Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

ALLEGED EXTENSIVE ROBBERY OF LEATHER. In London, at the Worship-street Police-court, William Rust, 38, described as a railway porter, was charged with having stolen, on the 19th of January, a case of leather, value E203, and on the 4th Feb- ruary a bale of leather value E40, the property of the London and North-Western Railway Company. It was stated by the solicitor representing the company, that the prisoner had held a position at Broad-street, and had recently been a "confidential" man. He had taken advantage of that post to commit some very serious frauds. The system he adopted was this:—He destroyed the consignment notes of bales of goods coming through the goods department, and reconsigned the goods to an accomplice at another railway station near the metropolis. The person so receiving them was not yet known, nor were the original consignor and consignee known to the com- pany owing to the destruction of the notes. The stations used by prisoner for his plans were prin- cipally Watford and Harrow.—Chief Inspector Coppin, of the company's police, then stated that in consequence of suspicions regarding the prisoner he had caused him to be watched, and had also made an examination of the consignment notes received at Watford and Harrow. A great number of these were in the prisoner's handwriting. On the previous day in the police office, witness catechised the prisoner, and ex- hibited to his notice certain papers produced, which related to goods supposed to have been stolen by him. He admitted the signatures upon two of the bills, which related to two empty packages. When shown others, the two concerning the leather in ques- tion, he positively denied having written them. They were addressed T. Johnson, Watford." Witness told the prisoner that he had been seen with the goods at Watford, but he said this was a false statement.— A goods porter who was on duty at Broad-street on January 19 said the prisoner brought him on that day a bale of leather, and handed in at the same time a consignment-note. The weight of the leather was 6t cwt., and the note (produced) purported that it had been consigned by "Beazley, Bermondsey." The evidence of another railway employe having been taken in respect to the despatch of the first-named case of leather, a remand was asked for, in order to prove the further facts alleged, and to bring evidence as to the handwriting and other matters. It was said, in answer to the magistrate, that the prisoner had been for thirteen years in the employ of the company. Mr. Bushby granted a remand accordingly.

THE HARDY FRUIT SEASON. The time of the year, the state of the blossoms on the apricot and peach, and the cold and sometimes frosty mornings, show clearly that protection of some sort must at once be held in readiness. Presuming that all planting and pruning operations in the orchard are now finished, the small fruit bushes will need watching, because oftentimes at this season of the year finches, tits, and sparrows play sad havoc with the young and tender buds, thereby reducing the quantity of fruit, and injuring the bushes; red worsted entwined amongst the branches will often- times frighten them away, but failing which a gun shot off several times a day is certain to do so. This is the month for grafting, of which there are various methods, but that which is called whip grafting is to be preferred for ordinary kinds of fruit trees. But this is a thing which must not be done in a hap- hazard fashion. First begin by choosing those kinds which are known to do well in the district, and consider also in what month it is de- sirable to have the fruit ripe, as there is no difficulty in having, for instance, pears for six successive months, and apples for ten months. In choosing the scions get them from near the top of the tree, where the shoots are firm and thoroughly ripened, as these will make far better growth than any taken from the under branches. The present is a suitable time to go over the strawberry plantations, and where gaps are found to exist they may still be made good. A piece of ground. should now be got ready for a new planta- tion and seeing that it may profitably stand for three years, the land wants to be well prepared beforehand by trenching it, adding at the same time plenty of manure. Plants which have been forced may be planted out in rows three feet apart in April and onwards from time to time as the crop is gathered or runners from the bed which have been pricked out for that purpose do well.—Gardeners Chronicle.

FISH CULTURE IN JAPAN-Fresh-water fish are reared in every Japanese farm where there is a pool or brook, with as much care as poult ry are in French cottage-yards. Girls in the evening go with long wands to drive the fish into roofed tanks, where they are locked in for the night to keep them from birds of prey. THE DUCIIY OF CORNWALL.—An account, presented to Parliament a few days ago of the receipts and dis- bursements of the Duchy of Cornwall shows that the sum paid to the use of the Prince of Wales as Duke of Cornwall during the past, year was £ 65,167. The fv? 4°T benefit of the estate was i.*5605, and these two amounts, together with disbursements, reductions, and management, expenses, make the total £ 93,841, and leave a balance of AIU,y<4. RECOGNITION OF HUMANITY.— The Board of Trade have awarded their silver medal to Captain George Bayley, master of the steamship Bowesfield, of Stockton, in recognition of his humane and praise- worthy services in rescuing with great difficulty and risk the sole survivor of the wreck of the steamship Hornet, of Glasgow, which foundered in a hurricane off Lundy Island on January 27 last.

I GOSSIP Olf D:3 E 3 S. THE metropolis has during the past week furnished the usual number of fashionable assemblages; indeed, balls and receptions become a part of the daily routine of West-end life, and resemble each other so much that, except only in rare cases, they invite no remark. But scenes of gaiety are not confined to the British capital, for we learn that in Bombay a very brilliant entertainment has just been held which was attended by the elite of our eastern dependency. The splendid ball-room attached to the bungalow of Mr. Dinshaw Manockjee Petit was lent for the occasion, and it presented a brilliant spectacle. The dresses were original, and uniforms were in a small minority, almost the only representatives being the Commander-in- Chief in India, Sir Donald Stewart, and the Com- mander-in-Chief in Madras, Sir Frederick Roberts, with their respective staffs, who accompanied H.E. the Governor and Miss Fergusson. Amongst the ladies' dresses may be mentioned a Midshipmite; another, equally fascinating, was a Girl Graduate, in college cap and gown; A Bunch of Flowers was beautiful, being composed entirely of real flowers, the train covered with large white bell-shaped flowers, which maintained their freshness the whole evening; Irene looked regal in a Grecian costume of white and gold several other Greek dresses were to be seen, the long, flowing drapery being usuallv adopted by all stately maidens; a Greek Bride of Megare wore a beautiful costume; heraldry and music were well repre- sented. Watteau and poudr6 costumes were nume-ous, and there were some handsome 16th century dresses, Amongst the gentlemen, the most mysterious lntu- vidual was a Mummy, who stationed himself at the door and nonplussed everyone in their endeavours to make him out, till he made a sudden dive into a brougham, and, kissing his hand in a frivolous and unmummylike manner, drove rapidly away to re- appear as Haroon-al-Raschid, and recognised by all his friends. A Beefeater and Roman Senator were imposing, as their towering forms stood on the steps of the ball room to receive their guests. Lord Lei- cester, in drooping plumes and black velvet, with daz- zling orders on his breast, looked a Queen's favourite. A Matador also looked well, in black velvet and pale blue satin. Tito Melema, a Black Brunswicker, and a Lancashire Carter, were admirable. Perhaps one of the best make-ups was that of old Albert, the famous Bombay beggar, who died a few weeks ago; also a Fakeer, whose face was smeared with mud and ashes. About twelve o'clock verandah, garden, and corridor were all deserted, and kings, queens, cour- tiers, chatelains, knights, peasants, fishermen, fairies, &c., all formed two long lines the length of the room to dance Sir Roger de Coverley, and a prettier sight than the Co-llp d'oeil obtained glancing down two long lines it would be difficult to find. THE costumes now being worn are evidently approved by the fashionable public, both as regards design and material; for we hear of no important innovation in either. In fact, it may be said that want of novelty is just now the prevalent characteristic of those circles in which the inventive genius of the modiste is most appreciated. In the millinery department more activity is visible, as the new spring bonnets have already made their appearance. The small shapes are still the most popular, the crowns are high and flat, with shallow, cut-out backs, and brims fitting closely to the hair all round. As a variety, there is the bonnet of fancy straw bronze, fawn colour, or cream, with rolled up brim, pointed over the forehead a l-a Marie Stuart, curved and shell-shaped crown, which, when trimmed with beaded velvet and decorated with shaded feathers, is a novel looking and attractive, owing to its peculiar form. Feathers are replaced by bristle aigrettes, surrounded by ribbon rosettes and flowers, by masses of field or wayside grasses, or groups of neutral tinted leaves. Butter- flies and insects of all kinds are greatly used, and we have seen a bonnet of scarlet velvet, having a perfect growth of most tempting-looking mushrooms, arranged on a background of brown silk lace. C, WE quote from the Queen the following description of some original dresses worn at a recent wedding, which may be accepted as types of the prevailing fashion of such-like fanciful costumes. The bridal robe was of dead-white satin Duchesse of the richest quality. In front were perpendicular gatherings from the waist to the centre of the skirt; then came a puffing nearly ten inches in depth, then a full flounce to the edge of skirt, beneath which appeared a knife plaiting of satin. The flounce was again covered by one of fine Irish appliqu6 of effective design, deep and fully gathered. Another flounce of similar lace was draped from the left hip across the front of the dress, low towards the back at the right side of the skirt, where it was caught in graceful folds, and fastened to the upper part of the puffed and very long train. The bodice was pointed in front, and cut with the train behind, the square sides and ends of which had a handsome trimming of fully gathered lace. The sleeves of the bodice were long and plain. A cascade of Irish lace fell from the neck to the chest, and a collar and ruffles of the same completed the toilette, with the addition of a spray of orange blossoms worn on one shoulder only. The veil was of plain tulle, the corners worked with the handsome lace that so lavishly adorned the dress. The bride's train was held by two small pages, wearing Louis XI. suits of dead white plush, slightly relieved with pink. The bridesmaids' dresses were original and pictur- esque. The petticoats, of cream silk, had groups of ten narrow kiltings, alternating with one wide box plait. The bodices and tunics were of cream ottoman chine with tiny bouquets of pink, blue, and yellow flowers, and leaves of russet brown. The short paniers, festooned on the hips, were edged with fluffy feathers, and the drapery, with square-cut end, fell in a series of puffs low on the back of the skirt. The bodices were laced behind, and at the point of the basque was a cluster of narrow ribbons in accordance with the tints of the flowered silk. The fronts of the bodices were slightly gathered into a point below the waist, but were otherwise quite plain, with the exception of the feather trimming which surrounded the neck and elbow sleeves. The Marv Anderson hats were of cream plush, relieved with blue and pink. The shoes and nose were of the latter colour. The travelling dress of the bride was of exquisite royal blue velvet, trimmed with the fur of the bear. The front of the dress was kilted, and a square-cut opening at the back of the skirt was filled with gathered velvet. The plain bodice was trimmed with bear at the neck and sleeves it was cut in a peculiar and novel fashion, being fastened below the waist on the left hip, where was an ornament of fur—a minia- ture representation of a bear's foot, with gilded claws. We particularly admired a visiting dress of geranium-red satin and rich green velvet, with plastron front of tapestry ottoman, brocaded with flowers of red and green; and another of red-brown terry gauze—a lovely material, with raised velvet flowersmade as a long square train over a petticoat of plain satin, trimmed with cord to match it was gathered in front from the waist to the knee, and below was a deep kilted flounce. The bonnet made to accord with this toilette, was trimmed with shaded plumage, matching the colours of the brocaded train.

HINTS FOR THE HOUSEHOLD. jFancy -Pound half-a-pound of blanched almonds, and sprinkle them with a little orange- flower water. When reduced to a perfectly smooth paste, put it into a pan, and add a little of the best flour. Mix well, and put the pan over a slow fire, and move the paste well about to prevent it burning, until it becomes hard enough not to stick to the fingers then take it out and roll it into small fillets, and make it into knots, rings, or other shapes as fancy may suggest. Next make an icing of different colours and dip one side of your forms into it, and set them to drain on a sieve. Glazed Ham.Boil a ham, remove the skin and set away until cold. Rub all over with a well-beaten egg. Mix together two cups of rolled crackers, a table- spoonful of melted butter and milk enough to make a thick paste; spread thickly over the ham and set in the oven to brown. Cold Meats.-Take the remnants of any fresh- roasted meat and cut in thin slices. Lay them in a dish with a little plain macaroni and season thoroughly with pepper, salt, and a little walnut catsup. Fill a deep dish half full; add a very little finely-chopped onion, having previously saturated the meat with stock or gravy. Cover with a thick crust of mashed potato, and bake till this is brown in a not too ho oven, but neither let it be too slow. Chocolate Blanc Mange.-One-lialf box gelatine, well soaked. Let one pint of milk come to the boil- ing point; one cup grated chocolate (not the sweetened) twelve tablespoons of sugar. Add the gelatine just before turning into the moulds. To be eaten when cold, with sugar and cream. Pudding a la Montmorency.—Half a pound of rice boiled till you can pulp it through a hair sieve, the yolks of three eggs, and a quarter of a pound of butter; mix carefully together without oiling it; then add half a pound of stoned raisins or sultanas, six ounces of loaf sugar, and a large spoonful of orange- flower water. Mix thoroughly, put it into a mould, and boil three hours; serve with custard poured over it. Orange Creani.-Take the juice of six Seville oranges and the rind of two grated, put them into a stewpan with a pint and a half of water and 12oz. of white sugar, stir till the sugar is dissolved, then add the well-beaten whites of six eggs, stir over a slow fire till it thickens, then strain through a hair sieve or muslin, and stir till cold. Put back into the pan and add the yolks of the eggs well-beaten, stir over the fire till the mixture begins to simmer, then pour into a basin and stir again till cool enough to be trans- ferred to glasses.

THE ALLEGED ABDUCTION OF A GIRL On Friday in last week, at the Birmingham Police- court, Samuel Neale, described as a commission agent, and stated to be 18 years of age, was summoned on remand for having unlawfully taken an unmarried girl named Florence Lillo Stone, otherwise Dillon, who was under the age of 16, out of the possession of her father also with having made and signed a false declaration before the Superintendent Registrar of Birmingham for the purpose of procuring a marriage between himself and the girl. The case was opened a week ago, when an adjournment was sanctioned in order to give the parties an opportunity of coming to an amicable arrangement. As they had failed to agree, the case was now proceeded with. For the prosecution it was stated that the girl Lillo Stone was just 15 years of age, and lived with her father, who was a public performer. The girl was one of three children who performed with him in gymnastics, and stl-è was known in the profession as Lillo." Besides performing with her father she used to be present in his publichouse in Smallbrook-street, and while she was serving in the bar the defendant htteame acquainted with her. On the 6th of February she went out with the defendant and married him, afterwards returning to her parents. Her father dis- covered the marriage, and the misstatements that had been made to secure it. The defendant declared that the girl was an orphan, and that she was 19 years of age, whereas she was only 15. A letter was written by him to her, dated January 30, as follows I write to ask you to do one thing for me, and that is to see if you can't make yourself look older the day we are married, for you look so young that I am afraid they will notice it. But as long as you say Yes, to all they ask you there will be nothing the matter. Be careful you are not seen, for it will ruin all. If it goes on all right, won't I be happy." (Laughter.) Evidence was then given of the false declarations made by the prisoner to the Superintendent Registrar, one of the witnesses stating that Lillo before she was married said that she was very fond of Neale, and that Neale was extremely fond of her. Before her marriage she had very long flowing hair, and since then itnad been cut short. The further hearing was adjourned.

SINGULAR CHARGE OF THEFT. In London, on the 8th inst., at the Marylebone Police-court, Louise Trevelyan, 43, who gave the address 16, Stephen-street, Tottenham-court-road, was charged with stealing on February 28 from 10, Little Brook-street, Munster-square, a lady's jacket, value 4s., the property of Charles Brown, a master chimney- sweep. The prosecutor deposed that about midnight of Thursday in the previous week the prisoner came to his house and woke him by knocking at the door. On his opening the door she asked him if he would kindly allow her to lodge there for the night, as she had nowhere to go to. It was a very cold night, and he took her in, but the room she had previously occu- pied when she lodged with him before was engaged, and he therefore gave her permission to remain for the night in his parlour. He then retired to bed, but could not sleep owing to the noise which Mrs. Trevel- yan made. He got up again and went down to her. He found her pulling the window curtains down, de- stroying his property, and behaving generally in such a disorderly manner that he told her she had better be quiet or else leave the house at once. She refused to go, and he at last was obliged to send for a police- man and have her turned out. The next morning he missed the jacket forming the subject of the charge from behind the parlour door. On Thursday evening last he met the prisoner wearing the jacket, and gave her into custody. It was not the value of the jacket which had induced him to take proceed- ings, but she had become such a source of annoyance to him that he was compelled to do so for his own protection. For upwards of two months she lodged in his house, and had received many kindnesses at his hands. On the Thursday when she roused him, she was evidently under the influence of drink. Mr. Cooke Do you know who the prisoner is ? The wit- ness She is the wife of Colonel Trevelyan. Lord Marcus Beresford is a trustee under a deed of separa- tion between the colonel and this lady. Your worship may know that a suit is pending in the High Court of Justice between the parties. In cross-examination by the prisoner, witness said she did not ask for the loan of a cloak which she had given to Mrs. Brown, or he would have given it to her. Police-constable Cop- cutt, 216 S, said that when the prisoner was given into his custody she took off the jacket and threw it on to the doorstep, saying That is where it was thrown to me." The prisoner told him that she bad asked the prosecutor to give her her cloak back. The prisoner, in her defence, denied the theft, and said that when she asked for the cloak the jacket in question was brought to her and thrown down on the door step. Mr. Cooke said that he should remand the prisoner, accepting bail in two sureties of E50. Mrs. Georgina Weldon, who had just come into court, then entered the witness-box, and in reply to the magistrate said that it was she who wrote the letter he then held. She believed that Mrs. Trevelyan was a dipsomaniac, and had no doubt that she stole the jacket. She brought it to her house and accused her of stealing it. She (Mrs. Weldon) had taken a jacket out of pawn for the prisoner on the distinct understanding that it should not be pledged again, but Mrs. Trevelyan had broken her promise. She did not wish the charge to be pressed against her on that account, but she certainly thought her friends ought to take care of her, as it was necessary to keep her under some sort of control. She had stayed in her house five weeks, and had proved herself to be an extremely nice person but directly she went out she disgraced, not only her family, but her sex. The prisoner: Oh dear, how can you say such a thing, Mrs. Weldon ? Mrs. Weldon It is in your interest that I say this. Mr. Cooke: Well, I shall remand you for a week. I will accept bail in two sureties of .E50. The prisoner: Will you be bail for me, Mrs. Weldon? Mrs. Weldon: No, indeed I will not. The prisoner was then removed.

ALLEGED ROBBERY BY A TICKET-OF- LEAVE MAN. In London, at the Southwark Police-court, John Sheen, 41, ticket-of-leave convict, was brought up for final examination, charged with stealing three coats, a waistcoat, and a fancy tobacco pouch, the property of William Hicks. The latter said he was a journeyman butcher, and lodged at 54, Borough-road. The pri- %1( soner had also recently lodged there, and on Monday night saw him deposit three coats and a waistcoat in a store-room upstairs, which he locked up, and gave the key to the deputy. In one of the coat pockets he left a fancy tobacco-pouch, which he had since seen in the possession of the police. On the following morning he missed his clothing, and gave information to the police. Charles Butcher, the deputy, said he received the keys of the store-room from last witness and laid them on his bed. About eight o'clock in the morning witness missed the keys, and immediately made inquiries, which led to the apprehension of the pri- soner. On going to the store-room he saw the keys in the door and heard that the prosecutor had lost his clothing.—George Rumball, 74 L, said he received information of the robbery, and found the prisoner in a coffee-house in St. George's-circus, he having re- cently pledged a coat at the adjoining pawnbroker's. Witness told him he should take him into custody for stealing three coats and a waistcoat from a lodging- house in the Borough-road. He denied it, and on the way to the station-house be attempted to throw some- thing away. Witness seized his hand and took the tobacco pouch produced from him. He also found upon him 22s. 6d. in silver and 9d. in bronze.—Henry Ward, principal warder at her Majesty's Prison, Wandsworth, said the prisoner was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude at the Surrey Sessions in June, 1874, and had recently been liberated with a ticket- of-leave. There were several convictions against him. —The magistrate committed him for trial.

SOME RECENT COIN COLLECTING FANCIES. Every now and then there is a run upon some par- ticular coin in actual circulation, and, whether the reasons for it are just or not, the effect is to with- draw the favoured pieces from actual use to such an extent as to make them scarcer. They are collected and bought and sold, and in the market created for them they command prices higher than their nominal value. The copper pence of William IV. were at one time weeded out as being intrinsically worth three- half-pence each in consequence of their being said to contain a small quantity of gold. Whether this was true or not, the result was the same, and these penny pieces being quite uncommon. At another time the so-called "godless florin" was sought after, because 9 11 the letters D.G. were not upon it, and we know one amateur collector who accumulated two hundred of them. This was an unreasonable thing to do, though of course very fine specimens might have been ration- ally preserved by persons curious in these things. Then came the very pretty shillings and sixpences of George IV., having a lion over the crown on the re- verse. Many thousands of these have been with- drawn from circulation, and they have sold, and still sell in ever}' degree of preservation at a high premium. But here again there is no real justification for the wholesale accumulation of the coins which had Ion,, been circulated when the mania for them began. Pieces of higher value have also received particular attention, though on a more limited scale. The fine crown pieces of Pistrucci, with a George and dragon on the reverse, will always be favoured when in perfect condition, but it is not wise for anybody to srive high prices for worn speci- mens, as they are still current coin of the realm. So, too, with the crown pieces of the present reign, which are gradually becoming scarcer, only the very finest deserve to be collected. As regards the sovereigns and half sovereigns with the word Australia on the reverse, it may be noted by way of contrast, that there was once such a prejudice against them that many tradesmen, particularly in country places, hesitated or refused to take them. although they were as they still are a legal tender. Oddly enough the pieces with the Australian mint marks, but without the objectionable word Australia, have always been as readily accepted as any others. We come now to the bronze coinage which was introduced in 1860. This, with the exception of the pennies dated 1864, has attracted little attention. As regards tho pennies of 1864, a good many years ago people began to collect them, and they have gone on doing so until they have become the scarcest of the series, as anyone will discover who takes the trouble to examine a large number. The reason originally given was that, in 1864 very few were struck, but since then they have had transferred to them the statement above mentioned concerning the pence of William IT., and many think, erroneously, no doubt, that there is some gold in them. We have repeatedly been told that sixpence each can be had for 1864 pennies, and we believe it to be a fact, for even dealers in coins have stated it. It may be useful to some if we enter a little into detail. An annual return is made of the amounts coined at the Royal Mint, and we are able to see there the issues of gold, silver, and bronze for any year. Passing over the gold and silver, which have varied exceedingly, we note that in 1862 the bronze coinage amounted to ,E3.-)2.800. Since then it has been much less, and in 1864 it fell to X18.0(;9. This might account for the popular opinion, but the fact is that in some of the years since the total has been below that of 1864. In 1868 it was EI6.328, in 1871 it was only £762fi. in 1878 it was £17,024. and in 1882 Hence it follows that the smallest sums of bronze minted were in 1871 and 1882. Considering the loss and waste, there is reason for regarding the issues of 1871 as most likely to become scarce, and we shall not wonder if there is a run upon them as soon as their originally low figure attracts attention. They are not uncom- mon now, but they soon will be if the collecting craze extends to them. The only other observation we make is that there are two varieties of the penny of 1875, one having the letter H below the date, to show that it was struck by Hinks, of Birmingham. The issues for that year were, however, large. Queen.

DARING PLATE ROBBERY. At the Hammersmith Police-court, the other day. two men, who gave the names of Henry Clements and George Yearley, were charged with stealing a silver coffee pot, claret jug, fork, and fish slice, the property of Mr. Reubens, a stockbroker, of Pembridge-villas. Notting-hill. Sarah Robertson, the parlourmaid, was called, and said the plate was stolen from the pantry table in the afternoon of the 9th of January. The coffee pot and claret jug had been recovered, but ten silver forks and a fish slice were missing. Sarah Richards, a charwoman employed in the house, said it was plate-cleaning day. She was in the kitchen having dinner with the servants when she heard a knock at the back door. She answered it, and saw the prisoner Yearley through the glass door. He carried a bag and asked if there were any rags and bottles to sell. She shook her head and returned to the kitchen. After finishing dinner she went out for an errand for the cook, leaving the same door unfastened. She re- turned in a few minutes and saw Yearley coming out of the door with a bag over his shoulder. She asked him what he wanted, but he did not answer and went away. She went in and observed that the pantry-door was opened. She screamed, and ran after the prisoner up Pembridge-place. He threw the bag down on to a barrow on which there were some bottles. The other prisoner w;is with the barrow, and he ran off with Yearley. She opened the bag and found the coffee pot and jug in it. Evidence was given showing that the barrow, which was left in the road, had been lent to the prisoner Clements. Mr. Paget remanded the prisoners for inquiry.

-+- EPITOME OF NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN. Violent storms, accompanied by heavy falls of snow are reported from all parts of the United States. The Santa Clara Valley in California is flooded. The damage done in that district is estimated at §500.000. A snowslip has occurred at Alta Utah, demolishing the works of the new Emma Mine, and killing twelve persons, including two women. It is stated that Russian partridges are being largely imported into England. An exhibition of works of art manufacture designed and executed by students of schools of art since 1862 is to be held at South Kensington in April. The objects will consist of carvings, furniture, decorations, metal-working, jewellery, goldsmiths' work, pottery, glass, woven and printed fabrics, &c. Mr. E. A. Freeman and the Marquis of Bath have just been elected members of the Servian Academy of Belgrade, in recognition of their services to the new kingdom. The celebrated regiment called the Black Bruns- wickers, raised in 1809 by the unfortunate Duke of Brunswick, which fought under the English flag in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo, is now quartered at Metz, and will there celebrate its 75th anniversary on April 1. In London, on Saturday, at the Mansion House Police-court, a traveller named Thomas Hole and William Frampton, found guilty, the former of theft, and the latter of receiving the stolen goods, were sentenced each to three months' imprisonment. Hole had been twenty years in the service of the firm he had robbed. Mr. Spurgeon, though slowly recovering from the severe attack of rheumatic gout which seized him about a fortnight ago, is still in a very weak state, so much so that he could barely stand up on Sunday morning. His place at the Metropolitan Tabernacle was occupied by his son. The steamship Belgravia, of 3275 tons, Captain Boothy, chartered by Sir Samuel, K.C..M.G., Agent- General for New South Wales, sailed from Plymouth for Sydney on the 7th inst. with 872 emigrants. The United Kingdom Band of Hope Union is offer- ing prizes to the amount of 200 guineas for three tem- perance tales. Within forty years the imports of India have in- perance tales. Within forty years the imports of India have in- creased from X5 950,000 to X60,000,000-more than eleven-fold; and the exports from £ 11,500,000 to £ 80,000,000—nearly seven-fold. A boiler in a mill at Bryant spend, Maine, has burst, killing four persons. It has transpired that S29.000 were stolen from a safe at the railroad office in Chicago recently. A telegram through Reuter's agency from New York, dated March 8, says that the Gloucester had arrived there with damage to her port bow from ice. "V essels arriving there continue to report having encounterec ice and icebergs. + During February 547,720 tons of coal were r 8 to London by rail, and 365,209 by sea, an 27,500 tons over the quantity so conveyed in February, 18The statement lately circulated that 40,000 persons were out of employment at Manchester is now said to t be utterly discredited. Sir Lyon Playfair, the member for the Universities of Edinburgh and St. Andrew's, has betn chosen Presi- dent of the British Association for the year If.85. The place of meeting is to be Aberdeen. Last week's receipts of cotton at all United States ports were 69,000 bales since 1st September, 4.365,000 bales. Week's exports to Great Britain, 57.000 bales; to the Continent, 49,000 bales. Total since 1st Septem- ber, 3,010.000 bales; stock at all ports, 901.000 bales. The New York Chamber of Commerce has asked Congress, in view of the excessive supply of Bland silver dollars, to suspend their coinage for two years. At a recent meet of the Southdown foxhounds at Portslade a singular incident occurred. A fox which was found went straight for Poynings. ran into the church and took refuge in the pulpit. He was quickly brought out of the sacred edifice and turned loose, when he was immediately run into by the hounds at the foot of the hill. At a meeting in Glasgow it has been unanimously resolved to erect upon the field of Langside, near Glas- gow. a monument commemorative of the defeat of Mary Queen of Scots. Mr. Guild, who presided, said he had collected 1300 books bearing on Mary's life, and 315 different engravings of her. The United States Treasury is considering the pro- priety of prohibiting the importation into the United States of cattle from Great Britain. The new trial before the Provincial Tribunal of Konitz of the four Jews who were charged with setting fire to the synagogue at New Stettin has been eon- cluded. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty in the case of all the accused. The French Post Office is about to expend 450,000f. on its railway service. To prevent, or attenuate as far as possible the effects of accidents, each of the 320 post office carriages will be fitted up with a buffer-lining, and provided with the best-known brake. The Queen has just purchased a panel of tapestry wrought at the Royal Tapestry Works by English apprentices, representing Balmoral Castle." The petition signed by 10,000 Scotchmen against the abolition of the feather bonnet is to be presented very shortly, when the members of the Highland Society will approach the Marquis of Hartington on the subject. A donation of JE30 from the Queen has recently been received for the Victoria Soldiers' Library at the Aldershot Camp. During the Crimean War, the Queen sent £2,112 volumes to the army in the East. A great proportion of the books in the library are the identical ones which were sent out to the Crimea, and although much worn. are generally entire. Mr. Gladstone has given to the leading supporters of the Irish Sunday Closing Bill an assurance that it shall be proceeded with as soon as possible after the second reading of the Representation of the People Bill." An accident of a somewhat unusual nature occurred on Saturday at the Meadows Pits, Tunstall, owned by Messrs. Peake and Co. During some sinking opera- tions a shot was placed, and the men ascended, awaiting the result. Sometime afterwards, however, no explosion being heard, they again descended the shaft, when the shot went off with terrific effect, killing three of their number. On Friday night in last week a fire broke out at the extensive flour mill of Messrs. Ryder and Son, Sunder- land. and was not extinguished until three o'clock next morning. The mill was completely gutted, and the contents of the adjoining granary, a large building, were destroyed. The damage is estimated at about £ 50,000. This is the third time the mill has been burnt A dynamite plot has been discovered at Pesth. The police have seized some explosive material, which had reached certain Anarchists by parcels post. It was stated at a recent meeting of the London City Mission that fifteen missionaries are now working among 5700 of the public-houses of London; but at least twenty more are wanted to cover the 11,340 con- tained in the metropolis. A New York telegram says that the visible supply of wheat on March 8 was 31,000,000 bushels, as against 31,500,000 bushels the previous week. Visible supply of Indian corn 15,400,000 bushels, as against 14,400,000 bushels the previous week. The export clearances of wheat for Europe during the last week amounted to 310,000, bushels. The export clearances of Indian corn for Europe during the week amounted to 520,000 bushels. Twenty-five actual shipwrecks, thirteen being British owned, were reported during last week, against 35 for the corresponding week of last year. The total in number for the year is now 426, against 566 in 1883. A British steamer was lost with all hands, and an Austrian vessel was burnt at sea. The arrivals of dead meat and live stock at Liverpool during last week from American and Canadian ports show an increase in cattle, but a slight decrease in fresh meat when compared with the preceding week's supply. The collective arrivals amounted to 1595 cattle, 340 sheep, 7976 quarters of beef, and 1326 carcases of mutton. Mr. James White, of Overtown, who was one of the wealthiest men in Glasgow, died on Saturday morning at his residence at Dumbartonshire. He was probably the most munificent contributor to charities in Scotland. He was chairman of the Glasgow Royal Exchange, the City of Glasgow Bank Relief Fund, the Daphne Fund, and of many public institutions. Advices received at New York state that during a disturbance in the village of Princetown. Trinidad, the police fired upon the rioters, killing two and wounding many. The Mayor of Vienna has published a second warning to the inhabitants to economise water in every way, as the reservoirs are nearly dry, and if rainfalls do not take place shortly the storage will be exhausted. The Board of Trade have awarded their silver medal to Captain John Kilgallan, master of the ship Eurydice, of St. John, N. B., in recognition of his humane and praiseworthy services in rescuing, with great difficulty and risk, the sole survivor of the wreck of the schooner Little Racer, of Padstow, which foundered in a heavy gale off Lundy Island on the 10th of February last. A Convention summoned by the Manitoba and North- "W est Farmers' Union has had under consideration a motion in favour of an appeal to England to allow Manitoba to withdraw from the Canadian Federation, and to become a British colony. The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Neosho- falls, Texas, is reported to be confined to a small area, and the utmost precautions have been taken to prevent it spreading. The work in the construction of the main building of the World's Exhibition at New Orleans is making rapid progress. It is estimated that the edifice will be com- pleted in four months' time, and the exhibits will be received on the 1st August. A heavy goods train slipped at a steep gradient at the Tay Bridge tunnel on Saturday morning, and ran back until the locomotive in rear went off the rails at the points. Two platelayers walking through the tunnel to the scene of the accident were overtaken bv an express train, and one of them, named Robert John- stone, was knocked down and killed. A strange case was investigated by a coroner's jury at Penycae, Denbighshire, on Saturday. About a fort- night since a youth named Hughes, aged 15, threw a small poker at Elizabeth Jones, aged eight, who was teasing and laughing at him. The sharp end of the poker entered the child's head, partly penetrating the temporal bone. and she died last Tuesday. The jury found that Death was due to the wound thus inflicted, but considered the occurrence accidental, and that Hughes had no intention of injuring the child." There are to be three classes of implements in com- petition for prizes at the Shrewsbury meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. Two prizes of £100 and S50 are offered for sheaf-binding reapers, and E25 is offered for a separate sheaf-binder, the binding material, in each case. to be other than wire. Potatoes in Maine, U.S., are so plentiful that the farmers are in many instances feeding them to stock. Many of the farmers have from 100 to 500 bushels in their cellars, for which they are offered only twenty- five cents. A small insect, closely resembling a fly, has made its appearance in portions of Southern Oregon, destroying the wheat sown in the autumn, eating the e, blades down level with the ground. Wheat so sown is said to be greatly injured by frost in some parts of Eastern Oregon. At the Tercentenary Commemmoration of the Foundation of Edinburgh University in April next the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws will be conferred on Sir Bartle Frere, who, being Chancellor of the Univer- sity of the Cape of Good Hope, has been unanimously elected by that University to be their representative delegate on the occasion. rr- The town of Hamburg is to have a new Natur tory Museum, the cost of the building to a, £ 45,000. Prizes of £ 50 are offered for the five best plans, and a further prize of £ 200 will S11 the best of the five. During a strong gale of south-eas y a fishing boat with three men belonging to Stromness, on the west coast of Orkne y, was Jmen'to sea. The lifeboat went in search of the craft but returned on Sunday afternoon without finding any trace of it. The lifeboat had a fearful night at sea. The additions to the Zoological Society s Gardens, Regent's Park, London, last week included a grey ichneumon from India, presented by Mr. J. B. Drew an Arabian gazelle from Arabia, presented by Lieu- tenant Brown. R.N.; two herring gulls, European, presented by Mr. G. D. Macgregor; a ring-necked parrakeet from India, presented by Mr. J. Biehl; a black-headed gull, European, presented by Miss Elise Cooper; eight hoary snakes from South Africa, pre- sented by Mr. C. B. Pillans; a Robben Island snake from South Africa, presented by Mr. R. A. Robertson a common heron, a cirl bunting (British), a banded parakeet from India, presented; three mute swans, European, received in exchange eight brown-tailed gerbilles, born in the Gardens.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. In the HOUSE OF IouDs, March 10, Lord Congieton took his seat on his succession to the peerage. Lord Dalhousie, in reply to the Bishop of Rochester, stated that the Government had in preparation a bill for the better protection of women and children. MF.UV AND AFGHANISTAN. The Earl of Lytton moved for papers showing the nature of communications, if any, which had passed between the English and Russian Governments with respect to Merv and Afghanistan since 1881, and called the attention of their lordships to the acceptance by Russia for the allegiance of the inhabitants of Merv. This enlargement of Russian territory, he observed, would furnish a standing menace to British rule in India, and he urged the Government to take such diplo- matic and military action as would best protect our Indian interests. The Duke of Argyll dissented from the view that Russia had been guilty of a breach of faith in her action with regard to Merv, but assured the Govern- ment that whatever measures they might think necessary fur securing our Indian frontier would be heartily supported by the people of this country. Viscount Cranbrook, while admitting that the Russian advance had been caused by the pressure of inevitable circumstances, urged upon the Government the necessity of taking steps for the protection of our frontier. The Earl of Kimberley pointed out we were stronger against attack than if Candahar had been retained, inasmuch as we now had a friendly Afghanistan. The Government, however, were quite awake to the neces- sity of having a clear understanding as to the boun- daries of Afghanistan and Russia, and what countries were to be regarded as within the sphere of English or Russian influence. After a few words from the Earl of Carnarvon and the Earl of Northbrook, the Marquis of Salisbury warned the Government of the consequences which might be expected from the increased prestige which Russia would gain from the extension of her power. Earl Granville having promised that papers on the .,Subject should be presented as soon as possible, the motion was withdrawn. Their lordships rose at five minutes to nine o'clock. In the HOUSE OF COMMONS various questions were put as to the condition of affairs of Egypt, which, in the absence of Mr. Gladstone, were answered by Lord Hartington. Voluminous telegrams, he said, had been received from General Gordon, but none had special reference to the position of Khartoum. In answer to questions as to the course of business, Lord Hartington said it would be necessary to complete the Supplementary Estimates on Thursday, and to take the Army and Navy Estimates on Monday and Thurs- day next week. Consequently it would be impossible to fix the Cattle Diseases Bill for the first business on either of those days; but he hoped that an opportunity might be found for it. THE VOTE OF CREDIT. The House went into Committee of Supply, and the adjourned debate on the Vote for Operations in Egypt and the Soudan was resumed by Lord G. Hamilton, who remarked that the only policy which the Govern- ment had propounded in regard to Egypt was contained in Earl Granville's statement to the Italian Minister that our policy was an elastic one, guided by circum- ;stances." He perceived in this definition some gleam of hope that circumstances might yet force the Govern- ment to take the manly, straightforward course of assuming the Government of Egypt, and make them- selves responsible for the administration of the country. Mr. Forster, adverting to the rumours of tho last few days, expressed a hope that the Government would not replace General Gordon at Khartoum by Zebehr Pasha without allowing the House to express its opinion on such a policy. With the most intense admiration for General Gordon, he could not blindly accept such a policy even from him, and though he admitted that there might be explanations, the House ought to hear them before being committed to a step which would be a reversal of our traditional attitude towards the slave trade. 8 Sir G. Elliot urged that the control of Egypt was necessary to the maintenance of our independent com- munication with India. Foreign Powers, he thought, would not object to our taking over the administration of the country for a term of years. Mr. Laing believed that Rescue and Remain must be the policy of the future in regard to Egypt; and de- clared that by their irresolution the Government had lost popularity in the country. The discussion was continued by Sir J. Eardley- Wilmot, Sir H. Verney, Mr. Whitley, Sir H. Fletcher, Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett, Mr. J. Morley, Mr. Sclater- Booth, and Mr. M'Coan. Sir R. Cross complained of the silence of the Govern- ment in the debate, and asked whether it arose from disunion in the Cabinet. Replying to Mr. Gladstone's -declaration that the Government never would take over the administration of Egypt, he pointed out that this was exactly what they had done, though they would not own it. By constantly holding out that they were going to leave the country, they had prevented it settling down. As to the Soudan, the difficulty was of the Ministry's own creation, and it never would have occurred had Lord Dufferin remained in Egypt. Lord Hartington, after some reference to criticisms on the details of the estimate, remarked with regard to the amendment that, however much he might agree with Mr. Labouchere that the bondholders and the Porte should contribute to the cost of our occupation, it was not possible to carry out the principle at present. At some time or other a modification of the Law of Liquidation might be desirable, but it would have to be undertaken in a more comprehensive manner than was possible upon this vote. In like manner it was premature to ask how Souakim was to be defended. It was of great importance that the Red Sea ports should be held by a civilised Power, or by a Power under the influence of civilisation, and it was also essential to British interests that they should not be in a condition to tempt any other European Power to occupy them. He admitted the objections to the ap- pointment of Zebehr Pasha, but the more obvious the objections, the more necessary was it that the Govern- ment should satisfy itself as to the reasons which induced General Gordon to suggest such an appoint- ment. The Government would remain in Egypt, as they had stated over and over again, until a stable Government was established there. He declined to lay down a definite period, and while admitting the full responsibility of the British Government for the main points of Egyptian policy as long as the occupation lasted they believed that they would best consult the interests of Egypt by using the means which they found existing in Egypt. Sir S. Northcote said, at the outset, that the Opposition could not support the amendment, and while regarding Lord Hartington's speech as in some respects a new departure, he regretted to find that the Government still continued to close their eyes to the critical state of affairs in Egypt. They were still too anxious to build a bridge for their own retreat, and they did not realise how deeply the national credit would suffer nor what complications would occur if we failed in the task which we had undertaken in Egypt. The Government had engaged to maintain tranquillity in Egypt; and by means of the Khedive and his Government; but were they going to strengthen the Administration or to control it ? There were signs that the system was crumbling under their hands, and unless something was done to secure confidence there would be chronic anarchy in Egypt. Mr. Labouchere's amendment, on a division, was negatived by 178 to thirteen, and the vote was agreed to. On the supplementary vote for the Navy Estimates, Mr. W. H. Smith moved to report progress, on the ground that some further explanation was needed of the new policy announced by Lord Hartington of hold- ing the Red Sea littoral. This was negatived by 114 to Ileg 56, and a subsequent motion by Sir J. Hay to the same effect was negatived by 113 to 53. A third motion was defeated by 111 to 46, and ultimately the vote was agreed to. Some other business was disposed of, and the House adjourned at twenty-five minutes to three o'clock.

VIOLENT ASSAULT ON A BROKER'S MAN. In London at the Westminster Poliec-court, Lilian Murray, of 13, Ovington-gardens, Brompton, was charged on remand before Mr. d'Eyncourt with com- mitting a murderous assault on Edward Lyons, a broker's man, by beating him about the head and body with a poker. The prosecutor, who had been for over twenty-one days in St. George's Hospital, now attended, but had to be seated, as lie was very weak, with his head enveloped in surgical bandages, and his face fearfully scratched and torn. The prosecutor deposed that he resided at No. 8, Yeoman's-row, Brompton-road. On the 15th of last month he was put in possession of No. 13, Ovington-gardens, in the keeping of the prisoner, under a distress for rent. He did not remember the circumstances of the assault by the prisoner, but on the 17th, being drunk, lie found himself lying in the prisoner's bedroom on his right side. He had taken a little too much whisky, and he so suffered from the effects that he recollected nothing till the next day, when he was treated as an in-patient at St. George's Hospital. When he recovered con- sciousness be found that he was fearfully bruised about the left side, his head cut open, and his teeth beaten out, so that he could not take solid food for days. He thought now that he was in a fair way of recovery. In answer to counsel the witness said that the prisoner poured out some whisky and made him drink it, and invited him to her room. A remand was granted for the attendance of the surgeon from the hospital.

A SINGULAR CAPTURE. In London, on Saturday, at the Bow-street Police- court, a man named William Roberts was charged with obtaining money by false pretences. The alleged offences occurred in January of last year, when the prisoner gave a builder named Gorman two cheques to cash, one for S4 5s., and the other for £2 4s. Gorman cashed one at the shop of Messrs. Wards and Co., Strand, and the other at Mr. Rabicht's, of the Green Man public-house, Redfern- street. Both cheques were returned. The prisoner had been in business in Buckingham-street, Strand, as a pork butcher, and while there had procured a cart on hire from Messrs. Webb and Co., builders, of Southwark. He was alleged to have disposed of ,ir this, and a warrant was granted for his arrest. He was charged at the Southwark Police-court in January last. Police-constable Ford, 73 M, who arrested him on the charge in connection with the cash, deposed that he watched the prisoner's premises for some time. He knew positively that prisoner was in the house, and accordingly entered to arrest him. Search was made in every direction, but nothing could be seen of him. After a time attention was attracted to a large chest labelled Norwich." This was locked, but Ford deemed it expedient, as a last resource, to open it. He broke it open, and found the prisoner concealed within it. He was taken into custody, but absconded from his bail, and was not seen again until he was taken into custody by Detective-sergeant Partridge on the present charge. He was remanded.