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

RESCUE OF A SHIP'S CREW. The last. arriving Canadian mail steamer at Liver- pool brought particulars of the rescue at sea of forty- six lives from the Spanish steamer Cubano, which foundered in lat. 45, long. 35. The rescue was effected by the British barque Antwerp, though it took four days to accomplish it. According to the statement of Captain Humphrey, of the Antwerp, which arrived at St. John, N.B., on the 23rd ult., it appears that the barque was going from Londonderry when she fell in with a disabled steamer in lat. 46, long. 37. The vessel was sending up rockets and dis- playing other signals of distress. The Antwerp bore down to the steamer, and when within signalling dis- tance the captain of the steamer said they were in no need of immediate assistance. In reply to a signal from the Antwerp asking what they wanted, those on board the steamer replied they were sinking. It was found that the steamer was the Cubano, bound to Liverpool. A distance of two miles separated the vessels, and a very heavy sea was running. A boat with eleven men left the Cubano and pulled for the barque. Those on board the latter vessel could see that the only chance of getting the men on board was by hauling them through the sea. They therefore got lines and everything ready. The boat on approaching the barque was stove in by the sea, but the men were fortunately hauled safely on board the barque. They told their rescuers that the ballast tank of the steamer had burst, and the water pouring in had extinguished the fires. The steam pumps had been rendered useless, and the men for some time had been engaged baling out the water with buckets. The eleven men had adopted a most opportune moment for abandoning their vessel, as soon after they had gained the deck of the barque a fearful storm sprang up, raging the whole of the day and night. In the morn- ing a blinding snowstorm supervened, accompanied by a heavy sea. No attempt could possibly be made to relieve the remainder of the Cubano's crew, but Captain Humphrey kept his vessel as close as possible to the steamer in the hope of the weather abating. At midnight the gale decreased in violence, but snow squalls prevailed at intervals. About ten o'clock on the following morning a small boat was seen to leave the steamer. The current, however, carried the frail craft at its will. Seeing the imminent danger of the occupants the captain of the Antwerp ordered sail to be set on his vessel, which scudded off and came up with the little boat after a three miles run. On coming alongside the Antwerp the boat was smashed, and it was with the greatest difficulty that the men were pulled on board. It appeared that there were only three occupants—two seamen and the captain. The former put off from the steamer, but the craft was so small that none of the others would venture in it. The captain had jumped into the sea and was picked up by the small boat. He had only his sleeping clothing on when he got on the Antwerp the men were exhausted and benumbed. Another storm set in, and it would have been madness to attempt to rescue the rest of the Cubano's crew. At daylight on the following morning the Antwerp was worked again as close as possible to the steamer. The storm raged during the day. Captain Humphrey offered the rescued men the use of his best boat if they wished to succonr their comrades, but they thought it was too dangerous to attempt anything of the kind in which Cap- tain Humphrey perfectly agreed. As the day wore on Captain Humphrey signalled that the weather would be fins in the morning, but those on the steamer replied that their vessel would founder before then. Nothing, however, could be done but wait for the morrow, and the dawn showed that Captain Humphrey's prognostication was correct. This was the fourth day that the vessels had been in company with each other, and at eleven o'clock the weather had sufficiently moderated to admit of a boat being launched from the Antwerp. This craft, in charge of the chief officer of the Antwerp, made three tiips and rescued the remainder of the shipwrecked men. One of the crew, a Manilla man, fearing that the steamer would founder before those on board could be rescued, put his chest on a couple of planks and left his vessel. He was soon carried away from the steamer, and lost sight of. He, no doubt, was drowned. In addition to her own crew, the Cubano had on board two engi- neers, the mate, second mate, and carpenter of the Spanish steamer Avendino, which had been wrecked at Nassau. These men were also rescued by the Ant- werp. Having lost so much time Captain Humphrey decided to run for the Azores, and four days after- wards she landed the shipwrecked men at St:Michael. Before leaving the ship the English engineers pre- sented a testimonial to Captain Humphrey and his crew for their bravery, humanity, and for the great kindness they showed to the helpless crew. On her voyage from St. Michael to St. John's the Antwerp met very heavy weather, and passed several icebergs on the southern edge of the banks of Newfoundland. The Cubano, when abandoned, had 24ft. of water in her hold, her decks being level with the sea.

THE DYNAMITE PLOTS. On Saturday James Francis Egan was brought up at the Birmingham Police-court, before Messrs. Avery, Holliday, Williams, and Payton. The prisoner de- scribed himself as 38 years of age, and the clerk of Kyotts Lane House, Grafton-road, Sparkbrook. He was charged with feloniously conspiring with John Daly, alias Denman, to cause by a certain substance an explosion in the United Kingdom of a nature likely to endanger life and cause serious injury to property. Mr. Farndale, after reciting the charge, said Daly was yesterday taken into custody at Birkenhead with several infernal machines in his possession. I shall call Inspector Stroud, who will tell you he and others have had this man (Daly) under surveillance for the last four or five months, that he lodged at this prisoner's house, that the prisoner and Daly were on very intimate terms during that time, spending their evenings together generally. We have now in our possession a quantity of correspondence, letters, and papers which will take some considerable time to go through. In some of them we find expressions used which we have reasons to believe refer to dynamite, and that something was hidden about the premises. It will take some considerable time to search these premises. It is a largo house, with a very spacious garden. The search will probably last two or three days. I shall have to give you whatever evidence I have now, and to ask you to remand the pri- soner for a week. I have received a telegram from Liverpool this morning stating that Daly has been remanded till next Saturday. I neglected to state that when I went there yesterday morning with Superin- tendent Black the prisoner was informed of the arrest of Daly, and he was asked to give us any information about him. He was asked if he knew whether Denman was his proper name. Daly has bren going under the name of Denman here. He said he knew nothing whatever about him. He was recommended to him by friends some months ago, and, so far as he knew, he believed him to be a man named Denman. Yet amongst the letters and correspondence found in the house was one from Daly's brother, asking Egan to take charge of the prisoner (Daly) when he came here. It was thus quite clear he knew this man, and that Daly was deceiving us. I shall call Mr. Black to prove that. Mr. Barradale (magistrate's clerk) We only want sufficient evidence for a remand. Inspector Stroud was then called, and said he had been watching Daly from the 11th of October last at prisoner's hoOse, Grafton-road, Sparkbrook. Daly had lodged there ever since, and went under the name of Denman. He had frequently seen Daly and the prisoner together. He arrested the prisoner, and seized a number of papers. He found among them the letter referred to by Superintendent Farndale. When he arrested the prisoner he charged him with the offence, adding that Daly was in custody at Birkenhead. He replied "I say nothing; I have nothing to say." The papers were found by Superintendent Black. Mr. O'Connor said he did not propose to cross-examine witnesses at this moment. The case at present against the prisoner was one of mere suspicion, and it was a very serious charge. Every facility, therefore, should be given to him to properly get up his defence. He (Mr. O'Connor) would have to ask the magistrates whether if substantial bail was forthcoming they would grant bail. It was necessary for him to get up his defence. Under the circumstances he thought the magistrates might grant bail. The prisoner had been in England since he was eighteen years of age, and though as a fact he had been at one time a promi- nent member of a Home Rule body, he informed Mr. O'Connor that for some time now he had not taken the slightest part or interest in any such organiza- tions. He might at the present time be nominally a member of such a body, his name might appear on the lodge books, and he might just now contribute to their funds, but that was all. And besides, even if he were a Home Ruler, that was not a suspicious circumstance. They had English as well as Irish Home Rulers. Pri- soner had always been known as in the employ of a respectable firm in Birmingham, and lie had held responsible positions in the town for years. Mr. Farndale, in reply to the Bench, said he must oppose the application. Mr. Avery then intimated that the application would not be granted, but every oppor- tunity would be given for the prisoner to prepare his defence. Mr. O'Connor I am glad to hear you say so. I suppose the Chief Constable will have no objec- tion to let mo see the papers taken from the house. Mr. Farndale Oh. dear, no. Mr. Avery: We must leave that to the discretion of the police. The pri- soner was then remanded, and removed from the dock. In the afternoon he was removed under a strong escort of police to the gaol at Winson-green. He maintained a very quiet demeanour, but appeared at times to be extremely nervous. On Saturday morning John Daly was brought up at the Liverpool Police-court, before Mr. T. S. Raffles, the stipendiary magistrate. The charge against the prisoner was that of knowingly having in his posses- sion a certain infernal machine with intent to commit a felony." Daly was described in the charge-sheet as of Irish birth. Ho is of short stature, dark complexion, with a short moustache but no whiskers. The only evidence offered was that of Detective Humphries, the head of the Irish detective force in Liverpool, who de- posed that lie had apprehended the prisoner at Birkenhead Station on Friday as he was booking for Wolverhampton, and upon searching him found in his pocket three parcels containing explosives and an in- fernal machine. Upon hearing this evidence Mr. Raffles remanded the prisoner for a week, and Daly was removed to Walton Gaol.

A man in Chattanooga went out and hanged him- self the other day because a dentist told him his tooth was affected with modular calcification of the pulp." He left a note to his wife saying he didn't want to live on and give it to her and the children. "Ef I was a slim like that," remarked the tele- graph boy, gazing after the retreating figure of a New York dude, I wouldn't pay no fares down-town. I'd git in a draft an' blow down." When a boy bats a ball through a parlour window the boy may not lose his inning, but the man who owns the window is invariably put out.

THE VOLUNTEERS ON EASTER MONDAY. AT POUTS MOUTH. The bugles woke up Portsmouth soon after sunrise on Monday morning, and it was not long before the streets became alive with pedestrians and vehicles of all descriptions. The first to arouse the echoes were the commissariat, waggons and the four guns of the Army Service Corps. A few volunteers put in an appearance at the Portsmouth Town Station, hoping to be taken to Fareham or Havant, but they had to wend their way to the Soldiers' Recreation-ground, where all the volunteers who were staying in the town had to assemble at eight o'clock, and then march to Gosnort or Portsmouth to take the train to Fareham or Havant. At the latter station the trains from London began to arrive at 6.45, and for two hours they came in punctually to time. The men cleared out of the station directly and were formed into companies near the church, whence they marched to the rendezvous at Purbrook. Some of the men were rather disappointed at not being able to get their breakfast at Havant. but they marched on to the inspiriting strains of their bands. The 1st Sussex Artillerv mustered well and, besides their regular bands, had a capital bugle band, which could be heard at a much longer distance than the biggest of the big drums, and to- march to the music was very pleasant relief. After a march of about three miles in the keen morning air the long-looked for rendezvous was sighted. The men who had already arrived were looking un- commonly blue, for the only signs of breakfast were carts loaded with beer casks and oranges; but the word was soon passed round that, the canteens in the fort were open, and thither the hungry, shivering soldiers soon found their way, and haversacks were opened and a cup of hot coffee or tea soon brought back the blood into the cheeks of the men. The sun, Too, now began to warm the air, and by ten o'clock the rendezvous was crowded, and cheery laughter and chaffing showed that the early alfresco meal had done its work well. Then came tobacco and an inspection of the barracks within the forts, and then the bugles sounded "Fall in." Water-bottles were soon re- plenished, and after a good deal of inquiry the men found their corps, and long before the time appointed for the arrival of Major-General White, the com- mandant of these, the Northern forces, companies had been equalised and proved, and the men were ready to march anvwhere. Tho wind was still easterly, and there were sufficient clouds sailing slowly west- ward to keep people wondering whether it would after all be wet, but the welcome sunshine took off the keenness of the easterly breeze, and by noon the weatherwise predicted a fine day. Looking round now on the landscape, the lanes leading up to the forts seemed alive, and one road --that through Hilsea lines--seeiiied like a huge snake, the semblance being heightened by the shining accoutrements of corps still making their way to the rendezvous. The corps staying at Portsmouth detailed to form part of the Western force assembled at the Royal Marine Barracks at Forton, near Gosport, and after being formed into companies were marched to the rendezvous at Fort Nelson, via Fareham. The corps from London began to arrive at the Fareham Station soon after seven, and were taken to fields adjoining the stations, where refreshment booths were ready with plenty of good food and tea and coffee. The railway station commandant was Major B. A. Monsell, and his assistant Captain J. A. M'Kecknie, Royal Marine Light Infantry. The trains came up very regularly, but they were none of them as heavily laden as expected. The 1st Hants Artillery Volunteers went to Fort Nelson by way of Cosham, and some companies of the 3rd Hants Rifle Volunteers by way of Porchester. The march to Fort Nelson was witnessed by an enthu- siastic crowd, who cheered continuously as the corps went by. The town was very prettily decorated, and words of welcome, set out in very primitive fashion and sometimes quaintly expressed, greeted the eye at every turn. By half-past eight the last corps due at Fareham had arrived, and as soon as breakfast was finished the toilsome march up the hill began. When the brigades had been formed at eleven o'clock it was estimated that there were about 6500 volunteers on parade. When the mid-day gun was fired the ridge of the Portsdown Hills was covered for miles with dense masses of spectators, the majority of whom were making their way to the long stretch of sward and roadway between Fort Southwick and Fort Widley, about midway between which points on the northern slope of the hills was the ground marked out for the inarch past, and distinguished by the fluttering in a stiff north-easter of the Royal Standard. The weather fortunately continued fine, the wind carrying away to sea the threatening rain-clouds which at one period of the morning had caused some apprehension of drenching showers. The field of operations was comprised within a triangular space, the base of which extended on the north from Fort Nelson to Fort Purbrook. a distance of between eight and nine miles, the apex being at Hilsea. about a mile and a half from the Portsdown Hills in the direction of Portsmouth. Here, within formidable lines of fortifications, and cut off from the mainland by a narrow arm of the sea, spanned by a couple of bridges, lay the garrison which it was the object of the western army advancing from Salisbury, under Major- Genenil R. Monck, to relieve. The garrison under Colonel Sir F. Festing consisted of the Royal Marine Artillery, the 2nd Battalion North Lancashire Regi- ment. and the 1st Hants Artillery Volunteer Corps, with eight 64-pounder guns. The relieving force was made up of three brigades of volun- teers and one of the regular troops, the latter being composed of the 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, the 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment, and the Royal Marine Light Infantry. A detachment cf the Hampshire Yeomanry Cavalry was attached to this force, which, having marched as was supposed, from Salisbury to Fareham, had now taken up a position immediately to the east of Fort Nelson, whence an attempt would be made to effect a junction with the Hilsea garrison in the hope of turning the flank of the invader. who, marching west from Havant, were in possession of the ridge of the hills as far as Fort Purbreok. The invading force, under the command of Major- G-neral R. White, C.B., was of the total strength of 10,685 officers and men, having with them six 40- pounder breecli-loading guns and r30 of the Brighton Brigade of the Sussex Artillery Volunteers. A de- tachment of Middlesex Yeomanry Cavalry was attached to this force. The artillery were placed under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, R.A.: and the two divisions into which the infantry were divided were under Major-General the Hon. W. H. A. Feilding, and Major-General R. Gipps, C.B., respectively. When the signal gun was fired the advance of the western force commenced in an easterly direction towards Fort Southwick. Scouts were sent well in advance, followed by skirmishers preceding the main body of the troops. Colonel Moncrieff's brigade pushed forward along the southern courses of the ridge, Lord Ranelagh's brigade at the same time advancing on the northern face, while Colonel Panter's men held the summit of the heights. In this order the advance was made good to some dis- tance towards Fort Southwick, the garrison at Hilsea meanwhile sending out small bodies of cavalry and infantry to Wymering and Cosham to endeavour to open up communi- cations with the relieving forces. The invaders, on the other hand, had lost no time in advancing from his splendid base of operations behind Parbrook Fort as far as Fort Widlev, thus practically obtaining command of the Cosham-road. The 1st Division went forward on the northern side of the heights, Colonel Fitzroy's brigade taking possession of the Petersfield-road, and thence making a wide detour to the north by way of Widley Farm in order to obtain the advantage of the cover afforded by some hilly ground to the rear of Pigeon-house Farm. The second and third brigades kept closer in the hillside, but so rapid was the advance over the open ground that for a time the connection between the first and second divisions was dangerously slight. The latter had been making good the position on the southern slopes, where, under cover of the guns, the 1st Sussex Artillery now turned upon the Hilsea garrison as they were gradually feeling their way in the direction of Cosham. The right wing of the invaders was soon skirting the cover in the vicinity of Rolwell, and the Hampshire cavalry acting as scouts on the hill crest galloped back with the intelligence, and Lord Ranelagh's brigade was pushed forward to check the advance of the main body of the first division of the northern force. The latter's signallers stationed on the high ground at the rear of Fort Widley did good service, and soon the London Irish and the regiments brigaded with them made their way across some ploughed land belonging to Pigeon House Farm, and then changing their front formed an alignement from east to west, whence under cover of uneven ground they poured a hot fire into the ranks of Colonel Panter's men, and compelled them gradually to retreat up the hill side. Colonel Webber's brigade coming up compelled General Monck to send forward the Royal Marine Light Infantry to the assistance of his extreme left, but the 1st London and the 1st Middlesex Engineers had got possession of a copse and an old chalk pit, from whose friendly shelter they poured forth a raking fire. On their extreme right, too, Colonel Fitzroy's brigade was beginning to close in and threatened to outflank the Western force. In order to prevent this it became necessary for General White to send forward in hot haste most of his available reserves, and thus what was probably intended only for a mere demonstration developed into a very formidable part of the operations in progress. On the other side of the Portsdown Hills another, and practically an entirely separate battle was being waged, for between the northern and southern port ions of the contending forces thousands of spec- tators intervened. A heavy artillery fire had been kept up from the 40-pounders of the 1st Sussex Artillery upon the Hilsea Garrison against which the eight 04-pounders of the Hants Artillery which were within the lines were powerless to do any execution. The southern advance of the invading army had been pressed forward without serious check until General Monck's right wing and the outposts of the garrison were alike within rifle range. A brisk fire was main- tained on both sides, but at this time the feint which had been made to the north by the relieving army was met in so decisive manner that the general was obliged to call up his reserves from the Southern Brigade, where he had intended to deliver his main attack, and the remainder of his Southern Brigade was outflanked and almost annihilated, the Hilsea garrison being simul- taneously driven back within their lines. The latter, indeed, had been struggling throughout against over- whelming odds, and had not been able to advance their scouts more than three or four fields before retreating. The Royal Marine Artillery lined a hedgerow, and there was some very pretty volley firing which would have done much execution had the cartridges contained bullets. The same, indeed, might be said of the firing on the other side of the ridge, where the Royal Marine Light Infantry and their opponents were blazing away at each other with extraordinary vigour at 30U yards distance for some minutes after the cease firing was sounded. The march past commenced at three o'clock, when the Duke of Cambridge, attended by his staff, took up his position at the saluting flag, while among the many officers in the enclosure was a French military attache, whose blue uniform made him a conspicuous figure. The spectacle was witnessed by a vast con- gregation of people stretching for miles along the hill sides. Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar rode at the head of the force, and having saluted the Field- Marshal Commander-in-Chief took up his place beside him. Directly the troops had passed the saluting point their steps were turned homewards. The Gloucester Regiment, the Hampshire Regiment, and the Royal Marine Light Infantry had to march all the way to their barracks in Portsmouth. There was very little to notice in their appearance as compared with the volunteers. All were dusty enough, but they all inarched along the streets with springy step, to the admiration of a vast crowd which lined the roads all the way from Cobham to Ports- mouth. The troops told off to return through Hilsea made their way, accompanied by their brigadiers, across the fields north of Hilsea, to the pontoon-bridge which had been laid by the Royal Engineers. The bridge answered admirably, and all confusion was avoided by reserving its use solely for volunteers going by rail. They were entrained at the temporary platform at Hilsea, and were despatched with great promptitude. The men who were staying in the town or at Gosport were marched to their rendezvous in the same order as they left in the morning, and were dismissed under the direction of a staff officer. AT DOVER. The volunteers who attended the gathering at Dover were indebted to Major-General Newdigate, the Com- mandant of the District, for one of the best-designed and most perfectly carried out field days that have ever taken place. The general idea supposed the land- ing of a hostile army between Folkestone and Hythc, bent on the capture of London, and to facilitate that ambitious design detaching a division to capture Dover Castle, if possible, or, at any rate, to mask that strong military position while the main object was being accomplished. The role of invader was undertaken by the column which Colonel Davies, of the Grenadier Guards, marched down from London on Good Friday, fighting two well-contested actions, one just beyond Canterbury, the other on Barham Downs. The Defending Force was under Major-General W. H. Goodenough, and was strengthened by the Royal Irish Rifles, L and T Batteries 1st Brigade of the Royal Artillery, and a fine squadron of the East Kent Yeomanry. The scene of operations was an area of country about two miles in length, extend- ing from the Deal road between Fort Burgoyne and the new redoubt north of it, in a north-westerly direction for something over two miles to the old road from Ewell to Sandwich, which runs in a nearly parallel direction. The terrain is agricultural land gently rolling enough to afford sufficient cover for the movement of troops, with the fields divided by slight hedges, set on low banks, afforded the most perfect shelter for fighting men. The invaders took up a position parallel to the Sandwich-road, facing the south-east, their right resting on Kearnsney-liill Plantation, their left on Archers' Court-wood, with the fine farm buildings of Archers' Court in rear of their centre. They were in a depression of the ground that hid them completely from the defenders, the hedges between the opposing forces having been gapped in such a fashion as to facilitate movement. The defenders, who endorsed the sound military principle that an offensive defence is likely to prove most effective, were not content to cower under the shelter of the guns in Fort Burgoyne and the Redoubt, but boldly pushed forward and occupied Frith Farm and the line of the tunnel, by the East Kent, the 4th West Surrey, the 2nd Tower Hamlets, and the 4tli Essex Volunteers, while the 1st Royal Fusilier Volunteers and the 1st Tower Hamlets Volunteers, with the Royal Irish in support, were, with a keen prevision of what would be the strategy of the invaders, sent off to the right to occupy the village of Guston. Strong outposts were thrown forward from the Frith Farm position so far as to overlook almost the array of the invaders, while East Kent Infantry scouts and the Yeomanry were sent out in advance of Guston. Both sides had signal parties, who were utilised to the utmost, transmitting orders and information with admirable promptitude and success. The action commenced by the invaders pushing out part of their cavalry straight to the front to feel for their enemy, while the rest took ground to the left. The cavalry, advancing to the front, had only gone a few hundred yards beyond the ridge behind which the whole force lay concealed when they were met by a sharp fire from a recondite foe in their front, having come upon a reconnoitring party of the defenders. The Hussars retired without loss of time, carrying the information back to the main body. and thereupon a fighting line cover- ing their whole front was deployed, with proper supports and reserve, and a steady advance was made. Fire was speedilj opened, and a smart fight ensued, accentuated by the thunder of the invaders' heavy guns from both flanks. The defenders, who clung obstinately to their shelter to give time for the redoubt to be armed were obliged at last by the superior force brought against them to give ground, and then fell back fighting to their outpost line. The invaders, continually feeding their fighting line, after a gallant struggle on the part of the defenders, bore them back by sheer weight of numbers, and they retreated under a heavy fire, which must have occasioned severe, loss if bullets had been flying about, to -the Erith farm position. Meanwhile, in the direction of Guston, the yeomanry scouts of the defenders had speedily detected the advance of the invaders' Hussars, and made a well-devised attempt to cut some of them off. The Regulars, however, were too wily to be caught, and fell back on the East Lancashire and 3rd London, who were now threatening the village. The defenders, from the shelter its build- ings afforded, made a good fight, but Hozier's 20- pounders were supposed to be doing severe execution, and being thus shaken by artillery fire, the nerves of the garrison were not equal to sustaining the shock of direct attack from a superior force of their own arm as well. The East Lancashire executed a most picturesque charge right up to the enclosures, and the 3rd London pouring at the same time into the principal thoroughfare, the defenders retreated from the other end of the village, and retired under a hot fire from the victorious invaders. Directly the village was captured, Hozier turned his guns on the Frith Farm position, and after a furious attack the defenders fell back, fighting desperately, and defending -every defensible position, and, leaving a strong garrison in the redoubt, were fain at last to retreat behind the line connecting this work with Fort Burgoyne. The heavy fire which these works commenced on the invaders at once put a stop to their victorious advance. They wavered, became stationary, and at last sought such shelter as the ground afforded, and endeavoured by sharpshooting from behind the banks and swells of the ground to keep down the galling fire from which they were suffering. So every available gun of the defenders was brought to bear in aid of the fort and redoubt, keeping the enemy stationary and preventing him seeing that the defenders, on falling back behind the lost ridge that they had so gallantly defended, so far from being cowed, were actively engaged in preparation for a final effort to retrieve the fortunes of the day. The shattered battalions re-formed, field guns from the garrison, moved by drag ropes, were got out, and when all was prepared the force moved resolutely up the slope which had given them shelter, and on gaining the crest commenced a furious attack on the enemy. The whole of the artillery on the side of the defence thundered without intermission, the rattle of musketry was incessant, and when it was judged that the invaders had become completely demoralised, a bayonet charge, delivered with the accompaniment of a ringing cheer, drove them back defeated to the Frith Farm position, the cease fire" which was then sounded bringing the well-fought action to an end. This effective counter-attack was delivered in full view of the many thousands of spectators who blackened the slopes of Fort Burgoyne, the Castle, the Redoubt, and every part of the ample parade-ground in rear of the Fort, and was productive of eminent satisfaction. This satisfaction was enhanced by the forming up of the whole force directly after the action had ceased, for a march past. The saluting base was planted just in rear of Fort Burgoyne, and the bands of the various battalions being massed opposite, General Newdigate and his staff, with a few" dis- tinguished visitors, including the Secretary and. At- tache of the Chinese Embassy, took post to witness the defile. AT ALDERSHOT. The first sham fight of the Aldershot drill season took place on Monday over the Fox Hills before a large number of spectators, including many officers both on the active and retired list, who reside in the vicinity of the camp. The day was exceptionally suited for the work, there being a soft wind to temper the heat of the sun. The field day was ordered by the Field Marshal Commander-in-Chief for the special benefit of the volunteers who elected to go to Aldershot for the Easter review, viz., the Ilth Middlesex or Railway Volunteers and the 1st Berkshire Rifles. The remainder of the force engaged, consisting of six thousand men, was composed of the various regular regiments at pre- sent quartered in the camp. The manoeuvres, which were of a very instructive nature, were carried out on ground admirably adapted for the purpose, the general idea being that an army having landed at Southamp- ton is marching on London. Its main body has reached Winchester, and has pushed forward an advanced force as far as Aldershot and seized the stores there. The Aldershot garrison having been ordered to retire along the South-Western Railway has reached Brook- wood, where it is reinforced by troops sent by rail from London, with a view, if possible, to recover the stores at Aldershot. The special idea is that Major-General Fraser, who has concentrated his troops on and about Dawney's-hill, receives the following telegram from London: "By intelligence received the enemy in Aldershot number 300 sabres, 1600 bayonets, and twenty-two guns. Advance by the Fox-hills and endeavour to crush them before they can receive support." During the earlier part of the action the operations were confined exclusively to the cavalry and artillery, who were sent forward by the Southern Force with a view to check the advance of the force from Dawney's-hill as long as possible, while the main body tojk up a position some half-mile in rear with their right resting on Scragley-hill and the left on the South-Westeru Railway. The scouting duties of the Northern Force left little to be desired, being well carried out, especially those entrusted to the 15th Hussars, under the command of Colonel Tuck, C.B. The movements of the cavalry of the Southern Force were slower, and showed a want of elasticity when compared with the smart Hussars. The artillery, though in many cases they were carefully brought into action, were in some instances seen moving along the sky line 1D dangerous proximity to the enemy's guns, exposing both men and hors.es to their fire. As the infantry attack of the Northern Force was developed skilful handling was apparent, and the southern commander was compelled to beat a retreat to a second position, which retreat was well conducted in the face of a heavy fire. Throughout the day the volunteer battalions were in the fore-front of the infantry attack, and acquitted themselves in a very creditable manner. At the conclusion of the operations the Umpire in Chief, Lieutenant-General Sir Archibald Alison, Bart., K.C.B., assembled the brigadiers and battalion com- manders and briefly addressed them, after which the division formed up on Romping-down and marched past. Here the volunteer battalions certainly com- pared very favourably with their comrades of the regular service, the 11th Middlesex R.V. carrying the palm and attracting the most attention after the Black Watch. The troops returned, to quarters at 3.30, with the exception of the Berkshire Volunteers, which returned by rail to Reading. The march past was witnessed by the Empress Eugenie, Sir Daniel Lysons, and Lord Napier of Magdala.

A TRAGEDY AT THE ESCURIAL. A singular tragedy was enacted recently in the palace of the Escurial. While the visitors were being conducted through the cloisters, they were startled by three or four reports of a -gun following one another in quick succession. Several of them ran in the direction from which the sounds came, and met in one of the passages a handsome and well-dressed girl, who exclaimed in piteous accents, Help me, for God's sake my heart is cut in two." She was holding her hands to her breast, and blood was flowing in large quantities down her dress. A few paces further on a young man was found lying in a pool of blood, with a gunshot wound in his side. When he saw the crowd and the girl among them, he just had the strength to exclaim, Oh look at me, thou star of my life I wish to die with your eyes looking into mine." The two victims were taken into the hospital of the palace, and it is hoped that they may both recover. It has been ascertained that the young man, a native of Madrid, had for some time been in love with the girl, and as she would not listen to his suit he determined to kill her first and himself after- wards. Hearing that she was going to visit the Escurial with one of her friends, he thought the opportunity would be a favourable one for carrying out his scheme of vengeance, and he followed her from Madrid to the palace without being observed, and called out to her while she was in one of the cor- ridors, shooting her as soon as she turned round.

MURDER AND SUICIDE. On March 10th a newly-married pair, of the name of Kozma, left Nyitra, in Hungary, for their wedding tour, and about three weeks ago they arrived at Mon- treux, on the Lake of Geneva. After spending a few days there they went up to Glion. To all appearance they were very happy. After they had been at Glion a fortnight, they announced their intention of leaving the next morning en route for Nyitra. They packed up their belongings, said good-bye to their friends, and after ordering a carriage to be ready at sunrise to convey them to the station they retired to their room at an early hour. In the morning the porter, as he had been ordered, went to awaken them. There was no answer to his knock. A locksmith was sent for, and the door forced open. M. Kozma was found lying on the floor in a pool of blood. His head had been pierced by a ball, and by his side lay a six-chambered revolver. Madame Kozma was in bed, seemingly fast asleep, but quite dead. A blue, almost imperceptible, hole in the temple showed where the bullet had entered her brain. The doctor said that she had died two hours before her husband. M. Kozma's nephew, who came to Montreux to arrange about the funeral, said that his uncle was a man of irritable and melancholy tempera- ment, that he had often expressed a disgust for life, and must have killed his wife and committed self- murder while labouring under temporary insanity.

WILLS AND BEQUESTS. (From the Illustrated London News.) The will of the late Most Serene Henri, Comte d. Chambord, was proved on the 29th ult. by M. Alfred Huet du Pavilion, the surviving executor, the personal estate in England being of the value of £ 80,337. By his will he gives to the Comtesse de Chambord his estate and Chateau of Frohsdorf, with its contents, absolutely, and a life interest in the residue of his properties, real and personal, which he charges with the payment of numerous legacies and annuities to relatives, friends, and domestics, and bequests to charities. After the death of the comtesse he gives three fourths of the residue to his nephew Robert Due de Parme, and one fourth to his nephew Henri Comte de Bardi. The will, as contained in papen marked A and B, with one codicil (all dated May 1, 1882), of the Right Hon. Edward George, Baron Howard of Glos- sop, P.C., late of Glossop Hall, Derbyshire, of No. 19, Rutland-gate, and of Dorlin, in the county of Inverness, who died on Dec. 1 last, was proved on the 27th ult. by the Duke of Norfolk and Lord Edmund Bernard Talbot, the nephews, and Francis Edward Lord Howard of Glossop, the son, the executors, the value of the personal estate in the United Kingdom amounting to upwards of £ 11(^,000. The testator bequeaths £ 2000 and an annuity of £ 600 to his wife, Lady Howard of Glossop; £ 6000 to his wife and son jointly; £15,000, upon trust, for each of his daughters, Lady Herries, the Countess of Loudoun, the Hon. Constance Mary Germana FitzAlan- Howard, and the Hon. Winifred Mary FitzAlan- Howard EIOOO to his daughter the Marchioness of Bute as a mark of his great affection for her, but lie does not make any other provision for her, she being already amply provided for XIOOO each to his sisters, Lady Foley and Lady Adeliza Manners £ 3000 to the Rev. Dr. Angus Macdonald, or to such other person as shall have at his death supervision of the Roman Catholic diocese of Argyll; £1000 to the person who j shall have at his death supervision of the Roman Catholic district of Nottingham; and an annuity of X200 to Mrs. Louisa Mary Milman. There are also specific gifts to his son, daughters, and sons-in-law, and pecuniary legacies to nephews, nieces, friends, servants, and others. The residue of his property, real and personal, he gives to his son, the present peer. The will (dated March 14, 1866), with two codicils (dated Nov. 18, 1872, and July 28,1877), of the Most Hon. George Hamilton, Marquis of Donegall, K.P., G.C.H., P.C., F.R.S., late of No. 22, Grosvenor- square, and of Hamstead Marshall, Berks, who died on October 20 last at Brighton, was proved on the 26th ult. by James Torrens and Richard Pennington, the executors, the value of the personal estate amounting to over £ 41,000. The testator leaves certain quarries and railway property in Ireland to his wife, the Marchioness of Donegall, for life, and then to the trustees of the family estates certain gas and other shares to his wife for life, and then to his daughter, Lady Harriet Ashley; and there are some other gifts to his said daughter. The residue of the personalty he bequeaths to his wife. The will (dated Nov. 7, 1862), with two codicils (dated respectively June 3, 1873, and Sept. 24, 1875), of the Right Hon. Sir John Barnard Byles, P.C., for- merly one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, but late of 3, Prince's-gardens, S.W., and Hare- field, Uxbridgc, who died on Feb. 3 last, was proved on the 2.5th ult. by Walter Barnard Byles and Maurice Barnard Byles, the sons, the executors, the value of the personal estate amounting to upwards of £ 201,000. The testator, after bequeathing several pecuniary legacies to relatives and friends and to his former clerks, and after making specific devises to his two sons, settles the residue of his real and personal estate upon his two sons and their issue, as tenants in common, with cross remainder over between them. The will and codicil of the late Mr. Thomas Newman Hunt has been proved in the Principal Registry, by Mr. T. H. Newman and Mr. R. Philpot, the executors. The estate in the United Kingdom exceeds £ 172,500. The testator also possessed free- hold estates in Ireland, and property in Newfound- land and Oporto. He bequeaths his leasehold dwell- ing-house, No. 79, Portland-place, and the plate, furniture, and all other household goods, whether useful or ornamental, to Mrs. Philpot, the sister of his late wife, for her life, and, after her death, to her son, Mr. T. E. D' Philpot, absolutely. He also gives numerous legacies to his own relatives and to mem- bers of his late wife's family, the residue to the said Mr. T. H. Newman. The will (dated Feb. 6, 1882), with a codicil (dated Dec. 8, 1883), of Mr. Thomas Ford, late of Swansea, Glamorganshire, merchant, who died on Dec. 22 last, was proved on the 1st ult. by Mrs. Elizabeth Dimond Ford, and William Dowle Jones, the acting executors, the value of the personal estate amounting to over £ 42,000. The testator gives to his wife £ 200, all his furniture and household effects, and his resi- dence, Woodlands, so long as she likes to occupy it; he also leaves £ 8000, upon trust, for her for life. There are legacies to his son Thomas, to his partner, and to his executors and the residue of his real and personal estate he leaves to all his children except his son Thomas in equal shares. The will (dated May 22, 1878) of Mrs. Annie Drake, late of No. 27, Onslow-gardens, who died on Feb. 9 last at Amwell Bury, Herts, was proved on the 1st ult. by Heyrick Anthony Greatorex, the nephew, the surviving executor, the value of the personal estate amounting to over £ 34,000. The testatrix bequeaths £ 5000 to Francis Ashton Drake, a son of her late husband; £ 6000, upon trust, for John Allatt Drake, another son of her late husband, for life, then for her sister, Mrs. Eliza Greatorex, for life, and then for her niece, Mrs. Elizabeth Annie Pinwell, and her children and there are some other legacies. The funds under her marriage settlement are directed to be held, upon trust, for her said sister for life; and the residue of her property she leaves to her nephew, the said Heyrick Anthony Greatorex. The will (dated March 29, 1864), with two codicils (dated March 21 and Nov. 23, 1883), of Mr. Charles Marriott Caldecott, J.P., D.L., formerly a magistrate in India, late of Holbrook Grange, near Rugby, who died on Nov. 30 last, has been proved by Edmund Harris and Colonel Charles Thomas Caldecott, the son, the executors, the value of the personal estate amounting to over £ 23,000. The testator bequeaths £ 400 and his household furniture and effects to his wife, Mrs. Margaret Caldecott; and legacies to labourers, coachman, and gardener. The residue of his real and personal estate is to be held, upon trust, for his wife for life at her death, some legacies are given to children; and the ultimate residue is to be divided between his daughters Sophia Catherine, Merriel, and Eleanor, and his three sons, Randolph, Everard Garfoot, and Francis James.

JUDGES' MARSHALS. The Law Journal says There seems danger of the ancient office of judge's marshal going the way of the keeper of the lianaper, the deputy chaff-wax, the hereditary chief proclamator, the clerk of the petty bag, and the other dignitaries who once amply sur- rounded the majesty of the law. The Lord Chan- cellor appears to be of opinion that if the judges are to reap a substantial gain by the allowance of their expenses on circuit, they ought to submit to lose in point of form and ornament. The duties of judge's marshal in the law correspond very much to those of junior lord of the Treasury in politics. He is supposed to read and summarise the pleadings for the judge's use, for which duty he at one time obtained a fee of 6s. 8d. a cause, and for the rest he is mainly occupied in keeping the judge company, and preventing his being worried. It may be that the smooth administration of justice on circuit largely depends on the success of the judge's marshal in these ministrations; but that is not enough in a utilitarian age. The judges' marshals cost some £ 2450 a year, about half what it would cost to pay the whole expenses of the judges on circuit. The very junior bar and students at law with relatives on the Bench will miss a pleasant introduction to the business of the law; but they are better off than others similarly situated, in that they have an appeal to Parliament to protect their interests. Their rights were expressly reserved by the Judicature Act, 1873, when the bulk of legal offices were made liable to summary abolition by the Lord Chancellor and the Treasury. It is doubtful, however, whether a prosaic House of Commons will consider that they earn their salary.

Many women are loved without knowing it, and many think they are loved when they are not. They generally find out their mistake after marriage. A correspondent says the worst tyrant in the world is the woman who fancies herself superior to her husband, and lets everybody know it. A little girl wanted more buttered toast, but was told that she had enough, and that more would make her ill. Well," said she, "give me a nuzzur piece, and send for tho doctor." •.

mi m ~r -=--=- BANK HOLIDAY IN LONDON. Rather low temperature and a keen but light east- north-east wind were the main characteristics of the weather on Monday. There were numerous and varied attractions held out to the people of the metropolis in the country and the suburbs, at the sea- side, and the different places of amusement, and if in the early part of the day there was an uncertainty as to how the weather would hold up, it was comforting to those who started upon rural or seaside excursions that about one in the afternoon there was a general brightening up of the face of Nature and occasional gleams of sunshine, though this was followed not very long afterwards by a sharp shower. As far as could be discovered from general obser- vation, there was a very large increase in the number of suburban outings- undertaken by the working classes as compared with previous Bank Holidays, but this is usually the rule on Easter Monday, when the weather is hardly sufficiently settled for very long trips by road, river, or rail. While open-air pursuits generally betrayed increased attrac- tions, the museums suffered by the competition. Thus the great collections at the British Museum had 8200 visitors. Last Easter Monday the number was lti,500; in 1882 there were 15.685 visitors between ten and five. The number of visitors to the South Kensington Museum was 15,119, to the naval galleries 4647, and to the Indian section 3205, making a total up to six p.m. of 22,971. Last year the Kensington Museum had 34,603 visitors. About 18,150 persons were on Monday admitted to the National Gallery in Trafalgar-square. The beautiful gardens at Kew received 53,000 visitors, all most respectable and orderly. Last Easter the number was only 38,000; the previous year it reached the high total of 56,600. With that excep- tion, so large a return has not been reached on any Easter Monday, at least since 1878.

MILITARY TRAGEDY AT NAPLES. Writing on Monday, the Naples correspondent of the Daily News says: The picturesquely-situated barracks of Pizzofalcone here were last night the scene of a frightful tragedy. A young Calabrian soldier, named Misdeia, arrived at his quarters after the tattoo somewhat excited by drink. He immediately took up a gun and ran madly along the corridors, firing right and left into the rooms were most of his comrades were in bed. Before Misdei could be secured, amid scenes of the wildest excitement and confusion, lie had killed three soldiers and wounded eight very seriously. Another account says A Calabrian infantry soldier, who had been chaffed by his comrades, waited until they had gone to bed, and then seizing a rifle and cartridge pouch, and extinguishing the lights, began firing on them. The panic in the dormitory was indescribable. All who could fled. One wounded man, unable to gain the door, jumped out of the window, breaking his legs. The assassin made next for the non-commissioned officers'-room and shot a sergeant, whose pouch served to replenish his own. At last, after having fired fifty-seven shots, with the result of killing five men, wounding three, and causing two more to throw themselves out of the window, this human tiger was grappled with and disarmed by three of his comrades.

When rain falls, if she gets the bigger half of the umbrella, they are lovers; if he takes the bigger half, they are married. What is baptism, John ?" asked a Scotch clergy- man of the kirk beadle. It's saxpence to me and lifteenpence to the precentor." J An ingenious quack is trying to prove that Absalom must have used some of his restorative," else he could not have had such long hair. j Poor boy i" said a lady, as she took out her purse to give the little beggar some change.—" Yes, I am a poor boy," said the young rascal, squeezing a tear out of his eyes, and have three sick mothers to support." The lady put back her purse, shook her head, and walked sadly away. ->.

I" SUICIDE OF A CLERGYMAN. In London, on Monday, at the Holborn Town Hall, Dr. Westcott, deputy-coroner for Central Middlesex, held an inquest on the body of the Rev. Alexander Taylor, chaplain to the Hon. Society of Grav's-inn, who was found dead with his throat cut in his bed- room at his chambers in Gray a-inn on Good Friday. Captain Alfred Dundas Taylor, a retired commander of the Indian navy, stated that the Rev. A. Taylor, who was his brother, was- in his 60th year. For nearly ten years the witness had been abroad, and on his return to England recently he was struck with the altered manner of his brother, who was very nervous and abstracted. He saw him. several times, the last! being about five months ago. He then noticed that he appeared strange and absent-minded. His brother- had never been married. So far from being in any pecuniary difficulty he had been able to accommodate' the witness in money matters since his return from India. Mrs. Brooks said she had acted as house- keeper to the deceased at Gray's-inn during the last ten years. For some time past he had constantly complained of pains in his head, and of sleeplessness. On Good Friday morning, shortly before nine, the witness took e him a cup of milk to his bedroom, and at eleven she took him his breakfast, but she noticed nothing unusual in his manner. Meanwhile he had been to the chapel t6 seethe choir, and service there was-timed for half-past eleven. As he was not present at service time inquiries were made as to his whereabouts, and witness, upon entering his bedroom, found him lying dead on the floor in a pool of blood, with his throat cut. Close to him lay a razor. She at once went for a doctor, who came immediately, but life was then extinct. He was a very temperate man. Mr. George- N. Taylor deposed that the deceased was his first cousin. He last saw him alive three or four-weeks- ago, when he talked to him freely about his. affairs and his feelings, and witness arrived at the conclusion that he was more depressed in his spirits than lie had ever seen him before; but he had no real trouble either of a pecuniary or any other kind. He had long suffered from sleeplessness. He told the witness frequently that his solitariness and loneliness in chambers at Gray's- inn occasionally proved very depressing. He, how- ever, never hinted at taking his life. Dr. Reginald Taylor having given evidence as to the wound, it was stated that an envelope had been found with the following words upon it in the deceased's hand- writing I am accursed. My mind fails me. I cannot appear in God's worship. God and man forgive me." John Andrews, porter at the inn, said that Mr. Taylor saw the choir on Good Friday morning. He talked to them somewhat strangely, telling them that he was unwell and bidding them good-bye as he was going away. The jury immediately returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased committed suicide whilst he was temporarily insane.