The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

SKETCH OF A RICH OLD MATT). It was a raw, chilly afternoon, late in October, with a sharp wind howling down the streets of Manchester, aad a steady rain pattering upon the marble balconies ef one of the first hotels-just the sort of day when incipient blues" hover in the atmosphere, and in- fluenzas lie in wait at every street corner. Nobody likes such weather, and Miss Tryphena Crowfoot liked it least of all. She sat bolt upright in front of the genially blazing fire of the coffee-room, with her two feet braced on the fender, and her brown merino dress turned back, lest the heat should mar its dye, perfectly unconscious that she was the object of considerable suppressed amusement to the elegantly attired belles who were yawning over their novels and fancy work at the various windows. Miss Tryphena didn't care a pin for the opinions of her friends; as long as she was satisfied with the brown merino dress, and the full- blown roses in her stiff cap, what signified their ideas ? Miss Tryphena's philosophy was the correct system— more's the pity it has so few followers in this world of ours. "Dear me," sighed Miss Crowfoot, adjusting her spectacles upon the bridge of her high Roman nose, I never was so put to it to keep awake in all my born days. I'd rather do a day's washin' than be sitting here, trying to be genteel. If I was a man, I could roll up my trowser-legs, and put on an old hat, and go out walkin'; but I aint, and so I've jest got to make the best on't. To-morrow I'll go out to Mott- ram and see my relations, if it rains pitchforks; see if I don't! And Miss Tryphena shook her cap-striiigs bellige- rently at the fire, with a yawn that was like the report of a cannon. Still I don't feel jest exactly sure about it," she pondered, slowly unfolding a crumpled letter, that had lain in her capacious pocket all the morning. "'My Dear Cousin!' Melissa Smith never remembered nothin' about her dear cousin, until her grandfathers cousin left me that £ 5,000. She never saw me, and never would ha' cared to see we as long as I was makia' shirts, or doing other bits of needlework to keep me from starving; but she's growed wonderful affectionate all of a sudden. After all," went on Miss Tryphena, suddenly softening, "mebbe I'm a mis- judgin' of Melissa all this time. P'r'aps the money don't make no difference, and 'tain't for me to turn ag'in my own flesh and blood. I'm an old maid, to be sure, but there is a kind of a hungry feelin' in my heart once in a while, and I don't say but what I might get very fond of Melissa's gals after a while. Then there's Mary Ann married and settled just beyond she hain't written to me, but I don't believe but what she'd be jest as glad to see her mother's sister's darter. Anyhow, I'll start to Mottram to- morrow, and take a look round. I wonder if the weather ain't holdin' up a bit P Miss Crowfoot rose from the low velvet chair, and strode across to one of the windows like a grenadier in petticoats. "My goodness gracious!" she ejaculated suddenly, shooting out of the room like a brown merino meteor, and clattering down the carpeted stairs with an energy that made the waiters stare. And the next minute she had returned, towing in a meek, bedraggled female, whose dripping skirts and limp bonnet-strings put one irresistibly in mind of a moulting hen. "There, Robecey Jones!" bawled Miss Tryphena, dragging forward a chair, "sit down and dry your feet. Who'd ha' thought o' seem* you in this quarter o' the globe ? and wa'n'tit a real Providence I ketched hold of you when you was gettin' into that 'ere omni- bus ? Where did you come from P and where was you agoin'? and what be you doin' ? and how's the rheu- matiz?" Mrs. Jones gave a faint gasp, as if bewildered by the multiplicity of Miss Crowfoot's questions. "You're very kind, Trypheny," she muttered, fibut j, Kind!" echoed the old maid, picking buisilyaway at the knot in her friend's bonnet strings. Well, I like that! Aint I your own stepmother's uncle's granddarter ? "Yes," sighed Mrs. Jones, I am aware of that, Trypheny, but I'm drefful poor, and since the rheu- matics has been so bad-" I know a oapital linament," interrupted Tryphena, eagerly. Jest you take ripe elder-berries and smash 'em up, and strain the juice—Stop! don't I smell somethin' burnin' f" In her enthusiasm on the subject of ripe elder- berries, Miss Tryphena had inconsiderately backed into the fender, thereby causing the skirts of the brown merino dress to hiss and blacken in a most ominous manner. As an effectual remedy, Miss Tryphena sat promptly dewn on the Wilton hearth. rug. "There—I'm clean put out, aint I, Rebeccy F Well, now it is the luckiest thing I happened to see you just now." "If you could make it convenient to let a poor widdy- woman have a couple a shillings," experimented Mrs. Jones, hesitatingly. I'm poorer'n Job's cat—I be, Trypheny, sure's the world!" Miss Tryphena dived suddenly down into a capacious calico pocket that she wore under her merino dress. and hauled up a crown. "There, Rebeccy Jones. And now, I'll tell you what, I'm going to Mottram to-morrow, and you shall go with me." Mrs. Jones shook her head deepondingly. "No, Trypheny. I can't go where folks isn't glad to see me." But Melissa Smith and Mary Ann Dodd will be glad to see you." "I don't know nothin' about Mary Ann-she's a poor carpenter's wife with lots o' children, and I didn't expect to go there-but I wrote to Melissa askin' if she couldn't help me a little, and Mrs. Jones relapsed into weak tears. Well, I am beat!" exelaimed Mies Crowfoot. "I didn't suppose Melissa was that kind o' gal. No, nor I won't believe it now, unless I see it with my own eyes!" "You needn't be afeard, Trypheny," whined Mrs. Jones, spitefully. "You're rich-aud Melissy always had a drefful worldly sperit." Tryphena turned sharply round. Did you ever see Melissa Smith ?" Not since she was a little gal, but I've always heerd No matter what you ve heerd,' said the old maid, meditatively, jerking at her oap-ribbons. "Rebeccy Jones, I've an idea Would you like to earn a sove- reign, and have a nice little trip in the country to boot ?" What do you mean P Miss Crowfoot drew her chair close to Mrs. Jones, and a whispered colloquy ensued—a miniature council ef war, ending in a triumphant plan of the campaign. "I'll do it!" eaid Miss Tryphena, emphatically. And I'll help you," ehimed in her friend, lugu- briously. The frosty glare of sunset had just died away when two females were seen to emerge from an omnibus just outsiela the village of Mottram. One of these had stopped at the door of a pretty-looking villa, and was listening to the conversation within. Put on the tea-kettle, Cerinthia," said the land- lady to her eldest girl, who was dawdling over a bit of soiled embroidery. I guess there is cold pork enough for supper, ain't there ? Miss Carinthia put aside her embroidery with a petulant shrug of her shoulders, and was just about to obey the maternal behests, when a sharp click of the knocker startled her into something like anima- tion. "Good gracious!" ejaculated Mrs. Smith, "I do believe that's the parson's wife come to tea, and nothin' but pork and oold hasty puddin' in the house! Don't ask her to take off her things, Cerinthia. Make believe you s'pose she's only come to call." And Mrs. Smith recennoitred through the crack of the partially opened door, as Cerinthia went to answer the summons. A woman stood without, in a brown merino dress, and a rich velvet bonnet, nodding with plumes, while she was furthermore armed with an umbrella, travelling bag, and bandbox. "Be you Cerinthy Smith?" she asked, in some. what of a drawling accent. "I'm your mother's cousin—come from York to pay her a visit. I hope she's enjoying pretty tol'able good health." The parlour door flew open like the lid of a wonder- box," and Mrs. Smith darted into the arms of her relative. My dearest cousin! what a comfort to see you! But why didn't you write, and let us meet you at the station. You must be nearly frozen to death! Do come in and warm yourself! Cerinthia (in a whispered aside) mix up some biscuit directly, and tell Hiram to catoh the little yellow chicken, and open a jar of marmalade, and get out tke best obina-quick i Meanwhile the new-oomer had established herself in a comfortable rooking-chair beside the fire. Well, I didn't s'pose you'd be so glad to see me, My dearest cousin, if you only knew how nay heart: warms to the sound of a relative's voice Ahem!" said the visitor. „ I do hope you haven't taken cold," pursued Mrs. Smith, with smiling solioitude. "I'll have a fire made in your bedroom at once, and extra blankets put on the bed. Sit a little closer to the fire, Tryphena, won't you? Mr. Smith will be so delighted!" Mrs. Smith's voice, pitched on rather a high key of the gamut of affection, was distinctly audible among the low-branched lilac bushes whose leafless fingers brushed the very window panes, and a curious smile came over the countenance of a plainly-dressed woman who was leaning against the sturdy brown stems, with her keen grey eyes just on a level with the lowest pane. "A warm welcome!" murmured the shabby stranger, stooping to pick a rusty-looking bundle from the ground. "Now let us see whether her heart will warm to the sound of the people's voices who don't possess money!" She tapped softly at the door, as she spoke. Mrs. Smith, who was crossing the entry with a pair of flannel-lined slippers, stopped to open it. What's wanting ?" she demanded, rather sharply. We never give anything to strolling vagrants." "I ain't no vagrant, Melissa Smith," spoke up the applicant, with some indignation. "I'm your own cousin, and I've walked two miles afoot, to see if you couldn't keep me over night, for Mrs. Smith's face hardened into polar frigidity. I can do nothing for you," she said, coldly. I thought I had already answered your begging letter. Mr. Smith has all he can do to provide for his own family, without adopting a dozen poor relations." She was about to close the door, when the stranger put her hand pleadingly on Mrs. Smith's arm. Don't be hard on me, Melissy. I only want a meal o' victuals, and a night's lodging." "I don't keep a tavern," responded Mrs. Smith, drily, withdrawing her wrist from the appealing touch, and shutting the door abruptly in the flushed face of the shabby pleader. She stood a moment on the doorstep, where the chill radiance of the new moon was beginning to shed a faint lustre, and then turned away, murmuring to her. self, I never could have believed it! Laws, bless us all, and I was so near being deceived by her smooth words!" She strode briskly along the solitary winding road, with an almost masculine firmness, and decision of step. I hope Mary Ann don't live far," she mused; for there's blaok froat in the air, and I'm afraid of the rheumatiz. There's the house now." A cheerful star of red light shone out beyond some clustering poplars, whose skeleton forma glimmered indistinctly through the dusk, and the next moment the tired traveller was knocking at the door of a humble tenement, several degrees lower down in the scale of architaoture than Mrs. Smith's fine house. A plump, rosy-faced woman came to the door, shad- ing a candle with one hand. "Mary Ann?" That's my name," said the rosy matron, holding back two eager little boys; but I declare I can't tell who you are? Haven't you never heard of your mother's cousin, Rebecca Jones ? Why, you don't tell me you're my cousin! Come in, come in!" chirped the little woman. Why, your hands are as cold as ice She led her guest into a low-ceiled room, with a gay little carpet on the floor, and a little round table, spread for the evening meal, while a comfortable fire roared and crackled merrily on the hearth. Well now, cousin Rebecca, I am glad to see you," said Mrs. Dodd, throwing a fresh log on the fire. And you're just in time for supper, too. I wish I had some- thing nicer than bread and cheese and cold pudding for you; but we're not rich folks, and there's a good many mouths to feed. However, you're aa welcome as flowers in May, and-" I received no such welcome at Melissy's," said the visitor, with tears fairly shining on her eyelashes. Oh, well," said Mrs. Dodd, busily helping to re- move the shabby shawl and crushed bonnet," Melisey's different from me in some things, and besides, Mellissy's expecting grand company—our rich cousin from York, you know." Is not she coming to see you too ? "I don't know exaotly—perhaps she'll think we're not fine enough. Not but what I'd be glad to see my own cousin," added Mrs. Dodd, her bright face catch- ing an added glow from the firelight, but Dodd says to me, says he, Don't write to ask her, for she'll think, may be, we're courtin' her for the money's sake.' And Dodd's a dreadful independent feelin' man." There was a strange mist in the grey eyes that followed Mrs. Dodd's cheerfal,t bustling movements around the room. Will you have a little more sugar in your coffee, cousin Tryphena ? smilingly demanded Mrs. Smith, as she sat at the breakfast table next morning. Are you quite sure it is agreeable to your taste r It's very nice, thankee," said her guest, nervously sipping the fragrant beverage, and feeling a little inward quaking as the moment ef denouement drew near. Bat, Melissa Have another muffin, do, or an egg," interrupted Mrs. Smith. I beg your pardon—what were you about to observe ?" Why," stammered the stranger, I was going to say you'd made a little mistake about my name." "About your name?" repeated Mrs. Smith, with her cup suspended half way on its journey to her mouth. "Yes. It ain't; Trypheny-it's-" What ? Rebecca Jones burst out the impostor, feeling that further dissembling would be in vain, What?" shrieked Mrs. Smith, growing yellow around the mouth. Do you mean to say that you are not Tryphena Crowfoot ?" I never said I was," doggedly returned Rebecca. But you allowed me to believe I can't help what you believed. Trypheny Crow- foot came on in the omnibus with me as far as the village, and phe said she calc'lated to call on you in the course of the evenin', but there wa'nt no one come in, so I s'posed she'd changed her mind, and-" Mrs. Smith started to her feet, upsetting the coffee- pot, and strewing fragments of broken china round her on the floor. Leave my house this instant, you impostor—you base deceiver How dared you thus mislead me," "You needn't be quite so fierce, Melissa," said Mrs. Jones, sulkily looking round for her bonnet. "I guess I'm just as much your cousin as Trypheny Crow. foot, if I hain't got a lot o' money." "Wretch!" ejaculated Mrs. Smith. "As if I cared I, There's one comfort, though," added Rebecca, with a sort of malicious pleasure in her relative's discom- fiture, if Trypheny didn't stop in here, she's gone on to Mary Ann Dodd's to stay. Mary Ann's folks '11 stand a pretty good chance o' gettin' Trypheny's money, and I dare say they deserve it more'n some people I could mention. Good bye, cousin Melissy." And Rebecca Jones, having cast her barbed arrow, walked out of the house with her nose high in the air, to report progress to her major-general. Great was the amazement of Mrs. Dodd to diseover that she was entertaining her rich relation unawares, still greater the amusement of Miss Tryphena Crow- foot, as she heard the details of Rebecca Jones's abrupt dismissal. "I guess," shrewdly added Rebecca, "Melissa'11 give you a different sort o' welcome now, if you'll go back there, Trypheny." Thank you," said Tryphena, resolutely seaming a stitch in the blue yarn sock she was knitting, "I'm quite comfortable where I be." Mrs. JfiEelissa Smith was left mourning in meta- phorical sackcloth and ashes for her dead chance at the golden hopes of Tryphena Crowfoot's money. 0

Proceedings against the Bishop of Durham. —Ecclesiastical proceedings are about being instituted against the Right Rev. Dr. Baring, Bishop of Durham, for an alleged violation of.the law of the Church. It ap- pears that at a confirmation recently held in his diooess his lordship openly rejected in church 30 candidates who had been prepared and presented by the Rev. William Darna I ,M.A. ,rector of Bambnrgh, and chap- lain to the Duke of Ellcoleuoh, on the ground that they were under 15 years of age, one of them being the rector's daughter. The opinion of Sir R. J. Philli- more, Q.C., the Queen's Advocate, has been taken upon the point, and he declares tao conduct. of the Bishop of Durham to be illegal.

EPITOME OF NEWS. At Herringfcon, in Dorsetshire, a dairyman has lost 50 oows, worth zCl,000, within the last week by the rinderpest. Honesty Rewarded.—A few days ago a poor man named Mannooeh found a gold watch and chain belonging to a gentleman of Faversham. The finder sought for and discovered the owner, who rewarded him for his honesty by presenting him with fourpence. Mr. Purdy's periodical statement, published on Tuesday, shows that on the last day of the fifth week of the month of April last, 867,333 paupers were re- lieved in England and Wales, the corresponding number in the previous year being 903,475. An advertisement appears in the Times which informs the world whom it concerns that Joe Pickles will take the name of Macaulay, and that his present name is Joe Pickles Racaula-v. Mr. Bugg, the innkeeper of Yorkshire, was really precipitate when he exchanged his noble surname for that of Howard; for Mr. Isaac Taylor tells us, in his Words and Places," that the illustrious name of Howard is merely the shortened form of Hog- warden!" The following news will cast a shade over the features of many a gourmet. The fine vineyard of Pomard has been totally ravaged by hail. The losses are put down at more than a million. Sauzielles, Pezorolles, and the districts of Mouehes, Boucherolles, and the great and little Epenots, have equally Buffered. It ia alleged that at least one-half of the finer wines will be lost. Some of the Italian journals speak of a frightful catastrophe at Piacenza. A small powder- mill blew up, and communicated the fire to a factory of cartridges, which likewise exploded. About sixty young women, some soldiers, and several civil labour- ers who were employed on the premises, were all buried in the burning ruins. Boat Race between Two Ladies."—A novel boat race has just taken place in the harbour of Newhaven (Connecticut). Two ladies of muscle, one a Pennsylvanian, the other a New Yorker, rowed a match the distance of three miles. The Pennsylvanian is an amateur, and the New Yorker a professional. The result was the New Yorker won. The time made was very good, being about 15 minutes. The New Yorker now challenges any lady of her size to row her a match. Appearance of Rinderpest among Sheep.- Mr. Parsons, farmer, Petherton-bridge, Somersetshire, having recently lost 150 sheep, Professor Simmons examined a flock on Tuesday, and found the whole suffering from rinderpest in its most virulent form. The local committee ordered the immediate slaughter of the remaining flock^450. Mr. Blake, magistrate, next farm, had lost 15 cattle; the remaining 38 were examined by Professor Simmons, and immediate slaughter ordered. Fatal Railway Accident.—On Monday evening, about nine o clock, a pilot engine was running up from the Rhymney Station at Cardiff to the junction of the Taff Yale Railway. The driver saw an old man walk- ing slowly on the up line. He blew the whistle, and put on the break, but the engine was not brought to a stop till it had knocked the man down and passed over him. His left foot was cut completely off, and lying outside the metals. His head was also considerably injured, and although not quite dead, he did not sur- vive many minutes. Death of a Waterloo Oiffcer.-Major George Frederick Berkeley St. John, military knight at Windsor, and a connection of the Right Hon. Lord Bolinbroke, died at his residence in the Castle-yard, Windsor, late on Monday night, the 23rd inst. This veteran and gallant officer served in' the Peninsular war, and at the battle of Waterloo, in that dis- tinguished corps the 52nd Light Infantry, and was an officer highly esteemed by all acquainted with him. He received his appointment as military knight about eighteen months ago. Arrival of an Australian Gold Ship.— Messrs. George Thompson, jun., and Co.'s ship Trans- atlantic, Captain W. Faulkner, from Port Philip, April 9, for London, has arrived at Southampton. She brings four passengers, 7,040 ounces of gold, and a cargo of wool, bark, hides, copper ore, my all-wood, leather, skins, bones, horns, wine, &e. On May 13, in lat. §9 S., long. 86 W., she fell in with the ioe, sailed among bergs for 160 miles, and on the 16th of May had to beat up far the northward, to avoid an impassable barrier of ice she encountered. She rounded Cape Horn May 23, and crossed the Equator on June 15, in 28.30 W. Heavy Claim for Railway Compensation.— On Monday, at the Sheriff's Court in Red Lion-square, a heavy compensation claim, brought by Forbes and ethers," against the Midland Railway Company, was under consideration the greater part of the day. The claim was for some ten acres of land, suitable for building purposes, situated near Kilburn, and required by the company; and in addition to the direct value of the land, compensation was claimed for the damage which would be done to the property in the vicinity. The sum of jCl,000 per acre was demanded for the land, and the total compensation was set down at £ 20,000. The company were willing to pay about half that amount. Ultimately, the jury gave the plaintiffs £ 13,400 compensation. The Birmingham Banking Company.—A meeting of the creditors was held on Tuesday at the Exchange; the Mayor (Mr. Edwin Yates) presided. Between six and seven hundred were present. The Mayor, on opening the proceedings, explained the exact position of the creditors. They could not (he said) sustain any ultimate loss, but would receive the whole of the principal with interest. After some discussion a resolution was passed recommending the appoiatment of Mr. M'Creah, of London, and Mr. Laundy, of Birmingham, es liquidators; a resolution was also passed, appointing live creditors to watch over the interests of that body. The arrangements for the formation of the new company are progressing satisfactorily. London Hospital.—It has been decided to abandon any ceremony in opening the new Alexandra wing of this institution and the proposed subsequent dejeuner. This decision is partly the result of a belief that, under existing circumstances, au attempt te hold a festival at the hospital would result in comparative failure; but the committee are more particularly in- fluenced by a motive whichtha friends of the charity and the general public will thoroughly appreciate, viz., that, in the face of a seriously increasing epidemic, the daty of the committee is to devote all the energies of members of the staff to the preparation of the new wing for immediate occupation, and to the perform- ance of those urgent duties of their several positions which may at any moment be considerably increased. The New Railway Signal.A. curious case has occurred in one of the carriages of the Great Northern Railway, where they have just fixed up a communi- cation with a guard, which cannot, however, be used without breaking the glass. It appears that a stiff- backed spinster of mature years and thin hair, was alone in a carriage with a gentleman noted for his excessive timidity with regard to the fair sex, and the gentleman observing the lady fix her eyes sternly upon him became so agitated that he rushed to the alarm; at the same moment and from a like impulse the lady did the same; this naturally broke the glass and sounded the alarm. When the guard came, the lady said, This gentleman The timid man exclaimed, No, this lady-" At length the matter was seen through, and they were both given into cus- tody, to be proceeded against for infringing the laws of the company with regard to the alarm, and will be heavily fined. Suicide of a Solicitor.—On Saturday an inquest was held at Ardwick, on the body of Mr. Harrison Blair, a solicitor, carrying on business at Manchester. The deceased had suffered great depression of spirits for some weeks past, consequent on the commercial itnd financial crisis, and the failure of the Preston Bank appeared to act as a great blow to him. In the early part of last week he was in such a state of mind as to be unfit for business, and on Thursday he made his will, and gave a onm of Z200 to his eon to take home from his office. On Friday he was missed, and a search being instituted ha was found in the-billigrd. room, dead, with the top part of his head blown away, and a pistol by his side. Ample evidence was givcn to show that the deceased had been out of his mind for some days, and the jury found that ho had com- mitted saioide while in that state. A Prize Fighter and his Tailor.—At Warwick on Saturday, a tailor, named Mayes, brought an action against a fighting man, known as Jem Mace, aa car- £ ng himself t( Champion of Engl&nd," to recover £ 8f for clothes supplied. The clothes were tnade to order, and forwarder to defendant in February iaefe. The supply of the clothes was not denied, but it was alleged by the defendant that they were ordered, and to be paid for, by a young man named Pinkey, who owed defendant some money for boxing-lessons, and who offered to pay him in that way. It was shown that Pinkey was with Mace at the time the clothes were ordered, and that the bill was made out to him. He had since left the country. The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff in the full amount claimed. Visitors to the South Kensington Museum during the past week were:-On Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, free from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., 9,396; on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (admission 6d.), from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m., 1,780; National Portrait Ex- hibition, by payment, 2,358-total, 13,534. Average of corresponding week in former years, 10,900. Total from the opening of the museum, 6,190,560. Damages against a Railway Company.— On Saturday a cotton manufacturer, named Ryder, brought an aotipn against the Lancashire and York- shire Railway Company, at the Manchester Assizes, to recover compensation for personal injuries sustained through the negligence of the company's servants. The plaintiff was travelling in a second-class carriage on the defendant's line in December last, when the lamp fell from the roof upon his knee, inflicting some injury to the cartilage and tendons, from which the plaintiff has suffered inconvenience ever since. The knee still requires care. Fifty pounds had been paid into court, and the jury awarded £ 80 in addition. The Emperor Napoleon and the Needle Gun.—The Paris correspondent of the Nouveliste de Roucitrelates the following anecdote:—" The Emperor the other day, in explaining the mechanism of the needle- gun to the Prince Imperial, and wishing to join example to theory, descended to the courtyard, and, calling the sentinel, said to him, Load and fire your piece to amuse these boys,' young Espinasse being with the Prince Imperial. Meanwhile the Emperor, who was provided with a needle-gun, charged and fired five times when the soldier had only discharged his piece once. The soldier was astonished. I Ah observed his Majesty, smiling, one fires much more quickly with this musket than with yours; would you like to have one P' Certainly, Sire,' replied the man, eagerly. And so you shall,' said the Emperor." Reprieve of the Nottingham Murderess.— Jane Revill, sentenced to death at the last Notts Assizes for the murder of her child, has been respited during her Majesty's pleasure. The respite was made known to the unhappy yeung woman on Saturday evening, when she was so overcome by the intelligence that she was unable for some time to give utterance to her feelings. After her condemnation she had become very dejected, but since the remission of the sentence she has become comparatively cheerful. Wesleyan Methodist Conference at Leeds. -At the opening of the session on Saturday a letter was read from the president of the New Connexion Conference, conveying fraternal sentiments and no- companying a series of resolutions expressive of desire for a union between the various bodies of Methodists. The reading of these documents evoked very warm manifestations of sympathy in the conference, and a very influential committee was appointed to prepare a brotherly reply. The offers of candidates for the ministry were then considered, with the report of the district committees and July committee of examination. There were passed :-For the Theological Institution and home work, 59 candidates; for the Theological Institution and the missions, 5; for immediate service at home, 25; for immediate service in the missions, 2; for the mission list of reserve, 4. A New Crime and an Old Vice.—Enoch Wilson was charged at the Lincoln Assizes with turn- ing a railway signal on the Great Northern Railway from danger to safety in that city. The pri- soner, while crossing the line one morning in a state of intoxication, caught hold of a lever working the railway signals, and made the change mentioned. The act was soon discovered, and the signals set right, but not before an engine had committed great damage by acting on the false information. It was shown that the prisoner was a man of good character, and would probably have been incapable of such conduct in a sober state. On the suggestion of his lordship he pleaded guilty, and was, after some wholesome advice, discharged on his own recognisances to come up for judgment when called upon. A Man Poisoned by Nitro-Glycerine.—Mr. C. J. Carttar, coroner for West Kent, has held an inquest on the body of Daniel O'Leary, whose death it appears was caused by swallowing a small portion of a liquid known as nitro-glycerine, the combustion of which is capable of producing most disastrous results. It appears that the deceased was a labourer in the em- ploy of a Government contractor, and whilst at work near the proof butt at the Royal Arsenal he found under some timber a bottle containing about half an ounce of a white liquid which smelt like whisky, and the man drank it. He was afterwards taken ill, con. veyed home, and attended by a medical gentleman, who administered emetics, &o., but after lingering about 12 hours the sufferer expired. It appears that the bottle and its contents had been left by some offioers who bad been engaged in experiments with the liquid for explo- sive purposes. A verdict was returned in aceordaace with the evidence. Ferocious Bees.—A local contemporary reports a serious case ot stinging by bees. Mr. Sowde, If the Minney, near Penzance, was attempting_*o_ hive a swarm on Friday when they settled on bis head, face, neck, and hands, and planted their venomoa little darts in his skin by hundreds. The poor man seemed at the time, and for two or three hours after. wards, maddened. He thrust his head into bushes, rolled over and over in some clover, and it was Home minutes before the last of his tormentors was got rid of. Mr. Douglas, many years in the employ of the Trinity, was a little distance off, and six of the enraged bees alighted, one after the other, on his hands and stung him. The Bishopric of Meath.—The Churchman mentions, as the probable new Bishop of Meath, Arch- deacon Lee" a genuine Irish Churchman of Trinity College, not an importation from England, which should always be avoided if possible in choosing Irish dignitaries. He possesses the confidence of all parties, and is a most dignified and moderate, yet at the same time earnest clergyman. Archbishop Trench showed his appreciation of him by making his appointment as archdeacon and chaplain the first act of his archiepis- copal life. Ee is not, we believe, much of a politician in any way, whioh ought to be an additional argument for his elevation. Ireland wants cool, wise, learned, demoted men such as Archdeacon Lee." Fatal Yacht Accident.—On Sunday evening » sailing boat, called the Miriam, went down the river to Erith. There were three men on board, one of whom, Joseph Crow, having the management of the bo» » went no aloft to reef the gaff topsail, wb.. a q-all of wind caught the sail, and the weight of ^no above caused the frail barque to capsize, an. party were immersed. Crow clung to the J10" some time, but ultimately sunk before aseis a reach him; the other two men were pi J* 7 waterman/who was rowing bis boat up chat the time. ir The Australian Post-ofifce^—1 he Melbourr,e Argus gives the annual poat-offi«a r Jl„ wr ,Uo^nyi whioh has just been issued. i „ 0 P°*5-offices in Victoria—an increase of 200 m five y0ar8. The number of letters received ana despatched bears no proportion to the increased In 1862 the number was 6,276,000; » 1865, 7,485,000. News- papers, however, show a very decided increase the number posted in \sfa 4,909,000; in 1865, 6,037,529. The packets despatched and received during the first year or the new postal arrangements were 62,911; in 1865 they had increased to 107,888. Capture of Tbieves in a Railway Carriage. —John Jones, aged 26, of 45, Gossett-street, Bethnal- green-road, and Sarah Jones, alias George, of 2, Smith's-buildings, Queen-street, Haokney-road, were brought before the magistrate at Greenwich, charged with stealing a coat from the shop door of Mr. Nash, pawnbroker, London-street, Greenwich. It appeared that the prisoners were seen together examining some ooats at prosecutor's shop, where the female adroitly took down one of them and placed it under her cloak. The prisoners then separated, walking in contrary directions. Information was given to the prosecutor, and also to the police, and on going to the railway station both prisoners were found seated in a atir-riage, the train then being just about starting for London. On being accused of the robbery, they denied it, but finding they were to be detained, the female produced the stolen coat from under her dress, and they were tnent-ikenintociistndv. Police-csnstable 355 N divi- sion identified the female prisoner as having been in custody on w, charge of stealing spoons, but the magis- trate at Worship-street Police-court had merely con- I viefced asd fined her 50s. for the tutlawfai pledging. The prisoners pleaded guilty to the charge, and Mr. Traill sentenced each of them to four months' im- prisonment, with hard labour. The new subscription stand is progressing at Goodwood, and will prove pf the greatest advantage to those interested in racing. Hitherto those who have been unable to secure front places in the old stand have been compelled to stand on benches, much to the annoyance of others. There is one and only one suggestion we have to make, and that is that the law about smoking should be strictly carried out. Ample space is afforded to those who wish to indulge in a mild Havannah or a short pipe, and therefore that portion of the inclosure which is devoted to the fairer sex should not be impregnated with the fumeft of coarse tobacco.

CRUELTY TO HORIsES. Mr. James Ray, a farmer and hay-dealer, of Great Warley, Essex, was charged at the Police-court at Romford, with having caused three of his horses to be cruelly tortured. Mr. W. Love, of, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, stated that the defendant, who was a man of substance, was in the habit of Bending up hay and straw to the London markets. Oa the evening of the 26th ult., a wagon, drawn by two horses, and two carts, each being drawn by a single horse, were seen passing through the village of Hare-street, on their return from London to Great Warley. From the manner of the horses the officers were induced to stop and examine them. On the back of one of the horses they found a terrible wound as large as a man's hand, caused by the pressure and chafing of the saddle. On the shoulder of another they found a wound of a similar character, caused by the chafing of the collar. Upon the back of a third horse there was another wound of several inches in extent, covered over by a cloth under the saddle, the cloth being literally soaked with discharge; and the fourth horse was in a very little better state. All the wounds were evidently of long standing, and the unfortunate horses, upon the harness being re- moved, exhibited signs of great pain and distress- The drivers stated that it was not their fault, and' that their masters sent them out to work. Mr. Waldron, solicitor, of Brentwood, for the do. fence, pleaded that the defendant was not personally aware that the horses were in the state represented. He called as a witness one of the drivers of the horses, who, upon being cross-examined, admitted that his master examined the horses daily himselft and always saw them go out to work. The magistrates, after expressing their strong ab- horrence of such cruelty, inSicted a fine of JB5 and costs in one case, or two months' hard labour in cie- fault; and fines of X2 10a. and costs in the othef cases, or one month's hard labour in the House of Correction. The defendant did not appear personally, and his solicitor being unable to pay the money, Mr. LOVO applied for a warrant for the defendant's apprehension which was granted.

TERRIFIC BOILER EXP LOSION At TUNSTALL. Two Men Killed and Seven Seriously Injured. A most terribly destructive, and also fatal, explosion took place on Saturday morning at the Phcenix, better known as the Scotin' Colliery, Tunstall, Staffordshire) belonging to Mr. Hugh Henshall Williamson. For the working of these pits a spacious engine-house and nevj and powerful machinery had bat just been erected ai; the bottom of the new road from Burslem to Tanstallt connected with which were two boilers, 36 feet is length, and nine or ten feet in diameter, raised upon ø. foundation of solid brickwork, which projected soiuo distance across the road. One of these boilers Was completed on Wednesday morning, and with the engine was set to work. At about 20 minutes paab seven o'clock on Saturday morning, while several pet- sons were engaged in fixing the other boiler, and tw men were at work inside it, the boiler which was a work exploded with terrific effect. The whole neigh- bourhood shook. The entire end of the boiler W"8 blown out; the inner tube was hurled a hundred yards distance, while the boiler itself leaped from its bed, like some huge and enraged monster, in the air, and uP' wards of a hundred yards in an opposite direction it fell into a large heap of refuse from the pits, breaking If): the other end, and partly filling itself with the esirtll y t with the force of its fall. The other boiler was sen flying 50 yards along the road, with the two men inside it; the adjoining building was demolished, the stone and brickwork torn up, and sent in terrible showers, which covered the ground in every direction. The engine-driver, Stephen Chadwick (who leaves a wife and three children) was literally blown to pieces, soJJle portions of his body not having been found on Satut" day evening. A boiler maker, named Abel Mayor, (a young married man). at work on the unfinished boiler, who was found shockingly crushed amid wreck, expired soon after. The names of those injured are Elijah Mayor, engineer, father of one o £ the men killed; James Pitts and Thomas labourers; Joseph .Humphreys and a man naffie_ Baddeley, the men inside the unfinished boiler, bilt slightly hurt; and John Smith, bricklayer, removed » the infirmary, so seriously injured that no hopes entertained of his recovery; William Clay, struck by a flying missile, and & man named Riley, injured by „ horse which took fright at the explosion. T&e tube 0 the boiler, which must weigh some tons, was right over an engine and several other boilers, to the ground beyond. Had this huge piece of fallen on these boilers the damage would have terribly increased by other explosions, as less heavy pieces falling upon the unfinished boiler pierced 1 through. The cause of the accident is at present explained. The boilers were manufactured by MX- Williamson. The amount of the damage is very I great.