The Aberdare Times

wnx&BVttm Cmtrsganfont fWe deem it right to state that we do not at alL timejl Identify ourselves with our oorrespemdeiit'c opinions.] Heartily is her Majesty welcomed back to her an- cestral castle at Windsor and it is a matter of uni- versal congratulation that the Queen seems in excellent health, the bracing breezes of Balmoral apparently having conduced to this very desirable result. We in London are all the more delighted at her Majesty's re- turn as the season has yet several weeks to run. May favourable weather give an added charm to the al fresco breakfast in the castle grounds. The Emperor Napoleon has so often manifested hi? Vndly feelings towards England that one manifesta- tion more or less is of little consequence but still he Bpea a of England in so friendly a way, in writing to the Mayor of Southampton, that it is pleasant to read it. Referring to an address presented to him on the occasion of the recent attempt to assassinate him, the Emperc says he has in this expression of sympathy a fresn proof of the ties of friendship which unite France to England," and he adds' "I trust most hearlL y they may ever continue so, for modern society has to depend for its progress upon our union and efforts." These remarks will have been read in many and many an English household on the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo. How different now are the relations between France and England to what they were then! And even long after that time the French were regarded as "our natural enemies." Now they are looked upon as our natural friends. The latest discussions in both Houses of Parliament have been of great general interest, for they have had reference to the two leading measures of this session in the one House the Irish Land Bill, in the other the Education Bill. Both bills have already undergone considerable alteration, and both will be subjected to still further changes, but the prevailing opinion appears to be that they will both be carried this session, in Rome shape or ether. May that opinion be verified. There is little doubt if any, with regard to the Land Bill, now that it has been read a second time by the Lords. In respect to the other the same amount of confidence cannot be so readily expressed, but probably the majority of people throughout the country are inclined to favour the bill, either with or without miner alter- ations, and certainly it would be a good thing for the country, in my humble opinion, could the measure be passed this session. The bill, should it become law, will not be like ihe "law of the Medea and Persians, which alterethnot." It could be subsequently modified as occasion might require. Mr. Gladstone has no pretensions, I believe, to be considered a humourist, but he occasionally says un- wittingly rather a funny thing. In Committee of Supply, some objection being taken to extravagant salaries awarded to officers of the House of Lords, the Premier remarked that the officers of the Houses of Parliament had to work both night and day, and were like men in the Arctic regions, who had six months night and six months day." That is to say, that these officers have six months' play and six months' work. Well, that is not bad, as things go now-a-days; but then, Mr. Gladstone would have us believe that during this six months' work the work goes on night and day Oh, indeed How then do these gentlemen manage to sleep? Of course, they don't sleep they're always at work Many thousands of hard-working clerks would be delighted to work just as hard, and for just as much money, more especially as there are six months' holi- day out of the twelve. How the House of Lords officials must laugh in their sleeves How grateful they must be to their influential champion! Which are we to believe-Mr. W. M. Torrens or Mr. Goschen? Both gentlemen doubtless desire to speak the truth, but they differ marvellously. The former in moving "that the continued want of em- ployment in many of the great towns of the kingdom call3 for the special consideration of this House," takes a very gloomy view of the state of trade and the labour market. He maintains that there is no opening in trade likely to absorb the surplus labour during the next winter; that unexampled poverty has prevailed very recently in the great towns; that th's poverty is likely to recur; and that especially with regard to the metropolis, clergymen, employers, and philanthropists all tell the same sad story. On the other hand, Mr. Goschen insist upon it that the state of the country is not like this that the cotton and iron trades espe- cially are brisk; that the reports of Poor Law inspectors, factory inspectors, &c., point to reviving prosperity; and that even taking the metropolis as a whole, trade is improving. Strange difference of opinion here, both opinions being presumably founded on facts. Perhaps the truth lies bt-tween the two, or there is truth on both side. A3 far as my own in- quiries are worth anything, I incline to believe that Mr. Goschen is nearer the truth than Mr. Torrens; but in any case there could be no harm in the Govern- ment so far aeceding to the views of the latter as to develope the plans already acted upon to some extent, and send out as many families of unemployed dockyard men, &c., as may be willing to go to Canada. The friends of the poor (and who is not, at II. least in theory, the friend of the poor?) may be con- gratulated on the fact that the Social Science Associa- tion, Lord Shaftesbury, and some other philanthropists, are entertaining a proposal made by Miss Rye. This benevolent lady proposes to find homes in America for pauper girls—orphans or deserted—from seven to twelve years of age. In Canada or America these girls will be placed, under legal protection, with re- spectable families, till 18 years of age. They will thus virtually be prepared for domestic service, their educa- tion meanwhile not being neglected. What a boon this will be for orphan or deserted paupers. They will have little to regret in leaving their native land, most of the associations with which must be of a painful character, and they will have an honourable and a prosperous future before them. It is to be hoped that the Poor Law Board will favour the idea. For ourselves this is just the kind of emigration that England wants—a conclusion to which any reflecting mind can scarcely fail to come. A pleasant feature of this time of the year is what may be called the School Excursion movement. Thanks to the benevolence of outsiders and the kindly zeal and goo offices of Sunday-echool superintendents and teachers, excursions by steamboat, train, or van, are now frequent, and no one can witness any of these ex- cursions without feeling that the children heartily enjoy them. The sight of waving trees, fresh fields, green shady lanes, and the other charms of rural scenery jmust be refreshing indeed to children long immured in small close rooms, in misera ble little houses, in narrow streets and alleys. It is a kind and generous labour of love thus to make our little ones acquainted with the ) beauties of Nature-beauties that they very rarely behold, and in many cases never behold but during these annual excursions, Greece and Spain have attracted painful attention lately, owing to the prevalence of brigandage in these countries, but Hungary would seem to out do both together, if we can place reliance on the tale that a State trial of 300 brigands in the latter country is about to take place, and that probably 200 of them will be executed But can we believe it ? It reads like a tale especially adapted for the marines Most earnestly it is to be hoped that the rumour is not true that the Crystal Palace Company is about to let for building purposes the most secluded and enjoy- able part of its grounds. If the rumour be verified, this great company, the directors of which have hitherto shown good ta3te and sound judgment, will be seriously injured. To build on these grounds would be penny-wise and pound-foolish; it would be killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. Ic is well known that the grounds of the Crystal Palace are, for at least half of the year, a most attractive charm. They bring thousands of people who would not otherwise go. The weather is a perennial topic with Ecglisnmen, but there is one consolation—if we commence a con- versation with the weather we soon turn to something else. Just now the topic, however, is of more than ordinary interest. A little while ago cloudless skies, fierce sun, parched ground, and burnt-up grass, foliage, and flowers were the signs of the time but the heavy storm and the refreshing showers that followed have produced a remarkable, but by no means wonderful change in the aspect of affairs. As one writer well expresses it, they have "cooled London, reassured Mark-lane, and comforted the soul of the Treasury, which began to tremble for its surpluses." The value of this thunderstorm and the heavy showers is beyond all human calculation. It i3 great as should he our gratitude.

PROFESSOR JOWETT, M A., ON CHARLES DICKENS. At the special Sunday evening service at West- minster Abbey, on Sunday evening, the Rev. B. Jowett. Professor of Greek at Oxford, alluded as follows to the death of Mr. Charles Dickens. After referring to men of genius who had previously de- parted, the rev. gentleman proceeded I have already detained you too long, and yet I do not like to conclude without saying one word more-that word which has been in the hearts and on the tongues of most of us during the past week. We know that we cannot leave the grave of 1I..1eparted friend without taking a last look, and we like to think of the rays of the setting sun upon his resting- place. He whom we now mourn was the friend of mankind, a philanthropist in the true sense, the friend of youth, the fri-:nd of the poor, the enemy of every form of mean- ness and oppression. I am not going to attempt to draw a portrait of him Men of genius are different from what we suppose them to be: they have grea'er pleasuns and greater pains, greater affections, and greater tempta- tions than the generality of mai kind, and they c'ln never ba altogether understood by their fellow men. We do not wish to intrude upon them. or analyze their lives and cba- racters. They are extraordinary persons, and we cannot pre- stribe to them what they should be. But we feel that a light has gone out, the world is darker to us, when they depart. There are so very few of them that we cannot afford to lose them one by one, and we look vainly round for others who may supply their places. And he whose loss we now mourn occuoled a greater space than any other writer in the minds of Englishmen during the last 35 years. We read him. talked about him, acted him we laughed with him, we were roused by him to a consciousness of the misery of others, and to a pathetic interest In blmin life. The workhouse child, the cripple, the half- clothed and half starved inhabitant of a debtor's priron found a way to his heart, and. through the exertions < f his geuiun, to our hearts aino. Works of fiction would be in- tolerable if they attempted to ba sermons directly to instruct us but indirectly they are great iiietrietorq of this world, and we can hardly exaggerate the debt of gratitude which is ilus to a writer who hauled us to sympathiza with these good, true, sincere, honest Ergiish characters of ordinary life, and to laugh at the egotism the hypocrisy, the false re- spectability of religious professors and others. To another great humorist who Ileis tn this church the words have been applied that the gaiety (f nations was eclipsed by his death. But of him who has been recently taken I would rather say, in humbler language, that no one was ever so much beloved or so much mourned. Men seem to have lost not a great writer only, but one whom they had personally known. Aud so we bid him farewell.

In the course of a. speech made by Mr. Mundella, M.P., at Sheffield, on Monday, that gentleman said "I was ciniug with a distinguished artist a few days ago, and he said to me, A short time ago I painted the portrait of Charles Dickens. It was arranged that I should sit in his room whilst he was at work, for he was a most painstaking, industrious, and methodical man, and nothing could divert him from the regularity of his habits. He sat for hours, again, and again, and again, and he wrote, as it seemed to me, almost with anguish. I looked in his face. and watched the anxiety and care, and the blotting out and re-writing of his work. I was astonished to find how much he owed to his indomitable perseverance."

The sale of Mr. Charles Dickens's picture?, draw. ings, and objects of art, to be held at the rooms of Messrs. Christie and Manson, on Saturday. July 9:,h, will command a special interest, as many of the finest works were presents to the lamented author by the artists. Among the pictures is the celebrated portrait of Mr. Dickens by the late Daniel Maclise, E.A., painted in 1839; "Dotheboys Hall," by T. Webster, R A. Dolly Varden and Kate Nickleby" by W. P. Frith, R. A. "Pickwick and Mrs. Bardell" by C. Leslie, R. A. three splendid works by Clarkson; Xt.n- field illustrating, "The Frozen Deep;" a portraitof Mr. Dickens in "lJsed Up," by A. Egg, A. R.A. "Tilda Price" by Frank Stone, A.R.A. "The Novel" and The Play bv R. Hannah Miss F.'s Aunt by W. Gale, &c. The drawings include "The Britannia," the vessel in which Mr. Dickens firpt went to America, by C. Stanfield, R.A. "Litde Nell's Hi.ma," and Little Neli'rt Grave," by G. Cattermoif "Little Nell and her Grandfather," and Barnaby Rudg, and his Mother," by F. W. Topham an illustrat'ou to '• The Cotter's Saturday Night," by Sir David Wilkie, R.A., &c. The "Silver Pickwick Ladies," with cha- racters frcm the work presented by the publishers, and a splendid collection of bronzes, old Nankin blue and white, and richly enamelled Pekin porcelain, Parisian candelabra, and other decorative objees will be included in the lIale. The collection will be on pub ic view for three days preceding the sale, and will doubtless prove very attractive.

A HUSBAND'S LIABILITIES. In the Court of Queen's Bench, the cause of Nightingale v Mercer" has been heard, and was an action to recover about L7501 for hoard. lodging, and necessaries supplied to the defendant's wife. The defendant pleaded never indebted. Mr. Serjeant Parry and Mr. Hodgson were counsel for the plaintiff; Mr. Denman, Q.C., and Mr. E. H. Lewis represented the defendant. The learned counsel for the plaintiff, in opening the case, said he wished the plaintiff could have been spared the pain of laying the details of the case before them, but from the peculiar position in which his learned friend was placed, the defendant being in I ndia, he WM afraid there was no alternative but to proceed with it. The plaintiff, Sir Charles Nightingale, Bart., was a gentleman of extremely moderate means, and the defendant was a Major in the Indian Army, who had married the plaintiS a only daughter. At the time of the marriagf', which took place at Tenby, in the latter part d 1857, Mrs. Mercer was 22 v<-ara of ag-, and the defendant was between 40 and 50 years of age, a widower, with three or four children, and at the time of the marriage he was home on leave. It appeared that previous to the mar- riage Miss Nightingale was living with her mother at Tenby, who was living voluntarily apart, from htr husband, on the moderate allowance of JE80 per annum, but where she was frequently visited by him. At first a difficulty presented itself as to toe wife gAing to India wi'h her husbaud, and there was an iwplitd understanding that she should be allowed to remain, at least for some time, with her mother, to whom she was much attached. Some short time after the marriage, the defendant was summoned to Ireland to join bis regiment. She went with him. and stewed a;out a. month in Dublin, ana thenco she wens with him to Cork. He was then ordered to India, and aM the mutiny was going on, an order had been issued that the wives and female friends of officers should not accompany them to India, and she returned to he* mother. It was then arranged that he was to allow his wife E120 per annum, which was to be increased to B250. That continued for about two years, when the defendantcommenced remonstrating withher for having overdrawn her allowance, which led to a very angry cor- respondence. She had, it appeared, drawn to the extent of 9330in eighteen months. Her allowance was then reduced from J3120 per annum tok5 per month. In 1860 the defendant returned from India, and went to reside at Bristol with his mother, taking no means to find out his wife, or to seek her society. When, how- ever, she found out where he was she wrote to him, and he replied to her letter, but without any address. After this, acting under advice, nhe went with her maid to the Great Western Hotel, acquainting her husband where she had gone. A person named Wink- worth, a relative of the defendant's took her from the hotel to a lodging in Argyle-square, King's. cross, which he said would do for her. The defendant came there with hi* carpet-bag, and remained with her for some t'me. They frequently quarrelled, and he struck her several times. He took her from there to a low lodg- ing in Northumberland-street, Strand, and a few weeks afterwards her mother took her to reside with her at Burton-crescent. Eventually, the present proceedings were taken to compel the defendant to maintain his wife. Mrs. Mercer was called and examined. After corro- borating the above outline, she said On one occasion when my husband struck me, Mr. Winkworth said, that's right, Ned, break every bone in her body." I had a candlestick in my hand at the time, and from the excitement and suffering of the moment I threw it at him. It had been a wet day, and I had gone out against my husband's directions to con- sult a solicitor about his cruelty. When I returned I found that my husband and Mr. Winkworth had locked up the rooms and had gone out, taking the keys with them. I had to accept the landlady's kindness, and sit in her kitchen all day in very wet clothes. When my husband came back he refused to allow me to enter the apartment to change my clothes, and then it was that he struck me. They took from me all my clothes, letters, and capers, not even leaving me a change of linen and on the the previous day they carried away my dog and cat in a bag. Mr Denman Emblematical of the life they were living. Witness—Winkworth was always with my hu band. He appeared to be af aid to tiust my husba' d with me. My l usiand af erwards said be would take me to a pla e where I cou'd do no harm to myself nr him. He forced me i ito a can, and took me to a he use in Noithumbtirlf.nd c u-t, Strand, an extremely (lit-fy place the bed "å3 in a cupboard in the room, and when I Ofen-d the door the bed f,ll into the room. H", pai 1 12s a week for the ren-, fnd all>wtd n e 10s. a week for necessaries, and be informed the landlady th 1* he wt.uld n.'t be answea'Ie for any de';ts I co< tracked. Wins worth told me if I wanted morel could etrn half a GroMn in the streets. I did not get a change of inen until s me d*v s a-ter I was in Northumbtr'and-Ot urt. I 'hen rtcem d one change of Lnfn, and had noiliing more sent to me f r gime montt s. My b!liib.nd carre there ones or twice, and he was always Vtry violent and threatened me, and uuder his threats I B g< ed a paper-" 1. K'salind A. Aicctr, finding my.-elf unequal to the fulfilment (f the marrage contract, an: wishing to release my busbund ^i.m bis ob i.;at:ns hereby certify my with for a divorce. My lu bind toui me I mgtt. g > to the union, fo! he wou d nIt supp rt me- and on one occasion I received anonym -usly a brass ring, with a t eket for the union. My husband said it I went to India he would do for me. Af¡¡er I went to Burton- crescent with my mother my allowance of lOti. per week was only continued for a short time, and eventually, and before I left Burton-crescent, my husband brought me my clothes. I think Winkworth kept us apart. He always made it a point that I should go to India. I don't think my husband wished me to go there with him. I wrote him several letters saying I would come out to him if he would provide the money. He never provided me with a home after he stopped my allowance. I have not seen him since. (A number of letters from the defendant were put in and read. Tney were written in a conciliatory spirit, and spoke of his want of means. A tone of disappointment pervaded them all, as if he had some cause of complaint against his wife. (Witness added that she was advertised for twelve months not to be trusted, and Winkworth followed her from place to place informiug the persans she lodged with that she was not to be trusted. I am now living at Hounslow with my mother, previous to that I lived for five years with my mother at lioulogn6. Cross-examined: My father resides sometimes in London and sometimes in France. My husband was fenior captain in the 91th when I married him. I did not know until the night before my marriage that he had thrte children. I called him a "snob" in one of my letters, not because he wished me to keep an account of my expenditure, but because he thought I was extravagant. I don't ttunk it strong language under the circumstances to use towarcs a husband. I am no*, aware that I have apologised for it. 1 would have gone on several occasions to India to my hu'liand if he had pro- vided the funds. I did not tell Winkworth, at the Great Western Hotel that I would never go out to Jndi" Winkworth always made a point of it, because he knew my husband did not wish me to go out. I did cot per- sistently object to go out in 1861. I have retused to 110 out from budily fear. I never kicked my husband's hat about the room and smashed it. I did not break the cand lestick about my husband's head. He struck me three limes, I mm think the candlestick was broken- His head was very hard, but I don't think it was hard enough to break it. It "as a china candlestick I don't know if it was broken Wink- worth was present, and he will swear anything. In May, 1861, I wrote to Winkworth, saying I will never 2gain live witn my husband, and that notbii g will cause me to change my determination. I afterward" agreed to go to Indit. I had made charges to my husband personally, but I dec'ine to state them publicly. Why is he not here? He has had time to appear. He made my not retracting them an fxcuse for not giving up my wardrobe. My father has sufficient means to live on. He frequently sends my mother money besides her allowance. Lady Xightingale, mother of Mrs. Mercer, deposed that she knew the defendant about two or three months before her daughter's marriage. Sae was not at all acquainted with him or his family before he proposed to hAr daughter. Be f..re the marriage he promised he would not request her to go to India. He said he had £ 3,000, amd rpceivtid the pay of a senior captam. She proved the roaintenance of her daughter for the time claimed in the action. She went to her daughter in Northumberland-court. It was a dirty, Rhabh., and miserablo locking She remained with her »!' the time sho W-115 there. Winkworth came every Mnnda; marring aud put a half si.vere'gn on the table, sa>ii.g, •'There, madam, there's your week's pay." She asked if that was all Major Mercer allowed his wife. He replied, If she doe3 not flad it enough let her go out to needlework Her daughter had no more clothes than she stood upright in. Winkworth said her clothes were in his possession, but that he would not give them up without an order from Captain Mercer. Her huabind visited her there two or three time?, but only to insult her and witness. He was ex- ceedingly violent. One evening herself, Sir Charles, and her daughter were supping together in Northumberland-street when the defendant rushed in and went up to his wife with his clenched fist and called her an opprobrious name. Sir Charles threatened, unless he desisted, to knock him down. In the court he used violent language, and said she and her (aughter were the same vile characters. The defendant used to bring an article of every kind of clothing a ladj wears at a time, and leave it at the door. Winkworth was also insulting in language and gesture. He called her daughter by the same name, and once shook his stick at her. The de- fendant acknowledged in her presence that he had told hei daughter if she wauted more money she was to get it on the streeis, as she would have no more from him. Wherever she and her daughter went to live papers were addressed in Witkworth's handwriting to the owner of the house not to trust them. She had supported her daughter since July, 1861. She was on very friendly terms with her husband though they lived apart. In addition to her husband's allow ance his friends were exceedingly kind and generous towards her. Cross-examined: She could only account for Winkworth'?. hostility from his being the defendant'd friend. He charged her in his letters with keeping him and his wife apart. The defendant did not complain that his wife would not go to India, but Winkworth did it once. The defence was that the defendant wished to be reconciled to his wif< but that be found it was im. possible to do so. That he wanted her to go with him to India, but that she positively refused. Mr. Wink- worth was a relative of the defendant's, and he acted in the matter as afriend between the two parties. The c othes about which so much had been made were taken from her for the purpose of ensuring her return to him and going with him to India, M r William Winkworth w .s called. He said he was living on his means. He gave a positive denial to the charges made against him by MrR, Mercer and her mother. He never usetT any improper language to them, bus he stated in a letter to Mrs Mercer's uncle that the charges she had made against her husband were couched in terms which only a pros- titute would use. He once told Major Mercer, in the presence of his wife and mother, that if had such a wife he would flog her, upon which Ltdy Nightingale gave him sujh a box on the ear that he hoped never to receive such another. He did not hetp to put Mrs Mercer's clothes In the cab he did not think they were taken to his house, but if they were, it was only for a short time, and they were taken to the house of a relative, who was a dissenting minister. He was to tell Mrs. Mercer the things ware taken, to induce her to return to her husband. The Lord Chief Justice When was she to return? Major Mercer wa3 living with her at that time. Witness: He did not know. He never followed any occu- pation. He once had a mission on a railway, and that was to take the references as a clerk. (Laughter ) He was no party to depriving her of her clothes. He could not remember minute details. The Lord Chief Justice said the matter required explana- tion. There could be nothing so unworthy of a gentleman as to deprive a lady for weeks or her clothes. Witness: He must have kept the clothes from her by her husband's request. He thought he might swear he told her once she should not have her things without she consented to go to India It was more than probable he asked her to sign a document to that effect, but he could not say. On comideration, he thought it wan improvable. M-j ir Mercer stayed with him in 1860 and 1861, and remunerated him for it. He received no remuneration from him for this job. MsjJr Mercer took the lodging in Northumberland-street. Rf-f-ximined He left Argyle-f quare in consequence of the landlady giving them notice to quit. The de'en'iant'8 evidence, token in India, was put in and read, and the various letters that had passed between them were also read. From them it would appear there was a w sh on both sides for a reconciliation and a return to cohabita- tion, but certain insinuations were thrown out that pre- vented it, and on which the defendant based his reasons for not maintaining his wife. The wife positively denied them. There also appeared to be a great want of means on the part of the defendant. After the speeches of counsel had been made on both sides, the Lord (Jhief Justice summed up carefully the whole of the evidenee. He told the jury to find a. verdict according as they believed that there was or was not a. persistent refusal on the wife't\ part to live with her husband. If they believed that Mrs. Mercer was at one time unwilling to go out to India, as the de- fendant desired, but that she so refused merely in con- sequence of the temporary state of her mind, and that she afterwards altered her intention and was upon con- sideration ready to perform her conjugal duties, the liability of her husband for necessaries revived. This action was brought by the father, who had certainly not found the funds for the specific purpose of hia daughter's maintenance; but Lady Nightingale could not sue in her own Dame, and the action was rightly brought if they came to the conclusion that by the husband's fault his wife's mother was put to these ex- penses. The jury almost immediately found a verdict for jE750, the whole of the amount claimed by the plain- tiff.

ANNIVERSARY OF HER MAJESTY'S ACCESSION. On June 20. three-and-thirty years ago, the reign of the present Sovereign of England began. Shortly after two o'clock in the morniug of the 20th of June, 1837, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Chamberlain left Windsor for Kensington PaUce, where the Princess Victoria wag residing wi h her mother, to inform her Koyal Highness of the Kirg'tt dtath. They rea -hed Kensington Pal. ce about five, and with Bome difficulty roused the porter at the gate. This functionary, apparently itmorant of the rank of the distinguished visitors, and knowing nothing of the business upon which they had come, kept them waiting for some time in the court-yard, and then turned them into one of the lower rooms, where they remained until, ringing the bell, the Lord Chamberlain desired the attendant of the Princers to inform her Royal Highness that they requested an audience on business of importance. After another delay, and another ringing to inquire the cause, the attendant was summoned, who stated that the Princess was in such a sweet sleep that she could not venture to disturb her. The Archbishop of Canterbury gravely replied We ara come to the Queen on busmen of S'ate, and even her sleep must give way to that!" It did; and in a few minutes her Majesty came into the room in a loose white dress and shawl, her hair falling over her shoulders, her feet in slippers, teara in her eyes, but perfectly collected and dignified. Lord Melbourne was immediately sent for, and a Privy Council was summoned to assemble at Kensington at eleven o'clock in the forenoon. At that hour the Queen, with the Duchesa of Kent, entered the Council-chamber, and the Lord Chancellor admi- nistered to her Majesty the usual oaths, binding her to govern the Kingdom according to its laws and customs. She first received the hcmage of her uncles, the Dukes of Cumberland and Sussex, the Queen with admirable grace rising from her seat and preventing them from kneeling. The Cabinet Ministers and Privy Councillors then took the oaths of allegiance and supremacy the former surrendered their seals of office, which her Majesty returned, and Ministers kissed her baud on re-appointment. A declaration was drawn up and signed by all present, acknowledg- ing faith and constant obedience to our only lawful and rightful lieg- Lady Victoria, by the grace of Gcd, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith." Her Majesty then spoke to fie following enect :— The severe and afflicting loss which the Dation has sus- tained by the death of my beloved uncle has devolved upon me the duty of administering the government of this empire. Th's awful responsibility Is imposed upon me so suddenly and at so early a period of my life, that I should feel myself utterly oppressed by the burden were I not supported by the hope that Divine Providence, which has called me to this work, will give me strength for its performance, and that I shall find in the purity of my intentions, and in my zeal for the public welfare, those resources which usually belong to a more mature age and a longer experience. I place my firm reliance upon the wisdom of Parliament and upon the loyalty and affection of my people. I esteem It a'so a peculiar advantage that I succeed to a Sovereign whose constant regard for the rights and liberties of his subjects, and whose desire to promote the amelioration of the laws and institutions of the country, have rendered his uime the object of general attachment and veneration. Educated in England under the tender and enlightened care of a most affectionate mother, I have learned from my infancy to respect and love the constitution of my nalive country. It will be my unceasing study to main- tain the R-formed religion as by law establisoed, securing at the same time to all the full enjoyment of religious liberty and I shall steadily protect the rights, snd promote to the utmost of my power, the happiness and welfare of all classes of my people. A generation has passed away since these words were utt-red, eight Parliaments have been called to the counsels of the Sovereign, and twelve Ministries have ruled in Downing-strcet. Abroad, all conti- nental thrones, from the vast emi);r, of Russia to the smallest of the German grand duchies, have changed their occupants. Amid the stormy times of conflict and revolution in Europe, the throne of the Queen of England has remained unshaken, for the loyalty and affection of her subjects have been its basis. Amid the strife of contending parties at home, and throughout the thirty-three years which separate the Premiership of Lord Melbourne from that of Mr. Gladstone, Queen Victoria has ever fulfilled the duties of a constitutional monarch, placing her firm reliance upon the wisdom of Parliament," and never failing to give effect to the expressed wishes of her people.

BALLOON ASCENT IN A THUNDER- STORM. One of the most remarkable balloon ascents recorded in Mr. Coxwell's eventful aeronautical career was made last week at York. The balloon used on the occasion was to start at a quarter to six o'clock. At that time the atmos- phere was very heavy, and a few fiishes of lightning were seen. At a few minutes before six, however, Mr. Coxwell and five other.? took their seats in the cai. Pre- vious to starting, Mr. Coxwell told those who had inti- mated their desire to ascend that they must be pre- pared to remain a considerable time in the air, as the gas would, on account of the particular condition of the balloon, have to exhaust itself by being forced through the neck of it by the pressure of the atmos- phere. On risine the balloon slowly ascended to a height of 400 or 500 feet, when the thunder was heard rumtiiing above, and the rain came down in such tor- rents that the weight of it forced the balloon into the field whence it had started on its aerial voyage. The ar struck the tops of some trees, but fortunately no other accident happened. When it was apprehended that the car would violently strike the ground or come in contact, with tbe asjkim near which the balloon was sailing, Mr. Coxwell Slled out for help, and a crowd of persons immediately pan up and seized the car, when the occupants descended amidst the loudest acclama- tions. After a delay of half an hour the rain ceased, the atmosphere cleared to some degree, and Mr. Cox- well resolved on making another ascent. All his com- panions in the previous brief sail, except one, con- sented to accompany him, and their confidence was re- warded for, after a successful trip in asoutb-westerly direction, the balloon descended Rafely near Marstou, "even miles from Leeds, and a mile and a half from the Garforih Station of the North-Eastern Railway.

A STRANGE STORY. On Friday morning, during the prevalence of the severe glorm in London, a shocking accident occurred on the river ny which three persons are supposed to have lost their lives, About a quarter to one in the morning the lishtning broke a large window in a shed of the London Gaslight and Coke Company, in Bittersea. A number of men were in the shed at the time, but escaped unhurt. The noise caused by the crash, however, was so great that the watchman, who resides in a small house by the -ide of the river, was about to go to the phea to see whether any of his fellow-workmeii werehuit, wlun he heard a moaning noise proceeding from the river. He halloaed as loudly as he could that a^sUtance was at hand if it was required, but received no ans.ver. It was very datk, and, the noise con- tinuing, he procured a lantern and looked in the direction from which he fancied it proceeded. It was, however, fully ten minutes before he discovered the cause. In the mud, which near the gasworks is reported to be very deep, he saw a man lving face downwards, and, procuring assistance, he by means of a rope and ladder succeeded in getting him out. He was then so exhausted that for some time his recovery was ckspa/red of, but eventually he became conscious, and gave an account of the manner in which he got into the river, and Suh"f q nenlly into the deep mud where he was found. He t-aid that on his return from Ascot Racea be, with three other persons whom he had met. on the course, proceeded as far as Richmond by rain, and the night being fine they took a Bailing-boat ;l'nm the latter place, proposing to go as far as Westminster, where the boat was to be given up. Oa reaching Batterea, however, the s orm had become so violent that they determined to make for the nearest landing-place, and on discover- ing the creek near the gas company's premises the boat was steered towards it. At that moment the boat ;apsized, from what cause he could not say. and they vere all thrown into the water. He saw his friends for a moment endeavouring to make for the shore, and too < f them caught hold of him, but soon sank. For- unately the tide was low, and he remembers reaching the shore, but nothing more. He wrote down his name and address, .and after his clothes had been dried Mid the mud ncraptd off he was conveyed to his resi- dence at St. John's-wood in a cab. He described the appearance of the persons who were in the boat, but he did not know their names or addresses. The police were as soon as possible put in possession of these facts, and went to St. John's wood to get fur- ther information but they have not been able to as- certain the persons' names or addresses. Hanwell, the watchman, says that when he discovered the man who was saved he was deeply imbedded in the mud, and had he lain there but another ten minutes he must have been drowned, for the tide, which was running up, was then washing by his side. When sensible he said, "Good God! my friends are about here somewhere." A vigorous search was made, but they could not be seen. On Friday the river was dragged, bat without success. Inquiries made at Richmond have substantiated the statement as to the boat being hired there. The occur- rence has created considerable excitement in the neigh- bourhood.

THE PJSTING OF TRADE CIRCULARS IN BELGIUM. In the House of Commons, on Monday evening, Mr. M. Guest a-ked the Postmaster-General whether his attention bad been called to two letters, which appeared in The Times of the 13th and 14th of June, relative to a certaiu British Coal Company, carrying on their business in England, who by posting thtir trade cir- "Illara in Belgium at a cost of one halfpenny, thereby diminishing the Imperial revenue, which under exist- ing Conventions they were obliged, in order to obtain that low rate of postage, to print abroad and whether, in his judgment, her Majesty's Government could in. troduce some measure to prevent the recurrence of this pi actice, by which not only must the Imperial Revenue suffer, but by which the general printing trade in England might be damaged. The Marquis of Hartington My attention has been called to the proceedings of the firm in question, and it is no doubt true that under the existing Postal Con- -eption between this country and Belgium circulars can be pcsted in I -elgiuin at the rate mentioned by my hon. friend and nave to be delivered in England. In reply to the latter part of the question, I may say I do n )t think ther" is any necessity for the introduction of a measure to prevent, the recurrence of this practice, which will be most effectually checked as soon as the intended measure of the Government reducing the postage of circulars in this country to a halfpenny comes into operation. There will then be no ionger any inducement to people to send circulars abroad to be posted.

DINNER TO MR. CHARLES MATHEWS IN AUSTRALIA. (From the Australasian, April 2.) On Monday evening Mr. Charles J. Mathews, comedian, was entertained by the Yorick Club, at a dinner, given to celebrate his arrival in Australia. The affair took place at Scott's Hotel, the premises of the club not affording the requisite accommodation. Nearly 70 members were present, and a large number were prevented from attending by the necessity which postponed the affair from Saturday to Monday. Toe chair was taken by Mr. G. W. Rusden, one of the trustees, who, after the usual loyal toasts, proposed the health of the guest of the evening, which was re- ceived with enthusiasm. Mr. Charles J. Mathews rose to respond amid a storm of cheering, which lasted for several monMnt", when a fresh burst of hurrahs made the room ring again. He said :— I:> Gentlemen, to say that I am flittered by the compliment that I hive been paid to-night, and by the many c'vil things that your president has hVlshett upon me, would but very ill f xpress my gratification at this gathering. I expected to meet with kindness and politeness, but I was not prepared for the truly hearty and friendly reception that has greeted me. I do not know—1 cannot hncy that 1 am in a strange laud (cheers), or that I am btinx received by strangers (no, no). Enr) thing seems as familiar as if 1 had been here ad my life, and every one treatB me as if I hud known them from childhood (vehement cries of So you have. and cheers) From the moment I .>• et foot on shore and walked lip Collins-street, I se*med to be lnstantlj rscognUed as readily as if I had bsen in Liverpool or Manchester, aud every shop- keeper welcomed ma as though I had been only parted trom him last week. This is what gladdens a man's heart- perhaps tickles his fancy-but makes him feel at home at once (great cheering). It makes a man ask why it is that this meeting has been put off so long, how 111 Is that I have neglected such friends who have expea ed m* s.) mmy yearr, ami are so glad to see me at last ? (cheers). I am to blame, acknowledge that frankly, and I can only say that I will never do so any more (laughter) As to the voyoga that I looked forward to with so much horror-why, it was non- sense (laughter and cheering). What I sarcastically called before parting a mere pleasure trip has turred out to be such an one indeed. What with music, dancing, private theatricals, glorious weather, and no letters to answer (laughter), what could a man desire more? Since my arrival in Melbourne my chief labour has been shaking hands and listming to pliasact tl injs said by pleasait people. That I find no hard task Of course I had to resoond to the usual questions—"Are you not surprised at Melbourne?" "How do you like our town ?" "Have you seen our Town-hall, our Parliament Houses—and our eaol ?" (much laughter). Of course these were necessities that I had to comply with, and followed by the usual remarks and encomiums upon Sydney Harbour, and winding up with Only to think thirfy-five years ago the white man had not set his toot here (laughter and cheers). Of course I had to confess that I was not surprised. It was what I expected. I knew it all beforehand. Why. Mel- bourne is as well known and appreciated in London as London is in Melbourne (hear, hear). No, I was not BUT. prised. After all, 35 years is a good long time you kiow. With plenty of money a great deal cm be done in 35 ye K. I was myself fully developed long before I was 35 (laughter for some time). Nobod- was surprised at me (renewed laughter). When Melbourne gets to be my age, think what it will be then (laughter and cheer.-). That will be somethii g worth witnessing. I only hope I shall be here to ste it (cheers, and cries of We hope so too") In the mean- time I iutend to avail myself of all the enjoyments that offer. I hope in return to merit the hospitality and kindness I have received, and if in getting into work I only afford you the entertainment you expect, why the gratification will he mutual (cheers). You have taken me on faith to-night (en- thusiastic cries of "We know you of old," and cheers) It shall go hard, indeed, if I do not come up to your expecta- tions. I will do my best, and no man can do more. As to Mr. Rusden's calling me by my Cdrntian name, that Is the greatest compliment that can be conferred upon me. I never felt more pleased than when coming from the opera the other night, the mob called out Bravo, Charley (cheers). Gentlemen, I will not detain you any longer. I thank you very sincerely, and I belt to propose Prosperity to the Yorick Club," (long and repeated cheering).

THE INTELLIGENCE CF THE TELEGRAPHS. (From the Globe.) The present management of tha telegraphs has suc- ceeded in familiarizing the public mind with most marvellous phenomena. Messages commonly arrive some hours after parcels sent by ordinary trains at the same time, and when they do come to hand they are not unfrequently so unintelligible as to be useless on account of the charming manner in which they have become mixed or mutilated but the following passage, which we cull from. an Irish contemporary, is a pecu- liarly choice specimen of the class of literature which the Marquis of Hartington hashad t he honour of intro- ducing to the reading public of the United Kingdom. We are unwilling to spoil the pleasure of perusal, but as the plot is rather embarrassing it mav be well to premise th"t it relates to the debate in the House of Lords on Thursday last, with other matters, and forms part of a London correspondent's letter to his Irish paper:— another adjournment of the Irish land debate in the Lords there were 2 remarkably good speeches last night both by Irishmen Lord cairns specially distinguished himself by an elaborate analysis of the entire mini, scheme & Lord athlumney contributing sonnd practical advice from Irish landloids point of view as to seat in the House of Peers on monday night & in all probability his first addre sin the here- ditary cbr wii) oe directed to thedefence of the Ecclesiastical titles act repeal bill private telegrams reed in London this ning states that the marquis of Bute was present yday in the manner in whthe measure ought to be accepted & acted upon in Ireland Gladstone announced changes in the English edu- cation bill are likely to leud to such opposition that an aban- donment of the measure late on in the session seems proba- ble the Irish Lord chan will take his the catholic cathedral of Seville at the grand ceremonies there annually celebrated on the pastoral of corpus chrititi the division on the sligo dis- franchisement bill carried by a large majority in corns will meet with some opposition in Lords. We could excuse this sort of thing while the work of the telegraphs was a. novelty to the new management; but it is really time that some trifling improvement should be displayed, if only for the sake of public sanity, more especially when the temperature is high and the dog days impending.

BETTER TIMES AT LAST. The debate on Mr. MCallagh Torrens' motion last Friday has produced, at any rate, one good result (remarks The Times). It has established beyond reasonable doubt the fact of improving prosperity in almost all parts of the country. That. confidence which the commercial disasters of 1866 appeared t.) banish from the land ha-) gradually returned. Pauperism is decreasing. The demand for 1, boar is brisk. Employ- ment for good hands is to be found with little diffi- culty, and there are few branches of trade in which work is not actively absorbed. Mr. GosVhen hit the truth when he said that the Soate aid" reallv needed by the British workman consisted, not in emi- gration tickets, but in good education and reduction of public burdens. Nothing that could be done in > he way of pecuniary subvention would have anything like the effect of revived trade and expanded intercourse. The opening of a new market or the development of a new industry would do more to relieve distress and promote employment than any practical scheme of assisted Emigration. We hope and believe that such may be the prospects now before us. There is no doubt great distress to be found, especially in some parts of the metropolis, and perhaps the metropolis may ratain longer than other towns the traces of a commercial calamity but it is impossible to doubt, after the evi- dence produced by Mr. Goschen, that we have now peon the worst of the misfortune, and that better times have come at las.t.

THE EDUCATION BILL. At a meeting of the Central Nonconformists' Com- mittee, held in Birmingham on Kiturdav, it was unani- mously resolved that the objectionable points of the Elementary Education Bill remain absolutely un- touched by the amendments of the Government, as explained by the Prime Minister on Thursday even- ing, and that the proposal to make a large increase in the grant from the Consolidated Fund to denomina- tional schools must strengthen and perpetuate the system of sectarian education. In a circular emhody- ir:g the foregoing resolution, for the information of members of Parliament, the committee, after pointing out what they consider the objectionable features of the Government B11I, express their assurance, founded on intimate knowledge of nearly every con- stituency in the country, that there are large numbers of N on cor. formists who regard the measure as a violation of the rights of conscience to be resisted at whatever cost. In a circular letter to their branches the Central Committee also adopt and enforce the considerations urged in The Timet1 leading article of Saturdiy as to the effect of the amended bill in furthering what the voice of the nation rejects.

THE ARCHBTSHOP OF CANTERBURY AND THE (ECUMENICAL COUNCIL. The Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol having addressed a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, asking him whether he deemed it desirable that the Bishops of the English Church should place on record some protest in reference to the present Council at Rome, his Grace has replied as follows Stonehouse, St. Peter's, Thanet, June 17. My dear BIshnp,-Io answer to your lettf r I will, as you suggest, repeatpublicly what I have already written privately to another member of our body. I cannot, as at prf sent advised, persuade myself th \t it 18 desirable for the Episco- pate of the English Church to come forward and issue a manifesto against Papal Infallibility. The statements of our Church. as set forth in its articles and formularies, respectins the cliims of the Church cf Ri»me, are so full and explicit tha.t they seem to me to reqirra neither ex- planation nor a idition. The more dignified, wise, ard sober noli y for us to adopt, as I think is to let Rome take her own course The Church of England, *0 far as I know, has not at present been addressed on thesuhject by the Pope or his so- called (Ecumenical Council, or indeed by any persons what- soever and I cannot see any necessity for us to go out ot our wav and put forth a manifesto. I fully expect that if the suoprirters of the claim to Infallibility are left alone, they will do their own cause infinite damage, and great good to the cause of truth. I am sure that the Eoirlish nation does not expect any declaration or action from us other than can be secured by a steadfast adherence to our old principles both in our practice and our teaching, neither do I think that the great body of CUristians elsewhere is expecting us to move. Believe me to be, my dear B shop, co Yours very sincerely, "A C. CANTUAR. The Lord Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol."

A Conference of from200 to 300 teachersof Devon and Cornwall was held at Ply mouth on Saturday. The Bishop of Exeter, who presided, said he, as a echoo.master for many years, knew perfectly well that many of the difficulties raised were really of no imp- r; aiace, but vaniihed the moment they were faced and that many of the solutions proposed by men not practically con- versant with education. were certain to damage edu- cation, withoutremoving the difficulties. It wag finite astonishing to a man who had bad the government of a school, to hear the remarks made by those who bad not had the same practical experience. Therefore, it was highly important in the discussion now going on that teachers should freely give expression to opinions founded on practical knowledge. The religious difficulty, be believed, had been enor- mously exaggerated. Once inside the school the difficulty almost vanisht d. In teaching the children in elementary schools, what was called denominational teaching hardly entered, and Christian teachers of different denominations differed very little in their teaching. The difficulties suggested as standing before teachers arose entirely from thope who collected school funds, and who considered themselves respon- sible to the public for the management, not from the teachers themselves. The teachers ought to insist in retaining the power to teach religion. The first reso- lution passed affirmed that those present as a body of teachers bad experienced no religious difficulty; the second that two or three hours a week should be devoted to religious instruction, the teacher to arrange his own time table the th-rd expressed a general approval of the Government Bill and a ready accep- tance of the conscience clause the fourth asserted that the denominational system has one excellent work as far as it has been tried, and that the meeting earnestly desired that the system should be still further improved and sustained. The two first resolutions were carried unanimously, the others by a large majority.

In moving a resolution at the annual meeting of the Education Aid Society, the Bishop of Manchester criticised the Government Bill. His lordsbip was ap. prehensive that the Ministry had attempted too much in endeavouring to deal with the rural and the urban populations at one time and in the same way, seeing that their circumstances were as different as cou'd well be conceived. It was feared by some that the Bill would extinguish school organization. If any sys- tem of compulsion, direct or indirect, cou'd tE" secured which shf uld be real and effective, no one would rejoice at the results more than he but compulsion repre- sented a power that was hateful to all Euglishmen. A profes-e ily compulsory law, which was not effective, and which was constantly trampled und-r fnot, was about the most destructive thing to the structure which c 'uld be put upon the Statute Book. Unless compulsion became effective, they would be better without it.

The Casino, a Roman Catholic society of Vienna, is engaged in discussing the following knotty qnestion" By what legal means can the increase of Jews, and the accumu- httioa of riohee In their hands, be prevented ?"

FRIGHTFUL RAILWAY ACCIDENT. FIFTEEN LIVES LOST. On Monday night, at nine o'clock, an excursion train left King's Cross, London, with passengers returning to Yorkshire. At one o'clock on Tuesday morning, as it was approaching Newark, a goods train, coming in the opposite direction, ran off the rails and crossed over to the down line, where it met the passenger train. A fearful collision ensued, and fifteen passengers were killed. The number of injured was very great. OFFICIAL ACCOUNT. Sir,-It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you of a very serious accident which happened on the Great Northern Railway, near Newark, early this morning. The brief particulars, furnished by telegraph are as follows :-A Manchester goods tram btt Retford station, for London, at about one o'clock t"is morning, and, when passing about a mile south of Newark, one of the axles of a waggon belonging to a iother company broke close to the wheel that waggon and others were thrown off the up line on to the down line, which was completely b'ocked. At this moment a return excursion tra n from London to Yorkshire was pissing the spot and ran into the waggons which wei e thrown on to the down line. A disastrous collision thus occurred, in which, I grieve to say 13 passengers and the driver are reported as having been killed, or so seriously injured that they died shortly afterwards, and several others are repoi ted as much hurt. I am instructed by my directors to send this to you at once, and to furnish de- tailed particulars as soon as they can be obtained from the spot.—I am, sir, your obedient servant, HENRY OAKLEY, Secretary.

Utisttllanmis Jnklfijcnce, HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. THE HABITUAL CRIMINALS ACT.-A circular has been issued by the Home Department to magis- trates in London and throughout the country, in wh ch Mr. Bruce states his opinion that the operation of the Habitual Criminals Acts, 1869, would be facilitated by a more frequent report on the part of magistrates to the practice of remanding, for further inquiry, persons in custody on charges of felony, and for the other of- fences enumerated in the first schedule of that act. He therefore recommends that in any case where there is reason to believe that a person so charged is living a life of habitual crime, or that the ends of justice might be promoted by a more accurate knowledge of his pre- vious history, a remand should take place for the pur- pose of affording time to procure further information. MATRIMONIAL ADVERTISEMENTS.—(From the Manch(ster Examiner): — A gentleman of position, 45 years of age, desires to cor- respond with a lady in ev-ry respect his equal, with a view to matrimony.—Address," &c. A young gentleman, ag 4, wishes to make the acquaint- ance of a young lady, with a view to matrimony same age, with means.—Address, enclosing carte, and real name and address, as none others will be attended to," &c. A tradesman, of some mesns, about to emigrate, wishes to many a young woman willing to leive England shoitly ;mutt be ot robust health, good appearance, and not more than 21 years of age a respectable servant not objected to.- Addresis," &c. Professional widower, 42, fair means, family six, all In boarding ctiool-, dec ires to communicate with well brought- up and educated, Christian, straightforward, charitable, and affecti"nate lidy, 27 to 36, mocerate means, matrimonial view; none neeu reply fearing sending name, real address, carte de viaite, and highest references, being an honourable, strictly bond tide transaction. -Address," &c. A VERT USEFUL INVENTION !-No invention of modern days is regarded with more genuine alarm by many than the "jeux innocents" of country house society, games of skill in question and answer, versification, &c. It appears from some details in a French paper that the theatrical coteries of Paris encourage customs even more bewildering than the fiercest game ab How, where, and when ? or the most terrible bout of verse- capping. At thei dinners given by the theatrical onm. panies certain things are forbidden. Any one talking shop is fined by the chairman. The fine must be paid without remark, or it is increased. An unfortunate person happening to mention that he had been "sur ia Seine one evening, was fined because it was held that he bad mentioned "la ecfcne," and as he remon- strated at the infliction, the fine was doubled. The dinner of the Pekius is a still more uncomfortable one. It was instituted at the Chatelet after the great success of the taking of P^kin. At this dinner the word Pekin must be addrd to every proper name, on pain of a fine. Conversation at this favoured board must hv a. curious coincidence greatly resemble the pigeon En^li>h which poor Albert Smith described. The only excuse for all these mental tortures is that the fines are used in helping poor members of the profession Louis BLANC ON CHARLES DICKENS. — M. Louis Bianc contributes an article on Dickens to the Paris Rappel, in which he specially refers to the light estitria iou in which cosmopolitan France holds her national celebrities, and contrasts it with the patriotic admiration Englishmen display for their fellow- countrymen who havlI become distinguished. Citing a, criticiirm on Charles Dickens from a. London paper, in which expression is given to this admiration, he says, that although other papers have spoken in more sober language, the general tone has bt:en marked by the same exaggeration. M. Louis Blanc cons idem that Mr. Dickens was a humourist with less originality than Snakespeare, lsss feasibility than Cervantes, less r.epth than Jean Paul, and less bonhomie than Sterne. He did not, M. Louis Blanc thinks, r-gard thA vices be describes quite seriously enough, and weakened the moral effect of bis pictures by the comic colouring given to them. The influence of his novels was, how- ever, highly salutary on the whole, and in his writings he always respected himself and respected his readers, while the sanctity of the dumestic hearth never had a more reverential painter or a more charming apostle. INTERESTING CEREMONY AT WINDSOR.-The ceremony of baptising the infant daughter of the Prince and Princess Christian took place at Windsor Castle on Monday afternoon, in the presence of her Majesty, the Roval parent-1, Princess Louise, Prince Ed ward of Saxe, Weimar, and the Duchess of Cam- bridge. The Queen handed the prin cess to the Bishop of London, and gave her names—"Victoria, Louise, Sophie, Augusta, Amelia, Helena." The sponsors for the infant prir-otss were :—Ht-r Majesty the Queen, their Royal Highnesses Princess Louise and the Duchess of Cambridge, their Serene H.igbresses Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimer and Prince Waldemar of Schleswig-Holstein and the Duchess of Roxburghe as nroxy for her Serene Highness Princess Augusta of Schleswig- Holstein. IRISH EDUCATIONAL EXAMINATION.—A gentle- man says, I was examining the school at Carrick in presence of the schoolmaster, schoolmistress, and the priest, as to their acquirements. Before me stood a little barefooted Irishman of about 12 or 13, with a bright intelligent face, fine dark eyes, and black hair. His name was Moses Erskine. I asked him to spell excellent," which he did. I asked him what it meant. The boy hesitated. But the priest said—"Do you know anybody who is excellent at anything ?" "Yes." "And who is it?" rejuined the priest. "Myself," was the prompt retort. "And what are you excellent at?" c >ntinued the priest. "At dancing, sir," I found that Mopes was celebrated for his powers at an Irish j'g, and that he was by no means shy of giving strangers a taste of his quality." Being asked whether it would be "indecorous" to see Moses in action, I said certainly not. Presently the rest of the scholars were allowed to go. The door was shut, and Moses was left alone with us. But I observed that the windows outside were filled with the eager faces of his schoolfellows. At first there was a difficulty about music, but the schoolmaster whistled an admirable jig, and Moses set to work with a vigour and natural grace which did him infinite credit; and as one step succeeded another, increasing in quickness and com- plication, the little wretch's feet looked, as one of the party said, like "electrified drumsticks." When Moses stopped he was duly congratulated and re- warded. A TRAGFDY AT SEA. -The ship Fair Wind, Captain Symonds, which left Rmgoon for Europe early last month, has had to put back under pt culiariy sad circumstances. It seems that, one day, the captain having called to the steward once or twice without receiving any answer, left the dec k, and was heard rating the man for his inattention. A short while after, however, the chief officer, happening to pass the steward's cabin, found the steward and the captain struggling. He at once separated them, when sud- denly the steward pulled out a knife, and stabbed the captain to the heart. The Fair Wind at once put back into the river, aBd Captain Symonds was buried in Rangoon. The murderer was arrested. THE LATEST FROM SAINT Cloud.—Reports from PAris inform us that the Emperor Napoleon is a,, ain tightly indispose. His ailment is said to be tbe rheumatic gout. There was a fall on the Bourse, wh ch was attributed to His Majesty's illne-s, although, according to other authonties, li: was canned bv the want of rain. The Paris Funds are a sort of political ther- mometer, and, of course, the slightest chance of the Emperor ceasing to reign—or the clouds bfginninCT- very naturally has a material effect upon them.—Judy. A PLHSA FOR BIGAMT !-A, case of bigamy was tried at Bordeaux on June 17cb, in which the advocate for the defence—a M. Mdran—a^ked for an acquittal on the ground tha,t his client (a. man named Feuestre, who had deserted a young wife with three children to marry another young girl) had a very good character, and further, that bigamy was not universally regarded as a crime even among civilised nations, and that, even where special codes condemned it, the punishment awarded was usually very light. The Court, far from adopting this view, sentencdd Feuestre to five years' imprisonment, a though the jury found extenuating circumstanced in his favour. PLOUGHING up GULD.-Another instance of the remarkable way in which nuggets are sometime turned up in this colony was furnished last week, when a nugget weighing 69 oz. was ploughed up on Mr. Allan's farm, Mount Prospect, Bullarooi, near Ba'.larat. As nuggets are always welcome thing?, and as this may lead to the opening up of new ground, it may be honoured as a very pleasant and welcome stranger." The lump was only a few mcbes below the surface, and has what looks like ferruginous con- glomerate attached to it, but it is nearly all gold, and well waterworn.-Melbourne Argus, April 23. THE PERILS OF LONDON !-A "British Hus- band" writes to the DoVy Telegraph:- The attention of the elderly man,, in railway carriages, on railway platforms, and in omnibuses, has become now so frequent to my wife, that last week, after hearing the accouut of her journey from Loudon Bridge to Moorga e- atreet utatiou in an omnibus, I advised her, on the next occa- sion, to appear to encourage her "elderly" acquaintance, give her correct address, and appoint a certain time and evening when she would be at home. It is almost sop r- fluous to say that I should put in an appearance and com- plete the trio, when I promise our "elderly visitor he will meet with a recepdon for which he is perhaps unprepared, so that his visit to my house would never be repeated and should be ever again meet my wife on his tAvels, he would deem it prudent to give her a wide berth. THE SIMPLE ENGLISHMAN !-It is related of a wimple-minded English gt-ntlemm that he recen ly went into a French province where he took lodgings at a substantial tamer's, and went out every day, bring- ing back a considerable number of gold and silver coins. Seeing the curiosity of the farmer aroused, the English gtnttanaa laid one day that his ancestor, a gentfanaa of the reign of Joan of Arc, bad hidden a COH*M^ number of gold ».nd silver iucts in the grounds, that he, the English gentleman, had fotm« the wealth, and there was yet much more to ne gt He added to this the question, Would the farmer go" halves ? It was only just, he continued, that be should do so, as it was on his land the money was found, The tenant agreed to this, and the next thing was to valne and divide. The farmer was content at the fooiisn English gentleman's low value on the gold coins of 30,000 francs, and to enable the English gentleman to travel more easily to Paris, as he could not be expecteu to do so comfortably with such a weight of coin, he went to his banker's in the neighbouring town, quite secretly, as advised, got la 000 francs in b notes for the English gentleman. After an Kifectiona^ farewell, tbe Eaglith gentleman left for Paris, he got his bank notes cashed. Has any one seen English gentleman ? for, singulaily enough, the Ancient gold coins hidden by his arcestor in the rei^n of Joan of Arc are brass counterfeits, and the EQgl>h gent; e- man is wanted to come back and exchange them 10 the 15,000 francs' worth of notes again. THIS WILL NOT Do !-The French papers' aro relating many apocryphal anecdotes of Charles Dick,-ms. We subjoin a specimen When one of the deceased author's Christmas stories was produced at the Vaudeville, under the title of L'Abime, )1et went to witness its representation. During the struggle get into the theatre he lost his watch. This was much to regretted, as it was presented to him by her Majesty, u arriving home, however, he found a little parcel containing; his watch and the following letter attached to It— '"T Pardon me, I thought that you were a Frenchman and n0 compatriot. Having discovered my error I hasten to restore the watch that I have stolen. A ci pt, air and dear com- patriot, my homage and respect.-A PICKPOCKET. THE NAVY.—Tbe wreck of Her Majesty's guD- vessel Slaney in the China seas is a very melancholy event. There is no further intelligence at the Admi- ralty beyond the fact that she was cast away on the Paracel,e. some dangerous rocky islands between Sin- gapore and Hongkong. and no great distance from the Macclesfield sboal. The Slaney was commanded by Lieutenant Elwyn, and had a complement of 44 officers and men, one boy, and five marines—total, 50 but at the time of her loss she might have beenunderminntQ. The officers reported to be lost with Lieutena.trt Elwyn are the navigating sub-lieutenant and the surgeon, and as it is reported that 42 men in a have been lost, there can be very few survivors. The, ships sent from Hongkor g to the scene of disaster the Adventurer and the Salamit. PROPERTY oF DECEASED SOLDIERS.—A WaF Office return shows that in the last six years more1 than JB200,000, the property of deceased or discharged soldiers, has been forwarded to the War Department. Above £ 180,000ha8 been paid over to the parties entitled to receive it, and at the end of the year 1860 a balar.«'' of more than £ 25,000 was in hand. On_ the death a soldier, the officer commanding bis regiment report* the event to his next cf kin, as shown by the deceased s( pocket ledger and when the amount of the effects has been settled, a form is sent to the person who applied for the balance by the War Office, stating that? the regimental agent has been authorised to isoue to* the legal representative of the deceased the amount which appears to be due. SMALLPOX IN P ARIs.-The mortality in .fans from this fearful epidemic has again risen, and last week there were no less than 238 deaths returned from that cause, 88 of the victims djing in the hospitals. The increasing fatality of this disease causes much anxiety of Paris, where a committee of medical meB has been formed to investigate the causes of this dread- ful vi-itation. From the official returns it appeal" that the deaths from smallpox in 1865 were 740 if 1866, 615; in 1867, 301 in 1868, 655 and in 1869, 723.. It was only in November last that the disesss arsumeo an epidemic form, the deaths rising from 39 in October to 93 in November, and 119 in December. Between- January 1 and May 24, 1870, there have been received, into the hospitals no leds than 4,251 smallpox patients, of whom 683 have died. Several of the Paris papers devote long articles to the subji-ct, urging the exten- sion of vaccination, or the adoption of other precau- tionary measures. THE WKO.NO MAN !—The following story, told by a "black country" correspondent, ought not to bo lost:— "Speaking of Dickens," says the writer, I am forcibly r°7 minded of a reading he gave at Wolverhampton on bis provincial tour. It must be fourteen years ago. The ap-,Lcioub Exchange was crammed completely by a fashionable audier ce. At that time the great novelist's physique was not so versally known as photography has jendered it in recent" years, and well remember how, amid the hush of expect- ancy, a portly gentleman emerging from the side door on tø the orchestra, was greeted with hilarious plaudits. The new Comer-who Bporced a white waistcoat, by-tile-hye- seemed utteily astonished at his welcome, and bowed many times in grateful acknowledgment. Then placing a ju; 01 water and a tumbler on the reading desk, be all graciOllo11 withdrew amidst general laughter. He was only Mr. Dickens » attendant." CHARLES DICKENS' HOUSE AT GADSHILL.—A proposal has been started—probably const quent upon the reported sale of the Gadshill house and grounds—' having for its object the purchase and preservation ot Charles Dickens* favourite abiding place as a nati- -DOI memento of this popular author. It ia suggested tbav the house should be retained by Mr. Dickers' family for a term. to be named by themselves, at the expira- tion of which, with their consent, the place will merge ip trustees. Dickens passed the morning and after- noon of his last day on earth in the chalet, presented t^ h m by a few Swiss admirers two years since, which erected in the shrubbery opposite his residence, an« approached by a tunnel underneath the turnpike road. Thin chalet, embosomed in the foliage of some very noa trees, stands upon an emirence commanding a magni- ficent view of the mouth of the Thames, and the oppc! site coast of Eisex. It was a favourite retreat <>l Dickens. THE LEGEND OF LADY GODTVA.—In accordance with a very ancient practice, which has been repeated at interval.. of three or four years, the tradition a: story of Lady Godiva was commemorated at Coventry 011 Monday by a grand historical procession. This being the week of the great fair in Coventry tbe city was un- usually lively, and thousands of visitor# came from all parts of the country—LondoD, Birmingham, Leieester, Nurthampton, and elsewhere-to witness the pageant* The procession was very itrposinsr, and paraded vne streets for several hours. "Lady Godiva" was dressed in skin tights, reaching to the waist, and a short pet- ticoat. Among the other characters represented wer» the Earl of Mercia (Ladv Godiva's husband), Edward the Black Prince, Mary Queen of Scots, King Henry VIII., St. Gwrge in Armonr, King Richard IT-, King Henry IV., Sir Johft Falstaff, &c. The pro' cession was led by a detachment of the 5th Dragoon«» and was taken part in by the local societies and otbei| from a distance—the Foresters, Ancient Order of Druids, and the like. Mr. Mander, whose menagerie is at present stationed in Coventry, gave valuable a8- Bistance by allowing the use of hi3 elephants, drome* daries, and other animals. A feature of the pageant I was a number of young childrm very prettily dreseedt and mounted on horses led by attendants. The streets presented a most crowded aepect during the whole day* but no casualties of any moment have been reported. A MARKER SHOT.—A deplorable occurrence has happened at Parlington Hall, Yorkshire, the resi- dence of Colonel Gascoigne, the Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the Leeds Volunteer Artillery. In the grounds attached to his house Colonel Gascoigne a private rifle range, extending to 1,100 yards. Til1 within a few weeks Hall, a gamekeeper, had acted aS marker, but he had lately trained a gardener's labourer, named Cottam, to perform the duty. On Saturday afternoon Colonel Gascoigne went out for alittle private practice, taking with him Cottam, intending only to fire 30 shots at the 600 yards' range. Colonel Gascoigne never gave the signal to wash out; but two or three times while shooting, the gamekeeper and wonomlØ spoke to him, and the deceased took the opportunity to remove the marks. When be had fired the 30th shot Colonel Gascoigne did not bear the expected ricgt and on looking he thought be saw something drop down under the bull's-eye. Believing that be had shot Cottam, he fetched the woodman, and on proceed- ing to the target they found him extended on the grass, covered with blood and quite dead. He bad evidently been obliterating the marks of the shots, for a paint brush was near his hand, but the danger flag bad never been hoisted as a warning. At an inquest held on Monday the jury returned a verdict of Accident- ally killed." A MONSTER SALMON.—Mr. Frank Buckland, Tnxpector of Salmon Fisheries, 4, Old Palace-yard, Westminster, has sent the following letter for publica- tion Mr. Charles, of Arabella-row, Fimlici, fishmonger, kindly sens for me this morning to examine the largest salmon of modern times. I have seen this magnificent fish weighed he just touches the telle at 701 b. his length is 4ft. 5in. girth, 2ft. 7-2in. He was caught in thA Tay by Mr Al?xander Speedie, thu well-known taksman of Perth. The capture of this grand fi h proves the soundness of the doctrine I have always endeavoured to promulgate among salmon conserva- tOrf-" Preserve your kelts." These keits when going down the river are worthless for food they will, however, return from the sea bright as uew silver, and exeeHent "food for the people," having c 1st nobody a sixpt-nce for their kei.p, as in the sea they live uoon saDrl eels. lug-worms, and the fry of Be* ft-h. ThuS this thh (wl ich probab y went to the sea in feb- rua'y, 1863) now returns (us Mr Charles has informed n e) worth at. wholeiale price £ 9 12i. 61., or the price of three very good sheep In 1851 the late Mr. Y .rrell examined a fish in Mr. Charles's shop that weighed 681b. but he was a Dutchman. I have been permitted to take a cast of this magniacent Tay fish. I hope shortly to place tl1" cast in raY Museum of Economic Fish Culture," at the Horticultural Garden*, Kensington, and if possible get him painted to life by Mr. Kolfe Poop FKLLOW !—A Count, who had long been "out at elbows," has just committed suicide in the Toulon prison. Some time ago he was arrested and sentenced to a week's imprisonment as a vagabond. Being recognised as a geiit'eman of noble family, the prison authorities procured him a coachman's place with a rich family. He performed the duties with comfort to himself and satisfaction to his master, but, unfortunateiy the latter, having occasion to change his residence, discharged him. He fund it impossible to get any employment, and dreading to be again taken up for a vagabond, saved the officers trouble by declaring himself to be one, and asking for a lodging in prison. There being a mark against his name as an "old offender," he was placed in a clas-i subjected to more severe prison discipline than he bad been on the first occasion. This change of treatment weighed heavily on his mind. He had in his pocket some manuscript essays on scientific subjects which bad been rejected by many publishers, and to console him- self he aopealed against their judgment to that of his fellow-prisoners, but they onty lauehed and jeered when he attempted to read his productions to them. On going to bed he asked the gaoler to lend him a pencil; with this he wrote upon a sheet of note paper these words-" Since everybody mocks at me, I must be an ass." Then he hung himself by his braces to a bar in his cell, and he was found in the morning dead Di?\TH OF A N: POLKON. -A telegram from Nt w York announces the death of Jerome Bonaparte, at Baltimore, on Friday the 17th instant Prince Jerome Bonaparte, the youngest brother of Napoleon L. and at one time Kit,g of Westphalia, married at New York, in ISc-3, a young American lady named Patter- son. The deceased was their only child, and was horn in the environs cf London on the 7ch July, 18;15 Napoieon I, being annoyed at this marriage, which waq conn acted with- "ut biq consent, declaring it null and void, and Jri<nie B (imparts was afterwards uuited to the Prhices; Fieaerifca, of Wuriembnrg PrinceNapoleon and thePdncess MiUh'iO* are the issue of thia second marrirge. The first marrii ge was the subject of some proceedings in the French Courts a few years since, when an attempt was made to establish >»■ validity by the son of Jerome Bonaparte who hae Just cUed, The attempt waa, however, wuaconwfal.