iron or tin, but a real gold crown, with no paste jewels in it, on his head. The students of the University of Paris had the night on Epiphany to parade the city, singing songs, accompanied with fife and drum. One of the fetes nearly cost Francais 1. his life. Hearing that one of his nobles gave a large spree in honour of a mock King, Francais, on the principle, perhaps, of non bis in idem, organised an attack on the mansion. Accompanied by several of his gentle- men-in-waiting and a good supply of boiled potatoes and rotten eggs to supplement the snow- ball ammunition, he opened fire. The repulse was warm, as a blazing fagot struck the King on the head. For three days his life was despaired of. When he recovered, in order to conceal the scar, he wore his beard long and his hair cropped as close as a convict's. This was the origin of the French round-heads and pard-beards—all the result of an accident-just as Louis XIV., compelled to wear a wig to hide a tumour, created bag wigs, and Marie Antoinette to disguise the loss of her hair after an accouchement inaugurated coiffures as high as the Tower of Babel. It was thus easy for her hair to grow white in a night," after her condemnation to death-more powder in the wig, just as persons' hair changes from white to black in I a morning-possibly from joy. M. Clovis Hugues draws attention to one of the horrors of being a deputy; he receives no less than 500 letters per month, begging him to secure some employment for the writers under the government. Universal suffrage does not thus kill off that cate- gory of mendicants. The worst of the matter is his colleagues are in the same purgatory, as the letters have all to be answered, or look out for squalls on next polling day. Every trade is suffering from the hard times' Thus, an establishment which supplies gentlemen and ladies to evening parties and dinners, to keep the table in a roar or make the soiree go off bril- liantly, announces a reduction in its tariff. The latter is regulated by the importance of the society required. It also hires out table linen eutlery, &c., and will supply those corbeilles of prize fruits and dishes, that must never be touched if a guest wishes to die happy, Beer saloons continue to be commanding all the little pocket money citizens have to spare. German beer has driven out all other kinds from the market, even "pel el," with" the English as she is spoken," not excepted. But the salon must be filled; how effect this? By some eccentric draw" in the way of the fitting up. The mother idea of the whimsicality was the Convicts' Tavern, by Lisbonne, the Communist. Now we have that known by a name never to be used for ears polite: Old Nick, in bluish green, with a cloven foot and forked tail, is the walker," going about seeking whom he can devour by enticing to drink more. The waiters are all imps, as red as Mephis- tojphiles the decorations all suggest red flames and endless combustible. Perhaps the most burning sensation experienced is that after tasting a thimbleful of Cognac, dating from the destruction of the Cities of the Plain. Gounod is to compose an oratorio for the Cathe- dral of Rheims in honour of Jeanne d'Arc. He imposes two conditions: to be rJlowed to write it, so as to be better inspired, near the grand altar where Joan stood, pending the coronation of the worthless king, whose crown she saved and next, that its representation must coincide with the Vatican's finishing up with making her a saint. A clerk to an examining judge or public prose- cutor has been tried for breach of professional con- fidence in selling his knowledge to a first-class accused as to the steps taken against him. The prisoner confessed his salary was so small to sup- port his wife and family that before he went to his office he daily acted as a costermonger to help to turn an honest penny. What a future is thus opened up for the Civil Service! How to get rich —cry through the streets, Artichokes a1 cauli- flowers A distinguished foreigner is announced as coming to Paris-an" anthropoid monkey." It must be a veritable man and brother. It shakes hands, sends a kiss to ladies, smokes makes its bed, cooks, and laughs. It is the missing link.

THE PROPOSED BANQUET TO SIR WM. T. LEWIS AT MERTHYR. The committee appointed to make the various arrangements incident to the banquet to bo given in honour of Sir Wm. T. Lewis at Merthyr held a meeting on Monday night, Mr. David Williams presiding. It was decided to invite Mr. Edward Williams, of Middlesborough, to take the chair at the banquet. The question of appointing the caterers was allowed to stand over, and a resolution was passed that the chief officials of the Taff Vale Railway should be interviewed with regard to a service of special trains, to enable guests from a distance to return home at the conclusion of the proceedings. Mr. Fisher, of Bath, has been selected as the caterer for the banquet to be given on the 271 h inst., at the Drill-hall, Merthyr, in honour of Sir Wm. T. Lewis. Nearly 300 tickets have already been disposed of, and the leading people of Cardiff Swansea, Newport, and the Rhondda Valley have signified their intention of being present. Special trains will be run after the banquet on the Taff Vale and Great Western Railways.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN AND THE bECOND BALLOT. In reply to a letter on the result of the late elections, pointing out that had the principle of a second ballot been law the effect would, in all probability, have been to give the Liberals a majority of eight or ten in the new House of Commons over the Conservatives and Parnellites combined, and accordingly urging Liberals to press for the adoption of this principle in the Legislature, the following communication has been received from Mr. Chamberlain's private secretary :—" Mr. Chamberlain desires me to say that he has on several occasions publicly expressed himself in favour of the principle of the second ballot. Mr. John Morley wrote as follows Mr. Brett and I brought in a Bill for the second ballot in the last Parliament. 1 propose to introduce it again next session." _——————

LOUD CLAUD HAMILTON ON VOLUNTARY EDUCATION. Lord Claud John Hamilton, speak'ug at Liver- pool on Tuesday, said it must have occurred to many who followed the course of the general election that education must receive a good deal more attention from Parliament. Voluntary Schools did not receive from the State fair play. His own belief was that the people of England were beginning to realise the value of Voluntary Schools because of the religious teaching imparted and because Board Schools involved a continuous rise in expenditure, imposing burdens greater than the ratepayers could bear. Parliament, he thought, should place the Voluntary Schools, which gave them cheaper and equally good education with, the Board Schools, in a better position.

EPIPHANY SERVICES. THE ROYAL OFFERINGS. At eleven o'clock on Wednesday, being the Feast of the Epiphany, the customary offering of gold, frankincense, and myrrh was made on behalf of her Majesty in the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace. The Hon. Sir S. Ponsonby Fane, K.C.B., and the Hon. Aubrey Fitzclarence, the two gentle- men ushers-in-waiting-, attended and presented the Queen's gift. The Bishop of London (the dean) officiated, assisted by the sub-dean (the Rev. E. Sheppard), the Rev. S. Flood Jones, and the Rev. E. Price, and the Holy Communion was cele- brated.

MARRIAGE OF MR. STUART WORTLEY. The marriage of Mr. Charles Stuart Wortley, Under-Secretary for Home Affairs, with Miss Alice Sophia Millais, third daugliter of Sir John Everett Millais, was solemnised on Wednesday afternoon, by special licence, at St. Mary Abbot's Church, Kensington. Although admission was limited to ticket-holders, the church was crowded with a fashionable congregation long before the arrival of the bride. The Archbishop of York and the Rev. Carr Glyn officiated. The newly-married couple subsequently left town for Queen Mead, near Windsor.

During last year 264,986 persons left the United Kingdom for places out of Europe, a decrease of 38,915 as compared with the previous year; English emigrants numbered 126,815; Scotch, 21,411; Irish, 60,082; foreigners. 53,703; nationality not distinguished, 2,975. Five-sixths of the Irish emigrants, and nearly two-thirds of the Scotch, proceeded to the United States, whilst the English were under 74,000. Forty-one thousand persons of all nationalities went to Australasia and 23,000 to British North America.

THE CARDIFF POST-OFFICE AND THE PRESSURE OF BUSINESS. CONGRATULATORY LETTER FROM THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL. The number of parcels that passed through the Cardiff Post-office on the last day of the old year was 1,200, being an increase of about 20 per cent, over an ordinary day. The number of letters esti- mated to have passed through the hands of the Cardiff Post-office officials on the same day was 72,630. The Cardiff Postmaster received a letter from the Secretary of the General Post-office, London, stating that he had laid the remarks on the Christmas pressure before the Postmaster- General, who stated he had read the remarks with great interest and none the less admiration at the excellent spirit in which such an unprecedented amount of work was encountered and surmounted. This favourable recognition from the Postmaster- General must be very gratifying to all the officials at the Cardiff Post-office.

EDUCATION IN WALES. Dr. Foster, M.P. for Chester, speaking at Bir- mingham on Friday, said that he owed the Welsh people a deep debt of gratitude for their devotion and enthusiasm during the recent general election. One of the great gaps in Wales was the want of education there. Their educational endowments, including Monmouth- shire, amounted to only about £14,000 a year, and he contended that those endowments were totally insufficient to provide for the necessary Intermediate Education of the people. The Higher Education of Wales was also a question that required atten- tion. In Wales they had, by the Act of 1870, a very complete Elementary Education, but Higher Education was not nearly so complete. There were three Colleges doing some excellent work; but they ought to be grouped together so as to form a University for the Principality. He also advocated a better encouragement for the pupils of Welsh schools to learn their own language by a better system of teaching it.

THE NEW JUDGE. Mr. Grantham, Q.C., M.P., has accepted the offer made to him of the judgeship vacant by the prefer- ment of Sir Henry Lopes to the Court of Appeal. Mr. William Grantham, who was elected as the first representative for the new borough of Croy- don, is the son of the late Mr. George Grantham, of Burcombe-place. near Lewes, by Sarah, daughter of the late Mr. Wiliiam Verrall, of Soutbover, Lewes. He was born in 1335, and married in 1865 Emma, elder daughter of the late Mr. Richard Wilson (of the family of Wilson of Plewlands, Cumber- land), of Chiddingley, Sussex, and of Molesworth House, Brighton. The new judge was educated at King's College School. He was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1863, and joined the Home Circuit. He gained in 1863 the studentship given by the Council of Legal Education for the four Inns of Court, and was appointed a Q.C. in 1877, and a bencher of his Inn in 1880. He sat for East Surrey since 1874, and in the recent general election, when Surrey was further cut up into divisions and the new botough of Croydon created, he elected to stand for the new borough, and was elected by a majority of 1,169 over his Liberal opponent, Mr. J. S. Balfour. Mr. Grantham's elevation will cause a vacancy in the representa- tion of Croydon. The Press Association" says that Sir Arthur Hayter will probably be the Liberal and Mr. Sidney Herbert the Conservative candidate for the vacancy.

THE PROPOSED RESTORATION OF ABERYSTWITH COLLEGE. PUBLIC MEETING AT CARDIGAN. On Monday evening an influential and well- attended public meeting was held in Ber,hania Baptist Chapel, Cardigan, in support of a move- ment for the restoration of the University College at Aberystwith, which, it will be remembered, was lately destroyed by fire. Powerful addresses in Welsh were delivered by the Revs. T. C. Edwards, M.A., Principal of the College, and J. Prytherch, of Wern, Cardiganshire. The former gentleman remarked that thy recent annual grant of C4,000 to Aberystwith College was cer- tainly due to the generosity of the Conservative Government; and a warm tribute was passed by the Rev. Mr. Prytherch to the late Sir Hugh Owen, of London, and other prominent Welshmen, for the valuable aid they had rendered to the cause of higher education in the Principality and for the establishment of the College at Aberystwith. In Scotland the average of the entire population who received higher education was one in every 800 in Ireland, one in 3,000; and in Wales, one in 8,000; a fact which reflected both a i striking inconsistency as well as a great injustice upon the nation at large. Before the other two University Colleges hadleen opened at Bangor and Cardiff, the students at Aberystwith at no time exceeded 100, but now they numbered 132, which proved how salutary and beneficial competition was even in educational matters. A lucid descrip- tion was also given of the great amount of good results which had attended the working of the Col- lege since its establishment in 1873.-At the close of the addresses a resolution was unanimously passed that a committee of local gentlemen, with Alderman J. M. Phillips, J.P., as chairman, be appointed to canvass the town and district at an early date for subscriptions towards the College Restoration Fund.—Principal Edwards stated that, the pro- moters hoped thus to secure about 112,000 through the liberality of the people of Wales. He also inti- mated that Mr. J. W. Stephens, J.P., Llechryd, had that afternoon promised a contribution of twenty guineas towards the fund.—A vote of thanks to the rev. speakers was passed at the close.

LAND AGITATION IN WALES. MEMORIAL OF THE FLINTSHIRE FARMERS. The Flintshire farmers have followed the example of the Carnarvonshire agriculturists, and addressed a memorial to Earl Denbigh, Lord Mostyn, Sir Piers Mostyn, Bart., Sir E. liates, and other landed proprietors within ti e district. The manifesto, which emanates from the first fruits of the agitation, namely, the Holywell and District Farmers' Society, sets out that, in consequence of the unpropitious seasons and the very serious de- pression of prices they have had to cope with for the past eight, years, and the dismal outlook, they are compelled to demand a permanent reduction of at least 25 per cent. from the present rents, such reduction to take effect from Michael- mas last. The manifesto is signed by Edward Williams, chairman, Edward Jones, vice-chairman, Edward Leoning, secretary, and then follow the names of the tenant farmers. There is absolutely no truth in the statement that the services of Mr. Parnell or Mr. Michael Davitt are to be obtained to establish a Welsh Land League, but that a very serious agitation is arising no one acquainted with the condition of the Welsh farmers can doubt WHAT A LAND ACT INCLUDES. In dealing with the subject of a Welsh Land Act, the Saturday Review says:—Even in the ashes of the moribund Farmers'Alliance its wonted fires seem to live; but the frequent paragraphs in various papers which purport to record the progress of the movement are, probably, inserted by a few agrarian agitators. The supposed discontent'of tenant farmers breaks out as a sporadic disease in unexpected places, and, like the Liberalism with which it has perhaps a secret connection, it some- times finds a congenial habitat in Scotland or in Wales. The capricious design of converting the United Kingdom into a federation of partially independent provinces is some- times combined with schemes for introducing dangerous local innovations in obscure and back- ward districts. It is thought possible to defeat the owners of landed property in detail; and the Welsh landlords are selected as objects of attack, not because their case differs from that of English- men, but because they are comparatively few in number, and are, therefore, apparently isolated. If they were compelled to surrender the ownership of their land to the occupiers, the precedent would be conclusive against all the owners of the soil in other parts of the kingdom. The Welsh malcon- tents, who are themselves the instruments of pro- fessional agitators, will have to encounter the resistance of the whole landed community. The Farmers' Alliance has missed its favourable oppor- tunity, which, indeed, was of short duration. The Ballot Act of 1870 transferred t he representation of the counties from the landlords to the tenants but the Franchise Act of 1885 has in turn destroyed the electoral power of the farmers. The new con- stituencies have no motive for supporting one sec- tion of the minority against another, except perhaps for the purpose of establishing an unjust principle which might prove to be indefinitely elastic. The labourers will not aid the farmers to obtain fixity of tenure without securing fcr them- selves a valuable consideration. Fixity of wages and of the hours of labour would be a natural corollary from any arbitrary measure of inter- ference between landlord and tenant. Capital and industry have nothing worse to apprehend than the application of the Socialist doctrine that the State ought to regulate the distribution of property »«—————

The favourable symptoms in Mr. Forster's con- dition are maintained. M. Charles de Lesseps, with a staff of engineers and others, left Paris on Tuesday night for Panama. M. Ferdinand do Lesseps will embark for the same destination from Southampton on January 28. At the annual Christmas distribution of beef by Messrs. Allsopp and Sons to their workpeople at Burton nearly 15,0001b. of prime meat was given away. Messrs. Bass gave away 19,0001b. At a meeting of the Hyte Corporation on Wed- nesday Sir Edward Watkin was admitted to the freedom of the borough for his services to the town during the time he has been its representa- tive. Mr. Gladstone continues in excellent health. On Wednesday the right hon. gentleman and three of his sons, were occupied in the park felling trees. Mrs. Gladstone's 74th birthday, which occurred on Wednesday, was not celebrated at Hawarden outside the castle. The Paris correspondent of a London contert, porary says: Three new cases of suspected hydrophobia have been placed under the charge of M. Pasteur. One of the patients is a child of eight years, the other two being adults, MM. Merv and Schwartz. All were bitten by the same dog. Telegrams and let- ters reach M. Pasteur from all parts announcing cases or fancied cases, and the idea is gaining ground of building a special hospital by public subscription for the treatment ot the patients. The remains of Lady Fanny Howard, sister of the Duke of Devonshire, were interred on Wednes- day at Edensor Churchyard, Chatsworth Park. The chief mourners were Mr. Wilfrid Howard, Mr. Gerald Howard, Major Howard, and Miss Howard, deceased's sons and daughter; Mr. and Miss Ponsonby, Mr. Cecil Foljambe, M.P., the Duke of Devonshire, the Marquess of Hartington, Lord Edward Cavendish, M.P., and Lady Louisa Egerton. Several beautiful wreaths were received from East- bourne, Holker Hall, Chatsworth, and other places.

THE SOUDAN. 1 APPROACHING CONFERENCE. THE PROTECTION OF THE FRONTIERS ["BEOTER'S" TELEGRAM. J CAIRO, THURSDAY. The conference between the Khedive, Sir Henry Wolff and Moukhtar Pasha on the Soudan Question* in conformity with the provisions of the Anglo. Turkish Convention, will commence on Saturday: next. The Khedive is determined not to allow the Convention to remain a dead-letter. MoukhtaE Pasha to-day, in conversation, favoured an increase of the Egyptian Army to 16,000 men, whereby Egypt could hold the Soudan frontier. Sir Henry Wolff, it is believed, thinks the Budget could not provide the necessary additional expenditure.

THE NEW FRENCH CABINET. l" CENTRAL NEWS" TELEGRAM.] PARIS, THURSDAY AFTERNOON. M. de Freycinet has at length formed a Cabinet. The names of the members will be gazetted almost immediately.

DEATH OF A FRENCH EX-MINISTER. [" TELEGRAM.] PARIS, WEDNESDAY. Count de Falloux, a former Minister, and member of the Academy, died suddenly at Angers to-day.

THE ROBBERY AT A VIENNA JEWELLER'S. f" DAILY NEWS TELEGRAM.] VIENNA, WEDNESDAY NIGHT, The police investigations which followed the mysterious murder of a woman in Pesth several days ago will probably throw some light on the great jewel robbery here. It appears that this woman threatened to reveal the names of tha thieves, and was accordingly murdered. The robberies are said to have been planned in her lodgings in Pesth by a gang of housebreakers.

SUICIDE AT MONTE CARLO. [" DAILY NEWS TELEGRAM.] PARIS, WEDNESDAY NIGHT. A rich Brazilian, named Cheyre, has committed suicide at Monte Carlo, after having gambled awaj the whole of his fortune. After the usual inquest his body was buried in the common grave. H widow and children are penniless.

THE HARVEST IN AUSTRALIA. [" EEUTER'S" TELEGRAM.] MELBOURNE, WEDNESDAY. Harvest operations are nearly finished. It is estimated that the wheat crop will yield 9i bushels per acre, and that 90,000 tons will be available for export.

AFFAIRS IN SOUTH AFRICA. THE REPORTED FOUNDING OF A NEW COLONY. Sir Charles Mills, Agent-General for the Cape Ot Good Hope, has received the following official in- formation relative to the news contained in a "Renter's telegram published on the subject of the so-called Republic of Upingtonia:— "One Gordon, a. trader, alleging to have purchased part of Orampoland from the chief of that terri- tory, has re-sold it in farms to Europeans, who, without authority, have named the district Uping- tonia and established some sort of council. The Cape Government never heard of the transaction till the information appeared in the newspapers, and have no connection with the matter. They are studiously avoiding all interference north of the Orange River, as requested by the Imperial GoverI18 merit."

FIRE IN LONDON. TWO BUILDINGS DESTROYED. A fire broke out at half-past five on Thursday morning in the saw-mills of Dubby and Son, Glass- house-street, Vauxhall. Before the firemen arrived it had spread to some adjoining factories, and by six o'clock two large brick and timber buildings were in flames, but half an hour later the firemen had succeeded in surrounding them, al1d in another had entirely subdued the flames. One building was completely gutted, and the others severely damaged.

ANOTHER SERIOUS FIRE. A fire occurred on Thursday morning on tha premises of Mr. Alexander Eadie, contractor, Cathcart-road, Glasgow, originating in a building stored with wood-work and machinery, which was destroyed. The adjoining tenement escaped. Tbt damage is estimated at £2,000.

A SAILOR SUFFOCATED, Two seamen were discovered on Thursday morning in the forecastle of the steamer Clanryre, in Maryport Dock, in an unconscious state, and another,named John M'Levey, jay dead, having been asphyxiated by the foul air created by the char. coal used to warm the forecastle.

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE. The body of a man named Matthew Taylot, labourer, Great Easton,Leicestershire, was found on Thursday under extraordinary circumstances. The deceased had been missing since Monday, and search was made without result till Thursday afternoon, when a shepherd, named Stafford, noticed him standing by a tree overlooking the highway. Examination showed that he was standing on the ground with a rope round his neck, and appearances indicated that he had been there a day or two, but, owing to the position in which the body stood, passers by would have no suspicion.

THE CONFESSION OF THE STOKE NEWINGTON MURDER. The man Thackeray, alias King, who alleged that he and another man committed the Stoke Newing- ton murder, was brought up on Thursday morn- ing before the Grimsby magistrates charged with using threats of violence towards a young woman named Catherine Backhouse. In default of sure- ties, the prisoner was sent to prison for six months. Superintendent Waldram, addressing the bench, stated he had heard nothing further from Scotland Yard. He did not believe the fellow's story.

FRAUDS ON INTENDING EMIGRANTS. IMPORTANT PROSECUTION. At Middlesex Sessions on Wednesday (before the Assistant Judge) Frederick Jones, aged 28, labourer, said to be residing at 12, Brewer-street, Goswell- road, was indicted for obtaining by false pretences from John Evans the sum of 5s., from Geo. Davis the sum of 5s., from Francis Furst the sum of 5s., and from James Bristow the sum of 5s„ in each case with intent to defraud.—The prisoner pleaded not guilty.—Mr. Mead appeared for the prosecution.— The prisoner was charged with obtaining money from persons residing in Birmingham and other parts. He went to the house of a Mr. Mudd in Great College-street, Camden-town, where he rented a room at 3s. 6d. per week. He put an ad- vertisement in some Birmingham newspapers ad- dressed to married and single men, offering free passages to New Zealand, giving the address 87, Great College-street, where he called after the advertisement had appeared in the news- papers, and received a large number of letters from applicants wishing to go to New Zealand, and inside of them were directed and stamped envelopes for instructions to be sent to them. The accused, in reply, sent back a printed form setting forth that the persons about to emigrate would be provided with plenty of work, good wages, and comfortable quarters, and that they would find immediate employment on the works of Messrs. Newton and Co.; but added this condition, that those accepting such terms would have to agree to pay their fares out to Now Zealand by instalments, and they would, with the form, have to send a deposit of 5s. for each adult, and 2s. 6d. for every infant, and those not accepted would have their deposit returned to them. Inquiries at Birming- ham led to the police communicating with Detec- tive-Inspector Charles Dodd and Detective Taylor, both of the Y Division, who kept observation upon the prisoner from a description given to them. They stopped him one day after he left Great College-street, in the St. Pancras-road, carrying a black bag, and saw him open it and take out some letters and read them, after which he put them back into the bag. Inspector Dodd told him be was a police officer, and that he wished to know how he accounted for the possession of the bag and its contents, when he replied that they belonged to him. He after- wards said that his name was Romford, and that he lived in Bruce-grove, Tottenham. When the bag was opened it was found to contain a number of letters, some of which were addressed to Rom- ford and Co., 87, Great College-street, Camden- town, and at the police-station no less than 101 applications from persons desirous of going to New Zealand, some from newspaper proprietors, editors, clerks, and others, and nearly thirty of them contained remittances sent from various parts of England. When shown the deluding ad- vertisement, the prisoner said he did not insert it himself, but a friend of his did for him, and he was expecting a letter from Messrs. Newton, Williams, and Company, of Birmingham, who were wanting people. It was afterwards found out that the prisoner had given a false name, and had been out of employment for some time pant.—The jury found the prisoner guilty.—The Assistant Judge sentenced him to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for nine months, and remarked that it was of grave importance that the police authorities should take notice of misleading advertisements as it would prevent much fraud. The police had behaved well in bringing the prisoner to justice.