The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

4 THE GENERAL TREATMENT OF THE HORSE'S FOOT IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. The Field has the following article upon the subject: -I' Animals in a state of domestication are exposed to influences which often act with particular force on cer- tain parts of the organism; and it is the especial pro- vince of art and science to moderate the evils which are incidental to an artificial system of management. The foot of the horse seems to suffer to a remarkable degree from the action of agencies which are necessarily called into requisition. For example, it is imperative that the ground surface of the foot shall be protected from the effects of attrition by means of iron shoes. Again, artificial agencies are required to act in place of the natural process of wear, from which the iron shod feet are exempt, and hence the knife and the rasp are necessary. Meanwhile the effects of these influences are not generally understood, and the evils which are incidental to them, not being foreseen, are not provided against; hence the feet, upon the preservation of which the animal's value depends, are often the first organs to -succumb to disease. Upon the principles of shoeing, and the conservation of the feet, volumes have been written, mechanical ingenuity has been taxed to the uttermost, and with at best but insignificant results; the art of shoeing has undergone no fundamental altera- tions, and the causes which act injuriously upon the feet have been but little modified in their nature and extent. "Most horses spend a considerable portion of every 24 hours in the stable, and among the causes which affect the feet may be reckoned the influence of the surface on which the animal stands and the position which he is often compelled to occupy. Where the stall system is adopted, as it is in most establishments where many horses are kept, the floors are generally arranged on an incline from the front to the drains at the back, and as the horses are tied they are compelled to stand for hours with the fore quarters elevated to counteract the tendency to move in a backward direction, the animals are obliged to use muscular force, and throw the preponderance of their weight upon the fore part. However injurious the long-continued strain may be, it is doubtful if it is so inimical to the feet as the mere fixity. of the position, which in itself is opposed to a free circulation of the blood in the interior of the foot. (n a loose box the space is sufficient to allow a constant change of position, and the animal always avails him- self of the limited freedom which he enjoys by frequently moving about the box, and as the floor is inclined from all sides to the centre, the horse can select the position which i? most congenial to his feelings. It can hardly be a matter of doubt that the universal adoption of the box system would tend to the preservation of the feet in sound condition, but many circumstances militate against the establishment of loose boxes to the ex- lusion of stalls; the evils, however, resulting from the arrangement of the stall floor may be much lessened by the use of central drains, which will allow of the same plan of flooring that is used in the construction of loose boxes. Shoeing is generally, and. with good reason, supposed to be the source of incalculable mischief to the horse's foot. Setting aside the injurious effects of placing the feet in an unnatural position in relation to the ground, there is undoubtedly much injury caused by the injudicious use of knife and rasp, by the aid of which parts are removed which ought to he allowed to remain, and what might well be cut away it left untouched. Both knife and rasp are necessary and valuable instruments in skilled hands, because if, by ths use of an iron protection, the natural wear of the hoof horn is prevented, the excess of material must be got rid of by other means, as by cutting and rasping but the important difference between this process and the natural wear of the horn from attrition is, that one is gradual and constant, while the other is sudden and occasional. During the natural process of wear the homy, matter is removed in small portions, which corres- pond to the development of new material: no extensive surface of horn is denuded of its external hard shell, and no evaporation of fluid occurs, but when the knife and rasp are used the wear is excessive for the time a large quantity of the hard dry horn is removed, and an I extensive surface of newly-cut tubes is exposed to the actios of the atmosphere. This unnatural process, it must be borne in mind, is repeated every three or four weeks. It is not possible to discard the knife or rasp, but it is perfectly easy to prevent, or at least to miti- gate, the ill effects which follow the sudden removal of a quantity of old horn, and the periodical exposure of a' new surface. The immediate application of tar, or some similar Material, to the nswly-cut surface would at once arrest the escape of the fluids and preserve the elasticity of the horn. The process is exceedingly simple and inex- pensive, necessitating little expenditure of time or trouble. It is quite possible to err on the side of cau- tion in the use of the knife a certain quantity of horny matter must be removed, or the toes will either become too loag or the feet too upright, and the animal will move with an imperfect and stumbling action. There is 110 real objection to the free use of knife and rasp when the feet are strong and unduly grown nor can any exception be taken to the use of the rasp to remove any unsightly protuberance on the wall of the hoof; nor is it objectionable to rectify any little discrepancy in size between the feet, always provided that the tar brush is at hand to apply to the exposed surface immediately that the operation of cutting and rasping is complete. Notwithstanding tha outcry which has sometimes been raised against kirifs and rasp, they are indispensable instruments. When the hoof has been properly prepared by cutting and rasping, the shoe is usually applied while hot. and held sufficiently long and with enough pressure to burn a 6eating. The advantages of this method are obvious; the adaptation of the shoe to the foot is thus' rendered perfect, and the effect of the heat is to make the part of the crust with which the shoe is in contact rr,(t and elastic for the time, and thus facilitate the driving of the nails. It has been objected that the contact a the hot iron is likely to cause inflammation of the feet but this idea would be at once abandoned if the experiment of burning off the hoof of a dead animal were tried; it would be found that the exte.al part may be reduced to a cinder before any heat reaches the interior. Were it the case, however, that any sudden transmiasioll of heat resulted from the application of a hot shoe, the horse would be the first to become aware of the fact aa-d to indicate the occurrence in a manner that would be sufficiently evident. The question of nailing is one which has excited much discussion, and, speaking in general terms, it must be allowed that the fewer the nails used the better, so that the object be gained. As C) much a? possible of the posterior part of the foot should be left unfettered and if the organ is well formed and healthy, it is better to make all safe by an extra nail tharrto incur the risk of injury from casting a shoe on a journey..Some horseowners contend that three rails are '.amply .sufficient, but in ordinary practice six will be iormd tr» hi the minimum number."

SPORTS AND PASTIMES. THE Prince of Wales's Yacht Club match, which was to have opened the metropolitan season on Tuesday, the 14th inst., is at present deferred. Owing to the early period at which the race was fixed, and other causes, there have not been sufficient entries to constitute a race agreeably with the laws of the club. ON Saturday, the 4th of May, the first of this year's weekly exhibitions of the Royal Horticultural Society took place, when a, good collection of flowers and fruits was displayed. The band played for the first time this season out of doors, and the very fine weather drew a large and fashionable concourse to the promenade on the upper terrace. Hell's Life in London of the 5th of May says The great event next Sunday at Paris will, be the Prix de FEmpereur of 10,000f., for three-year-olds, over a mile and a quarter. None of the best performers during the meeting are engaged, and if Trocadero has any chance for the French Derby he must win easily, his most dangerous opponents being Jeune Premiere and New Star. Seven of Count de Lagrange's horses arrived at Royallieu, from Newmarket, on Wednesday, and we are told the lot included Trocadero. Fervacques returned to England on Monday to finish his Derby preparation at Middleham. Commandeur, who broke down in his race on Sunday, was subsequently sold to Viscount d'Onsenbray for 500f., and Mr. Jennings, at the same time, sold Timothy Trim to Baron de Herissem. Jesse Bundy has accepted an engagement in Russia as a jockey. THE scullers race for £ 100, between Percy and Taylor, five miles on the Tyne, was rowed on Saturday after- noon, there being a vast concourse of people, including many London celebrities. Percy went away with a slight lead, but was soon overtaken by Taylor, who gradually drew away from him. Nearing the Lead Factory Stores, Percy put on a splendid spurt and came up with his opponent, whom he soon afterwards passed. Percy kept the lead, and, increasing the distance between them, came in a winner; by about 100 yards. THE members of the Ranelagh Yacht Club opened their season on Saturday with great success. The yachts had-been ordered to rendezvous at North Wool- wich, where there is a more convenient anchorage than l fit Blackball, and at three o'clock Mr. Ingram Pick, the vice-commodore, and Mr. F. H. Lemann, the rear, hoisted their pennants on board the Eva, 22 tons, Messrs. Low and Bulmer, she being accompanied by the Argonaut, Dagmar, Aerolite, Heron, and others, besides a stCam-yacht with a large number of members and their friends on board. The wind was adverse, but the vessels rattled away in fine style, and after an exceedingly pleasant sail Gravesend was reached at half-past five. Dinner was laid at the New Falcon Hotel, and 40 sat down, presided over by Mr. Ingram Pick. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been disposed of, the Ranelagh Yacht Club was given by the chairman, and the next toast was "The Officers." Messrs. Pick and Lemann having replied, Mr. Lenthall, the treasurer, gave a most flattering and favourable account of the progress of the club, and, in concluding, informed the members that for the first match of the season-to be sailed on May 28th-they offered the unprece- dented number of five prizes, value nearly £40. Other toasts followed, and the meeting broke up at a late hour. This good beginning augurs well for a prosperous season. ON Saturday there was a very numerous attendance of the members of the Gun Club, and the afternoon being particularly fine, a great deal of shooting took place. There was a strong wind from the south-east, so that the traps had. to be placed nearly against the sun, which made the shooting very dazzling towards the close of the day. There were 21 gentlemen competed in the several sweepstakes of a sovereign each-viz., Viscount Stormont (president of the club), Mr. F. Norris, Captain A. L. Ricardo, Mr. H. Rudd, Mr. Lamont, M.P., Cap- tain Norman Burnard, Mr. J. Davies, Sir George Col- thurst, Bart., M.P., Mr. F. P. Chappell, Captain Arthur Burnard, Mr. W. Gregory, Major Longley, R.E., Mr. R. C. Musgrave, Sir Charles Legard, Bart., Mr. H. Bentley, Colonel Beresford, Mr. Blackbird, Mr. Percival Evans, Mr. W. Wattson, Mr. Reginald Thynne, and Mr. Julien Arabin. In the first sweepstakes 16 contended, Mr. Gregory and Mr. Blackbird dividing, after killing five birds each. Twenty-one shot in the second sweep- stakes, in which Captain Norman Burnard and Mr. H. Bentley killed four birds each and di- vided. Three stood out in the next turn, the entire entry-218-being taken by Mr. R. C. Musgrave, who killed five birds, Sir Charles Legard and Mr. F. Norris each failing to score at their fifth. Another withdrawal left 17 in, Mr. R. C. Musgrave and Mr. J. Davies being the only killers of three birds each. The fifth sweep- stakes only attracted 14 competitors, Captain A. L. Ricardo and Mr. H. Rudd killing five birds each and dividing, Major Longley shooting at but missing the last bird. The sixth and last sweepstakes of eight shooters was divided by Sir Charles Legard and Mr. J. Davies, who brought down their three birds each. There were 215 shot at, of which 132 were killed, and 83 got away, and as the greater number of the birds were of the best quality the shooting was quite up to the average.

THE CONSERVATIVE WORKING JiRN AND kIR. WALPOLE. A large deputation, formed of gentlemen and members of the artisan class, waited upon Mr. Walpole, at the Home Office, on Saturday, to present to him petitions from upwards of 16,000 residents of the metropolis in favour of the Government taking steps to prevent an illegal meeting in Hyde-park on Monday, as proposed by the Reform League. The Rev. Mr. Foy presented the petition, and said it had been set in motion by the working men of London, acting with the Metropolitan Conservative Club Union, and he begged to assure the right hon. gentleman that the working classes of England felt the greatest indignation at the manner in which they had been traduced by certain speakers, who had made it appear as though the working classes were in favour of having demonstrations against law and order. The working classes desired to strengthen the hands of the Government in maintaining order and ex- tending the basis of the constitution. He then introduced a working man, whose name, it appeared, was Mr. Bonell, who begged to draw the right hon. gentleman's attention to the fact that the men who headed this agitation, with the exception of Mr. Beales, were the same men who were the heads of the tyrannical associa- tions called trades' unions, and who bound the working men down from obtaining the reward Of their ability. These agitators had been connected, he went on to say, with all sorts of agitations for years past, and they were the same men who headed the lawless proceeding of last year, and he hoped the Government would take strong measures to prevent so wanton a destruction of property as then took place. Mr Harvey, one of the hon. secretaries, stated that 16,718 signatures had been received in a few days Mr. Marras said all the signatures had been obtained at one small office within a few days, and the number might have been greatly multiplied if a little more time had been given. Mr. Walpole thanked the deputation for the support given to the Government in aid of the public peace, and he said he would communicate the fact to the Cabinet.

THE ATTEMPT TO MURDER A SWEET- HEART AT STOCKPORT. As serious apprehension was felt for the fate of the young woman Webb, who was stabbed by John Worsley, on Thursday evening, her depositions were taken by Major Coppock, clerk to the magistrates, in the presence of Dr. Rayner, J.P., on Friday night. She said that the prisoner came into the room in which she worked about every hour during Thursday and she heard him say to her partner, Elizabeth, it's going to be done." He had previously proposed marriage to her, but she declined. She had not, as was currently believed, discarded him to keep company with any other young man. On Saturday, at twelve o'clock, the prisoner was brought up at the Borough Police-court, for examina- tion before the ex-Mayor and a full bench of magis- trates. On being put forward he exhibited deep symptoms of emotion, which, however, gradually wore off. The examination lasted nearly four hours. The sister of the young woman was the first witness examined. She said she saw the prisoner several times that day, and he looked quite wild on every occasion. Elizabeth Turner, who worked in the same room, heard the prisoner say, I will twist her head round." Peter Davenport proved that he lent the prisoner a knife, and Samuel Moorhouse saw him sharpening it shortly before he committed the act. Sarah Ann Millwood saw him in the act of stabbing the young woman, and the prisoner showed the knife to Edward Kershaw afterwards. Mr. Hudson, surgeon, spoke to the nature of the wounds. The principal wound was 2Jin. deep, and lin. long. He did not think that the lungs were injured, but the cavity of the pleura on the right side was entered, and he considered there was danger to her life from the accumulation of blood in the chest. Prisoner haying been cautioned in the usual way, said, I am very sorry that I did it." He was committed to Chester Assizes on a charge of feloniously wounding Sarah Ann Webb, with intent to murder her. Should she die from her wounds, he will be indicted for wilful murder on the coroner's warrant.

—: —#> MOVING IN THE MATTER."—A gentleman residing near Bogton drew the attention of the town council to a slough in the road as a nuisance, but no notice was taken of it. One day he found, to his amuse- ment, that'two councillors had walked into it by acci- dent, and were floundering about in the mire, when lie addressed them thus Gentlemen of the town council of Bogton, I have often petitioned to your honourable body against this slough, but I never had any attention paid to my petition. I now come forth to express my delight to see you at last moving in the matter." MATCHES, MATCHES."—The popularity which Rowland Hill, during a long series of years, enjoyed as a preacher, was partly owing to his eccentricities. He once commenced a sermon by shouting, Matches, matches, matches! You wonder," he continued, in a loud voice, at my text but this morning, while I was engaged in my study, the Devil whispered me, Ah, Rowland, your zeal is indeed noble, and how inde- fatigably you labour for the salvation of souls l' At that very moment a man passed under my window crying, 'Alatches very lustily, and conscience said to me,- I Rowland, Rowland: you never laboured to save souls with half the zeal that that man does to sell matches

FACTS AND F ACETIlE. MODERN majesty consists in work. What a mILD can do is his greatest ornament, and he always consults his dignity by doing it. WHY are good husbands like dough? Because women need them. WHY is an auger-hole, when made too deep* like a man in the water ? Because it is over-bored. IT was a pointed remark of Franklin's when he said, If a wife is only half the scissors, she is often the half with the point." A YOUNG man who was crossed in attempted suicide recently by taking a dose of }'e3's powder. He immediately rose above his troubles. NETS AND CAGES.—The reason why so marriages are happy is because young ladies spend time in making nets, not in making cages. I 11 ROSE, my dear," said a mother to daughter, if you are so stiff and reserved you will get a husband." Ma," replied the young W' ,i unless the poets tell fibs, a prim-Rose is not with"11 attraction." MRS. PARTINGTON eaid she did not marry second husband because she loved the male sex, but Jus because he was the size of her first protector, and cou wear out his old clothes. 'I A COUNTRYMAN who was charged with gallons of whiskey, which a publican put in an eig^, gallon keg, said he didn't mind money over-chargtd, so much as he did the strain on the keg." THE sporting tendency of the Parisians has bee I manifested in the Bourse doings, as they hoist the bers now (prices of funds and shares') in a central sp of the Bourse, in a similar way to hoisting the num"e ■ t on a racecourse. THE court physician, Dr. Warren {Anna Reg&W was courtly, skilful, and witty. It was to him > j Lady Spencer remarked how bitter must be the refl tion of medical men when they thought of a patient ^1 would not have died but for the medical treatmeU' Nay, my lady," sail Warren, gaily, there is a g1*^ balance of satisfaction; I hope to save you 40 times p fore I kill you once." THE POWER OF ORTHOGRAPHY AND PUNCTtT" TIO.N.-The husband of a pious woman having occasioll to make a voyage, his wife sent a written request to the, minister of the parish; but instead of spelling an pointing it properly, viz., A person having gone tosff< his wife desires the prayers of the congregation, spelled and pointed it as follows: A person, havi 8 gone to see his wife, desires the prayers of the congreg:a tion." A SAILOR, calling upon a Liverpool goldsmith* asked him what might be the value of an ingot of S as big as his arm. The shopkeeper beckoned him a back room, and primed him with grog. He then to see the ingot. Oh said Jack, "I haven't got it yet, but I'm going to Californy, and would like to kno"¡ the value of such a lump before I start." The jeweuer started him out of the shop. A DELICATE advertisement appears in a French paper :—" A person who has inherited consumption her ancestors desires to sell her fortune for an She may be visited by medical men to testify to the truth of the assertion." It is pretty clear she has so hope of getting the best of the bargain, and more f-it, in herself than the decision of doctors. The worf" >_ wisdom of the lady is quite in accord with the doing3 0 Young France. A WORD ON AsSES.-But the ass! Weil, the ass is one of those wise creatures who in this stiperflolll world often pass for fools. Titania, the queen of falrle, with truer insight, fell in love with his head on Bottoff- body. He is a fool, certainly, but like the fool at Astley who is always the cleverest fellow in the compa^' When decently treated, he is full of humour and prank''• And then, after all, he is an oppressed specimen. Those who want to see him in his glory should go to see the wild asses in Jardin d'Acclimatation at Pari1; Once a Week. A PROLIFEROUS Top.-A French top-maker who exhibits in the Paris Exhibition winds up fout pages of small print in laudation of his goods with following peroration, by which it will be? seen that thij excellent toy-manufacturer has a regard for the menta': as well as physical improvement of his customers Lastly, the proliferous top is not only an attrletil's toy, an agreeable pastime, it. is also a healthy and IJ1' structive exercise, for the reason that it provokes in a certain measure a material and intellectual work, importance of which may not be perceived at first sigh by shallow minds, but which, nevertheless, will have Its influence on the physical and moral development of the child. Moreover, this toy is the ingenious work of learned physician, who has travelled in various countrie&> and who has for a long time meditated on the causes effects which have the most influence on human organ; sation with regard both to health and intelligence. Surely nothing can go beyond this, and the visitor to the Paris Exhibition who shall return to England without laying in a large stock of the proliferous tops, for improvement, materially and intellectually, of his you» £ friends, must be a very heartless fellow indeed. A HOG IN Hoops.-The Vergennes Vermont tells the following ludicrous story :-A few days since (j, lady residing in the eastern part of the State having just. returned from an evening's entertainment, hearing a noise on the back stoop—a long and very narrow oae-" she stepped out to ascertain the cause. At the furthfir- end she discovered the intruder in the shape of a good' sized hog. She at once assumed a belligerent attitude and commenced screaming" Whee whee The hog) took the alarm, and made for the door, and, discovering the largest space to be between the lady's two feet, pitched for that, and she instantly assumed a horizontal position and movement for the door. But to prevent a premature elopement she caught hold of a post and bt" hoops caught the hog. His swineship found himself ilt, once incarcerated in hoops. Then came the struggle-a woman's determination against a hog's' will—a cont^ not unequal, but as persistent as it was ludicrous. Tile noise brought the lady's good mother to the scene, but. what could she do ? Although the squealing of the pig and the positive assertion that she should be killed", was hard for a fond mother to hear without lending assistance, a compromise was unavoidable, and, to effect this, the hoops were unfastened, and away went his ship, arrayed in his new attire, much to the annoyance of the poor beast, but the amusement of hundreds of persons. WE extract the following from the Athenseum — American papers apprise llS that Madame Parepa-Rosl (such is now the lady's style and title) is so brilliantly. successful in opera, and in such universal request therep that she has no intention of returning to the" Old Country this year. The journalists cut capers inhere behalf, as ecstatically as they did before the triumphil car of Mdlle. Jenny Lintl. Ours is the day of acrosticsi single and double ftcetit. are thrown off, it hal w been whispered, in no place less august and dim thai* the Cave of Adullum. Thus we need not be rated les5 than severe and classical because we quote the following nonsense from a Neiv, York paper E nchantress thou of song t sweet P hilcmel, the gods .t TLLGG U ndarken'd be thy sky, good. A ngels guard and be ever neaR, i ours from thy charmed throat a. R ill of song-a rill. say I' ri ow -poor the term a flood! and E cho's voice prolong^ the charM, R egina thou of hearts, and P aragon of art, true Prima DonnA* O lympus greets its Priestess, and A polio wreaths doth ( blenD' S ister of the Muses theirs thy R ealm when from dost 90 Y etniaystTiOsec/icriV.vvithm this 0 rb—to witch us- long remark > N oon-splendid as thy voice, oh S yren, Fate shine 'i o'er thy mortal spawns; E arth's chiefest bliss be thine A Imoner of Music's 11 joys, oh, fair Ptrep-A.

DATES OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE UNI- VERSITIES.—Aberdeen, 1477 St. Andrews, 1811 Cambridge, 1110; Dublin, 1591; Edinburgh, 1580; Glasgow, 1450; Oxford, 886 London, 1836. King's College was incorporated in 1829. The University of Oxford was founded by Alfred the Great, and is there- fore the oldest in Europe, except that of Paris, the records of which go back to 792. MEMORANDA FOR YOUNG LADIES.—Be sure to have a dreadful cold when asked to favour the company." Cry at a wedding, but don't faint. Always scream at a spider. Drop your handkerchief when you are going to faint. Mind you are engaged if you don't like your partner.; Never faint unless it is convenient to fall into the arms of the young gentleman you love. Remember it's vulgar in the extreme to know what your mother is going to have for dinner. When you go shopping, be sure to take your ma along with you to carry the bundles.

RAT-KILLING AS AN AMUSEMENT. The Daily Telegraph has the following: Pat- baiting lately came into court again, but the Hammer- smith police magistrate did not know his duty so well as his constables. A set of cow-keepers, dog-fanciers, and 'gentlemen' were engaged by night in this pitiful 'sport,' at a shed in the Fulham-road. The officers entered and arrested a half-dozen out of 30, the others making their escape. There was no doubt about the amusement' pursued dead rats were found in an extemporised pit, dogs were about the place, and the cowkeeper confessed that he allowed the rats to be killed to oblige several gentlemen.' Another I sportsman' thought I there was no harm in killing vermin.' Yet another declared it to be 'a quick way of destroying them while a gentle- man' of the party took shelter under cover of his order, and pleaded that, 'the first noble- man of the day is fond of seeing his dog kill a rat.' Whether Lord Derby-if he be the authority quoted- tortures rats or not cannot alter the statute, which says, Every person fighting or baiting lions, bears, badgers, cocks, dogs, or other animals, shall be liable to a penalty of £ 5.' We cannot understand how Mr. Ing- ham let the squad of rat-tormentors go with such a clause confronting him. It is true he has only adjourned the case to consider what should be done but unless he summons the offenders before him to pay the legal penalty, a vile 'sport' will survive the righteous blow recently dealt it, and another proof will be afforded that good laws are useless when judges are too timid or too complaisant to enforce them."

REJECTED LOVE OF A MILITIAMAN. Stephen Henry Stours, of Cupid-court, Golden-lane, appeared before Mr. Alderman Finnis, at the London Guildhall, on Saturday, in the uniform of a private in the militia, to answer the charge of annoying and as- saulting a buxom young woman, named Sarah Rider, and tearing her clothes in the public highway. Mr. Martin (chief clerk) informed the magistrate that as far as he understood the case it was a "love affair —a rejected love. The Complainant (with a toss of the head) Yes, you may call it a love affair, but it is a one-sided love. Mr. Martin He has an affection for you ? Complainant: Yes he has, but I don't want him. Alderman Finnis Well, let us hear your complaint. Complainant: On Thursday night, about twenty minutes past ten o'clock, he met me in Cloth Fair, and caught hold of my clothes and tore them. He said he loved me, and I should not go. When I refused his advances and attempted to get away, he struck me twice on the face and nose. Alderman Finnis When out of uniform, what is his position ? Complainant: He is a costermonger, sir. Defendant: She has been living with me for eighteen months in Cupid-court, but has now left me. Complainant: No, Steeve, not eighteen months, only nine. Defendant: I say eighteen months. Complainant Well, and I left you two or three times, through your ill-usage, and I have been away three months. You (sneeringly), I don't want you. Let me alone, and don't tear my clothes again. Alderman Finnis: This is not like a soldier and a lover. You should protect and cherish your choice, and not ill-use her. Marry her, and behave kindly to her. Complainant: I won't have him, sir. Alderman Finnis Very well, he must not annoy you. (To the defendant): You see she has separated from you, and is not inclined to live with you. I shall bind you over in the sum of Xio to keep the peace towards her for the next six months. You should have married her when she reciprocated your love.

FATAL OUTRAGE IN BIRMINGHAM. Late on Saturday night, or early on Sunday morning, a man was brutally kicked to death in New Summer- street, Birmingham. The victim was Michael Mac- donald, aged 24, a gold locket maker, who lived with his father, a labourer, at 10, New Summer-street. Shortly before eleven o'clock on Saturday night de- ceased and a young man named Martin Brannan, who lodged with him, went into the Paul Pry public-house, Summer-lane, and called for some beer. This was brought, and whilst they were drinking it, Isaac Robin- son, a shoemaker, and Samuel Swaine, a striker, came into the house. Brannan asked them to drink, and they did so, and shortly afterwards deceased and Brannan left to go home. They were followed by the other two men, and Robinson proposed they should go to the Cross Guns. Deceased, however, declined, and said he should go home. They then met another young man known to all parties, and Robinson pushed him against Macdonald. Deceased re- monstrated with him, and said he had better not do it again. Robinson pushed the young man against de- ceased again, and deceased pushed him back again. This was again repeated, and Robinson then struck deceased in the eye, knocking him down. Robinson then kicked him twice heavily, and on Brannan inter- fering, Swaine struck Brannan a blow in the eye, and then turned and kicked deceased. Robinson and Swaine then left, and Brannan and another man carried de- ceased to the hospital. Police-constable Adams went to the house in New Summer-street, where Robinson and Swaine lodged, and arrested Robinson in bed. Swaine did not return home. Deceased got gradually worse, and at half-past two, seeing his case was hopeless, his depositions were taken. He expired at half-past five.

LA TV OF MASTER AND SERVANT. Lord Elcho's bill has been printed. It proposes that, with the exception presently stated, proceedings between employer and employed for neglect or refusal to fulfil the contract, or on any dispute as to the rights or liabili- ties of either party under the contract, shall be of a civil character, and instead of an award of imprisonment in the House of Correction the justices who hear the case arc to determine the amount of compensation to be paid by the defaulter; on non-payment a warrant of distraint may be issued against his goods, or in case of their insufficiency he may be committed to the common gaol or House of Correction for a term not exceeding three months, and at the expiration of the term of imprisonment the compensation is to be deemed dis- charged. Wages are not to be assessed to the amount of compensation under any warrant of distraint. But if it shall appear to the magistrates on the hearing that the injury to the person or property of the complainant has been wilfully and maliciously inflieted, so as to amount; to a criminal act, and not to be remedied by pecuniary compensation," the case is to be sent to a court of criminal judicature (in England the Quarter Sessions), the punishment to be such as by law is awarded for crimes and misdemeanours of a like nature. Both parties to the contract are to be competent wit- nesses, except in cases thus remitted to a court of criminal judicature.