Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
5 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
PEMBROKESHIRE. :
PEMBROKESHIRE. NARBERTH.—POPULAR READI.NGS.-The second of the series took place on Friday evening last, at St. Andrew's National School. The audience on this occasion was large, many of the gentry of the neigh- bourhood being present. The proceedings were of an interesting character, and gave general satisfaction. Tho following was the progi,air u-io: -Chorus "March of the Men of Harlech," choir reading, How Mr Pickwick and party went for a ride, &c. Rev J. Morris; chorus, "Come on the light-winged gale," choir; reading, a poem by Frank Smedley, H. Morgan, Esq.; chorus, Oh! how I love my mou ntain home," choir; this was encored, after which they sang Gipsy chorus reading, Mrs Caudle's Curtain Lectures," Mr T. Symth; song, Married to a Mermaid," Mr J. Mathiaa reading, Roderick Dhu, and Fitz James [Lady of the Lake], Rev H. Chandler; chorus, Evening Star," choir. The National Anthem con- cluded the proceedings. THE MAESGWYNNE FOXHOUNDS.—This fine pack of hounds met at Gloyne cover, Narbertb, on Tuesday last. The field on this occasion was the largest and finest that has ever been known to assemble there, and this combined with the beauty of the place, made it a truly magnificent sight. Many ladies honoured the meet with their presence. The hounds were at once thrown into cover but it was soon evident that reynard had previously passed through. They therefore pro- ceeded to Kilrhew, where a fox was soon found, which broke off for Blaengwaithnoah, but being headed, he retraced his steps to his former lair. It was soon, however, made to hot for him again, and this time he proceeded to Treifgern and Lampeter. Crossing the Marleas river and passing Piascrunw he was again headed. He made now for Gloyne, but the scent being remarkably good, he was obliged to quit, and started for Coldblow and Tavernspite Mountain, where un- lugkily he was lost. We understand it was a splendid run throughout the scent being remarkably keen, the dogs only lost it once, and that for a very abort time. As they gave little or no mouth, it was very difficult to keep up with them, and at one stage only J. Beynon, Esq., Trewern, and Rees the huntsman, were able to keep company witn the dogs, the pace being too rapid. The weather was delightful, and a better day's sport has hardly ever been experienced. HAVERFOED WE ST.-SUDDE.N DEATH.—An inquest was held at the Police Station, on Tuesday, before the coroner, S. Harford, Esq., touching the death of George Bursey, aged 59, which occurred on Monday morning, at Spring Gardens, with remarkable sudden- ness. Jane Hitchings, in the service of Mrs Saies, of Spring Gardens, deposed that the deceased came to the door of her mistress's house between ten and eleven o'clock. He did not speak for some time, and she thinking he was begging, said there was nothing for him that day. He asked her if that was Mr Hees's house, and she replied it was not. He asked her to show him where Mr Rees lived, and she said she would. She turned round to put down a duster she had in her hand, and when she came back, the deceased fell on the ground, his head lying within the kitchen door. She called her mistress; Miss Saies came down, and sent her up to the stables in search of assistance. Mr Thomas Williams came and lifted up the deceased and placed him upon a chair. She went after Dr Brown, and when she came back, the man was dead. The deceased never asked for anything. Dr Brown deposed that he had made a post mortem examination, and found that the deceased had died from rupture of the heart. The stomach and intestines were full of food in different stages of digestion. The deceased was constitutionally weak but there was nothing to induce him to think that be had not bad sufficient food. The Coroner said that the medical testimony left no doubt as to the cause of death. A report had been circulated that deceased had died from want of food, or he should not have felt himself justified in holding an inquest. The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased died from natural causes. It was stated in the course of the inquiry that the deceased had been discharged from prison on Mon- day morning, where he had been undergoing seven days' imprisonment. n? CHAIWE OF :SELLIG BUTTER SHORT OF \Y EIGHT.— Superintendcndent Cecil, as Clerk of the Market, sum- moned Mr C. T. Hays, of East Hook, before the borough magistrates for allowing his servant to expose for sale six pounds of butter, the same being deficient in weight. Elizabeth Davies, servant to defendant Hays, was called by Superintendent Cecil. She stated that the butter had been weighed in the presence of her mistress. Some of the butter was sold and was returned as deficient in weight. The girl was cross-examined by defendant, when it tianspircd that the butter was weighed in a wooden scales, with an ordinary iron beam, but that some meal had to be placed along with the weight to balance the scale. Supt. Cecil's evidence was to the effect that his attention was drawn to the basket of butter in question by a dispute. He weighed the six pound", by a scale kept in tho market house for that dracuivr^. _uOlu; 'J a a- por. ;i-v,~ Vjz; UihulWt!: ,r<1 1 OZ-. 4 drachma.; 4th, pooud, 1 oz. 12 drachms. 5th, 1 oz. 10 drachms. 6th, I oz. 12 drachms. After having weighed the butter he saw tho defendant and mentioned the matter to him, when be remarked that the dairymaid had only recently been entrusted with the duty of making up the butter, as there was no person aware of the circumstances but themselves, he (defendant) sup- posed there would be no need to proceed further iD the matter. The Clerk said that the difference appeared to him to be between Mr Hays' scales and the scales of Mr Cecil, and suggested that an adjournment should take place for the purpose of testing the accuracy of defen- dant's scales. The case was then adjourned. PEMBROKE. -COLINTY PETTY SESSIONS.—On Satur- day, before Earl Cawdor, J. Adams, Esq W. Hulm, 'Esq., M. A. Saurin, Esq., J. Leach, Esq., H. Leach, Esq., A. J. Morison, Esq., F. L. Clark, Esq., T. Mangel, Esq J. R. Bryant, Esq., aud the Rev R. J. H. Thomas.—David Williams, of Cosheston Mountain, butcher and farmer, was charged by John Wilcox, district surveyor, with allowing six pigs to stray on the highway, on the 1st inst. The case was proved by one of the highway labourers. Fined 2d each pig, and 7a 6d costs in:tthan iel liudd, and Charles Harris, both of M"nktcn, were charged by Alfred Dix, of Bowett, agent to the Orielton estate, with trespass in search of game, on the 12th inst, at Castleton, in the parish of Monkton. Mr H. Adams appeared for complainant. William Mills deposed I am gamo keeper at Orieiton. On the 12th inst., I was on adjoining lands at Castleton, whilst there I beard a dog giving tongue. I looked round, and saw defendants coming across a field adjaining where I was, in the occupation of James Hunslow. They bad a dog with them, a lurcher, I believe, and a stick each they were coming across the field in the direction of the dog. One hare came out fnm a hedge. Rudd remained in the field with the dog, and the dog was hunting about, and Rudd stood in a position to strike anything coming from the hedge. A hare came out between them and me. I and Beynon concealed ourselves. I told Beynon to follow him across the field, and see who they were, and he did so. I followed them myself to the lower end of the fields. Rudd and Harries ran back into the road. We followed and overtook them, and said—"Well, Budd and Harris, you know you have no business off the road with the dog." I said Rudd, this is the second time I have told you about trespassing." I told him before, about the latter end of September last. He said, We are only after a rabbit." I said, You have no business off the road at all." Rudd said, 1 thought you were a man, but you are a rogue." He said, Put down that gun, and I will fight you with one hand." I said "No, I won't quarrel with you you had better go on." I said, "You will bear of this again," and he followed and wanted to fight, and said if he did hear of it again, it would be the worst job I ever did. When I saw them in the field, it was about 6 o'clock in the after- noon.—Rudd cross-examined this witness, but nothing material was spoken. Harries did not cross examine. —William Beynon, under-gamekoeper, corroborated the evidence. This being Rudd's second offence, be was fined 2,5s and 7a 6J costs; committed, in default, for three weeks' hard labour. Harries was fined J -5s and 7s 6d costs, committed, in default, for fourteen days' hard labour.—James Gwyther, of Slaue, Manorbier, was charged by Superintendent Evant,, with being the owner of two pigs found iitraying on the highway, on the 4th inst. Fined 2d each pig, and 63 6d costs.— William Carrick, farmer, of Hodgston, was charged with a like offence, havigur two colts straj ing on the high- way. on the 4th inst. Fined 6d each colt, and 6s lid costs Paid. — Jane Vaughan, farmer, of Hodgeston, was charged with allowing three heifers to stray on the highway, on the 4tn inst. Fined 6d each heifer, and os lid costs. Paid.-Oweii Ito-eq,, master of the schooner Messenger of Aberystwith, was charged by David Morgan, seaman, with an assault, on the 17th inst whilst laying in Angle Bay. Fined Is and lis Del costs. Paid. Murtna George, of East End, Pembroke, w,4 charged by Sidney Peter Gedge, master of the Workhouse, with deserting her two illegitimate children at the Union Workhouse gate, on the loth inst. Com- mitted for two months. BOROUGH SPECIAL PETTY SESSIONS. —On Saturday, before W. Hulrr., Esq and D. A. Reid, Esq. George Harries, watchmakcr, of Pembroke-Dock, was charged bv Mary Jane Massey, with illegally pawning a gold watch, entrusted to him for regulating, about the month of Dee-ember last. Settled out of court. PEMBROKE-DOCK.—-GAKASON. — Major T. Picton Turbervill, 13th brigade, Royal Artillery, has been granted leave of absence until March the 14th next. Lieutenant J. F. Reyne, of the depot 37th regiment, ha.s been promoted Captain, vice Dobson deceased. JLieutc-nant A H. Gilmore, R N., late of her Majesty's ship Revenge, coast guard ship at Milford Haven, has been promoted to the rank of commander. It is ex- pected that in all probability another battery of Royal Artillery, will shortly be added to this garrison. Her Majesty's steamer Dee has arrived with stores and maehinery for this dock-yard, for the Inconstant, and the Iron Duke ;;hip" (.f war. Three heavy nine inch guns, weighing with the platform about twenty tons e.ir'i, left Woolwich for this place, to be placed at Popton Point fortress, on the Haven. Her Majesty's snip Revenge, that has been stationed here for three or four years past, has been ordered to be removed, and was expected to sail on Wednesday. Her Majesty's ship Fox has arrived here for the purpose, we understand, of conveying the steamer Asp from here to Woolwich. The Asp has been stationed here for some length of time, and will be re-placed by the Government steamer Widgeon. The sheers erected at Hobbs' Point some time ° ago, although very massive, are being re-placed by sheers of greater ponderosity and strength, for the purpose of more safely and efficiently masting iron clad ships of war, and placing their very heavy machinery, boilers, &c., on board, a work of no small trouble and care. NEYLAND.—DEAD CHILD FOUND.—An inquest was held before W. James, Esq., on the body of a male infant, found interred in a state of nudity in the garden of the Picton Castle Hotel. It appeared that a girl named Ann John lived as a servant at the inn, with Mr Barnett. On Friday, Mrs Barnett, from certain indications, suspected that all was not right, and taxed the girl with having been confined, which she as stoutly denied. Mrs Barnett sent for P.C. Beynon, who searched the premises, but could not find anything until Elizabeth Davies, a servant living next door, said that she had seen Ann John digging in the garden; search was then made, and the body of the child was found, as we have stated. Dr Watts, on examination, said that the child was still-born. On this evidence, a verdict of guilty of concealment of birth was recorded. The prisoner was given into custody, and as soon as possible she will be brought before the magistrates at Haverfordwest to answer the charge. MILFORD. POSTAL ACCOMMODATION IN THE SOUTH OF IRELAND.—An influential meeting of the leading commercial men in Waterford has recently been held in that city to protest against an alteration made by the postal authorities, whereby a delay of half an hour is occasioned in the arrival and delievery of the Waterford evening mail. The delay of half an hour is not apparently an item of considerable import, but to commercial men, who have the markets to study, the delay of half an hour may frequently prove of the greatest consequence. In putting one of the resolutions to the meeting, the Mayor of Waterford, very properly remarked that the mails for Waterford should be sent via Milford Haven, instead of by the circuitous route round Holyhead and Dublin. Why not petition the Postmaster General to get the mails forwarded by way of Milford Haven ? tfmt^v ApnnEVT —A VArv serious accident hap- pened on Monday, the 15th inst., to a poor woman named Elizabeth Morgan, at Thorn colliery, near Tenby. She was engaged in and about the Engine House, and happening to come too close to the machinery, her apron was caught, and in attempting to prevent it being dragged in her arm was caught, and fearfully crushed. dragged in her arm was i. Dr Richards, of Saundersfoot, was immediately sent for, who at once amputated her arm. The poor woman is, we are glad to say, progressing favourably. DRAINAGE WORKS.—Through the exertions of our energetic Mayor, George White, Esq., the drainage works are being rapidly pushed forward towards com- pletion the South Parade is completed, aud a number of men are now engaged carrying out the works in White Lion-street, which with the exception of Rocky Park, are all that remain to be done to complete the perfect drainage of the town. Rocky Park will be commenced almost immediately, and when that is completed, Tenby will be one of the most perfectly drained towns in the kingdom. IJIPHOVEMNTS OF THE HARBOUR.—The Corporation are about to make a very great improvement in the harbour by converting the sluice, which is situated on the south side of the pier, into a dock for laying up fishing smacks and yachts during the winter season. Hitherto it has been used as a timber store but now, not only will it supply a disideratum long felt by the owners of fishing boats and others but will also be an additional source of revenue to the harbour. The entrance into the pier from the dock will be through an opening 20 feet wide, on which will be placed a gate. The works will be commenced immediately, the contract being let to Mr Edwin Nowland, and when finished, and the sluice cleared out and properly levelled, will accommodate a large number of small craft. THE ST DAVID'S LIFEBOAT.—It is announced that the St David's Lifeboat is fully expected to be on her station by St David's day, the first of March. She will be perfectly equipped for any duty she may be required to perform, and no effort will be spared to I' have her in readiness at all times for the saving of lives and property, when called upon for that purpose.
1- PEMBROKESHIRE COURSING…
1- PEMBROKESHIRE COURSING CLUB. The annual meeting of the above club commenced on Tuesday. The coursing took place, by the kind premission of the ReA. C. H. Barham, 1. H. Davies, Esq., and R. Arden, Esq., on their grounds, near Little Newcastle. The day was remarkably fine, and a large field assembled to witness the sport. The Stewards were -T. H. Davis, Esq., and J. Worthington, Esq., while Uv?Sees of judge and sli¡H1nr WArf\yf.<>,t .l 1. 1 #J"J r .<.4 "A.& .AJ' Phillips, Bridge-street, who discharged their arduous duties to the great satisfaction of the field. Hares were plentiful, but were not strong. The coursing was sadly interfered with by the almost unprecedentedly large field, notwithstanding the indefatigable exertions of the field stewards, Messrs. Jenkins, Wilson, Williams, and Morgan. The following in the running on the first dav THE PUPPY STAKES. For puppies of 1867, at XI Is each. Winner, f-5 Second, X2 10s. Third, XI. Capt. J. Owen's f b Winter, by Eager-Zenobia, beat Mr Mortimer's bk d Marksman, by Eager-Bess. Mr W. H. Jenkins's bk b Shonkin by his Spring- Fly, beat Mr J. Morris's f d Zanga, Jenkins's Spring- Devotee. Mr W. H. Jenkins's be b Crack, by his Spring- Devotee, beat Mr H. Smith's ns f & wh b Lady, by Blucher-Bess. Mr H. Evans's r d Banjo, by Eager—Sea Swale ran a bye. THE ALL AGED STAKES. For Dogs at £ 1 Is each. Winner, Xio. Second, X4 Third and Fourth, Xi each. Mr Wslters's f d Warrior, by Denmark—dam unKown, beat Mr W. II. Jenkins's r b Whip, by his Spring- Fly. (l) Capt. J. Owen's r d Lucknow, by Retribution- Devotee, beat Mr. S. Harries's be & wh b Fly, by Locomotive —Lucy Long. (1.) Mr W. Evans's r d Nicholas, by Harries's Spring- Yie, beat Mr J. Thomas's bk b Nell, by Spring-dam unknown. Mr Goodwick's f d Lara, by Dr Faiistus-Devotee, beat Mr Saunders's b-l d Sal, by Jerry-Fan. Captain J. Owen's bd d Loyola, by Retribution- Devotee. beat Mr H. Evans's r b Lucy Long by Eager —Sea Swale. (1)
GOLD AND SILVER IN PEMBROKESHIRE.…
GOLD AND SILVER IN PEMBROKESHIRE. I TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHMAN." I SIR,-I had no knowledge of the appearance of a letter in the WELSHMAN of the 5th inst., from Mr Saer, chemist, Pembroke-Dock, until a few days past—hence the reason of my delay in replying to it. Permit me to say I am not a chemist, neither am I a mineralogist and the little I have studied on the subject of either mineralogy or chemistry, has been made available to one specific object-that of searching for the precious metals in other states than that of a metallic one, in the geological formation of Pembrokeshire. In my letter to you which appeared a short time since in the WELSH- MAN, I stated that I was fully aware of the generally entertained opinion of men of science—that gold is found in nature in a metallic state only, alloyed with other metals, &c. I also pointed out a simple means by which gold would become changed to a substance bear- ing no resemblance to it and concluded my letter by saying-" I admit that gold and silver have not such affinity for oxygen as some other metals but, under certain conditions they will in common with other metals imbibe their proportion of oxygen and, it does appear absurd to believe that such conditions have not existed in this old world with respect to gold." Can it be possible," I said, that gold really has immuta- bility in nature while it is so very easily changed by art," &c. All this is not inconsistent with reason. Mr Saer begins his letter by stating that be had seen an announcement in the Leader, "In which Mr Glanville was stated to have found the precious metals on his farm at New House, near Narbertb." I reply to this—there is nothing said in the paper referred to as to my having made such discovery on my farm at New House." The reference is to the geological forma- tion of Pembrokeshire, and the discovery of oxides of the metals. Then this credible authority goes on to say, Mr Glanville professes to have given all the in- formation in his power; and, yet, from what be con- ceives to be justifiable motives, has retained a right of reservation on certain points." There is a typographical error in one word, for which I am not responsible in my letter to which he refers. The manuscript runs thus: It would give me much pleasure to place at your disposal all the information in my power, but, from what I conceive to be very justifiable motives, I I must maintain, at present, a right of reservation on certain points," &c. Mr Saer knows what kind of motives induced him to withhold the words, "at present." And, as to my re- serving certain points, if for no other reason, who would not do so to save themselves from meddling interference. No one knew better than Mr Saer, that what I considered I had found was an oxide of gold alloyed with iron in a matrix of some crystaline substance. He knew it was an oxide in that state I said I could dissolve and pre- cipitate with tho results described in my letter in the WELSHMAN he knew also that I generally used nitro- muriatic acid as a solvent, for I have had it from him several times. I do not say, however, this is the acid I now use, nor is what acid I use any business of Mr Saer'a. I beg to call attention to the fact, that When a metal is dissolved in the same kind of acid, and pre- cipitated by the same kind of precipitant, the result of a quantitative and qualitative analysis is different to what it is when an oxide of such a metal is so employed; and, consequently, the symbols or formula must differ as well in each such case. I may here incidentally say, I do not profess to know much about chemical modes of expression. 11 Mr Glanville," says your correspondent, "asserts that he has no difficulty in precipitating the oxides of the metals in question from their proper solvent by sulphate of iron, and will engage to prove the fact in the presence of any one. He has not given the name of the solvent employed that I suppose is one of the reserved points; but, as gold and its oxides are only soluble in free chlorine and bromine, I presume" (he should not hold me responsible for his presumption) the former in the state of hydrochloric acid, to have been adopted, and a trichloride of gold operated upon such being the case he would find the following formula expressing the reaction correct, giving a precipitate of metallic gold and not an oxide as stated by Mr Glanville." Then we have given to us his formula expressing the reaction, of course correct. Mr Saer does not tell us whether this wonderful result is from gold, from gold and oxide of gold together, or from the oxide of gold alone. I J: 1_ I confess my ignorance as to Dromine being a soiveuu of gold But Mr Saer must know t hat aqua-regia, aqteeous cliloi-ine, (oxygenated chlorine), and that even chromic acid added to muriatic will dissolve gold. To prove the incorrectness of his statement that the oxides of gold are only soluble in free chlorine and bro- mine, I copy the following from the London Encyclopedia, under the heading of gold The precipitate of gold obtained from aqua-regia appears to be a true oxide, and is soluble in the sulphuric, nitric, and muriatic acids." If I were to dissolve gold in either of the acids that will dissolve it, and use as my precipitant sulphate of iron, metallic gold and sulphur would be precipitated. If I were to do the same with an oxide of gold, I should get a metallic oxide of gold and sulphur precipitated. When an oxide is dissolved in an acid it unites with that acid, forming a salt but when the sulphate of iron is used to precipitate an oxide of gold in solution, the oxide of iron unites with the acid, and the metallic oxides of gold and sulphur are precipitated. I will quote from an article on gold in a work I have Sulphurets precipitate gold from its solvents-the alkali uniting with the acid, and the gold falling down combined with the sulphur. It should be borne in mind that it is not a salt is formed when gold or its oxide is precipitated by sulphate of iron." With respect to the conclusion to which your corre- spondent comes, from certain suppositions of his own, as to the solvents and precipitants I used while experi- menting on a small portion of gold, I shall say no more than that a man must have no inconsiderable share of boldness to draw inferences and come to conclusions himself and charge them to another. Your correspondent says—" Mr Glanville considers that he has strong grounds for believing that the metals exist in the form of oxides alloyed with iron in the same state. If such is the case, I am again in difficulties, as I have always understood that different metals, when alloyed, were in an absolute and free state intimately blended together." I am sorry Mr Saer is in "difficulties," but would he deny that the oxide of these metals may not be in that absolutely free state intimately blended together. These oxides existed once, no doubt, in a metallic state, and from natural causes have become reduced to oxides. Next, Mr Saer says- Mr Glanville desires a process for separating the iron and alumina from the other oxides in fusion. Here, again, Mr G. cannot surely be so ignorant of the pro- perties of the bodies whose presence he is endeavouring to establish, that he does not know that heat easily reduces them to their metallic form." My reply to this is-it will be seen whether Mr Saer or myself is the more ignorant on the point in question when I state that it requires a heat stronger than that which would fuse cast iron to fuse aluminium and its oxide alumina. In the process of fusion the latter has a tendency to harden; and from its very nature, may seal up every outlet of another fused metal contained within it until it became fused itself, by which time, perhaps, the other metal would have passed off in fumes. The quantity of iron contained in the oxide after the fusion of this metal is, no doubt, attributable to the cohesion of the alumina by which it hermetically seals up other molten substances within itself. The Pyrometer of Wedge- wood gives the fusing point of gold at 32°, of iron 130°, and alumina requires a greater heat than the latter. I will now quote a short paragraph from a work on mineralogy, showing the effect produced by the fusion of iron and gold, when iron is largely present in miniature laboratories and I fear it is to a consider- able extent applicable to more important operations on a larger scale The gold goes along with the slag, iron being in so large a quantity in proportion to gold, and both having an attraction for each other." Some of the alkalies and diluted acids will dissolve alumina. I do not however find the task very easy to dissolve the crystaline substance which forms the matrix of the bodies I am dealing with. Mr Saer calls the terms oxygenation and oxidation ClVe mica" i eiYiin \J)xygfenatiSfivT very" iimon T$i t oxygen, whatever the product may be, is an oxygena- tion; but oxidation takes places only when an oxide is formed." Does Mr Saer believe that there is anything unrea- sonable in supposing the possible existence, or the positive existence of an oxide of gold in nature, when if he employ any acid that will dissolve gold and will precipitate with lime in excess, he can soon destroy all the traces of the metal as such. The remarks of Mr Saer as to the possibility of my not having used distilled water appear ridiculous. The operations in nature are not carried on through a distillery, and what I could do, surely natural causes might have done long since more effectually. Let me ask what became of the nitrates which caused such an abundant growth of vegetable matter as to form the vast beds of coal and culm we have in the coal mea- sures and what became of the muriates of the waters held together at one time, by the muddy bottoms and embankments which now pile up the mountain lime- stone near to the clouds ? Is it too much to believe that nature has made use of these nitrates an d muriates in operating on the next underlying formation, the old red sandstone, reducing the metals existing therein to the state of oxides. My humble efforts have been made, in pursuing the object I have in view, with a full acquaintance, on my part, of my owu ignorance. Let not Mr Saer taunt me by triumphantly saying Sir Humphrey Davy and others thought different. Why, Mr Saer would have been the very man to have told Sir Humphrey Davy that lime was lime when the Tower of Babel was built, and has been so ever since, and that it could not be possible that shell fish occupied metallic houses. I shall answer no other letter from Mr Saer or his coadjutor, unless my mind should alter. Nor will I in future submit to the interference of anyone but shall prosecute my re- searches so as to bring them if possible to a successful issue. I S. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, W. GLANVILLE. New House, near Narberth, W. GLANVILLE. Feb. 17, 1869.
._- -. - - -IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. COMPOUND RATING AND THE RATEPAYING CLAUSES. Mr C. Forster asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether it was the intention of the Government to repeal the ratepaying clauses of the Reform Act, and to restore the system of compound rating. Mr Gladstone replied-My hon. friend is perfectly warranted in asking a question on the matter, which has excited considerable interest in the country. It would, however, be impossible for me, in answering the question, to make known clearly and fully the inten- tions of the Government, without anticipating the statement which is to be made in a few days by my right hon. friend the President of the Poor Law Board. To answer his question according to the letter, however, I may say that we do not propose to repeal the ratepay- ing clauses of the Reform Act, or to restore, in the letter, the system of compound rating. We recognize the existence of a practical grievance and desire to apply a remedy without at the same time re-opening the political controversies of the Reform Act. I think my hon. friend will find, when the plan of the Govern- ment is before him, as it will be in the course of a few days, that, although we do not in the letter and form restore the system of compuund rating, we do obtain from the remedy which we propose to apply those advantages which that system is calculated to secure. ELECTION EXPENSES. Mr flawcett in moving for leave to bring in a Bill on this subject, said it had been amply discussed last Session, when there had been four or five divisions upon it. The House and the country would, therefore, be well acquainted with the proposal, which was simply to throw the necessary expenses of elections-and only the necessary expenses—upon the borough or the county rates. Provisions had been made in the Bill for cases in which a county was divided, and adequate security would also be provided against uunecessary and factious contests. Such a measure would, in his opinion, have this great advantage-it would exert some influence in checking what was no doubt the opprobrium of our representative system-the great and, he feared the increasing expenses of election contests. (Hear, hear). Leave was then given to introduce the Bill, which was afterwards brought up and read a first time. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. I Mr Gilpen gave notice that on an early day after I Easter he would move for leave to bring in a Bill to abolish capital punishment. RATING AND ASSESSMENT. Mr Goschen gave notice that on the 22nd inst. be. should move for leave to bring in two Bills one to provide for uniformity of assessment of reteable property in the metropolis, the other to provide a common leasement for the assessment of rateable property Ii throughout England. ENDOWED SCHOOL BILL. Mr W. E. Forster brought in his Endowed School Bill, which, he said, was the result of the recent Royal Commission, and to a great extent was based on its recommendation the one material departure ieing that the Bill was confined entirely to the reorganization of these schools, and contained no provision for the in- spection of them hereafter. The Bill would be for four years only, and it proposed to appoint a small Commis- sion, which would draw up schemes and fresh trust deeds for the reconstitution of the Eadowed Schools. These would be submitted to the Government and laid before Parliament, and would not become law if ob- jected to by either House. It was also proposed to constitute an examining council of six members ap- pointed by the Universities and six by the Government, which would examine the scholars and give certificates to the master of the endowed schools, both examination and certificates to be compulsory. The same examin- ation wotld be offered to private schools on subn.itting to the same conditions, and there would be provision for opening exhibitions to the private schools. Looking to the large demands likely to be made on the time of the House, Mr Forster, asked to be allowed,to fix the second reading for next Thursday. Mr Hardy, however, thought that good speed would not be made by this haste, and suggested a fortnight's delay at least. A longer interval for consideration was also urged by Mr Beresford Hope, Lord R. Montagu, Mr Neville-Grenville, and Mr Walter, who pointed out that many new members might not have read the volu- minous reports, and that the large amount of com- pulsion made any appearance of haste very undesirable. Ultimately, after some not strictly relevant observations from Mr Hadfield on the expediency of transferring the Bankruptcy Bill to the Lords, Mr Forster fixed the 9th of March for the second reading, and in answer to Lord Henley, he explained that the Bill, would not touch Endowed Schools re- ceiving Government aid. COUNTY FINANCE. Mr Knatchbull-Hugesson has given notice of his in- tention to bring in a bill for introducing the represen- tative element in the management of County Finance LORD R. MONTAGU'S CATTLE BILL. Mr Headlam has given notice that on the motion for the second reading of Lord R. Moutagu's trade in Cattle Bill, he would move the rejection of the mea- sure. THE BALLOT AND THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. Mr Eykin has given notice that when the Govern- ment introduce their bill for the amendment of the municipal laws, be should move the insertion of a clause requiring votes under the act to be taken by ballot. THE IMPORTATION OF SHEEP. I In reply to Mr Headlam,—Mr Forster stated that on Friday last an order in Council was issued, revoking the order issued on the 20th August, with regard to the im- portation of sheep. The importation of sheep would in future be placed in the same position as it was before the last order was issued, unless the sheep arrived in the same vessel as foreign cattle. They might be landed at any port, and if on examination they were found healthy, they might be moved or sold without restric- tion. The Government did not feel that they could altogether adopt the arrangements proposed in Lord Montagu's bill, and it was their intention to bring for- ward a measure themselves, believing that legislation was necessary, and that it was desirable that that legislation should affect animals that were under contagious disorders other than rinderpest. METROPOLITAN RATING. On Monday a first reading was given to a bill, intro- duced by Mr Goschen to provide for Uniformity of Assessment of Rateable Property in the Metropolis, and for a common basis of value for the purposes of Govern- ment and local taxation in England. Mr Goschen ex- plained in great detail the anomalies and inequalities of the present systems of assessment, and as regards the metropolis be proposed to obtain his object by establish- ing Assessment Committees in every parish not within the operation of the Assessment Act of 1862 by creating an Assessment Board for the whole metropolis, at which a representative from each Union would have a seat; and by appointing an Assessor to this Board, who would hear appeals from one Union against another. The Metropolitan Board of Works, the Surveyor of Taxes, and every body who bad authority to lay a tax would have the right of appeal against the assessment of the Union Committees, and by this rivalry Mr Goschen anticipated that the assessment of each district would be kept up to its fair level. Mr Goschen added that the Bill would contain an uniform scale of deductions. RATEABLE PROPERTY. I Mr Goschen moved for leave to bring in a Bill to pro- vide for a common basis of value for the purposes of pr??'-nnrt?nt ,,i local taxation. and to nromote, uni- pmro»nnn(int. the 1'3ZU"WCIL or ra!eab)c Dromot(, tirii- formity in England. He said this Bill resembled in its general provisions the Bill of the right hon. member for North- Htnptonshire (Mr W. Hunt), introduced last session, and therefore it was unnecessary to occupy their time in describing its provisions, as the measure would so soon be laid upon the tabl6. Mr Candlish desired to know if the same principle was to be applied to the borrowed capital of the pro- vinces, as was applied to that of the metropolis. He also wished to ask whether the borrowed capital was to be repaid throughout the term of repayment in equal annual instalments. At present it was provided that there should be thirty equal payments but that was impossible, considering that the interest yearly differed and diminished in amount the nearer became the period of repayment. Mr Pease inquired whether the rating of all mines would be included in the Bill. Mr Goschen said the measure would be limited to the uniformity of assessment, and consequently could not include the assessment of other kinds of property. That subject would have to bo dealt with in a separate measure, but whether the Government could introduce such a Bill during the present session he was at pre- sent unable to say. As to the loans, it appeared to him that any change respecting the manner in which they were to be repaid should rather be dealt with in the laws under which the loans themselves were levied. Leave was then given to bring in the Bill. u LOCAL TAXATION. sir vi. iopeb moved on Tuesday for a itoyai commis- sion to inquire into the present amount and incidence of local taxes with a view to their readjustment. At the outset Sir Massey entered at length into the statistics of local taxes, which he traced through their gradual increase from year to year. The Poor Rate and Connty Rate, for instance, had risen from Y,1,727,000 in 1776 to £ 10,905,000 in 1867. The whole amount of local taxation he calculated at £ 21,000,000—just half of the national expenditure [setting aside the payment of the Debt]—and this he showed was levied exclusively on £ 93,000,000, or on one seventh only of the annual Income of the country. He dilated with much force on the injustice of placing all these charges on the land- the result of which, he maintained, was to discourage the investment of capital in the land, to check the im- provement of agriculture, and of the condition of the labouring classes. Another argument on which he laid much stress was the promise held out by Sir R. Peel that the abolition of protection should be accompanied by a remission of some of the burdens laid specially on land. While combating the objections which he an- ticipated to his proposal Sir Massey denied that the intrinsic value of land had increased so much, as its rateable value had been screwed up, and he pointed out that the land-tax was originally imposed on personal as well as real property, but the former had managed to get exempted. As a remedy, he suggested that the Executive, which was daily assuming larger powers in the administration of local affairs, should contribute more liberally to local expenses from Imperial funds, and that the local taxes should be relieved from charges for strictly Imperial purposes. The effect of a Commission, he expected, would be to prove the grievance, and to suggest a remedy. MrC. S. Read seconded the motion from the tenant- farmer's point of view, but treating it as a question which affected town and country-landlords, tenants, and cohsumers equally. Mr Goschen, replying for the Government, maintained that local and Imperial taxation could not be separated, and that to refer local taxation to a Royal Commission would virtually be referring the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer's budget to that tribunal. The House of Com- mons was the only body to decide on such a question of policy, and returns now in preparation would shortly put the House in a better position to understand the incidence of local taxation. If it should turn out that any kind of property was taxed for local purposes un- fairly in relation to its contributions to Imperial bur- dens, it would be the duty of Parliament to apply a remedy. While challenging the accuracy of some of Sir Massey Lopes' figures, Mr Goschen admitted that the question, which affected both town and country equally, must be dealt with speedily. It occupied now the attention of the Government; but it must be dealt with by Parliament, and not by an irresponsible tri- bunal like a Royal Commission, one result of which, he pointed out, would be to hang the question up inde- finitely. Mr Liddell favoured inquiry as a means of exposing how void of all principle was our system of local taxation, though he would be content with a Select Committee. But Mr Henniker-Major, Mr De Grey, and Mr Corrancc preferred a Royal Commission, on the ground that it would not partake of a party character, and would be attended with least delay. All three went with some minuteness into the incidence of local taxation, and Mr Corrance suggested a Rate in Aid from the Consolidated Fund. On the other Ride, Mr Whalley held that land wns the natural basis and subject of taxation, and Mr 1'. Urquhart agreed with Mr Goschen that local and Im- perial taxation could not be considered separately. Mr Newdegate ridiculed the stereoptyped official answer given by Mr Goachen, and pointed to the precedent of the Commission on the Poor Law in 1831. Mr Gladstone denied that there was any analogy be- tween the two cases, the Poor Law Commission not being appointed to inquire into taxation, but into the administration of the Poor Law. If the Government had desired to shelve the question for half a dozen years they would have made no difficulty in assenting to a Royal Commission; but, on the contrary, they were conscious that this question stood early on the list for settlement, and as soon as the Irish Church question was settled it would be one of their first duties to deal with it. As to the suggestion of a Select Committee, Mr Gladstone thought the inquiry was too wide and compli- cated for such a tribunal. Mr Ward Hunt recommended Sir M. Lopes not to press his motion, as his object was virtually gained after the important declaration just made by the Premier. The effect of that he took to be that the Government would do the duty of a Royal Commission, and would not only acquire all the facts necessary to legislate, but would themselves propose legislation. Acting on this advice Sir M. Lopes withdrew his motion. VACATING OF SEATS. I Lord Bury asked for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal the section of the statute of Anne, under which a mem- ber taking office vacates his seat. The motion, however, met with scarcely any support, and the opposition was led by Mr White, who condemned it as a mischievous inter- ference with the liberty of the constituencies, and quoted against it a description applied to a similar pro- position in 1834—that it would be a shelter for ter- giversation and a shield for apostasy." Mr V. Harcourt proclaimed himself vehemently averse from the abolition of a provision which, ori- ginally intended as a safeguard against the power of the Crown, was now no less needed as a security against the power of the Executive. The principle of it was the choice of the Crown should be ratified by the people, and that no change of Govern- ment should be made without the opinion of the country being pronounced upon it. A grave danger of modern politics, Mr Harcourt pointed out-that Ministers might be changed not by changes of policy, but by personal combinations and intrigues—would be prevented by this statute, and it would be a protection against Parliamentary cabals and unnatural coalitions. At the recent change of Government the Act had done good service by afford- ing an opportunity for Ministerial explanations, and he urged the House not to part with an essential part of the fabric of the Constitution merely from an ignorant impatience of one or two small inconveniences. Mr Henley also objected to the Bill as a step towards severing the connexion between the House of Commons and the people. Mr L. King put in a faint plea for giving the Bill a first reading, but the feeling of the House was so strongly manifested against the measure, that, yielding to advice from Mr Gladstone, who confessed to a strong objection to its principle, Lord Bury withdrew his motion. THE CATTLE PLAGUE. I Sir J. Elphinstonc inquired whether an outbreak o rinderpest had been reported to have occurred in Ger many; and whether the Dutch Government had not despatched a staff of officials to Zevenaar to exercise an active supervision over the German frontier. Mr Forster said the Government had no information of an outbreak of rinderpest in Germany nor any reason to believe the report true. Immediately notice of the question had been given questions were forwarded by telegraph to various places on the Continent, but the only answer received was from the Hague. It was true the Dutch had despatched officials to the German frontier, not, however, in consequence of an outbreak of rinderpest in Germany, but because of its existence in Gallicia and Transylvania; and the Government believed the existence of rinderpest in these principali- ties had given rise to the rumour. UNIVERSITY TESTS BILL. I 11 1-1 1 4.- I Tne Solicitor-iienerai oDiameu m « Bill to repeal certain tests and alter certain statutes affecting the constitution of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The Bill is a verbatim reprint of that brought in last year.
-THE WEEK AT HOME. I
THE WEEK AT HOME. I The Court Newsman reports that Prince Leopold progresses most satisfactorily." Mr Ralph Barnes, the Bishop of Exeter's legal secre- tary, died suddenly on Monday afternoon at Exeter. He was in his ninetieth year, and had practised as a solicitor for sixty-seven years in that city. Mr Richard Davidson, formerly one of the parlia- mentary representatives for the borough of Belfast, has died in that town, at the age of seventy-two. He was first returned in 1852 at the head of the poll, along with bLl., now JUUIU, oaliuo. II- ..U.VJ lu IOOU. A story has been going the round of the Conservative papers, metropolitan and provincial, that Mr Gladstone had given Dr. Miller the valuable rectory of St. Mary, Newington. The fact appears to be that the rectory in question is not in Mr Gladstone's gift, but in that of the Lord Chancellor, and his lordship has made no appoint- ment at present. Colonel Adair, a member of the Royal Commission on the Irish Church, in a recent pamphlet on the sub- ject, furnishes an "approximate estimate" of the Irish Church revenues in the following terms —from land, X207,836 from perpetuities and leases, A134,446 tithe rent, £ 367,463 cathedrals, Llg,300 -1 ecclesiastical com- missioners, £ 110,000; total, £ 839,045. This estimate is greatly in 6xcess of the amount stated by the Church Commissioners in the appendix to their report, where they return the net annual produce and value of the entire property of the Established Church in Ire- land at the sum of £ 616, 840:" Colonel Adair's pam- phlet was published subsequently to the report of the Commission, and he apparently adopts the figurges of the report and appendix. The discrepancy between his estimate and that of the Commissioners is, therefore, the more remarkable. Mr Sims Reeves was the defendant in an action tried on Friday in the Cheltenham county court. Mr George llodson, lessee of the Cheltenham theatre, sued Mr Reeves for L26 17s for losses alleged to have been sus- tained by his con-appearance at a concert at Chelten- ham in October last, at which he had engaged to sing with Mdme. Patey- Whytock, Miss Banks, and others. The engagement was made with the party, which was called Mr Sims Reeves's party, to sing at one concert at Cheltenham for 100 guineus. Mr Reeves did not sing at Cheltenham, the reason given being that he was ill. However, he sang at Worcester the next night. It was proved that on it being announced that Mr Reeves would not sing Sir Alexander Ramsay rose in the theatre and called on the rest of the audience to follow him and demand a return of their money, which almost every- body did. Mr Sima Reeves had been summoned to attend the court as a witness, but failed to do so. A medical certificate was handed in, which stated that the defendant was suffering from an ulcerated throat, and was unable to leave home. The counsel for the plain- tiff, however, stated that the utmost difficulty had been experienced in serving Mr Reeves with the subpoena, and that when served he tore it up and said he would not appear. Mr Reeves, be added, was sufficiently well to appear at Judges' Chambers on Tuesday last, on an application to remove the trial to London. The judge fined Mr Reeves £10 for non-attendance, saying he should disregard the medical certificate. A verdict was given for the plaintiff for the amount claimed. OPENING OF THE NEW CONVOCATION.—The New Convocation of the Province of Canterbury was formally opened on Tuesday morning, by his Grace the Arch- bishop, who proceeded to the Jerusalem Chamber; where he was received by the Venerable Archdeacon Bickersteth, D.D., the prolocutor of the Lower House; the Very Rev. Dr. Alford, Dean of Canterbury the Very Rev. Dr. A. P. Stanley, Dean of Westminster the Venerable J. Jennings, Archdeacon of Westminster; the Venerable J. Randall, M.A., Archdeacon of Berks; the Venerable Archdeacon Dennison, the Rev Canon Blakesley, the Canon Leighton, D.D., the Venerable Archdeacon Sir George Prevost, Bart., the Very Rev. Dr. Saunders, Dean of Peterborough; the Venerable Archdeacon Hale, the Rev Chancellor Massingberd, the Rev Dr. Jebb, the Rev Canon Kennaway, and other gentlemen. There was also in attendance, Sir Travers Twiss, the Vicar-General of the Province Mr F. Hart Dyke, the registrar Mr F, Knyvett, the apparitor; and Mr H. Watts. Prayers having been read, the Arch- bishop directed the Lower House to proceed to business, and it was intimated that the sittings would extend I until Friday evening. His grace received the con- gratulations of all present on his elevation to the primacy, and then proceeded to Queen Anne's Bounty office, where he was met by the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Oxford, the Bishop of Lichfield, the Bishop of Bangor, the Bishop of Llandaff, and other prelates. The Bishop of Hereford (Atlay) and the Bishop of Peterborough (Magee] took their seats for the first time. Dr Jackson took his seat for the first time as Bishop of London, and Dr Wordsworth will be entitled immediately after his consecration to-morrow to take his seat as Bishop of Lincoln. The Bishops of Winchester, Salisbury, Exeter, and Bath and Wells were absent through illness. Petitions were presented to both Houses from magistrates and gentlemen of all shades of politics in Wales, calling attention to the desirablenes of bishops being appointed for the Principality who might address the people in the Welsh language. They suggested several points of inquiry, amongst others whether some of the resources of the Church could not be well applied towards the in- struction of candidates for holy orders in practical work; whether it would conduce to the Church's benefit if parishoners had a voice in the appointment of their ministers; whether a reform in cathedral establishments is needed whether the services of the Church cannot be rendered more acceptable to the congregations whether seats in churches should not be free and unappropriated. Archdeacon Sandford has intimated his intention of bringing the subject of in- temperance before Convocation during the present session. A fire broke put on Monday night, in the shop of a dealer in paraffin oil at Manchester. Mrs Mitton, wife ,r of the proprietor, and her son (who conducted the business) lost their lives. Sir George Wombell has accepted the office of master of the York and Ainsty Hunt as successor to Sir C. Slingsby, who was drowned recently while hunting near Newby. It was reported a few days ago that Mr Millais was seriously ill. The Scotsman of Tuesday says that be is now out of danger. Mr Magniac, M.P., is still suffering from the effects of a severe accident which occurred to him while hunting, and he will be unable to attend to his parlia- mentary duties before Easter. Bishop Trower (late of Gibraltar) who is sub-Dean of Exeter, has been appointed by Bishop Philpotts to perform all the episcopal duties of the diocese. Bishop Trower has taken up his residence at Torquay. His lordship will in a few days commence a tour of confirmations in South Devon and Cornwall. An influential meeting was held at Leamington on Tuesday, to consider the best steps for suppressing the evils of the vagrancy system. The speakers laid great stress on the necessity of inducing the public to desist from indiscriminate almsgiving, which was deemed to be at the root of mendicancy. The meeting unani- mously resolved to establish a Mendicity Society on the principle of a similar society at Blackheath. The Paris correspondent of the Star reports that on Saturday evening, Baron Brayer, who lived with his wife and a son aged fourteen, in the Rue Lafayette, was shot by his wife, the baroness, with a revolver. The woman, who is said to be mad, instantly fired on her son, whom she shot through the heart. Turning the revolver on herself she blew out her brains. When the servants, on hearing three successive reports, rushed into the apartment, thay found three corpses bathed in blood. The University of Cambridge has lost its oldest member in the person of the Rev Robert Watkinson, B.D. He was educated at Emanuel College, and took his B.A. degree in 1798, when he was 15th senior optima in the classical tripos. He was elected to a fellowship of his college, and in 1801 was admitted into holy orders by Dr. Manners Sutton, Bishop of Norwich. He was formerly second master of Charterhouse School, and was for 38 years Vicar of Earls, near Colne, near Halstead. The clergy of the northern province are terrioiy scan- dalized by the heresies of the Rev C. Voysay, who edits a periodical called the Sling and the Stone, in which he states his views not only very plainly, but very offen- sively. Among other matters it is stated that he lately proposed to abolish the sacrament of the Holy Com- munion. His proceedings gave rise to a good deal of talk in the Convocation of York, on Tuesday, and the Archbishop said, though he had great reluctance to set the law in motion, he had, in defernece to the opinion of others, taken legal proceeding against Mr Voysey. A motion was made during the sitting by Archdeacon Prest in favour of admitting the laity to Convocation, but it was lost by 27 votes to 8. Mr Newdegate on Tuesday complimented Mr Goschen on his perfect official manner. It is supposed to be the custom for the chiefs of departments, when they receive a written application, to turn down one corner of it and to make thereon a note of instruction as to the answer which their subordinate is to write. Mr Newdegato said he had heard of a case in which an official suc- ceeded in condensing his instructions into three simple letters; U.B.D. Mr Newdegate's emphatic pronuncia- tion sufficiently indicated the meaning of this cabalistic formula. The final letter ij, of course, a double D. A strong feeling has been aroused amongst the working officers of the navy by Mr Childers's recent appoinment of a sinecure visitor and governor to Greenwich Hospi- tal, with a salary of CI,200 a year, at a moment when retrenchments are being severely carried out in the lower branches of the service. It is worth notice that on May 25, 1865, Mr Childers said in the House of Com. mons, He hoped the House would resist the attempt to retain sinecures at Greenwich, and that the offices of governor and lieutenant-governor would not be main- tained." The Visitor and Governor" is deprived of all duties by Act of Parliament, and expressly prohibited from interfering in any way with the ordinary govern- ment of the hospitals and schools at Greenwich. An extraordinary story of the abduction and restitu- tion of a child is told in the Liverpool papers. A widow named Coleman, about ten days ago, gave her baby fourteen months old to a boy, and asked him to carry it out in the street, which he did. A woman came up to the lad, and, remarking that the baby was cold, said she would take it to its mother. The boy allowed the woman to get the child, and nothing more was heard of it until last night, when a woman, described as respect- ably dressed-whether the one who originally took the child cannot be known-came up to a girl in the street where the baby was taken, delivered it to her, and desired her to take it to Mrs Coleman, which she did. The oddest part of the story is that the baby was poorly dressed when taken away, but had rather-costly clothes un wlieu it was brought back. A witchcraft case is reported from South Devon. Two or three young women living at Dittisbam fell ill. The r mothers, thinking they bad been ill-wished"-that is, looked upon with an evil eye"-consulted a wizard at Teignmouth, who said that the young women were deeply wounded," but promised a cure for a certain amount of money. The money was paid, but the girls still remained unwell, and at last the wizard said nothing could be done for them, and he gave the affair up as hopeless after receiving a good round sum. A witch" was then consulted at Dartmouth, and many pounds, it is said, were expended on her-the money being sent by "soma secret friend" to ensure success. Subsequently the young women got well, and the cure was attributed to the witch, who demanded Y,4 in one sum. The mothers, however, were unable to raise the amount, and got a friend to interpose with a person known as the white witch" at Dartmouth, and he so alarmed the women by threatening to bring the case before the magistrates that she not only relinquished her claim to the ;£4, but returned part of the money she had previously received. One would certainly not look to Bell s Life for a solu- tion of the Junius mystery; but a French sporting paper, Le Derby, has really published what can scarcely fail to be accepted as a definite and thoroughly satis- factory explanation of Voltaire's change of name. Some have looked upon the name "Voltaire as a mere nom. de fantai8ie. Mr Carlyle derives it from Arouet," on an ingenious but far-fetched anagrammatic principle. The writer in Le Derby traces Voltaire's, or rather Arouet's, genealogy from which it appears that one of his maternal ancestors bore the name of Voltaire." Voltaire is known to have despised his own legitimate name of "Arouet" as a peasant's name;" and it is fairly surmised that he adopted that of Voltaire as the best he could find among those already borne by mem- bers of his family. It is gratifying to observe that the sporting habit of tracing pedigrees is not a source o <• knowledge in regard to horses alone. The expectation that Her Majesty would be able to receive the two Houses of Parliament at Buckingham Palace has, unhappily, been disappointed. At first, the hope was entertained that, although the interchange of Royal courtesy and loyal greeting could not take place on the day originally fixed, yet the recovery of Prince Leopold from the malady which has assailed him would be rapid and complete enough to allow of the Queen's presently visiting London. Unfortunately, this antici- pation has not been justified. The Prince is going on favourably; but his condition is still critical; and her Majesty does not feel that she could with propriety or with comfort come up to London now, or even fix an early day for doing so, with a reasonable probability of being able to adhere to it. In these circumstances, and with this explanation, Lord Granvile and Mr Glad- stone last night moved that the special orders for the presentation of the address in the two Houses be dis- charged, and that it be laid before her Majesty in the usual way. Parliament and the public will appreciate Her Majesty's grccious intention not the less for the unfortunate event which has thwarted its exe- cution. The steamer Bienenkorb, whose departure from Bre- merhaven on a new polar expedition was announced by the telegraph on Tuesday, is to proceed on the same course as that followed by the Germania last summer. The expedition has been fitted out entirely at the expense of Herr Rosenthal, of Bremerhaven, who usually sends two steamers every year to the whale fishery in the Polar Seas. The Bienenkorb is to remain during the fishing season off the island of Jan Mayen, and will then proceed about the end of June on its voyage of discovery northward, along the eastern coast of Greenland. The scientific member of the expedition is Dr. Dorst, of Julich, an experienced astro- nomer and geographer, who has long taken special interest in polar discoveries. He is to make observa- tions and measurements both by sea and land, aud is provided with all the necessary apparatus. The Bienenkorb is a screw steamer of 6.S-horse power, built expressly for polar voyages, and is manned by a crew of fifty-five persons. It is to be the precursor of a second expedition to the north pole, which is now being organized by Herr Koldewey, captain of the Germania. In January, 1865, a census of the inhabitants of the North- Western Provinces of British India was taken, with an enumeration of their occupations, after the manner of the English tables. The population in number came out as equal to that of the United Kingdom, or rather more than 30,000,000 of souls. The total number of persons supported by the com- munity was found to be 540,013, many of whom returned themselves under these curious callings:— Beggars, 479,015 prostitutes, 26,806 eunuchs, 2,251 pimps, 321 mourners, 29; alms-takers, 111; pedigree- makers, 28; flatterers for gain, 226; vagabond, 1; house-painters, 16; budmashes, 974; grave-diggers, 97 ear-piercers, 18 makers of caste marks, 51 wrestlers, 2; charmers, 4 sturdy beggars, 3.5 pro- fessional thieves, 23 informer, 1 hangmen, 133 fortune-tellers, 3; jesters, 851; astrologers, 1,123 mimics, 259; divers, 142; miscellaneous, 22,532. The "r vast majority are simply put down as beggars, but of sturdy beggars" there were only thirty-five. Mourners, alms-takers (classed apart from beggars), pedigree-makers, and flatterers for gain come in strange progression.