Monmouthshire Merlin

THE WAR IN THE EAST. PASSAGE OF THE IN GOTO BY THE TURKS. (From the Times Correspondent.) TURKISH CAMP, BANKS OF THE INGOUR, Nov. 5. Having heard that the avant-poHe of the army was encamped within two hours' inarch of the Ingour, I determined a week ago to leave Shemserrai, where Omar Pasha still retained his head-quarters, and to push on to the front At about seven miles from Sham- serrai the road crosses the Godava river, and finally leaves the coast. The country is flat, but for the most part covered with a dense forest, where swamps fre- quently occur which are calculated seriously to impede the progress of an armv on the march. I found myself surrounded by a miscellaneous concourse, straggling by devious paths through the tangled underwood, or ploughing thefr way through the deep mud. There were infantry and cavalry in long lines winding between the magrnificent oak and beech trees of which the forest is composerl-.A hasians on wiry ponies dodging in and out, and getting past everybody—mules and pack horses, in awkward predicaments, stopping up the road, on whose devoted heads were showered an immense variety of oaths by their drivers, who, in their turn, were sworn at bv the rest of the world. There were some batteries of artillery, which looked so hopelessly em- bedded that nothing short of British energy, as imper- sonated in the young Englishman who commanded, could have extricated them. There were broken-down baggage waggons and broken-down mules, and every- thing hut broken-down men. Here and there a Pasha was squatted by the roadside induljing in his nargilhe. enjoyincr his kieff," and watching placidly the exer- tions of his troops. At last I got past this scene to a pretty village perched upon the river, where the peasants were grouped by the roadside, selling Indian corn cobs, and cakes made of the same grain or of millet, to the passers-by. Everything was paid for regularly, and the property of the country people in Abasia has been scrupulously respected by the Turkish army during its passage through the country. Beyond this the road was more open and dry. and the occasional ravines were roueMv bridged. I found the arant paste encamped in a large plain near the village of Ertiscal. about 24 miles distant from Shemserrai. On the following morning they received the order to march for the Ingour. Two battalions of Chasseurs, commanded by Col Ballard, an officer in the Indian army and one of the heroes of Sillistria. led the way, followed by f,000 infantry and artillerv. the whole being under the command of Abdi Pasha The main body of these troops halted at about an hour's distance from the river, while the Chasseurs with two field pieces and two battalions of infantry, took up a position on a large plain, separated from the river by a belt of wood, about half a mile in width. On the following morning I rode down to the river to reconnoitre. The Ingour is one of the principal streams which enter the Black Sea upon its eastern shore, and it is the boundary of Abasia (or, more properly speaking, of Samoursachan, which forms part of Prince Michael's territory) and Mingrelia rising in the snowy Caucasus, it winds through the densely wooded country which extends from the base of the range to the sea, and debouches at Anaklia. Creeping past our outposts and approaching the bank of the river, as if stalking deer, 1 was enabled to see across the river and to follow the line of stockades erected among the trees upon the opposite bank, behind which appeared of the headsnurnbers of Russian soldiers andJMingrelian militia. At one point there was a tabia (intrenchment) where 30 or 4') were grouped together at others they were posted at regular distances behind the stockades or am'd the thick brushwood. In the afternoon a dropping shot or two informed us that we had been perceived by the enemy, and a company of Rifles was marched down for a little Minie practice. On the 3d. desultory firing of this sort was pretty brisk, and the utmost caution was required in reconnoitering. The sharp "ping" of the Minie was snre to follow any im- prudent exposure. There was only one casualty, however during the day-a young Abasian, a nephew of Prince Michael, was wounded in the leg. The bed of the river at this point averages about 200 yards in breadth, but there is very little water in it at present, and large stony islands intersect it in every direction. The two branches at which it is most easily fordable are about 30 yards broad each, and are supposed not o be more than knee-deep. The wood upon the opposite bank i* so dense, however, and so blocked up with felled timber and«tockades, that any attempt to cross will be attended with considerable difficulty. In the course of the afternoon Omar Pasha arrived and in- spected the position him-elf Yesterday his Highness again rode over the ground, and ordered two batteries to be constructed to command the passage of the river, and which should at the same time enfilade a great portion of the opposite bank. These were constructed last night with great success. Although right untler the enemy's batteries the working parties were not dis- covered before dawn, when the batteries were almost completed, and cnly one man was killed by the fire which was opened upon them* The strengh of the enemy is estimated at about 1*2,000, of which half are regular troops, the remainder Mingrelian militia- We have no positive information as to the number of guns which are mounted on the fortress of Ruchi, which is situate upon the opposite bank. The denseness of the foliage prev. nts our seeing this fort, but there is a picturesque old ruin Brar it behind which some of the Russian tents are visible In many places the opposite bank is flat, and nowhere do their banks seem to exceed 100 feet in height. We have been most fortunate in our weather. I have not seen a cloud for a month. All the troops that were struggling through the woods a week ago have arrived, and are in excellent heart and spiri's, have unbounded confidence in their commander, and. from the anxiety they manifest to cross the river, entertain no dbnbt of success. To-day the firing on both sides is a good deal more lively. 6 P.M. The order h"s just come that all fires and lights in tents are to be put out, which invokes mv closing this and going to Led,when other people are going to dress for dinner. There is a report that we are likely to be on the move to morrow morning. If so, we may expect some hot work The passage will probably be attempted at a fori) about two miles lower down the river than our present position, while the batteries which we have re- cently constructed here will occupy the attention of the eaemv. HEAD QUARTERS, Nov. 7. The energy with which Omar Pasha has pushed forward opera'ions his met with a glorious reward, in the utter defeat of the Russians, and the successful passage of the Ingour yesterday evenin?, after a short but bloody battle. In the morning the order came for the Hoops to get under arms immediately, and at 11 o'clock a.m. we crossed one branch of the river, about, two miles lower down, without opposition. We now found ourselves upin an island five or six miles long and about two miles broad, across which the troops marched. Three battalions of Rifles under Colonel Ball-ird, was sent forward to line the woods, t'.irouzh which we advanced by a nairow path. About we reached a large field of Indian corn, and heard the II:ties aotlv engaged with the enemy in a thick wood in our front. The Russians were soon driven from this across the liver, anl opened a tremendous fire from behind a battery upon toe wood, of which the Rifles had now taken possession. Meantime, as the leading coiumns of the Turkish army showed itself upon the plain, a batterv consisting of five guns opened upon them, which was speedily replied to by our artillery. A. path was forme un lei rover of a steep bank, under which the infantry advanced to the support of the Rifles in th" wood, who had been sustaining and replying in the most deter- mined manner t > the tremendous fire which the enemy had been concentrating ujion them. Sufficient credit cannot be given to the gallantry of Colonel Ballard, whose steadiness and courage were infused into those under his command, and contributed largely to the successful issue of the affair. VVhue this was the position of affairs opposite the batteiy, I Jrnar Pasha detached Osman Pasha with six 1 attiilior.s to a ford which had been discovered about a mile and a half lower down the river. Here they found themselves warmly received by the enemy, drawn up in force upon the opposite bank. Notwithstanding the velocity of the current and the depth of the water, the Turkish troops, after firing a volley, dashed across the river in the face of a murderous fire, and in splendid style drove the Russians into the woods behind, at the point of the bay "net. At aloiost the same moment, Colonel Sinimonds, at the head of two battalions of in- fantry, and three companies of Rifles, crossed the river in front of the fort, an assaulted it under a murderous fire. Here his Aide-dc-Camp, Captain Dymock, was killed while gallantly chirking at the head of his battalion, while a Russian column which attacked them in flank, was promptly met by the column under Colonel Simmonds at the point of the bayonet an completely routed, This decided the day. The Russians evacuated the battery in the utmost confusion, leaving five guns and ammunition waggoTIs in our hands, besides about fifty pr soners. The ground was strewn with killed and wounded; their loss must have been very great though so many escaped into the woods to die, th.it it is difficult to form any just esti- mate. Uuwards of 300 have already been found, among which were the bedies "f eight officers and two colonels I coun'ed 22 horses lying dead in one heap. Gui own loss amounts lo 40 ) killed and wounded, ot wlnca about 100 were killed. The Rifles alone lost 26 men and to wounded. The English officers concerned in this affair all behaved Tnost iv and of five attached to the army three had horses shot under them, and one was killed. There can be no doubt ti.at this victory will exercise a most important influence upon the population of Mingrelia. A great portion of the troops opposed to us were Min- grelians, with no very strong Russian propensities and when they find that victory has declared for the Turks, and that, the power of resistance of the Russians, upon which they calculated so largely, has availed them so little, they wiii probably disper.-e to their homes, if they do not actualU change their colours. Of the force which was opposed '-O us a very oort^gt cstitnate cannot be formed, but from the have received it cannot have been tar short o! 10, >00, of which 4,000 were Mingrelians and the rest regular troops. ° The Russian armv is now in fuU retreat upon Kutais whither I trust that we may speedily follow thetn This victory has put rur troops into excellent spirit, and made them more confident than ever (it that was possible) in the lucky star of their General. We have just heard from Skenda Pasha, who was left in charge of the bat- teries opposite to the fortress of Ruchi, that the Russians have abandoned their position there, and that the troops under his command have crossed.

GENERAL NEWS. APPROACHING MARRIAGE OF SIR ROBERT PEEL.- We understand that the preliminaries of a matrimonial alliance have been arranged between Sir Robert Peel, M.P., one of the Lords of the Admiralty, and the Hon. Miss Hay, youngest daughter of the Marquess of Tweed- dale, and sister to the Duchess of Wellington and the late Marchioness of Dalhousie. Tun MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.—We have every reason to believe that Parliament will meet about the usual time, viz., the end of January or the beginning of February.—-Morning Post. Lord Stanley is spoken of in Paisley as a probable candidate for the representation of that burgh, in the event of a dissolution of Parliament.-Grcenock Advertiser. It is said that Colonel Sibtliorp, M.P., is in a dangerous condition. It was rumoured in Lincoln, on Wednesday, that the honourable gentleman was dead, but in reply to a telegraphic message, a contradiction of the statement was sent. ALLEGED SWEDISH ALLIANCE.—We can state autho- ritatively that there are no present prospects of a Swedish Alliance, and that the statements which have been pub- lished respecting a military convention," and its terms are purely imaginary.—Morning Post. THE HYDE PARK ASSEMBLAGE,—On Sunday afternoon, a numerous assemblage of people again took place in Hyde Park. The number, though less than on the pre- ceding Sundays, amounted to several thousands. The police were on the ground, and kept moving about amongst the people, to prevent speech-making. The ma- jority of the horse-police were on Sunday dispensed with. There was no attempt at disturbance, and, as evening fell, the people gradually dispersed. There was no riot- ing either in the park or the vicinity. It is the opinion of the police that these meeting will be continued through- out the winter, and it is stated that there is every reason to believe that an attempt will be made to hold torch- light meetings in Smithfield and Bonner's-fields, and the Green Park, on the "bread" question. DEAR SUGAR.-In many families, and whole hamlets in this town and neighbourhood, a resolution has been formed not to use any more sugar until the prices are re- duced. This resolution has been followed by many for a fortnight, and has made a material difference in the sales effected by the different grocers in Barnsley. During the week, the principal grocers in the town have been asked what difference the resolution has made in their sales of sugar on Saturday last. Some state they did not sell one- sixth of their usual Saturday's quantity, others not one- fourth, others not onc-half. Jlanc!wster Guardian. STRIKE OF FACTORY OPERATIVES AT WIGAN.—The whole of the hands employed by Mr. Peck, gingham manufacturer, have ceased work in consequence of the introduction of machinery, which, it is supposed, will reduce wages.—Manchester Guardian. OPENING OF THE VICTORIA DocKs.-These new docks, which have been excavated and formed on the western division of Plaistow Marshes, near Blackwall, and which are the largest of our metropolitan docks for expanse of water, will be publicly opened for the reception of ship- ping this day (Monday). The entrance locks are of enormous proportions; they are upwards of 325 feet long and 80 in width, with wrought iron gates, worked bp hydiaulic power, the depth of water at the entrance being 28 feet at high water-four feet more than the East India Docks, three feet above the London docks, five feet above the West India Docks, and twelve feet above that of the Grand Surrey Docks. The water area of the first dock is very nearly one hundred acres, while on the south side there is nearly a mile of water frontage. There is a tidal basin, accessible by night as well as by day, for mail steamers and other vessels requiring des- patch. The basin occupies 16 acres, and varies in depth from 27ft. 6in. to 24ft.; that of the main basin is 28ft. There are four substantial warehouses for the storing of goods, on the north side; as also vaults for wines and spirits. All the cranes, capstans, and sluices throughout the establishment are worked by hydraulic power. The city depot of the company is at the Steel-yard, Upper Thames-street, where large warehouses and stores are to be formed. It is in contemplation to extend the docks to the opposite side of Plaistow Marshes, with an entrance from the Galleons, the necessary powers by Act of Par- liament being in the possession of the Companyr AGRICULTUMAL OPERATIONS IN IRELAND.—Although intensely cold, the weather is still fine and open, and all agricultural work is proceeding at an unusually rapid pace. A Waterford paper of Saturday thus reports:— "During the week, which we may now say has closed upon us, we have had delicious weather for this advanced season of the year, and we are happy to say that the farmers of this and the neighbouring counties—Kilkenny, Wexford, and Tippei-,iry-have largely and actively taken advantage of it, and a great breadth of wheat is already in the ground off which the potatoes, parsnips, and carrots have been lifted to their winter quarters. The ploughs, harrows, scufflers, grubbers, et hoc genus onine, are in full employment on every side, and every one able and willing to work has full and ample employ- ment on the farms; nevertheless, we are sorry to say that, turn where we will in the city, we do not fail to see big men and. ablebodied women pertinaciously and publicly soliciting alms. This latter state of things is attributable to the citizens, who will not have the law against this shameful practice, and-looking to the workhouses—unnecessary evil, enforced." MR. SCOTT RUSSELL'S MONSTER STEAMER.—We have pleasure in being in a position to confirm the statement that Captain William Harrison, of the Royal Mail ocean steamship Africa, has been appointed to the command of the Great Eastern, now building in the yard of Messrs. Scott Russell and Co. This monster vessel, (says the Xorth British Mail) at present in course of construction et the works of Mr. Scott Russell, at Millwall, on the Thames, is to be 10,000 tons burden, and will be pro- pelled by a combination of paddles and screw. We noticed some time ago a portiou of the machinery, which had been made at the extensive forge of Messrs. Fulton and Neilson, Lancefield. We visited these works the other day, and had an opportunity of inspecting some other forgings for the machinery, which that enterprising firm have just completed. The work contracted for by Messrs. Fulton, Neilson, add Co., a list of which we subjoin, will give our readers some idea of the magni- tude of the mammouth steamer, as well as the capabilities of that firm :—One intermediate shaft 21| feet long, 26- inch diameter two paddle-shafts, 371 feet long, 24|- inch diameter; two cranks, 7 feet 'tween centres, and 21-inch thick; propeller shaft, 47 feet long, and 24i inch diameter; three friction straps, 40 feet inside diameter, 14i inches thick; also columns, covers, &c. The propeller shaft has just been finished, and is at present lying in the yard. It is the heaviest piece of forged iron in the world; it is nearly 35 tons weight. The jollyboats, eight in number, will be small screw steamers, and will be raised and lowered by water power, and tho vessel herself will be steered by a small engine of several horse power. She is expected to be launched in about twelve months.—Liverpool Albion. The accounts of the trade of the manufacturing towns for the past week present little for remark. On the whole they are favourable, the extent of employment being as great as could be expected, and every effort to take advantage of the high prices of food to excite discontent among the operative classes having thus far proved abortive. At Manchester, although the home de- mand affected by the necessity for economy, the transac- tions have been moderately satisfactory, and prices, making allowance for the decline in cotton at Liverpool, have been well maintained. The Birmingham report state that the iron trade is without alteration, consider- able activity being atill observable, together with an in- crease in financial confidence, consequent upon the ex- tinction of weak houses. At Nottingham, the business of the week has been unimportant. In the woollen districts the operations have been large, at full prices, and the Irish linen markets have been quiet, but with a healthy tone. PORCELAIN.-One of those pleasing results of honour- able rivalry amongst our leading manufacturers, and which obtained so much of both royal and scientific admiration while in the Great Industrial Exhibition of Ireland, is for a while destined to win its meed of praise in this country. We allude to the magnificent and no less tasteful dessert service from the Royal Works atWorcester, depicting many of the scenes in A Midsummer Night's Dream." To give anything like a notion of the fancifully classic way in which this grand conception of the poet's brain has been carried out, would take more space than we can afford, and even then it would scarcely reach that deserved encomium without inducing a suspicion of hyperbole or undeserved eulogium. The present pro- prietor has, however, thrown an apartment of the Baker- street Bazaar gratuitously open to the public, where the connoisseur and virtuoso may equally revel over examples of modern porcelain—the work, it should be added, of the Messrs. Kerr and their artists, which leaves nothing to be desired for the character of British skill and enter- prisc.-Globe. THE BIBLE BURNING IN IRELAND.- We are glad to state that the Attorney-General for Ireland has directed the immediate prosecution of all the persons, whether lay or clerical, who there may be fair grounds for thinking were engaged in the late case of Bible burning in Kings- town. The right hon. gentleman has, in doing so, taken a step which cannot but be approved by all well-meaning persons, Roman Catholic as well as Protestant. There has been a good deal of positive assertion as to the fact on one side, and of denial on the other, coupled with statements of the charge having been trumped up against the Roman Catholic ecclesiastics from unworthy motives. If the disgraceful indecency has indeed been committed, it will be satisfactory to have the perpetrators punished and, should the charge be merely the result of blind bigotry on the part of those who make it, it will be equally satisfactory that this falsehood shall be clearly and unmistakably established by public investigation.- Globe. The Rev. Dr. Vaughan, Incumbent of Brixton, was on Friday committed by the Lambeth Magistrate for trial, on a charge of falsifying the parish. register of deaths. He was admitted to bail, two sureties of j6500 each, and ^maself £ 1,000 in each case; and left the Court much affected and overcome." POLITICAL RUMOURS.—It was stated with confidence in Downing-sfcreet, on Friday, that Lord Palmerston had de- termined upon immediate dissolution, that the announce- ment will be made public in a few days, and that the new Palliament will meet early in February.— Daily News. Gore's Liverpool Advertiser, in reference to the great complaints against the high price demanded for potatoes, at the early period of the season, says-" We are in- formed by a correspondent, who lives in one of the great- est potatoe-growing districts in England, that the public are be ng most scandalously imposed upon in this matter. The crops, ho tells us, are the largest within the memory of man, and, taking the accounts from all other parts of the country, he has arrived at the firm conviction that there are more potatoes in Britain at the present moment, than there ever have been since they were introduced from America. Then by what juggle are the present high prices so impudently demanded for them ? This we will explain. Some of the dealers in the districts to which we allude, have been prematurely speculating, and, at the time when but a poor crop was anticipated, bought hundreds of acres at art enormous price. And now, to guard themselves from loss, or to break their fall, these gentry were early in the field, buying a few lots from the farmers at a high figure, so that, when others in the trade came round, they were compelled to do the same to obtain even a supply for their immediate wants. This is the way, this is the trick by which they have been driven up to the present price, which is too high by just one-half. It is too bad that, while the masses are paying so much for their bread, they should be so victimised :n the article of potatoes." THE BATH WATERS FREE!—We sincerely congratu- late the mayor and corporation on the principles which animated them on Tuesday last, when they declared that the Drinking ef the Bath Waters should be entirely free." That which we receive as a free gift from an Almighty Providence, is henceforth to be free to all. The pump by the hot bath spring is now to bear the in- scription of Free pump for drinking the Bath waters," and we feel assured that every one will join with us, in rejoicing that this step in the right direction has at length been taken, and that by these means, and the opening of the pump-room three times a week for free musical promenades, much will be done to increase the prosperity of the city. The prices fixed by the corporation, for drinking the waters at the pump-rooms, and for the use of the baths, have been constructed on a graduated scale, calculated to meet the means of every one. Bath has set the example to all the English watering places of rendering mineral waters at the lowest possible price, consistent with the expenses incurred in the maintenance of the establishment; and we hope we shall soon see the effects of this liberality in an increased and increasing number of visitors.—Bath Paper. THE IMPOSTOR ALICE GRAY.—Of all the extraordi- narv revelations which have been made known in con- nexion with this woman, the following, which has just come to light, is perhaps the most startling. An account was published in The Times of November 1, 1854, of a shocking outrage," which was committed upon a woman in the neighbourhood of Exeter, on the night of the 29tb of October. The circumstances, as then related, were these :—Very early on the morning of the 30th of Oct., some fishermen, when off the coast near Powderham Castle, the seat of the Earl of Devon, heard piteous cries on shore. On putting in their boat they found a woman in a state of nudity, with the exception of a shift. They immediately took her to the house of Lord Devon's boat- man, and the policeman of the district having been sent for, she gave an account of how she came in the condition in which she was found. She alleged that her husband was a soldier in one ol the regiments in the Crimea, and that she had come to Exeter, on her way to her friends in the south of Devon, where she expected to be shortly confined. She remained in that city a little time with one of her rela ives, and not having sufficient money to take her the whole distance by railway, she determined on walking the first eight miles to Starcross. It was while on this road that she said she was overtaken by two or three men, who used her violently, and who, hav- ing taken away the small sum of money she had about her, undressed her, and left her naked on the beach, she being at that time pregnant. Her story excited great interest, and much sympathy was manifested. The con- stable, however, was determined to ascertain the truth of her statement, and he visited Exeter, but could find no such persons as those whom she had represented as her relatives. Efforts were, however, made to secure the men whom she had accused, and policemen were sent into various towns after them, but they did not succeed. The woman then took her departure, and nothing more was heard of her till the examination of Alice Gray at Wolverhampton, when the police officer of the Kenton district, near Exeter, wrote and obtained a daguerreotype likeness of that notorious character. It was then ascer- tained beyond all doubt that she was the same woman who was found naked on the beach. DISTURBANCE or, A MORMON CONGREGATION.—A crowded meeting of persons of the Mormon persuasion assembled, as usual, on Sundry night last, at their place of worship at Worcester. The lecture delivered was on the subject of poligamy. Some policemen were present in coloured clothes, for the purpose of preserving order. Elder Wheelock, having delivered a long address in favour of the institution of polygamy, contrary to former custom, discussion was invited, and questions were asked by those present, one of whom, a female, turned the elder's scripture very cleverly upon him, and at last pressed him so closery for direct replies to teasing ques- tions, that the Saints" were fain to take shelter in a hymn. This, however, was not allowed by the audience, who drowned the music with shouts, stamps, cat-calls, hisses, and the firing of a cracker, which reprehensible proceeding filled the female portion of the audience with alarm. Shortly after this, and when order had been somewhat restored, the gas was suddenly turned out, and then arose a din almost deafening. A rush was made for the door, a very narrow aperture, causing the upsetting of benches and forms, and this, together with the shrieks and screams of women, who were being ter- ribly crushed, and some of whom had little children in their arms; and the cries of boys and girls, and shouts for candles, completed a scene such as might be fit for Pandemonium, but not at all to be expected in a licensed place of worship. The police did not attempt to inter- fere. On Tuesday, at the meeting of the town council, Mr. Watkins called attention to "a nest of infamy" in Carden-street, where the Latter-day Saints assembled c and promulgated doctrines more calculated to injure the morals of the rising generation than anything since the creation of the world. The Mayor said he could not in- terfere in matters of opinion.- IVoi-ceste)- Chronicle. THE PRICE OF SUGAR.—Advices from Cork, say that, owing to the late serious rise in the price of sugar, local dealers are already beginning to feel that the consumption has materially decreased, and that, should the present high rates be adhered to, it will be reduced to such an extent as to force a fall in prices. If the abstemiousness which has been displayed by a local community were ge- neral throughout the empire, the present exorbitant prices would not be long maintained. INTERESTING DISCOVERIES.—During the past week, excavations have been made in the gigantic tfimulus at Veryan Beacon, in Cornwall. Great expectations were entertained by the people in the neighbourhood that the golden boat and silver oars" which tradition relates to have been buried there with King Gerennius, would have been discovered. Although not successful in this respect, the explorers found under the central cavin of stones a "Kistvaen," or chest of unhewn rocks, about four feet six inches in length, two feet in breadth, and two feet six inches In depth, which, no doubt, contained the ashes of the ancient Cornish King. Other discoveries of interest were also made. Had a sepulchral urn been found, it was intended to inter the ashes in Garrans Church, near which King Gerrans is said to have lived and died; but, as the ashes were mixed with charcoal, earth, and stones, and what appeared to be the dust of rotten wood, it was determined to leave the grave in the same state as it was found, and it will now be restored to its original height and appearances. NKYLAND PIER AND TERMINUS.—The construction of the great pier at Neyland, at present being tidal work progresses slowly, yet satisfactory work has been made. The sea wall will be based on solid rock, and will be thirty feet in height. A large force of men is now em- ployed, the ground for the station has been levelled, and a number of houses removed, and it is understood that the terminus will be a large and imposing structure. The rails have been laid down nearly the whole length of the extension, and the opening is expected to take place in the course of two or three months. TRIBUTE TO SIR COLIN CAMPBELL.- GL A sgow Nov. 23.-A meeting of influential persons was held in Glas- gow, this afternoon, Sheriff Sir Archibald Alison, in the chair, for the purposed of making arrangements to pay a tribute of respect to Major-General Sir Colin Campbell, who is a native of the city. On the motion of Mr. A. Morrison, Dean of Faculty, seconded by Mr. W. Camp- bell of Telliechewan, and supported by Mr. Hastie, M.P., it was resolved that the citizens of Glasgow should pay a tribute of respect to their townsman, Sir Colin Campbell, for his eminent military services in various quarters of the globe, by presenting him with a sword of honour; that to make the compliment as general as possible, the subscriptions for the sword be limited to contributions of one shilling from each person which, however, is ex- pected to raise a sum amounting to several hundred pounds that Sir Archibald Alison, the historian, be re- spectfully requested to present the sword in Glasgow, at such time as may be convenient to Sir Colin. It is also intended that at the next meeting of the town-council the freedom of the city shall be voted to Sir Colin Campbell. and both presentations are, therefore, likely to come off about the same time, and be followed by a banquet on a large scale. Sir Archibald Alison stated that this move- ment, which was so cordial and general on the part of the inhabitants of Glasgow, was peculiarly gratifying to him, It happened that his eldest son stood by Sir Colin's side while the memorable assault was being made on the Redan at Sebastopol, and when one of his aides-de-camp was killed close to his person; and he knew that Sir Colin was beloved by every officer and private under his command, as weU as by the whole British army. THE KIXG OF SARDINIA.—The Lord Mayor bad the honour of an audience of the Queen, on Friday, at Windsor Castle, to receive her Majesty's commands on the subject of the King's proposed visit to the city of London. As already announced, the precedent afforded by the recent visit of the Emperor and Empress of France to the Corporation of London, at the Guildhall, will guide the proceedings of the coming ceremonial; and the intimate relations of King Victor Emmanuel with the Allied Powers, will invest his visit with an interest scarcely inferior to that of the great occasion to which we allude. It is stated that the King of Sardinia's visit will not be prolonged over five days. We believe it may be definitely understood that his Majesty will quit our shores on Saturday, the Sth of December.—A telegraphic de- spatch reached the Sardinian Minister on Saturday last, stating that H.M. the King intends leaving Paris on Thursday night, and is likely to arrive in London on Friday morni:ig, the 30th instant. THE ALLEGED OVERTURES OF RUSSIA.—The Court of St. Petersburg has communicated proposals of peace to the Emperor of the French and the Emperor, in intro- ducing them to the consideration of Her Majesty's Go- vernment, has declared his opinion, that the contemplated terms are satisfactory; and that the spirit in which they are offered by Russia is sincere. 'We are credibly in- formed, that a large party in the Cabinet has received these proposals by no means with disfavour. Yet, we regret to say, it appears probable, that, through adverse influences, they will meet with discouragement, and perhaps ultimately with absolute rejection.-Prcss. REPRESENTATION OF TAUNTON.—A vacancy has occurred in the representation of this borough, by the acceptance of office by Mr. Labouchere. The right hon. gentleman, iu his address soliciting re-election, says he had no personal desire to return to official life, and urges the vigorous prosecution" of the war. In the Court of Queen's Bench, on Friday, Sir F. Kelly moved for and obtained a rule nisi, calling upon the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury to show cause why a mandamus should not issue, commanding him to require, by writing under his hand, the Rev. George Anthony Denison, Arch- deacon of Taunton, to appear before him according to the Church Discipline Act, (the 3rd and 4th of Victoria, chap. 86,) and to proceed against him according to law. Our letters from Rome, of the 15th, says the Univers, inform us that the police there have just made a capture of the highest importance. Two days before, they arrested, in a room in the Strada Laurina, two of the most active and dangerous agents of Mazzini, and chiefs of the demagogical party at Rome-namely, Mancini, of the village of Ariccia, and Lucenti, bell-founder at Rome. These two men hired, in the Strada Laurina, a chamber, which became the centre of democratic conspiracies. On being arrested, a number of papers, some of them of great importance, were seized—among others, is a list of accomplices, containing, it is said, upwards of 2,000 names also a great number of tickets, which were dis- tributed to men charged to act as spies in different quarters of the town on behalf of Mazzini, and which, it is said, bear the title Democratic Army." EXPULSION OF THE REFUGEES FROM JERSEY.—The Jersey Weekly Tmes contains a report of a discussion which took place on Monday week, in the States, or Legislative Assembly of that island, upon the subject of the recent expulsion of the foreign refugees. Judge de Quetteville denied the right of the Lieutenant- Governor to expel strangers from the island, and gave notice of resolutions on the subject. These resolutions are to the effect, that the order of the King in Council, dated the 12th of June, 1635, investing the Lieutenant-Governor with unlimited authority, is contrary to the charters of this country, and is not in harmony with the present age, and therefore the States have decided to pray her Majesty to repeal the order, and to substitute the follow- ing regulation :—"For the future, no stranger residing in this island shall be expelled by an order of the Lieutenant-Governor, unless the latter shall have had, previously, a conference with the Royal Court, and obtained its consent to that effect. The Royal Court, previous to coming to a decision, shall have, if it deems it necessary, the right of ordering the appearance of the person about to be expelled, and to hear witnesses on the fact of which he may be accused." Mr. Godfray having put some questions to the constable of St. Helier, M. Le Quesne, which the latter declined to answer, denied that the resolutions passed at the Queen's Assembly Rooms, were agreed to unanimously, and said that the second resolution was negatived by a majority, and that his amendment was carried, and it was not only his opinion. but that of Dr. Dickson and many others. Dr. Dickson, as well as himself and the majority, were for having the authors of the letter, or the proprietors of L'Homme, brought before the Royal Court—the only legal way they could have been punished. Mr. Godfray proceeded to contend that the liberties of the island were in jeopardy by the recent acts of the Lieutenant-Governor, who pre- tended to have the right of expulsion by an old law of 1635, made in the Star Chamber. That law was never made for aliens, but expressly for the nobles and others, living in London, expelled by that most iniquitous chamber under the instigation of Charles I. The King, fearing lest they should organise a Parliament, banished them from London, and as many bad already resorted to the island, he emanated this order of 1635 to expel them from our shores. M. Le Quesne denied that Mr. God- fray's amendment was carried. M. Le Quesne proceeded to say, My opinion is, that the majority was for the resolution. We all know that the refugees insulted us. Have they not carried their red flag in our streets ? It is not my duty to examine if the power of expelling rests with the Lieutenant-Governor, and he has only complied with the request of the inhabitants if he has so used it. Three of them were not satisfied with banishment, but 36 others must needs sign a declaration which sets at defiance the authorities. We have only acted in this affair as loyal subjects; and, had we brought the offenders before the Court, it would only have been acting a comedy, which would never have had an end. I regret the Lieutenant-Governor thought that such power resided in him. I am aware the Court would never have finished the affair had it been brought before it." It was arranged that M. de Quetteville*s resolutions should be discussed at the next meeting. IMPORTANT TO THE KEEPERS OF MPARKET INNS,—No small sensation has been produced amongst licensed vic- tuallers, more especially among those who keep what are known as market houses," at which farmers occasion- ally leave unsold grain to await another market, by an intimation from the officers of the Board of Inland Revenue, that any licensed brewer having unmalted grain in his premises, renders him liable "0 a penalty of two hundred pounds. This is provided by the Act of the 18th and 19th Vic., c. 36; the clause enacting for this penalty being as follows: And for preventing fraud and evasion of the duty of excise on malt, by the use of raw or unmalted corn or grain, in the brewing of beer for sale, be it enacted, that it shall not be lawful for any brewer of beer for sale, to have in his brewery or in any premises belonging or adjacent thereto, whether the same shall be entered by him or not, any raw or un- malted corn or grain whatsoever, either whole or unground, or ground and bruised, except corn or errain not ground or bruised being in premises entered by such brewer for the purpose of making malt; and all raw or unmalted corn or grain which shall be found in such brewery or other premises (except as aforesaid), and also all malted corn or grain, whether whole or unground, or ground or bruised, with which such raw or unmalted corn or grain may be milled, shall be forfeited, and be seized, by any officer of excise, together with all sacks, casks, vessels, or packages in which such raw or unmalted corn or grain may be contained, and the brewer for every such offence shall forfeit the sum of two hundred pounds. Provided always that no such penalty of forfeiture shall be incurred in respect of any oats or beans bona fide in- tended to be used and consumed as food for horses, such oats and beans being in premises of such brewer, shall specially make entry as places for the deposit of horse corn, arid which shall be so far distant from his entered brewery premises, as not to have internal communication to or with the same." THE SUGAR SPECULATION —The rise-full forty per cent.-in the price of sugar, within the last week (says the Observer,) has been caused by extensive operations entered into bv three or four speculators in the city, whose names, "though freely mentioned, may not for ob- vious reasons, be stated here. These individuals, onj of whom is a large ship-owner, arranged to go into the mar- ket and purchase at "one slap," as the phrase runs, all the sugar in bond, with as much as they could obtain of the same afloat, or on its way to this country. This enormous operation, or rather. this conspiracy, for the law denounces forestalling and regrating, and provides a penalty for their practice, took all the grocers and dealers' in sugar completely aback, and they were compelled to purchase at the price fixed on the article by the specu- lators. Hence the increase on the cost of that article, an increase which amounts to a practical prohibition in the case of the poorer classes. The poor will therefore suffer, and the revenue will suffer-for the former, what with decreasing wages and lessened employment, will be interdicted from the consumption of sugar, while the public service will suffer by the defalcation in the re- venue arising from the duty on that commodity. It is stated that each of the operators in question cleared over £100,000 by his morning's work, and that several of the small fry of speculators, who always follow in the wake of the larger, as the dogfish follows the shark, have realized considerable sums by forcing the market for sugar still higher. The announcement, in our weekly obituary, of the death of Dr. Fletcher, will be read with heartfelt regret by a widely extended circle of friends and acquaintance. The exquisite gentleness of his disposition, his admirable temper, unfailing generosity, and moral rectitude, in every relation of lite, a dutiful son, affectionate brother, and constant friend, are true and trustworthy attributes which will be for ever remembered by those who have experienced them. For several years he filled with con- scientious fidelity the office of Physician to the Infir- mary, and the poorer portion of the community will not easily replace the kind and sympathising attention which -heinvariably evinced towards them.—Gloucester Journal.

THE MURDER OF A SURGEON IN NORTH DURHAM, The inquest on the body of Mr. Robert Sterling, as- sistant to Mr. Watson, surgeon, of Burnop-field, near Shotley-bridge, who was murdered near Gibside, on Thursday, the 1st instant, was resumed in the village schoolroom, last week. Major White, the head of the county constabulary, Mr. Ramsey, county magistrate, and other persons, wore present during the inquiry. Thomas Holmes, a workman living at Burnop-field, was first examined. He stated that while searching for deceased, with his father, Mr. Thompson, one of Mr. Watson s^ assistants, and other persons, on the afternoon of the 6th, he found Mr. Stirling's body in Smaile's- wood. Mr. Thompson was with him when the body was found. The deceased appeared to have been shot in the right side. There was also a wound on the upper part of the nose, and a cut over the right eye. His clothes were much torn, and the trousers appeared riddled, as if by a gunshot. Witness found nothing in his pocket a piece of braid, apparently a portion of a watchguard, was hanging out of his waistcoat pocket, as if the watch had been torn from it. His hat was lying near to where the body was found. The body was laid on its belly. There was a gap in the hedge, as if a body had been pulled through it. Mr. Watson, surgeon, stated that deceased left his house on the 1st, to visit a patient at Spen, and did not return. Deceased had received an appointment in the Turkish Contingent, and had only been ten days in the neighbourhood. Mr. George Septimus Thompson, a student in medi- cine, stated that the deceased had a silver watch with a silver face, when he left Mr. Watson's on the 1st to go to Spen. Deceased did not wish to wear a gold watch- guard in going this journey, and witness gave him a piece of silk to make him one. Witness had ascertained that deceased had left Mrs. Corn's house, at Spen, about half-past one o'clock on that day. Mr. W. K. Eddowes, a retired surgeon, residing at Derwent Cote, near Medomeley, saw the body of the de- ceased on the morning of the 8th, at Mr. Watson's. He was laid on the floor, and the clothes had not been re- moved decomposition had taken place. The trousers of deceased were torn, apparently by a gunshot; and the torn part of the trousers corresponded with the wound found in the right side of the abdomen of the deceased. On removing the clothes from the body, a dark patch of extravasated blood was observed on the right side of the abdomen the discolouration was the size of the palm of the hand, and was punctured with holes, as if a charge of shot had penetrated. Witness also found a cut on the left side of the neck. It was about two inches in length, and two inches and a half deep. In addition to that, de- ceased appeared to have been struck on the right cheek with the butt-end of a gun. Some of his teeth were knocked out, the bone of his nose was broken, and there was a slight wound above the right eye. Those were all the external appearances presented by the body. He had lost very little blood. Witness made a post-mortem ex- amination of the body the same morning. On opening the abdomen, he found the intestines much injured by shot corns having penetrated into them. Witness took some of the shot out,which he now produced. [A juryman, after examining them, said that they were No. 4 shot.] The large omentum was also riddled with shot. Witness also took two of a smaller size from under deceased's clothes. William Coxen, a youth, at present a farm-servant at Black Collerton, in Northumberland, said that he was working in a field on Low Friar-side Farm, on the 1st of November. It was opposite Smaile's-lane, across the Derwent. He was gathering potato-tops, about half-past one or a quarter to two o'clock, with some women, wh.en they heard a gun fired, apparently in Smaile's-wood. He afterwards heard a voice exclaim, "Oh, dear! Oh, dear It was followed by the voice of a man shouting, Hoy hoy and a sound like clapping of hands. He first imagined that some one had been firing at a hare and that the gun bad burst; but when he heard the shouts of "Hoy! hoy he thought that nothing was the worse, and that some one was setting dogs after a hare. 0 D The Coroner at this stage of the proceedings, adjourned the inquest for a fortnight, to give the police ample time for further inquiries. They have some clue, but they are keeping their suspicions quiet at present. The reward now offered for the apprehension of the perpetrators of this horrible outrage is £ -500 the inhabitants of Winter- ton have given £50, the inhabitants of Tanfield £ 50, the Government jElOO, Lord Ravensworth, Mr. John Bowes, and other county gentry, £ 300. Since the murder of Mr. Stirling, the inhabitants of the villages in this neighbourhood have been kept in the greatest alarm by a series of outrages, which, in point of fact, have made it dangerous to leave home after night- fall. Two or three highway robberies have been com- mitted and others attempted. A house has been broken into at Wickham, and the house of a man named Robin- son, residing at Blanchland, formerly a carrier between Newcastle and Hexham, was entered while he was in bed. He was awake, but to save his own life durst not stir, and the burglars came into his room and took j650 out of his pockets, with which they got clear.—A most impudent highway robbery was committed on Monday afternoon, at Swalwell-bridge, about two miles from where Mr. Stirling was murdered. Mr. Jennell, a pub- lican, belonging to Blackhill, was proceeding to meet the Shotley-bridge coach, when he was struck down by three fellows, who, after handling him roughly, robbed him of what money he had upon him. A man named Toby Walker, belonging to Newcastle, has been apprehended, and identified as one of the three men who robbed him.

SENTENCE ON LIEUT. AUSTIN, THE LATE GOVERNOR OP THE BIRMINGHAM GOAL. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, SATURDAY, Nov. 2-1.- Lieut. Austin was this afternoon brought up to receive judgment. After Mr. Justice Coleridge's notes of the trial, and the affidavits in mitigation and in aggravation of punishment had been read, Sir Frederick Thesiger. Q.C. (with whom were Mr. Kettle and Mr. Willis), was heard in mitigation of punishment, and the Attorney- General (with whom were Mr. Mellor, Q.C., Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Bittleston) was heard in aggravation. The Judges present were, the Lord Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Erie, and Mr. Justice Coleridge.—Mr. Justice Coleridge, in passing sentence, said the defendant had appeared be- fore the Court on two indictments, on one of which he had been found guilty. He was charged with great in- humanity in carrying out the discipline of the gaol. With regard to what had been called the common law power of the gaoler to enforce discipline, no doubt that existed, but it should be exercised with moderation, though with firmness. When a person undertook a duty similar to that of the defendant, he should bring proper knowledge with him, and when he pleaded ignorance, there was no difficulty in obtaining information, for by the Act of Parliament rules had been laid down by the Secretary of State, both as to his jurisdiction and the nature of the punishments to be inflicted, and he had nothing to do but confine himself within those limits. He was afraid he had applied to young undisciplined lads a kind of punishment which led to most fatal results. The Court, however, could not forget that he was placed over a large number of unruly and violent persons, and they took into account the difficulty of his position. They were further satisfied that, from his high character during a number of years, and the statement in his own affidavits, deliberate cruelty and inhumanity were never conceived by him and that, if he had erred in carrying out the duties entrusted to him, it was to be attributed to zeal in the discharge of his duties, and perhaps also to a feeling that he was the successor to one who had been too lenient for the purposes of the discipline of the prison. Taking into consideration all these circumstances of the case, the sentence was that he should be imprisoned in the Queen's Prison for three months, among the first class of misdemeanants.

EFFECTS OF RAPID PROMOTION. It will be sten from t1-,e following article that our oft- repeated remonstrances have at last obtained the assent of this professional journal—always the last to advocate any reform:—It has been written that war makes sol- diers. Peace may give us the men, and we may clothe and drill them, but it is only in the field that their mettle is tried, and that experience obtained which makes them serviceable to their country. No doubt a seasoned officer is worth a score who have had no experience of the rugged edge of the service. The Duke of Wellington always naturally preferred the' man of one campaign to the mere recruit. It ma}' be, however, that war °may carry away the greater part of the good and tried soldiers, and so neutralize all the benefits arising out of a little hardship and a few combats. Some regiments may be all the better for service, and many more may be com- pletely decimated. Looking at the state of the regi- ments in the Crimea, no man in his senses can come to any other conclusion than that they are gradually reach- ing an alarming point of demoralization, from which there is no escape under the system of rapid promotion sanctioned from a mistaken sense of justice. There are now upwards of 400 line lieutenants in the Crimea who have had but one year of full pay service Very many of them are within two or three of the top of the regi- mental list, and must, in the circumstances in which they are placed, become captains in less than a year. There are very many captains of only three, four, five, and six years' full pay service, and some of two years. Now, it is very right to let gentlemen reap some of the fruits of warfare in a rapid promotion, resulting from the casual- ties in the ranks above them and, if their good fortune were not pregnant with, danger to the service, no one would grudge them the attainment of the highest posi- tions. We ask, however, in all soberness, whether the crowding many regiments with boys, is not a certain method of uprooting discipline, of destroying character, and creating a world of dissatisfaction in the nume- rous corps which have not been employed in tho Crimea, and which, consequently, are filled with officers, whose full pay service is in the proportion of five years to one of the lucky survivors of the conflict before Sebastopol ? The main argument against promotion by purchase has been, that it enables the young to leap over the heads of the old, superseding experience and service by incompetency. But of what avail would be the abolition of the system if every youth, whose regiment happens to be nearly cut up, while he, perhaps, was away on leave, or still at the depot, is to run up the ladder of preferment to the super- cession of much. older and more useful men in other corps? While the fortunate regiments (as they face- tiously call the greatest sufferers from the fire of an enemy) are all encamped together, the mischief is not immediately apparent, excepting in the looseness of disci- pline. How will it be when a regiment, returned from the Crimea, is in the same garrison with one that has but just returned from the Cape or India ? Why, that lieu- tenants of 13 and 14 years' standing will find themselves subordinate to boys of three and four years' service. Put the case that tha 87th were quartered with the 23d, 62d, or the 63d no fewer than 15 lieutenants of the 87th would find themselves junior in rank to men who have not half of their full pay service; and so with other regiments. Place the 59th in juxta position with the 57th or the 64th in the same cantonment with the 77th-nothing but heartburning and mortification would result from the contrast. We repeat: give a fair share of recompense to the gallantry which has confronted the enemy and endured the trying effects of trench duty in a hostile climate and under privation but for the sake of common justice and discipline, let us have a few- transfers from unlucky regiments to the corps which have been deprived of so many of their best officers. Lord Hardinge will be able to find many excellent ex- cuses for the promotion of officers out of their regiments in the colonies and India, into Crimean corps. To some of them the step will be a proper compliment to the memory of a relative slain in action; to others it will be twice blessed—a compensation for tardy promotion, and a benefit to a regiment needing the presence of a few more experienced soldiers.- United Service Gazette.

DR. DAVEGX [TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.1 SIR, -In the Medical Times and Gazette, published on Saturday week, the 17th, there appears a medical and surgical report from Dr. Davega, one of the surgeons employed with our Naval Brigade before Sebastopol. He says On entering Sebastopol, after the assault, the most appalling spectacle of the campaign was the discovery of some hundreds of Russian wounded, who had been com- pletely abandoned by the enemy in their precipitate retreat from the town. Three days had elapsed, during which time none of these unfortunate soldiers had either food or water. No medical officer was left behind with them, nor even an ordinary attendant." (Where was Dr. Davega 1) The rush was evidently as selfish as possi ble-sauve qui peIlt. The living and the dead were massed together." (I refrain from quoting the whole paragraph, it is so horrible.) The limbs of most of the wounded were nearly strangulated, and threatened with mortification from the tightness of the bandages. The poor creatures, with outstretched hands, implored help. When their stiffened bandages were divided by scissors, they kissed the hands of their benefactors from the immediate relief afforded." Again, I ask where was the Dr. Davega ? By his own account he crossed to the north side of the harbour with Gortschakoff and his Russian friends, and took his time about it, the move being strategical. If this be true, how was it that these brave fellows were left behind uncared for ? I respect my American medical brethren, and am sorry that any one who claims to be a denizen of the United States, should be guilty of such an atrocious deed as Dr. Davega confesses to. The place must either have been too hot to hold them, or he and his confreres very cruelly left the wounded to perish. Poor Dr. Thomson, of the 44th Regiment, voluntarily remained on the field to help his enemies (the Russian wounded) at the Alma. Here is a man, calling himself an American too, who, by his own showing, unnecessarily deserts his wounded friends at their utmost need. It is evident that the doctor, in making out a good case for the Russians, had no notion that he was sacrificing himself. I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, SURGEON. DR. DAVEGA.—In the letter with this heading, in the Times, of Friday, the name of the surgeon to our Naval Brigade at Sebastopol, who reported the cruel desertion of the wounded Russians, was given as that of the notorious Dr. Davega. It should have been Duigan.— Times.

GARDEN 0 P E H. A T ION S, &c. (From the Gardeners Chronicle.) THE FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERIES. If not already done, get the planting of the beds with their winter and spring occupants finished as soon as possible, in order to give the plants the advantage of any chance which may still remain of making a few active roits before severe weather sets in. Also take advantage of dry days to clean and trim up shrubbery borders and American beds, &c., for the winter. If it is intended to transplant any of the shrubs, or to make any alteratiOns. get this done first, so as to avoid having to tread upon and disfigure the ground after having put it in order for the winter. Avoid deep digging among the roots of shrubs, unless it is desirable to check their growth, and where the plants are well established, digging amongst them should be confined to the ground seen from the walks, and this should be dug very lightly, merely loosening the surface soil so as to give it a fresh noat appearance. Where the soil is not very suitable for rhododendrons and other American plants a good dress- ing of leaf-soil mixed with thoroughly rotten manure will be of great service to them; and any unhealthy plants should be taken up, and the ground well prepared by mixing a liberal quantity of the compost with the soil where it is to be planted, which will be a more effectual cure than surface dressings. Rose stocks should be procured and planted at once, and where it is intended to remove the tender kinds of roses to some sheltered situation, this had also better be done soon. The hardier kinds may be procured from the nursery and planted, and the sooner these are had ill the better the chance will be of getting good plants. In planting standards let these be staked at once, for this kind of work, when once left, is sometimes neglected until the plants suffer. Rolllawlls fiequently, to keep the surface hard and smooth, and prevent the grass getting covered with worm casts. Gravel walks will also require the same attention. HARDY FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDEN. A sowing of peas and beans to afford the chance of a very early crop, should be made at once, choosing the most sheltered bit of ground at command, which should also be of a light dry nature. In favoured localities it is usul to sow somewhat earlier in the month, but we have seldom seen any advantage result from sowing before the 20th, and have frequently had those put in early in the month, cut up, while those planted, survived the winter uninjured. In the event of such a winter occurring as the last two, these will be destroyed as a matter of course, but neither the labour nor the expense of the seed, which will be the only loss, is of much account, and we have frequently had first-rate crops from November sowings, and they are certainly much less trouble than raising the plants under glass in spring. Use an early hard sort, such as Daniel O'Rourke. The forcing of seakale and rhubarb must now be attended to and. provided there is a good slock of strong roots, a supply of these will ba kept up. Where there is room to spare in the mushroom-house, this forms a very suitable and con- venient place for forcing these. The roots should be placed on a slight bed of warm dung, filling up the space between them with old tan, or the soil and manure mixed flom an old mushroom bed, giving a good watering to wash it amongst the roots. The bottom-heat should not be allowed to exceed 70, as too much heat is not favour* abie to secure strong growth, and, except for the first crop, it may be dispensed with altogether. Take advan- tage of wet days for making fresh mushroom beds, by spreading them in any shed, and turning them every day until they are sufficiently dried to prevent excessive fermentation after putting up Clear up all decaying leaves &c., and stir the surface of the soil on dry days among growing crops, as cabbage, spiuach, &c.