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

AMERICA AND THE CATTLE DISUSE. The New York correspondent of the Steward states that the cattle disease is attracting more inten- tion, but It. is disputed whether what has brokr-j out there is the genuine foot-and-inouth-disease. The Secretary of State has sent to Mr. Hatch, q the House of Representatives, a letter from Mr. Bv,ssell Lowell, the Minister in London, in which the ittter declares the disease to be prevalent in England that its existence is used as a political weapon, anc that lie absolute exclusion of live cattle is urged ty the Protectionists and the farmers' friends witl the thinly-veiled object" of raising the price of Relish meat. This is a singular parallel with Mr. Saint's letter regarding the German exclusion of porf the indiscreet publication of which was the beginniig • of his unpopularity in Germany. 0 0

A SINGULAR REVOLVER ACCIDENT In London, on Saturday, at the Thames Police- court, Thomas Bourne, 15, was charged on remand with unlawfully wounding his mother, Jane Bourne, of 201, Burdett-road. and attempting to shoot his father. The case had been adjourned on several occasions owing to Mrs. Bourne being unable to appear in consequence of the severe injuries she had received, and she now attended for the first time. At eight o'clock on the morning of the 16tli of last month the prisoner was about to enter the bed-room of his parents to show them a loaded revolver in his hand, when by some means it went off, and the bullet passed through his mother's neck, but no vital part was injured, and she had now fully recovered. Mr. Bourne, hearing the report, rushed out of the room and seized hold of some- body, whom he was unable to see owing to the smoke, and both fell down the stairs, two other chambers of the revolver going off, and Mr. Bourne narrowly escaped being shot, he discovering after the smoke had cleared that it was his own son he had caught hold of. Inspector Little, II Division, was called to the house, and the prisoner was given into his custody. Mrs. Bourne now said her son was a good lad, who did not bear any malice towards her, and she believed it was a pure accident. Mr. Lushington said he had heard something about the lad shooting birds, and he wanted to know where this occurred. The prisoner's father said it was in an isolated meadow of twenty-six acres, the nearest house being half a mile from it. He (witness) shot there with a two-barrelled gun, and his son was used to handle a gun, but not a revolver. Mr. Lushington said he could not doubt, after all the evidence, that it was not a malicious assault by the prisoner on his father and mother, but it was a very careless business. He discharged him.

Yt Tver, .absurd regulations- of the Post°Office were'iu'entmned in the House of Commons by Mr Causton. the other evening. One was that cn-culars could be posted abroad in open envelopes d received here, but circulars could not be sen. from this country in a like manner, this restriction beinrr detrimental to the commerce of this country; the other was that printed slips were not allowed to be pasted on the backs of post-cards. Mr. Fawcett's defence of the first war; that the examination of the circulars would take np. too much of the time of the sorters and of the second that it would be difficult to maintain the distinction between letters and post- cards. Mr. Faweett has given us so many postal reforms that I kupe he will see his way to add these to the number. I think vory few persons would ns sending written communications in open envelope arid as to the post-card pasting prohibition^ appears to me to be a bit of sheer berry" in the City PreSii

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS. The Archbishop of Canterbury, who is making a :short stay at Dover, preached on Sunday in the parish church of St. Mary's before a very large congregation. His Grace preached from the 19th John and 28th v rse: "Jesus, knowing that all things were accom- plished, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled, saith, I tllirst." In the course of his address his Grace, alluding to national affairs, said: I think there is a great deal of real hungering and thirst after righteous- ness in the progress which English thought i now making, and in the present state of public opinion. I do not believe that the general advance of society is devoid of those principles which hallow private life; on the contrary, I believe that they are the standard of private life. If you take in all classes, both the highest and the lowest, and do not -confine yourselves to the great middle-class, those perhaps who are the happiest class of society in this country- if yon lay your measuring line along the whole breadth of society, I believe yon will find that it is very far indeed below the standard of public morality and public duty. It is a startling fact, and one that calls for our best attention. Look where you will in public affairs you will see that the aim is to have right substituted for wrong. I don't care where we begin. Take the representation of the people in the Government. The country adopts measures originally repugnant to its tastes so soon as it sees those tasies to have been merely sentimental; and practically it does so in order to diminish the effect of corrupt, principles. Take education. 'I.']¡" country has declared that whatever it does it will not allow the soul of the people to be without know- ledge. Ignorance is the one and only thing which it will not allow to preserve its independence. 0 Here, too, national sentiment was all in favour of so-called liberty, but as soon as the matter was clearly discerned those feelings against compulsory education gave way; they crumbled down, and are now almost forgotten. Now, I ask whether we in private life compel our sentiments and feelings to put themselves out of sight through deference to principle in any degree pro- portionate to those acts of the nation? Again. I hold very strong views about the unwisdom of those- who are for withdrawing religion from the work and life of the teacher, and who fancy that this kind of educa- tion can be obtained in homes which, as we know, both in poor homes and those which are not poor, are too often incompetent to impart such an education. Yet upon the whole. looking at the matter broadly, the question as to whether it is good or not that re- ligion should be taught by the State is one which must. have come some time, and I believe it could never have come at a more serious and sober time than the present. The right cause I am sure will prevail, and if it should not it will be owing to the want of serious- ness in public men. Public munificence allows no poor sick person whom it can reach to be worse attended than a prince. It will not suffer the feverish miasma of infection to assail the back court any more than the wealthv square, and public feeling and opinion is at this moment getting ready to devote its attention to the provision of wholesome and virtuous homes for the most destitute.

ARREST OF CONSPIRATORS IN SPAIN. A Renter's telegram dated Madrid, March 10, says General Velarde, a cavalry ensign, three sergeants, -and two civilians, were arrested yesterday evening on the charge of conspiracy while they were assembled at the residence of the general. Several other arrests were subsequently made, including a brigadier named Villacampa, several sergeants, and civilians. The news that a conspiracy had been discovered has caused a painful sensat ion. It would appear that the Government had been aware for some time back that several persons were engaged in plotting against public institutions, and took measures which resulted in the discovery of the conspirators yesterday evening. The object of the conspiracy was identically the same as that which gave rise to the insurrectionary movement at the com- mencement of August last. Several fresh arrests have been made to-day, including a priest and Senor Moran, Secretary to Senor Ruiz Zorilla, in whose possession it is stated that a number of letters and documents signed by Zorilla have been found. The number of arrests which have been made in connection with the conspiracy are stated to be from 25 to au, including 13 or 14 sergeants, and two or three military officers, who will be tried by Court-martial.

AUSTRALASIAN DEFENCES. The area of South Australia is so great, and its population and resources comparatively still so unde- veloped, that no attempt to defend the country dis- tricts or the numerous small towns on the sea-board can at present be contemplated. The heart of the country beats in Adelaide, which is at once the seat of Gove rnment and the repository of the national wealth. It is estimated that once in the hands of an enemy the sum of £ .5,000,000 sterling could be levied from it in a few hours, by placing Government, banks, and private individuals, alike, under rigorous contribution. The whole duty of local defence has been thrown upon the colonists themselves. Under no obligation to the Imperial Government to protect themselves, bound by no tie of federation to inter-colonial uni- formity of action, and imbued with a touching belief in the ubiquity and omnipotence of the British fleet, the different Australian Governments drifted on vaguely for several years. This state of apathy was rudely dispelled by the Russo-Turkish scare of 1877, when the Antipodeans suddenly awoke to their defence- less condition. Soldiering is very popular in South Australia. There is a steady and ever-increasing flow of recruits into the ranks of the militia, so that, not- withstanding a severe medical examination, the inevi- table waste is amply provided for. About 30 per cent, of the time-expired men rejoin for a second term of three years, for which they receive £ 1 bounty. Many more enrol in the Reserve, where they annually attend twelve drills and fire through their classes to keep up the knowledge acquired with the colours. Between militia and volunteers about 3000 men have passed 'through the ranks, and are now more or less trained to the use of arms; they form a considerable, though un- enrollcd reserve upon whom it would be safe to rely in case of emergency. The rising generation also are bemg steadily drilled at the State (angltce School Board) Schools throughout the colony. All teachers have to rpass in company drill before appointment, and to well do they train their boys that more than once, six or seven hundred lads, collected from various schools, have been marched on to the parade ground and have gone through a long battalion drill with great success. Throughout the force the physique is excellent. Ihe infantry in height, build, and age, are decidedly superior to the line regiments of the present day, and the artillery can hold their own with their brethren at home. Of the remarkable loyalty and affection for the Old Country which pervades not only the South Australians, but all the Australasian troops, I will give one instance. Within four hours of the arrival in Adelaide of the news of our defeat at Maiuba Tlill, three hundred men from the small defence force I have been describing, had volunteered for active service in the Transvaal "to help our chaps against the Boers. Ihe offer had hardly been telegraphed home when, the other colonies hearing of it, instantly began to follow suit, and 111 twenty-tour -hours 2,000 sturdy Australians had placed themselves at the service of the Home Government, eager to ho p avenge the honour of the British Flag. It is Sied to be hoped that the colonies will lose no tune in federating for military and naval purposes. At present each member of the Australasian group woins independently, without concert with her neighbours a state of things which in time of peace is expensive. and in time of war might become dangerous. Even more pressing is the necessity for establishing a colonial government, manufactory of small-arm ammunition in some central locality, whence the magazines could be re- plenished without need of constant applications to the English authorities. In conclusion, I wish to point out that though much remains uncompleted, these colonies have in the last few years done well in the matter of self-defence. Out of a. population, which we may roughly estimate at 2,900,000, there are more than 10,000 men who voluntarily undertake military duties. The capital sums spent, or about to be spent, on permanent fortifications since 1877 (with- out reckoning naval defences) amount, to a million sterling; while the estimated annual military expen- diture is calculated at £ 272,000. In the face of these figures, no one can accuse the Australian colonists of too exclusively relying on Imperial protection in case of war !—Coiburn s I nited Seretce i\I(iga~inc.

Gor-DEX Sii K>-( E. A pert young barrister once boasted to a member of the bar that he had received twenty guineas for speaking in a certain law suit; the other replied," I received double that sum for keeping silent in that very case. <

THE AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK. j Under the above heading the Daily Telegraph has an article, from which we take the following Farmers, as may be supposed, are deriving great advantage from the exceptionally fine weather, a dry March being always favourable both to crops in the ground and the furtherance of spring tillage opera- tions. Still, there is always the dread that when spring dawns with such unusual splendour thus early it may prove the precursor to winter in the lap of May later on. This apprehension should, however, prevent no one from making the best of the situation by pushing forward spring sowings wherever the soil crumbles beneath the harrow and mellow seed beds of fine tilth can be easily wrought. No farmer ought to refrain from sowing barley under such circum- stances. especially in poor hill soils, for, according to the most experienced and skilful, it can never be too early in the year for barley sowing if a dry fine seed bed be only procurable. The high temperature and brightness of the season causes everything to have a remarkably forward ap- pearance. Grass not only grows rapidly in the pastures, but turnips standing in the fields run to tops prematurely an evil rather than a good, as the bulbs get sticky and hard in consequence, and their quality I will be impaired for feeding purposes next month. There is, however, a remedy which the most ex- perienced are very generally applying, which is either to draw up and clamp the roots, or loosen their con- nection with the soil by partially lifting them. One favourite method is that oj sending labourers into the field to pull up two alternate rows down the field all over its surface, and lay the turnips as they are drawn on the side ground, where the alternate double rows are allowed to remain. The ploughman then enters and throws deep furrows taken from the alternate stretches from which the crop has been rid, overlaying with them the whole of the turnips—those that are drawn and those that are not—so that they are completely buried, and the entire field appears to superficial observation ridged up in fallow. The premature running of swede turnips to tops is thereby effectuallyprevented, and when the shepherd enters the field with his flock to consume the produce the only thing re- quired to be done is to send a pair of horses with harrows to unearth the covered-up crop by har- rowing across the field. No objection to this process need be entertained on the plea that some of the roots would get withered by exposure to the sun ere they could be consumed. Abstraction of moisture both from mangels and turnips makes them more healthful for stock feeding without diminishing their nutritive qualities, while, on the other hand, swede turnips allowed to develop tops freely in spring become so impaired in quality that sheep etfn with dimculty be made to eat them. In those cases, probably rather numerous just now, where large quantities of old fog-grass appear in meadows, the opportunity should be at once seized on to turn cattle into them to feed it off, which they are likely enough to do readily, the mild weather having caused fresh grass to spring up among the old fog sufficient to entice the animals to clear off the whole. Not a single day's delay should, however, be allowed in doing this, it being quite time that the meadows were in full growth for the main hay crop. Some forward pastures in fertile and shel- tered districts have already bites of fresh grass for stock, and if the spring continues thus favour- able it will rejoice very much the hearts of dairy farmers. Abundance of keep and the promising aspect of pastures also cause graziers to be anxious about buying in store stock. The market, it must be confessed, is just now very much against them, the decline in values, which took place about Christmas, having not, only thoroughly recovered, but having given an upward tendency to rates of all store stock, so as to lead to the probability that they will attain higher limits this spring than they have had for a considerable length of time.

DEATH OF MR. R. H. IIORNE. The death is announced of the well-known poet, Mr. Richard Henry Home, who expired at Margate, on the loth inst., in his 82nd year. The Times in an obituary notice says: Mr. Home's life was a stirring and romantic one. Educated at Sandhurst, lie en- tered the Mexican navy as a midshipman, in which capacity he saw considerable service. He was present it\ at the bombardment of Vera Cruz, and the capture of the fortress of San Juan Ulloa, and followed the fortunes of the Mexican Spanish war to its close. While swimming in the Bay of Vera Cruz he narrowly escaped being seized by a shark. Subsequently he suffered from a severe attack of yellow fever. He next went to the United States, visiting several Indian encampments. Passing on to Niagara, lie had two ribs broken beneath the cataract. Not long afterwards lie was wrecked in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. At length he sailed from Nova Scotia for Europe in a timber ship, which took-fire on the way after a mutiny onboard. The adventurous traveller, however, landed safely in England, where lie now devoted himself to literature. He made many friendships among men of letters, and was held in affectionate regard by Mr. and Mrs. Browning, and many others. Among his published works were "The Spirit of Peers and People," which is described as a national tragi-comedy; Exposition of the False Medium and Barriers excluding men of Genius from the Public," The Death of Marlowe," "Cosmo de, Medici," "Gregory VII. dramas in which not a little of the Elizabethan fire and spirit were repro- duced; and" Orion," t he poem by which lie is most generally known. This latter work, an attempt at epic poetry, was originally published at a farthing—a step taken by the author partly to express the feeling of contempt into which epic poetry had fallen, and partly with the view of obtaining a wide circulation for the first three editions of the work, of which no person was allowed to obtain more than one cop}'. In 1877 lie collected and published the letters which had been addressed to him by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Thev would have appeared some years before but for the author's long absence from England, variety of occupation, and btili life in Australia, added to motives of delicacy in the fear of intruding on unclosed wounds from the loss of such a spirit." Mr. Horne's career at the Antipodes is full of interest. He left England in 1852, in company with William Howitt, for Australia. The two friends went to the goldfields a. strange enterprise for brother poets-and Horne was appointed Commander of the Gold Escort at Melbourne. On his first return trip lie brought down two ton weights of gold. His fame as a manager and organiser quickly spread, and he was appointed successively commissioner in charge of the goldfields, a territorial magistrate, commis- sioner of the Yan Yean Water Supply, min- ing registrar, &c., at the Blue Mountains. Always known for his fondness for muscular exercise, ho became one of the champion swimmers of Australia, winning the gold medal, silver medal, silver mounted claret-jug, and other trophies at St. Kilda, near Mel- bourne. It is stated that on one occasion he swam after being bound hand and foot. Being not alto- gether satisfied with his treatment by the Australian Government, which failed to appreciate his services as they deterred, Mr. Ilorne returned to England in 1809, and he has resided in this country ever since. De- ceased had married, shortly before his departure for Australia, Miss Foggo, a niece of the eccentric artist of that name. In 1874 the Earl of Beaconsfield conferred upon Mr. Horne a Civil List pension of < £ 100 per annum. In personal character, the deceased was one of the most simple and charming of men, though lie was not devoid of crotchets and peculiarities. He was striking and handsome of feature, and when past 80 years of age his brilliancy of eye and clearness of mental vision were remarkable. lie was fluent of speech, and at the Shakespearian dinner of the Urban Club, in 1879. held at St. John's Gate, he delivered a glow- ing and eloquent eulogium upon the world's greatest poet. It may be added that, though Mr. Horne was known to many as Mr. Richard Hengist, Home, his «econd name was in reality Henry. The name Ifell,i.,t was assumed, and in recent years was dis- continued by the poet.

LONDON TO YORK IIY WATER.—The possibility of goinn- direct from London-bridge to York by water is not often contemplated by inhabitants of the metro- polis, yet it appears not only to be feasible in prospect, for the establishment of a direct weekly steamer to run between London and York is being practically considered in the city of the white rose and if the Corporation of York will only enlarge one lock on the Ouse. some of its enterprising citizens are prepared to at once initiate a new service. Residents by the Thames will welcome this prospect of a fresh holiday route York being a city of so many historical and antiquarian charms that the opportunity of making a sea trip thither could but prove most attractive. City Press.

THE ROYAL NATIONAL nFEBOAT INSTITUTION. In London, on Saturday, the Priiiee)f Wales pre- sided over the annual meeting of the Ryal National Lifeboat Institution, held at Willis's Ihoms. There was a very influential and crowded assenfrly. The secretary read the OOtli annual port, which stated that in 1883 four new lifeboat nations were established at different places and seven dd boats had been replaced by new ones. Twelve Mw stations were in course of formation, and nine nevyboats were about to be provided in localities needing^liem. Two hundred and seventy-four lifeboats wee last year under the management of the institutivfi, and these boats had saved 725 lives and 30 vesfels. There were, besides, 230 lives saved from shipwreck by shore boats and other means. In all tjiese cases rewards in the form of silver medals, votesof thanks on vellum, or in money were granted, pefliniary aid being afforded also to the widows and c-I)baiis of lifeboat men killed on duty. Altogether from its foundation the institution had voted 97 gflfe-mid 904 silver medals, in addition to £ 77,984 in cash, for saving 30,503 lives. The income from al sources during the past year was X40,251-), and the expendi- ture £ '45,817. The Prince of Wales, who was received wtli hearty cheers, said Ladies and gentlemen, before calling upon the noble duke (the Duke of Argylfto move the first resolution, I wish to say a few wods. You have all of you, I feel convinced, heard with the greatest interest the report which has just teen read by the secretary, and I think we must all >e unani- mous in the opinion that that report is higily satis- factory as regards everything connected vith this institution. The National Lifeboat Institution having been founded in 1824, has now reached its sixtieth anniversary, and I think you will all agrelhvith me that there is no institution throughout our country which is of greater importance or more demands our sympathy and assistance. From our geographical position as a sea-girt isle, and from tl colonies which we have acquired, the ship" tJmt travel to and fro and reach 0-10 almost too vast to enable us even to realise wjj^ ,¡ number can actually be. Those vessels llatU; C 1 counter tempests, the results of which are si and loss of life. The risks especially wtIC that valuable and important community, the fishernen on our coasts, have to run from the beginning to lie end of the year must be well known to you all. It is es- pecially to save their lives, and not only theirs, but the lives of all who travel on the sea, thi this great national institution has been founded. Srange to say, that notwithstanding the great improvments which have been effected in navigation and n the different scientific inventions which have been made, there is no doubt that an increase o: ship- wrecks annually occurs. I may mentior that it must have been of interest to those <f you who visited the Fisheries Exhibition last yar to not ice all the models of boats, contrivances for fshing, and apparatus for saving life which were there hown to you. It must be patent to everybody that a yciety of this kind is an absolute necessity. Look at vhat it has done. Since its foundation nearly 31,00* lives have been saved by its instrumentality. Alroaty this year up to now- the middle of March—300 ]¡ye} have been saved, and last year the total number was nearly 1000. The institution has now 274 lifeboat and no doubt you are fully aware, through the indium of the Press, of the gallantry which has been displayed by the coxswains and crews of hose boats." This is so well known to you, I am sure, that I need not engross your attention by dwellingupon the topic. Of one thing, however, I must renind you. I must impress upon your minds the factthat, although wo all admit this to be a nationai and most, important institution, it is at the ;ame time entirely supported by voluntary contributions. Therefore I most urgently ask you to ponder wellover this fact, and impress upon you the great necessity which exists for keeping it up and maintaining itin a state of efficiency with adequate funds. Alargeaniual income is, of course, required for this purpose. To maintain a lifeboat station in a good state E70 per annum is needed. Allusion has been made in the report to the fact that the Princess of Wales has become a vice-patroness of this institntion-(chrs) —and I need hardly tell you that she shares with me all the views that I hold in relation to it. It W¡S a great gratification to her quite recently to present medals to two of the most deserving coxswains vho had distinguished themselves in saving lives. Upon the utility and merits of this institution one in'ght speak for hours, but our meeting to-day is for business and not merely for the purpose of delivering addresses; so I will now call upon the Duke of Argyll to iiove the first resolution. The Duke of Argyll, in moving the adoption ol 'the Ily report, said that on the grave subject of the lo-^ of life at sea there was now a severe controversy racing in the press and in Parliament. It was urged flat a large number of lives which were now lost migh; be saved by different legislation. Lpon that he slnuld not enter. No legislation could, however, abolish shipwrecks along the coast of Great Britain. that was impossible, because it was a curious circumstance that, from the physical geography of our country the most dangerous places for shipwrecks were the ap- proaches to our harbours or the so-called harlours along the east coast. But these so-called barboursvere in reality merely an apology for harbours, for it night truly be said that, except the Iluniber, there was no ,oo(I harbour between the Thames and the Forth. This was a matter which demanded the attention of Parliament, and he hoped to see the time when some good lialjour of refuge would be made at the public expense Apoli this dangerous coast. Dividing the sixty years o' the institution's existence into two periods, he found that during the first thirty the annual average numbr of lives saved by the lifeboats was 501, and duriiv, the last thirty, including 1883, the number was o70. He commended the supply by the institution of aniroids to the poorer class of shipowners, believing they vould p t, prove most valuable; and alluding to the p-oved utility of oil in stopping the surface breaking the sea in stormy weather, he suggested that there should be a well of oil in each lifeboat to be used in case of need. The report was unanimously adopted.

THE MURDER IN THE PALAIS ROYAL. A trial for murder which caused great excitement in Paris last spring has just taken place. The corres- pondent of the Daily Telegraph gives the following particulars Cesarine Larriere, the domestic servant of M. Prestot, a jeweller in the Palais Royal, had been left in charge of the shop and the apartment with which it was connected on Whit Sunday afternoon, the shop having been closed at two p.m. At eleven p.m. Madame Bergheim, a shopwoman, returned to the house to sleep, when she discovered the dead body of Cesarine Larriere lying at the foot of the staircase, dressed in readiness to go out, as the deceased had had permission to dine at her sister's in the neighbourhood. No marks of violence appeared on her person, with the exception of a slight hurt on the forehead, evidently caused by her fall. The medical evidence proved that she had been strangled by some ligature, and by the hands of more than one person, before she could have attempted to defend herself. The shop had been pillaged, a sum of 350 francs having been taken from the till, and a great number of bracelets, chains, rings, and jewel- lery of all kinds, of the value of 40,000 francs, had disappeared. The cases and the imitation jewellery had been left behind. From the manner in which the robberv had been committed, it was evident that the guilty" persons were fully acquainted with the premises, and suspicions were entertained of a Belgian, the husband of the shopwoman Bergheim, and of the accused Henri Blin, who was associated with him—both of them men of bad character and antecedents. Bergheim was separated from his wife, but was in the habit of going to see her in order to obtain money, and he had been seen talking to Cesarine Larriere at the door of the shop on the after- noon of her murder. The day following Bergheim, accompanied by Blin, left Paris and proceeded to Brussels, where they were both arrested, and a trunk, which contained the larger part of the stolen jeweller), found in the room of the hotel occupied by them jfcly. Blin at once made a statement implicating jrgheim as the actual murderer, alleging that he 1 accompanied him to keep watch, although lie admitted fastening a strap round the legs of the victim whilst Bergheim strangled her. They were tried at Brussels and condemned to death; but Blin being a French citizen, and the murder having been committed in Paris, his extradition was granted. His trial, in con- sequence. is now taking place. Bergheim, on his part, gave an entirely different version of the murder, de- claring that his intention was to have confined himself to the robbery, and that Blin was the actual assassin. The prosecution requested the Belgian authorities to forward Bergheim to Paris, in order that he might be examined as a witness; but the application was re- fused. Blin is a quiet-looking man, 37 years old. He had been waiter at a cafe, and, being drawn by the con- scription, went through the campaign in Cochin China in the Marine Infantry. On his discharge he was implicated in several luggage robberies at railway stations, and was tried and condemned to a term of imprisonment. It was whilst undergoing his sentence that lie became acquainted with Bergheim, and they had since been associated in various luggage robberies. The trial commenced with the examination of the prisoner, who throughout reiterated that the crime itself was committed by Bergheim, he being present for the purpose of robbery alone. On Saturday the jury, after listening to an eloquent speech of Blin's counsel, to the effect that his client was only an accessory after the fact,, found a verdict of guilty with extenuating circumstances, and the pri- soner was sentenced to penal servitude for life.

THE POULTRY YARD. Failures to bring off good broods of chickens so often occur that the amateur who has not plenty of time and patience, and a fair amount of skill, will act wisely in waiting until about the middle of March. Unless the raising of chickens early in the season is carried on in a systematic manner, the results will certainly not afford a sufficient return for the anxiety and labour involved in looking after the eggs during the process of incubation, and the care of the chickens until they are strong enough to take care of them- selves, with such assistance as the hen affords. Prior to the setting of the eggs it may be well to consider which breed is the most suitable to particular cases when there is no preference for certain breeds. With- out recounting the advantages and disadvantages of the whole of the breeds, we will at once state that there are three deserving of special attention, and these are the Dorkings, the Brahmas, and the Cochins. Where there is plenty of room, or where effectual means can be adopted for keeping the birds within bounds, the Dorkings are the best; the chickens are delicate in flavour and of the best possible colour, as also are the cockerels, and the hens lay freely, and the eggs are of good quality. But as they can fly to a considerable height it is practically impossible to keep them out of gardens when the runs are con- tiguous thereto, unless the yards are so enclosed that they cannot get out of them. Brahmas and Cochins are not of such a good colour when cooked, and the old birds are rather coarse, but they are good eating and capital layers, more especially during the winter, when eggs are valuable, consequent on their com- parative scarcity, and as the birds do not fly very high they can be easily kept out of the garden. In com- mencing to rear the chicks select eggs not more than a fortnight old, and provide for the nest a snug. warm corner, on a brick or earth floor if practicable, and make it with clean hay or straw. From nine to thirteen eggs will suffice for a sitting at the present moment, for unless well covered there is a risk of the cold injuring them. A hen that has shown signs of broodiness should be brought to the place where the nest has been made, and if left to herself will soon take to it. Food and water ought to be placed within a few yards of the nest, so that there may be no occasion for her to leave the nest for any length of time to satisfy the cravings of hunger, and a cabbage or broccoli, from which the heart has been re- moved, may be suspended within a convenient distance for her to peck at.-GardeJ/crs' Magazine.

THOUGHT IIE HAD SEEN If It seems to me I have seen your physiognomy somewhere before," said a swell to a stranger whom he met the other day "but I cannot imagine where." Very likely," replied the other; "I have been warder of a prison for the last twenty years." THE CHICAGO i>Lu, FOR DISCOURAGING TRAMPS.— Yes," said the manager of the Provident Wood Yard, there are five cords of wood in that yard, piled up in neat little heaps of an eighth of a cord each, and there are twenty-four bucks and saws ready. Any man in the world who wants a meal or a lodging can have it by sawing and splitting one of those piles of wood. He can easily perform the task in one and a quarter hours, and then he will receive a meal-ticket or a lodging-ticket, as he chooses. Now, why should people give any more charity to strangers when they can send them to our woodyard ?"— | Detroit Free Pr,

GARDENING FOR rIlE WEEK. }',t CONSERVATORY AND GREENHOUSE. JAliums in pots must now have a light and airy position, and be regularly watered. If allowed to become dry a good bloom cannot be expected. The shoots ought now to be three or four inches long. and the roots are greedy of moisture. Any liliums not yet potted up for the season must be attended to immediately. Pelargoniums are now pushing into flower in all cases where they have been some time without a shift. To cure this stop first and shift afterwards. Those shifted a month ago will now want stopping, or flower- trusses are sure to appear. The only way to deal with them is to nip out the points of all the shoots, and cut back a few joints any shoots that are pushing out beyond the general circumference. Keep them rather close after the operation, to encourage the pushing of the lower buds. STOVE AND ORCHID HOUSE. During the fine weather with which we are usually favoured at this time of year a kindly heat must be kept up, for there is at such times plenty of light to stimulate vegetation, but owing to the prevalence of 9 11 east winds, the houses soon cool down after sunset unless the heating is well managed. Shut up early- say, at 80 deg. to 85 deg.—and allow a fall to 00 deg., or even lower during the night. Stove plants recently cut back, and now breaking nicely, to be shaken out, and repotted in smaller pots than they were in before, and be immediately plunged in bottom-heat. In case of being in doubt about the proper soil for any stove plant, use equal parts turfy loam, peat, and leaf mould, and add sharp sand enough to make the whole fnahle and porous. But this general advice is not to stand in the way of the little trouble needful to dis- cover what is the best mixture for any particular plant. FORCING AND ORCHARD HOUSE. (k'.cv.mhers in b««ru»g to bo k..pt in good health by very careful ventilation and a steady heat. During dull weather water very sparingly, so as to allow of keeping them rather close. Those coming into fruit to be regulated carefully, and the laterals stopped above the second joint. Thin the crop in time if fruits are required; but where produce is more im- portant than size and beauty they may be allowed to bear all that set, and they will be sooner over to make room for succession plants. A brisker heat in the frames may be encouraged now by linings; but vermin will abound unless a sharp look-out is kept to fumigate when needed. Melons begin to require considerable attention to set the blooms train the vines, thin out the super- abundant growth, and ventilate cautiously. The more fully-developed leaves are better if evenly dis- tributed, so as to have a fair share of light leaves that are overlapped may be removed, and no side shoots should be allowed to push which are likely to crowd the vines and rob bearing laterals. But the other extreme must be avoided thin plants will never produce fine fruits, and none should be allowed to bear until they have acquired a robustnes:3 of cha- racter The smaller kinds of melons may be very successfully grown in pots, and if well managed the fruit so produced is invariably handsome and finely- flavoured. I)eaches.-Du.riii, the period of the stoning of the fruit the temperature must be tolerably uniform, ranging from 55 deg. at night to 7u deg. by day as the extremes either way the roots to be kept rather dry, and as much air given as possible without causing a chill. When the fruit are as large as cherry-stones thinning should commence, but must not be all done at once. Luxuriant shoots to be stopped back, and a sharp look-out kept now for black fly on the under sides of the leaves at the points of the shoots. Strawberries under glass require frequent and liberal supplies of water at the roots, and sprinkling over the leaves. They must also have something stronger than water at the roots occasionally while swelling their fruit but manure water should be withheld a few days before gathering. FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE GROUNDS. Balsams for bedding out to be sown this week. These need not have such high culture as those now coming on for early bloom in pots, as short, sturdy, slow-growing plants are required. Balsams must always have a rich light soil, suffer no check, and be well supplied with water. Cak-cvlurius for bedding to be freely exposed to the air, but to be covered at night in case of frost. KITCHEN GARDEN. Climlwrsfur the Garden to be grown liberally, so as to have them a good size by the time they are planted out. It is miserable to see elaborate trellis-works naked until about the middle of July, owing to the microscopic size of the soft-wooded climbers that are planted in May to cover them. Where the plants exist already, now is the time to shift them on into largerpots; and if they do not exist there must be no time lost in obtaining seeds, cuttings, or plants. Grass Ttirf requires careful attention now to ensure a good sward during the coming summer. The turf should be well rolled with a heavy roller any patchy places should be returfed. and all alterations, such as cutting new beds and turfing where beds have been, comjjleted speedily. If the grass is poor throughout, and it is not intended to renew it, spread over the whole surface a thin sprinkling of nitrate of soda or guano. Again in the middle of April give another sprinkle, and again at the end of May another. s tiece-sion plants must be provided in considerable breadths by sowing at once. On cold heavy soils it is much better to sow in pans and boxes, and give them the shelter of a frame, than to sow in the open ground but in sheltered places seed beds on warm borders will do very well now. Cai-rot, to be sown for the main crop if the groud is dry and fine. If it is wet or consists of hard clods, wait a bit; another week may improve it much, especially if east winds blow freely. All fine seeds, such as carrot, parsnip, and lettuce, that have little substance in them require more care in sowing than seeds that may be described as fat, or that have a decidedly visible bulk. such as peas, beans, and cabbage. The flimsy seeds should be sown when the ground is tolerably dry and the surface well broken, so that the seeds can be covered securely, yet lightly. Peas in a forward state in situations exposod to the full blast of north and east winds require a little pro- tection, or half their life will be blown out of them. First earth them up well; this will protect the lower part of the stems; next put sticks to them of sufficient height and strength to carry the crop and, lastly, stick short lengths of evergreen branches along the rows, on the windward side only. Peas so treated now will three weeks hence be a full week forwarder, to say nothing of their superior freshness and health, than those that have to fight it out, though the same sorts, on the same ground, and sown the same time. In the end it may make ten days' difference in the date of the first gathering if it makes only two or three davs, the gain in time will more than pay for the extra labour. Potatoes thai were planted early, and are now peep- ing through the ground, must be covered by drawing over them a little fine soil: or if there is a good store of burnt earth, burnt brushwood, or other alkaline and carbonaceous material of a rough kind turn it to account, to cover the young haulm lightly. This will foster the tender leaf, and screen off light frosts, and the washings down of alkalies by the rain will greatly improve the crop. Rhubarb that has stood long in the same place may be taken up, divided, and planted in fresh soil. This is essential to the production of large. early, handsome stalks. The soil for the new plantation should be a deep loam, abundantly manured. If it is half marshy it scarcely matters, for rhubarb seldom suffers in winter through being in a damp soil, and in summer it always grows the better for it. TIIE IIOUSE. Cage birds will now require constant and careful attention. The middle of April is quite early enough to commence the pairing of canaries and other of the small birds usually kept in cages, but it will be neces- sary for those who may be desirous of increasing their stock to shortly devote some attention to the matter, r. to ensure their plans being well arranged. The best and least troublesome course, where a considerable number of birds are kept, and there is no regular aviary, is to place the birds selected for pairing together in a small room, with a south aspect. The room should contain several large branches of trees fixed in a somewhat natural manner, at suitable dis- tances apart to afford suitable quarters for the nests, and the window should be kept open and be covered with strong wire netting of small mesh. For nesi building, the birds will require supplies of moss, the hair of cows, fine liav, lint, wool cut up short, and paper shavings. When it is necessary to pair the birds in cages! these should be of comparatively large size, and be placed in as quioj a position as possible The cages should be provided with nests of turned wood or wicker work, and for lining them the birds must have wool, lint, nnd cow? hair, placed vvithip their reach. Artificial r- may also be fixed in suitable positions in avali-, gnd rooitis, and supplies of fine stuff for making fIOf nings only provided for the birds. The fcoct supplies must be carefully looked after, the water charged daily, and the floor of cage or room be well strewed with clean sand. Facilities for bathing must be provided, and the importance of fresh air to both old and young birds should not be Magazine.

WILLS AND BEQUESTS. (From the lllutircited London Sews.) The will (dated July 13, 1883), with two codicils (dated July 19 and Oct. 13 following). of Mr. Francis Thomas Bircham, formerly of No. 40, Parliament- street, but late of Burhill, Walton-on-Thaines, who died on Nov. 25 last, was proved on the 3rd inst. by Samuel Bircham. Francis Thomas Bircham. and Major Ambrose Humphreys Bircham. the sons, the executors, the value of the personal estate amounting to upwards of The testator bequeaths to his wife £lUUU, the marble bust of himself bv Count Gleichen. and all his plate, furniture, pictures, and household effects, subject to specific gifts thereout to his sons and of memorials of him to his daughters, and also all his wines, consumable stores, horses and carriages to his son Samuel the plate presented to him by the directors of the London and South-Western Railway Company, and all his live and dead farming- stock, crops, and implements and there are numerous legacies to his children, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, brother, sister, nephews, nieces, and other relatives, godchildren, assistants in the firm of which he was formerly a member, servants, and others. lIe leaves certain stocks, amounting together to upwards of i'45,000, upon trust, for his wife for lift-, tocn, as to XIO,000 sterling, as she shall appoint, and as to the remainder as she shall appoint amQng- hi* children and their fa:<1; 11on trust, for his grandson, Marwood/Char!e« Ti:c.v* Burhill estate and his o'e-tM^ Vhar.- of ih- house in Parliament-street he givesJ\, his xm Samuel, subject to his paying two sums of V'yiiXJ and £ 10,000 to his general estate, and of to his wife for life. As to the residue of his property, iie leaves nine forty-fourths to his son Francis Thomas Bircham, and seven forty-fourths each to his son Ambrose Humphreys Bircham, and to his daughters, Mrs. Kate Dalrymple Halsey, Mrs. Laura Caroline Downton, Miss Alice Jessie Bircham, and Mrs. Frances Elinor Pearse. The benefits conferred on his wife and children are in addition to the provision made for them by his marriage settlement. The will (dated April 2:2.183:2). with two codicils (dated April 5 and Aug. 9. 188.3). of Major Edward Littledale. formerly of Portland-place, but late of No. 1G, St. James's-square, who died on Jan. IS last, was proved on the 12ih ult. by Charles Richard Little- dale and Arthur Littledale, the brothers, and Harry Thornton, the executors, the value of the personal estate amounting to upwards of £ 89,000. The tes- tator bequeaths £ 3(X>0. upon trust, for his brother Charles Richard, for life £ 8000 upon trust for his brother Arthur for life and legacies to nephews, nieces, and other relatives, god-children, and servants. As to the residue of the personalty, he leaves one moiety (less £lUtli..i, which he gives 10 him absolutely), upon trust, for his nephew, Captain John William Clayton, for life, and then for his two children, Harold and Isabella and the other moiety to the children of his brother Arthur. His real estate (if any) lie gives to his two brothers. The will (dated Nov. 29, 1382), with a codicil (dated Dec. 19 following), of Mr. William Thomas Carr, of the Middle Temple, barrister-at-law, and of No. 1, Avenue Elmers, Surbiton, Surrey, who died on Dec. 14 last, was proved on the 5th ult. by Mrs. Alice Carr. the widow, Richard Mills, and William Francis Asliton. the nephew, the executors, the value of the personal estate amounting to upwards of £ 71,000. The testator leaves pecuniary legacies of £ 400 and £1050, and his furniture, household effects, horses and carriages, to his wife his plate, subject to a power to his wife to select such as she may wish for her use for life, to his nephew Thomas Henry Ashton and his residence. No. 1. Avenue Elmers, to his wife for life, and then to his nephew William Francis Ashton. The property to which he is entitled under the will of "Michael Bentley lie leaves as follows :—One-third, upon trust, for Thomas Phillips Waite for life, and then for his children; one- -e third, upon trust, for Mrs. Diana Hawkesley for life and then for the two children of Henry Howard Barber; and the remaining third, upon trust, for Mrs. Zoe Adelaide Auber for life, and then for her daughter and only child. The residue of his real estate and the proceeds of certain real estate sold, amounting to over charged with the payment of £ 12.>0 per annum to his wife. per annum to his sister, Mrs. Alicia Grace Ashton, and some other annuities, he settles on his nephew Thomas Henry Ashton, for life, with remainder to his first and every other son, successively, according to their respective seniorities in tail male. The residue of the personalty is to be held, upon trust, to pay an annuity of £ 250 to his wife for life, and, subject thereto, for his nephew, William Francis Ashton. The will (dated Jan. 31, 1S83) of Mr. John Eliot Howard, F.R.S., late of Lord's Meade, Tottenham, and of Ackworth, Yorkshire, who died on Nov. 22 last, was proved, on the 0th ult, by W illiam Dill- worth Howard and Joseph Howard, the sons, two of the executors, the value of the personal estate amounting to over £ 43,000. The testator bequeaths and his furniture, plate, pictures, household effects, horses, carriages, live stock, and farming implements, to his wife, Mrs. Maria Howard £ 2000 to each of his daughters: some shares to his son Joseph: and legacies^to granddaughters and servants. All his freehold, copyhold, and leasehold estates he leaves, upon trust, for his wife for life, and at her death he gives his property at Tottenham to his son William Dill worth his property in Yorkshire to his son Joseph his property in Bartholomew-close to his son Henry: and a farm to his daughter Mrs. Eleanor Llovd. The residue of his propertyhealsoleaves, upon trust, for his wife for life; at her death £ 2000 is to be paid to each of the three sons of his late son John Eliot: and the ultimate residue is to be divided between his daughters, in equal shares, The deceased was a Fellow of the Linnean Society, and a corres- ponding member of the Societe de Pharmac-ie de Paris. The will (dated May 12. 18821 of Mrs. Charlotta Collinson, late of No. 40, York-street, Portman- square, who died on Jan. 11 last was proved on the 5th ult. by Charles Morgan and Miss Ellen Bur- mester, the sister, the executors, the value of the per- sonaJ estate amounting to over £:?8,tHXI. The testa- trix bequeaths £ 1090 each to the British and Foreign Bible Society and the London City Mission £ 500 each to the Religious Tract Society, the London Mis- sionary Society, the Royal Ophthalmic Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital. Paddington the British. Home for Incurables, and the Reformatory and Refuge t nion £ 4<X>0, upon trust, for her stepdaughter, Rosa Col- linson and some other legacies. The residue of her property she gives to her sister, Miss Burmester. The will (dated Aug. 5, 1879) of Mr. Maurice Charles Merlins Swabey. D.C.L.. J.P.. Chancellor of the Dioceses of Oxford and Ripon, late of Langley Marish, Bucks, who died on Nov. 1 last, has been proved by Mrs. Marv Katharine Swabey, the widow, Maurice John Swabey, the son, and Edward Haggard, the executors, the value of the personal estate ex ceeding £8uOO. The testator leaves £ 1000 and his wines, consumable stores, horses and carnages, to his wife £ 1000 to his said son; and his real. estate in the parish of Langley Marish, and all his furniture and household effects, to his wife for life or winowhood and then to the person who shall succeed to tne real and copvhold estates under the settlement made on his marriage. The residue of his real an estate is to be held upon trust for his wife for■ hte o while she remains his widow, and then or dren.