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

THE SALMON HARVEST. The Times in a leader says The annual Report for 1883 on the Salmon Fisheries of England and Wales, which has just been issued by Professor Huxley, is a welcome mes- sage of good news alike to the economist, the angler, and the epicure. "Generally speaking," we are told at the outset, the salmon fishing season of the year 1883 was the most productive recorded for many years, the returns from several districts showing that more salmon were taken than in any previous season since the present salmon laws came into force." In 28 out of the 45 districts into which England and Wales are divided for the purpose of the Salmon Fishery Act a general increase in the take is re- ■ corded; in eight no change is reported; in one important district only-that of the Tyne—has there been any considerable falling off; and in the remainder, where any change has taken place, a decrease in the tidal waters has been balanced by an increase in the fresh waters, or vice veraa. The districts in which an increase is recorded include nearly all the most important rivers in the king- dom. The Severn, the Taw and Torridge, and the Towv are specially reported as having largely increased, the Eden "greatly and the, Ayron considerably" while the Teify has doubled its jbId. In the = X SS!eq"t the Trent and tbe lees^ ■the tncts a direct comparison is and returns for 1882 and for ISM respectivelv, andi from these returns it appears -salmon, weighing 1,418,0001b., were against 1,000,0001b. weight returned as hayrng been »ugl,t in 1882. A u"rlrn» ofs.l.nonl ficant comparison is afforded by tne sold at Billingsgate. From these it appears that the quantity of salmon sent to Billing: gate from LIlgmu and Welsh rivers in 1883 was larger than in any of the previous ten years, though it was no 0971 in 1867, 1870, or 1871. In 1883 it amounted to -■ boxes, against 2186 in 1882, tbe'number: the previous eight years—in IooU-~fiai 1fi7o :f exceeded 2000, while in 1878, in 18v°, an..J-, r amounted to only 1224, to 1284, and to tivelv. These figures will be read with no i faction by all who are interested, whether as sports- men or as traders, in the salmon fisheries of England and Wales. The general increase is very remark- able, amounting in the case of the Severn to over 14000 fish, while the only important de. crease, that of the Tyne, appears to be due rather to a diminution in the average weight of the fish and to a change in the relative quantities of salmon and migratory trout landed than to any appreciable falling off in the actual numbers of the fish. In fact, the actual numbers show an increase of seven, the falling off in the salmon from 41,110 to 32,566 being compensated in numbers, though not in weight, by an increase in sea-trout from 10,336 to 18,887, the net increase in weight being, however, as much as 75,3991b. For these phenomena Professor Huxley frankly confesses himself unable to account. 1 From a searching analysis of the returns both of the Tyne and of other rivers be declines to draw any more positive conclusion than that previously sug- gested by him—namely, that the salmon harvest in any year is dependent on many other causes than the extent to which legitimate netting is carried on either in that year or in those immediately pre- Ceding.

RIOT IN HUNGARY. At a meeting of Servians held on Sunday at Ulma, near Meissenberg, in Southern Hungary, at which 3000 people were present, a serious disturbance occurred in consequence of the Magyar Justice of the Peace interfering in the election of a chairman. In the tumult that ensued the gendarmes intervened, and a general scuffle took place. Subsequently the Hussars were called out, and were forced to use their sabres. Five persons were severely wounded. The Servians, exasperated at this, attempted to throw up barricades, and more serious consequences would have arisen but for the pacific intervention of the German citizens of Weissenberg.

THE CHARGE OF ABDUCTION AND ROBBERY. On Saturday, at Stratford Petty Sessions, Ivate ■ Atkins, 19, a domestic servant, was brought up on remand, accused of unlawfully and by force taking away and detaining Frederick George Earnshaw, aged 8 years, with intent to deprive his father of his Custody, on the 2nd inst.; also of breaking open a cupboard and stealing £4 in money, a portmanteau, a box, and other articles, valued at X4 10s., the property of Frederick Earnshaw, at No. 1, Albert-villas, Whitehall-road, Woodford; and she was further charged, also on remand, with obtaining by means of false pretences four pairs of ladies' kid button boots, valued at £2 10s., with intent to defraud Samuel Cuthbert, a draper of Woodford-green. Mr. Atkinson prosecuted in the cases of robbery and abduction. Frederick Earnshaw, aged 8, gave evidence. He said he was left in the house while his parents went out. He was reading a book in the library when the prisoner entered and said, I've got a key that will Open the cupboard in the nursery." Having gone there, she opened the door and took out some currants and raisins witness then saying that he would tell Mr. Hooper, the next door neighbour, the defendant fastened him in the library, and a little while afterwards opened the door and asked, Would you like to go to London ? He said, No," when prisoner answered, You'll have to go." She put on his hat, and other things and drove with him in a cab to Wood- ford Railway Station. Thence they went to Stratford, and then to Bow. They got into a cab. and were driven to some house, he believed, at Poplar They were let in by a woman, and that night he slept with the prisoner. Next night they went to a theatre, and on Sunday to Liverpool-street Station, where Detective Johnson, of the K Division, saw them. The detective said to the accused, You are Kate Atkins," and she replied, "No, I am Mrs. Fuller. Witness then cried out, Yes, it is Kate Atkins, and when Johnson said to him. Your name is Freddy Earnshaw, he (witness) laughed. While he was with the prisoner she bought some jewellery for herself, and two hats, a collar, and a toy pistol for him. He remembered her saying that his box of tools might be useful to her when she got another situation, and she also said tnat it was not the first lock she had taken off. She broke a key in the cupboard door, and then forced it open with a chisel. She told him on the way to Liverpool-street Station that they were going to Colchester. Atkins was committed to the Chelmsford Quartei Sessions on the three charges of abduction, robbery, and false pretences.

FRUIT PROSPECTS.—The prospects of the fruit crops in Wales have been considerably damaged by the long-continued prevalence of easterly and north- easterly winds and the recent severe frosts. Plums and gooseberries and most of the stone fruit have suffered seriously, as they did last year, owing to the late frosts. Pears, too, in some parts are materially injured, but apples and general orchard fruit promises an exceptionally fine yield this season. Most of the orchards are now in full blossom.

WILLS AND BEQUESTS. (From the Illustrated London News.) The will (dated June 1, 1883) of the Right Hon. Ursula Lucy Grace, Lady Otho Fitzgerald, late of No. 8, Carlton House-terrace, and of Oakley Court, Windsor, who died on November 11 last at Paris, has been proved by the Rev. Edmund Woolryche Orlando Bridgeman, the brother, and the Hon. Randolph Henry Stewart. the executors, the value of the personal estate exceeding S34,000. The testatrix makes specific bequests of plate, articles of virtu and taste, furniture, jewellery, &c., to her son Gerald Otho Fitzgerald; and gives pecuniary legacies to her executors. The residue of her real and personal estate she leaves to her son the Hon. Henry Charles Denison. The deceased was a daughter of Vice- Admiral the Hon. Charles Orlando Bridgeman, and married, first, Lord Londesborough; and secondly, Lord Otho Augustus Fitzgerald, P.C. The will (dated Aug. 10, 1881) of Mr. Oxley Eng- lish, late of No. 19, Pall Mall, who died on March 7 last, was proved on March 26 by Sir Lewis Whincop Jarvis and William Floyd, the executors, the value of the personal estate exceeding £ 139,000. The testator bequeaths E2000 to the Royal National Lifeboat In- stitution; X1000 to Charing-cross Hospital; S500 each to the Middlesex Hospital and the West Nor- folk and Lynn Hospital; E200 each to the School for the Indigent Blind and the City of London Truss Society; X40,000 to his cousin, Mrs. Elizabeth Lutyens; X5000 to his friend, Sir L. W. Jarvis £ 2000 to Miss Ann Moyse; and legacies to the house- keeper and housemaid at 19, Pall Mall, and to two servants at the Conservative Club. The residue of his property he leaves to his cousin, William Floyd. The will (dated Jan. 28, 1878), with a codicil (dated July 5, 1882), of Mr. James Vaston Baynes, late of The Shrubbery, Reigate, who died on Dec. 30 last, has been proved by Mrs. Louisa Baynes, the widow, Thomas William Marsh, and Lister Baynes, the exe- cutors, the value of the personal estate exceeding £ 57,000. The testator bequeaths £4000, and his fur- niture, household effects, horses and carriages, to his wife S3000 to his sister, Mrs. Priscilla Broadhead S2000 each to his niece, Isabel Searle, and his nephew, John Baynes and other legacies. The residue of his real and personal estate is to be held, upon trust, for his wife, for life; then, as to two-ninths thereof, each for his said sister, niece, and nephew; and as to the remaining three-ninths, between the said Lister Baynes and certain of his cousins and their children. The will (dated July 8, 1881), with two codicils (dated May 8, 1882, and Nov. 30, 1883), of Mr. John Cheek, late of 26, Primrose Hill-road, Regent's-park, who died on Feb. 6 last, has been proved by Bingham Watson and Miss Juliet Asser, the acting executors, the value of the personal estate amounting to over £ 46,000. The testator makes bequests to his daughter, Mrs. Hawley, to Miss Asser, and to his executors, and leaves the residue of his real and personal estate, upon certain trusts, for his three grand- daughters, Louise, Alice, and Kate Hawley, and their children, on condition that his grand-daughters do not undertake or engage in any employment or pro- fession for hire or pecuniary reward, or take in boarders, lodgers, or pupils, on pain of the forfeiture of their interest. The will (dated December 1st, 1883) of Mr. John Kermack Ford, late of Southsea, Hants, who died on December 5th last, was proved on the 2nd ult. by John Kermack, Alexander Hellard, and Mrs. Jane Stewart, the executors, the value of the personal estate in the United Kingdom amounting to over 141,000. The testator bequeaths, if he has not given such sum in his lifetime, S2000 to the Charity Com- missioners, to be called the Kermack Ford Scholar- ship Fund," upon trust, to establish a scholarship, tenable for three years, at either of the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge, by a boy educated at Portsmouth Grammar School, not being the son of a Jew, or of a person not belonging to the army, navy, or marines, who is a Free- mason Y,100 to the Borough of Portsmouth Church Extension Fund, if he has not given a similar sum in his life-time his collection of minerals, coins, old arms, walking-sticks, &c., to the Mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of the borough of Portsmouth, to form part of a public museum; and numerous other legacies. The residue of the personalty is to be divided between the children of his late cousin, William Ramsay Kermack; and all his real estate he gives to the said John Kermack. The will (dated May 8, 1883) of Mr. William Robert Bartlett, formerly of No. 11, Friar-street, but late of Aubrey House, Bath-road, Reading, who died on Feb. 25 last, has been proved by Mrs. Ellen Eliza Bartlett, the widow, Edward Henry Hewitt Bartlett, the son, and John Alexander Strachan, the acting executors, the value of the personal estate exceeding £ 39,000. With the exception of a legacy to Mr. Strachan, the only persons benefited by the will are testator's wife and son. The will (dated Oct. 25, 1883), with three codicils (dated Oct. 27, Nov. 30, and Dec. 7, 1883), of General Sir David Russell, K.C.B., Colonel 84th Regiment, late of No. 3, Elvaston-place, South Kensington, who died on Jan. 16 last, has been proved by Miss Mary Erskine Houstoun, the niece and sole executrix, the value of the personal estate being nearly £ 10,000. The testator bequeaths £ 50 each to the Mission Hall and Soldiers' Institute, Aldershot, the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society the Rescue Society, Queenstreet, Cheapside the Baptist Missionary Society, the London City Mission the Christian Colportage Society, Farring- don-street; the Home for Working Girls, London, and the Mildmay Mission, London, to be paid at the first Term of Whit Sunday or Martinmas after his death, free of duty, and some other legacies. The residue of his property he leaves to his nieces, Mary Erskine Houstoun, Ann Margaret Houstoun, and Agnes Russell, equally. It is stated that the personal estate of the late Mr. James White, of Glasgow, is £ 904,113. The property in Scotland is valued at EG76,882, and that in England at £ 227,231. After providing for his four daughters and widow, the residue of the estate falls to his only son, Mr. J. Campbell White.

DUCK SHOOTING. When you have exhausted your chances by day, there remain two or three hours in the evening during which, if vou can only find an oat field half a mile or so from the lake, you may make a very large bag, and have a bit of shooting as exciting in its way as grouse driving. We will suppose the occupying farmer most friendly, and that he has just piled his grain into the large stooks, in which state it will probably remain till brought into his garner, or threshed out in the field by steam power. Ducks delight in corn, as do all birds indeed, including partridges, prairie hens, and grouse, and an oat-field will draw them like a magnet from any distance. When it was yet green they took tithe and toll of it, and now that it is ripe it is even more appetising. A six o'clock dinner will enable us to reach the corn field by a little past half-past seven, and to have placed two guns at each corner of a hedgerow, over which the ducks will pass on their flight to the corn land, an area of some eighteen or twenty acres, while three guns will occupy the best bits in the field, each ensconced behind his stook with a retriever at his feet. Ere many minutes the fun will have begun, the fusilade increasing as the light wanes, and you begin to find out that from inexperience lots of chances arc being lost, and that many birds have swept by unperceived till too late to fire. Perhaps, too, though you have been assigned seemingly the best 0 station your luck comes very late, and you don't get a shot until your neighbours have all scored. Stick to your stook, however, for sooner or later your turn is bound to come, and a dozen hungry ducks may be hovering round eager to alight in i another five minutes. Early in the evening a pair or ¡ two may alight within fifteen yards from you, when, unsportsmanlike as it may sound, a pot shot at one and a snap shot at its mate are not to be despised. The sight and smell of the corn seem to make the birds almost reckless and careless of consequences, and the same ducks will come back again to their granary even after a volley, when they think they have flown far enough, and ought to be safe in return- ing. The thud of a full-fledged duck falling dead to the ground is a sound not to be forgottcn.-Itlustmtcd Sporting and Dramatic News.

A Boston artist, who excels as an animal painter, saw as he was passing through one of the rural towns of Massachusets a very animated-looking bull. Thinking he would like to take it on canvas he got permission of the owner, an honest old farmer, and in due time produced an excellent likeness of the bull, which he sold for 200 dols. On seeing the farmer, I soon after, he told him he had sold the picture of his bull for 200 dollars. Good gracious," said the old man Why I would have sold the bull for less than that:"

THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH EX- HIBITION. Describing the above exhibition the Times, in an article, says: In the long arcade, or south gallery, as it is officially named, which stretches almost across the whole width of the Horticultural Society's Gardens from the vestibule of the main entrance in Exhibition- road, are placed the bulk of the food exhibits—both vegetable and animal, and including under the term food" (pace the total abstainers from alcoholic drinks) stimulants of an intoxicating and non-intoxi- cating kind. The visitor will find in this, the most nearly completed, portion of the exhibition, more to interest him than might be expected, for although many of the show-cases are filled with piles or rowa of tins, packages, or bottles, with only the labels to differentiate one display from an- other, the greater number of the exhibitors have shown some artistir taste and considerable mgenuitj in illustrating the matters to which they wish to attract notice. One firm, for instance, present a well- arranged series of specimens and models of cereals and root crops, &c.; the naturalists have brought to- gether, either in a clean littered farm-yard under glass or set out in cases with backgrounds suggestive of the native surroundings of the creatures in their wild state, birds and beasts that are brought to oui markets for food. Here, therefore, the curious may learn to know by sight the many four-footed or feathered importations from Russia, Sweden, and Norway, Holland, and the United States of America, which now-a-days find their way to our tables. Further on, those whom it may please to study the subject can see grouped in geographical divisions no fewer than forty-six varieties, pending the arrival of a sample from Martinique, of the coffee-bean, differing in magnitude from the pea-berry Mocha to the long and large parchment-coated Y unga. berries from Boli vi which have been added to this collection as a curiosity, by Maior Sewell Gana. In this represeiitativ gathering of the world's coffee growths it is note- worthy that certain plantations in Mysore produce a bean which in flavour may rank with the more, famous Mocha. Tea from China, Japan, Java, India, and Ceylon, the mildly stimulating coca leaves, and mate, or Paraguayan tea, occupy another side of the same stand. Passing a stall furnished with samples of the wines of Hungary and Dalmatia, and presided' over by a pretty Dalmatian maid, wearing the national costume, the visitor may notice a door leading to the vegetarian dining-room, in which, as a placard out- sides tells, a sixpenny meal of vegetable soups and plats can be had. A little way beyond, on the left, are the model dairies. In one of these are dairy- maids busied in making fresh butter, which is sold at Is. 9d. per pound. A machine running in the middle of the first dairy shows an approved method of preparing skim-milk for customers who are content with a cheap- ened creamless beverage. The new milk, fresh from the cows, is poured into a strainer, and as it runs through is carried by a pipe into a small steel cylinder rotating with a velocity of 6000 revolutions per minute. In this machine—a separator, from Stockholm, patented by G. De Laval—the lighter cream is by centrifugal force separated from the milk, and in a thick yellow stream trickles down into vessels set to receive it, while the milk, now with less than one-quarter of one per cent. of cream left in it, runs off, at the rate o' sixty gallons per hour, into the large pails in which it is sent to the London dealer. Supposing the customer to get the effluent liquor as skim-milk, and at a pib- portionate reduction of price, the obvious advantage to him, especially in summer, is that he gets it fresh. The history of dress receives a full and minute ex- position under the direction of the Hon. Lewis Wing- field, who, in addition to superintending the prepara- tion of a collection of costumes here displayed on lay figures, has lent a series of drawings derived from various sources, which will assist the student to trace the evolution of certain garments chronologically through many stages of development. About 70 figures are arranged in groups, generally of fours, each representing a man and woman of high degree and a couple belonging to the humbler classes. These are arranged so as to show the changes of a marked character which appeared in the dress of the people of this country from the time of William I. to the reign of George IV. Waxen heads have been specially prepared for the figures from designs by Mr. Wing- field. Besides the opportunity thus given for a com- parative study of civilian dress in its bearings on hygiene at different periods of the nation's growth, a collection of examples of the changes which have taken place in military and naval uniforms has been arranged in historical sequence. Another branch of the subject closely connected with the purposes of the exhibition is illustrated by a collection of chemicals used to make muslin and other light fabrics non-in- flammable, and by one of natural and artificial dyes, both safe and poisonous. From the National Training School for Cookery Mrs. Edith Clarke will superintend the provision of cheap dinners and demonstrations of cookery in the rooms and lecture theatre fitted up for the Fisheries Exhibition by the Baroness Burdett-Coutts. On three days in each week a fish dinner, consisting of a portion of fish with potatoes and bread, and on alternate days a plate of meat with the same adjuncts, will be served for 6d. The Horticultural Society's Council Chamber (in which last year pictures were hung, adjoining the cookery demonstration theatre, will be placed at the disposal of the school to be used daily as a Is. dinner room. The menu will comprise three 1 courses—soup or fish, meat, &c., and a sweet dish. Tea and coffee will here be sold at Id. a cup, and with regard to the latter stimulant, persons of depraved taste are warned that chicory will not form part of the contents of the coffee-pot. Twice a day lessons on cookery, with demonstrations of the art, will be given in the lecture theatre, free to the public, and for the further education of the people in the principles and practice of the subject. Mrs. Clarke has pre- pared a threepenny book, entitled Recipes for Cheap Dinners as served in the Dining Rooms in Connection with the National Training School of Cookery at the International Health Exhibition."

A FRENCH ETCHER. Meryon, one of the most remarkable of modern etchers, was also one of the most unfortunate of modern men. He was "o'erlooked e'en from his birth; he lived miserably, and always in the odour of failure; and he died in a madhouse. He had genius; but it was a genius that could only express itself by means of etching. In his time the art was at its lowest and dullest. Revived by a few of the Romantics—insignificant and a trifle silly in the hands of Celestin Nanteuil and the illustrators who followed in his wake—it had lapsed again into desuetude, and was interesting to no- body. Meryon practised it because he could no other and he was glad to sell proofs of his masterpieces at sixpence apiece, and to live, pretty much as Champfleura's Chien-Caillou lived, in a common garret, and eating an air which was not even promise-crammed. Nobody believed in him or in his work, save one or two artists as poor as himself; and no one believed in his art, whether as a means of expression, or as an object of collection and research. I It is a small wonder if the man's mind, never of the strongest and clearest, gave way at last, and he became a hopeless lunatic. When it was too late his turn came, L »gros and a few other men had tried their hands at etching; the art became a living art once more; and Meryon grew famous. Just now he is pro- bably at his highest and most illustrious. Essays have been written upon him collectors have set their caps at him he is recognised not merely as a master, but as the object of a cult. Those impressions which in life he could not often sell at sixpence, and which not many years ago might be had on the Quais, like Millet's own, for even less than six- pence, are worth their weight in five-pound notes. j Another revolution will operate another change. Meryon was monstrously ignored. Since he died he I has been extravagantly overpraised. His final place is somewhere between the two points. That lie had genius is unquestionable. But he came a generation too late; and his contemporaries did not care to understand or consider his message. That they could not do so was their misfortune. Meryon was the poet of Paris, as Paris was and had been; and the canticles in which he told of his mighty and mys- terious mistress are among the most moving and original utterances of the century. He had looked on, and pondered, and suffered so long, that to his exalted imagination, with that touch of folly in it which was presently to wreck the whole man, the great city became a living, breathing, sentient indi- viduality, quick with strange meanings, pregnant with monstrous thoughts and suggestions. So has he shown in a dozen of his works; so he shows in Lc Stryge. There his story is of Paris and that Devil of Luxury by whom she is dominated and distressed. Meryon saw his Appearance leaning on the topmost parapets of Notre Dame, and scorning and flouting the city at his feet; and as he saw him so he drew him.-Maga- zine of Art,

THE WEATHER AND THE PASTURES. The early days of May have been accompanied with rain and hail, the showers having been suffi- ciently heavy to give the land generally a good soak- ing, yet not sufficient to cause floods in many parts of the country (remarks Land and IVater). Warm weather now is all that the grazier requires. There has been sufficient rain to ensure both a good grazing pasture and a good swath in the mow grounds. The nights still continue very cold, and cattle cannot make a start towards their fattening stages until they can lie more comfortable, and not have to creep under the now thickly-clad hedges. Nor can large cattle get a full bite on the poor land, but have to depend to a considerable degree upon a supply of dry fodder. Sheep stock are beginning to do well, the showers having freshened up their pastures and given a good supply of young and sweet blades. As a matter of course, some of the early lambs are being disposed of to the butcher, and are pay- ing the farmer very well. The rain has not had the effect of greatly raising the price of store stock, owing chiefly to two things:—1st, the prices are already so high that they leave no margin for profit; and 2nd, the nights, and for the most part the days, are so cold that young cattle particularly must still be kept in the yards. The seeds and mixed grasses will prove most abundant, both for the scythe and grazing, where the leaf has not been too much bruised by the stock while the frosts have been upon the young and tender shoots. Most of the spring crops upon the arable land have been benefited by the rain, and the only thing that is required now, both for grass and arable land, are hot days and warm nights this, however, we can hardly reckon upon until towards the end of the present month, when the firot daja of an English bummer really egin.

u.-e. pttSHe LIFE OF THE PRINCESS ALICE. r The Morning Post in a leader says: The book en- iitled Princess Alice," which has just been published, is a fitting sequel to the volume from the pen of the Queen which was given to the world a few weeks ago. In both a tender, loving, womanly character is por- trayed in both an insight is given into a Royal house- hold such as hitherto it has been the privilege of but few to obtain. The letters and sketch of the life of the Princess Alice naturally derive some of their in- terest from the fact that they deal with the characters and habits of exalted personages. But these are by no means the sole charms of the work. If the life depicted were that of the humblest person in the realm it would be impossible to rise from a contemplation of its leading features without a feeling of mental eleva- tion and encouragement in the pursuit of that which Lis great and good. The Princess had the advantage of being trained in an admirable school. All the best raits in her nature were strengthened and developed by the atmosphere of her home life when a child. The present work shows how thoroughly she assimi- lated the lessons taught during that happy period. When the Prince Consort died, the Princess Alice, who had been with her father as much as possible during his illness, was naturally sorely afflicted; but she felt that the Queen needed all the affectionate attention that daughterly solicitude could give. She at once took into her own hands everything that was necessary in those first dark days of the destruction of that happy home. All communications from the Ministers and Household passed through the Prin- cess's hands to the Queen, then bowed down with grief. She endeavoured in every way possible, either verbally or by writing, to save her mother all trouble." Her marriage to Prince Louis of Hesse, followed some months afterwards, but in her new home and under the circumstances of her new life ter charaeter and disposition were still unaltered. Of the earnestness of her desire for the welfare of "tie people of Darmstadt the present work gives abundant proof. When the Austro-Prussian war broke out she was naturally a prey to the keenest anxiety on account of her husband, who had a com- nand in the field. But her thoughts were not wholly engrossed with this subject, strong as its hold un- avoidably was upon her mind. Nothing can be more touching than the account given in the present work of her efforts to succour the wants and relieve the sufferings of the wounded. In a letter to the Queen the Princess says: Coarse linen and rags are the things of which one can't have enough, and I am working W)IIeCtiDg. shirts, sheets, &c., and now I come to ask if you could send me some old linen for rags. In your numerous households it is collected twice a year and sent to hospitals. Could I beg for some this time ? It would be such a blessing for the poor Germans, and here they are not so rich, and that is a thing of which in every war there has been too little." How different all this is from the conventional picture of the cares and occupations of Royalty. Numberless other quotations to the like effect could be made, were it necessary to do so. But those who read the story of -the Princess Alice's life-and every one ought to read i -will feel that hers was indeed a beautiful character, reflecting the sterling qualities of her father and mother, and yet with a marked individuality of its Own.

PRINCE BISMARCK ON SOCIALISM. In the German Reichstag on the 9th inst., the debate on the Socialist law was resumed by Herr Richter, who, with his usual skill, insisted on the failure of the existing legislation, as proved by the fact that the Socialists had constantly increased since it was passed. Herr von Puttkanier replied, the only point of interest in his speech being the announce- ment that the Government would not accept Herr Windthorst's amendments. He concluded by hinting at the dissolution which would follow on the rejection of the bill. Prince Bismarck, who had just entered the House, then rose and spoke at some length, and with even more than his usual bitterness. His social programme lie declared to be as follows Give the workman bread—that is to say, work so long as he is in good health; give him support when ill; provide for him in old age, and then we shall want no exceptional laws." He announced that the Emperor had in 1881 taken the announced that the Emperor had in 1881 taken the initiative in promoting international action against the Anarchists, immediately after the attempt on the Czar in the month of March in that year. He then sent an autograph letter to the Chancellor, urging co- operation against the manufacture, sale, or import of explosives. Russia accepted the proposal, and suggested a conference at Brussels. Germany and Austria con- sented; whilst France, following the lead of England, refused. We continued the negotiations," said the Chancellor, in order to effect an agreement at least between Austria, Russia, and Germany. We wanted to abolish the fiction that murder could be justified by political motives, and that the poisoning of Sove- reigns was useful or excusable if committed in order to bring about a change of system." The negotia- tions, however, had come to nothing. Prince Bis- marck further declared that the passing of a Dynamite Law on the part of the German Government alone to be useless. The great Powers should come to an agreement on the matter. He then proceeded to deny deny that Russian Nihilism was similar to German Socialism. Germany, eighteen years ago, when young Blind had attempted his (Bismarck's) life, was at the present standpoint of Nihilism. The Russian Nihilists were half-educated, corrupted students and officers. No Russian workman was a Nihilist, but all faithful adherents of the Czar. Exactly the opposite was the case in Germany now, where the majority of the Socialists were workmen. Prince Bismarck then announced that if the bill were rejected the House would meet again on the 3rd of August, and be im- mediately dissolved and new elections announced. He would then say to the electors, "If you want to be free from the Socialist danger, you will not elect Progressists." Herr von Treitschke then spoke, after which Herr Richter endeavoured to reply to the powerful speech of the Chancellor. The latter then rose for the second time, refusing to answer in detail all Her Rieliter's petty insinuations," but passionately declaring that he considered it his highest duty to oppose" Progressist Liberalism" till his last breath. Prince Bismarck further attacked the Poor-law administration of Berlin, whereupon Herr Forcken- beck, first Burgomaster of Berlin, replied very bittarly, declaring the Chancellor's assertions to be calumnies disproved by official documents. Prince Bismarck then offered to withdraw the charges if Herr Forckenbeck would communicate to him the docu- ments he had cited.

c, All this wood you export," the English tourist asked the Indiana lumberman, all this maple and 'I beech, you know, where does it go?" And the man told hun .that most of it went direct to Scotland, where it was worked up into boxes and churns and paper-folders from the rafters of Burns's cottage and 1 the home of Sir Walter Scott. And the tourist said Haw! and wrote something in his note-book.

HOW THE COWBOY STOPPED A STAMPEDE. "One of the slickest things I saw in my travels," said a passenger from the West, was a cowboy stopping a cattle stampede. A herd of about 6U0 or 800 had got frightened at something and broke away pell-mell with their tails in the air and the bulls at the head of the procession. But Mr. Cowboy didn't get excited at all when he saw the herd was going straight for a high bluff, where they would certainly tumble down into the canyon and be killed. You know that when a herd like that'gets to going they can't stop. no matter whether they rush to death or not. Those in the rear crowd those ahead, and away they go. I wouldn't have given a dollar a head for that herd, but the cowboy spurred up his mustang, made a little detour, came in right in front of the herd, cut across their paths at a right angle, and then galloped leisurely on to the edge of that bluff, halted and looked around at that wild mass of beef coming right toward him. He was as cool as a cucumber, though I ex- pected to see him killed, and was so excited 1 could not speak. Well, sir, when the leaders had got within about a quarter of a mile of him I saw them try to slack up, though they could not do it very quick. But the whole herd seemed to want to stop, and when the cows and steers in the rear got about where the cowboy had cut across their path, I was surprised to see them stop and commence to m00 at the grass. Then the whole herd stopped, w ieeae*' straggled back and went to fighting for a eat where the rear guard was. lou see, 1 ou't had opened a big bag of salt he from the ranch to give the cattle, ga pg critier herds course and empt' J that broke up sniffed that line of salt, and, nueer si^ht to the stampede. Butt* ^the edge of that° bluff quietly1 rolling J cigarette, when it seemed as if he'd be lying under 200 tons of beef in about a minute p.r.d a half."—Detroit Free Press.

CONFESSION OF MURDER. In London on the 9th inst., at the Lambeth Police- court, John Bolton, 22, a convict, was charged on his own confession with the murder of William Henry Day on the 18th December at Portland street, Walworth. Mr. Barnard Thomas, from the office of the Solicitors to the Treasury, prosecuted the prisoner was undefended. Shortly after twelve o'clock the prisoner, attired in the convict dress, with handcuffs on, was brought to the court from Pentonville Prison in a cab. William Wigley, living at Smyrk's-road, carman, said that on the 18th December last he saw the deceased in South-street, Walworth, with a van. A man took a parcel from the van, and afterwards threw it away. Witness told the deceased, and he ran after the man, and they had a struggle. He could not say positively the prisoner was the man. Henry Cooley, South-street, Camberwell, labourer, said on December 18 he was in Smyth-street when he heard a call of Murder! several times. He heard someone call out, For God's sake come; I am being murdered r A few minutes afterwards witness saw a young man come out of a shed and run away. When he heard the cries lie did not think it was anything serious. He afterwards saw the deceased brought out of the shed. Dr. Costerton, Villa-street, Walworth, said the de- ceased was brought to the surgery, and upon exami- nation witness found two wounds on either side of the abdomen, the largest being on the right side. Finding the condition the deceased was in he directed the removal of deceased to the hospital. Dr. Dandy said he saw the deceased when brought into the hospital. o. l-j, -n ituess examined him, and found severe wounds on each side of the abdomen. The wounds were clean cut. The knife produced would have caused the wounds, but considerable violence must have been used. Deceased was told he was in a dangerous condition, and he signed a statement which he bad made to the police. Witness made a post mortem, and found that the wounds caused death. Inspector Hunt, of the Criminal Investigation Department, stated that the deceased signed a state- ment with regard to the alleged stabbing, giving a description of the attack made upon him by a man. A reward had been offered. On the 23rd April, in company with Inspector Roots, he went to Pentonville Prison, and asked the prisoner if he knew him. He said he did, as belonging to Carter-street. Witness cautioned him that what he said might be used in evidence against him, and asked if he still adhered to the statement he had made to the governor of the gaol. He said he did, and witness wrote down that statement and read it over to him, and he signed it. Witness also read over to him the statement made by the deceased and he said, It's all right: but I don't remember going into a public-house." That was the only thing he objected to with regard to Day's state- ment. Witness produced three pocket knives, and the prisoner picked out one which he said was the knife he had stabbed the deceased with. That knife was found upon the prisoner when he was charged at this court upon a charge of felony and sent to the sessions for trial. Mr. Chance: Do you wish to say anything with regard to the evidence ? Prisoner: --No it's all correct. Sergeant Jones proved taking the prisoner into custody upon a charge of felony in February. The knife produced he could not swear to, but a knife was found on the prisoner. The prisoner here rose from his seat, and shook his fist at the witness, and said, I only wish it had been you instead of Day." The Chief Warder at Pentonville Prison said the prisoner had remarked that he could not sleep, as he had committed a murder, and he afterwards made a confession. Inspector Hunt produced the following copy of the confession made by the prisoner: I, John Bolton, a convict undergoing penal servitude, having been duly cautioned by Inspector Hunt (whom I know) that all I sav will be used in evidence against me, do solemnlv declare that on the 18th of December last, about a quarter past four o'clock, I was in South- street. Walworth, where I saw a van containing parcels, one of which I took out and ran away with it. The man who was driving the van ran after me through several streets, and, finding I could not get away, I ran into a coal shed, and hid in a water- closet, where the man found me and caught me by the throat. We bad a struggle, and finding I could not get away, I took out my knife and stabbed him two or three times in the stomach. He then let go, and I ran awav. The knife I did it with is the one produced, and taken from me when I was taken for the offence I am now convicted. I never told anv- one I did it until the 12th of last month, when I wrote the particulars on a slate. I did not intend to kill the man. I did not know the man. but I after- wards saw it was Day in the bill offering the reward. I make this confession well knowing the consequence but I wish to be brought to judgment, because I can- not rest with it on my mind. It has troubled me ever since, and I cannot sleep at night.—(Signed) JOHN BOLTON," Mr. Thomas said that was all the evidence. Mr. Chanse, addressing the prisoner, said: You have heard the evidence given against you. You can now say anything in defence if you wish, but you can reserve your defence. Prisoner No I have got nothing to say. It's all right what's been said. The prisoner was then fully committed to take his trial at the next session of the Central Criminal Court.

A USEFUL CROP FOR THE HOME FARM. Tares are so useful for affording supplies ot reen I fodder for horses and cattle generally in the early part of the summer, when the pastures are shut up for hay, that a moderate breadth should invariably be grown on farms of limited extort More especially should they form a part of the system of cropping on farms of which the pasture land is small in propor- tion to the number of cattle it has to cerry, for when cultivated with an ordinary degree of success the bulk obtainable from a given PLrea is very large, and the produce is much relished by horses, cattle, and sheep, all of which will usually eat more than is good for them when they have access to an unlimited supply. The cultivation of tares is, as compared with most other farm crops, a very simple matter, for they are not particular as to soil, and provided they have the assistance of a liberal dressing of manure they can be depended upon to produce a good bulk of green food. Although they will do well on soils of most descriptions, it appears, desirable to state that a rather heavy loam is preferable to one that is light and sandv. Where possible two crops should be sown, one in September, to stand over the winter and furnish pt the earliest silpplies in the season following, and the other in March, to form a succession. In both cases the soil should be liberally enriched with manure, that from the farm yard or stables being the best, and twenty loads per acre if in a fresh state and fifteen if partly rotted down would constitute a liberal dress- ing. If this manure is not available, guano at tne rate of five cwt. per acre should be employed. The farm yard manure should, as a matter of course, be ploughed in, but the guano ought to be employed as a top dressing when the surface soil is being broken down preparatory to the tares being drilled. For both winter and spring crops, the drills should be twelve inches apart and the tares drilled at the rate of two bushels per acre. In certain cases a supple- mentary sowing may be made at the end o April to furnish late supplies, but it is on v cool scils that much success can be a' Vfnt is well crops started so late. Immediately t ie p ffoin<r above the surface, the horse hoe fcake eare of After this the tares wiH be w^ Ur g0 dense that themselves, for the grovth is fnakin £ /!llUch headway. there is little fe^r.° jniure the crop or bring certainly not sufficient to mjur eaten on many seeds to mat«ntve of that intended the ground, bu better for the animals mm-e economical to give tliem in a cut and dec^vhei-i sheep are folded on tares as much space nlv as they will thoroughly clear in the day should be afforded them, because when they have too wide an area to run o-tr they trample down and render more or less worthless nearly as much as they con- sume.— Gardemrs' Magazine.

RIOT IN HOXDURAS.—Adviccs from Bonacoa, Hon- duras. report a riot on the 6th inst. between Spaniards and British. The former having- trespassed on some land grants, were ordered off, whereupon they attacked the British, and a conflct ensued, in which two persons were killed and four wounded. The British sought refuge on board an American shooner, and during their absence the Spaniards plundered the houses of the British. The latter, being reinforced, captured the I Spanish ringleaders, and recovered a portion of the stolen property,

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK. STOVE AND ORCHID HOUSE. Orchid House. In the Indian and Mexican houses abundant moisture and a liberal temperature mav be allowed. By far the greater number of the most valued species derive their chief subsistence from the atmosphere; hence frequent sprinkling of the paths and stages should be practised. Where there are large plants needing abundance of atmospheric mois- ture, the walls and tables near them should be drenched frequently, and the tanks should be kept full. This treatment will be most needed by Saceolabiums, Vandas, Phalamopsis, Dendrobiums, and Aerides. which make little progress unless liberally treated. Manage, however, to have the houses dry once a day by means of ventilation, so as by shutting up and watering to imitate the natural deposition of dew of the jungles, from which these plants come. Those on blocks must be dipped twice a day. Plants recently potted must be kept alive chiefly by means of atmo- spheric moisture until established. Specimens in flower to be kept cool and in a dry atmosphere. btove.—11ns is the best time to propagate Begonias, Euphorbias, Justicias, Poinsettias, and other quick- growing soft-wooded plants for display during winter. Specimen plants to be assisted with liquid manure, and shoots to be stopped of all shrubby and branch- ing kinds. Justicias especially should be freely grown now, to get the wood well ripened for a good bloom at the end of the year. Stove climbers. now want plenty of room and liberal cnlture the syringe will do wonders to keep down vermin. Average temperature, 65 deg. to 70 deg. at night, and 75 deg. to 85 deg. by day. FORCING AND ORCHARD HOUSES. Melons will be enjoying plenty of sun-heat now, and if the beds still give a tolerably UcaL ,1L *•—-J "V"' be necessary to line tnem ug&n; but if it is some time since the beds were lined, and the fermentation is nearly at an end, put on a fresh lining. Use the ayringe moderately to keep a healthy foliage. Peaches under glass are now well furnished with wood for next season, and the cultivator will have to select now the shoots that are to bear next year's crop, instead of waiting till the winter pruning. Tie in betimes, and thin away all superfluous growths, for if the trees are crowded none of the wood will ripen properly. Pines established to have very little shade, and plenty of air as weather permits. Shift succession plants as required, and give very little water at the root until they have begun to take hold of the new soil. Put them on a good bottom-heat, and shade from eleven to three. Vines.-In the early houses there will be good ripe bunches now of several sorts, and as it is desirable to keep them as long as possible, so as to cut them fresh and fresh, give abundance of air and very little water. In houses where vines are coming into bloom use the syringe with caution, and assist with the hand all shy setters. Vines are thirsty now, and all inside borders must be abundantly watered. FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE GROUNDS. Asters must be pricked out where they are to flower or be potted singly in light rich compost. The frame is the best place for potted asters those bedded out will want the protection of mats should the weather become cold again. Balsams should be treated as advised for asters. Some of the early-sown plants will be showing bloom now. If it is desired to grow them larger before flowering nip the flower buds off and shift the plants to the next size pots. But the best balsams are grown without stopping and without disbudding. That is to say, the Natural Way is the Best Way. Hardy Herbaceous Plants going out of bloom may be propagated from cuttings or seeds. Double W all- flowers, Alyssum, Iberis, spring Phloxes, &c., should be grown in quantity. P atonies need the support of sticks to prevent the blowing over of their heavy flowers. A heavy soaking with liquid manure will do very much towards improv- ing the bloom. Phloxes which have formed strong stools in the border will need thinning to reduce the number of shoots to a few manageable leaders, which are to be staked neatly and separately. Phloxes are now being grorn in pots, but are scarcely the best of subjects for that method, though it is convenient for showing, and enables the exhibitor to put up complete plants, which are always preferable to cut blooms when it is possible to show them. KITCHEN GARDEN. Brood Beans for a late supply must be sown. Early crops will need the earth to be stirred between the rows, to keep down weeds and promote the vigour of the plants. Beet to be thinned; generally speaking, a foot apart is the proper distance, but some of the large-growing kinds must have fifteen inches. Sow again for a late crop. Broccolis advancing in the rough leaf to be pricked out on light rich borders. Occasionally dust the plants in the seed bed with lime to preserve from slugs. Capsicums and Tomatoes may be planted out on warm borders and on walls, provided protection from frost can be afforded them there. Celery to be pricked out in frames and on warm light borders. Trenches may be dug out for the earliest crop. Endive.—Sow the first batch. cossi Kidney Beans to be sown for succession, the rows two feet apart, the seed six inches apart in the rows. Kidney beans are generally sown as thick as spinach, and the crop is less than may be had by using a tenth part of the seed. Lettuce to be sown for succession. Plant out on well manured ground from seed pans and boxes. In places where summer lettuces commonly bolt, it is necessary to manure liberally, and to sow where they are to stand, as the check occasioned by transplanting greatly favours the bolting. Vegetable Marrows may be planted out provided the beds are in a nice warm condition and the plants are strong. After planting put hand-glasses over, or put baskets or large pots over at night for a time in case of frost. But if the beds are not in a state of steady fermentation, or if the plants are not strong, defer planting for a fortnight or so. But in any case get the beds ready, if not done already. THE HOUSE. If not already done, palms and other ornamental plants grown indoors should be repotted or top dressed according to their necessities. For the majority a mixture of loam and peat in equal parts and a liberal proportion of silver sand will be the most suitable. The pots used should be perfectly clean and be efli- ciently drained. For top dressing use fibrous loam to which a fourth part of Clay's fertiliser has been added. If the fibrous loam is difficult to obtain cover the sur- face of the soil to a depth of nearly a quarter of an inch with the fertiliser, and prick it in with a piece of pointed stick. The foliage must be kept clean by sponging or by syringing, the plants to be taken out of doors for the latter purpose.— Gardeners' Magazine.