The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

AGRICULTURE. Agricultural Prospects. The prospects for the coming season are hardly so "pomising as we eould wish. With an earnest desire to look upon the bright side of things, and anxious to avoid the constitutional croak for which farmers are rightly or wrongly proverbial, we are forced to admit that things might be better. First and foremost on our list stands out that dreaded word rinderpest," a erm, by the way, with which we have now become so familiar that, unless ourselves afflicted, we almost forget that our neighbours ara in many cases still suffering, and that the disease is raging despite all the regulations and restrictions which the authorities have in their wisdom devised. It by no means follows that legislation has been useless; far from it. We believe that but for the energetic measures—alas! too tardily p-arsued-t,ho disease, instead of being localised as at present, would have spread over the whole surface of the country. The instances of fresh centres of in- fection are much less numerous than formerly. This is cheering evidence of the value of the regulations as to cattle traffic and the isolation of infected places; and, although the cases are still formidable enough, we may believe that they consist for the greater part of animals that from some cause or other escaped the former outbreak. Everything goes to prove that, when once the dis- ease has been fairly established in a district, it be- comes exceedingly difficult to eradicate it, and that a long period must elapse before the locality can be pro- Bounced safe for the reception or passage through it of healthy stock. How long experience alone can de- ciile; at present it would be unwise to dogmatise. But this we can Bay from our own experience, that in- stances have occurred when, after many weeks im. munity and without any apparent cause, the disease reappears and attacks the few animals that escape the first outbreak. In one particular in- stance the farmsteads on one side of a parish suffered severely in the winter; the other side, which escaped them, is now attacked, and the disease does not appear to have lost its malignant character, as is the favourite theory with some. The tenacity with which rinder- pest clings to a district is remarkable, and it is but too probable that, unless some great change for the better shortly occurs, every head of h-orned stock in these localities will be carried off. As far as our observa- tion allows us to judge, inspectors are not sufficiently prompt in "slaughtering the beasts; though convinced of the character of the disease, they wait to see if nature can straggle through, and thereby assist in p jrpetuating the evil. How long will the germs retain vitality, and what are the best and simplest means of disinfection ? These are subjects of the gravest importance. Our own view is that it will not be safe to introduce cattle till at least another winter has passed, and in the meantime how are the crops to be consumed and the land properly manured P Sheep and pigs may be de- veloped, but where are we to get the stock ? Every- where extraordinary prices are being made, which preclude all reasonable hopes of a return from grazing. Moreover, the animals do not exist that can supply the gap caused in many districts by this fell disease. How are the tenants to meet their landlords, not perhaps so much now as in the future ? It is indeed a gloomy prospect. After a time sheep will increase, but years must first elapse, and in the meantime what is to be done ? Pigs increase more rapidly, but the market can be too easily glutted, and this result we confidently anticipate towards another spring. The light arable soils depend mainly upon a good dressing of muck, and, failing this, muse retrograde. If we turn from stock and regard the condition of our crops, we find that wheat as a rule looks well, especially on light, well-drained land. It has been a good season for this crop so far. On the poor, stiff clays, however, the prospeets are unfavourable. The extremely wet winter, the absence of frost, and the cold spring have been prejudicial, and the plant looks weak and spindly. Warm weather, which may now be looked for, will cause an improvement; but we fear the yield on such soils cannot be good. The spring crops, though somewhat late sown, have gone in much better than at one time seemed possible, and where the land was not trodden by sheep in the wet, the braid has been even, and the crop promises well. The long continuance of east and north wind, with sharp frost at night, has destroyed all chance of a good hay crop. Uplands must be light, and, should dry weather continue, miserably deficient. This will be the third dry spring in succession. We find the red clover in blossom already, though the grass is not in any place more than six inches high. It is too early to speculate upon roots; all depends upon the presence or absence of rainfall during the next two months. The land has lately worked well, and (the soil is generally healthy; all that we now want is gentle rain. Some districts in the south have been favoured, but northwards it remains still dry, with cold nights; a change, however, may be looked for, as the wind has at last left the north-east, where it has hung so pertinaciously, and chops about west by south. The fall of lambs is generally well reported of, and where food has been sufficient the weather has not been unfavourable, but we fear the hill farmers must have suffered from a deficiency of keep. The root crops were generally light, mangolds in many places a failure, and in such cases nothing but the seeds and vetches remain. Woe to the farmers who were driven to feed off the former during the earlier part of the month when the frosts were so severe. •In such cases we are surprised that the simple precau- tion of removing the sheep at night, and not allowing them to return until the frost is off, is not more com- monly adopted. The best plan of all would be to fold over the seeds, as then we can prevent waste, and should rain follow the feeding off, there is always a chance of a crop to mow. The wool is not likely to be a heavy clip, for the reasons stated. Prices may be expected to tend up- wards, should the present unfavourable state of the money market subside. We have heard of long wool being sold at d. a pound, but jaist now buyers are cautious, and it will be advisable to hold for the chances of an easier money market. Labour is generally scarce, and higher rates are in many cases asked and given. The Bystem of union and combination, which has been productive of suoh complications and evils in the case of manufactures and trades, appears likely to affect agriculture also.

HINTS UPON GARDENING. KITCHEN GARDEN.—Stake runner beans on the north side of the rows, unless they run north and south, which is the best, in which case stake them on the west side, and hoe up. Sow lettuce; tie a few at a time for immediate use. Sow parsley, endive, and turnips. Plant out celery, and water abundantly; if convenient, shade the trenches for a week after plant- ing. Tomatoes will bear more abundantly, and occa- sion less trouble, if constantly stopped before the fruit. Give them plenty of water, and mulch the sur- face with rotten dung. Turnips Any sowings made now should be managed so as to outwit the fly if possible. Divide the seed into two portions; steep one-half in a solution of sulphate of ammonia, half an ounce to the gallon. Let it steep six hours, then mix with the dry seed, and sow all together. The steeped seed will come up first, and grow so fast as probably to escape the fly; but if lost there will be a good chance of the other seed following directly after the first shower, and there will be two chances of a crop. Lettuces: Sow two or three different sorts, and let Dixon's champion cos be one of them. Plant out on leavily-manured ground. Some should also be sown where they are to stand. Asparagus to be cut no more after this week the beds then to be lightly forked over, and covered with a thin coating of rotten duns. FLOWER GARDEN.—Balsams should never be allowed to get pot-bound it throws them into bloom prematurely, and stops all growth. Therefore, as fast as they fill their pots with roots, shift on in rich light soil. Small plants showing bloom-buds should be dis- budded, and shifted to pots two sizes larger. Never let them suffer for want of water. Keep well aired, and in a good greenhouse temperature. Bedders to have as little water as possible, as it tends to prevent them rooting deep. Hoe over the beds between the plants, and pay scrupulous attention to pinching and pegging as required, as on this will depend the beauty of the display as the plants come into full bloom. J5albs are frequently lost throngh inatten- tion at this time of the year. As the leaves decay, all those that are usually taken up should be lifted and laid aside in a ahady dry place, with earth over them, to ripen. They should then be cleared and stowed away, all named kinds with their tallies, so that at the next planting there need be no mixing of colours, or regrets for the less of choice kinds through leaving them in the ground to bo chopped up in some digging j operation. Pom pone chrysanthemums intended for beds and clumps may be planted out in a piece of well- manured ground in the reserve garden, and the only further trouble they will occasion will be to stop every three weeks till the middle of July. When grown in quantities to make a display after the summer bedders are removed, this is the easiest way of all, as they can be lifted in Octo- ber without losing a leaf by the operation. Roses require now to have an engine played upon them as upon a house on fire. This will drive the fly away much more effectually than any other method, and do the roses good too. To fumigate out of doors is a very troublesome affair, and to wash with tobacco- water or solution of aloes greatly disfigures the foliage, as the stuff must be strong to be effectual. Gardens newly made may be furnished with roses now as well as at any time of the year. FI-ZLUIT GARDEN AND ORCHARD HOUSE.-Melone need no shade if the hillocks are of good sound turfy loam, and the plants have water when shut up at night. We never knew scorching to happen except through mismanagement. The general causes of ill- health are watering with cold hard water, planting in rich light soil, or keeping too dry while growing. To ripen the fruit, dryness is essential, but while the plants are growing they require plenty of water, warmed by being put in the house every morning for use in the evening; and the soil to fill in with as the hillocks are occupied with roots should be tough turfy loam even clay is preferable to the mixtures contain. I iofir leaf and manure. GREENHOUSE AND CON SrlRVATORY. -Greenhouse and conservatory plants require special attention now. Turn out for the summer those that require to be in the open air for the completion of their growth and the ripening of their wood. Herbaceous calceolarias are now in fine perfection, and we have reason to con- gratulate the breeders of improved forma on the robust habit and beautiful colours that have been pro- duced. Any choice varieties to be seeded should be secured in duplicate, to keep up the varieties from cuttings, as the plants that furnish seed will probably die. Those to be cut from not to be allowed to ripen a single seed; cut away the flower-stems as soon as the bloom is nearly over, and put them in a pit facing north, with the lights off night and day, and the sun kept off by a thick screen of mats. When watering, drench these mats, the evaporation from which will assist the plants to break; and secure cuttings as soon as they are large enough to be taken off, Cinerarias are generally very mixed as to quality, owing to the too frequent keeping of seedlings that have pleased by their colour, but had no other good quality. Seeing how many really beautiful varieties are now obtainable, it is a positive waste of time and glass room to propagate any seedlings that have not some decidedly good qualities. We name this now, because many gardeners who grow these plants largely for decoratioh are at this time of year tempted to propa- gate from whatever old plants they possess, with too little regard for their quality, whereas if a, few of the best now ones or a complete set have to be purchased, the cost is little, and quality is of the first importance in a flower which every one can criticise. When admiring a sheet of Bourgainvillea. none of us think about properties; but the most uninformed take note of the form and proportions and colouring of a cine- raria, and every second-rate seedling should be thrown on the muck-heap as soon as the bloom is over, so as to reduce the work of propagating to a few of the very best. Those to be kept should either be moulded up in the pots or be planted out on a shady border in rieh sandy soil, an inch below the level, to induce them to break freely for increase of the stock.- Gardener's Magazine.

SPORTS AND PASTIMES. THE Berwick Warder states that the take of salmon and trout in the Tweed has much fallen off during the past week, and that fish generally is scarce. IN the thousand guinea Derby lottery at White's Club, Colonel Brownrigg drew Lord Lyon. He was offered and refused £ 600 for it. CAPTAIN CTJNINSHAME has refused Y,000 for his renowned steeplechase horse Stilton. "UPROUSE ye then, my merry, merry men," is to be sung at the concert of the dinner to Admiral Rous by a chorus of melodists. Earl Granville will take the chair, and narrate the turf events of the gallant Admiral's life. THE following extraordinary take of salmon was made with the single rod on the Laune, Killarney, by Captain H. A. Herbert, M.P., of Muokross, who killed on the water, on Monday, one salmon, 201b.; two ditto, 15lb. each; three ditto, 131b. each; one ditto, 141b.; two ditto, 61b. each; total weight 1151b. All clean salmon. This is probably the beat day's single rod fishing in the south of Ireland for many years. THE racecourse celebrity, Joe Jones, who attends in England in rich raggedness, red coat, and inexpres- sible inexpressibles, was at Paris on the racecourse—as a French paper says in reviewing the oddity-filling up the time between the races in the thankless occu- pation of endeavouring to amuse the English. A FINE and interesting example of the French style of boxing was recently given impromptu by two well. known members of a great club. One was tall and powerful, and the other short and weak, but owing to the superior style of art in French boxing, the latter was completely victorious, and made the big one roar with pain, by fixing his teeth resolutely in his foe after slipping dexterously behind for that purpose. This was much applauded by the spectators, who con- sidered it the coup de jarnac of modern times. THE site of the Eton Racquet Courts is a narrow strip of land which runs parallel with the Rev. Mr. Joynes's football field, adjoining the road leading to South-meadow, by the side of the Mathematical School. The cost of the buildings, which are to be erected back to back, will be about Cl,500, one-third of which is already subscribed. THE annual dinner of the MasterB of Foxhounds' Committee was held on Saturday last at Boodle's Club, St. Jemeia's. street. There were present-Sir Watkin W. Wynn, chairman; Lord Hill, Mr. Lane Fox, Lord Redesdale, Mr. Meynell Ingram, Mr. Delmé Radcliffe, Lord Tredegar, Lord Hastings, Mr. T. Drake, Lord Poltimore, Mr. Percy Williams, Viscount Gal way, Earl of Eglinton, Mr. G. Lort- Phillips, Hon. W. H. North, Mr. Clowes, Sir David Baird, Earl Pciulett, Lord Hawke, Earl Spencer, H. W. E. Dun- combe, Mr. H. W. Williamson, Mr. Chaworth Mus- ters, and Mr. Anstruther Thomson. THE Saturday concert and afternoon promenade at the Crystal Palace was more thronged than ever on Saturday, there being 11,584 visitors present. The solo artistes were Madame Harriers-Wippern, Madame Trebelli-Bettini, Mdlle. Sinico, Mr. Hohler, Signor Bettini, and Herr Rokitansky; solo pianoforte, Mdlle. Anna Mehlig. The gardens at Rockhills were thronged with a most fashionable company. The great event of next week is the display of fireworks, and illumina- tion of the fountains on Thursday. Great prepara- tions are making for the occasion, and as it is intended in lighting up the fountains to make a liberal use of the recently-discovered, but expensive, magnesium light, a soene of surpassing brilliancy will result. The new June season-ticket was issued on Monday to a large number of newly-entered season-ticket holders. The return of admissions for six days, ending Saturday, June 2, 1866, gave 36,489. s I

An analysis of the last cattle plague re- turn shows that of the counties in England, exclusive of the metropolis, two counties remain free from the disease; in 20 counties no cases have been reported as occurring during the week. SIX counties show an increase of 323 cases daring the week; 14 counties show a decrease of 267 cases during the week; show- ing a total increase darinr, the week in the counties of England of 56 cases. The metropolis shows an in- crease during the week of 4 cases. Of the counties in Wales, 10 counties remain free from the disease; in 11 counties no cases have been reported as occurring during the week; no counties show an increase during the week; 2 counties show a decrease of 33 cases during the week; showing a total decrease during the week in the counties of Wales of 33 cases. Of the counties in Scotland, 10 counties remain free from the disease; in 26 counties no oases have been reported as occurring during the week; 2 counties show an increase of 16 cases during the week; six counties show a decrease of 23 cases during the week; showing a total decrease during the week in the counties of Scotland of 7 cases. Of the counties in England, Wales, and Scotland, 22 counties remain free from the disease in 57 counties no cases have been reported as occurring during the week; eight counties and the metropolis" show an increase of 343 cases 22 counties show a de. crease of 323 cases; showing a total increase during the week ending May 19, 1866, in England, Wales, and Scotland, of 20 cases, as compared with the week ending May 12, 1866. i

THE STRIKE OF THE SEAMEN IN THE; POUT OF LONDON. Great Meeting of the Men. A crowded meeting of the sailors now on strike in the Port of London for an advance of wages took place on Friday night, in the large school-room attached to Ebenezer Chapel, High street, Shadwell. There were several hundreds of the men present, and the proceed- ings were conducted in an orderly manner. Mr. Shatferd was called upon to preside. He said that they had anticipated that his place would have been occupied by a member of Parliament who took great interest in every matter affecting the working- classes, and who had sent them the following letter "House of Commons, May 31, 1866. Gentlemen,—I am sorry to say that the state of public business in the House of Commons makes it quite impossible for me to attend the meeting to which you invite me for the formation of a society for the protection of the inte- rests of the sailors of the port of London, and makiag provision for them and their widows and children. The objects of the meeting have my warmest sympathy. You ara of course aware that sailors are supposed by the great majority of the English people to be exceedingly improvident. I trust you will be able to show that whatever may have been the case formerly this reproach no longer rests on your gallant 10 profession. Wishing you all success in your efforts, believe me very truly yours, THOS. HUGHES." Letters from the Marquis Townshend and the Liverpool Seamen's Protective Society were read, and the chair- man remarked upon the important services which the sailors had rendered in developing the commerce of the country, the perils they encountered, the fraud and vise they were exposed to when they came on shore, and the grounds they had for claiming an advance of wages. He believed that there was no class of men worse paid, considering the character of the services they performed, than the sailor (cheers). It was only common honesty on the part of those who employed them that they should give them a fair and proper remuneration for their labour. The present meeting was called for the purpose of improving their position, and to promote the establishment of a society which, it was believed, would tend to secure them many advantages (applause). Mr. Callichan, a naval reserve volunteer, proposed the first resolution-" That this meeting considers that the sailors' wages are inadequate for the dangers they encounter, and the provision they ought to make." He had read in the newspaper that Mr. Graves, the member for Liverpool, had given notice in the House of Commons that he intended to move that an address be presented to her Majesty, praying that an inquiry might be instituted into the condition of the seamen of the mercantile marine, and he hoped that if such inquiry should be held they would come amongst the sailors of the United Kingdom for information (cheers). The dangers of a seafaring man were great and many, and ha submitted that the English sailors were entitled to greater consideration than they had hitherto received. A large proportion were ignorant of the mercantile marine law. A man came home to-day, shipped the day after to-morrow, and was gone, and he had no one to give him a word of advice and consolation (hear, hear). Indeed, if he was not an intelligent man many whom he met with would desire to take advantage of him. If they could only succeed in establishing the society, which had been submitted to them for their support, he was sure it would be of much service to them. He believed that the sailing community who frequented the port of London in the course of the year amounted to 20,000, and he would ask what they could not do with that number if they were only united (applause). The men wanted a society that they could fly to for the benefit of their wives and families should they be cast away or meet with some other misfortune, and also to put them in a position to obtain redress for wrongs done them by arbitrary men on board ship (hear, hear). With regard to their claim for an advance of wages, the fact was notoriously true that many a man had to go to sea at X2 10a., or even X2 5s. a month, leaving a wife and family behind him (hear, hear). What was the poor sailor ta do ? Take the case of the man going to Melbourne. He shipped for 12 months at X2 10a. or X2 15s. a month, and he left his half-pay note, £ 1 7s. 6d., or something like 6s. lOd. a week, for the support of his wife and family while he was away (cheers, and cries of "It's too true"). He would ask any reasonable man whether that was a sufficient sum to keep up a home, however humble (cries of "No, no"). What were the feelings of a man when he left his family with only this small pit- tance to maintain them (hear, hear) ? What the men asked now (X3 10s. in ships going to the southward) was little enough. The shipowners realised a great deal from the labour of seamen. They could not do with- out the sailors, and neither could the sailors do with. out the capitalists; but he was certain that, if the men acted together and kept united and firm, they would last as long in holding out as the shipowners (cheers). This movement, on the part of the men, had been termed a strike, but it was not so; they were only asking for their just demands, and that they might be fairly remunerated for the work they performed (cheers.) He trusted that they would support the society, which, he believed, if fairly established, would tend to place them in a better, position. Let them only continue united and they must be successful II (cheers). Mr. Carter, a sailor, seconded the resolution. Mr. Creighton said he desired to say a few words in support of the resolution. It was true that he was not a sailor; but living in the locality and amongst them he knew a great deal of their wants. By a recent return he found that during the ps>st year 2,077 were lost by drowning, 1.458 died by disease, princi- pally scurvy, 207 by accident, and 541 by other causes —total, 4,283. Now he thought these figures showed forcibly the necessity of giving the sailor the means of securing some provision for himself and his wife and family, and that some such society as that which they were invited to join was required (hear, hear). Could any reasonable person Bay that the wages which the men claimed were too much for the peril and the toil they went through (cheers) ? A great deal of the disease which befell a sailor was brought about bv the accommodation he got on board ship, and from not having proper oomforts (hear). Let anyone go into some of the forecastles and see what sort of a place was provided for the seamen. They would find the men huddled together like so many pigs (hear, hear). A short time since the whole of the press were writing- upon the defective arrangements of the casual wards of the workhouse but he was sure that the accommodation which they afforded would be considered by the sailor quite a luxury (cheers and laughter). He had lately had some conversation with a shipowner, who re- marked that the advance of £1 was too much for the men to claim. He asked his reason for coming to that conclusion. The shipowner referred to the present rate of freights. He (Mr. Creighton) repliea that that had nothing to do with the question. If the ship. owners would only ae, as the sailors had, and agree among themselves only to carry freights that were remunerative, they would soon improve their position (applause). He then adverted to the treatment of seamen on board ship, and said the English shipowner would do well to take a lesson from what was done in American ships, which give many comforts to the men. In English ships the accommodation to sailors was limited, in order that the owners might have the greater space for cargo and to save freight. After they had succeeded in obtaining the advance of ^61 they might proceed for better accommodation and other improvements in their condition (cheers). After short addresses from Mr. King, the secretary of the society, Capt. Campbell and Lieut. Child, R.N., the resolution. was agreed to. The following resolution was then submitted and adopted;—"TakiBg into consideration theneoessity of improving the condition of the sailors of the port of London, both morally and financially, it has been con- sidered advisable to torm a society to be called tho London Sailors' Protection Society, embracing in its provisions assistance in time of need to the sailor, his widow and orphans." Other speeches having been made by sailors, and another resolution appointing a committee being car- ried, the proceedings were brought to a close at rather a late hour

A DOCTOR'S BILL. An action was brought in the Court of Common Pleas, on Saturday, by Mr. Ladd, a surgeon, against Mr. Fennimore, to recover Y,21, being the amount of a doctor's bill, under these circumstances: -The de-1 fendant was a clerk in Somerset-house, receiving a salary of X93 18s, a year, and maintaining his mother, who lived in Sutherland-street, Pimlico, whilst he him- self lived at Pimlico. In April last the defendant's mother broke both bones of her leg and dislocated her ancle, and she was attended for a week by a medical gentleman in the neighbourhood. She, however, was desirous of being placed under the care of the plaintiff, Dr. Ladd, who lives at Brixton, and what passed at this interview was the main point at issue. The plaintiff s case was that he declined to undertake the case on the mother's responsibility, beoause she could not pay him; that the defendant was told that the charge would be 20 or 25 guineas, and that he undertook to be responsible for the amount. Dr. Ladd and also his wife, who, it would seem, was in as adjoining room, deposed to these facts. The defendant, on the other hand, denied that he had undertaken to be responsible for 20 guineas. He however, admitted that the doctor did say that he would not undertake the case except on witness's account. Witness made no remark upon this. No sum was mentioned. Witness said he would pay any reasonable sum, but the doctor knew his position. In cross-examination the witness said he did not know that his mother owed the plantiff 460. The plaintiff asked him if he should attend his mother, and witness said, Yes." The plaintiff wrote to witness for some money, and witness answered, I am unable at present to comply with your request. I will do my best for you about the middle of the next month." Witness thought the charge was excessive, and his intention was to offer the plaintiff some smaller sum when he took his salary. In pursuance of this intention the sum of 4-7 7s. was paid into court. The jury found that there had been a specific agree- ment for 20 guineas, and returned a verdict for the plaintiff for the balance, X13 13s.

SUPPOSED EXTENSIVE FRAUDS. The two Frenchmen, Disoours and Biney, who stood charged with conspiring together in London, with another man not in custody, to defraud various persons in France, were brought before Mr. Alderman Gabriel, at the London Mansion-house last week on remand, for further examination. The evidence given on the previous examinations in effect went to show that the prisoners had been in the habit, for some time past, of taking lodgings in various parts of London, bat especially in the suburbs, and using them, not for residence, but as places whence they might address letters, and at which they might receive others. They assumed high-sounding but ficti- tious names, sometimes representing themselves to be steam navigation cempanies, Transatlantic and others, and used letter-paper with printed heads, and tending to induce the belief that they were persons of con- sequence and engaged in commercial pursuits on a large scale. Having taken a room for a few shillings a week, their praotice was to address thence missives to persons on the Continent, and occasionally to high ecclesiastics, to the effect that they had received from abroad a package, apparently of great value, consigned to their care, and directed to the person whom they were for the time addressing; that upon such package they had paid certain charges for carriage and marine insurance, and that upon the re- imbursement of those charges in the shape of pestage- stamps the package would be forwarded to its desti- nation. Two instances in which the prisoners had received money in that way from persons in France, but had not forwarded any such package as they had indicated, were adduced in evidence, and papers were found in their possession, or at their lodgings, leading to the belief that they had been extensively engaged in transactions of that kind, and that they had frequently changed their addresses, for the purpose, apparently, of avoiding detection. Mr. Hamilton, inspector of the City detective police, said that the police were obliged to abandon the pro- secution for want of sufficient evidence. The case in itself was complete, so far as the evidence of witnesses in London was concerned, but that of persons abroad was wanting to finish it. Mr. Alderman Gabriel said, in that state of things he was obliged to discharge the prisoners.

EEL FARE IN THE THAMES. Eel fare has once more become an institution of the Thames. This onrioas occurrence in the migra- tions of the eel has not taken place, so far as we know, for eighteen years. In 1848 we remember a very small eel fare," not perhaps visible in the ordinary way, but nevertheless a vast number of little eels did then ascend the river in the month of May. Since then these migrations have entirely ceased. Lately, how- ever, large numbers of small eels, some three or four inches in length, have made their appearance in the neighbourhood of Twickenham, working their way up stream in the usual fashion; and though the quantity is far short of that usually seen as eel fare in open and wholesome rivers, there is no question that a very large number of little strangers" have been and are making their way up to re-stock the upper waters of the Thames. To those of our readers who may not be acquainted with the natural history of the eel we may briefly ex- plain what eel fare" is. Towards the autumn the greater body of the large eels migrate down stream to the brackish water caused by a mixture of the fresh and salt, there to deposit their eggs. The eel is ex- ceedingly sensitive to cold, and it is supposed that, as the brackish water is warmer than either the salt or the fresh, instinct leads the eels thither as most suit- able to the hatching operations. There is no doubt that the great bulk of the young eels are born in the brackish water. As soon as the spring has set in and the air becomes warm (usually in the month of May), these little eels collect in vast swarms and commence a migration up stream again, and may often be seen, like a broad black border, lining either bank of the river for a considerable distance. Nothing appears to stop them, and the pertinacity with which they surmount falls and pass looks and wriggle over wairs, even by making the dead bodies of their companions stepping-stones to their own progress is one of the wonders of nature. The migration often lasts for many days in the I course ot which myriads of fry spread themselves over the various waters they pass through, and in due time they grow and are caught and sold as fine Thames eels at Is. per pound. There is no more delicious, wliole- some, or nourishing fish than a Thames eel. Eel fish- ng was at one time an industry of some importance on the Thames. They have been soarce of late years, however, owing to the great migration of small eela kpiown as eel fare" being cut off by the foul state of the river in London. This difficulty now appears to be overcome, and there is no doubt that in a year or two we shall once more have an abundance of fine Thames eels. It has also been an excellent year for lamperns—better than has been known for many years; while flounders have once more visited our waters at Twickenham and its nelghbollrhood. Thou- sands of little creatures, an inch or so i. length, may be seen scuttling off by the score when disturbed by a footstep; and this is also a sight which has not been seen there for nearly 20 years. Sunday Times. —

A Sharp Trick. The unhappy suicide of Colon e Hobbs gave rise to an incident which I will mention, although in doing so I may be open to the charge of telling tales out of school." The vessel that brought home Mrs. Hobbs and her children brought also some legal gentlemen who had been concerned with the com- mission, and the newspaper correspondent who in the columns of a London daily exalted the planters, tried to excuse the murders committed by English soldiers and sailors, vilified the blacks simply because they were black, and apologised for-nay, advocated-the flogging of women. When the vessel arrived at South- ampton this gentleman proposed to suppress the news of Colonel Bobbs's suicide until the following day. He touchingly represented that it would be very pain- fal to Mrs. Hobbs to see the railway stations placarded with staring headlines of her husband's death, and equally painful for the children, who as yet knew only that their father was dead, to learn so roughly how that death had occurred. The telegraphic agent and all concerned willingly complied with this humane sug- gestion, and the item that would have been so interest- iug to every metropolitan and provincial paper was omitted in the telegraphic summary. The humane gentleman meanwhile sent a private message to his own paper, which next morning made the most of its exclusive intelligence.—London Correspondent of the I Manchester City News. j

FACTS AND FACETIAE. 0 A shark was recently caught off the Australian ceast, the stomach of which contained a snake and a cheque-book. This is the only time we have heard of a shark carrying a cheque-book about with him. We have adopted the eight hour system, says an American paper in this office. We commence work at eight o'clock in the morning and close at eight in the evening. A curious article appears in one of the papers- "Rump steaks off everything." The gastronomic article describes steaks of lions, tigers, and elephants among others. The criminal records of England show that only one actor was ever hanged here. This was in the 17th century, for highway robbery. A contemporary says several of the present generation ought to be, how- ever. First class in geography, come up. Bill Toots, what is a cape F" A thing that mother wears over her shoulders." What's a plain p" "A tool used by carpenters for smoothing off boards." What's a desert ?" It's goodies after dinner." That'll do, I'll give you goodies afi;er school." The Rev. Paul Hamilton, on receiving the presen- tation to the church and parish of Bcoughton, near Edinburgh, preaqfied a farewell sermon to the ladies of Ayr; and not a little to the surprise of his fair auditory, gave out hia text—"And they fell upon Paul's neck and kissed him Mr. Spurgeon, preaching on theological panics, exclaimed—" Never be afraid, my brethren truth will bear threshing, and lose nothing but the husk which surrounded it. Good will come out of evil. Shake away, sir! Sift away! Not one grain of wheat will fall to the ground." "Mr. Smith," said the counsel, "you say yon once officiated in a pulpit. Do you mean that you preached ? No, sir; I held the candle for the man who did. H Ah, the Court understood yeu differently; they supposed that the discourse came from you." No, sir; I only throwed a light on it." A beautiful countess called on a popular manager for some tickets. Excuse me, my lady, when you reach home you will find your wishes for6- stalled." True enough-on her malachite table there was a managerial letter and inside it four stalls! Nothing could be prettier. High Time.—It seems that a class of prudes in arising in Paris to shame the much too 3Bi?y-taannwsd times into propriety. An example is given m a French paper of a Miss Z-, who, being offered an orange by a gentleman of easy manners, drew herself up an said, "No, sir, I never will accept anything but from a husband." A Vatentire. Dear Jim, miss is says .1he 'von't let me go out; but I will, and no mistalra. so, if you H have me, I'll ha.ve you, and there's ar and of that. And now it's all out, and so is the fire, and she may light it herself, and clean master's boots, too; but don't forget my new bonnet,Yoa- loving BBTSY SNAPP." Drunken Happiness. The question, does getting drunk ever advance one's happiness ? would seem to be put to rest by the Irishman who went courting when drunk, and was asked what pleasure l't found in whisky. "Oh, Biddy, it's a trate intirely, to see two of your swate purty face!' instead of one." Ladies and Persons.-Toward.s the end of last year crinoline had reaohed its failest breadth iu Sydney, and I was much amused one day to see « notification pasted on the door-port ef a servants' agency office, worded as follows: Li/Mes coming oo this establishment to be hired, will greatly oblige Mr. S. by sitting as near together as possible, as for the last day or two many persons desiring to eng3 £ e domestics have found it impossible to ga.in admittl\n'e. A Farm Servant's Retort.-It iF. not everycpe who can shut up a scolding master aa coolly as Vre once heard done by a farm servant whoa sharpb reproved by a worthy but rather hot- tampered employe for overloading a favourite mare with atones whi :h were being carted off a field; the ropriciar.d win&sg up with a reminder that "fcttonea ;vera very he:*VY That's a fact," replied Joe; Solomon, says, 'Stores are heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's wrath heavier than them both I'" An American critic thus combi ies buaiiess with the doing of a good turn to a friend:—" The era' o o on Thursdy evening was a grand success. The 80!E were performed with surpassing sweetness and effect while the choruses, with the majesty of the cc y.-M wave, would rise in height and grandeur, and seined to bear everything upon their tide of sound—the». iis away into the softness of the evening zephyr n alternate inspiring and soothing effect of such ir asic reminds one of the pleasing effects of laughing-g&e 11>" administered by Dr. Gillespie, at 45, Fourth-stref V A wise man hath his foibles as wall as the difference between them ia, that i.he f:' of the one are known to himself, and conoealecl iron; tYJ world; the foibles of the other arc known to tbi world, and concealed from himself. The wine iron sees those frailties in himself which others eaanot; but, the fool is blind to those blemishes :n his charaot-'1- which are conspicuous to everybody else. vVhence ?• appears that self-knowledge is that which makes thJ main difference between a wise man and a foe, in the moral senae of that word. I A Fragment.-The following appeartii in a Francisco paper:— When fierce Orion ploughs the Wiitrirg And labouring crews their stormy vigils kafe-p When Boreas blustering through voidlai*,pJ»"»> Pours forth his hosts, a wild turn ■ train Then let the student burn the oil, The weary labourer slumber from H toil; Let lover, fired by Lave's imp^lsi wrna, With ardent speeches woo bis cho-eh Let spinster, burglar hear la ever And pray that locks may keep he, Or, whilst the virgin clasps her tr ailing h inds. Bemoans her sell-boy tost on distaaE sands; The poet dreams in weird-like fanc.ys boncci, And oaptives groan in dungeon-gl profound; Whilst I take down my guu, put on my hat, And brave the storm to shoot tha; cussod cat'" A Gallic M:a.cbeth.-A made application to an English theatrical n:anagol for an engagement. He was asked it he could Jpea^ English as well as French, and to convince the ms naf«r that he could, he struck an attitude and recited the following, which bears an hideous ressmbsncj to the soliloquy of the Duie of Gloster, "Now is she -iintgx of our disoonteufe" The Frenchman ronuerf i it, Now iz ze vintar of our dem oneasinasri made into hot veddare by ze son of York (zat is vat you call ze boy of Mister York); and ze dark i, at Z. ded and buried at za bottom. I hev za !> >rap un Tur back; bandy legs; and for zat ze dowa bow vow-vo<v at mo ven I valk by him." For an ■ temporaueocf translation this was considered good,, out lie WM engaged. A Remarkable Cure.—A youx>e man wanted marry a girl out in Wisconsin, but siob forbade the match. The young mi"J0,me sick" very sick-and had terrible fainting The doc wrs were called, and said he would aooi. die, and ha eft10 he wanted to. The father of the girl viaiteJ tbp. patient, and agreed with both him i.ad çh'1 doütor,. The poor fellow said that if he could marry bis M,M1 Ann he would die happily. His dying request netbaipw could not be refused, and Mary Ann having tions, the minister was sent for, and the- s6\a^x11 ordinance of marriage was performed before t',e, :aJ-*t solemn messenger of death should .atop in to away the gasping bridegroom from time to til" regi,-u;11 of eternity. The knot being securely tied, the patrent rose from the bed a well man. It v. -ig a rrreat tlre, astonishing both the cruel parient" and \he do ito^i but the bride acted as though she hac axypoteii it all the time. In the churohyard of Lydford, Dov s, the fO lowing epitaph: I-lere lies in hor uoaition the outside case of George Routlci^- v- to)imaker, whose abilities in that line were an ho o his pro fession; integrity was the main sprir.. prudence the regulator, of all the actions of h:7 Uta; hiitnaiic,- generous, and liberal, his hand, never stopped t,¡;11"¡[j relieved distress. So nicely regulated were all his actions that he never went wrong, ere apt whex. et agoing by people who did net know his key even then he was easily set right again. He had the art of dig. posing his time so well that his houre gMea ir one continual round of pleasure »nd (.eii^ht, fcib »n unlucky minute put a period his existoiioe.. tie departed this life 14 N>-dInber, 18i^, age- ^>- Wound up in hopes of taken m by his Maker, and of be^ ^oronghly cleaned, re oairtti, and set a going in 1.1.9 world to come."