The North Wales Express

".°.iiloiil F' t EPITOME OF NEWS. --+- SOMK persons have been arrested at Mataro, in the pro vince of Barcelona, who wore fo;>ni to be in possession of for;;eJ lour per Cent. Internal Boads. forgery was very clumsily done. TIlE Leeds Chamber of Commerce has re- solved to petition against the proposed bridge over the Huinber, on the ground thic it would be detrimental to hifrh-masted vessels bound for Goole. "A NOTHKU German students' duel with pistols in Fr, ii)tir; h:lS ended falal)y in FfI ibur; A medical ftucl"nt Hameù Be'gardt and a student named Weidig, of Gieseen, were the combatants. The for.i cr was killed. apatiese papers state that an Envoy from the King of Hawaii has arrived in their count, y for the purpose of making arrangements for the introduction of Japanese immigrants into the Sandwich Islands. The ,r. reason given for this is that the Hawaiian native popu- lation is fast diminishing, and that Chinese are flowing in to take their places in such numbers as to cause anxiety to the Government:. ,-LIE HoiiNKiis' COMPANY.—Mr.O.TI.Compton, of If, Great George-street, London, S.W., has been elected master; Mr. W. H. Collingridge, of The Elms, Hornsev, upper warden; and Mr. J. M. VV iikinson, of Kus-ell-roaii, Kensington, renter warden, of this com- pany. SEVERAL chancres are being made in the diplo- matic representations of Russia and Germany. In I addition to the Embassy in Berlin, only the Ministers at Stuttgart, Dresden, and Weimar will be retained. The Minister, Von Ilolt/.ke, who has been in Darms- tadt, will go to Weimar, and Barlln Mingden will go from II imburg to Dresden, while the Minister at Stutt- gart will include Munich aad Carisruhe in his responsi- bility. IT is now definitely stated that Mr. Baron Pollock and Mr. Justice Manisty will proceed with the Salisbury election petition inquiry, which will be opened at the Couneil-hou-e, Salisbury. Excessive and colour- aole employment and the distribution of coals and blankets by Mr. Kennai\I are stated to be the main charges; the allegations of direct bribery are, it is under- stood, to be withdrawn. A GALLANT RESCUE has been made at Scar- borough by the coastguardsmen under Mr. Evans, chief boatman. The smack Young Alice, through an accident to her sails, drove ashore nearly opposite the coast- guard station. The rocket apparatus was immediately got out, and the lifeboat launched, as there was a very heavy sea running, and the crew were in great peril. By the efforts of Mr. Evans and a number of volunteers, the crew of five men were landed through a heavy surf. p WHAT IS "SACRED" MUSIC? — Ihe New York judges have just decided that" sacred" concerts are not prohibited by the new Sunday penal code. If ever such a "<:o.le" were to become law in England—which the Fates forbid how interesting it would be to look on while the lawyers decided as to what was sacred music and what was secular. Fancy can imagine a similar trial to that of the late Belt case, with the difference that, instead of busts and plaster casts, the twelve intelligent jurymen would be regaled with musical performances by leading artistes.— Musical Opinion. AT the Ash Wednesday (midday) service in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, there was a good attend- ance. the prrtion of the church beneath the dome being thronged. The ceremonies lasted a little over half an hour/and consisted of a brief service, hymn, and address. The latter was given hy the Rev. Gordon Calthrop, M.A., vicar of St. Augustine s, Highbury BOTTI/E l)GPn "W3.3D6CI 3.SnorG? "Wlttl tn.6 following words written on a saloon ticket: Our ship is in great distress masts destroyed immediate help is necessary. Steamer Nederland." THE construction of a canal between the Oder and the Vistula has been undertaken by a private eompanv, and the preliminaries are already in pro- gress. The canal will connect the coal and iron districts of rpperSHesia.the rock-salt and limestone districts of Po,en, and the agricultural districts of East and West Prussia. THE EAIIL OF DEBTIY has appointed Mr. H. W. Just, of the Colonial Oilice, to be his assistant private secretary. THE TIIIRTET-ATH ANNUAL ISSUE of the City of London Directory (1883) has just been published by Messrs. W. and L. Collingridge. The work bears un- mistakable signs of careful and painstaking compilation, and must of necessity be a. valued adjunct to the count- ing-house or oiiice. Apart from the ordinary contents of a directory it contains a guide to the several Livery Companies of the City, a reference index to all the bankruptcies and liquidations for '82, a Corporation directory and a conveyance guide; whilst the volume, both well printed and bound is issued at a moderate price. A new coloured map on a large scaie crowns its list of useful attractions. THE ()dlf Pi-s states that the removal of Highga te Arciiway will be necessitated by the making of the stenp grade tramway along that thoroughfare. AT the annual meeting of members of the Royal Cambrian Academy of Arts held at Llandudno, Mr. Norbury was elected president for the current year, and Mr. Charles Potter vice-president. Mr. Bankcs \a3 re-elected honorary secretary. It was stated that the inaugural exhibition at Llandud io had been a great suc- cess, and arrangements were (lending for two exiiibitions to be held this year—in the summer at Rhyl, and in th« winter at Cardiff. A DKNTSELY-CROM"DRI> and enthusiastic meeting has been held at Sheffield in support of Mr. I'.rar'Jaugh'a rh'ht to take his eeat for Northampton. A resolution to that effect was proposed and seconded, when an amend- ment was submitted that Mr. Bradlaugh's conduct Lad been such as to entitle him to no special resolution. The seconder of the amendment declared that Mr. Bradlaugh had asserted that there was no God. Mr. Bradlaugh called him a deliberate liar, and great confusion pre- vailed. The assertion was withdrawn, and the resolution was carried. THE police at Hinckley are in search of a man who gave the name of T. G. Hntohm«n", and who is wanted on the charge of robbery. It is alleged inat the man went to tlie house of Mr. John Bedford, at New. buildings, Ilmckley, and engaged lodgings there, stating that he was a detective from Lough- borough, and that he had come after a man whom he had arrested and placed in Hinckley Lock-up. To secure the confidence of the landlord the detective pre- sented him with a couple of fowls. [Hiring the day Hutchinson asked for the lean of £ 1 10s. until Superin- tendent Chapman had the money to give him. Mr. Bed- ford advanced him the amount on an I 0 r, and subse- quently lent him a watch. Hutchinson left Hinckley by the 7.17 p.m. train, and has not since been heard of. CHURCH-STRF.P.T, Edgware-road, London, was recently the scene of a curious disturbance, owing to an organised opposition to the street preaching of Mr. Davidg-, of Paddington Hall. As soon as the meeting outside the hall commenced, several of the residents opened their windows, and from them rattled tin tea trays and frying-pans, which, together with the melodious sounds arising from springing rattles, goon attracted a large crowd, and it was not until after much persuasion on the p Irt of the: police that Mr. Davidge withdrew into the interior of the hall. PETER STEPHENSON, barber, David Williams, and Thomas Jesse have b en committed to the assizes on a charge of stealing about £ 0 from the person of John Harris, at 14, Moina-terrace, Cardiff, Stephenson's shop. It was believed that pro-ecutor, while in a helpless state of intoxication, went to be shaved. He pulled out i ba.f containing gold, which wa.) upset. A scramble eiisue-, for the sovereigns, and prosec itor, deprived of all his money, was put into a cab and driven to an address which waS afterwards found to be wrong. ARCHIUSHOP CHOKE having been written to respecting the Irish distress by Dr. Howard, of Oldham, the latter has received a reply, in which the archbishop Bays ho had begun to hope we had seen the last of Irish famines, but he was more than ever thoroughly convinced that until the Irish people got into their own hands the management of their own aft a: re, and shook off a bloated aval ruthless voke which continued to oppress, them, they need never expect to enjoy the blessings of social peace that was known to prevail amongst every other free-born people. 'i i'E annual meeting of the Liverpool Union Bank has be n held at Liverpool, when the report of the directors showed that the net profits for 1^3" were The payment of a dividend and bonus, *^ounl>»g altogether to 12}; per cent., and absorbing ^6,6 "> wasrecomme ed,with the passing of i 10,000 10 *esor' e fund. The balance to be carried to this year s a°c^unt \3 £ 9631, A FARMER IN Douglas oounty, Nebraska, to J friend, gayS 1 have had a visit from the arq^. o{ Lome. Along with him were the Princess Louise an<. Xhev came up to my house and 8tayed for three no'irs, and the Princess took a sketch of ™'V ™hole pl.ve—fam, house, stabling, wire fence, and a the tree8 j ,acj planted myself about three years since. le m;,rquis .fid, princess "both shook hands with me ien they ca^ up, but did not eay who they were for to0re than anh/ur." --=-=-===-=-==: « A MEETING lias been held at Glasgow, under the auspices of the League for the defence of Constitu- tional rights, to discuss the right of constituencies tit be served in Parliament by men of their choice. There was a large attendance. A MINT. R NAMED AViLMAM PRICE has been admitted into the hospital, Wolverhampton, suffering from serious injuries received whilst employed at a colliery at Essington Wood, belonging to the Darlaston Steel and Iron Company. The unfortunate man was engaged in drilling coal in the pit, and having fired a shot the gunpowder exploded in a different direction to what he anticipated. The result was that Price was severely injured about the hands and face, and on his I arrival at the hospital it was found necessary to amputate both his hands. AT the Borough Police-court, Leicester, six • prisoners have been. tined 5s. and costs, for obstructing tbe highway in various parts of the. town with "potato machines." very large number of these machines, being constantly obstructing tbe narrow thoroughfares in the centre of the town, htve become an intolerable nuisance, and the authorities arc determined to put a stop to it. MESSRS. WATTS AND CO., a firm of drapers, have been summoned at the Police-court, Maidstone, for an infringement of the Factories and Workshops Act. Three girls were found working after four o'clock on a Saturday afternoon by Mr. Redgrave, the inspector, and the Bench ordered the defendants to pay ;<i penalty of £ 2 9s. Cd., including costs. THE Queen's Hotel, Cheltenham, a palatial structure in the Promenade, which cost £ 40,000, has been sold by the executors of the late W. S. Davis to a limited liability company for iE50,000, including the fine cellar of wines. The building contains 100 bedroom: and extensive stables patronised by the Yeomanry. Last winter, it is stated that F. Archer made a bid for the property. THE Mayor of Cardiff has received a letter from Lord Carlingford to the effect that he had great pleasur., in consenting to act as an arbitrator in eonjunc- tion with Lord Bramwel and the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education, to settle the qnes- tien of the position of the proposed college for South Wales.. THE Forest of Dean miners, at a recent mass meeting, passed a resolution appealing to the South Wales men not to work more than eight hours a day. A resolution in favour of Mr. Bradlaugh's admission to the House of Commons was ordered to be sent to Mr. Gladstone. THE remaining probate actions and defended and undefended divorce causes in the present list will be proce(ded with until unshed, after whih a supplemental list «f causes without juries will lie taken. The supple- mental list is now ready, and can be seen at the Registry and at Room 136, Royal Courts of Justice. THE investigation into the circumstances attending the death of Sarah Wright, which took place in December last, has commenced before the magistrates at West Mailing. The Rev. J. H. Timins stands com- mitted for manslaughter by the jury at the coroner's in- quest. Mr. Trcevc Edgcombe, b^rri^t t, of the South- Ea.,tern Circuit, is retained for the defence. AnopT nine o'clock in the morning a man apparently sober, rushed up the steps of the Home Office in Parliament-street, London, and drove his hands through a large pane of glass in the door. The sentry who was on duty at the time outside the office imme- diately seized and detained him until the arrival of a constable. It was then thought expedient to convey the prisener to the Westminster Hospital, as his wrists were Severely cut. IT appears from a report of the general direc- tionwftha Crown lauds in I taly that more than 60,00» small proprietors have been expelled on account of inability to pay the taxes. Several deputies, in conse- fJuence, have prayed the Minister of Finance to bring forward the bill for thc abolition of the quote minime of the prsperty tax. AT the last meeting of the Council of the London Chamber of Commerce a memorial was adopted, and ordered to be sent to the Chancellor of the Exche- quer, praying that there may be no farther delay in IIbolishing the duties u >i n gold and silver plate. At a meeting of the East India Association a simi'ar memorial wusi adopted. At a meeting of the Goldsmiths'and Silversmiths' Free Trade Association, Mr. Edward J. WathersWn (the chairman") reported that the trade asso- cifttron? of Bombay and Madras, and the Chamber of Commerce of Calcutta, had memorialised the Indian Government with a similar object, and that the corre- spondence had been forwarded to the Indian Department in London. He further reported that the trade in Man- chester were moving in th" matter, md that a memorial was in course of preparation for signature by the gold- smiths and silveisiuiuio of that city. SHORTLY before eight o'cIoiA in the morning I the dead badr of a man wa^ found on tii, runway near the Aldershot Station of the South-Western Railway, I and, from his injuries there seemed no doubt that be had been knocked down by an engine. Anexaminationwas at once made, and resulted in blood being found on the front part of a light engine which passed over the spot where the deceased was found late on the previous night. The man was dressed in the uniform of a soldier in the Field Artillery, and, whst is ftvange, was only in stable uniferhi, as men are not allowed to leave barracks and go into the town unless in full dress. Atthespotwhere the unferiunate man was found there is a high embank- r.tent, and no thoroughfare near, so the supposition is that he went purposely there and committed suicide. AT a popular concert given by the Musical Society of Queen's College, Cambridge, in the Sturton Town Theatre, Mr. Dighy, in proposing a vo'.e of thanks to the Rev. A. Wright, r of the college, who presided, and to the performers, s.lid that he was glad to be able to say tint the slight Criction whieh had unfortu- natelv existed between the town and university showed signs of dijnppearanee, as during the evening he had received a communication from the Yice-Chancellor of the university, giving permission to Miss Alleyne's Shakespearian Company to perform in that theatre for three nights during full term. These remarks were greeted with enthusiastic cheering. Permission has also been given to St. Andrew's Hall to open for three nights. f MB. MORT-EY, the Liberal Association candi- date, has addressed a crowded meeting of Liberals in the Circus, Newcastle-on-Tvne. He said that the contest i must be regarded as an event of great importance. The Government did not need one vote or ten votes in the House of Commons, but a defeat in the election mi.ht considerably affect the drift of their policy. The electors must also remember that in the election they had to give their opinion whether or not they wished Lord Salisbury to be Prime Minister of this country. Of all statesmen in England, Lord Salisbury was the most mistrusted, misdoubted, and mi-d>elievcd, and most. deserved mistrust and m if belief. At. the close of the meeting, a vote of confidence was carried almost unanimously. A large meeting of t:ie Conservative party was also held. Mr. Charles F. Hamond, who had determined to come for- ward, announced his intention to withdraw from the con- test, 'and Mr. Gain ford Bruce was selected as the Conser- vative candidate. Air. Bruce addressed a meeting, and criticised the policy of the Government, with regard to Egypt, taxation, and the closure. Sir AN illiam Armstrong has declined to contest the seat. THE Oldham Operatives' Association, in their report to their members, have entered a strong protest against the great mill extensions in that town, which they say represent OTer one million spindle^—a number unprecedented since 1875. The report says AVe have ample evidence that (hers is already too much yarn be;ng produced, and prices are being kepi down thereby, which prevents there being such a margin as would justify the committee in asking for a return of the ten per ccnt. in wages. Therefore, we are opinion that there is not one more mill required for several years to come. Bnt who is to stop the movement which is carried on by persons wdio care nothing at all about the welfare of the cotton trade, so long as they can lioat a mill on which they put on an extra price of Id. or 2d. per yard, and divide the spoil, then nominate each other for director*, and o''t-iin large commit-ions out of the various contracts. Then when the mill is built theysed out all their shares, and leave oth-r people to battle with the difficulties they have created, and if profits cannot be made they are the fir. t to cry out that the operatives ought to suffer a reduction of wages." AT the County Sessions, Carmarthen, Sarah Jones, a married woman, living at Llangerdein, was charged with an aggravated assault upon Elizabeth Bowen, a young woman of respectable appearance. Some dispute aiose between the parties in the house of a neigh- bour, and defendant kicked complainant and knocked her down. They were separated and complainant raised up, but the defi ndant again knocked her down. This was repeated three or four times, the defendant finally trying to choke the complainant. The chairman sentenced the prisoner to two mouths' hard labour. Mr. 'White, who defended, said-ths woman had just buried five children, but the Bench said they could not alter their decision. SiR SAUL Samvf.l, K.C.M.G., Agent- General for New South Wale8, has been informed by telegram of the arrival in Sydney of the ship Euterpe, which sailed from Plymouth with emigrants in October last. THE three men, Martin Scott, Henry Muller, and James CoN le. who were apprehended on the charge of having murdered two gamekeepers, nt'ar ort G asgow, have been examined before Sheriff Smith at Greenock, and committed to prison on a charge of muraer. THE (;crman Kmperor has granted the request Of the Sultan to allow a detachment of Turkish officers, annually selected for the purpose, to be attached to tae German army for the purpose of acquiring a practical knowledge of its regulations and its organisation. THE number of steamers on the Caspian en, is increasing fr. m d,ty to day. A single company which is winning pctr ni-um in the Baku region owns twelve steamers, as we!; as 100 sailing ships, and has lately added eight more steame.s, so that it will soon have at its dis- posal a fleet of twenty vessels, each nearly 230 feet long, and of a speed of nine to ten knots au hour. THE Commissioners under the Irish Land Act have, it is said, considerably reduced the rentJ on Mr. Parnell's Irish estates. THE naval pension of ;C:-)O a year for lieutenants vacant by the death of Retired ( oir.mander John D. Robinson on the. Gtii of January last, has been awaidrd to Retired Commander Edward L. Hoblvn from that date. AT the Petty Sessions, Wimborne, a man named James Watts, arrested on his own confession, was charged with setting fire to a stable, coachhouse, and premises at Kin en, Dorset, in June last. Premises were insured in the Th en.ix Company, who paid £ oo0 damages. Prisoner had stated to the police that a man named Proctor, who had a bill of sale on his furniture, offered him money to set fire, to the premises, but failed to pay. Oil and tar were, it was stated, poured on the straw, in which was placed a lighted caudle. Prisoner, who now protested his innocence, was remanded. SOME short time ago The Duke of Richmond and Gordon issued new regulations for the management of his English-estates, and very liberal concessions were made to the tenants. He announces that all these con- cessions will be granted to his Scotch tenantry. These tenants held a private meeting at Keith, when it was decided to make some recognition to his Grace for the recent liberal concessions, and a committee was formed for that purpose. THE EARLSWOOD ASYLUM.—The Board of Management of the Earlswood Asylum announce that the Right lion. G. J. Goschen, M.P., has kindly promised to preside at the forthcoming annual fe-tival to be held on March 7th. The chairman of the Festival Committee. Mr. John C. Bumsted. together with the indefatigable secretary, Mr. Wm. Tsichol.'g, are jointly anxious that the funds of the asylum may be greatly benefited by the anniversary, and consequently issue a joint appeal for pecuniary assistance. THE North Staffordshire coroner, Mr..1. Booth, has held an inquest at Burslem relating to the circum- stances attending the death of Eliza AVatIbanka, a married woman, aged 24, who recently fell down dead at the County Court. The medical evidence showed that deceased had died of heart disease, and a verdict was given accordingly. A MAN named George Bandy has met with a fatal accident at Padburv Station. Deceased had ridden from Buckingham to Padbury, a distance of only three miles, and as he was leaving the train it is supposed he fell, and the train passed over him. He expired before medical aid arrived. The unfortunate man was 46 years of age, anclleans a widow and four children. AT AOCBINGTON Alice Doubakin, a married woman with seven children, was charged with stealing various articles from the Market-ground. Prisoner stole a piece of print, and on being searched numerous other stolen articles were discovered—a hat being identified as the property of a woman at Blackburn. Prisoner was committed to prison for a month. MB. CODDINGTON, M.P., spealcing at a Con- servative stririe at Blackburn, said though the members wf the present Government before coming into powei were more lavish in promises than any previous Govern- ment, there had been less legislation in the last three years than in any like term since the passing of the firsl Reform Bill. He feared the closure would be used foi passing measures opposed to the feelings of the people, and declared the Government financial policy had been a greater failure than their Irish policy or their administra- tion of other affaire. THE JCXJCCFTIVE CorNf iL of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servant* have concluded their quarterly sitting at the chief offices of the society. City- road, London. The general secretary, Mr. F. W. Evans, stated that since the last annual Congress at Darlington there had been an accession of between 2000 and 3U00 railway men as members of the society. Amongst the resolutions passed was one asking Lord De h Warr to re-introduce the Brakes Bill -in the ensuing session. AT Stockton-on-Tees a cab which was being driven over Tecs-bridge was, by the horse taking fright, dashed against the parapet of the bridge. The horse fell through into the river, whence it swam on shore, the cab remaining on the bridge in safety. AJTOTHKB landslip uf a serious character has occurred on the grounds of the Whitby West ClilT Spa Saloon. The slip, or rather settlement, is at a point about half way down the circuitous carriage drive leading immediately to the s:doon. Many hundreds of tons of earth have giv-en away, accompanied with a portion of the road, and causing a great gap in the line of palisading. AT the County Court, Tluddersfield, the Regis- trar made an order adjudicating John and Joseph Haigh, carrying on business at Morley, Bruntcliffe, Brockholes, and Hanley, as colliery proprietors, timber merchants, and farmers, bankrupts. The liabilities are and the order was made on the petition of the bankrupts' mother, who is a creditor for over £0500. IN the Orkney Sheriff's Court, Kirkwall, Sheriff Mellis oil the bench, eight seamen, belonging to the steamer Halcyon, Captain Howell, of West Hartle- pool, were brought up charged with contravention of the fifth sub-section of Section 2 13 cf the Merchant Ship- ping Act, 1854, by refusing duty when at sea. There were four or the stowaways on board. The men pleaded guilty, but said the ship was making water, the pumps were choked, and the ilges full of coals, and they con- sidere i her nnseaworthy, nnd that for days their victuals had been stopped. The Sheriff, in passing sen- tence of fourteen days' im' ri-onment, said it was abso- lutely necessary to maintain the authority of the master of a veisel, and they could not make conditions with the captain as to performing duty. SPEAKING at a dinner of the Nottinghamshire Chamber of Agriculture and the Nottinghamshire Agri- cultural Society, Lord Gal way hoped the session would produce practical benefits for the agriculturists. There were plenty of agricultural theorist" but he had no faith in them. County hoards were one scheme of theorists, but such boards would not work more economically than those who had a large interest in the taxation of the country. He did not think the law of distress inflicted grievances on the bulk of the agriculturists. He hoped for something from the relief of tixation. A MAN named Michael Waters has been charged at Oldham with unlawfully wounding Annie Ferdinand. He and three other men went to where prosecutrix was living, and lie ask her to go out with him. Site refused, and he then struck her on the head and hit her ear off. The ear was found on the floor, and was shown in court, preserved in a bottle. The prisoner was committed for trial. A DEPUTATION from the Walsall Chainmakers' Association has waited upon Sir Ch-irles Forster, member for Walsall, to ask him to support legislation for the removal or mitigation of the evils arising from the employment of females in the various black country trades. After hearing the deputation, Sir Charles in- formed them th It they had his sympathy, and when the time came for action he should be at his post to do what he could. He also ariangedto meet tlie members who were going to London for the purpose of laving the matter t efere the Home Secretary. AT the Petty Sessions. Bromley (Kent), two young men, named Thomas Carter and Owen Carter, were charge t with stealing a quantity of snowdrops, the property of Mr. Lane, nurseryman, Cockmanig, Orping- ton. Prisoners said they took the plants to sell at Co vent-garden, London. They were each sentenced to four months hard labour.- -A German named Ptiefer, who pretended he -i:d not understand the English language, was sentenced to fourteen d iys' hard labour, at the same court, for refusing to perforin a task of work at the uniou workhouse. IT is stated that the oldest hand fire-engine in the Lnited States is in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, t. was built by Brooks, of London, in 16.0^, and imported by the Moravians of lietlllelleln, the same year. In the year 1848, after 1^0 years of useful service, it was deposited in the museum af the Young Men's Missionary Society, where it still remains, and is yet in working order. The maker's original bill and the shipping papers exist to attest these facts. THE Episcopal Conference at Calcutta, under v the presidency of the bishop, has finished its sittings. The bishops who attended were ;hose of Madras, Bombay, Lahore, Rangoon, Colombo, Tinnivelly, Cochin, and Dr's. rs. Calwell and Sargent, missionary bishops. It is under stood resolutions were passed for calling attention to the future of the Church in India, upon the subject of the marriage laws, and of translations of the Bible and Praver- book.

CLOSE OF THE GREAT TIILLIARD MATCH FOR £1000. A billiard match between W. Cook and W Mitchell has been concluded at St. James's Hall, Regent-street, London, these celebrated players competing in a game of 3000 up for £:>00 aside. Owing doubtless to the mar- vellous play of Mitchell on the opening night—when the first moiety of the game was decided—the attendance showed a marked improvement, and the greatest interest was ovinced in the contest. Both players were warmly greeted as they entered the room, and tchell lost I no time in resuming his unfinished break of 7d3. Although starting dead on the spot, he only suc- ceeded in adding six before resigning the cue, the full break amounting to 739, which in- cluded 55 and 189 spots — the totals being, Mitchell 1506, and Cook nfl. The latter then con- tributed nine, after which the Sheflielder had another opening, and getting on the spot he put the red down 10 times, when he was out of line. He continued his break, however, by means of the allround g.1me, and succceded in running up 45. Cook could do nothing in response, and Mitchell put down the white and left a double baulk, which caused themarker to announce the game -Mitchell 1553, Cook 789. Some slow play ensued, Mitchell being the first to make any noticeable break, when he compiled 145 (45 spots), which he supplemented with 173 (5-4 spots). The game shortly after was called — Mitchell, 19.19; Cook, 005. The latter now left his first thousand behind with a pretty innings of 67 (16 spots), and by slow stages the figures readied 1964 against 10C3, when Mitchell, with the aid of a fluke, ran up no fewer than 2i0, disposing of the coloured ball 64 times in succession. Cook at this juncture subscribed 69 (11 spots) when he b' oke down at a somewhat easy shot. Mitchell could only score two, however, and his opponent had another oppor- tunity, which he made use of to the tune of 82, 75 of which were scored by means of the favourite spot-stroke. The leader now had an opportunity, and getting ? osition for spot practice, he increased his total without much trouble by 32 1i3 spots), which took him 2208 against 1214. Mitchell still remained the busier of the two, and when the interval arril ell he was in hand, having made 44 (9 spotsi, the totals being 2252 against 1289. On resuming, after an absence of thirty-four minutes, Mitchell went on with his unfinished break, but broke down with the addition of nine more, the full break amounting to 59 (IS spots). Paltry additions from both followed, after which Mitchell ran up 36. A fairly good opening here presented itself for Cook, but he miss-cued, and his adversary took advantage of the chance thus offered by subscribing 182, in which he drove home the red 58 times. Twelve by Cook carried the scores to- Mitchell, 2507; Cook, i3;)2; and the former b. ing unable to score, Cook subscribed 29. Mitchell shortlv after obtained another opening, and getting on the spot at 2525 he succeeded, with an unfinished break of 487 (159 sp ts), in running out the winner by 1639 points. Mr. James H. Smith, of the Sportsman, officiated as referee.

THOMAS ELLIS, chief constable for Merioneth- shire, has been found dead in bed at his residence at Bala. The deceased had only returned from London on the previous evening, and, though he had been ailing for several months, there was no apparent, change in his health when he retired to bed. Mr. Ellis was 40 years of age. and was .appointed chief constable of Merioneth- shire in 1879. Previous to that time he acted as secretary to the Merionethshire Conservative A-sociation. THE annual meeting of the Scottish Conser- vative Club has been held in Edinburgh. Sir G. Graham Montgomery occupied the chair. The report submitted by the committee showed a surplus on the revenue account for 1882 of £ 956. after paying £ 318 exfra ex- pei ses connected with the Salisbury banquet, while j,1000 was carried to capital account. During the year 262 members had leen admitted to the club, and the present membership numbers 1S55. THE funeral of Mrs. Hall widow of the late Mr. William Hall, of Syndale, nf the well-known firm of gunpowder manufacturers, has taken place at Ospringe, amidst universal demonstrations of respect. The deceased lady was highly revered for her works of philanthropy and charitable actions, which were crowned by the erec- tion, at her own cost, of a handsome new church and vicarage in the suburbs of Faversham, as a memorial to her late husband.

THE DOCHLE CRIME IN CHESHIRE, The brutal murder of an old man and the attempted murder of his housekeeper, at Smalhvood, a hamlet lying between Sandbaeh and Con .'leton, is closely engaging the attention of ihe Che-diire police. No aueh sensation lias been created ifl that district since the brutal murder of an oil man who enjoyed the soubriquet of Gentleman Beech," some seven years ago, at a cottage not fat distant from the scene of the present outrage. The victims in this instance are Thomas Earlam and Mary Moran, his housekeeper, both of whom were between GO and 70 years of age. The old conple, who appear to have been of somewhat penurious habits, kept a common lodging-house immediately adjoining the high road from Manchester to the Potteries. The house is only distant a little over a mile from Arclid Workhouse, and the road is conse- I quently much frequented by tramps. On the day of the murder there were lodging at the house fire persons, the first of whom, a man named Edward Sampey, left the house at half-past seven o clock to go to his work as a labourer. The next to leave the house was a Mrs. Shannon, who went out at eight o'clock to her employ- nient as sempstress at a neighbouring house; Isaac Jones, an umbrella mender, followed at half-past nine, and John Stack, a lame rag-gatherer, left a few minutes later. The only person then remaining with Earlara and his housekeeper was a tramp named John White, who at half-past nine was engaged in getting his breakfast, The old man was last seen alive at ten minutes to twelve by James Norburv, a collier, living at Smallwood. Earlam was then engaged hanging some clothes on a hedge to dry. Sampey retained from work between three and four o'clock, and found the principal door bolted; but gaining entrance at the adjoining door, he discovered the old woman writhing in agony on thewashhouse floor. He immediately ran out and gave the alarm at the black- smith's shop of Afr. Dale, some fifty yards away, and a man named Ambrose returned with him. They then found that a fearful crime had been committed. The old man was also discovered lying dead in a small passage leading from the kitchen to the washhouse, his skull being fractured. A blow with a heavy instrument had been delivered on the old man's right temple, crushing in his skull at the point. The old woman would appear to have been struck down in the washhouse, close to 1he door, as clots of blood were seen among the coals by the door, while blood was spattered over the ceiling. Her injury was also a fracture of the skull. The old man had apparently been coming to her aid, when he was struck down in the passage and killed on the spot, spots of blood being here again found dashed all over the walls and ceiling. Plunder was evidently the object of the murderer, for the old man's clothes were disarranged, and his pockets had evidently been ri'led. He owned the house in which he lived, and it was commonly reported that he had accumulated money, and kept it in the house. In this espect, how- ever, the assassin may htve been disappointed, as a neighbour, who knew the old couple intimately, asserts that his savings were deposited in the Newcastle Bank. The weapons found in the house are a bill- hook, a hammer, and a crowbar, all covered with blood. But the nature of the deadly wounds in- flicted reveal that the instrument used in the dispatch of the man was the hammer. The house was after- wards ransacked, and there are missing a suit of clothes and two Post Office Savings Bank books, be- longing to the lodger Sampev. The clothes taken £ 7 the murderer, probably to substitute for his own, are of black worsted cloth, nearly new. The tramp. White, wai seen coming from the direction of the house W a young man, named Austin,about a quarter to one o'clock. White was then walking towards Congleton, and Austin observed that he looked down the front of his clothes once or twice very carefully. He carried a bundle under his arm, wrapped in a Paisley muffler, and appeared to be hurrying away. Austin is positive about his identity of the man, having .seen him the day previously. His description of the suspected murderer tallies with that furnished by the lodgers to the police, which is as foliows: A. man, 37 years of ace, 5ft. 7in. or Sin. in height, of stout build, tanned complexion, black hair, no whiskers or moustache, supposed to be slightly pock-marked, and dressed, while at the house, where he had been lodging a week, in a brown felt hat, long blue pilot overcoat (much worn), corduroy trousers, patched on the right knee with lighter material, and lace-up boots. During his stay the other lodgers found White to be of a taciturn disposition. He rarely spoke, but usually muttered to himself, and whistled afewair.s. After being seen aa described by young Austin, White was a)-.o seen by Police-constable Booth still going in the direction of Congleton. The condition of the old woman is very pre- carious, her skull being badly fractured. Her case is rendered ail the more pitiable from the fact that the murderer was enabled to approach her without, warning, she being quite blind. The event has created a profound sensaiion throughout the district. The county magis- trates have attended to take the old woman's deposition' but it was not possible to obtain any statement from her.

SHOCKING DISCOVERY IN SHROPSHIRE. Wellington and the surrounding district has been thrown into a state of great excitement by a report that a horrible affair had been discf. cred at Apsley Castle-park, tending to show that at some time within the past few months a murder had been perpetrated. About midday James Bates, in the employ of Sir Thomas Meyrick, wis "ut in the grounds of Apsley Castle-park, and, going near the pool, the strange conduct of a dog arrested his attention to a black-looking object in the water. He went to the side of the pool, and on taking the parcel out of the water, found that it was a human head wrapped in the skirt of a woman s dress and a quantity of thick brown paper. The head was in an advanced state of decomposition. It was removed to Willing on Police-station, and Dr. Caldwell was in attendance and made an external examina- tion, and gave it as his opinion that the head was tha. of a girl between Iii and 17 years of age. He stated that it had apparently been severed from the body by some sharp instrument, and had probably been in tie water some months. The head is asmttHone. and on the front portion of the skull is a small quantity of longlila 'k hair, which would lea,l to the belief that it is the held of a female. There are indications of injuries on the head which must have been caused during lifetime. The police, accompanied by Bates, dragged the pool andmide a thorough search some distance round for other port oas of the body, but failed to discover anvthing. Nothing definite has been brought to 'ight, but various surprises have been made. Since the discovery the water has jeen draining off the pool, and a large number of persons nave visited the place, some of whom searched in the n;ud f.s the water retired. About four o'clock in the afternoon, a ba^ was found, 011 which are apparently blood stains, which appear to be recent. The bag, like that in whioh the head was found, appears to be part of a woman's dress or bed-hanging, and the sewing is evidently the handiwork of a woman. The bag was found ill a different part of the pool to that in which the other bag was foand. A stnnR found in the bag, of the kind known licallv as Ketley clinker, furnace refuse, might atford j clue to the neighbourhood in which the suppose I marder was committed, since there is no stone of the kind near Apsley Pool. It is supposed that the stone was sewn in the bag with another p:,rt of the body to make it sink, and that that was done probably before the murderer left the house to conceal the remains. The water is still being drawn off to assi-t the dragging. There is great excitement all over the di-strict", and crowds of persons from a distance are visiting the spot.

AT Plymouth, the first mate of the merchant ship Iroquois, now the Great Western Docks, found some salt meat missi T from a keg, and he went to the steward and asked if h could explain it. The steward took otfeucc, and having sworn at the m4te, snatched up a hatchet and struck the mate with- the handle of it. The mate went and picked up a crowbar, but on second thoughts he put it down again. On his returning to the gallev however, the steward seized a knife and struck out ri^ht and left with it. The first mate called the second mate to his assistance, and the steward then changed the. knife for the hatchet, with which he inflicted a wound on the second mate's leg. The two mates succeeded in holding tbe steward down, but fearing that the otW seamen would come to his rescue, the second mate drew a revolver and threatened the first man who approached The police were sent for, and the steward is now in c.mtodv. MB. WILLIAM HOOPKH, of Lee Green, Kent, having appealed to the Home Secretary to order jrl inquiry into the state of mind of the convict Abraham Thomas, who is now lying under sentence of de.h at Strangewav has received tke following co-amuni- eatior.fromS,r Wiiliam Harcourt: (Pressing White- SV;: ;-A 88"- SIR'~IN *><* *^> £ 1 i.. of Abra iam Thomas, now lying und«v Sentence of death in Str.mgeway Prison, I am directed by the Secre- tary of State to acqnaiut you that, aftfv a careful con- sideration of all the facts of the ca e, he has not felt justified in advising her Majesty t, interfere with the due course of the Jaw-I am, sir, our obedient servant, A- F. O. LIDDELL. Mr. W. J. I. Hooper." AT the County-court, Dudley, a petition has been tiled on behalf of John Bevan,of Highfields, Bilston, iron and coke merchant, with liabilities estimated at £2700.

i- =■ -3 The tremendous struggle between France and Germany still forms the key to the present stste 0: Europe, and the death of lIf. Gambetta seems, as THE TIMES marks, "to change in a moment the destiny of nations, and fo turn aside the course of the World's history." At this 'imc, therefore, the desire will be universal to read the stirring narrative of a War which has profoundly affected the course of European History, and an opportunity will be afforded of so doing by the immediate publication of a Xi w SBJUAL EDITION In MONTHLY PARTS, price 7d., of Cassell's History of the Franco German TLIR V V U? 1, e With about :;00 ILLUSTKATIOXS, consisting of Battle Scenes, Portraits, and Plans of the Battle Fields. I*A It T 1 ;/<nc rtcdv, price 'i(i.. ittc!ncknr> LARGE PRESENTATION PLATE. (To be completed in 24 PARTS.) Prospectuses at alli Booksellers', or post free from Cassell, Petter, Galpin cfc Co., Luagate Bill, London. The commencement of a New Year is a time for beginning many fresh things, and few of these can be more important than the judicious selection of books for household n 'iding. Thee can be no doubt that the difficulty of doing this lies chiefly in the choice, for of books there is no end, but we think that our readers will not make a mis- take if they include in their selection th-se four Magazines—THE QUIVER, CASSELL'S FAMILY MAGAZINE, LITTLE FOLKS, and THE MAGAZINE OF ART." MONTHLY, 6d. The Quiver, For Sunday and General Reading. "AJ-afer and more interesting Maga7ine we do not know than THE QUIVER."—.Standard. "An outlay of sixpence upon THE QUIVER will not fee regretted."—Guardian. THE QUIVER is widely known as one of the very btet of Magazines." -R ecord, MONTHLY, 7(1. CASSELL'S Famihj Magazine. y e "Thcstcnes in CASSEl L'S JiAMlLV MAGAZINE are pood, the pictures are clever, the selection of subjects is st-ikin^ly varied; it contai.is a variety cf useful information and altogether a glance through the 'pases shows that treii contents are unusually att,-active."—The Times. MONTHLY, 6d. "Little Folks" Magazine, FOR ALL GIRLS AND BOYS. The JANUARY PART commences tk-e NEW VOL UME d If any father of a family-of ages ranging from eight to f ftecn years-knrws how tc -pend sixpence a iiioti-h in litera- ture to better pir pese than in the purchase of LITTLE FOI KS H'€ should be glad if he would enlighten us "—Literarx Worlds Cassell, Galpin t Co., London; and all Bookseller*. Monthly, In-ice One Shilling. The Magazine of Art. b The Magazine for every Cultivated Home. • -,(?A EW VOLUME for 1883just commenced. 1"EMAG.\2INH OF ART is a very storehouse of An "_T-vr<! J he engravings in IHE MAGAZINE OF ART are of txauUit* teauiy. —STANDARD. "Wait* UfuU Cf inUrest W ^SATfHnA, CASSELL, PETTER, GALPIN & Co London and all Bookseller*. MONTHLY, price 2(1. BO-P E E P MA (SAZf.YJ; for fit <> .TiJJJlS EI? JT. "The little children's magazine par excdieltCt; ;5 -l1Ta1t<zesle,' Gtlanii,t A perfect treasury foi little ones." G'oh\ I assell, Petter, Gaifiin I Co., London and ail Bookseller.t. NOW READY, PART 1, ¡nee ad., oj THE PEOPLE'S EDITION of Professor Morley's Library Eoglisli Literature. With Several Hundred Authentic Illustrations. "The possessor of this Wort Ins ti„ library at his disposal and is sho-vn howl, t 'T great i-.se of them."—The Sccts.nan 7 make the rW/' PetUr> Ca^ (f" Ce., Lotion and ail BooktelUrs. -=-=.==-=: Books that should find a filo.co in every Student's Library. 1 iOtl, Thottsnntl. Snotty Sound in cloth, pricc 3s. Cd. Cissell's French Dictioaa,rv (trau*, httghsh mid T.nchxh-French) R.A. Puns. Extra c.o-v„ gvo, i W;BAUD, aad Enr;-lish-German Lai. in Dic- tir,llótry »>• -1"' ■' J net Sana. (;,1. Literature cf). By Pro! M,.>M.KV. o;t4 Spelling (A Complete Manual of). By J- i i [-IK, i, LL.lJ., I n spec nor of Srhool- i tif'usanu. 1 .s. Frradi CCas53;i's Lessons in). and hUtlMi. 104.V/ /hcusand. Parts I. :,rd II., L.oth, each, ,'s. u>1.; cor ipiae, „v. 6,f.KEY, 1 • Ott. Cassei!> Fetter, Ga!p;"n & C" ^'don; and all Poc!eiUrs. "A inarv?! of clmpncss, even in these days of popiiirtr yeprints."—TKE TIMES, rMCr 0:\£ mulling. J U BIL • F: £ l) j XIQ Y ('II-" R LIFE of GLADSTONE. By BARXIiTT SMITII. ( cticr, (,a.>:n ifC\> London; and all isciic's. A OIl-T llODX FOR TIIF, NEWLY MARRTFP A\ll 1'OU CON I'KMPLAI'IXG -MAkRl-\OE. Now READY, price (is. THE MARRIAGE KING. Py WILI.IAM LANDELs. 11.n, Royal 16mo, white leatherette, gilt in box. CasseU, Pettjr, Galfii^S: Co., London; and <M Booksellers. ]\otice.—A. Classified. Catalogue, r.'Yl'fJv' PaH;c>Ml?r5,of. CASSKU., PETTER, l'AU'N CO- s 1 ranging ia price from Sixpence io Twenty-fire Guineas. 'lï,/ t'eseni cr. requat POST FREE TO ANY ADDRESS. Lauilogne contains a large variety of Volumes •U.^ilnr J„r special or General Reading, Educational i .ir/'cst's, una resoiitition. c: si-i-, I-I IU-I, GALPIN & LUDGATC Hill. Ioadm