The North Wales Express

ALLEGED DISGRACEFUL OUTRAGE NEAR CARNARVON. An outrage of the mOit revolting nature has thi: week come to light in the neighbourhood of Pentir, where a young o-irl, aged 12, is now lying in a critical condition, having, it is said, been ravished by a young quarryman named Robert Davies. The offence is reported to have been committed, on Sunday, the 20th ult., but was not made known till this week, when the girl was.announced by 1 )1' Williams, Llanrug, to be in danger, and the police communicated with. D. C. C. Prothero with his proverbial promptitude immediately caused an investigation to be made, and the facts elicited led to the apprehension of a young quarryman named Robert Davies, aged 2i, son of a gamekeeper in the employ of Mr Asslieton Smith, Yayuol. The result was that, fearing the alleged outrage would be accompanied by fatal consequences, Mr deWinton, one of the count v justices, accompanied by Capt. Pearson (chief constable), Mr Prothero (deputy-chief constable), Mr J. H. Roberts (magistrates' clerk), and llr G. Thomas (deputy magistrates' clerk), proceeded on Wednesday to Ynvs Llycheirin, the residence of the young girl, whose name proved to be Hannah Griffiths. From her depositions, which were taken in the chamber where she was lying, it appears that the outraged girl was in service at Bryn, Llaucldeinioleii. On the morning of Sunday, the 2uth ult., the prisoner Davies came there, shortly before the family left for Seion chapel. Both hav- ing been left alone in the house, prisoner asked the girl to come with him to a:i adjoitiir g chamber. As she refused, h« carried her in his arms, placed his hand on her mouth, and effected his purpose on a bed in the chamber. The -jirl cried very much, and the p; isonor afterward- gave her a ha! f-penny, requesting her nut to tell anybody, and promising to come and see her again. Having returned from apel, the member.; of Br"n family observing that she had been crying, asked the girl what was the matter with her, and she informed them of what had taken place. In a few days after the perpetra- tion of the outrage, the girl became ill, and medical aid having been .vanmiOhe.», the circum- stances of the case were thus revealed. A warrant having been issued for his apprehension, the prisoner was convened to Ynv, Llycheirin, and was present in the room daring the ex nninatioii of the girl. He was formally charged with having ravished Hannah Griffiths, which he denied, but admitted having been with her at Bryn on the 'Simlay in question. Tile prisoner wn conveyed ie 'V-narvon gaol vvsterday morning, but was ■-ab-n qeently released on ba:l. The case w-U be heard before the county magistrates OH Saturday (to-morrow).

Russian Securities—Turkish bonds.—Pwich. The English Chauivl sqaa iron has arrived at v- LG0" N Smallpox has broken out in Aberueen in a rather virulent form. Musurus Pasha, the Turkish ambassador, had an interview with Lord Derby at the Foreign Office on Wednesday. Further experiments for testing the merits of •-teel and iron as the defence ot war ships have taken place at Portsmouth this week. The Crown Prince of Austria and suite visited Woolwich, on Wednesday, and witnessed a review of troops on Woolwich Common, subsequently making a tour of the Royal Arsenal. :1'he. Astronomer Royai reports that the duration nf registered sunshine at Greenwich last week was 8 hours. The sun was above the horizon for 65 7 hmrs; the recorded duration of sunshine was, therefore, equal to 5-8 per cent, of its possible duration. At the Wednesbury police court, two milk ven- dors, named Larn bourne, and Nicholls, who had been detected selling milk iiiluted with water (to the extent in one instance of 22 per cent, and in the other of 3K per cent.) were comdemned to pay the sum of £ G 10s. Gd. each, including costs. Alluding to the rumoured lar ding from the British fleet of a conbngent of b'u-.s jackets to defend the lines of Boitlair before Gallipoli, a con- temporary thinks they would do such work well, though they woud be useless in the open held." But surely jack tars are the very fellows to fight a pitched battle I —Judy. A very unpleasant adventure has, says Vanity Pair, befallen Lord Denbigh. A few days ago he drove to the istiaud in his brougham, taking with him one of his children and a despatch-box containing between £ 20 and £ 30 in notes, and several papers of considerable v due. Arrived at the Strand, Lord Denbigh and the child left the brougham and crossed the street, telling the coach- *nan to follow across. In that short interval of time, however, an adroit and impudent thief managed to take the despatch-box from the front seat of the brougham on which it was lying, and to disappear with it. The police are busily en: Raged in endeavouring to trace the thief, but sb 'far no news had been received of either the thief Ç¡r despatch-bcx.

THE SITUATION IN THE EAST. BRITISH FLEET AT THE DARDANELLES. A message from Constantinople on Wednesday night st. 1 that a rumour had been current there that the iaglish fleet had passed the Dardanelles and entered the Sea of Marmora, but up to that hour nothing of a reliable character has tran- spired. In the sitting of the Turkish Parliament on the 11th inst., Ahmed Vefik Pasha, the President of the Council, said he hoped to communicate the conditions of peace four days later. He also stated that there was not a single Greek soldier then in Thessaly. Referring to the British fleet, he declared that if it passed the Dardanelles he would protest against the act, and cast the responsibility for the consequences upon England. A later message said Mr Layard did not stop the British fleet from entering the Dardanelles, but vice-Admiral Hornby himself withdrew to Besika Bay on receiving notice from the Governor of the Dardanelles that'he was without instructions, and could only allow the fleet to pass under protest. Mr Layard is awaiting instructions from London in reference to the fleet. Mr Layard telegraphed at midnight on the 12th to Lord Derby that up to that hour he was still with- out instructions with regard to the fleet. A tele- gram received at Constantinople on the 12th from the Grand Duke Nicholas stated that the Russians will march into Constantinople in case the British fleet entered the Bosphorus. THE AUSTRIAN FLEET. Rear-Admiral Barry, commander of the Austrian squadron ordered to the Levant, left on Wednesday afternoon on board his flagship, the ironclad frigate Habuburg, for the East. Nothing of an authentic character is known as regards the fitting out of other ships of the Austrian navy. THE PORTE AND THE ARMISTICE. It is officially stated at St. Petersburg that the Turkish delegates received from the Porte on the 1st February their reply to their inquiry of 30th January relative to the provisions of the bases of peace, that is to say, the clay after the basis had been signed. It is pointed out from this fact in official circles that the conditions of the armistise were known at Constantinople on 1st February, and that there was therefore no ground for Mr Layard's telegram of the 6th inst., which was based on the statement that the Porte had on that date received no information of the provisions of the armistice, and was at a loss to explain the proceedings of the Russians. Telegraphic com- munication with Adrianople is not yet entirely restored. A FRENCH VIEW OF ENGLISH POLICY. The Rcpubiiqm Francaise believes that the critical state of affairs will be settled by a joint occupa- tion. It does not think it probable that the British Cabinet will be guided by its amouv proprc. Re- plying to the leading article in The Standard of Tuesday, it states that though it is obvious that the pride and interest of the country have been wounded and imperilled, yet it would be better to acknowledge that it is too late, that the time for useful action is gone by, and that the best course is to put up with the consequence of a policy which has been devoid hitherto of both firmness and clearness. Denunciations of the Russo-Turkish alliance can only lead to empty demonstrations, and the Occupation of Crete or Mitylene would be useless except to show that England cloes not choose to risk her ships in an adventure in which they might have Russian cannon to deal with." The tone of this article from a once friendly organ will show the effect produced on Continental opin- ion by the insult offered to our flag without its being immediately resented. At Vienna, according to a special telegram in the Debats, it is believed that the fleet will force the passage of the Dardanelles before the Russians can have time to scatter torpedoes in the Straits. The Berlin correspondent of the same paper dwells on the peaceful hopes expressed by the German journals, but at the same time notes as significant the war preparations going on in Russia. The Debats itself, in a leading article, also be- lieves in a compromise in the interests of Europe, and, after reminding us, in language which is very stinging, though courteous, of what England would have done at the beginning of this century, bids economists not to be alarmed. Ministers and Parliaments are not so bold now-a-days. Tout o* arranjera" says the Debats, for everybody will silently put up with faith accomplish THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY AND THE EASTERN QUESTION. The semi-official Provincial Correspondence of the 13th, referring to the reception by the Emperor of the Presidents ayd Vice-Presidents of the Reich- stag, states tkat his Majesty, in alluding to the present grave position of foreign affairs, expressed a positive hope that he should, in spite of all, succeed in preserving the peace of Europe. HUNGARY AND THE EASTERN QUESTION. In the sitting of the Lower House of the Hun- garian Diet on the 13th, Hen-en Ernst Simonyi and Ilelfy announced and explained two several interpellations oil the Eastern Question. Both interpellations are too much the same effect, and culminate in the questions whether the Govern- ment know the bases of peace if so, whether they do not consider them prejudicial to the interest of the Monarchy, more especialle to those of Hungary; and, lastly, what the Ministers intend to do to avert the danger which threatens the Monarchy. AUSTRIA AND RUSSIA. The situation continues to cause much anxiety at Vienna. The last Russian Note has not sufficiently reassured the Government, and it is positively stated that Count Andrassy is preparing a Note to the St. Petersburg Cabinet, specifying every point in the llusso-Turkisli Conventions by which Austrian interests are compromised. The Note has, however, not yet been despatched. Frequent Cabinet Councils have been held since during the week. SHOCKING SCENES AT ESKI DJUMA. ST. PETEHSISUKG, Wednesday. A despatch from the Russian headquarters at Adrianople announces that on the 29th ult., the Russian troops occupied Eski Djiima, which they found terribly devastated. The town was burning in several parts, and upwards of 200 mutilated corpses, among which were those of several women and children, were lying in the suburbs. From Eski Dj uma the Russians advanced as far as Eski Stamboul and Verbitza; but on the 4th instant, when the intelligence of the conclusion of the armistice was received at Eski Dj uma, the Russians were immediately ordered to evacuate Aski Stamboul and Verbitza, and to withdraw beyond the line of demarcation. RUSSIA AND ROUMANIA. BUCHAREST, Feb. 12. The Czarewitch is expected to arrive at Fratesti next Thursday, on his way to St. Petersburg. An important Cabinet Council was held to-day, under the presidency of Prince Charles. The Roumanian Government is taking measures to mobilise all able-bodied men in case of need. The Austrian subjects residing in Roumania have been sum- moned to report themselves at the Austrian Con- sulate, in view of a possible mobilisation of the Austrian army. A great number of petitions against the retrocession of Bessabaria to Russia have been received by the Government. Con- siderable. Russian forces are arriving at Jassy. VIENNA, Feb. 13. The Political Correspondence of this evening pub- lishes a letter from St. Petersburg, emanating from a special semi-official source, on the subject of re- I trocession of Bessarabaria to Russia. The letter describes this question as personal to the Emperor Alexander, and one in which, consequently, any thought of drawing back is impossible. It adds that if one of the interested parties shows itself obstinate in the matter, the question may become the last drop which would fill the cup to overflow- ing. The Political Correspondence suggests that the Powers and Sovereigns amicably disposed towards the Emperor Alexander should take the initative in bringing about a peaceful settlement of this question, adding that the projected indemnifica- tion to be obtained by Roumania for this retro- cession -namely, independence, free navigation of the Danube, the razing of the Turkish fortresses, and the cession of a commercial port on the Black Sea, is no slight advantage. It is predicted on the ether hand that a settlement of the question ignor- ing the wishes of Russia would bring forth threat- ening storm-clouds.

THE DISTRESS IN SODTlf WALES. Mr Simpson, of Liverpool, who has hitherto be- come as famous as his "Bowl," is on a visit to South Wales. The other day he, in company with the lion. H. Bruce, visited several of the distressed districts in the Taff Valle v. He characterised the indigence he has witnessed as indescribable, and stated that until yesterday he never knew the full meaning of the word distress. Last night he ad- dressed a crowded meeting of colliers, convened by the rector, and, amid loud applause, impressed upon them the expediency of availing themselves of proffered employment in South Lancashire and elsewhere. Arrangements have been made with other gentlemen in the Taff Valley for organising parties to supply men needed by Lancashire and other colliery owners. Yesterday, Mr Simpson went to London to arrange about a tariff for the conveyance of the men as required. The amount hitherto" raised" by the bowl is £ 738 Os 5 d., in forty days. The Genedl and Express fund has reached JE135 Is lOd. The Merthyr Correspondent of th z D ail j News, says that a meeting of colliers out of work was hrdd at the Temperance Hall in that town, on Wednesday night. The Rector, of Merthyr, who presided, introduced to the men Mr William Simp- son, of Liverpool. That gentleman, he explained, had most munificently assisted the distressed people of this and other districts. He had now come down to Merthyr to offer work in the north of England, &c., to colliers who were out of em- ploy. Mr Simpson said the inhabitants of Liver- pool had tried to do some little towaids alleviating the distress in South Wales, and he had come down to the Taff Valleys to see if a little more could not be done. A colliery proprietor had ad- vised him a short while ago that he could take on fifty men, and he had at once communicated with the rector on the matter to no purpose, for the offer had not been accepted. Subsequently another colliery proprietor had stated that he could take on a hundred and fifty Welsh colliers, and a tkird colliery proprietor had offered to take on a hundred. It was these offers had induced him to visit Merthyr. If the colliers refused to avail themselves of these offers, refused to go and work where there was plenty of work for them, and where they could earn good wages, why they must not expect to receive any aid or assistance from England. He had visited since his arrival in Aberdare, Pontypridd, and Mountain Ash; he had gone into some of the houses in those districts, and however some persons might fancy that the descriptions given by the Daily Vetcs Correspon- dent were exaggerated, whatever motive some men might have ir stating that the men in these neigh- bourhoods were not in distress, all he could say was that although he was not unaccustomed to enter impoverished houses during the last 27 years, although indeed he entered them every week of his life, he never until that day understood thoroughly the meaning of the word distress. No immediate response was made to the offer by any of the audience, and the Rector, to give the men time for considering the matter over, said the same might be given them to-morrow at the Drill Hall soup dinner.—A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Simpson.

WELSH MSMHEHS AND THE VOTE or CREDIT.— In the course of the debate on the vote of credit in the House of Commons, on Thursday, February 7, Mr Watkin Williams said that although as much opposed as any member in that House to the policy of the Government on the Eastern Question, he felt bound to say that in the presence of the stu- pendous events now passing in the East of Europe -events of which the least that could be said was that they were mysterious and uncertain—it was melancholy to find the House of the country di- vided upon a miserable question of six millions of money (loud Ministerial cheers). Any reasonable and honourable way out of the dilemma in which they were placed ought to be accepted by the whole House at once in the interests of the country at large and altogether irrespective of party con- siderations—(loud cheers)—and, for his own part, he was delighted to hear the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer resent the notion that they should post- pone the vote. He thought their duty was elear- namely, to proceed with the vote in committee and bring the affair to a speedy and definite conclusion (loud cheers).—In the debate on Friday, Mr David Davies said he could not support the Government on this vote. If the House agreed not to divide, he would not divide but, if they divided, he would not run away without giving his vote (a laugh). He did not approve of the amendment of the right hon. member for Bradford, but he thought their leaders had well consi lered it, and that they would stand by the minority (a laugh). But they had deserted them they had withdrawn their guns before they were beaten they had run away (much laughter). He was obliged to give his vote against the Government. He was sorry for that, because if they had told him what they wanted the money for they should have had his vo:e (laughter and cheers). Amongst the majority of 295 in the House of Commons, on Thursday even- ing, February 7, upon the question that the Speaker should leave the chair for the purpose of going into committee on the vote were the follow- ing:—Mr Stanley Leighton, Mr J. H. Pnleston, Mr II. C. Raikes, Sir P. G. Egerton, the Hon. W. Egerton, Mr W. J. Legh, Mr T. E. Lloyd, the Hon. G. Pennant, Hon. W. Tollemache, Mr C. W. Wynn, Lord A. E. Hill-Trevor, the Hon. A. Walsh. Amongst the minority of 96 were Mr David Davies, Mr R. Davies, Mr L. L. Dillwyn, Mr Morgan Lloyd, Mr H. Richard, Mr II. H. Vivian, Mr G. Osborne Morgan, Mr H. Robertson, and the Hon. F. S. A. Han bury Tracey. Mr Whalley paired with the minority. In the Government majority on Friday night, of 328, in favour of the vote of credit were Mr J. Jones, Viscount New- port, Mr J. H. Pnleston, Lord A. E. Hill-Trevor, the Hon. A. Walsh, the Hon. W. Egerton, Mr Stanley Leighton; Mr T. E. Lloyd, the Hon. G. Pennant, Hon. W. F. Tollemache, Sir W. W. Wynn, and Mr C. W. W- Wynn. The following members voted in the minority of 124, Mr David Davies, Mr R. Davies. Mr L. L. Dillwyn, Mr Mor- gan Lloyd, Mr H. Robertson, Mr H. H. Vivian, and Mr ll. Richard, the Right rIon. J. G. Dodsoii, Mr P. E. Eyton, MrS. Holland, and Mr G. Osborne Morgan. Another boating accident is reported from Shetland, whereby two lives were lost.

THE EAST. PARIS, THURSDAY. A telegram from Constantinople received in Paris this evening says, the English fleet comprising ten. iron-clads nave remained at Gallipoli, and the. remaining eight are in the sea of Marmora, and an. hour's distance from Const ntinople. The othee powers are each to send two men of war to Coiw stantinople.. The Russians have not yet crossed the neutral zone, they are, however, reported t be advancing; from the Chataldja. The Devastation was to leaver Malta yesterday. Different telegrams assert that th<>. Sultan has been in direct telegraphic communica- tion with the Queen aud with the Czar. Begging- on the one hand, Her Majesty in the name of humanity to defer sending the fleet through the Dardanelles, and on the other the Emperor to postpone all measures as to the sending of his army to Constantinople. The Czar has replied merely, confirming ,1 'rince Gortschakoff's circular of the 10th. 1 he interchange of views among the powers relative to the meeting of the future congress, for a time very animated, has been flagging for three days. The Nord publishes a letter from St. Petersburg, announcing that Bismark is opposed to the meeting of a congress preferring a conf rence, composed simply by ordinary ambassadors of the powers. BERLIN, Thursday. German Government are not likely to send any ships to theDardanells at present. CONSTANTINOPLE, Thursday. Since the Russians have renewed their advance towards Gallipoli and are now within only a few hours' march of it. It is not known what Sulei- man Pasha will do. ATHENS, Thursday afternoon. New- from Thessaly is very grave. A force of Insurgents is fighting near the frontier, and the Greek corps of observation is almost sure to be drawn into the struggle. BERLIN, Thursday. Russia is believed here to have agreed with the Porte, that Russian men of war of any number may proceed from the Black Sea to the Mediter- ranean, or in the opposite direction at any time, and without previous notification, but that no man of war bearing any other flag h:111 be permitted to enter the Black Sea without a firman of the Porte. The Conference will be held at Baden Baden. VIENNA, Thursday. According to a telegram in the Presse from Tir- nova, General Ignatieff arrived last Friday in Adrianople whither the Turkish plenipotentiaries had been invited to continue the peace negotia- tions. It is expected the discussions may begin on the 16th of February and be concluded in less. than a fortnight, when the result would be sub- mitted to the conference as a fait accompli. That- such may be and possibly has been the Czar's in-* tention all along may be readily believed from that tardiness displayed by Russia in answering the* invitation to the Conference, not less than frorrn the delays which are now arising in arranging pre-<{ liminary formalities, and it is quite possible th,. Czar may succeed in concluding the negotiatiowC with Turkey before the Conference meets, thu-^ creating the desired fait accompli, but after t,it* declarations by both British and Russian Govern-J ment she can scarcely expect such a fait accomplH will be unconditionally recognised. The Tinna thinks the facts will not fail to re-" assure the public mind that the British fleet ÍIJ practically in occupation of the waterway to Con- stantinople, and this being the case we may watch with comparative calmness the course which the Russians or other European Governments may adopt. The Daily News has no wish to thwart ministers, but wishes it could put greater faith in their wisdom and purpose. The Telegraph advocates occupation of Gallipoli.

MR GLADSTONE'S POLICY. A "Gambetta Liberal" having written to Mr Gladstone to extract his opinion as to whether England ought not to have undertaken the libera- tion of the Christian subjects of the Porte, and whether the fact of Turkey being (not de facto, bat morally) a vassal of England would not have made this liberation an easy task, has received the follow- ing reply:—"February 11th, 1878.—Sir,—Business and indisposition oblige me to answer you very briefly, but I write to say that your propositions seem to me sound and correct, except that I should not quite say so much as to the moral vassalage of Turkey. What I have contended all along is that united Europe ought to have enforced the necessary deliverance, that we mainly prevented this union, and that by doing so we have secured to Russia immense advantages which she ought not to have possessed.—Yours faithfully, W. E. GLADSTONE."

John Brooks was executed at Nottingham, on Wednesday, for the murder of Caroline Woodhead, on the 12th December. The Wye has sailed from Portsmouth, on Wednesday, with a cargo of stores for the Medi- terranean. A census is to be taken over the whole of the districts which were affected by the famine in. India. Addendum to Mr Lowe's advice, "Muzzle you!; Prime Minister"—"and your dogs of war."—\ Punch. Prove that a dumb mtn would make an in-4 subordinate sailor.—The answer is Because man 'tis clear, is (point to your mouth and add) 4( mute in here.—Judy. A meeting of the Cleveland ironmasters was le C yesterday at Middlesborough, to consider t ei diminution of the production of pig iron. Ten p tt cent. was the proportioned mentioned. A Press Association telegram states that then is no truth whatever in the persistent rumours that Lord Hartington is about to resign the leadership of the Liberal party. The Cardiff magistrate?, on Monday, fined Hannah Jones, who lives in Rugby-street, Roath, and keeps a house which is the resort of low women and thieves, a sum of £ 10 for selling beer without a license. The defendant was detected on the morning of Sunday, the 27th ult, and she appeared to have been driving a brisk trade. A Practical Farmer," writing to a contem- porary says "Although every efforts have been taken of late to take a rise' at Mark Lane out of of political complications, no appreciable advance has indeed been established. Indeed, although a rise of Is a quarter has occurred in the tone of the inlying of the provincial towns, the general tone of the markets has been downwards, which is only the expected course of trade now that the ports of the Black Sea are about to be opened, and the grain that is said to be granaried there is to be thrown upon the British and other European markets. Malting barley has been bought at rather lower rates. Maize is cheaper. Grinding barley has participated in the general dullness, while the oats are cheaper. Bt.ans and other pulse are in demand for mixing on account of their nitrogenous or muscle-forming qualities, which are indispensable for keeping up the stamina of working horses, no matter what prica they may be. Of this trade there is no material change to note. Good beef and mutton is excess- ively dear; but pork is still cheap, which is no doubt mostly due to swines fle.-di being more gener- ally bought by the humbler classes, whose means just now, owing to the restriction of trade being unusually severe. American meat has arriyc i in fair order, the quantity hanug been lor the week ending February 6, 48tons, or upwards of two thirds of one day's supply of the Metropolitan market. Some pigs have been sent in the car- case in good condition, but there was too much fat in proportion to lean about them. The beef IJMde 3s 8d for fore-quarters, and is Sd for Ifind-quartcrs, per BIbs. The pigs made 3d to 4d per lb.

JJtflitial cuti) Jbiiui. A public funeral is to be given to the remains of Dr. Duff, in Edinburgh, on Monday. The Oswestry Advertizer states that Mr Stuart Rendel has accepted an invitation to contest Mont- g lmeryshire at the next election, in the Liberal interest. It is sixteen years since there was a ■ mtested election for the county, which the Wynns nave represented for a long period. The Oswestry Advertizer says that the Carnarvon- shire County and Boroughs Liberal Association has ¡".( n reorganised on the Birmingham basis, and '■ho monetary qualification of members has been abolished. In the Upper House of Convocation on Wednes- day the question of ecclesiastical fees were dis- cussed, and it was agreed to appoint a Committe to draw up a form of prayer f,r family and private worship. The Lower House was again occupied over the provisions of the Clergy Discipline Bill, and a report upoe ill1 Lectiunary. The coiioider- ation of the letter was deferred- to the next group of sessions. Last Wednesday a special public meeting, con- vened by the National Temperance League, was held at Exeter Hall, to consider the question of temperance instruction in schools. The Bishop of Exeter presided, and amongst the speakers were the Rev. G. W. Olvcr, Principal of the Wesleyan Training College, Battersca; the Rev. Dr. Valpy, French Head Master of King Edward the Sixth's School, Stratford-on-Avon Mr J. S. Wright, of Birmingham Mr T. M. T Williams, Inspector of Schools (late of Bangor Normal College) Canon Hopkins, and Dr. B- W. Richardson. Mr Archibald Forbes delivered a lectin e on Tuesday to a large audience in the Free Trade H ail, Manchester, on his personal experiences as War Correspondent of the Daily News. The lecturer's graphic description of the passage of the Danube, the fighting in the Sliipka Pass, and the two first assaults on Plevua were listened to with intense interest, and the various touches of humoarous and personal adventures were also peculiarly acceptable to the audience, who frequently expressed their admiration of Mr Forbes' gallantry, and their appreciation of the public services which he has rendered. A marriage is definitively arranged between the Crown Prince of Sweden and Norway and the Princess Victoria of Baden, granddaughter of the Emperor William. Prince Gustave was born in 1858. The Princess Victoria was born in 1862. The marriage is expected to take place in the ensuing autumn. u. The House of. Lords on Tuesday affirmed, with costs, the decision of the court of session that under the Succession Duties Act, the Earl of Zet- land was liable to pay a duty of three instead of one per cent. on succeeding to the entailed family estates in Scotland, on the ground that within the meaning of the act he was the successor of his uncle, the late earl, and not of the original en- tailer. 0 The appeal of Mr Charles Bradlaugh and Mrs Besant against the conviction recently recorded against them for having published an obscene work, has been decided in their favour, and they have thus beaten the Solicitor-General on a point of law. The appellants contended that the indictment was defective because it did not set forth all the passages of the book objected to, but simply quoted the title, and the court held that the contention was good. Their lordships, however, expressed no opinion on the character of the book, but ordered an arrest of judgment.

POLITICAL UNION IN FLINTSHIRE. SIR,-I noticed with delight the letter of a cor- respondent the other day, drawing attention to the state of torpor which has befallen the Liberals of Flintshire. The Flint borough electors are not represented in Parliament, and this misfortune must be attributed to the persistence of soma pro- minent Liberals in the last election. This should not occur again, and if the electors are wise it will not occur again. Why should not the Liberal electors of Flintshire not have their associations and organizations as the Conservatives have, which are only about half their number. It would be well if a few of the leading Liberals in each town were to take the matter up, and arrange for a cen- tral meeting, say at Flint or Mold, to form an association. As a "man of Mold" I shall be happy to do all I can with that view, and would suggest Flint as the locale of the first meeting; and I shall look forward to a rejoinder to this epistle in your next issue.—Believe me to be, Sir, .tours vcr" truly, A MOLD LIBERAL. Mold, Feb. 12th, 1878. THE CARNARVON TOWN COUNCIL. DEAR Sin,—I read with some interest your timely remarks in the last Express upon the irregular way in which the work of the Carnarvon Town Council is transacted, and I hope, sir, that they may lead to the adoption of such rules of proceedings that will obviate serious difficulties hereafter. I once had a seat in the Council, and during my repre- sentation I never knew a circumstance which con- cerned the permanent interests of the town to be brought forward without the usual notice given a month beforehand, and also on] the circular to councillors. Not only does this loose mode of doing business make it liable to be rescinded at subsequent meetings, but it opens the door to another more serious evil—any individual member may, if lie thinks proper, bring forward a most absurd project, and bent upon currying it, he may watch his opportunity when the attendance is small to put it through. But there is another revelation which has arisen out of the proceedings of the council last week. Two out of the thirteen members who voted on the'Bangor-street question, knew nothing whatever about the subject under discussion, and after giving their vote for the adopted plan, went to seek information as to what it was I regret to think such actions should be chronicled of some of the councillors of but it is in the interest of the ratepayers that it is done. It is also a pity to think that members are led to decide on town matters from personal friendship or an misity, oftener th m fnm a con- scientious dealing with subjects brought under their notice. In conclusion, permit me to tell you that in view of these facts, the opinion you, Mr Editor, have expressed upon the Corporation becomes a little in excess of what it deserves — n leastwise, ccrtain members of the same.—'Apolo- gising for tionbling you, I am, &c., Carnarvon, Feb. 14, 1878. VERITAS. I

FVNKHAI OF A SIAMESE Gon.-The Times of Lrflfi announces the death of one of the living idols of Siam. The oldest of the white elephants, which was bom in 1770, died in its temple at Bangkok in November last. Every one knows that this famous white elephant, before whom a whole people bow the knee, is the emblem of the kingdom of Siam. It is honoured with the most beautiful pre-cuts, for the Indians, full of the idea of metamorphosis, still believe that so majestic an animal could only be animated by the spirit of a god or of au em- peror. Each white elephant possesses its palace, a vessel of gold, and harness resplendent with jewels. Several mandarins'are attached to its ser- vice, and feed it with cakes and sugarcane. The King of Siam is the only personage before whom it bows the knee, and a similar salutation is rendered it by the monarch. The deceased idol has been accorded a magnificent funeral. A hundred Hadel- hist priests officiated at the ceremonv. The throe surviving white elephants, preceded' by trumpets and followed by an immense concourse of people, I accompanied the funeral car to the bank of the Menam, where the King and his noble lords re- ceived the mortal remains, which were transported to the opposite bank for burial. A procession of thirty vessels figured at that curious ceremony. All the floating houses, ranged in double file on I the Menam to the number of over sixty thousand, were adome I with flags of all colours and sym- bolical attributes.

GREECE. A telegram from Athens on Wednesday says that apprehensions are entertained that it may not be possible to restrain the Greek trops from recrossing the frontier on account of the reports which are received of massacres being perpetrated in Thes- aly. The Hellenic Government has addressed an appeal to the Powers on the subject. Hordes of lJa:):i iJazouks are reported to have been des- pot; iud to Volo, where they are wreaking ven- geance on the inhabitants of the villages aroud Domoko. Official news, moreover, is published of massacres at Bethyma and Canea, in Crete. The public here is greatly excited at this intelligence, and the newspapers publish articles in which they ask, "Will Christian England remain passive while such barbarities are being practised ?" Seven hundred insurgents under the Chief Basdeki have entron hed themselves in the village of Makiinitza ,)Io. Four thousand five hundred Tu; kisii troops, including two thousand Egyptians, are prepaimg to attack them. Hostilities, it is said, have been resumed in Tiies?- .1y. The Government, to show necessity for tre intervention of the Greek army, has drawn the alb;, eon of the Powers to the massacre of Chris- tmv.i in Thessaly, and has protested against ths Greek provinces of Turkey being left in their pre- sent perilous condition. FRANCE. A fall on the little Boulevard Bourse of 35 cen- times from the closing official quotations was at- tributed on Wednesday, not oniy to news of the British fleet having passed the Dardanelles, but to the false rumour that Lord Derby had resigned. In the Chamber during the debate on the Bud- get of Public Instruction, M. Lockroy moved that a credit of six millions should be voted to secure the Bibliotheque Nation ale against fire. The party wall separating geographical department from the houses in the Rue Colbert, stored with oil and alco- hol, was so thin that the heat of fires in an hotel might be felt through them. These houses should be purchased and demolished. M. Bardox, the minister, admitted the danger. The houses might have been bought in 1838 for less than one million; but though worth more than that sum. he con- sidered that six millions was extravagant. He promised that the Government would negotiate for the best and present a bill shoitly, feeling that the burning of the Library would be a disaster com- parable to that of Alexandria. M. Lockioy, sub- s q uently withdrew the motion. GERMANY The semi-official Provincial Correspondence con- cludes a leading article upon Pope Pius IX. and the approaching Papal election with the following words :—" One thing is certain. Whatever may be the result of the election, the ecclesiastical legislation which Prussia and the German Empire have within the last few years found themselves obliged to adopt, affords a guarantee that the interests and requirements of the State will be protected under all circumstances." ITALY. General Garibaldi is said to be seriously ill. A message from Rome on Wednesday night states that there are upwards of fifty Cardinals at present in Rome. The Liberta states that three » parties have formed in the Sacred College—the irreconeilables, the advocates of compromise, and those who are in favour of maintaining the status fJ.uo. The first of these, which is led by Cardinal Manning, commands about twelve votes; the second is said to have decided upon supporting the election of Cardinal Moretti, at present Arch- bishop of Ravenna while the third and most nu- merous party is said to have selected Cardinal Canessa, Archbishop of Verona, as its candidate. It is believed that the Conclave will not be of short duration. The theatres will not be opened until to-morrow evening. The Congregation of Cardi- nals on examining the question of the veto decided to reserve to the Sacred College complete liberty of action, while granting to the Pawers which have the right veto the power of making any ulterior representations. The place where the Conclave will meet will consist of about 400 rooms, this extent of space being rendered necessary by the large number of officials and atten- dants. At three o'clock on Wednesday after- noon the Basilica of the Vatican was close in order to proceed with the ceremony of interment. Before the body is finally consigned to its last resting-place, a notary will read the official attestation of the death, which will then be enclosed in a silver cadcet, and placed at the feet of the corpse. A major-domo will then lay a veil over the face, and the Camerlengo will cover the entire body with a second veil, after which it will be laid in the coffin. The official seals and medals struck during the Pontificate of Pius IX., to the number of 96, all commemorative of the principal events of his reign, will also be enclosed in the coffin. The Cardinals, the Chapter of the Vatican, the members of the Pontifical Courts, the diplo- matic body, and a few personages who have re- ceived special invitations, will be present at the interment. The various foreign Cardinals imme- diately on their arrival in Rome went to St. Peter's to view the remains of the deceased Pontiff. Numerous deputations from foreign Catholic societies have arrived to attend the funeral cere- monies. Telegrams and letters of condolence continue to reach the Vatican from the different foreign Courts and Governments, and from dis- tinguished personages and foreign associations. EGYPT. It is generally believed that the Khedive is largely" beariug" Egyptian stock. A large number of creditors of the Egyptian Government are petitioning the consular body to support the committee of inquiry ordered by the Khedive's decree of the 29th January last. The petitioners urge the necessity of ascertaining the real resources of the State find establishing the service of the debt on a firm basis after regulating oil other creditors and assuring the proper working of the budget. The. Canadian Parliament was opened by the governor-general, Lord Dufferin, on Friday last In his speech on the occasion, his lordship said the revenue had improved, and no new taxes would be proposed. He further announced that the surveys for the Pacific Railway were complete. Ait Ottawa telegram states that it is understood there that measures are to be taken to place the Canadian coast defences in an effective coudition. News has been received from Capetown to the date of the 22nd January. An engagement between me British forces and Kaffirs is reported, in which the latter lost heavily. The Transkei district has been entirely cleared of rebellious Kaffirs. A very serious drought prevails in South Africa. The opening of the exhibition at Capetown has been postponed till the 1st July. Official intelligence received at Madrid from Havana announces that the Pretender to the Presi- dency of the Cuban Republic has been made prisoner, with a number of other insurgents. The semi-official Jierlinjrske Tidende denies in the most positive manner the statement that the Danish Government intends reviving the North Schleswig Question. Too harsh a term," adds the journal, could not be applied to such conduct." A positive denial is given to a rumour telegraphed to Rome from the Paris Bourse that the health of King Humbert gives rise to anxiety. His Majesty is in the enjoyment of excellent health. The Minister of the Interior has rescinded the prohibition imposed by the last Cabinet upon the introduction of some foreign newspapers into France.

A fire broke on Wednesday morning at the resi- dence of the Earl of Zetland, in Arlington-street, London. Some pictures and books of great value I were destroyed. The adjacent mansion (Lord Salisbury's) was in great danger. The London and North Western Railway Com- pany will declare a dividend of 7:1 per cent.

♦- While the Hungarian papers are holding war- like language the Austrian independent papers demand peace. A British steamer has left Fiume with torpedoes on the Whitehead system. Neither France nor Italy has asked, it is said, for a firman to enter the Dardanelles. A rumour has reached Trebizond of the evacua- tion of Erzeroum, and it is believed to be true. Mehemet Ali Pasha is dead of typhus fever. There are no troops now at Trebizond. II.M.S. tug Escort arrived at Brindisi on Wednesday morning from Fiume with torpedoes for Malta. She took on coal and sailed the same night. The blockade of Constantinople terminated on the 18th inst. Direct telegraphic communication with Constan- tinople has been broken, so that telegrams are transmitted via Fao and Suez. The Grand Duke Nicholas has expressed his satisfaction to Ahmed Vefik Pasha at the non- admission of the British fleet to the Bosphorus. At Tuesday's sitting of the Turkish Parliament, several deputies urged Ahmed Vefik Pasha to act with consideration towards England in regard to the passage of the Dardanelles.