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

GENERAL GORDON AT KHARTOUM Under date Khartoum (by post to Berber), March 14, the correspondent of the limes writes :— Yesterday evening I had an interview with General Gordon, who announced his intention of attacking the rebels on the following day, The reasons he gave for this course were as follows I have 800 men, to whom I have given arms, and who have remained faithful to me, shut up at Haliiyeli, some miles to the north of Khartoum. The presence of the enemy round Ilalfiyeh blocks our line of com- munications by steamer. For instance, the steamer Bourdain yesterday attempted to pass, and the rebels opened fire, wounding three soldiers. The rebels cannot be more than 4000, and I will make my attack on three sides-one from that of Khartoum, one from that of the beleaguered garrison, and one from armed steamers. The rebels have intrenched themselves along the river bank, being thus enabled to fire with impunity on passing steamers, and I must dislodge them. This assemblage of rebels has not apparently interfered with the forwarding of supplies to the town market. One hundred camels, carrying food, arrived here to-day. This is above the usual daily number, and the fact shows that the poople would not rise unless they were egged on by some malcontents. They would be quiet if they believed the Government had any backbone. Provided that no influence be brought to bear from without, the loss of an action will not involve immediate danger to Khartoum. The only justifica- tion for assuming the offensive against these poor un- fortunate peasants is derived from the law of self- defence, and the duty of the extrication of the men beleaguered in Halfiyeh. But for this, it is ques- tionable whether we ought to shoot down those whose reason for rebellion is fidelity to the only person whom they can see as their coming governor in the immediate future, with the wish to pre- serve their possessions, the security of which cannot be guaranteed by the present provisional Govern- ment. I have information from Kassala that the garrison is holding out strongly, and that it may assume the offensive. There is also a report that the Sheikh Buseen, who was besieging Sala Bey, has been poisoned. This probably accounts for the quietude prevailing'on the left bank of the Blue Nile. The town is safe, and the people are volunteering on all sides for the service of the Government." Yesterday evening about 3000 rebels, horse and foot, remained drawn up under arms, with banners waving, on the right bank of the Nile, opposite to the palace. We observed them till the night fell, and could then see their watch fires. At three o'clock this morning I was awakened by a heavv rifle fire. I could see the flashes from the roof of the Palace. The firing continued till daybreak, when about 6000 rebels returned from the direction of the river, and drew up in four ranks, each nearly two miles long. Later on in the day they commenced making huts and putting up tents. I can hear their drums beating while I write. Writing later, the same correspondent says I have discovered that the cause of last night's firing was an attack on a party of 300 soldiers who had been sent down the river for firewood. The following are General Gordon's words on the subject: "My arrangements of last night have unfortu- nately been put a stop to by the following circum- stance. It appears tnat, by some unaccountable negligence, 300 of the black troops had been left on the Nile below. These were cut off by the advance of the Arabs, and they attempted to get to Khartoum at night by means of boats. When passing Halfiyeh, they were seen by the rebels, who opened fire on them, killing 100. In consequence of some further disgraceful negligence, the steamers that should have gone to their rescue did not get under weigh for six hours after the event. This sad loss, with the intelli- gence, b uglit to me l ater, that some Chaggiahs who had been blockaded at Halfiyeh had gone over to the rebels, combined with the vast accumulation of these latter on the other bank of the Nile, have decided me to restrict myself to the defence of Khartoum, and not to risk any outside expedition further than may be necessary to keep the environs clear. "We hear that the rebels gathered round Sala Bey have left him in great numbers, and are now here, so that our being blockaded will help him. Produce continues to come into the town from the south, south-west, and south-east. Fortunately, the 300 Remingtons sent to the troops at Halfiyeh have escaped capture." On March 15 the Times correspondent writes: The e expedition, consisting of 1200 men, with three steamers, started down the river this morning to re- lieve the beleagured Chaggias in Halfiyeh. We were bound in honour to make the attempt to extricate them, however perilous defeat might be. The steamers were defended with boiler-plates, and carried mountain guns, protected by wooden mantlets. The troops were concealed in the holds and in large iron barges, in order to protect them from the intrenched Arab marksmen on the banks, who, owing to the lowness of the Nile, commanded the river. Late on the evening of the 15th the same writer says Amid the greatest rejoicings known here for many years past, the soldiers on the steamers and barges have come back, having rescued the 500 soldiers of the Halfiyeh garrison. They have raised the siege, and saved the men, with the loss of only two men; capturing 70 camels, 18 horses, and a quantity of arms and cattle. There was a great demonstration by the towns- people in honour of General Gordon. To-morrow he will attack the Arab army which is drawn up opposite to our windows. The men who held Halfiyeh, and the men who rescued them, were Chaggias, of the same tribe, which, in Hussein Clieri's time, consisted of avowed rebels. This little victory gained over men of their own race shows how great a change has been produced.

CUTTINGS FROM AMERICAN PAPERS. Don't you have any schools here? "asked a tra- veller of a resident in a Wisconsin village. Had a kind of a school here last season, but the teacher was too willing." How so ? Oh, some of the fellows asked him if he taught that the world was round or square, and he said, seein' lie was out of a job, he'd teach her round or square—just as the School Board wanted it teacher. Said it was immaterial." A Philadelphia lady put her watch under her pillow the'other night, but couldn't keep it there because it disturbed her sleep. And there was her bed ticking rierht under and she never thought of it at all. "Yes," said the level-headed school-boy, I'm at the foot o' my class, and I calculate to stay there. Then I don't have to stand the wear and tear of anxiety for fear I'll lose my place." Almost any man will forget his $10 umbrella when he leaves a restaurant; but give a woman a parasol worth 51, and take her into fifty restaurants and she will not forget it once. inly darling, you do not bestow upon me so much affection as you did before we were married," remarked a pouting bride of four years to her husband. Don't I?" he replied. "No, Charles, you do not; you pay very little attention to me." Well, my dear," observed the husband, did you ever see a man run after a horse-car after he had caught it ?" "Was early man a savage?" asked a magazine writer. That depends. If the early man was dress- ing to catch the four a.m. train, and his collar button fell behind the bureau, the probabilities are that he was about as savage as they make 'em. A man will burn his fingers lighting a cigar with a piece of paper, and make no fuss about it, but when his wife asks him to set the tea-kettle over, and he takes hold of the warm handle, he is mad enough to wreck the kitchen.

THE KING OF NORWAY 0 N TEE RECENT STATE TRIALS. The following is a translation of the memorandum of the King of Sweden and Norway upon the official minutes of the judgment of the Norwegian State Court of Justice against the Prime Minister Selmer: "What my predecessors on the throne of the Kingdom of Norway declared relative to the judg- ment of the State Court of Justice in the years 1827 and 1845 I here repeat most distinctly. No judg- montof the State Court of Justice can be acknowledged by me as settling any Constitutional question nor as carrying with it any precedent in any way binding on me or my successors. I declare, consequently, that I shall not, in consequence of the judgment of the State Court now delivered, consider myself in any point or in any way circumscribed in my right to govern the country in future as heretofore, with all the authority which according to the Constitutional law appertar* to the King. Respecting the important issue invoJ.. I in the first paragraph of the judgment, I consider it particularly necessary to declare that the judgment of the State Court cannot annul or alter the Consti- tutional order hitherto acknowledged, according to which no alteration of the Constitution can become valid without the consent of the King. On my ascending the throne I took an oath on the Constitu- tion, such as it has been understood in that practice of many years, and such as it has been declared and confirmed by the most learned men and by the Storthing itself. But I have not sworn, and I am prevented by my oath from rendering unconditional sanction to any altera- tion of the Constitution that a large majority of the Storthing may decide on. This would be nothing less than a surrender of the position in the State which is assigned to the sovereign power by the Constitution, and which the King of Norway is bound to maintain and defend. The duties devolving on the Union King demand, besides, that I should in every way maintain the position of the power in the State which alone can secure the union existing between the two countries. Such a duty is laid by the Constitution on the Union King, and must by the inner necessity of things be secured to him. Both countries are equally members of the union settled by free will and legal form, but both nations are also bound by said union, and the King, as the representative of both, has not only the right but the duty to watch over and see that this settlement is strictly maintained. I repudiate, therefore, most de- cidedly any partial attack on any of the guarantees for the stability of the Union, and one of the most important of these guarantees lies in the uncondi- tional right of sanction on the king's part to any alteration of the Constitution in either kingdom. Every Commonwealth must be founded on obedience to the law, on respect for right and justice, and on the Constitution, such as it has once been fixed and carried out and understood in the course of time. The great principle cannot be impugned without the most serious results to the honour and welfare of the people. To give my approval to the substance of a judgment such as has fallen on the State Minister Selmer would be to render myself and the Norwegian people also responsible for the said judgment and for its results to the country and to the Union. It is known that encroachments have been made in the process of the trial and in the com- position of the Court, in a manner contrary to the principles of an impartial administration of Justice. Deep is my sorrow that such a trial and such a judg- ment should have come to pass in our country. But I find, nevertheless, that, under existing circum- stances, I ought to interpret my duty in such a way that it will be best and most judicious for the welfare of the country to allow the State Minister Selmer to retire. He has also himself rospcctfuUy announced his wish to leave the Ministry. I decide, therefore, that the State Minister Selmer shall retire from office. I express to the retiring Minister my gracious and warm acknowledgment of his long official labours and faithful services to the country and to myself." The King the same day nominated Mr. Selmer a Knight of the Seraphim, the highest order of Sweden.

< THE CONSUMPTION OF SPIRITS IN DENMARK.—Consul Harris, in a report just made to the Foreign Office, states that the consumption of spirits in Denmark is equal to nearlyy 14 gallons per udult male of the population. In the United Kingdom the consumption of spirits per head of the whole population was oner gallon at proof; in Denmark it is about three and a half at proof. Drunkenness had to do with 31 per cent. of the serious and 69 per cent. of the petty crime in Denmark. HE WOULD BE A CANDIDATE.—"Now, George," said Lurline, "I've promised to be your wife, and now you must promise me one thing." My darling, what is it ? That you will not bo a candidate," she said. Not be a candidate lie said. Great Scott Anything but that—anything but that! I can't promise you that." Why can't you promise that, George ? Oh, because all the fellows are candidates—Jones is a candidate, Brown is a candi- date, Smith is a candidate, Simpkins is a candidate; they are all candidates. No, my dear; I'll promise you anything in reason; but I can't give up my great North American right to be a candidate." Then, sir," she replied, sternly, our paths henceforth di- verge. I'll not have my married life marred by political strife. Good night,. sir." And George passed out, into the street, a martyr to his principles. -Detro,it Free Press..

A SINGULAR WILL CASE. In the Probate Court on Saturday the action Hart and Another v. Longcroft and Another was concluded. This was a suit in which Henry Percival Hart and Alfred Freeman Gill, as executors, propounded a will executed by the late Major-General Longcroft on May 19,18<S3. Probate was at first opposed by Henry Longcroft and Edith do St. Croix, children of the testator, but they having withdrawn their opposition, the defence was continued by interveners. It appeared that the testator had served in the Indian Army, and was a retired major-general at the time of the execution of his will. Though he died on May 22, 1883, which was only three days after the will was made, there was no doubt of his mental capacity at the time he executed it. The substantial defence was that the instrument was not duly executed in accordance with the statute of wills. The plain- tiff, Mr. Henry Percival Hart, was brother-in-law of the testator, who sent for him the day before the execution of the will, and offered to hand him over, by means of two cheques onCoutts'sasum of X70,000, that being the amount of his assets in money and securities in that bank. The testator was then ill, and he proposed to Mr. Hart that in case of his death, the money should be applied in accordance with general verbal directions then expressed and with the terms of a memorandum which he handed to Mr. Hart. This gentleman objected to having the testa- mentary wishes of the General carried out in that form; but, though not a lawyer, he undertook to draw up a will in accordance with the General's directions. He accomplished this task by the next day. By the will and a memorandum referred to in it, the testator left S9000 each to his son and daughter, £ 20,000 to Mr. Needham, Longcroft, a nephew, and 910,(M each to two sons of Mr. Hart, and various other specific legacies. The residue he left in trust to Mr. Hart to pay certain legacies to individuals and to pay, after payment of those last mentioned legacies, what- ever might remain to a number of charitable in- stitutions in the metropolis; the apportionment. as among those charities to be at the discretion of Mr. Hart. In the will was a clause expressing the entire confidence of the testator in Mr. Hart as the person who was to dispose of the residue after the specific legacies. Though the amount of the estate is now nearer to XSO,000 than X70,OW, the managers of the charities named in the memorandum believe that if the will and memorandum be carried on in the manner therein indicated, there will be nothing left for those charities. Hence, when the children of the testator and the executors came to an arrangement, the managers thought it their du' y to continue the opposition. One of the charities, the Governess's Institution, had its case conducted by Mr. M'lntyre, Q.C., the others, and there were some ten or eleven of them, by Mr. E. Clarke, Q.C. The charities set up a will made by the testator in 1881, which, if estab- lished, would give them absolute bequests. Mr. Hart was examined by Mr. Middleton and stated the cir- cumstances in which he drew up the will. Mr. E. Clarke, Q.C., having put several questions to the witness in cross examination, stated that as the children of the testator had come in to oppose the will in the first instance ard had only retired from the opposition when bought off, the managers of the charities which he represented had thought it their duty to intervene and have an investigation of the curious circumstances in which the will was drawn. They never had intended to cast any reflection on Mr. Hart, but they had not had a full explanation of those circumstances, until that gentleman had given his evidence. Having heard that evidence he, on the part of the managers of those charities, begged to retire from the opposition but he trusted his lord- ship would be of opinion that the case was one in which costs should be given to his clients. Mr. M'lntyre, Q.C., said he was in the same posi- tion as Mr. Clarke. The President asked whether the opposition of the children of the testator had been bought oft. Mr. Inderwick replied that as the two sons of Mr. Hart, had been left £10,000 each it had been agreed to raise the amount which each of the children of the testator was to receive to the same amount, thus £ 1000 would be added to the legacy bequeathed to each of them, The President said that if the son and daughter of the deceased had withdrawn their opposition without terms, he would not have granted any costs to the charities; but, as a sum of money had been promised the lady and gentleman to induce them to withdraw I it, he thought that justified an intervention on behalf of the charities. He would, however, allow them only one set of costs out of the estate. He hoped they would themselves apportion that one set among them. Formal proof having been given of its execution, his Lordship pronounced for the will. 't

OTTER HUNTING. The first opening note which proclaims that old Bellman or Borderer has winded him is generally followed by a chorus which makes the whole welkin ring. Up stream the run commences in earnest, and great is the hurry scurry of the crowd behind, who, afraid of deep pools, at times leave the bed for the banks and scramble as best they can along the face amidst rock and hazel. Hard-pressed, the otter may cross country till another bend, and this of course allows of some fresh excitement and diversion, during which those who have tumbled in up to the neck forget altogether the soaked condition of their clothes. The welcome check allows of the stragglers in here to get up, and then follows, possibly, some most exciting work with the terriers. Hound after hound, anxious all the time they are trying to unearth him, will keep swimming, with nostrils dilated, and full of scent, up stream, every now and then making deep echoes ring amongst the woodland banks. Inside the terriers have not a very good time of it, for, strong of fang, the otter fights quite as fiercely as does the wild cat of the Highlands. Fre- quently the plucky little dogs have been pulled out in a half-dead condition, with a bit of the nose or an ear off, or without one or both eyes. Then comes the grand fight in the pool, in which to him has yielded, possibly after a fierce hunt, many a plump salmon. Disappearing amidst a mass of broken water, he is viewed again by some spectators, as he vents down stream, and the chase again commences in earnest. Th(? friendly earth or open drain is sought by him in rain, and ho would fain take refuge in the covering shed of the mill-wheel, from which he has often been scared' by the miller as he turns on the sluice atj early morning. His shaggy-muzzled, rough-coated tormentors give him but little rest, and at length, almost worn out, he is surrounded in the pool, the followers joining hands and forming a ring, through "vrhich he finds it difficult to escape. Game to the very last, 'he drags to the bottom some fierce hound which has pressed him too close, and almost drowns him ere he lets him free. Scarcely a hound that tackles him escapes scatheless, and his is no mere hare's bite. At last an opportunity presents itself for the M.O.H. to perform one of the most daring and most dexterous of all feats, viz., the tailing of the otter. No one who Ltcks muscle in the arm, or confidence in himself, need ritempt this; and even with the most brave and skil- ful huntsman it is attended with no little danger.— Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News.

LET IT Go.—A lady who was suffering under a slight indisposition said to her husband, It is with the greatest difficulty that I can breathe, and the effort distresses me exceedingly." Then I wouldn't try, my dear; let your breath go," responded her unfeeling spouse, in tones of pretended sympathy. A BASHFUL PAIR.—A bashful young man escorted an equally bashful young lady. As they approached the dwelling of the damsel, she said, entreatingly, Zekiel, don't tell anybody you saw me home." "Sary," said he, emphatically, "don't you mind. I am as much ashamed of it as you are." A NOTABLE PERSONAGE.—The St. Petersburg Corre- spondent of the Times writes: "A notable personage ha,s recently died at Shusa, in the province of Eliza- bethgrad-a Persian prince, the Ameer Bahman „ "Mirza, uncle of the present Shah, and formerly a pretender to the Persian Throne. He was under the old Persian law entitled to the Imperial purple, but since the introduction of the European law of in- heritance by his nephew, Nassr-ed-Din Shah, Prince Bahman Mirza has quietly resided in voluntary exile on a pension, and devoted himself entirely to domestic concerns. He had seven wives and 50 children, and was 80 years old when he died. A number of his erown-up sons serve in the Russian army and two in the Persian Guards. Nearly all the dragoon regi- ments of the Caucasus contain one or two of his sons or nephews. One son, Mahmud Mirza, who fought with the Russian dragoons in the last Turkish cam- paign, has since been invited to Teheran to command the Shah's Life Guards, with the rank of general. The Shah appears to have been latterly on very friendly terms with his uncle. There seems to be grett diiffculty "as to the disposal of the property left to ^e deceased's large family."

.THE INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES EXHIBITION A meeting of the general committee of this exhibi- tion, for the purpose of winding up its affairs, was held on Saturday afternoon at South Kensington, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in the chair. Mr. Edward Birkbeck, M.P., chairman of the Exe- cutive Committee, read the report drawn up by that body, and said that he wished to point out that their policy had been a most liberal one, and they had en- deavoured to make the exhibition not only a financial success, but also a lasting benefit for those who were specially interested and engaged in the great fishing industries of this country. It had undoubtedly been of vast importance and given a direct encouragement to the fishing interest, and had brought the fishery questions of the world before the public in a manner never before contemplated. They had placed before fishermen, smackowners, and others engaged in the fisheries all the best modes of fishing and appliances carried on in the world, and had given them every mertns of acquiring as much knowledge on these sub- jects as possible, and it now rested with them to utilise the knowledge for their own benefit, and also for the community at large, by increasing the supply of fish. The Legislature must now follow up these results by taking the necessary steps to obtain a reduction in the prohibitive railway rates, and enable both catcher and consumer to receive the benefits to which they are entitled. Lord Abinger then moved that the report be re- ceived and confirmed, which was seconded by Sir Arthur Blyth, and carried unanimously. His Royal Highness then said You have all listened, I am sure, with great interest to the report that has been read to you by the chairman of the Executive Committee. From what we have heard, I think it is patent to all that the late Fisheries Exhi- bition has, in every point of view, been a success. It has been a financial success, and it has also been a success as regards the enormous quantity of people who have visited it, not only our own countrymen, and those from our colonies, but from every part of the globe. It is unnecessary for me, on an occasion of this kind, to enumerate the objects of this exhi- bition, but I maintain that its two salient objects- viz., the scientific and practical ones have fully justified its existence its scientific object by exhibits being shown of every possible kind of modern appliance that could be invented, thus showing the great improvements that have been made in the fishing industry of the world the practical, because it not only shows to our own countrymen, but to those of all the world, what a valuable means of subsistence fish is, many of whom, I believe, had no idea how valuable it was, whilst the existence of a variety of fish was made known which had not even been heard of by the great majority. Well, gentle- men, you have all heard that there is a surplus amounting to £ 15,243, and the question is naturally how to employ that sum. In the address I read to you at the closing of the Exhibition I held out some hope that this might be applied in a useful and practical manner, and I would therefore now suggest to the general committee that one of the best objects to per- petuate this successful exhibition would be to appro- priate, say about EIO,000, to alleviate the distress of widows and orphans of sea fishermen. I use the words alleviate the distress because I do not wish to bind any of you to our erecting an orphanage. That would cost a great deal of money, and I think would possibly be a mistake. If we were to embark in any great building enterprise of that kind, and in future find ourselves in debt, we might find we had frustrated the very objects we bad in view-viz., supporting the widows and orphans of those brave men who peril their lives at sea. I would also suggest that L- 3000 should be given as an endowment to a society which might be called the Royal Fisheries Society. What shape that might take will be for future consideration, but possibly some society might be founded under such a name of a similar character to the Royal Agricultural Society. We shall then have a surplus of about £ 2000 left, which I think you will all agree will be a good thing to keep in reserve. It would be for the general public in future, I hope, to show their interest in this scheme by supporting it to the best of their ability. I beg, therefore, to move the following resolution: That a sum of XIO,000 be invested with a view to applying the proceeds to the assistance of families who have suffered the loss of a father or husband in the prosecution of his calling as a sea fisherman; and that a further sum of £ 3000 be applied to the formation of a Fisheries Society such as suggested by his Royal Highness the president in his reply to the report of the Executive Committee on the 31st of October, 1883." Earl Ducie seconded the resolution, saying that the proceeds of such a sum of £10,000 would enable the committee at once to proceed to the alleviation of the distress of certain families, whereas if any attempt to found an orphanage were made, it would be necessary to go about collecting subscriptions. An enormous sum would be spent in bricks and mortar, and they would be weighted with the maintenance of the cost of the institution. The resulution was put and carried unanimously, and after some further business, the proceedings then terminated.

fpbttlkramts IttMItgmt. HOmr., FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT.-Another serious fatality is reported to have occurred on the west coast of Scot- land during the storm of Thursday in last week. Two fishing skiffs left Ballantrae, on the Ayrshire coast, about three o'clock on Wednesday and proceeded northwards for Tighnabruaich. In the course of the storm one of them was lost sight of by the other, and as she has not since been heard of she must have cap- sized and been lost. There were four men on board the boat at the time-the skipper, his son, and two able seamen. LOSSES AT SEA.—A Parliamentary return has been issued giving the loss of life in ships registered at ports of the United Kingdom reported to the Board of Trade as having foundered (otherwise than through collision) and as missing during each of the 10 years ending June 30, 1883 (excluding fishing vessels). For 1874 the loss is put down as 244 vessels and 2027 lives; in 1882 the vessels numbered only two less-242, while the loss of life amounted to 1834; the figures for the year which ended on June 30 last are 197 ships and 1309 lives. FOUND DEAD.—On Saturday afternoon two water- men discovered floating near one of the piers of Kew- bridge the body of Mr. Henry Messum, a member of the firm of barge and boat builders of Richmond, who had been missing from home since the night of the 11th inst. The features were much bruised and swollen, but the body was but little decomposed. The deceased's gold scarf pin and watch and chain were found upon him. It is conjectured that in the dark the unfortunate man may have slipped from the boat-raft attached to his premises and have become entangled in the gear. A few years ago Messum was a sculler of some skill. lIe won Doggett's coat and badge, a Putney coat and badge, and numerous other distinctions. He was about 33 years of age. DEATH OF COUNT ADLERBEI?G.—A St. Petersburg telegram announces the death of Count Wladimir Adlerberg, at the advanced age of ninety-four. The deceased General, who was born in 1790, entered the Army at the age of twenty-one, and took part in the campaign which ended in the victorious entry of the Allies in Paris in 1814. He was thus a companion in arms of the German Emperor in his first campaign. The Czar Nicholas placed singular confidence in the deceased General, whom, in 1852, he appointed Minister of the Imperial Court, an office which he held until 1872, when he was succeeded by his son, Count Alex- ander, and in his will the Czar recommended Count Adlerberg to his successor as his best friend. SINGULAR ACCIDENT AT A BOARD SCHOOL.—An in- quest was held on Saturday at Manchester on the body of Mary Ellen Baker, who met with her death on the previous day. She attended a Board School at Har- purhey, a suburb of the city, and abeut five minutes before two o'clock, while the bell was being rung for afternoon lessons, it fell from the turret in which it was suspended, and struck her. The bell weighed about 801b., and was hung in an open turret about fifty feet from the ground. Death was instantaneous. The bell struck her on the top of the head, and cut out a large piece of her skull, which was picked up after the body had been removed. Some short time ago the tongue of the bell fell into the street, and struck a woman On the shoulder. SERIOUS EXPLOSION AT A HOSPITAL.-An explosion of a serious character occurred on Saturday afternoon at the Royal Hospital, Belfast, in a ward containing about 20 patients. The explosion took the form of a loud detonation, followed by clouds of dust and mortar, which greatly alarmed the patients. The door of the ward was blown off its hinges and thrown bodily on to the landing oubside; a gas bracket was wrenched from its fastenings on the wall, and the greater portion of the ceiling fell in. Fortunately, none of the patients were injured, and they were without delay removed and distributed amongst the other wards. It was then dis- covered that some of the rafters of the ceiling had taken fire, but the flames were speedily extinguished. The explosion is believed to have be an. caused by an escape of gas. CORONERS.—A Parliamentary return gives the number of coroners for counties, boroughs, and other places in England and Wales, together with the salaries and emoluments paid to each. There are 198 county coroners in England and thirty in Wales, while there are 116 borough coroners in England and five in Wales. The largest individual salary received is X2207 by the coroner for East Middlesex, the Central Middlesex coroner receiving £:099, the coroner for Liverpool £ 1500, and the coroner of the City of London and Borough of Southwark 11075. AVERAGE PRICE" OF BRITISH Coni,Tlie following arc the average prices of British corn for last week, as received from the inspectors and officurs of Excise: Wheat, 37s. 7d.; barley, 31s. 5d.; oats, 19s. lOd. per imperial quarter. Corresponding week last year: Wheat, 42s. 4d. barley, 33s. 3d.; oats, 22s. Id. AN IMPROVED PUDDLING FURNAcr.-Ait improved puddling furnace has recently been started by the Bethlehem Iron Company, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, after designs by Mr. William Stubblebine, foreman of the department. An addition has been built to a puddling furnace, and, while one heat is being worked in it, the pig-iron for the next heat is heated by what is called a stove, which is in the furnace. When the next heat is drawn, the heated iron for the next is pushed into the working chamber, and in a short time is also ready to be drawn. By this improvement an hour's time is saved in the working of each heat, and also a large amount of coal. In the old furnaces, when a heat of iron has been drawn, the furnace grows cold, and before working another heat, it becomes necessary to fire up, thus wasting some forty-five minutes. It is stated that the new furnace is doing well. The day turn charges seven heats, llOOlbs. of pig iron to each heat, which yields 78681bs. of bar iron. The night turn charges eight heats, llOOlbs. of pig-iron to each heat, which yields 88301bs. of bar iron. WOMEN AND THE FRANCHISE.—A national demon- stration of the women of Scotland, in support of the extension of the parliamentary franchise to women was held on Saturday night at Edinburgh. The meet- ing was large and representative, and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed. Miss Todd (Belfast), Mrs. Oliver Scatchered (Leeds). Miss Flora Stevenson (Edin- burgh School Board), Mrs. Duncan M'Laren (Edinburgh, sister of Mr. Bright), Miss Balgarnie (Scarborough), Mrs. Ormiston Chant (London), Miss Moil (Edinburgh), and Mrs. Lindsay (Glasgow) addressed the meeting. Resolutions were passed in favour of the object for which it had been called, and it was resolved to send a memorial to the Prime Minister requesting the Govern- ment not to offer opposition to the claims of women householders, but to allow the question to be treated as an open one among their supporters, and to send peti- tions to both Houses of Parliament based on the fore- going resolution. FIRE AT BELFAST.—On Sunday a disastrous fire broke out in the extensive foundry of Combe, Barbour, and Combe, Belfast. Despite the efforts of the fire brigade a very large amount of damage was done. The fire was happily confined to the stores of the establish- ment. One portion was burnt to the ground. It con- tained a very great quantity of iron and brass castings, tackle and gill pins, screws, bolts, nuts, &c., and valuable portions of machinery in process of manufacture. In the various depots of the works a very large quantity of timber was consumed. Fortunately no patterns or models were destroyed. None of the operatives will be thrown out of employ. THE FISHERIES.—The reports from the Tweed state that the fishings are very unsatisfactory at present. Very few salmon have been got, and the prices are very high. On Saturday the prices were—salmon 2s., and trout 2s. per lb. In the corresponding week of last year the prices were-salmon Is. 4d., and trout Is. 9d. The arrivals of salmon at Billingsgate from Berwick for the week ending March 12 are 23, compared with 15 for the corresponding week last year. The Mevagissey boats are prosecuting mackerel fishing with fair success, and this week report catches amounting to 46,000 fish. The pilchard boats have landed 73,000 fish. The Mount's Bay boats have not as yet done much. One boat at Newlyn on Friday brought in 2500 mackerel. Prices: Mackerel, from 23s. to 43s. per 100; pilchards, 8s. to 10s. per 1000. A few thousand herrings at Meva- gissey fetched 5s. to 6s. per 100. Conger, 18s per cwt.; ling, 2s. each hake, Is. 6d.; ray and skate, 6s. to 9s. per dozen. THE WELSH CREMATIONIST.-Dr. Price, the Welsh Druid, who was recently tried and acquitted of having indecently cremated the body of his child, has at last succeeded in accomplishing his object. On Friday morning in last week he fixed three hurdles on a hill, then had half a ton of coals piled within the triangle thus formed, and upon a pair of large iron grates he placed a box containing the body of the child, wrapped in napkins. Petroleum was thrown over the coals, and this served to make the pile a mass of fire as soon as ignition took place. The Druid, with a large shawl thrown over his shoulders, was present during the process, and chanted an ancient sacred song, in the presence of a number of women, who climbed the hill and peered over the fence to catch a glimpse of the pro- ceedings. He promises to cremate his bull Morgan in a similar manner after he has died a natural death. THE Loss FROM LIGHT COLD.-The "City Press" states that the representatives of the London Banks met at the Clearing House, to discuss the question of light gold, to which the Chancellor of the Exchequer had called their attention. After a good deal of con- versation it was agreed that the Government be in- formed in substance that the Banking interest con- sidered that as the coinage existed for the good of the public, and that the Exchequer received a considerable profit, not only from the note, but also the gold issue, any loss from tear and wear in circulation ought to fall on the consolidated fund, and not on either companies or private individuals. SCOTCH AND IRISH EXPENDITURE.—A return just issued of the Exchequer receipts and expenditure for Scotland and Ireland shows a total expenditure of £ 2,635,515 and £ 7,011,422 respectively, the total revenues being 19,137,936 for Scotland and £ 8,194,898 for Ire- land. The Exchequer, therefore, derives Y,6,472,421 from Scotland, and zCI,133,466 from Ireland, in the accounts of which latter country the expenditure on military forces and police amounts to more than 3t millions. PROVING ONE'S OWN WILL.—Ex-Surrogate Hull has introduced a bill into the New York Legislature, the object of which is to enable a testator to prove his own will while living. The bill is strongly supported. It proposes to allow the contents of a will so proved to remain secret until the testator's death, but to this many of the supporters of the main principle are adverse. Similar bills have been introduced into the Maryland and Michigan Legislatures. RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN LONDON.—On Saturday after- noon a collision occurred between two trains close to Stepney Railway Station-between a train coming from Fenchurch-street, bound for Woolwich, and another which was proceeding Citywards from Tilbury. The latter train appears to have been just crossing the points which adjoin the station when the Woolwich train ran into it. A scene of great confusion and alarm prevailed, and it was feared that several persons had been killed. For- tunately this was not the case, but upwards of 20 per- sons received injuries, some of them of a severe nature. The more seriously injured were at once removed in cabs to surgeons in the vicinity or to the London Hos- pital, those who were less injured proceeding to their homes. JEFFERSON DAvis.-The New York Herald has the following: Jackson, Miss., March 10, 1884.— Jefferson Davis, having been invited by the Legislature to deliver an address on the life of S. S. Prentiss, appeared in the House to-day, and made a short speech. He said he regretted that he could not deliver an address on account of physical inability. He touchingly re- ferred to his past history and that of the State, and said that although he was deprived of his many rights as a citizen of the United States, he yet claimed that he enjoyed the privilege of being a Mississippian. Although living in retirement, he watched with deep interest the progress of the States of the South, which he believed destined to great achievements. All the State officers, Supreme Court Judges, and many citizens and ladies were present." SINGULAR DEATH OF A LADY.—In London on Sunday night a woman unknown expired in the Boys' Ward of the Royal Free Hospital. About two o'clock in the afternoon the conductor of a Favourite omnibus, pro- ceeding westward, was hailed at Chadwell-street by a well-dressed woman, who took a seat inside. While the vehicle was going down the steep incline of Mount Pleasant she uttered a peculiar noise. The vehicle was stopped, and she was assisted out. A Mrs. Chamberlain, who came to her assistance, took out of her mouth some false teeth, some of which had got fixed in her throat. The deceased was taken to the hospital, where she afterwards died. She had in her possession a small red leather bag containing two purses, one a steel chain purse, the other of worked silk lined with washed leather. There was nothing on her that gave her name or address. MAD DOGS AT LiMERICK.-An unusual occurrence took place in Limerick city on Friday night in last week. A large setter dog, supposed to he affected with- rabies, broke loose into a paddock on King's Island, where he worried and destroyed numerous sheep. The dog was frightened off by some workmen, and then rushed up Nicholas-street and Mary-street, the people flying in terror before him. The occurrence helped to attract a crowd of some 500 persons, who did not venture neai the animal. Ultimately a party of police sallied out from Mary-street Barrack, and one of them, Constable Naylor, despatched the animal by running his bayonet through its body. Almost immediately a second dog appeared, showing unmistakable symptoms of madness, snapping at several people. A child, who was badly bitten by the animal, had to be removed to Barrington's Hospital for treatment. The services of the police were again called in, and the second dog, after an exciting chase, was bayoneted by Constable I Naylor.

CHURCH BUILDING IN THE PROVINCE OF YORK.— From a statement just made up, it appears that during a period of ten years the following numbers of churches have been built and restored, or enlarged, in the various dioceses in the Northern Province: York, built 42, enlarged, &c., Ill; Durham, built 67, enlarged, &c,, 102; Carlisle, built 17, enlarged, &c., 84; Chester, built 31, enlarged, &c., 31; Liverpool. built 3, enlarged, &c., 1 Manchester, built 84, enlarged, &c., 116; Ripon, built 74, enlarged, &c.,70; Sodor and Man, built 5, enlarged, See., 3.

THE SOUDAN EXPEDITION. Under date Souakim, March 23, the correspondent of the Times writes: Yesterday General Stewart, with the 19th Hussars and the Mounted Infantry, went out to reconnoitre on the Berber road. The force started at 3 a.m.: and by dawn had reached Otao, the next wells beyond Handoub. Here no one was visible, though tho traces of recent fires showed that the natives habit- ually frequented the wells. Proceeding onwards, after a short halt, the party perceived two or three natives, scattered on the hill tops, who at once fled. After a three hours' ride the General reached Tambouk, where the water was plentiful and good- perhaps the best we have yet found beyond Souakim. In the neighbourhood were many of the natives, who had been watering their camels, but who fled oa our approach. Our guides (the sons of the Sheikh Mahomet Ali) fetched the natives back, and the General reassured them, through his interpreters, telling them that if they came to the camp they would be well treated and rewarded. These men appeared to be well-disposed. As the next wells were in a village nineteen miles distant from Tambouk it was impossible to proceed further, and therefore, after an hour's halt, the force returned to Handoub. On repassing Otao, we found there a number of the natives, with their women, children, and flocks of sheep and goats. Their chief, when questioned, professed an intention of accom- panying us to the zariba, to visit the Sheikh Morghani. Before reaching the camp, we saw more natives, who however, held aloof from us in fear. On Friday night a strange caravan reached the camp at Handoub, consisting of a number of negroes, among them two women, one with a baby two or three days old. The leader of this party, who copM speak a little Arabic, stated that they had come from a place, or country, called Cocotina; that they h. rl marched through Kordofan, Darfour, and vari a other districts, coming in the last instance I Berber, and that they had on no occasion been molested. He added that 200 more of the party were one day's journey behind. He knew nothing of the country through which he had passed, and the few names elicited from him were only obtained with great difficulty. Whether this man is a dealer with a band of slaves or the chief of a party of pilgrims has not yet been determined. The Sheikh Mahomet Ah, who is still at General Stewart's zariba, daily prophesies that a great chief, with numerous followers, will arrive on the morrow to tender his submission. The promised sheikh &f course never comes, and meanwhile Mahomet and his followers are feeding on the best fare and making daily demands for money and presents. This sheikh, who is an arrant impostor, has really little or no power among the tribes, though he formerly possessed some influence over the other sheikhs. He has shown ne himself all along ready to side with the winning parcy, while keeping on good terms with both sides. A new camp was formed to-day at a position between Handoub and Tamasi, and consequently in the direction of the village of Tamanieb, where Osman Digma's camp is situate. The Gordon Highlanders marched there to-day, accompanied by some men of the 19th Hussars and the Mounted Infantry, and formed a new zariba, entrenching the camp. They were afterwards joined by a company of the Royal Irish Fusiliers from Souakim. The Engineers are distributed partly at Souakim and partly at Handoub, where are stationed Captain Dorward and Wood (both well).