The Aberystwyth Times Cardiganshire Chronicle and Merionethshire News

giftaut tht World. I A very curious story was told in connection with a èuge of theft at Birkenhead last week. A woman named Mrs Boyd stated that on the 30th May, 1866, she was married to a sailor named James Boyd, who went to sea en a three years' voyage in May, 1867. Her husband, after going to sea, did not write to her, and she had heard nothing about him for a long time. In. July- last the prisoner (who had sailed in the same vessel with her husband) called upon her and claimed her as his wife. She, however, did not at first recognise him as the man who had promised at the altar to love and cherish her, aad she ex- claimed to him, Dear me, James! how altered you -are! The prisoner replied that his appearance had been altered in consequence of having had an attack of yellow fever while abroad. He then asked her a number of questions about her furniture and her friends, and spoke of various 4ther matters which she thought were unknown to any •ther person but her hueband, and eventually she came to the conclusion that he was her veritable "lorfi and master." Before finally deciding, however, she loeked at -her husband's photograph, and, as it bore a great resemblance to the prisoner, all her deubts on the subject were removed. They then lived together as man and wife, the prisoner being employed sailing to and from Scotland. On Saturday last the prisoner brought to witness's house a zold watch, which he said had been given him by his father. She had her suspicions aroused, and sent for a police-officer, who took the prisoner into custody. Mrs Boyd then discovered that she had beeR grossly impesed upon, and that she had been living with a man who was sot her husband. Prince Alfred received a very flowery address from the 'Chinese inhabitants of Hong Kong. It cetamenced thus— To his Royal Highness Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, Knight of the Moat SToble Order of the Garter, &c., &c. &C-- Prince of the Royal House of England, illustrious descendant of an illustrious race. Fair as the plumes of the phtenix, that sits in the crimson nest; graceful as the unicorn, auspiciously nur- tured on the sombre hills whose comely form and matchless mien raise you above the common herd. Gifted with charms of youth, which are like the fresh spring; the time was when, be- decked with jewels, with hasty step you entered the Royal pre- sence; with your sword, too girt, you respectfully present your morning salutation. Though the days were bright, and leisure at your command, yet for you there was no relaxation. Esteem- ing each moment of time as more preeictus than gems, you dili- gently devoted yourself to study. With books you are well acquainted, in all literature have you beeome deeply versed. In military affairs are you well skilled.; these are yoor delight. Perfect in letters and the art of war. Beiag at all times diligent as the ant, no study escaped your grasp. And you aimed at a knowledge of philosophy, labouring with assiduitv and under- standing. Into science you extended your inquiries, working with energy and attention. Gifted with all accomplishments, your minu full stored with learning, you still panted for more. WIshing to enlarge your mind, a new thought came to yoo-you chose to traverse the seas, and great was the delight ex- perienced. And further on the Prince'# praises are sung in this tltyle- You have come, but there is no haughty bearing. AH are treated with the greatest condescension. Such kindness and such condescension cause all to regard you with the jarofoundest respect. All clap their hands with delight at the sight of your noble conntenanea. In you honour are the banquets sprea(L Everywhere may be heard the sounds of music welcoming your royal retinue. Day and night the music and the feast continue. For what j, thus worthless YJa have rewarded us right royally. Throughout the whole city are the sounds of praise and prayers on your behalf. In the markets and in the streets are sung bal- lads and songs. By these expressions of joyous song may you learn that there is no limit to our aifeetion for you. Yet, with all this exuberance of feeling, your great fame ean with difficulty he proclaimed. A marvelous rescue from a terrible death is reported from Yorkshire. On Sunday a Newton Dale shepherd was struck with the behaviour of hig dog, which evidently wanted to attract his attention to something in the neigh- bourhood of a cliff known as "Eagle Eye." Following the animal across the moor, he found at the foot of the cliff a man lying in a state of great exhaustion. On being taken to the nearest cottage, the stranger turned out to be a Welsh miner, who four days previously bad set out for Pickering, and in trying to scale the cliff, he lost his foothold and fell a considerable distance to the ground. This happened on Wednesday, and the poor fellow lay in an unconscious state until Saturday, when he remem- "bers the shepherd's du licking his haurls and face. He was well taken care of after his miraculous rescue, and was able, on Monday, to be sent to his home, at Bristol. The following appear in a recent list of contributions to a religious society :— Mr W. H., in remembrance of two beloved wives in £ s. d. heaven, and in mem try of having heard the Rev. J. Wesley preach in VVallingford ° 1 5 0 One who saw and was glad 1 1 0 Another who saw and was glad 1 1 0 Mr Henry K.,for a Manx wife and nine children, whom the Lord has graciously given to His servant 20 0 0 A debtor to grace 1 1 0 Mr John W., as an expression of gratitude to God for bringing me to Himself, by the instrumentality of Methodism for an excellent wife in heaven and on earth 21 0 0 Ditto, a thank offering to my heavenly father, who has been and still is all He promised to be—"a father to the fatherless, a husband to the widow, and a judge of the widow, in His holy habitation for five pre- cious children yet lent unto me to cheer and gladden my widowed heart, Z5 for each 25 0 0 For Anna, my precious partner for thirty-one years, now beholding the King in His glory 5 0 0 In memory of my sainted daughter Jane, and of Eliza Amna, the holy CanaAlita 3 0 0 There are two versions of the tragedy in which Prince Pierre Bonaparte was the chief actor, and for which he has surrendered himself to the police. The Prince says- They came into the room with a threatening air. They both had their hands in their pockets. After having read M. Grousset's letter, I said, With M. Rochefort, willingly; bnt with one of his valets, never." Read the letter," said the bigger of the two (Victor Noir), in a tone I replied, "I have'read it all. Are you bound by it?" I had my right hand in my trousers pocket, with the finger on my small five-barreled revolver. My left arm was half risen in an attitude of defence when the big one struck me a heavy blow in the face. There- upon the little one (M. Ulric de Fonvielle) drew from his pocket a six-barreled pistol. I bounded back and fired on the one who had struck me. The other crouched down behind an arm chair and tried to fire, but he could- not cock his pistoL I ap- proached towards him and fired, but I don't think he was touched. He then escaped and got to the door. I might have fired again, but as he had not struck me I let him go, although he still held his pistol in his hand. The door still remained open. He stopped in the adjoining chamber, turned round, and presented his pistol at me. I then fired again, and he disap- peared. M. de Fonvielle's version of the affair is as follows:— On Monday, January 10th, Victor Noir and myself went to the house of Prince Pierre Bonaparte, on behalf of M. Paschal Gronsset, to demand from the Prince satisfaction for certain injurious articles published in the Avenir de la Corse. We were shown into the drawing-room. A door opened, and his Imperial Highness entered. We advanced towards him, and the following words were exchanged between us:—"Sir we come to deliver you a letter from M. Paschal Grousset." "You do not come then from M. Rochefort, and you are not one of his valets (manoeuvres)?" "Sir, we came about another matter and 1 beg you to read this letter." I handed the letter to him. and he went near a window to read it. He did read it and after having crushed it up in his hands, he returned to us! I provoked M. Rochefort," said he, because he is the stand- ard-Dearer of crapulence. As to M. Grousset, I have no answer for him. Are you conjointly responsible for the carrionmonger 2" "Sir," I replied, "we come to you honourably and courteously to fulfil a mission entrusted to us by our friend," Do you share the opinions of these wretches ?" We share those of our friends." Then suddenly advancing a step, and without any provocation on our side, Prince Bonaparte gave, with his left band, a blow to Victor Noir, and at the same time drew a ten- shot revolver, which he had kept concealed and ready cocked in his pocket, and fired it point-blank at Noir. The latter sprang oil receiving the wound, applied both his hands to his breast! and tottered through the door by which we came in. The cowardly murderer then rushed towards me and fired a shot directly at me. I then seized the pistol I had in my pocket and whilst I was striving to get it out of its case, the wretch tkrew himself upon me, but finding I was armed, he drew back, placed himself before the door, ana took aim at me. Then it was, com- prehending the ambuscade into which we had fallen, and reflect- ing that if 1 fired, persons would not fail to say that we had been the aggressors, I opened a door behind me, and rushed out crying Murder At the moment of my egress a second shoi was fired, and the ball again passed through my coat tail. In the street I found Noir, who had just strength enough to descend the stairease, and was expiring. M. Rochefort comments very freely upon the affair in the Marseillaise. He says of the Bonapartes—" It is now eighteen years that France has been in the blood-stained hands of those cut-throats, who, not satisfied with mowing down the Republicans with grape in the street, entice them into filthy snares to kill them within four walls. People of France, do you really think you have not had enough of them ?" The journal was seized for containing matter inciting the people to revolt. There are now wanted," at Preston, two 'cute fellows I who, during the horse fair, on Friday last, performed one of the cleverest horse tricks" that has ever been perpe- trated, A firmer from Fenwortham visited the town for the purpose of buying a good horse, and while sitting in a public house in Fishgate got into conversation with a respectable-looking man, who offered to sell him a magni- ficent animal for £ 40. After a good deal of higgling a bargain was struck, the money was paid, and some time afterwards the fanner, who had imbibed sundry "refresh- ers" in the meantime, started for home. But the horse soon stopped and refused to move, and at last lay down on the ground apparently in great agony. Another horsey- looking individual then made his appearance, assured the farmer that he had been done," and said that though the creature wasn't worth more than 210, he would give him 215 for it. After some demur the rustic made up his mind that perhaps the first loss would be the least, and accepted the offer, and the money was paid in sovereigns. On his way home the farmer called at a public for another glass, for which he tendered one of the sovereigns, which the landlord bit and rung on the table, and then declared the coin a bad 'un." On examination the remainder of the fifteen were found to be of the same quality. Mr G. F. Train has appeared as a preacher at New York. The tact was advertised in the following manner —" To-night Rev. George Francis Train preaches on 'Old Fogies of the Bible compared to the beautiful character of the Saviour.' The same discourse suppressed last Sundav evening by the bigoted Puritanical Cooper Institute Trustees. One man against 30,000 preachers." At the appointed hour Mr Train, resplendent in brass buttons and white kid gloves," presented himself before a crowded audience and delivered a discourse thus described by the New York Tiines:- He opened the vials of his wrath upon the American people, and conveyed to them the agreeable information that they were a set of toadies, flunkeys, and cowards." Several institutions of modern society which have at least the respectability of age and good standing in the community were soundly abused, and among them the Church, the medical faculty, and the press. He also took upon himself to set history right in several im- portant particulars, and informed his audience that a certain cargo of choice teas was dumped into Boston harbour some years ago by the Fenians. He detailed the experiences of par- ticularly extensive travels over all the continents of the earth and interlarded his discourse with numerous snatches of epigram," composed on the top of the Rocky Mountains and in various other out-of-the-way places. The result of all his various observations appeared to be that all the world was sunk in degradation and ignorance, and only one man can save it, and he was George Francis Train, the only man in the country who is not owned." The subject on which he was specially announced to speak, The Old Fogies of the Bible," was the only topic not touched upon. He premises to favour the country with suc- cessive repetitions of his moral and entertaining exhibition until he is prevented -by the arduous duties of President of the United States, which he expects a grateful people to thrust upon him in 1872, if not sooner. Grant is to be impeached for his particu- lar benefit. Mr Ruskinhas written the following letter to the Daily Tek iraph, on Field Sports As, thirty years ago, I publicly expressed a strong opinion on the subject offieldsports, and as, with more accurate knowledge, I hold the same opinion still, and more strongly, will you permit me to place the controversy between your correspondents, in which I have no time to take part, on somewhat clearer grounds. Reprobation of fox-hunting on the groand of cruelty to the fox is entirely futile. More pain is caused to the draught-horses of London in an hoar, by avariciouslyovedoading them, -all the foxes in England by the hunts of the year and the rending of body and heart in human death, caused by neglect, in our country cottages, in any one winter, could not be equalled >y the death-pangs of any quantity of foxes. The real evils of fGX- huntmg are that it wastes the time, misapplies the energy, ex- hausts the wealth, narrows the capacity, debases the taste, and abates the honour of the upper classes of the country and in- stead of keeping, as one of your correspondents supposes, thousands from the workhouse," it sends thousands of the lu poor both thereand into the grave. The athletic training given by fox-hunting is excellent; and such training is vitally neces- sary to the upper classes. But it ought always to be in real ser- vice fo their country; in personal agricultural labour at the head of their tenantry; and in extending English life and dominion in waste regions, against the adverse powers of nature. Let them become Captains of Emigration; hunt down the foxes that spoil: the Vineyard of the World; and keep their eyes on the leading lioBnd, in Packs of Men.

cSpttding. THE AFRAIRS OF THE LATE MARQUIS OF HASTINGS.- At the i^°Ti on the 12th, the administration suit, Bubb v. Sir H. Yelverton, was heard. Among other claims on the Mar- quis's estate are the sporting debts originally amounting to £ o0,000, but suiee considerably reduced these remain to be de- cided by the Master of the Rolls. On the question of the claims I2.r f tl iaSa¥lst the Iate Marquis being gone into, it was stated that the total amount was about £ 8 000. FRENCH AND ENGLISH WRESTLING.-We are accustomed to see r rench horses on our racecourses, and we have come to regard it as no uncommon thing for them to carry off high honours on the In other international contests on land and water our neighbours have not generally been so sueeessful, and they still fall rather short of that all-round excellence in various branches of sport to which Englishmen lay claim. They are, however, going to try again—this time in the wrestling arena. They have ttrown down the gauntlet to the North-countrymen, who at Carlisle m the race week, and at Newcastle at Easter, and at Htockton at Whitsuntide, are to be found in full practice of the eross-buttock and back-heel swinging hipe, and inside click. A troupe of French lutteurs have, during the last two or three weeks, been illustrating the French mode of wrestling and their Powers have so much impressed some people that they have dared the Champions, Jameson and Dick Wright, to meet them in a senes of contests, in which the English will be called upon to conform to Gallic rules, while our visitors are required to wrestle one-half of the bouts in what is known as the Cum- berland and Westmoreland style. -Sparti?tg Life. "■T?1 i-RiViSSiS HARJUEES.—[We extract the following from inerteia. j. ^ir,—I have much pleasure in sending you an account of three good days I had last week with my little pack in the neighbourtiood of Gogerddan, the seat of my nephew Sir Pryse Pryse. « On Monday, Jtn. 3, we met at Daren, and when within a few fields of the meet a hare jumped up, and away twpntTm^L2nCev, fupiie0ns' runninS very hard for about ?n e harc was constantly headed, which n f'u no?es »ml after a great deal of capital hunting they pulled her down quite by themselves, at the end of an hour and twenty-five minutes. Another hare was soon found on a piece of old fallow, and, getting up in the middle of the hounds, thought it high time to make herself scaree, giving us a first rate gallop of fifty-eight minutes and whoop. The crv was -me i 71? scareely gone a field before a fresh fcand the hounds being laid on, she gave us a burst of ten.mmutes down to the Goggerddan coverts, within of wbicli I just managed to head the leading hounds in time to stop them. On Thursday we again met at Daren, and after drawing a short time found, in Daren Wood a rignt good one. We ran her for an hour and ten minutes over a fnly co"ntr>, f?r horses, killing her in the wood we found in. Another hare being on foot, we were soon at her; and dis- daining the shelter of the wood, she went away at once and gave us a very merry gallop of half an hour, when they pulled hlr down. No. 3 was moved, and the hounds ran very hard for about wn 1" th,e. scen,t aPPeared quite to alter, and they could hardly carry her line along; however, after some good ^e,a'ly hunting, they worked up to her, and ran very hard cfown to the same coverts^ as on Monday. We stopped them, as the fcjumuds were to araw there the next day. Time all through forty-hve minutes. It was a great pity, as the hounds richlv de- served her, and we viewed her, dead beat, not above a field be- -e wood' Saturday, the Sth, met at the htif -*i^ morning was as bad as bad could be, blowing very hard, with heavy ram. Owing probably to the state of the weather we did not find until nearly one o'clock, by which time the day had somewhat improved. For the first ten minutes the hounds ran very hard notwithstanding the cold rain which was giving right in their faces; but as soon as they turned do^ wind the scent was not so good; however we managed to keen to our hare for about an hour and a haif, when she beat nf Found again very soon, the scent being apparently rather better and had a very good forty mmutes and killed her. It was too late to draw again.—J. P. Vaughan Pryse. Bwlchbychan Jan 11." « £ 0GSR??a.x foxHOUNDS-The following also appears in The field. Sir, On Friday Jan. 7, these hounds had a capital day s sport" Tho meet was at Gogerddan, the seat of Sir Pryse Pryse, Bart., where a most substantial breakfast and a hearty welcome were provided for all comers. We first drew a small gorse by the keeper's house, blank. The Oak Wood was the next move, but before the hounds had half drawn it a fox was viewed out of the gorse on the top. The hounds we soon on his line, and from the style in which they went to work it looked very much as if nothing but blooM. would satisfy them. t0 \eal? .at the bottom of the wood, but beinc headed by some plough teams it was some time before he coull again make up his mind to go; and, indeed, so fully had the field made up their minds that he was a bad un that the hounds got four or five fields' start, with no one but 'the hunts man with them. Bellows to mend, was now the order of the nfTiio ^ri, 0 a httle persuasion, we were soon alongside of them. The scent was evidently not first rate, for thoufffi the hounds were ho dmg on his line at a fair pace, yet thefe wns none of that melody for which this pack is so justly celebrated We had now run oyer about two miles of country and our foi was evidently pointing for the hills. Skirting tS top of Daren aW^,°rer the °Pen in the direction o^Goginln rl..n • W1u to°, much, turned to the left over^wlch Cwmerfin mine works, and so on as if for Craig-ddu rock which however, this good fox disdained L enter, keeping to the lefluntii bTnd w £ en he ran down a very sideland to the brook. Here, perhaps, occurred one of the prettiest sights of the day. viz., the pack steadily working their fox all^m the brookside and the field riding parallel, tut in full view manv hnndred feet above them. Gradually we near the head of the valley, and out of a small rock the whip views him^ hundred yards before the hounds. « Let them^n/ v, hrCe m!jfter> a"d 4° the pack respond to those VoX gradually hunting his line inch by inch up to the Mint w W the whipviewea him, leaving the rock for the ope^moi^tafn a^ain. No sooner are they on the grass than thev settletSfiJ with that determination which only foxhounds can show. On we Tn as straight as if our fox was only just found ™ "ot„for, and, running from scent to view, they bowi this gallant fox over in the open, in sight of the w eld. Time, an hour and three- ua ers. CymRo. NELA- A FARMERS IDEA OF THE GAME OUF^TIOV A+ of the Yorkshire Chamber of Agriculture last wnpk1>^f™nS Mr Angas, made the following remarks on the Game Laws In suggestinng any remedial measures, I would muchsooner commend you to such as are pacific and dealing, rather than to any aggressive and dictatorial. I do not much like legislative in- terference nor indeed any which may appear domineering and unreasonable. It has been forcibly saieffn a higher Sf that the moment you arouse the passions or the clmbativeness of men you place an immense obstruction in the way of thehW viction and conversion. And it is even so. still you are bound to make your burdens and your cares known. The troubled question would be at once and for ever set at rest on the re^v morrnng when every landlord should say to his tenknta^ Henceforth the game on your respective farms is your own shall be glad that yon afford me or my friends any reasonable amount ol recreation during the season which your fam^viU admit of without interfering with the freedom of your ocranancv and culture; but any future damage your crops MTZ2 must revert upon yourselves.' You can imagine how at such an announcement, the Anglo-Saxon chivalry of the Bn'tish famier ^dle ,an,d ^en into healthy action; and, as w £ h l threefold cord, Landlord and tenant would be bonnd together I have but one remark more to make. It is eermane to ject, and takes the form of interrogatory to the sub- W ol E„.Li,h parti™, „ 1.™PSU. taZ business of life, produces so much damage and engender such wide-spread dissatisfaction; whilst another fn™ • equally to our health and national inS^ and mainspring of friendship and goodwill I I should willing to suppose that a solitary man in the whol/S would interpose an obstacle in the way of the Holderaess Hunt or refuse a kindly greeting from fhe popular maste™ fnd you can supply the solution It is because you know the neroetu^ strain upon mind, and nerve, and nurse and ca»ed forth to place a favourite amusement within r^h of all who care for it and own a horse; and still more trnlv^fiJ w whilst seeing that the damage is but slight arJ tL feel that the promoter of the sport hL dfne ,you and busy life* to give an imR to the'^aTrilfSerity^ well as to the social enjoyment of this Hro-o y gentleman with whom it h« beenySrpri^Lgform'ineto come acquainted and you would even now d?d de ™mm alk^ it, give expression to the hope that for long yearftoTme hU S'iTtL"iTk Sf S'f RACING FIXTURES. Birmingham Q „ a Lincoln Spring Feb JHS 17 ^Jhenshire nunt Feb! 22 and g Liverpool Spring March'8, 9, and 10 COURSING FIXTURES. ljpton Magna Feb. 14 and 15 Waterloo Feb. 16, &c.

The American House of Representatives has adopted, by a large majority, the Bill re-admitting the representatives of Vir- ginia into Congress, The measure was strongly opposed by leading members of the Radical party. The Poor-law Board have decided to apply the labour test to women, the Board having sanctioned a proposal, submitted to them by the Guardians of the Poplar Union, for the employment of able-bodied pauper women in receipt of out-door relief in picking oakum and in needlework. The Red River rebellion, a telegram from Minnesota states, is growing daily more and more senous. The rebel leader, Louis Riell, had assumed the title of commander-in-chief, and the in- surgents had taken possession of the treasury of the Hudson's Bay Company. A party of Sioux Indians were said to be march- ing upon Fort Garry, and the report had excited apprehensions there and along the frontiers of Minnesota of an Indian massacre. The tragedy at Auteuil has been made the occasion of riotous demonstrations in Paris on the part of the Red Republicans, but the firm attitude of the authorities has prevented any serious disturbances. On Wednesday evening groups of men and children assembled in various parts of the city and sang the Marseillaise," but the sergeants-de-ville dispersed them. Two of the police and an officer were wounded with stones, and two other policemen were stabbed. Several of the riotors concerned in this attack on the police were arrested. In the Faubourg St. Antoine some shopkeepers armed with sticks dispersed the rioters. Few troops were to be seen in the streets, but a large force was kept ready to act in case of need. A copy of a letter from Dr Livingstone has been received at Bombay. It is dated 30th May, 1869. but the name of the place where it was written is not given. Dr Livingstone complains of the great difficulty in getting faithful messengers to carry news and supplies between himself and the coast. The Arabs of Un- yanyemlee, amongst whom he was, hate the English, and being actively engaged in the slave trade, they dread exposure through his letters, and will therefore neither carry letters for him themselves, nor will they, if they can help it, allow others to do so. With regard to the work still to be done, Dr Livingstone, says that he has to establish a connection between the Nile of Speke and Baker, and the sources which he himself discovered some 500 or 700 miles to the south of the point to which they penetrated.

gtutral. Mr Dickens;has re-commenced his farewell readings, which were interrupted by his illness. The two>boys who stole E940 at Walsall have been sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, The Star and Garter at Richmond was destroyed by fire, and the manager lost his life in attempting to rescue a dog. Subscriptions have been collected in America for the relief of the once famous Fenian leader James Stephens, who is said to be sick and in great poverty in Paris. The Prince of Wales, M.W.G.P.M., has consented to -preside at the 72nd annual festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys, Woodgreen. The Dublin Town Council have passed a resolution in favour of calling upon the Government to grant a royal residence to Ireland." A metropolitan policeman has been sentenced to-seven years' penal servitude for committing a highway robbery upon a prostitute. It is. proposed by the Bippel that a ntonniaent shouldobe erected to the memory of Victor Noir. and that the inscription on it should be—"Assassinated by Prince Pierre Bonaparte." Louis Blanc and Victor Hugo are already on the list of subscribers. The Army and Navy Gazette" says it has been decided that the Army Estimates, when presented to the House of Commons, will show a diminution of about 10,090 combatants. from the existing establishments. We learn from a Sheffield paper that rattening is again the recognised and tolerated custom of the town. It is not only done, but it is done promptly, and almost openly, as soon as the man omits to make his weekly payment to the trade secretary. The charges against Mr Hardunent and Mr Freestone, accused of bribery at the last Norwich municipal election, have been heard by the Norwich magistrates last week. Both the de- fendants were committed for trial, but admitted to hail. Henry Fayle, a "crimp" was copvicted of perjury at the Central Criminal Court, in having twice declared upon oath that an unfortunate sailor owed him a large sum of money. He was sentenced to five years' penal servitude. According to the "Pall Mall Gazette," a curious reason is assigned for the absence of a fire-escape at Richmond. The Vicar refused to allow the Vestry to keep one in the churchyard because it was consecrated ground, and they do not seem to have been able to think of any other place to put it in. An angry newspaper discussion has given rise to a fatal duel at Naples, between M. Cognetti and M. Trombetta. After several passes, the latter's weapon pierced his adversary's breast, who fell, exclaiming, "I am wounded." He attempted to rise, but a jet of blood issued from his mouth, and he fell back dead. The people of Boston are Vbry proud of the achievement of mechanical skill performed there a short time ago in the removal of the large building known as Hotel Pelham." The building was moved bodily fourteen feet back to widen and straighten the street in which it is situated. The time occupied in the removal was thirteen hours, and the cost was £ 6,000. The last and sweetest thing in fashion is the "Alexandra Limp." Shoemakers in London now offer their fair customers the choice of boots with equally high heels for each foot, or the far more charming variety of a high heel for one foot and a low heel for the other, causing the wearer to halt in a way supposed to be imitative of royalty The effect which railway accidents have upon the shareholders' dividends is forcibly shown in the accounts of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway, which contain a debit of 445,000 towards making good the losses and injuries sustained by the New Cross accident. The result is that instead of the shareholders getting a dividend of 21 per cent. they will only receive one per cent. Steps are being taken to form a Mendicity Society" at New- castle, similar to that which has worked so successfully at Blackheath and other places. Wherever the scheme has been tried, begging impostors have not only been effectually sup- pressed, but the wants of many deserving poor, who would not otherwise have been heard of, have been found out and relieved. An auctioneer named Thomas Neilson, who also was the secretary of the Second Gateshead Provident Benefit Building Society, was charged at the Gateshead Police Court, on Friday, wtih embezzling 4100 belonging to the society. It was stated by the solicitor for the prosecution that the defalcations amount to several thousand pounds. The prisoner, who a year or two since was a member of the Gateshead Town Council, was remanded. The Belgian Revue Numhmatique mentions that as comments have been made in several journals on the impropriety of placiilg the head of the Sovereign on postage stamps, destined to be instantly soiled and defaced, the new Belgian stamps are to bear the profile of the Minister of Public Works instead of that of the Sovereign. This is very tender towards the Sovereign, no doubt, but now about the feelings of the Minister of Public Works ? An American paper states that at a ball in Omaha recently, a young lady whilst dancing suddenly cried out that a snake had got up the folds of her dress. Great alarm ensued, and a doctor was impressed into service. He caught the tail, gave it a vigor- ous pull, and out came an enormous bustle. It had become loose during the dancing, and dangling about, had impressed the fair wearer with the idea that it was a snake. Another shocking murder has taken place in Ireland. The victim is an old woman named M'Cormack, who lived at Drum- cowrath, in the county of Meath. A few nights ago the house was entered stealthily by one or more persons, who attacked the poor creature in bed, and smashed in her skull. The murderers nave not been discovered. A few months ago the brother and two sons of 2\lrs M'Cormack were killed by eating cakes made of poisoned flour, which were dropped, as if by accident, near the house. An inquest has been held on the body of a Persian named Aiif Ali, who committed suicide by throwing himself into the Thames. Deceased left behind him a document, which stated in substance that he, Ajif Ali, was a great sinner, for the devil had tempted him to quit the right way; that he was, therefore, very miserable, and he hoped that Mahomet would take compassion on him. He invoked the prophet to deliver him from life and all sorrows; and he likewise prayed Allah to have pity on him and his misfortunes. The document was inserted in the leaves of a Mahometan prayer-book. Mr Robertson, proprietor of the estate of Dundonnachie, near Dunkeld, and a philosophcal author of some pretensions, has been cast into prison for slandering a judge. Mr Robertson has taken a leading part in the resistance which is offered to the payment of Tay pontage dues to the Duke of Atholl; and he was among those who were lately fined by Sheriff Barclay, of Perth, for disturbances which took place in connection with the dispute. Since the trial he has frequently charged the Sheriff with being corrupt, and for this offence he was apprehended at the instance of the Lord Advocate, and lodged in prison. Two destructive fires occurred in London on Saturday morning. As some men were working in the cellars of Mr Vickers, oil and colourman, Aldersgate-street, where there were large stores of oil, spirits, and the usual inflammable stock of such a business, a boy accidentally dropped a lighted candle that he was holding. The whole place was instantly in flames. The two workmen escaped, though badly burned, but the boy perished in the fire, being unable to find his way out of the cellar. On the same morning the pianoforte manufactory of Messrs Collard and Collard was partially destroyed by fire, and the valuable stock greatly damaged by fire and water. The tie between Mr Grant Duff, M.P., and Sir William Stirling Maxwell for the rectorship of Aberdeen University, has been decided by the Duke of Richmond giving his casting vote in favour of the baronet. Sir William publicly expressed a wish that effect might be given to the wishes of the students who recorded an absolute majority of votes for Mr Grant Duff but the Duke is too good a party man to let an opportunity slip of doing a service to a friend, even against his will, and the conse- quence is that the Under Secretary for India is left out in the cold. The office is purely honorary. The other night, as a policeman was conveying a woman from the railway station at Durham to the county gaol at that place for a short term of imprisonment for vagrancy near Houghton- le-Spring, on reaching the foot of the hill on which the station stands the prisoner, instead of turning off in the direction of Tenter-terrace with her custodian, walked straight forward in the direction of the North-road. The constable walked on for a few steps, apparently in the full belief that the woman he had in charge was walking by his side, and when he discovered his loss his late prisoner was nowhere to be seen. Diligent search was made for the woman, but she has not yet been recaptured. As a first-class misdemeanant in Coldbath-fields Prison, Dr Shorthouse has availed himself of the special rules applicable to prisoners of that description and degree. In respect of accommodation in the gaol, of receiving visits, of being supplied with wine, a superior class of food, ample bedding and clothing, as well as immunity from any kind of work Dr Shorthouse has many privileges, under the rules sanctioned by the magistrates, and approved by the Secretary of State. Upwards of twenty years have elapsed since a first-class misdemeanant was confined in Cold Bath-fields, and the visiting justices, who have placed certain restrictions on Dr Shorthouse's movements, suggest that a revision of the rules is now desirable. A singular case of fraud was partially investigated last week at the Wandsworth Police-court. Mr Ironsides, a silk buyer in good circumstances, said that in August, 1867, when on a journey, he received a telegram from home, stating that his wife was con- fined, and, on returning, found that apparently to be the case, and a Mrs Skeplehorn acting as nurse. In November last he discovered that his wife had been to the Lying-in Hospital, and selected a child, which, with the aid of Mrs Skeplehorn and her husband and another person, they had palmed off upon Mr Ironsides as his own. The Skeplehorns were charged with con- spiracy to defraud, the theory of the prosecution being that they had joined in the deception in order to obtain money. They have been committed. The evening meeting at Exeter Hall last week, in connection with the Working Men's International Exhibition, was presided over by Professor Huxley. A number of members of Parliament and other influential gentlemen were present. The warm sym- pathy of the Premier with the movement was expressed through a letter read from the right hon. gentleman's secretary. On the motion of Mr Hughes, M.P., seconded by Mr Applegarth, a reso- lution was passed in favour of the workers' names being attached to the articles entered for exhibition. On the motion of Mr Hibbs, delegate from Birmingham, seconded by the Mayor of Ipswich, it was resolved-" That it is of the highest importance to develop amongst all the people a true perception of what is beautiful in colour and form, and a scientific knowledge of the machinery and materials employed in existing industries, and this meeting pledges its best exertions to promote the success of the Workmen's International Exhibition of 1870 as a valuable instrument to this end." Speeches were also delivered by Mr W. H. Smith, )I.P'1 Mr Mundella, M.P., and other gentlemen. Professor Huxley in addressing the meeting, urged that techni- cal education, although most valuable would be of no use unless they meant to preface it by a sound general education of the masses of the country, for that must be the foundation, and the rest must be looked upon only as the superstructure. Mr Bright was very reticent in his address to his constituents last week, and made no disclosures as to the Land Bill. He had a busy day on Wednesday. In the morning he attended a break- fast given by the local liberal association, and made a speech, dealing with various subjects. He alluded to the "minority clause," as one of the absurdities of legislation, adding that he was unable to say anything respecting the course which the Government might take respecting it. In speaking of the repre- sentation of large towns. Mr Bright expressed his opinion that places such as Birmingham were entitled to more than three members. With regard to working men in Parliament, he hoped that as we get further from the time when working men are excluded from the franchise there would be less complaint on or' this head. Working men would find that it was not of import- ance that they should be represented by men of their own class, because the representatives of other classes would obey them, and men were wanted in the House who comprehended political questions, and who would vote honestly in the sense of the opinions of their constituents. Later in the day, the right hon- ourable gentleman received a deputation in reference to the treatment of the Fenian prisoners. He pointed out. in reply, that, as there were no political prisons in this country, it was impossible to treat the Fenians differently from other prisoners, but said there was no desire to treat them more harshly than was necessary. He strongly condemned the policy of the Fenians, especially the American section of them and while Promising that the views of the deputation should be laid before is Ministerial colleagues, said that the Government would not be dismayed by any outward pressure. Mr Bright on Thursday received a deputation from the Bir- mingham Executive of the United Kingdom Alliance, at which Mr Kempster, their spokesman, threatened to withdraw the support of the Alliance from the right hon. gentleman and Mr Dixon because they had opposed the Permissive Bill. Mr Bright, at some length, condemned the measure as a piece of ,h ac machinery. Whilst prepared to give the controlling power to a town council or some governing body, he deprecated the giving of such power to the general community to be exercised in the form of a special vote. He rebuked Mr Kempster for the harsh judgment he had formed of the conduct of members who voted against the Bill, aud said it was not a question of approval or disapproval of restrictive measures. In the objects sought to be attained all were agreed, and the only question was as to the method. Without committing himself to details, Mr Bright intimated that a Government Bill, dealing with* the licensing question, would be brought forward, which he hoped would a n give satisfaction.

The result of the correspondence between the Town Clerk of Chester and Mr Thoraeyoroft, with reference to the flaw in the Marquis of Westminster's statue, is, says the Cheshire Observer, that the sculptor will keep the statue in repair.

ffffUgiagtical On Saturday the Archbishop of Canterbury was sufficiently well to proceed by rail from Broadstairs to Addington-park, Croydon. The Times" states that the Rev. Alfred Willis, vicar of New Brompton, near Chatham, is to be the first missionary Bishop of Madagascar. The Ven. E. Parry, a son of the celebrated Arctic navigator, has been appointed I. Suffragan" to the Archbishop of Canter- bury, under the title of Bishop of Dover. The "Standard says—" Mr Gladstone's selection of a succes- ?or to Dr Lee, in the person of the Rev. James Fraser, vicar of Ufton Nervet, Berks, will be received with general satisfaction by the friends of the church. It is true the reverend gentleman has not been brought prominently before the public m connec- tion with any of the parties within the church; but he is not the less known as a sound churchman, a good worker, and an able man. A gathering of an unusual character took place the other even- ing m the New-cut. A reformed burglar, named Ned Wright, Iws for some years past been conspicuous for his labours among the outcasts of that district, and he invited about 200 professed thieves to meet him at a soup supper." There was no lack of guests, the sole necessary credential being—a previous convic- tion. After the supper, the men were addressed, prayers were ottered up, and hymns sung. The most perfect good order was maintained during the evening. The Bishop of Exeter presiding at a meeting on Thursday week in support of the Church Missionary Society, said-I sym- pathize very deeply with the cause which you have in hand. I believe very truly indeed in the words said to John Wesley when he was young, and which certainly made a deep impression on mm. It is recorded in his life that an :iged clergyman, speaking to him about his own religious life, said to him, "Young man, you cannot go to heaven alone; you must take others with you." I believe that to be true of all men. Unless their Christian in- fluence helps others, their own Christian life is, generally speak- I should say always—not thoroughly sound. And what is true of individual Christians I believe to be true of Churches. I believe that a really sound Church cannot refrain from doing its best to spread the Gospel to others. I be- lieve, too, that in no way whatever does that interfere with the work that has to be done at home. I believe that the work at home prospers all the more from the efforts made to extend that work abroad. I do not believe that in any way it follows that because a Church is engaged in missionary enterprise there- fore it nelects its own proper duty of teaching its own people. On the contrary, the more life and energy there is in the Church, the more surely will that life and energy show itself both in labours at home and in missionary work abroad. fhe Greek Archbishop Lycurgus, of Syra and Tenos, who came to Liverpool to consecrate the new Greek Church, was last week presented with an address by a deputation from the Liverpool and Birkenhead branches of the English Church Union. The deputation were introduced by Mr Potter, barrister, and the ad- ?v^e3tT^aST^ead ky Mr Brown. It expressed deep veneration for tjieHoly Eastern Church, accompanied with a confident hope that the period was not far distant when union woidd be re- stored between every branch of the Western Church and the great Church of the East, from which so much of our common Christianity is derived. The Archbishop replied in Greek, stating how highly he appreciated the courteous reception he had met with in Liverpool, and reciprocating the ardent desire for a union of the Churches which was dwelt upon in the address. He said-" I feel the more grateful to the members of the Greek communion here, as by inviting me to this country they have attorded me the best opportunity of seeing and appreciating on the spot that which in the far distance always filled me with spiritual joy and gladness-viz., that in the people of this great nation, adorned by so many virtues, the spirit of Christ remains and lives fully developed and active. A striking proof of this is your constant endeavour to reunite the different branches of the church, and the praiseworthy inclination you show to approach our church-a church which, having from the earliest times of Christianity, in many and various ways, fought bravely, and, be- yond any other, perseveringly toiled for the propagation of the Gospel, at the same time strove to the utmost amidst many fur-ii preserve, pure and uncorrupted. the sacred deposit of the faith as a precious heirloom, as a touchstone by which every profession of faith among the nations of Christendom may be tested. I am fully convinced that the way in which you are treading in your search for union is the surest one it is the way which will lead you safely to the desired end." At the con- cl.u?,10" of the proceedings the deputation went on their knees benediction" ° with great solemnity, pronounced the

GTFLRIFLITTTTWIT. The Royal Agricultural Society has been giving its attention to the adulteration of manure and feeding cakes, and is conducting some analyses. -Jo u rnal of the Society of Arts. ° Mr W. A. Gibbs's Method of Artificially Drying Hay or Corn need not be here described at length. Last week a most inter- esting series of models illustrative of this invention were through the courtesy of the Duke of Sutherland, exhibited at Stafford House, to a considerable number of scientific men and agriculturists. It is sufficient to remind our readers of the agent employed by Mr Gibbs in drying wet and bulky materials namely, a current of hot air. that has just passed over the heateci surface of a furnace, thrown by means of a fan into a closed chamber containing the wet hay or corn. Thus, not only heated air, but the products of combustion, are brought into contact with the wet material, and drying is quickly effected. On look- ing at this exceedingly simple machinery, two or three impor- tant questions arise which, accordiug to Mr Gibbs, may be satis- factorily answered. First, is there any danger of fire ? We are told not, as the large proportion of carbonic acid, and other incombustible gases, renders the air unable to support combus- tion. Thus we are informed that even red-hot cinders, thrown purposely into the dried and heated mass, failed to kindle it Secondly, the rapidity of the process is an important item towards success. Nine thousand sheaves may be dried in twenty-four hours with the largest set of fans or nine acres, if we assume 1,000 sheaves to fairly represent the prodnce of one acre. As to economy, that is a matter which requires to be fur- ther tested, but the cost must be excessive, which would deter the farmer from using it in case of a very wet harvest. Mr Gibbs thinks that, when required, the fan blast should be taken to the field with a traction engine, accompanied with trucks such as were used on the Britannia farms last harvest The corn would be dried in the field, and carried home on the trucks. No doubt Mr Gibbs's valuable apparatus will be largely employed in various manufacturing processes as well as in agriculture. The past two seasons have been too favourable for harvest oper- ations to allow Mr Gibbs's machinery fair play, but should we be visited by a wet season, those who, like the Duke of Sutherland have invested in the apparatus will be in an enviable position — Agricultural Gazette. DRAINPIPES IN PASTURE LAND.—In the various papers lately inserted in your columns, no notice is taken of one very impor- tant point which often, no doubt, in the course of a few years makes the best laid-out draining in pasture-lands quite useless' I mean the liability of drainpipes to become entirely choked by the roots of certain plants. In my own case I laid a drain in a pasture-field, probably about thirty inches deep, which answered perfectly at nrst, but in five or six years became quite useless and the pipes, on being taken up, were found entirely filled with the roots of some plant. As there were no trees within a great dis- tance, it was plain that the evil must arise from some plant forming part of the herbage of the field, and I could only attri- bute it to the common Iron-head (Centaurea nigra), which was very abundant. My object in writing is to point out an unex- pected obstacle to effectual drainage, and to inquire whether it would be obviated by additional depth, or by throwing plenty of broken stone over the pipes, or by any other meausl-P.P.C.- Agricultural Gazette. MOUNTAIN SHEEP FARMING.—There is no point of manage- ment that the older flock-masters insist so much upon as a good supply of mountain hay. In a paper which Mr Aitchison of Linhope, read a few years ago before the Teviotdale Farmers' Club of which he is president, he observed Sheep make up nearly half the rental of Scotland, and yet landlords are sadly remiss, and very little is done for them. Sheep drains, sheep stells, and march fences have done much, but still more is ex- pended on forty acres of wet low land than would put a sheep- walk in form. Corn, beans, and bran with hay may enable the flockmaster with a heavy purse and a willing heart to tide through the dreary time till verdure begins, and nature de- thrones art on the hills, but still mountain hay must be the sheet anchor. Go in for mountain hay, and the storms of winter may drift up the valley, and tempests whistle over the hills in vain." Again, Partial feeding is worse than no feeding, as the sheep listlessly wait on it; and no longer, in the absence of fresh weather, search after regular food. Giving it in handfuls may do for calm weather, but sheep hecks will alone prevent the wind from pilfering, and save one-third of the hay." His recom- mendation was that every hiresell of thirty score should have four enclosures of a few acres each, with sheep houses and hecks which should be limed and cut two and two, in alternate years' and this plan has been pretty generally followed. "-Jlr H. Dixon in Royal Agricultural Society's Journal. NEW METHOD OF CULTIVATING POTATOES. The "Staats- Anzeiger gives us some particulars of the new method of culti- vating the potato, discovered by Gulilich, of Pinneberg, in Hol- stein, and which, it is said, has given surprising results where it has been employed. The leading features of this new mode of culture are :-1. Turning up the soil to a considerable depth. 2. Choosing as seed large, sound, and many-eyed potatoes. 3 Leaving each seed-potato a space of twelve square feet. 4. Lay- ing the seed-potato with the buddiug side down. By a report laid before the last meeting of the Frankfort Agricultural Society we learn the result of experiments in potato-growing made last year. In one morgen (two-thirds of an acre) which was planted with eight metzen seed, and where each seed-potato was left twelve square feet, the produce was 108 scheftels (German bushels). Another morgen of land, planted with twelve metzen, and where each seed-potato had a space of nine square feet, yielding eighty-eight scheffels. A third morgen was planted with one scheffel of seed, each potato being left six square feet, and the produce was seventy-eight scheffels. The average crop obtained from 7-8 scheffels on the same land was 50-60 scheffels. The advantages of Guhlich's system then con- sist of—1, A saving of 6-7 scheffels per morgen of seed and 2 an increase of from 25 to 100 per cent. in the produce. Would it not be a good experiment for some of our Shropshire farmers to try on a small scale—say a quarter of an acre ? If it did not answer the loss would not be very great, and if successful the experimenter would be a benefactor to the county.

BRF,AKFAST.-Epps*,i COCOA.-GRATEFUL AND COMFORT- ING.—The very agreeable character of this preparation has rendered it a general favourite. The Civil Service Gazette remarks:—"The singular success which MrEpps attained by his homoeopathic preparation of cocoa has never been surpassed by any experimentalist. By a thorough know- ledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected cocoa, Mr Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills." Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold by the Trade only in i lb., £ lb,, and 1 lb. tin-lined packets labelled—JAMES Epps & Co., Homoeopathic Chemists' London. MODERN CUSTOMS.—Presentations and testimonials are largely on the increase this modern custom appears to extend to almost every household, for no auspicious event is allowed to pass without its being marked by some pleasing souvenir; Birthdays, Christenings, Marriages, the seasons of the year, such as Christmas, New Years &c., invariably receive special commemoration. The at- tention of one of the great London Manufacturers Mr J. W. BENSON, of 25, Old Bond-street, and of the City Steam Factory, Ludgate-hill, has been directed to this subject. With the view of giving more artistic effect to this custom of society, he has published a most interesting Illustrated Historical Pamphlet upon Watches and Clocks, also one upon artistic Gold Jewellery, Silver and Electro- plate; all are profusely illustrated with choice designs, and are sent post-free for 2d. each, thus bringing within the reach of those who live even thousands of mile s away from London, one of the largest and most artistic collec- tions which can be seen in any part of the world; and, it necessary, designs are prepared to illustrate any special case.

1 45igun ? ob ffetft. A fine specimen of the hooper, or whistling swan, has been shot near St. Asaph. A silver cradle is to be presented to the mayoress of Chester, in commemorat on of the birth of a son. At a recent meeting of the Shrewsbury Flood Com- mittee it was stated that PAW had been subscribed for the relief of the sufferers by the eceat inundation. An old lady, said to be 104. has just been buried at Warrington. She has left one daughter of 78 and another of 75. The vacant prebendal stall in Bangor Cathedral is to be filled by the Rev. W. Wynn Williams, rector of Llangeinwen cum Llangaffo, Anglesea. The annual ball at the North Wales Lunatic Asylum took place on Thursday, when a number of friends as- sembled to join the patients in the festivities. The en- tertainment was very successful. Mr W. E. Oakley, of Plas Tanybwlch, has sent 210 to the Rev. W. Richards, vicar of Penrhyndeudraeih, to be distributed amongst the poor. Mr Oakley does not possess any property in Penrhyn. The desirability of attempting to get the Royal Agri- cultural Show for 1871 held at Chester has been dis- cussed at the Chester Council and the Cheshire Chamber of Agriculture, but it seems to be thought that, as the exhibition took place at Manchester last year, Shropshire and Staffordshire may be left to fight for the honour. Some persons are going about the country, says the Chester Courant, representing themselves to be respectably connected, buying hay and straw without the slightest in- tention of paying. Many farmers in the neighbourhood of Chester have been duped by these persons; for if pro- ceedings are taken, and judgment given against them, their goods and chattels are not sufficient to pay expenses. Mr Kyffin Roberts, of Plas yn Roe, St. Asaph, has had a correspondence with *Mr Gladstone on the subject of the appointment of a Welsh bishop for St. Asaph. In his reply to Mr Roberts, the Premier says he is painfully conscious of the special responsibility attaching to any nomination to a see in Wales. It is also stated that Mr Gladstone has promised to appoint a Welsh bishop. One of the injustices of the Poor Law-a type of the same thing on a larger scale in other places, the Oswestry Union, for example-has just been remedied at Chester. The Cathedral Precincts were virtually a Union of them- selves, on which the shadow of poverty never fell, and where poor rates were almost unknown. The Precincts have now been amalgamated with the Chester Union under the operation of the General Act, which has taken the" place of the Local Act. Complaints are made that at Shrewsbury, on "soup kitchen days," people are pestered with hosts of mendi- cants asking for coppers wherewith to purchase the soup, which coppers are commonly spent on a more exciting liquid. One remedy, as suggested, is the use of tickets another, and a better, is that of charging as small a sum as possible, and encouraging the poor to buy, instead of giving them the money. This plan works well in Oswes- try, where tickets also are sold for distribution, but in limited numbers. The centenary ball of the Shrewsbury Hunt was held last week. It is amusing to read the rules of the Hunt, as originally framed. Several pains and penalties were ordained; amongst them, a fine of half-a-guinea for not appearing in proper dress, the rule being-" That every member appearing at each meeting or Hunting shall wear a Uniform Dress of a blue Cloth ffrock, with a Scarlet Collar, Gilt Buttons engraved S.H. White Cloth Waistcoat and Breeches with Gilt Buttons the same as the Frock, or a Dress Uniform Blue Coat and embroi- dered Buttonholes and white Cloth Waistcoat and Breeches or forfeit Half a Guinea for each default. Mem- bers appearing in Boots, that have hunted the day of the meeting may wear leather breeches and White Cloth or fflannel Waistcoat without incurring the penalty of not being in Uniform on Condition that they wear the Frock." A meeting of volunteer officers commanding Stafford- shire corps was, on Saturday, called together at Stafford, by the Earl of Lichfield, Lord-Lieutenant, to discuss the changes in the regulations of the volunteer force proposed by Mr Cardwell. The meeting disapproved the changes of the Minister for War in toto, and expressed its opinion that it would be impossible to efficiently maintain the volunteer force longer upon the present grant. It was thought grants of 20s. for efficients, and 40s. for extra- efficients, would be sufficient. A decided opinion was pronounced that it would be impossible in Staffordshire to work battalions as consolidated battalions, and the Lord- Lieuteparit predicted that if this change were sanctioned by Parliament, there would be great difficulty in inducing gentlemen to accept commissions. In his farewell address to the electors of Bridgnorth Mr Whimore A. combination of circumstances and of events, which I had no power to control, have led me to this decision. The connection, which I may say has existed between us during a lifetime, has been one of no common character, and I do not sever it without infinite pain. For a period of nearly eighteen years it has been my privilege and my pleasure to serve you in the House of Commons, and when, upon the meeting of Parliament, I shall, reluctantly, resign my seat, and ceatse to be your representative, I shall not take so important a step with- out genuine sorrow, and real regret; at the same time I do not hesitate to avow that the grief which now fills my heart arises from the thought that I am about to separate myself from many old and valued friends, an-l to snap asunder the last link of union between your ancient borough, and a family whose pride for centuries has been that their old familar name should be respected by you." Referring to the restoration of Bangor Cathedral, the Building News says:—" The discovery of many details of great antiquity and interest in the course of the restora- tion or rebuilding of the transepts, now progressing, has thrown so much light upon the original character and beauty of this historic pile that the committee are deter- mined to spare no efforts towards carrying out, under the able guidance of Mr Gilbert Scott, the valuable hints thus unexpectedly offered them. The following is an ex- tract from a letter of Mr Scott to Mr Morgan, the clerk of the works:—' The exhuming and restoring to their places the fragments of the beautiful work of the thir- teenth century-reduced to ruins by Owen Glendower, used as mere rough material by Henry VII., and re- discovered by us four centuries and a half after their re- duction to ruin-is one of the most interesting facts.1 have met with in the course of my experience. Its carry- ing out to perfection is a matter of great historic and artistic importance, and demands every effort and all the study and thought which can be brought to bear on it, with a view to ensuring the perfect fulfilment of the task we have undertaken. A terrific explosion of gunpowder took place on Friday week on the premises of Mr David Watkins, grocer, Worcester-street, Brynmawr. It is stated that Evan Evans, a lad in the employ of Mr Watkins, took a lighted candle into the roor-a where the powder was stored, and that, by some misadventure or other, he let the candle fall into a cask of powder. In a moment a report was heard that frightened the whole neighbourhood. The shock was so terrific that many thought an earthquake had taken place, and people ran out of their houses, thinking such was the case. The powder hou3e was en- tirely destroyed, and two persons killed—the lad Evans, and a little girl named Leek, who was struck by a stone. A chapel which stood next door to Mr Watkins's shop is in ruins, and another is in a ruinous condition, Every win- dow is blown out, and the gallery has fallen in. Not a house in Worcester-street has a whole window in it. Nearly all the streets have suffered. The report was heard at Abergavenny. In some instances the roofs of the houses were set on fire. Many persons are known to have been seriously injured by the explosion, but, owing to the consternation and confusion prevailing, it is impos- sible to ascertain what really is the mischief done. Nearly every shop in Beaufort-street, which is 200 yards away from the scene of the explosion, has suffered, and the damage is estimated at several thousand pounds. It is thought that nearly a ton of powder was in stock. There was a "scene" at the last Bangor County Court. In summing up the evidence in a jury case-an action for illegal distress—the judge, Mr Vaughan Williams, after commentinng very severely upon a suggestion of the defendants' solicitor, that one of the defendants and his son had committed perjury, concluded by saying-" The only question for the jury to decide was whether the father and son had perjured themselves. If they had there must be a verdict for the plaintiff if not, for the defend- ant. The report proceeds:— The Jury retired, and were absent some time. On returning into court, the foreman (Mr Lewis Edwards) said they found a verdict for the plaintiff, subject to his paying the rent to the 12th of November. # Mr Jones said his client had offered to do that. The Judge—Moonshine There must be a new trial. Mr Jones-The jury have said most distinctly- The Judge-I don't care what they h:we said most distinctly. Mr Jones-Has your Honour no regard for the verdict of the jury? The Judge—Not this jury. There has not been an item of evidence of proportion of rent offered. Mr Jones-But the jury have decided it. The Judge-I don't care what they have decided. Mr Jones- Then I shall appeal against you. The Judge-You can do what you like. Mr Webb-I apply for a new trial; and as it is a perverse judgment, I apply for it without costs. e The Judge (to Mr Jones)-Nothing was said about propor- tionate rent, and therefore the verdict is a nonsensical one. Mr Jones-The jury say that the plaintiff ought only to pay the proportionate rent. The Judge-They cannot say that. I will ask them-was the agreement that the rent was to be paid on the 12th of November or not ? The Foreman made some reply that did not reach our report- el's ear3. The Judge-Do you find that, or do you not ? If not, what agreement do you find ? If you have not come to a determination upon that, you must go back to your room. (To the bar)—At present they have not found a verdict according to reason. The jury again went to their room, and were absent for another long period. During this time, however they had intimated to the High Bailiff that they desired to ask a question of the Judge. When they returned into court, The Judge consequently said—You wanted to ask me a question ? The Foreman-Not now. The Judge—Have you made np your {minds what agreement there was as to the payment of the rent. The Foreman—No, we cannot a«ree. The Judge—Perhaps you wouldlike to hear the evidence read over on tnat question. Having done this, he proceeded—The only question for you is-was that the agreement, or was it not ? Surely, yon can answer that question. The jury did not retire, but consulted together in the box while other cases were proceeding. When the last case on the list had terminated, The Judge said-Have you considered the question I put to you ? The Foreman-We cannot agree as to the time the rent was to be paid. The Judge—Whether it was to be paid in February or November ? The Foreman-Just so. The Judge—Well, then, you must be discharged. Mr Jones-They find for the plaintiff. The Judge (sharply)—Certainly not. The only question to be considered they have not made up their juinds about. They must be discharged if there is no chance of their coming to an agreement. The jury were then discharged, and the case will be tried anew at the next court. A young sow in the possession of Mr A. Wifiiarae. Eardiston, has given birth to forty-two pigs in the short space of eleven months and fifteen days. The returns of deaths for the town and neighbourhood of Wrexham in the last quarter of 1869 are favourable. The deaths amounted to 85, less than half the number is the corresponding quarter of 1868. The charge per diem for the new Chester Town Hall is, to a stranger, £6 7s.; to an inhabitant of the city, PA 17s.; and the Observer estimates that a ball would cost m2 or 214 for hire! A keeper was shot in the face by a poacher on the Garthewm estate, near St. Asaph, last week. Two- keepers surprised four poachers, and one of the former,. named Owen Jones, hastily advanced towards the latter when he was warned not to move further, at his peril! He continued to advance, however, and a gun WM- dis- charged. The wounded man is recovering; the poachevv had not been arrested on Friday. The case of the Bethesda Building Clubs came up again at the last Bangor County Court, and a long conversation took place between the judge and the solicitor for one of the clubs. The judge said-" Those who get up thesw societies induce these ignorant men to enter into a specu- lation which often ends in the greatest misery and ruin. The ruin is all through the country. I am sick of the very sound of the name." To which Mr Ffoulkes replied that although some of these societies were unfortunate, takfug all together they were worth cent. per cent.

PROPOSED EXHIBITION OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AT SHREWSBURY IN 1871. Last Saturday the annual dinner of the Shropshire Chamber of Agriculture took place at Shrewsbury. Ad- vantage was taken of the occasion to hold a county meeting for the purpose of considering and deciding as to such steps as might be deemed expedient to induce the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England t. fol6,04 Shrewsbury as the place for holding the show in W u oi •^lee,tlo,g waB, convened by Mr John Rocke, the Migh sheriff of Shropshire, to whom a requisition had been presented. In the forenoon the members of the Chamber of Agriculture assembled together, and agreed that, before they adopted any definite course, they should await the decision of the county meeting. The Shrews- bury Town Council also held a special meeting, and ap- pointed a committee to co-operate with the committee nominated at the county meeting. At twelve o'clock the meeting convened by the High Sheriff was held in the Shire Hall, and it was largely attended. Lord HilL the Lord-Lieutenant of the county, occupied the chair, in the absence of the High Sheriff through indisposition, and among those present were :-The Earl of Powis, the Earl of Bradford, General Sir Percy Herbert, M. P., Colonel Corbett, M.P., Mr Fenton (Mayor of Shrewsbury), Capt. Cust, Mr Stanley Leighton, Mr E. Wright, Halston, Mr G. Bather, Mr G. Cureton, Mr T. Mansell, Mr G. Meire, Mr T. L. Meire Mr J. Walton, Rev. W. Jonesj Mr C. Spencer LLoyd, Mr E. Davies, Mr Brown, Ruyton, Captain Severne, Mr John Whittaker, Mr J. Baldock! Mr Lewis, Felton Butler, Rev. W. Jones, Baschurch, Mr Cotes, jun. Mr Brewster, Mr Thomas, Colemere, Mr w uUtleu y°y^; Jones, Mr G. Harries, Mr W. Heath, Dr Watts, Mr Townsend, Mr J. Harding, Mr T. S. Price, Mr E. Bowen, Mr Richards, Llynclys, Mr Hilton, Knockin, Councillors Groves, Cross, Watton Heath, Southam, and Nightingale, of the Shrewsbury Corporation, &c. Lord HILL in opening the proceedings read a letter that had been received from the High Sheriff, expressing his regret that indisposition prevented his attendance. His lordship said that he should be most happy to assist in promoting the movement for which the meeting had been convened. He pointed out the great facilities, both as to railway accommodation and accommodation for visitors, which Shrewsbury afforded for holding the show. He understood that a meeting of the Shrewsbury Corporation had been held, and he wished the Mayor to state what had taken place. The Mayor of SHREWSBURY (Mr Fenton) said the Cor- poration had met that morning and passed a resolution to form a committee to co-operate with any committee that might be appointed at the county meeting. Mr BOWEN JONES, honorary secretary of the Shropshire Chamber of Agriculture, informed the noble President that a meeting of the Chamber had also been held that morning. Nothing definite, however, had been resolved upon; it had been decided to await the resolutions at which this county meeting might arrive. ThE; members of the Chamber were very anxious that the show of 1871 should be held at Shrewsbury, and would give all the co- operation and cordial assistance in their power. The TOWN CLERK (Mr E. Creswell Peele) read a com- munication from the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society stating that the quantity of land which would be required for the show was 160 acres. The Earl of Powis moved the first resolution. It was to the effect that, a communication from the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society having been read, it was desirable, in the interests of the town and county, and of North Wales, that the Royal Agricultural Society's meet- ing of 1871 should be held in Shrewsbury. His lordship referred to the previous meeting of the society in Shrews- bury, in 1845; it had given a stimulus to agriculture in Shropshire, and had tended to promote the improvement of the land and to raise the breed of Shropshire sheep to the position it now holds. He believed that the county of Chester had not made any movement with a view to the meeting being held there and therefore the choice lay between Shropshire and Staffordshire-in other words, between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton; and although Wolverhampton was, no doubt, a very important centre, and a centre of extensive railway communication, he be- lieved that in respect of railway accommodation and the means of providing ample accommodation for visitors, Shrewsbury could offer equal facilities to those afforded by its formidable rival. (Applause.) Mr WRIGHT, of Halston, seconded the resolution, and it was carried. Mr STANLEY LEIGHTON proposed that a committee be appointed to promote the movement for the holding at Shrewsbury of the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society in 1871; and that it consist of the High Sheriff, the Lord-Lieutenant of the County, the representatives in Parliament of the county and boroughs, the mayors of the- vorious Shropshire boroughs, the President and Vice- President of the Shropshire Chamber of Agriculture, two members of the Shrewsbury Corporation and of the several other corporations of Shropshire, with power to add to their number, and any three to act. Captain CUST seconded this proposition. Mr BOWEN JONES suggested that in the interest of the tenant farmers, who would not be adequately represented on the committee as nominated, the whole committee of the Shropshire Chamber of Agriculture be added to the number. Mr T. GROVES (ex-Mayor of Shrewsbury) considered that the Corporation of Shrewsbury was not sufficiently represented upon the committee proposed, and he sug- gested that there should be added to it the names of some fourteen gentlemen, those who had been chosen that morn- ing at the committee to represent the corporate interests. The suggestions were adopted, and the resolution as amended was unanimously carried, amid much applause. Captain SEVERNE moved that a subscription list be opened, and that the various bankers in the county be re- quested to receive further contributions. It had been shown that the heart of the county and of the town was thoroughly in this matter, and he felt no doubt the sub- scription list would be a successful one. (Applause.) General Sir PERCY HERBERT, M.P., seconded the pro- position, which was agreed to. It was resolved, upon the motion of the Earl of BRAD- FORD, seconded by Mr C. SPENCER LLOYD, that Mr T. M. How be the treasurer of the fund, and Mr Bowen Jones and the Town Clerk at Shrewsbury (Mr Peele) the joint honorary secretaries. A letter was read from Mr R. Jasper More, offering ta subscribe 250 or 2100 to the fund, according to the average rate of subscription. (Applause.) He also suggested that each market town should open a subscription list. Lord HILL remarked that he had heard that the Wol- verhampton subscription had reached £ 7,000. In reply to a question as to the amount required by the Royal Agri- cultural Society, his lordship replied, "As much as they can get." (Laughter.) The average, he believed, was about £ 2,000; but Manchester raised last year the excep- tionally handsome sum of 218,000. It was announced that Mr J. R. Ormsby Gore, M.P., had been unable to attend the meeting on account of the Merionethshire election. On the proposition of the Mayor of SHREWSBURY, seconded by Mr BRISTOW, a cordial vote of thanks to Lord Hill for presiding was carried by acclamation, and the meeting adjourned.

TRAFFIC RETURNS. 1869. Great Western £ 70,686 West Midland V 1868. South Wales J £ 68,667 1869. London and North Western £ 117,137 Shrewsbury and Hereford > 1868. Shropshire Union ) £ 111,802 For the week ending January 16th. CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS (178 miles open).—Passengers, parcels, horses, carriages, dogs, and mails, 21,176; mer- chandise, minerals, and cattle, 21,206. Total for the week, 22,382. Aggregate, to this date, 25,317. Corre- sponding week in last year (176 miles open).—Passengers, &c., £ 1,079; merchandise, &c., £ 1,303; total £ 2,382; aggregate, to this date, £ 5,444. For "the week ending January 9th. BRECON AND MERTHYR RAILWAY (601 miles open).— Passengers, parcels, &c., 2159 5s. 5d. goods and live stock, E900 14s. 10d.; total, £1,060 Os. 3d.; 217 9s. Od. per mile per week. Corresponding week last year (59J miles open).—Passengers, &c., C148 7s. 7d.; goods, &c., C744 19s. 7d.; total, £893 7a. 2d.; 215 0s. 3d. V mile AP week. Increase, 2166 13s. Id.

It appears that O'Donovan Rossa, the convict elect of Tipperary, is employed in mending the stockings of his- fellow-felons. When Parliament re-opens, instead of taking his seat and the oath," he will have to stop where he is, and darn! -Pan. HOLLOWAY'S OINTMENT AM) PILLS. -Bowel Complaintlo, Diarrhoea. —When these diseases prevail immediate recourse should be had to this Ointment, which should bø well rubbed two or three times-a day upon the abdomen, and the intestinal irration will gradually sub' side. All inflammation will be subdued and excessivo action restrained. This treatment, assisted by judiciol:f doses of Holloway's Pills, is applicable to all forms 0 diarrhoea and dysentery, attended by heart sicknes^ griping, flatulence, and other distressing and dangero11! symptoms. After rubbing in the Ointment a binder should be worn, and the patient should be r s' ricted to a farinacous diet for a few days till the urgeI?^ of the disease has been diminished by the perseven meployment of these remedies.