Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
6 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
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fonion (&or«sponk»l. fWe deem it ripht to stste that we do not at all times Identify ourselves with our Correspondent's opÙliona.) Seldom has a more profound sensation been created either in the metropolis or in the country than by the news of the sudden death of the Duke of Albany. In the two cases within our own time in which members of the Royal family have been gathered to their fathers, the public mind has to a certain extent been prepared for the intelligence. Both on the 14th December, 1861. and on the same date in 1868, the Prince Consort and Princess Alice respectively had been ill several days, and although in each instance the tidings of the end was a shock, in neither case could the announcement be said to have been un- expected. But here was a young man not yet 31 years of age, less than two years married with according to our finite vision every accessory in this world tending to make up the sum total of human happiness, and all at once the rumour spreads through the capital on a bleak March afternoon that he is no more. No doubt it takes something start- ling to move to one feeling the mighty mass of the London population: but there was only one common expression tb i rf sympathy with the Queen and the widowed duchess. Perhaps the most solemn concomitant associated with the death of a member of th e Royal family is the filing of the great bell of St. Paul's Cathedral. It has been the custom for centuries to do this on such occasions; and such is the import- ance attached to it that the Secretary of State for the Home Department makes the formal request in an official letter addressed to the Lord Mavor. When the Prince Consort died the bell was tolled at midnight; on the death of Princess Alice on a Saturday afternoon and now, on the decease of the Duke of Albany, between eight and nine in the even- ing. The tolling was continued at regular intervals of a minute for an hour, and very weird and im- pressive was the sound at a time when the great streams of traffic flowing through the main arteries of the city had ceased, and the deep-toned notes of the mammoth bell was carried by the evening wind far and wide over the metropolis, mingling with the z;1 subdued hum of voices in the streets, and finally dying away amid the silence of the broad tideway of the Thames. The Duke of Albany's death breaks up every arrangement which had been made for the London season, which, after Easter, would have had its en- gagements in full swing. No drawing-rooms, levees, receptions, or assemblies can be hel<%while the Court is in deep mourning, and, as this will be continued until the 11th of May, the Health Exhibition, which was to have been opened by the Prince of Wales on the 7th of that month, will probably have to wait- The Prince of Wales, it may be remarked, was very speedily in London from Liverpool, and with equal celerity was off to Cannes on Saturday to superintend the removal of his brother's remains to Windsor. It has been often said that London is like no other city in the world for the many phases of life which it presents; and if we take only its night side-say between eleven and twelve o'clock—between Charing- cross and Ludgate-circus, the scene to be witnessed is one not easily forgotten. It is in the Strand that the majority of the metropolitan theatres are situated, and shortly before midnight they discharge their audiences one after another out into that crowded thoroughfare. Westward the streets are not so brilliantly lighted as eastward, for Fleet-street is the home of the newspaper offices, which at that time are in the full blaze of activity- Not only are the gas lamps thickly dotted along the line of the pavements, but elec- tric globes, some high, others low, but all flooding the thoroughfares with a resplendent light, combine to make the spectacle one full of animated life. Let the traveller contrast this midnight spectacle in the capital with that presented to him at the same time in any provincial town into which he has been, either Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, or Bristol. Even in Liverpool the public-houses are closed at eleven o'clock, and before twelve there are very few wayfarers in the streets, which are thus left for the live-long night to the solitary pacings and guardianship of the police. Age gradually creeps over the present Parliament. Four years ago this week, the polls were opened for the general election. The first day's fighting was on the last day of March, 1880, and the elections ex- tended over a period of three weeks, the two Houses aspemblinsr on the 29th of April, when the present Viscount Hampden was unanimously re-elected Speaker. The House of Commons has, therefore turned the corner of its existence; indeed, it has very nearly arrived at the average age of the ten Parliaments of the present reign. The record of its legislative work does not promise to be commensurate with the length of its existence. The Volunteer arrangements for the forthcoming Easter are so entirely different from those of previous years that those members of the citizen army who will take part in them scarcely know at present what to make of the brigading process which is to be carried out at some of the military stations. What- ever might have been the worth of the Brighton Review in a practical way, there is little doubt of its popularity as an annual institution. It provided an outing .for men much in need of it, without that demand upon their time or the strain upon their attention likely to be the result of brigading with the regulars. Flat racing commenced in earnest last week at Lincoln, and some very good sport was witnessed on the Carholme. The principal event was, of course, the Lincolnshire Handicap, which was run for on the Wednesday. This big race attracted a pretty good field. The favourite, up to the morning before, was Fulmen, the top-weight, being backed at eight to one. After lie had been given a good gallop early, and was being prepared for his journey to Lincoln he became restive in his box, and injured himsel, very severely. Of course, this accident prevented all chances of his running, and after being knocked about in the betting till he stood at the odds of 50 to 1, his owner put the pen through his name on the morning of the race. The second favourite was Tonans, who had to carry 8st. 41bs., and was ridden by Wood. This horse was very unfortunate in two or three races in the autumn of last year. He has, however, retrieved his reputation at Lincoln. The race at the finish was not very exciting. Tonans reached the post first, three quarters of a length in front of Toast- master, and Boulevard was third. By winning this race, Tonans will incur a penalty of 81bs. in the City and Suburban, run at Epsom next month, thus making it 8st. 121bs. Turning to steeplechasing, the principal event was the Liverpool Grand National, which was decided at Aintree on Friday, the 28th. Although the Prince of Wales's horse, the Scot, was well backed, he finished eighth in the race; Mr. Boyd's Voluptuary being the fortunate animal. It was on the stand at Aintree that the Prince of Wales heard the sad news of his brother's death, and he at once left the course and returned to London. Wood, the jockey, has opened the season well by winning the Lincolnshire Handicap, and there will, no doubt, be a. close race between this rider and Archer for the greatest number of winning mounts. The announcement has been made that in conse- quence of the funeral of .the Duke of Albany, the University Boat-race has been postponed till Monday, April 7th. The Oxonians arrived on the tide- J way three or four days after their rivals. The excitement on the day the crws were first seen together at work on the Thames did not seem to be so great as in former years. But the race will be rowed under more favourable conditions than was the case last year. Then it had to be rowed on Thursday, March loth, at about six o'clock in the evening. It was a cold day, and to make matters worse, the contest was finished during a snowstorm. This time, however, points to a much better state of things, as being rowed three weeks later, the weather is likely to be more genial. The Dark Blues have been the favourites, and the betting, as a rule, generally foreshadows the result. This was completely set at nought last year, Cambridge being backed at the long odds of 4 to 1, and were beaten by three lengths. The Cantabs have the fortune to retain the ser- vices of four old blues, and were able, after some little difficulty to select a suitable stroke. In the Oxonian boat are to be seen two old blues. They chose for stroke a man who had been success- ful in the Trial eights, and he seems to be working very well, but is considered by some critics too light to stay the long and tiring course. Taking the average weight of both, they are found to be quite up to the usual standard. v-.raJ.wor'IõWU..1Iõ.I. w_- _IIW
DEATH OF THE DUKE OF ALBANY.
DEATH OF THE DUKE OF ALBANY. The intelligence of the painfully sudden death of the Duke of Albany, which was announced on Friday in last week, sent a shock over London and the whole country. The daily papers of Saturday gave detailed accounts of the sad event, which were read with the most painful interest. The Times correspondent at Cannes, writing on Friday night, says His Royal Highness, who had just completed a five weeks' visit to his former equerry and attached friend, Captain Percival, had, to all appearances, greatly profited by his stay in the South. He had improved wonderfully in aspect, and during several days past had been in buoyant spirits. No indication whatever of the terrible catastrophe at hand could have been even surmised yesterday afternoon, on his return from a two days' sojourn at Nice. The Duke while mounting the stairs rather rapidly, at the Cercle Nautique here, slipped, fell, and hurt his right knee—the same from injuries to which he had previously suffered. Dr. Royle, who was in attendance on his Royal Highness, at once applied splints and bandages, and the illustrious patient was conveyed in a carriage to the Villa Nevada, which is situated on tlie heights overlooking the town, near the Hotel de la Californie. There he was immediately put to bed, the appliances were removed, and he showed few or no sié;ns of any great pain. He read the newspapers, and they were read to him, and he conversed gaily. About seven p.m. he took some tea, and a couple of hours later a light supper, after which lie again read for some time. Dr. Royle, who slept in the room, was startled about 2.30 a.m. by the Duke's heavy breathing, and on approaching the bedside found him in a fit. He at once called Captain Percival, but the fatal crisis was of short duration, for in six minutes the Duke of Albany breathed his last, in the arms of Captain Percival. His end was apparently painless. As to the cause of death, it is stated to have been effusion of blood on the brain, inducing an epileptic convul- sion. The painful news was at. once telegraphed to her Majesty the Queen at Windsor, wl ere it arrived early in the afternoon. Here it was not circulated until late in the day, and needless to say it spread a deep gloom over the English colony. At Nice, also, where his Royal Highness had been seen in excellent health and spirits on Tuesday, the impression was equally marked. The following notification of the death of his Royal Highness was published in a supplement to the London Gazette •' Whitehall, March 28, 1884. On Friday, 28th instant, at two o'clock in the morning his Royal Highness Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, K.G., fourth son of her Majesty the Queen, departed this life at Cannes, to the great grief of her Majesty and of all the Royal Family." The announcement of the sad event was made in both Houses of Parliament immediately on their assembling. In the House of Lords, Earl Granville, shortly after taking his seat on the front Ministerial bench, rose and said It is with deep concern that I have to announce to your lordships that her Majesty the Queen has lost her youngest son, the Duke of Albany, by death at Cannes; but I do not propose to move the adjournment of the House, as it is better, in a matter of this sort, not to yield to natural impulse, but to follow the precedents in both Houses; I will, however, give notice that on Monday next I will move an address of condolence to the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family. The Earl of Carnarvon said: My lords, in the absence of my noble friend, the Marquis of Salisbury, I merely rise to say that which would have been much better said by my noble friend, that it is with deep grief and consternation that we have received this announcement. After what the noble lord has said, it would be improper in me to say another word. In the House of Commons the Marquis of Hart- ington, having previously conferred shortly with Sir S. Northcote on the front Opposition bench, said Mr. Speaker, I deeply regret to announce that in- telligence has been officially received of the death of his Royal Highness the Duke of Albany at Cannes. My colleagues and I have inquired as fully as pos- sible in the short period which has elapsed since the news was received into the precedents which bear upon this melancholy event, and it appears that it has not been usual under these circumstances to move the adjournment of the House. I, however, desire to give notice that on Monday next the Prime Minister, if he is well enough to be in his place, or I, in his- absence, will move an address of condolence to her Majesty and her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany. Sir S. Northcote said Allow me to say, sir, that the House shares with the noble lord the feeling of grief and distress at the terrible news which has so suddenly come upon us. It is for the Government to decide what is in accordance with the usual precedents in these matters, and I must say that as the decision is to bring forward an address on Monday, we shall be in our places to take part in that address. The telegram announcing the sad event reached Windsor about noon. Sir Henry Ponsonby was at the Castle at the time, and the message conveyed over the Queen's private wire was first given to him. He tele- graphed instantly to Lord Granville to have the news confirmed, and before long found himself in the pain- ful and responsible position of having to break it to the Queen. Her Majesty, it would seem, was thoroughly prostrated with grief, so much so as even to cause anxiety to those in the Castle. However, after a most painful ebullition of grief, she seemed to rally. Her Majestv at once requested Princess Beatrice to pro- ceed to Claremont to visit the Duchess of Albany, who is in a very delicate state of health. Shortly before three o'clock the Empress Eugenie, clad in the deepest mourning, arrived at the Castle, and was received by one of the officers of the Castle. The Lord Chamberlain, the Earl of Kenmare, arrived at the Castle soon after the news was made known in official circles. After a long conversation with Sir Henry Ponsonby he left again for London. The Empress Eugenie left the Castle about seven o'clock, and informed a few privileged inquirers, between frequent sobs, that the Queen bore up wonderfully. Her Majesty appeared to obtain relief by giving vent to her grief in the presence of one who had suffered so much. So rapidly did the news spread on the Continent that by six o'clock her Majesty had received several telegrams of condolence from Royal personages abroad. In the evening Sir John Cowell, Master of the Royal Household, by command of her Majesty, left for Cannes in order to make arrangements for the removal of the remains to Windsor Castle. At Claremont the whole household was thrown into a state of profound gloom by the mournful tidings. Within the last few days intelligence had been received announcing the speedy return of the Duke from Cannes. He was to have reached England on Monday next, and preparations were already on foot in antici- pation of his arrival at Claremont on the day follow- ing. The sudden revulsion caused by the announce- ment of his death may, under these circumstances, be imagined. The fact that his Royal Highness had met with an accident was known to the household on Thursday evening, the Duchess of Albany having received a telegram to the effect from the Duke himself. The nature of the accident was not described, but its slight character was emphasized, and the general tone of the message was such that no one was really alarmed at its contents. The Duchess retired to rest fully assured that the morrow would bring a bulletin announcing her husband's complete restoration to his normal state of health, a belief shared by the Princess Christian, who was staying at Claremont. It was not for a moment thought that the accident was of a sufficiently serious nature to delay the Duke's return home. Soon after luncheon on Friday Princess Christian received a telegram from the' Duke of Albany's medical attendant, Mr. Royle, who had ac- companied him on his journey. It contained the simple announcement that his Royal Highness had expired in a fit. Princess Christian broke the news to the Duchess as gently as possible. Her grief was painful to witness but after an interval she became calmer, and was able to converse a short time with Princess Frederica of Hanover, who, having heard the news, had driven over from Hampton Court to condole with her Royal Highness. Shortly after the receipt of the telegram from Cannes a mes- sage was received from her Majesty the Queen ex- pressing her grief at the occurrence, and at four o'clock Mdlle. Norele, who is in attendance on Princess Beatrice, arrived from Windsor Castle for the purpose of reassuring her Majesty as to the condition of her daughter-in-law. It was feared that the shock might permanently injure the health of her Royal Highness. In addition to the messages from the Queen, telegrams were received during the afternoon from the Prince and Prir.cess of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, and others. In the evening the Marchioness of Lome arrived at Esher from Kensington Palace. The news was received by the Prince of Wales while he was in Lord Sefton's box on the Grand Stand at the Aintree Racecourse, and the intimation greatly affected his Royal Highness. The telegram conveying the sad intelligence reached the stand while the Grand National Steeplechase was in progress, and it was handed to the Prince's equerry, who, not knowing its importance, waited until the race had concluded, when he gave it to his Royal Highness. The Prince was much moved by the news of his brother's death coming thus suddenly upon him. 1n-1 deed, he seemed as if he could hardly realise the truth even as he turned to Lord Sefton and said, Albany is dead." The whole party from Croxteth manifested sorrowful surprise when the fact was made known. The Prince of Wales himself at once returned from the box to the private room, and as soon as possible drove from the course to Croxteth in a closed carriage. As he was about to enter, the bystanders, unconscious of what had happened, were commencing to cheer the Prince of Wales, when Lord Sefton, with a significant motion of the hand, indicated that the time was not one for rejoicing. The Prince arrived at Euston Station at ten o'clock by special train from Liverpool, which town lie left at 6.20—a run of remarkable speed. Im- mediately upon his Royal Highness receiving the news of his brother's death he made arrangements for a special train. On arriving at Marlborough House lie found General Sir Henry Ponsonby awaiting him with her Majesty's commands. The Lord Mayor of London received during. Friday evening the following letter from the Home Secretary: Whltehill, 28th March, 1884.-My Lord,—It is with great concern that I have to inform your lord- ship of the death of his Royal Highness Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, K.G., fourth son of her Majesty the Queen, which took place at Cannes at two o'clock this morning, to the great grief of her Majesty and the Royal family. I have to request that your lordship will give directions for the tolling the great bell of St. Paul's Cathedral.—I have the honour to be, my lord, your lordship's obedient ser- vant, W. V. HAIICOURT.—The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor." In accordance with this request the Lord Mayor at once gave directions, through the Dean of St. Paul's, for the tolling of the great bell, which took pI:) e t between eight and nine o'clock in the evening. A second supplement to the London Gazette con- tains orders for the Court's going into mourning from March 30th until the 11th May for the late Duke of Albany. A notice is issued from the College of Arms, signed by the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal, to the effect that it is expected that all persons do put themselves into mourning for three weeks. Orders are also issued for the wearing of mourning by the officers of the army, navy, and marines. Writing from Cannes on Sunday the Central News correspondent says: As one instance of the many tributes of sympathy I may mention the solicitude shown by the French authorities, and the readiness with which they have placed all their resources at the disposal of those whose mournful task it now is to perform the last offices for the lamented Prince. Directly the sad event became known the military commandant offered a guard of honour for the Villa Nevada, together with his respect and sympathies, a thoughtful act of kindness which was appreciated. The residents, not only in Cannes, but in Nice and in other health-giving resorts in the South of France, have sent to the Villa Nevada tributes of flowers in such abundance as can only be described as overwhelming. This morning I had a long conversation with Captain Percival and Dr. Royle at the Villa Nevada. Both gentlemen are overwhelmed with grief. Captain Percival said the Prince had greatly benefited by his stay at the Villa Nevada. "When he came here," continued the captain, "it was merely for a few days' visit, but he stayed five weeks. He was always wanting to do too much in his delicate state of health. He was never quiet for long together. He would sometimes take a cruise in the bay or along the coast in our little boat, or, fail- ing that, would- join in some picnic excursion to which he had been invited. He made himself agreeable in all directions, and with all with whom he came into contact.'v The result was that, although he appeared in splendid health, his tissues were weakened, and an excess of blood was produced. He made himself in two weeks as popular as many men who have resided in Cannes for twenty years. He was universally popular and universally regretted." Capt. Percival then related the circumstances in connection with the fall of his Royal Highness. The Duke," continued Captain Percival, although suffering acute momentary pain after his fall on the steps of the Cercle Nautique, was not rendered unconscious, and almost his first words to me when he saw that he would be unable to meet those whom he expected, were Please entertain my guests for me.' I did as he requested. After being attended to at the Villa Nevada the duke rallied completely. He wrote some letters, dined, and was in hign spirits. But I feared the shock, and got Dr. Royle to lie in the same room with the duke. About midnight there was a sudden collapse. A few minutes after the hour I heard Dr. Royle calling for brandy. I fetched some, and hurried into the room with it. The duke was then in great pain, but this subsided under Royle's care and atten- tion. He grew marvellously calm as death approached, and passed away from earth lying in my arms peace- fully and tranquilly. There was but one faint shudder and all was over. A few moments afterwards and he looked exactly as though asleep." Many pathetic incidents are now related of the late duke by the two or three constant friends who were rarely absent from his side during his stay at Cannes. The duke was at times sad. He felt that he had not a robust strength, and the thought at times depressed him. At rare intervals, too, he complained of his ill- fortune. It happened that on the first day after his arrival he met with an accident in Captain Percival's boat. the little craft being wrecked. The matter was by no means serious, but the Duke de- spondingly exclaimed, My usual fate; disaster to friends as well as to myself." On another occasion when his Royal Highness was in a serious mood he rose and gazed long and wistfully over the luxurious grounds before him to the deep blue sea beyond. Turning at length to Captain Percival, he said, quietly, Percival, I would rather die here than any- where else in the world." He died in that very room. I was shown the apartment to-day. It is a most pleasant room, and one that Captain Percival himself formerly 'used, but gave up to his distinguished guest on his arrival. The walls are hung with sporting and military pictures, a shield bearing the coat of arms of some distinguished foreigner forming a note- worthy feature. The bed which the duke occupied is a small one, and is placed in the centre of the room. From the windows a magnificent view of the town, the bay, and the Estelle Mountains is obtained. Dr. Royle, whom I met in this room, added little to what Captain Percival had already told me. He dwelt upon the invariable gentleness of the Pr'nce. how much he had improved since his stay here, as was apparent from his sunburnt cheeks and gaining strength. I have seen the coffin, which is of oak and lies in the drawing-room of the house. It is covered with a pall of black velvet. The inside of the coffin is lined with white silk. The Duke wears a purple robe, and his features are placid. His orders are lying on his breast. Captain Percival was anxious to have glass let in the lid of the coffin, but it was feared that decomposition will be too rapid to render this desirable. The body has not been em- balmed, as the Duchess of Albany is said to be opposed to such a course, but arsenic has been used outwardly to arrest decomposition. The drawing-room is literally crammed with floral tributes. One magnificent wreath was sent by Colonel Stockwell, of the 1st Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders, the Duke of Albany's own regiment. "Place it at his feet," wrote the colonel," all the regiment asks this." The Times of Monday says: The Queen, though still much overcome by the calamity which has befallen her, is reported to be very much better. The story of the reception by her Majesty of the distressing news of her son's death has yet to be told in detail. It seems that the first intimation that anything serious had occurred to the Duke came from Dr. Rovle, his Royal Highness's attendant, who telegraphed from Cannes to Dr. Reid, the Queen's surgeon at Windsor Castle, informing him that, the Prince was ill, and thus preparing the way for the message announcing his decease. Her Majesty at the time was out in the Castle grounds, and returned to the Palace about noon, somewhat earlier than usual, and w s immediately made aware of the Prince's death. ashed by the blow, the Queen fell to the ground, a. 'd some time elapsed before she recovered. Until Friday her Majesty had been steadily recovering from tL effects of the accident which has recently pre- vented her from appearing at public ceremonials, and had performed her State duties with her accustomed regularity, omitting nothing that required her atten- tion and often working late into the night in order to complete the examination of despatches. What effect this new trouble will produce upon her health remains to be seen. At eleven o'clock on Saturday forenoon her Majesty, accompanied by the Marchioness of Ely, left Windsor Castle in a carriage and four, preceded by an outrider, the Princess Beatrice following in another carriage with her lady in waiting. The journey of eighteen miles was performed in an hour and a half, and the grey horses and outrider proclaiming the nature of the equipage, her Majesty was silently greeted upon the way when habitations were passed. The Queen was seen to be much affected upon turning into the lodgo gates at Claremont, with which old associations of fatality are con- nected, burying her face in her handkerchief. Her Majesty was received at the house by the Princess Christian, and here again her composure gave way as recollections of past visits came to her mind. After a short interval spent in the apartment permanently devoted to her use, the Queen, accompanied by Prin- cess Beatrice, who had reached Claremont meanwhile, repaired to the rooms of the bereaved duchess. The meeting between the Queen and her widowed daughter- in-law was very touching, and the interview was pro- tracted considerably beyond the length originally intended. Luncheon was served in the duchess's apart- ment, and the Royal relatives remained in con- versation for nearly two hours afterwards. Her Majesty was eager to induce the duchess to accompany her back to Windsor; but this course was absolutely forbidden by Dr. Izod, who paid a visit to his patient shortly after the Queen's arrival. He informed her Majesty that although under the present conditions no apprehensions need be entertained respecting the duchess, yet if the proposed step was taken he would not be answerable for the consequences in his patient's delicate state of health. Her Majesty was therefore reluctantly compelled to abandon the idea. The Prince and Princess of Wrales also paid a visit to the Duchess of Albany at Claremont on Saturday afternoon. The visit was necessarily of brief dura- tion, as it had been arranged that the Prince of Wales should leave in the evening for Cannes, and their Royal Highnesses therefore returned to Marlborough House about eight o'clock. The Duchess of Albany .vas greatly cheered by their visit, and though she felt her irreparable loss most keenly, she bore up wonder- fully well. The Prince of Wales left Charing-cross Station at nine o'clock the same evening by special train, travelling via Folkestone and Boulogne. It had been intended to keep his departure as private as possible, but the fact leaked out, and a considerable number of persons congregated outside the station. The Prince, who was accompanied by Colonel Ellis, looked pale. He was received by those present in respectful silence, every head being uncovered. Her Serene Highness the Princess of Waldeck- Prymont and suite arrived at Victoria Station at 7.55 on Sunday morning from Germany, via Flushing and Queenborough. The Princess was received at the station by her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales and his Royal Highness Prince Albert Victor, and left for Marlborough House. Her Serene Highness, after a brief stay, left for Claremont, where she arrived at ten o'clock. The meeting between the Princess and her heart-broken daughter was of the most painful description. A large number of letters and telegrams expressing sympathy with the Royal Family in their bereave- ment have been received at Marlborough House, Clarence House, Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, and Kensington Palace. The visitors at Marlborough House on Saturday were very numerous. On Sunday, at the various churches and other places of worship in London, special reference was made to the death of the Prince, and although the order for general mourning was not issued until Saturday night, black was very generally worn by the different congregations. At the clubs and hotels and many mansions in the West-end the blinds were drawn down, in fact, all along Pall-mall, St. James's- street, Piccadilly, and in the great squares there was scarcely a house to be seen with the blinds raised. This was also the case at Marlborough House, Buckingham Palace, and St. James's Palace. Flags were floating half-mast, as a tribute of respect from the Tower of London, the Church of St. Martin's- in-the-Fields, the Church of St. Margaret, West- minster, the ships below London Bridge, and from several hotels and private establishments. Volunteer corps assembled for drill on Saturday evening were dismissed in solemn silence. The band of the London Irish Rifles did not, as usual on Saturday evenings, play at Somerset House. All the steamers of the L "ldon Steamboat Company had the City flag at half- m 4 as they plied on the Thames. The bells of many churches kept tolling during the day, and in every quarter of the metropolis there were indications in various forms of the depth to which the death of the Duke of Albany had stirred the feelings and sym- pathies of the people of the metropolis. Sympathetic references were also made to the sad event in the Nonconformist places of worship, includ- ing the Tabernacle, where the Rev. C. H. Spurge on chose a most appropriate text from the Epistle of James, chap. iv. and v. 14—" For what is your life ? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." From all parts of the country telegrams have been received showing how general is the feeling of sym- pathy for the Queen and the widowed duchess in the loss they have sustained. Church bells rang muffled peals at intervals during Saturday and Sunday, and flags were displayed half-mast high on public buildings and on ships in harbour. In many cases concerts which were fixed for Saturday were, postponed. Reso- lutions have been passed by meetings of public bodies held in the provinces expressing sympathy with the Queen and the Duchess of Albany. At Berlin the Duke of Albany's death creates nearly the same sympathy as would the decease of a member of the Prussian Royal Family. Immediately on receiving the news the Emperor, with his daughter, the Grand Duchess of Baden, followed later by the Empress, called on the Crown Princess, who is in great affliction for the loss of her youngest brother. Tne Court is to go into mourning for a fortnight. At Darmstadt, the mourning period extends to six weeks, aad the Royal wedding is put off till May. Several Amsterdam papers publish articles expres- sing deep sympathy on account of the sudden death of the Duke of Albany. They recall the happy cir- cumstances of his Royal Highness's marriage with Princess Helene of Waldeck-Pyrmont, sister of the j Queen of the Netherlands, and declare that the Dutch nation profoundly shares the grief now felt by the august mother and afflicted wife of the deceased Prince. The Belgian Court will go into mourning for twenty days on account of the death of the Duke of Albany. The King of Spain sent a telegram to Queen Victoria expressing condolence at the death of the Duke of Albany. Referring to the sudden death of the Duke of Albany, the Journal de St. Petersbourg to-day says: In the first moment of sorrows such as this relief can only be sought in submission to the decrees of Providence. But the boundless love with which Queen Victoria is surrounded by her children, the attachment of the entire English nation, and the veneration felt for her Majesty throughout the world, will help to console the afflicted mother." The news of the death of the Duke of Albany has been received with profound regret in Canada, and deep sympathy is felt for Queen Victoria throughout the Dominion. Mr. Frelinghuysen, Secretary of State, has tele- graphed to Mr. Lowell, expressing the condolence of President Arthur with Queen Victoria on the occasion of the death of the Duke of Albany. Very great regret has been felt by all classes at Cpiro at the news of the death of the Duke of Albany. General Stephenson has issued a general order noti- fying the mourning to be worn by officers. The General also has cancelled invitations that had been sent out for a large official dinner. MEMOIR OF THE PRINCE. Leopold George Duncan Albert, Duke of Albany, Earl of Clarence, and Baron Arklow, was born at Buckingham Palace on April 7, 1853. He was the Queen's eighth child, and was named after her Majesty's uncle, Leopold I., the late King of the Belgians. His christening took place at Buckingham Palace on the 28th of June, 1853, and his sponsors were the late King of Hanover, the Princess of Prussia (now German Empress), the Princess Mary of Cambridge, and the Prince of Hohenlohe-Langen- burg. The Prince was from the first a delicate child. His constitution was too weak to permit him to join in the robust pursuits of youth, and whenever a refer- ence is made to him in the Queen's published journals the words betray the sympathy of a mother watching an ailing, weakly child. As he advanced to manhood his health improved a little, and in 1872 he was sent to Oxford. He matriculated at Christ Church, but lived with his private tutor at Wykeham House, on the confines of the town. As a student he was painstaking and laborious, but in- disposed by his delicate health from violent exercise. In 1874 lie was sworn a member of the Privy Council, and in July of that year an annuity of £ 15,000 was voted to him by Parliament. He became a Knight of the Garter, a Knight of the Thistle, a Knight Grand Commander of the Star of India, and a Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George. He became an Hon. D.C.L. of Oxford University in 1876. In 1875 he was elected a Younger Brother of Trinity House, and an Elder Brother in 1878. Like his brother, he was a Mason, and in February, 1876, he was installed as Provincial Grand Master of the Freemasons of Oxford. He became a bencher of Lincoln's Inn in 1877, and his last honorary distinc- tion was that of colonel of the army, a rank which he attained in 1882. During these eight years he was diligent in making speeches, in cultivating his science and art, and in emulating the good example of his father. He was in a fashion a second edition in miniature of the Prince Consort. On the 24th of May, 1881, the Prince was raised to the Peerage, under the style of Baron Arklow, Earl of Clarence, and Duke of Albany, and took his seat in the House of Lords on the 20th of April. Towards the close of the same year the consent of the Queen was given to the duke's marriage with the Princess Helen Frederica Augusta of Waldeck-Pyrmont, and the marriage took place at George's Chapel, Windsor, on the :!7th of April, 1882. Previous to the marriage a proposal was made to Parliament that the duke's allowance should be increased to i!25,000 a year, and that in the event of her being left a widow an allowance of £ 6000 be made to the Princess Helen. The proposal led to a prolonged discussion, but the vote was carried by a majority of 387 to 42. After marriage the Duke and Duchess of Albany resided at Claremont, Esher. Last year the duke was dangerously ill, but ha for- tunately recovered, and was able to take part as usual in various educational and philanthropic institutions. He spoke at the laying of the founda- tion stone of the Birkbeck Institute, he took a keen in- terest in the Royal College of Music, and was busily engaged before he left this country in promoting the National Institution for the Developement of Tapes- try. Down to the time he left England a few weeks ago, the Prince had shown unusual energy in meeting the public demands upon his attention in various parts of the country. He was always ready to help not only away from home, but also in the immediate neighbourhood of his residence at Claremont. Just before he left England he sung (on 15th of February) The Sands of Dee," in an amateur concert at Esher in aid of the funds of the National School there. 1iI;Ç¡.}'1'!11II.I-Œi':
DOUBLE EXECUTION AT EDINBURGH.
DOUBLE EXECUTION AT EDINBURGH. On Monday morning Robert Vickers and William Innes, the Gorebridge miners, who were convicted at the High Court of Justiciary for the murder of John Fortune and John M'Diarmid, under-gamekeepers on the Rosebery estate, suffered the last penalty of the law for their crime within the Calton Gaol at Edin- burgh. The execution was conducted in the most careful manner, and the unfortunate men died with- out a struggle, and in a penitent state of mind. They retired the previous night about ten o'clock, and after a good night's rest awoke next morning at half-past five o'clock. The Rev. George Wilson Merchiston, who had arrived at the gaol about five o'clock, at once entered Vicker's cell, while Innes was visited at his own request by the Rev. Mr. Keay, Stockbridge Free Church. Both of the men paid the utmost attention to the mini- strations of the clergymen, Vickers especially ex- pressing his most heartfelt sorrow for the deed which he had commited, desiring Mr. Wilson to visit the wives and families of the murdered gamekeepers to inform them of the dying man's sympathy with them in their great grief. Although anxious and careworn, both partook of a good breakfast, and were calm and settled ere the time came for their removal to the scaffold. Those whose duties compelled them to witness the execution were all in attendance at the gaol by half-past seven, and at twenty-five minutes to eight the two junior magistrates, Bailies Clark and Roberts, carrying white wands, marched in procession, pre- ceded by the city officers, and followed by the city and gaol officials and from the Governor's room to the surgeon's apartment, at the south of the east bride- well, where the scaffold was erected. After a painful pause of several minutes, the two unfortunate men, who then met each other for the first time since sentence of death was passed, were conducted under the charge of four warders into the room. Vickers was dressed in his ordinary clothes, but Innes wore the prison jacket, and they both appeared perfectly resigned to their fate. Having taken their seats on a couple of chairs, they were placed by the Rev. Mr. Wilson and the prison chaplain, the former attending to Vickers and the latter ministering to Innes. After a brief but im- pressive devotional service, in which the men took part, the clergymen shook hands with both the prisoners, who then walked quietly round the room and bade adieu to all those present. James Berry, the executioner, and Richard Chester, his assistant, were then introduced, and into their hands the unfor- tunate men were handed over. The executioners, who are quiet, smart-looking men, about thirty-five years of age, rapidly performed the pinioning operations, to which Vickers and Innes quietly submitted. The walk from the room to the scaffold only occupied a minute or two, and in another three minutes the white ,caps had been adjusted, the ropes placed round the men's necks, and the bolt drawn. Death was in- stantaneous.
[No title]
A PRACTICAL LESSON.—" Peter, what are you doing to that boy ?" asked a schoolmaster. He wanted to Iknow, if you take ten from seventeen, how many will remain: I took ten of his apples to show him, and now he wants me to give 'em back." Well, why don't you do it ?" Coz, sir, he would forget how many are left." TRUE TO THE LETTER.—A printing press has been set up at a Stockholm lunatic asylum, with a beneficial result on the patients, who have improved greatly, according to Dr. Bjornstrom, the head physician, under the influence of the quiet occupation." Quite so. The effect must be extremely composing. Funny Folks. "a"
--_. THE FRENCH IN TONQUIN.
THE FRENCH IN TONQUIN. The Special Correspondent of the Daily Xews, in a telegram dated Thai-Ngouyene, March 20, via Haiphong, March 20, says The column under General Briere de LTsle arrived here yesterday. finding the citadel occupied by 5000 Chinese troops, who tied towards Cao-bong after offering but. a slight resistance. On the route to Thai-ngouyene the French made a detour to the north-east, capturing a strong position at, Yene-the. At the latter place the Sargouese tirailleurs acted gallantly, the citadel being taken by one company without artillery. There were no casualties in either action. There are no Chinese anywhere within fifty miles of Songcan. The natives are profuse in expres- sions of loyalty and obedience. The health and spirits of the troops are excellent.
lIKstellaimnts JWelligeitfc.
lIKstellaimnts JWelligeitfc. HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. REVISION OF THE AUTHORIZED VERSIOX.-The com- pany appointed for the revision of the authorized version of the Old Testament finished their 84th session on Friday afternoon in last week in the Jerusalem Chamber. The following members were present: The Dean of Peterborough, Mr. Bensly, Dr. Chance, Mr. Cheyne, Professor Driver, Dr. Ginsburg, Archdeacon Harrison, Dr. Kay, Professor Leathes, Professor Lumby, Mr. Sayee, Professor Robertson Smith, Professor Wright, and Mr. Aldis Wright (secretary). Communi- cations were received from Dr. Lindsay Alexander, Principal Douglas, and Dr. Gotch, who were unable to attend. The final review was continued as far as Isaiah xxx. 18. T- 'iE FLOODS IX AMERICA.—Louisiana telegrams state that the entire lowland district is flooded, embracing the parishes of Tensas, Concordia, Catahoula, Madison, Caldwell, and West Carroll, with parts of East Carroll, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, and Frankland, this being the most fertile portion of the State. Great distress prevails, and there are earnest appeals for relief. Whites and blacks in many places are huddled together on the upper floors of gin-houses. Most of the animals, unable to escape, have been drowned. PEDESTRIAN-ISM.—A walking match to Brighton from Westminster-bridge between two members of the Lon- don Athletic Club, Messrs. C. L. O'Malley and B. Nickels, took place on Saturday, Nickels giving his opponent half an hour in advance. The start took place at 7.15 a.m from the Westminster Clock Tower, Nickels leaving the same spot half an hour later. At Croydon Nickels had gained some two minutes only on the leader, and then steadily lost ground. O'Malley arrived at St. Peter's Church, Brighton, in 9h. 41m., Nickel's time being lOh. 8m. SPORT IN AMERICA.—A new shooting competition in America is for two selected. parties to go out into the prairie and make the largest bag they can within a given time. In a recent match of this kind in Texas there were twenty-nine guns on each side, and at the close of the day 3689 birds, nearly all of which were snipe, had been killed. One side had 1877 birds and the other 1812, aud the number of birds killed by indi- viduals ranged from 16 to 128. One party of twelve went thirty miles off for their sport, and killed 880 birds themselves. AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORK.—The following are the average prices of British corn for last week, as received from the inspectors and officers of Excise: Wheat, 38s. Id.; barley, 31s. 3d.; oats, 19s. lOd. per imperial quarter. Corresponding week last year: Wheat, 42s. Od.; barley, 33s. Id.; oats, 21s. 9d. WILD BEASTS IN FRENCH AL(,Ef-. i-t.-Coiisul-General Playfair publishes in his recent official reports some returns of the destruction of wild beasts in French Algeria, which show that the work of exterminating these pests of the colony is rapidly progressing. The number killed for which rewards were paid by Govern- ment rose from 647 only in 1881 to 1656 in the follow- ing year. Among these the jackals figures for by far the larger proportion, being on the total of the two years 1969 out of 2303. Besides these there were four lions, six lionesses, 119 panthers, and 196 hyenas. SHOCKINC CASE OF INHUMANITY.—In the Sheriff's Court at Aberdeen on Saturday, James Graham, a young man, was charged with assaulting his illegitimate child, four months old, by striking it several blows on the head, breaking its arms in two places, and otherwise shamefully treating the child at various periods during the absence of its mother, with whom the accused lived. The case caused considerable sensation, owing to the gross cruelty that had been used and a mob threatened to lynch the accused when lie was apprehended. He pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment. THE SEAL FISHERY.—A telegram was received in Dundee on Saturday announcing the arrival at St. John's, Newfoundland, of the Dundee sealer Aurora, with 28.000 young seals. This is the first arrival from the seal fishing ground this season. The captain reports that the prospects of fishing are good. The master of the Aurora reports that the sealers Falcon, Neptune, and Hector, all of Liverpool, are full ships. THE AMERICAN BOOK TRADE.—The statistics of American publishing for last year are as follows The total number of books (including new editions) was 3481, which compares with 6145 in England. In America fiction comes first with 670, as compared with 578 in England then law with 397, as compared with 223 theology, 375, as compared with 912; juveniles, 331,'as compared with 939; medicine, 211, as compared with 253 poetry, 184, as compared with 1-59. THFQL-F,EN-?s NEW BOOK.-Her Majesty's new book, More Leaves from our Journal in the Highlands," of which the English edition has now nearly reached its twentieth thousand, has been quite the rage with the American publishers of reprints. Messrs. Scribner and Welford imported copies of the book and put them into the market at four dollars. Messrs. Worthington and Co., as quickly as reproduction would admit, brought out an edition at one dollar twenty-five cents. But this has been outdone by Messrs. Harper Brothers, who have produced a pocket edition at twenty cents (ten- pence), and a "people's edition" at fifteen cents (sevenpence-half penny). THE CANADIAN WHEAT Cizop.-A Reuter's telegram from Toronto says Reports received from all parts of Ontario testify to the splendid condition of the winter wheat crop. Farming prospects are a hundred per cent. more favourable than at this time last year. In the north-western territories ploughing and seeding has commenced, and farming operations generally are two weeks in advance of Western Illinois. THE FRENCH ACADEMY.—The yearly cost of the French Academy to the State amounts to 98,000f., made up as follows Each of the 40 members receives 1500f., the permanent secretary 6000f. The five members forming the dictionary committee each 1200f., say 6000f. in all; materials and labour attending the making-up of the dictionary, 10,000f.; printing of papers and speeches, 5000f.; and the balance, ll,000f., goes for general expenses. POLICE FORCES RETURN.—A return for England and Wales, including the metropolis and the City of Lon- don, of the strength or the various police forces and the number of pensioners, as well as of the income and ex- penditure of the police superannuation funds, for the year ending the 29th September, 1883, has just been issued. The aggregate strength of the forces was 682 superintendents, 1488 inspectors, 3482 sergeants, and 28,381 constables—total 34,033; while the number in receipt of pension was 6489, including 280 super- intendents, 629 inspectors, 1371 sergeants, and 4209 constables. The annual amount of pensions payable was £ 297,393 13s. 7d. The accounts of the super- annuation funds show that the total of the available funds on the 30th September, 1883, capital and income,, was 11,176,458 10s. lid. The contributions from the pay of the forces amounted to £ 56,158 12s. 8d., and the deficiency met out of the rates during the year was £ 147,568 4s. 5d. THE PRODUCTION OF ALCOHOL IN IIUSSIA.-During the year 1882-83, says the .Journal de St. Peters- bourg," the Russian distilleries have produced 88,90s',341 gallons of pure alcohol, and during the pre- sent year 89,593.000. The decrease of 767,184 gallons in 1882-83 is the result of the closing of 58 distilleries. In the Polish province 31 distilleries have been closed in 1882-83, and in the province of Kharkoff 11 at the same time. In the province of Viatka 307,807 gallons- of alcohol less have been distilled during the year 1882- 83 than in the previous year. In the northern and central, as well as the Baltic provinces, the number of distilleries has increased, the manufacturing of eau de vie from potatoes compared to the period of 1881-82 having risen by the weight of 128,023,760 pounds of raw material. In Poland the use of potatoes has decreased, which may also be said of Turkish wheat in the provinces where it is used in distilleries, while the diminution in corn is insignificant. SAGACITY OF THE IIORSF,Oll my farm, one Sunday, the house was left in charge of one man, who sat on the porch reading. A mare, with her young foal, was grazing in the orchard near hy. At length he saw the mare coming from a distant part of the orchard at full speed, making a loud outcry. a sort of unnatural whinny, hut, as he says, more like a scream of distress than the natural voice of the horse. She came as near to the man as the fence would allow, and then turned back for a few rods, and then returned, all the while keeping up the unnatural outcry. So soon as he started to follow her she ran back in the direction of a morass or miry place which had been left unguarded, and only stopped on its very brink. The man hastened to the spot with all Speed, and found the colt mired in the soft mud and water. It was already dead.—" American Naturalist."