The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

AGRICULTURE. THE wool crop of Michigan will, it is expected, reach 12,<%10,0001be. this year. H. H. WOOD, curate of Hemingford Abbots, Hurt- ingdonshire, writes to a contemporary to say that u hay f-ever may be instantly relieved by bathing the nostrils and the closed eyelids with spirits of camphor and warm water. As the affection is a distressing one, the haymaking season imminent, and the alleged remedy innocent, if not effectual, we think it well to eive it nuhlicitv. THE Pall-mall Gazette says:- If the public have reason to congratulate themselves on the dfect of the -repeal of the corn laws, assuredly the farmers have no season to complain. Free trade has made wheat charmingly abundant, but certainly not ruinously cheap. Indeed, of late years the price has been going up. In the five years previous to 1855 wheat was 49s. the quarter; in the 10 years since 1855 it has been 53a. 6d. Free trade in corn began in 1846, and was consummated in 1849. What has been the result ? The average price of the 15 years previous to 1846 was 56a. 6d. The average price of the 15 years since 1849 has been 52s. Id. For the last 35 years the following has been the movement :-1830-1834, average 57s. 7d.; 1835-1839, average 55a. 9a, 1840-1844, average 58s 1846-1849, average-55s.; 1850-1854, average 49s.; 1855- 1864, average 53s. 6d. THE CATTLE PLAGUE RETURNS.—The following analysis of the returns tor tbe week ending Saturday, June 9, is made by the superintendent of the Statistical Office of the Cattle Plague Department987 attacks were reported ia Great Britain as occurring during the week ended Jane 9; viz., 939 in England, 36 in Wales, and 12 ia-Scotland. The number of attacks, viz., 987, shows an increase of 27 on the previous return. Correcting the total, by adding &n average of attacks commencing during the week, but which may be sub- sequently reported, the number for the week will be 1,234. 22 counties remain free from the disease, viz., Westmoreland, Monmouth, the six counties of South Wales, Montgomery, Merioneth, Carnarvon, Anglesey, Wigtown, Bute, Argyll, Banff, Elgin, Nairn, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland, Caithness, and Orkney and Shetland. In 59 counties no cases have been reported as occurring during the week. 13 counties and the metropolis show an increase of 26G cases, and 15 counties and 2 ridings of Yorkshire show a decrease of 239 cases. The number of attacks reported up to 9th Jane amounts to 5.031 per cent. of the estimated ordinary stock of cattle in Great Britain. In the present return & table is given (pp. 6 and 7) showing the distribution of live stock in proportion to acreage in eaoh division and county. To every 100 acres in, Great Britain there were, on 5th March last, 8.4 cattle (viz., 3.3 cows and 5.1 other cattle), 38.7 sheep, and 4 3 pigs. In England, Leicestershire heads the list with 17.3 to every 100 acres; Rutland shows the highest proportion of sheep, 79.1 to each 100 acres; and Suffolk possesses the greatest number of pigs, 4.1 to 100 acres. HABYESTMEK AND RINDERPEST.—A correspondent of tne Dublin Evening Mwil writes thus :—I much fear that this autumn will see the rinderpest introduced into Ireland by means of the "harvestmen." They will be scattered all over England and Scotland, and as they usually sleep in the farmers' outhouses, there is every chance that they will return home charged with the subtle poison of this disease. Would it not be possible to oblige them, before landing in Ireland, to undergo the disinfecting process ? Pray use your influence to impress the necessity for this upon the authorities, or I much fear that, after the return of the "harvestmen," we shall hear of this terrible scourge breaking out all over the country. The Crops of 1866. Mr. H. J. Turner, of Richmond, Yorkshire, writes to the Times his annual statement respecting Northern English crops. Wheat, which always thrives best in a dry spring, has this year been retarded by wet and cold, though the general crop has not suffered so much in colour as has generally been the case. Oats, barley, beans, and peas have eome up fairly. Potatoes, which have been extensively planted, but which are only just getting above ground, have come. up so far regularly and well. Mangold and carrots are up earlier and stronger than they have been for years; but early- sown Swede turnips were nearly all destroyed by the fly directly after they came up. The prospect for good root crops is better than we have had for many years. Mr. Turner thinks that though we cannot have a great wheat crop, we may reasonably hope for an average harvest, though looking at the state of the crops now, and considering the time of the year, it cannot possibly be an early one. Irish papers say that meadows which were antici- pated to be light in the neighbourhood of Leinster have now progressed so much that, with the exception of upland early ones, a full average crop will be -realised. Potatoes, too, which were tardy in growth and sickly in appearance, have made a most decided progress within the last fortnight. The grain crops are also very promising-indeed, in many places they are rather too luxuriant. Mangolds appear to be re- covering, and very promising brairds present them- selves in the well cultivated districts. The sowing of "turnips is very late this season, and even yet large breadths are to be put in. The weather just now suits turnip sowing admirably, and if put in during this state of the atmosphere, good crops may be relied upon. Grass is abundant in all directions. The copious rain in and around Newry which de- scended for several days has been followed by genial sunshine, and the growth of the crops of every descrip- tion progresses with extraordinary rapidity. The hopes of the farmers are, therefore, once again in the ascendant, and an early and, abundant harvest may be expected.

HINTS UPON GARDENIira. SHIFTING where necessary must now receive atten- tion. A compost, consisting of three-parts fibrous peat, iB 4 lumpy state, one part free from turfy loam, and a little silver sand, will suit most kinds of hard- wooded plants, with the exception of heaths, which succeed best in peat without any admixture except that of a little silver sand. In potting take care to secure thorough drainage, over which may be placed a. little broken or pounded charcoal. FLOWER GARDEN AND PLANT HousEs.-Now is the time to encourage rapid and sturdy growth in young hard-wooded plants. A constant stopping of gross shoots will be necessary, in order to equalise the distribution of sap and encourage the lower parts of the plants to develop themselves. Out of doors, early bulbs now ripening, if turning yellow, should be taken up, or the greater portion of their leaves trimmed away.—Verbenas, petunias, and such things should be frequently pegged down where it is requi- site to cover the surface of the beds speedily.—Auri- culas Let these now occupy a cool, shady situation. Green-fly, to which they are subject, must be kept in check. If infested, remove the plants to a pit, in order that they may be effectually fumigated.-Balsams and Cockscombs: These must now be encouraged to grow freely, giving them a little weak liquid manure occa- sionally, and accommodating them with larger pots as they may require them.—Camellias: Keep these close, moist, and warm until their growth is completed,when more air and less moisture should be given in order to I cause them to form flower-bud s. -Carnations and Picotees: Let the main shoots of these now be care- fully tied to neat stakes. Remove dead leaves, and top-dress with fresh sweet soil. Destroy green- fly.-Cinerarias Crt.down such as are out of flower to within two or three inches of the sur- face. Stir and top-dress with light soil. A north aspeot is the best at this season. Take cuttings as soon as they can be had for early flowering plants. —Dahlias: Keep these regularly and well watered, and secure them to stakes as they advance in growth. —Globe Amaranthus: These may receive the same veatment as balsams and cockscombs.—Heaths and Bpacrises: Many kinds may now be transferred to pits and frames, where they will thrive better, during the summer months shading them from the hot sun any done blooming should be cut back slightly, to insure a bushy habit, and kept in a shady place till they commence to grow. Removing the young and early-blooming stock to frames will permit plants in the heath-house to stand thin.—Hollyhocks: Give these a good watering, and then mulch afterwards, giving them a good soaking once or twice a week according to the weather. Tie the plants to strong stakeB.-Pausies, Propagate these whenever cut- tings can be obtained. They strike best on a shady border under small hand- glasses. Polargo. niume: Plants in flower will require to be care- fully shaded. Water freely every morning, and give as much air as possible in order to dispel stagnant moisture accumulated during night and dull weather. Stake and neatly, tie the later flowering plants. Seed j lings should aow be selected, discarding any which are not decided improvements on known kinds.-P-o-es: These are now showing their bloseome, which will be much improved by liquid manuring; mulching, too, in dry seasons is very beneficial. If the preservation of the early flowers is desirable, the rose maggot- must be closely locked after; the green-fly, too, should be kept down, and where mildew shows itself, first syringe with tobacco-water for green-fly, and then dust with sulphur vivum a tin pepper-bex is a cheap and effi. cient duster. Roses in pots will require attention in regard to watering; the syringe is best if clear rain- water is at hand, and the blossoms not too much ex- panded.—Tulips Uncover all out of bloom, but pro- tect from heavy rains, which might be injurious. FORCING 'GARDEN. Figs: Give abundance of water or liquid manure, if in pots or tubs.—Melons Set shy sorts, and sprinkle frequently to keep off red spider. -Mu e hroom-- Let old beds be examined as as soon as they begin to go out of bearing. If, upon removing the soil, the dung appears decayed or exhausted, the bed should be immediately renovated; but if, as often happens, the beds are found in good order, solid, and full of spawn, they should be watered moderately with tepid water, if they are found to require it, and in a day or two afterwards the surface should be covered with two or three inches of loamy soil. In hot weather the house should be kept as cool as possible, without throwing it open; in order to assist in effecting this, the paths and walls should be sprinkled frequently with cold water, and the evaporation allowed to escape at the top. Con- tinue to collect horse-droppings, and let them be stored up to make new beds, or to renovate old ones.— Peaches: Give frequent waterings to these in their last swelling; continue to pinch luxuriant shoots, and to use the syringe liberally.—Pines: In shifting, let great attention be paid to having oomplete drainage; no after-management will compensate for the omission of this. Take care to thin growing stock in due time, giving abundance of room to plants approaching the fruitful period. Pines swelling fruit will now enjoy liberal waterings of clear liquid manure once a week, with fine syringes occasionally, more especially be- tween their stems.—Vines: Grapes just colouring should be assisted by a high temperature during this fine weather, accompanied, however, by an abundance of air; a moderate amount of fire-teat should be pro- vided should the weather become wet or cold. HARDY FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDEN.—Give the wood of peaches a thorough thinning; don't reserve a shoot more than is wanted for next year. This, and keeping down iBsects, is the way to obtain success.— Celery: Take advantage of showery weather, should it occur, to prick out young plants.—Peas: Sow for succession as may be required.-Ridge cucumbers: These, gourds, and vegetable marrows may be planted now; the first two in the usual way on prepared beds of rich soil, with the temporary protection of hand- lights, the last in vacant places where proper stations for vigorous growth can be secured.- Gardener's Chronicle.

SPORTS AND PASTIMES. THE mackerel season commenced a few days since at Wyke, on the coaet of Dorsetshire, by a cateh of 1,100 fish. A CRICKET match of some interest is to be played in Sandringham-park next month. It is expected that the Prince and Princess of Wales will honour the match with their presence. A CORRESPONDENT says that a person named Maggs, whilst fishing with a line in the Kennett, near Reading, the other day, caught a trout weighing no less than 121b. The fish was subsequently exhibited at Messrs. Cock's, fishmongers, and attracted great attention. A great many large trout have been caught in the neighbourhood of Reading this season. THE red and fallow deer which were set loose in the Waimea, Nelson, New Zealand, lately, are reported as thriving, their numbers increasing, and there were seen lately some young fawns among them. Pheasants are also multiplying in Nelson province, and the broods are beginning to spread. The imported English song-birds are also increasing, and the notes of the blackbird, the thrush, the goldfinch, chaffinch, and linnets, are not now strange among the trees of town gardens, and are sometimes to be met with in up- eountry districts. CONCERNING the fishing in the Thames, Mr. Brougham, of Sydney Villas, Richmond, writes to a contemporary thus:—From all parts of the river I hear satisfactory reports of the fish and fishing, and some good takes have been reported to me of all kinds of fish—jack, roach, bream, dace, chub, &c. The 'longshore fishermen have had good sport. Many of these are poor men, and look upon the fish they take as an article of food, thus supplying them with a whole- some necessary. It is amusing in some parts of the river to see these poor brethren of the rod -up to the middle in water practising their favourite amusement, and in their sticcess vieing with their wealthier prac- titioners in the punts. THE forthcoming Grand Olympic Festival at Llan- dudno is looked forward to with some anxiety. The con- tract for the Grand Stand has been completed, and the works connected therewith have been commenced under such favourable circumstances as to leave no doubt of the immense edifice being ready in ample time for the accommodation of the vass number of visitors to the Grand Olympic Festival to be held at this delight- ful watering-place on the 25th, 26th, and 27th instant. We (says the Llandudno Visitor) are happy to be able to state that the Rev. Nevison Loraine, one of the most popular preachers of Liverpool, has consented to open the proceedings with prayer and preaching. As the period for holding the festival approaches, public interest in it becomes more intense. Nor need this be matter for wonder, for the festival authorities have arranged a series of Olympic sports on the largest and most varied scale. These, combined with the excellent music of Distin's band, water fetes, and, above all, with invigorating breezes from the Irish Sea, and the diversified scenery round this most popular of watering places, will cause the festival week to be long and pleasantly remembered by the visitors to Llandudno on this interesting occasion. A LARGE and fashionable attendance of visitors was drawn to the grounds of Beaufort-house, Walham. green, on Saturday, by the competition of the pupils of the Kensington School in various athletic sports. The example which has been set by this school in the encouragement of athletic sports is one which may well be followed by other educational establishments. The earnestness and zest with which the pupils enter into this pleasant and healthful relaxation from study afford undoubted evidence that the system is ap- preciated, and the gratification which these annual contests afford to the relatives of the lads, is scarcely less than that enjoyed by the competitors themselves. The weather was all that could be desired, and the young people. acquitted themselves right well in vaulting, putting the shell, high and long jump, flat and hurdle races, fencing, pole-jumping, running and walking races, and the other sports arranged for the occasion. At the close of the competition the winners' cups and prizes were distributed by Dr. Tausenan, the principal of the school. TRE URF, IN AUSTRALIA.—The sale of Mr. Hurtle Fiaher a raeing stud, which took place on the 10th of April last, at Maribyrnong, Victoria, proved quite an event in Australian turf doings. The sale comprised foals, yearlings, horses in training, and brood mttres (forty. five in number), and the amount realised was no less than 25,455 guineas. It will be seen by this that there is no lack of either money or spirit among Australian turfites, and, indeed the in- dividual bids in some cases were so high that, in reading the account in Sell s Life in Victoria, our thoughts every now and then wandered to Albert-gate or Hampton Court. The highest-prioed lot was Fish. hook, a two year old, by Fisherman, out of Mar- chioness, by Melbourne, which was purchased by Mr. C. Fisher for 3,600 guineas, a sum which would be con- sidered princely even in England, but when emanating from a colony just out of her teens, is nothing short of astounding. Seagull, anotcer two year UJU, uy v iaaer. man, out of Omen, by Melbourne, was bought by the same spirited purchaser for 1,900 guineas. Omen, a brood mare, commanded 1,250 guineas; and Mar- ohioness, who won the Oaks in England in 1855, was knocked down for 1,200 guineas. The yearlings fetched prices which do not bear a contemptible com- parison with those recently chronicled in connec- tion with the Middle-park sale. Mr. C. Fisher, who iL his purchases emulates the Duke of Hamilton and Mr. Chaplin, gave 1,150 guineas for Little Fish, remembering, no doubt, the adage that "Little fish are swet). while Mr. Shee put down 1,100 guineas for a brown filly by the redoubtable sire. Other lots fetched very i.qpectable prices, and altogether the sale, which was, hy.ifie-bye, conducted by "Mr. Tattersall," is a credit to the pluck of ocr antipodean cousins.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT OF FEMALES. When the Government bill on capital punishment comes down from the Upper to the Lower House we understand that Sir. William Eivart will move the total abolition of the capital punishment of females. His motion is based upon the following reasons :— 1. The peculiarly disgusting and revolting nature of the cold-blooded strangulation of females in a Chris- tian age and country. 2. The special hindrances to the carrying out of the law (both as to verdict and execution) which have to be encountered in almost every instance where a woman is charged capitally. 3. The peculiar liability of women to influences of sudden, unexpected or previously latent, violent in- sanity arising from puerperal causes or other sexual and physiological conditions. 4. The now practically recognised precedent of the Home Oflice, th}1t no execution of a woman shall be carried into effect if, between her sentence and the time ftmed for its execution, she be found to be pregnant, as m the case of Charlotte Harris, sentenced to death at the Somerset assizes, in 1849, but subsequently found pregnant, and respited on that account. After the birth of a child there appeared some probability of her execution being carried into effect, whereupon nearly 40,000 women appealed to the Queen in a memorial for meroy. Eventually the fatal sentence was commuted, and since that period there have been other commuta- tions in similar case, But it is an anomaly in the administration of law that whilst women capitally condemned are thus com- muted if foand pregnant after sentence, yet that if found pregnant before sentence they may be detained from trial till after childbirth and then hanged. As a case in point, we may cite that of Alice Holt, who, in June, 1863, was committed for trial to Chester, for murder. Being found pregnant, her trial was post- poned till the winter assizes. In the interval she was delivered of a child. She was then tried, sentenced, and finally hanged, notwithstanding earnest local petitions to the contrary. In Mr. Dymond's" Law on its Trial," it is recorded of this execution The scene upon the scaffold was more than usually distressing. The wretched woman, weak and faint, was kept several minutes waiting for the drop to fall, owing to some difficulty with the bolt. Meantime her cries to the hangman to Make haste' excited the pity and sympathy of the crowd who had come to witness the revolting spectacle." 5. There arises from the capital punishment of females a certain degree of danger of sacrificing innocent life with the guilty, through the execu- tion of women who may be really pregnant, though declared not to be so. This horrible occurrence is not very likely to happen, but there is a reason- able possibility of it, as the following toler- ably recent instances prove: At the Norwich spring assizes, March, 1833, Mary Wright, the daughter of an insane mother, was tried for murder, and, in spite of strong evidence of her own insanity, was sentenced to death. Through the vigilanoe of Mr. Sydney Taylor, a plea of pregnancy was immedi- ately adduced, whereupon a jury of 12 matrons was empanneled who, after more than an hour's absence, returned a verdict in the usual form-that they did not find the prisoner pregnant of a quick child." At the earnest solicitation of Mr. Taylor a further ex- amination of the prisoner by three medical gentlemen took place, and, in consequence of their representa-1 tion, execution was stayed. Shortly before the next assizes Mary Wright was delivered of a daughter. Through the benevolent exertions of Mr. Joseph John Gurney and other gentlemen abundant proof of the prisoner's insanity, down to the very day of her orime, was obtained and forwarded to the Home Office, and this led to a commutation of the sentence. A more recent instance of a similar error was adduced before the late Royal Commission on Capital Punish- ment by Mr. Serjeant Parry. In 1847 Mary Ann Hunt was convicted of murder at the Central Criminal Court. Pregnancy being alleged, she was examined by a jury of matrons, who declared her not pregnant. Subsequently medical men arrived at an opposite con- clusion, which was eventually proved correct by the birth of a son. 6. The peculiar liability of females to temptation and crime through their circumstances of weak- ness and of frequently compelled submission to the violence of male ruffians. A striking in. stance is mentioned in the Judicial Statis- tics" for 1863. In that year a commutation of the capital sentence was extended to one Elizabeth Benyon, condemned to death at Liverpool. Her age was only 17. She had murdered her child of one year old by drowning it in a canal. Her own father had compelled her to horrible and unnatural immorality, and had afterwards turned her and her child into the streets. These illustrations of the peculiar and unavoidable evils connected with the capital punishment of females are in themselves sufficient to justify the prompt abolition of exhibitions eo revolting as the judicial strangulation of women.

THE PRINTERS' PhNSION, ALMS- HOUSE, AND ORPHAN ASYLUM CORPORATION. The annual general meeting of the Printers' Alms- house Society (now corporated with the two other branches of the institution under the name of the Printers' Pension, Almshouse, and Orphan Asylum Corporation) was held last week at Anderton's Hotel, Fleet-street, for the purpose of electing an inmate to the almshouses, receiving a report of the committee for the past year as to the society's affairs, with an account of its finances, and also a report from a sub- committee in reference to a testimonial to the secretary. The chair was taken by Mr. J. Gadsby, and there was an unusually large attendance of gentlemen interested in the welfare of the institution and the prosperity of the printing trade generally. The chairman opened the proceedings by calling upon the secretary (Mr. J. Darkin) to read the report of the society's proceedings from January last. The Secretary then read that report as follows:— The 11th of June is a day of considerable interest in the history of the Printers' Almshouses. On the 11th of June, 1849, the foundation-stone of the Institution was laid by the Right Hon. Earl Stanhope (our esteemed president), at that period Lord Mahon, and again, on the 11th of June, 1856, the earl presided at the inauguration of the Institution, at a public breakfast which took place in the grounds of the Asylum, his lordship being surrounded on the occa- sion by a very distinguished assemblage of repre- sentatives of the printing and publishing trades; and now once more, on the present 11th June, 1866, we are assembled in annual meeting, fQr the last time, having filled up the only vacancy in the Asylum, and about to perform any acts that may be necessary, in order to hand over this institution to the treasurer, trustees, and council of the Printers' Pen- sion, Almshouse, and Orphan Asylum Corporation. From a recent inspection of the institution by the com- mittee, it would appear to them that the period has arrived when the building should be thoroughly pointed, painted, and grained externally. Some X50, it is believed, would enable it to be done effectually, and the collector is engaged in making a special col- lection in this behalf, which, if only responded to as liberally as former appeals for special objects have been, will speedily be effected." The Secretary next read the statement of accounts for the twelve months ending March 31st, 1866, which showed a total income on the year, from all sources, of 4391 lis. 3d., including a balance in hand, to begin with, of X134 13s. 9d.; and a total expenditure, in the same period, of .£345 8s. 8d., leaving a balance in hand of X46 2s. 7d. The general statement of the society's funds best shows its present condition. It is as follows:—Three per cent. Consols .£538 15s. 3d.; guarantee fund, New Three per Cent., £ 1,055 8s. Id.; balance at bankers (as shown in the balance sheet for the year), .£46 23. 7d.; making a total capital of Xl,640 5s. lid. The report and balance sheet were received and approved of by the unanimous voice of the meeting. Testimonial to the Secretary. After some other business bad been disposed of, The Chairman laid before the meeting another pro- position which was printed on the balloting paper, and which was as follows :—" That in consideration of the past services of the secretary and for his remuneration in performing the duties of secretary, posting the ■books, &c., to June, 1866, and attending to the proper transfer of the property of the Printers' Almshouse Society to the Trustees and Council of the Printers' Pension, Almshouse, and Orphan Asylum Corporation, the sum of 415 be withdrawn from the bankers of the Printers' Almshouse Society and placed to the account of the Darkin Retiring Testimonial Fand.' In sub- mitting that proposition the Chairman took occasion to say that, so far as his knowledge of Mr. Darkin went, he had always found him doing his duty to the utmost in the promotion of the interests of the society, indeed, it was because he (Mr. Gadsby) had that opinion of Mr. Darkin, that he had stayed in town to take the chair on this occasion, otherwise he should have been in the West of England at the present time. The proposition was unanimously accepted, and the Chairman, addressing Mr. Darkin, expressed a hope that he might live long to enjoy the benefits of the gift, as well as the friendship of those with whom his lengthened connection with the society had brought him into contact. A committee was then appointed to collect and manage the affairs connected with the Darkin retiring testimonial fund. Circulars were sent round to the most eminent publishers and printers, which were well responded to, and a handsome and substantial testi- monial will be obtained for Mr. Darkin, whose long and faithful services have made him many friends.

GUNNERY EXPERIMENTS ON THE ROYAL SOVEREIGN. The turret invented by Captain Cowper Coles, R.N., and carried out on board the ship Royal Sovereign, was subjected on Friday to a naval trial at Portsmouth, in the presence of the Duke of Somerset, the Marquis of Hartington, Prince de Joinville, Count do Paris, Sir John Hay, Lord Lauderdale, Lord Stanley of Adderley, the Earl of Kimberley, Sir F. Grey, Admirals Robinson, Fanshaw, Yelverton, Gambier, Middleton, and a large number of officers in the united services. There are three single and one double gua turrets on board the Royal Sovereign. The one fired at was a single one, and is simply a hollow composite cylinder, standin g on a circularwooden turntabJ e of great stren gth, over a double ring of conical metal wheels, which travel over metal roadways, the cylinder with its table being pivoted on a centrally-fixed hollow iron cylinder. and the whole resting on a bed of oak balks, and further supported by iron stanchions springing up from the keelson of the ship. The turret was, how- ever, never designed to resist the Bellerophon's crack 9-inch gun, with which the experiments were made, as no 51"inch plate could be expected to resist a projec- tile propelled from a 9-inch gun at point-blank range. It is well known that a gun of a given calibre will penetrate a plate as many inches in thickness as the gun possesses in point of calibre. Captain Coles naturally complained that a gun of to-day was used against his turret designed years ago to resist only the gun of that day. The first shot from the monster cannon used struck the weakest point of the turret, penetrating its outer plating, which is 5t inches thiok, and glancing in through the port to a depth of about 13 inches, smashing also the skeleton gun and carriage. Bat the principal anxiety was to know if the turret still turned, which is the great point of the invention, and when Captain Coles was asked the question after the firing of the shot, he replied that the works were unin- jured. To sustain his assertion, round spun the turret, in no way disabled, and presenting another and an uninjured target to the Bellerophon. The second shot, though generally less destructive than the former, completely penetrated the iron, splintered the wooden backing, and displaced the plates and bolts. But it did not go through the tower, and the turret again revolved with ease and freedom. A third shot was fired, but with no better effect than the former. As the result of the trial one important fact remains-that no amount of pounding from shot can possibly disturb the equilibrium of the Royal Sove- reign's turret's base. The invention completely triumphed, and if the whole exposed portion had been shot away, the revolving machinery and turntable would still have remained perfect. The experiment was costly, but it has been attended with important and valuable results.

SINGULAR CHARGE OF STEALING AND RECEIVING. John Lovett, carman to Mr. Humphreys, of Dock- head, a timber merchant, and Henry Clark, of 4, Adelaide-place, Lower Whitecross-street, woodcutter, appeared at the London Guildhall on remand—the former charged with stealing eighteen cubic feet of his master's timber, and the latter with receiving the same well knowing it to be stolen. It appeared from the evidence that on Monday morning Lovett was sent with half a fathom of deal ends for box-making to Mr. Lines, Twister's-alley, Bunhill-row, and that on the way from Dockhead he gave his horse and cart in charge to another man, and went on a message for his father, and met the cart coming home, and took charge of it again. It, how- ever, happened that William Curtis, a woodcutter, in the employ of Mrs. Hay ley, a woodcutter, carrying on business in Golden-lane, saw Mr. Humphrey's cart in front of Clark's shop, and saw the carman throwing out the wood to Clark, who put it down in his cellar. He knew the cart because his mistress dealt with Mr. Humphreys. He called a policeman's attention to it, and followed the cart to Mr. Lines, where the re- mainder of the timber was delivered. After the cart left he gave information of what he had seen to Mr. Lines, and Mr. Humphreys was communicated with. When Lovett came back, William Hope, the foreman, questioned him as to how he could account for the timber being short, and he said he had delivered it all to Mr. Lines. Hope insisted upon his going over to Mr. Lines with him, and on the way he said that he had entrusted the cart to another man, whom he named, to deliver the wood for him. They went to Mr. Lines's premises and measured the 'timber, which proved to be 18 clibia feet short of the quantity. Hope then took a policeman with him, and went to Clark's house, and in the cellar found a quantity of timber similar to that sent to Mr. Lines. They took away thirty-nine pieces, which would make up the quantity that was found to be deficient in the delivery. Clark was subsequently given into custody, and charged with receiving it with a guilty knowledge, whereupon Clark denied that he had received any timber that morning. Mr. Buchanan, who appeared for both the prisoners, cross-examined the witness at great length, and elicited from Hope the fact that there were no marks upon the wood by which he could identify it, and that there was a quantity of the same description of timber left behind. He took the thirty-nine pieces away, not that he could identify them as Mr. Humphreys', but because they made up the quantity he had missed out of the cart. Clark had dealt with Mr. Humphreys for timber for making bundle-wood for over two years, but during the whole of that time he had never purchased timber of the quality in question, the timber for bundle-wood being of an inferior description. He believed that the deal ends he left behind had been the property of Mr. Humphreys, but he had never sold any of it to Clark. The prisoners were remanded, but admitted to bail, one surety in X20, and themselves in X20 each.

FACTS AND FACErplM. —♦— The soldier in war and the farmer in peace alike win their triumphs in the field. Economy with Elegance. Cobbling white satin shoes. What sort of a day would be a good one for Running for a cup ?"-A muggy day. All authors should be gardeners. They would then know how to use the pruning knife. A doctor, who stammers, says that to patient you should try a hip-hip bath. It should be remembered that a bare assertion is not necessarily the naked truth. He who carries musical compositions in his hat puts on airs whenever be walks out. An old field-officer says that the two most things to be avoided are masked batteries and maeke" balls. "True love never did run smooth," as the lovet said when the father of his beloved set the dogs after him. A son of the Emerald Isle having been told that the price of potatoes had risen, exclaimed, Faithi this is the first time I ever felt grieved at the rise ofs good friend." A young fellow, the son of an eminent dancing master, applying to a friend as to what trade or prO" fesaion it would be best for him to pursue, was answered, I think you cannot do better than follo^ the steps of your father." Arminianism spread so wide in the Church ill the time of Charles II., that a divine of the age, who was asked by a simple country gentleman what the Arminians held, answered, with as much truth as WIt. that they held all the best bishoprics and in England." An Irishman seeing an undertaker carrying a vetf small ooffin, exclaimed, in the utmost surprise, ft? small ooffin, exclaimed, in the utmost surprise, BY the Saint O'Dinis O'Sligol is it possible that tha» eoffin can be intended for any living crather ? Cobbett, in one of his "Rural Rides," says, 'CI s&tf no corn standing in ricks; a thing I never saw before> and would not have believed it had I not seen it." matter-of-fact apostle never found out the neat bul' he had made. The lawyer who filed a bill, out an acquaintance" split a hair, made an entry, got up a case, framed aJ1 indictment, empanneled a jury, put them into a bo, nailed a witness, hammered a judge, and bored a whole court, all in one day, has since laid down law an turned carpenter. Mind your Stops.—A clergyman was lately de- pioting oefore a deeply interested audience the alarff* ing increase of intemperance, when he astonished hi3 hearers by exclaiming: "A young woman in B# neighbourhood died very suddenly last Sabbath, while I was preaching the gospel in a state of intoxication! In the midst of a stormy discussion, a gentleman rose to settle the matter in dispute. Waving his hands majestically over the excited disputants, he began-jj Gentlemen, all I want is common sense." Exactly* Jerrold interrupted; "that is precisely what you Q° want!" The discussion was lost in a burst ot laughter. Bucolic Stupidity.—We saw a venerable lookic# cow yesterday (says the Cincinnati Herald) eating pine sawdust, under the impression that it was She didn't find out her mistake until night, when was found that she gave turpentine instead of milk. A Jersey man was very sick, and was not expected to recover. His friends got around his bed, and onO of them says, "John, do you feel willing to die?' John made an effort to give his views on the subject and answered with his feeble voice, "I—think—I'd ather stay—where—I'm better acquainted." A Glasgow youth, walking with his sweethe^ along Queen-street of that city, stopped at the door of a pastrycook's shop, and, addressing his lady-love, said, Now, my dear, what will you take ? She, expecting to be treated to some of the good things ot the shop, modestly replied, I will take anything you like." "Then," said he, "let's take a walk," and marched past the shop. In a lecture at Portland, Maine, the lecturer, wish- ing to explain to a little girl the manner in which lobster casts his shell when he has outgrown it, said> "What do you do when you have outgrown you? clothes ? You cast them aside, do you not ? ob, no replied the little one, wa let out the tucks The lecturer confessed she had the advantage of there. Two Irishmen in a smart engagement were gallantly standing by their gun, firing in quick succession, when one touching the piece, notioed that it was very hot. Arrah, Mike! the cannon is gettin' hot; we'd betther stop firin' a little." "Divil a bit," replied Mike; "jist dip the cartridges in the river afore yees load, an' kape it cool." One Sunday, when the minister of Udney entered the kirk, he was no less surprised than indignant to find that daft Jamie Fleming" had taken pos- session of the pulpit. Come doon, Jamie," said his reverence. "Come ye up, sir," answered Jamier they're a stiff-neckit and rebellious generation, sirr and it will take us baith to manage them." Dietary at the Homoeopathic Hospital.— Take a robin's leg—mind, the drumstick merely, Put it in a tub filled with water nearly Set it out of doors in a place that's shady, Let it stand a week-three days if for a lady. Drop a spoonful into a five-pail kettle, Which shall be made of tin, or any baser metal; Fill the kettle up-put it on a-boiling, Strain the liquor well, to prevent it oiling; An atom add of salt; for thick'ning, one rice kernel, And use to light the fire, The Homceopathic Journal. Let the liquor boil-half an hour—no longer, (If for a man, of course you 11 make it stronger.) Should you now desire that the soup be flavoury, Stir it once around wijh a stalk of savory. When the broth is made, nothing can exceed it; Then, three times a day, let the patient smell it. If he chance to die—say, 'twas Nature did it; If he chance to live—give the soup the credit. The Science of Kissing.—People will kies, says a publication called The People," yet not one in a hundred know how to extract bliss from lovely lips, any more than they know how to make diamonds from charcoal. And yet it is easy, at least for us. First know whom you are going to kiss. Don't make a. mistake, although a mistake may be good. Don't jump like a trout for a fly, and smack a good woman on the neck, on the ear, on the corner of her forehead, or on the end of her nose, or knock off her waterfall. The gentleman should be a little the taller. He should have a clean face, a kind eye, and a mouth full of ex- pression. Don't kiss everybody. D,jB't sit down to it; stand up. Need not be anxious about getting in a crowd. Two persons are plenty to corner, and catch a kiss; more persons would spoil the sport. Take the left hand of the lady in your right let your hat go to —any place out of the way; throw the left hand gently over the shoulder of the lady, and let it fall down the right side, towards the belt. Don't be in a hurry; draw her gently, lovingly to your heart. Her head will fall lightly upon your shoulder,—and a hand- some shoulder-strap it makes. Don't be in a hurry; send a little life down your left arm. Her left hand is in your right; let there be an impression to that, not like the grip of a vice, but a gentle clasp, full of electricity, thought, and respect. Don't be in a hurry. Her head lies carelessly on your shoulder. You are nearly heart to heart. Look down into her half-closed eves. Gently, yet mantuuy, press her to your bosom. Stand firm. Be brave, but don't be in a hurry. Her lips are almost open. Lean slightly forward with your head, not the body. Take good aim; the lips meet; the eyes close; the heart opens; the soul rides the storms, troubles, and sorrows of life (don't be in a hurry); heaven opens before you; the world shoots under your feet, as a meteor flashes across the even- ing sky (don't be afraid), the nerves dance before the just-erected altar of love, t a zephyrs dance with the dew- trimmed flowers; the heart forgets its bitterness, and the art of kissing is learned. No fuss, no noise, ro fluttering and squirming like hook-impaled "urne. Kissing don't hurt; it d@h't require a brass band to make it legal.

Sir W. M. T. Farquhar, Bart., M.P. for Hert- ford, died on Monday afternoon, at the family resi- dence in Berkeley-street, Berkeley-square. Sir Waltes: was taken with sudden illness in the House of Com- mons, about a fortnight ago, as it was supposed at the time from congestion of the brain. The hon. baronet was a Conservative in politics.