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AMBITION'S LADDER.
[ALL RIGHTS RE8ERYKD.] AMBITION'S LADDER. By the Author of Atherstone Grange, Ie A Life for a Love," !f"c. CHAPTER XIV. BROUGHT TO BAT. My conscience hath a thousand several tongneft, And every tongue brings in a several tale, And every tale condemns me for a villain. NEARLY opposite the lane in which stood Joe Brad- ley's abode was a ramshackle, low-fronted public- house, known as the "Jolly Bargeman," an in- scription above the door setting forth that GOOD BEI.S" could therein be secured by single men for the moderate charge of sixpence per night, payable in advance and underneath, in smaller letters, that the proprietor, Timothy Bunce, was licensed to sell beer, wine, and spirits to be drunk on the premises, to such of the Majesty's lieges as stood in need of those refreshments. Inside the bar, about noon of the day preceding Dr. Sampson's visit with Mr. Sartoris, stood the owner of the establishment, one hand buried in the capacious pocket of his apron, the other supporting a long pipe-for business was slack just then, and he bad time to indulge in the soothing weed and ruminate over those arbitrary provisions of the law which weigh so heavily on his oppressed and over- burdened class, even to the iniquitous extent of interfering with their domestic arrangements. And, indeed, Mr. Timothy Bunce had just cause for the wrath which filled his breast and clouded his brow, for only that very morning in the course of a public interview between himself and the polite but ruthless administrator of the law who occupied the bench at the Lambeth Police Court, he had been mercilessly mulcted in a sum of five pounds, and the conviction endorsed upon his license, for having imbibed rather more than was good for him of his own liquors, and been found very much under the influence of his potations by a police- man called in to quell a slight disturbance in the bar. Had it so occurred, indeed, that he had been "overcome" when away from home, Mr. Bunce would have paid the penalty of his lachcs not only willingly, but without thought of disputing its justice, but to be invaded beneath the sanctuary of his own roof-tree! to owe his ignominious position to the evidence of one who never passed his door dry- lipped! appeared to Timothy Bunce such an ir- ruption upon his rights as a free-born Briton and retailer of the beverage which is thx* Englishman's mainstay-as such an act of treachery on the part of the official who, forgetful of past favours, had denounced him--that the worthy host of the Jolly Bargeman" may well be held excused for feeling wrathful on the subject of his wrongs, and dilating upon them in no measured language to all and sundry of his customers, who for the most part joined warmly in his denunciations of the law and the informer who had betrayed him into its meshes. What's things a-coming to I'd like to know Mr. Bunce demanded, fiercely, bringing down his clenched fist with a heavy thump upon the counter to emphasise his words. A pretty sort of free- dom, ain't it, when a man mustn't get quietly boozed in his own bar-parlour, when he can sleep it off quite quiet and no one a ha'porth the worse. A Englishman's house ain't his castle, I say, when such goings on is allowed." All which, and much more objurgatory language to the same effect, which need not be more par- ticularly specified, was greeted by his sympathising hearers with murmurs of approval and unqualified condemnation of X 2000, through whose instrumen- tality Mr. Bunce had been made to suner and as talking is dry work, a considerable number of frothed-up tankards were put in circulation, a result which tended in some degree to mollify the aggrieved lanllord, whose ire diminished as he swept pile after pile of dirty copper coin into the till, upon which the magistrate's decision that morning had made so serious an inroaa. By-and-by, however, as their thirst became quenched, or the means of satisfying it no longer re- mained, while a gaudily-painted work of art sus- pended in the liar depicting the lifeless form of a dog stretched out before an empty beer-barrel, with the legend underneath, P<or Irust is dead" was one well enough understood by Mr. Bunce's customers to prevent them from entertaining any hope of procuring more liquor without ready money, they gradually dropped off till their host was left in solitary enjoyment of his own thoughts and the pleasant consciousness that trade had been un- commonly brisk that day. Suddenly, however, a sight met Mr. Bunce's eyes which inspired him with virtuous indignation. Through the open door of the tap-room he could see, seated in the far corner, the figure of man a who had come in more than an hour ago, and been served but once with a glass of ale, which remained untasted on the table beside him. This abstinence was not at all in accordance with what Mr. Bunce considered due either to the ex- cellence of his tap or the fact that the stranger-for the solitary occupant of the tap-room was a stranger -was enjoying the shelter of his roof and the warmth of his fire at an outlay absurdly small for euchadvantages. But though Mr. Bunce, hoping to rouse his un- profitable customer, bustled about with a great deal of unnecessary noise, he was not successful in his object, the stranger, a little, wizened man of elderly appear nee, never lifting his eyes from the paper. in which he seemed utterly absorbed. He ought to have got it learnt off by art all this time," grumbled the landlord to himself. "Wonder what he is? Looks respectable! I'll eee if I can't get him to speak. Fine sharp day, air. "Yes," laconically replied the stranger. But cold," added Mr. Bunce, stirring the fire. "Cold, certainly." Be a frost before night, I'm thinking." Very likely." The subject of the weather did not appear to offer a very promising field for opening up a conversation, and Mr. Bunce returned to the attack in another guise. I'm afraid your liquor's not to your taste, sir," he said. Oh, quite! Very good beer," returned the other, still without changing his position. And a little of it goes a long way, doesn't it ?" sarcastically observed Mr. Bunce. You judge by the smell of it, I suppose, sir ? Leastways, what you've drunk a fly might have in his eye and see no worse for." Here the stranger, noting the suppressed wrath in Mr. Bunce's accents, looked up with an amused smile. I fancy I'd forgotten all about it," he said. « I've let it stand till it has turned flat, I daresay. Take the glass away and bring me a pint of your best, will you ?" Somewhat mollified by this order, Timothy Bunce obeyed, returning to the tap-room to find that during his absence the taciturn stranger had been joined by a companion. A young man, judging by his figure, but his features so concealed by a thick woollen comforter that covered the lower part of his face, and a soft felt hat brought well down over his eyes, that the landlord could not make them out, though something familiar in the general appearance of the new arrival prompted him to make the attempt; so he retreated at last to his snuggery behind the bar, foiled for the time, but determined not to let the mysterious stranger depart without making another effort to get a good look at him. A resolve in which be was strengthened by the intelligence whispered in his ear by the potboy, who assisted him in his business, that the wizened- looking elderly man who had been waiting there so long was no less a person than a well-known inspector of police at Scotland Yard, Pounceby by name. "And if t'other one is who I'm most sure he is though he has wrapped himself up so close—there's something a-goin' on as ain't square," muttered Mr. Bunce. I'll make quite sure first, in case I might be mistaken." And ensconcing himself behind the door he drew aside a little corner of the red curtain which screened the panes of glass in the upper part, and waited his opportunity. His patience was not put to any very severe test, for scarcely five minutes was sufficient to conclude the interview in the tap-room, whose occupants then came forth and stood to exchange a few parting sentences in the empty bar, quite unconscious that from his post of vantage Mr. Bunce could hear distinctly every word that passed between them, and what was worse -for without the further know- ledge the few brief words he overheard would have been unintelligible to him—recognised the last comer beyond the shadow of a doubt. So muttered Timothy Bunce, as, after the two men had taken their departure in opposite directions, he emerged from his place of concealment with rather a disturbed and uneasy look upon his face, I was nothing wrong, after all. No need to take long in guessing what it all means. 'It must be done to-night,' Master Aliclc, must it ? Maybe though as you'll find it won't be such an easy job as you've reckoned on. Lord I wouldn't stand in your shoes, my buck, when Joe Bradley hearc. what I've got to tell him." Meanwhile, Alick Wood, for it was ready he whose secret meeting with the police officer Mr. Bunce had detected, made the best of his way back to the old warehouse, happily ignorant that his dis- guise had been penetrated, and mounted the ladder to the loft wherein the sick boy lay. Carrie, who was sitting by the invalid's bed and reading to him out of a tattered volume of fairy tales, hastily laid down the book at her lover's ap- pearance and she sprang lightly to his side. Where have you been, Ahck P" she asked anxiously. Have you had any words with father again r" "Words! What dt you mean ? I have not seen him "He has been looking for you, and was-oh, so angry when he found you were away. 1 can't help his anger," impatiently answered the youth. Luckily I—we shall both be out of the reach of it very soon. I have made all the arrangements I spoke of to you, Carrie and a very short time from now will see us free from this hateful life." « Ah And you, too, dear. It is as much for your sake as my own," he continued, clasping her slight form in his arms. We will leave this miserable place, and seek a new home. But you must be careful, Came. Don't breathe a word that would lead the old man to suspect what we intend. If he should—well, you know what he is-what mercy he would be likely to show me." Yes, ves," said the girl, shuddering, I will be careful, Alick indeed I will. But Lennie; what is to be done with him ?" I have arranged everything, I tall vow. You shall know how in eood-time." Carrie Bradley looked timidly, but so searchingly into her youthful lover's face. Why not now ?" she asked. Can you not trust me F" Trust you ? Yes," he answered, avoiding her gaze. But not yet. I have given a promise, Carrie. Don't ask me to break it. Come, let us talk about something more pleasant-of what we shall do where we are going when we leave this den to begin a new life." But while they sat there, conversing in low tones of the future that lay before them, Joe Bradley was closeted with Mr. Bunce, who had sent him a message through a safe source, and was listening to that which made his features, ferocious enough at the best, now terrible to look upon. Mr. Bunce's story was in itself sufficient, but he held in his hand confirmatory evidence of Alick's intention to betray him for only a few hours pre viously, during the youth's absence, he had received a warning note from one of the two gentlemen whose visit to the Haymarket cafe had ended so disastrously for them, in which the meeting between Alick Wood and the policeman in Trafalgar-square was made known to him. So, my lad!" Joe Bradley exclaimed, apos- trophising the absent traitor. That's what you're up to, eh ? But I'll spoil yer little game if I swing for it," he added, with a ferocious oath, gripping the piece of paper he held in his hand as if it had been Alick's throat he was clutching. "To sell me, who have acted the father by him, and his pals, who've allers trusted him But I'll make him pay for it, the mean, sneaking cur!" And, then, hardly waiting to thank his informant for having put him upon his guard, Joe Bradley hastened homewards, boiling with rage and a thirst for revenge, and burst into the room where Alick still sat with his daughter. What is the matter, father asked the girl, springing to her feet, with an alarmed look, while Alick, whose breath came fast and thick, braced himself to meet the danger which he plainly saw threatened him. Is there anything wron g ? Wrong oh, dear no! of course not," answered Joe Bradley, with a cry of concentrated passion in his tones that made the girl instinctively shrink back, terror-stricken. What's likely to be wrong ? We're all good men and true here, and the best on us stands behind you. The werry best, and the truest." What do you mean, Joe ?" demanded the young man, attempting to speak calmly, though his white face and trembling lips showed the effort he was making. What are you hinting at f" "Hinting at!" shouted Bradley, furiously. "I don't hint; but I mean this, curse you If what I've been told ain't lies, and you've thought to spll me and the rest of us, I'll have your miserable life, you hound, if I pays with my own for it!" And with one bound he cleared the narrow space that divided them, seized the youth by his throat and hurled him to the floor, where he lav stunned and almost senseless. CHAPTER XV. THE CAPTURE. That darll some cave they enter, where they find That cursed man, low sitting on the ground, Musing full sadly in his sullen mind. CARRIE flew to her lover's aid when she saw him lying thus completely at the old man's mercy, but Joe Bradley held her off with his outstretched hand, and bade her with a rough oath to leave him to settle matters with his antagonist. "But you are choking him, father!" piteously cried the girl, clasping her hands and looking at him with tearful entreaty. See —he cannot breathe -what do you think he has done to deserve your anger ? Ah! for mercy's sake take your hand from his throat." F 1" I should only be sarving him right if I squeezed all the breath from his body," growled Joe Bradley, but at the same time slightly relaxing his grasp, and so enabling Alick to breathe more freely and raise his head a little. What has he done P Ask him- self that question, and how much he is to get for having sold us all ?" "Sold us! He!" Yes-see whether he attempts to deny it, or that he set the peelers on to nab The Swell and Dick Turvey last night." JS* o, that I'll swear I did not," asserted Alick, who had recovered sufficiently to speak. What makes you accuse me ? As to Belling you-I don't understand what you mean; at least, I can't make out what has put such an idea into your head." Oh, no of course not! You'se such an innicent honourable cove, you is mockingly returned J(,e, still retaining his hold of the prostrate youth. though allowing him a little more freedom. It was quite by accident, now, wasn't it, that you were talking to the bobby at Charing-cross; quite by ac- cident that you dropped in at the 'Jolly Bargeman,' with your face hid and quite by accident as another bobby was Jhere who had a word or two to say to you ? Oh there never was such a innicent party as you, was there, now P" J te:l you I haven't a notion what you mean," sullenly reiterated Alick. "That's a lie, you miserable cur savagely re- torted Mr. Bradley. Why, you can't look at me fair and square while you say it. Now just listen to me. I'll leave the rest of your pals who you've betrayed to settle affairs with you when we've finished the batch. It's all ready to be turned out, and if the crushers do come down on us—so much the worse for them, and you too. Do you know what's underneath you ? No ?--then I'll tell you. There's enough powder in the cellar to blow us all over to Chelsea, and if your good friend Mr. Pounceby and his crew puts foot inside this crib to- night it'll be nigh about time for them and you to be looking out for-squalls, that's all I've got to say." Don't be a fool, Joe," exclaimed the young man, his face paling with alarm, while Carrie utterred a low cry of terror at the murderous threat implied in her father's speech. You're mistaken, I swear! Only let me go, and I'll soon prove it to you. "Oh, yes! I'll let you go," answered JoeBradlev, with savage irony, but allowing his foe to rise. If you can get out, that is." Alick darted to the door, only to find that it was securely fastened on the outside. No go, my pippin," said the old ruffian, with a laugh of malicious enjoyment at Alick's discom- fiture. "I'll forgive you if you get out of this with- out my leave. And now you know what to expect. If you're telling truth, and you've been belied, you're safe enough but if you've played the traitor, why—I'd sooner go to smash at once than be lagged for life, and we'll all go in company." And with this parting warning Joe Bradley lifted the trap and descended, casting a menacing look at the young man as he went. AHck I" cried the girl, clinging to his arm. What does he mean?" Hush! do not speak," he answered in a hoarse whisper, I must find some way of escape, or we are both lost." And, first retreating a little distance to gain greater impetus, he threw himself against the door, reckless, in his desire to escape, of the danger that, should it give way to his assault, he must go head- long on the ground below. But, old and worn as was the tenement, it had been built of solid materials, and the heavy wooden bar which Joe Bradley had placed across the ex- terior of the door was proof against such strength as Alick could bring to bear upon it, till, finding his efforts useless, he desisted and turned to his terrified companion with a gloomy brow. '1 here's no help for it; we must take our chance," he said. The only hope I have is th it Pounceby will be too sharp for the old madman, and stop him before he has time to do any mis- chief." Pounceby!" repeated the girl, with a bewildered air, and then, as her father's words recurred to her, and she remembered who bore the name, turning a sharp, questioning ga7e upon her lover. Do you mean the policeman ?' Yes." He is coming, then ?" I hope so. It is likely to go hard with us— with me, at all events — if he does not." "And you-you have done this ? Is it true?- that which you swore was false—you have betrayed my father and the others —you y°u ^.ke to put it that way, yes," answered Alick sullenly; I have." She looked at him fixedly for a moment, as though incredulous even yet. J <111she repeated at length, shrinking from him with a look of horror, as the conviction forced itself upon her that she was not mistaken. "Oh, no vou could not be so base, so Éah!" impatiently broke in the young man, every one for himself. W hat's the good of making a fuss, Carrie ? I had to make my choice, either a prison or freedom and was it likeh I should throw such a chance away ? I tell you I was sick and tired of the life I was meant for something better and you too. If the whole gang is sent across tha herring-pond, so much the better for both of us Carrie. We can begin a new life without any fear of being found out and dragged back to—this. I've got the promise of enough money The reward, I suppose ?" Yes, the reward, if you like," answered Alick defiantly. I have earned it at risk enough to my- self, and I'm willing to share it with you, if you'll go with me." Carrie recoiled still further from him. What you .1" she exclaimed scornfully- cc a spy, a cowardly informer! Keep away from me—don't touch me! I'll let my father know at once, and Alick intercepted her, howover, as she darted swiftlv tov/ards the trap to put hnr threat into exe- cution, and smothered the cry with which she sought to alarm those beneath by placing his hand over her mouth. For heaven's sake, be silent!" he whispered, in hoarse, anxious tones. Would you be my murderer and your own as well ? It was as much for your sake as my own, Carrie, that I consented," he went on, when he found her struggles to escape grew fainter. I could not bear to see you as you are; think of what might befall you, when the means of saving you was offered me. Just think a moment, Carrie. Is this a life suited for you; and yet, if you remain here, what have you to look forward to but shame and disgrace ? They must come, sooner or later. I want to save you from such a fate, because I love you. Perhaps I have not chosen the best way, but I could find no other. Never mind that, you shall do what you please," and he released herashe spoke Til not prevent you —goand let them know that the police may be here at any moment, and that it was I who put them on the track and see me murdered before your eyes-for you know how much mercy I am likely to get— because I love you too much not to trust my very life in your hands." (To It continued.)
THE WORCESTER MUSICAL FESTIVAL.
THE WORCESTER MUSICAL FESTIVAL. The special correspondent of the Daily 2sews, writiig from Worcester on Sunday, says: The one hundred and sixty-first meeting of the Cathedral Choirs of Hereford, Gloucester, and this city was inaugurated this morning by a special service in the nave of the cathedral. It went off in the most satisfactory manner. The morning was stormy, but the weather fortunately cleared up, so that an hour before the time fixed for the opening of the cathedral hundreds of people were waiting at the doors. Excel lent arrangements, however, had been made to pre vent confusion. Free tickets had been issued to a certain portion of the interior, and the rest of the building was thrown open to all comers, the result being that at the commencement of the service every seat was occupied. The Mayor and Corporation in State were received at the cathedral doors by the Dean of Worcester (Lord Alwyne Compton) and the Prebendary, and were ushered to the places appointed for them. The clergy present were Canons Butler, Knox Little, Melville, and Cattley, Archdeacon Lea, and the Revs. H. H. Woodward, Malone, and V. Hall, Minor Canons, and others. The service was intoned by the Rev. H. H. Woodward and the Rev. V. Hall. and the lessons of the day were read by the Dean and Canon Butler, the clergy being placed at the top of the steps leading from the nave to the choir in front of the choir screen, and the congregation assembled in the nave, choir, aisles, and transept. Altogether it was believed there were hardly less than 5000 persons assembled, and the decorum and even devotion observed by the vast congregation was one of the most striking features of the morning's proceedings. So devout and quiet were they that during the reading of the prayers after the anthem the bell of the cathedral tolling from the tower the hour of noon was heard distinctly all over the nave. The orchestra was as usual raised against the west window at the end of the nave. Besides the music set down in the programme, Croft's anthem, Cry aloud and shout," was sung. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Canon Knox Little, who took tor his text Zechariah ix., 17—"For how great is His goodness, how great is His beauty." A col- lection on behalf of the widows and orphans of clergy of the three dioceses followed the sermon. The musical portions of the service derived special importance from the co-operation of the fine Festival band and chorus; and included some compositions of high interest. First came Dr. Ridge's Hymn io the Creator. The words are a close translation by Mrs. Oliphant of the song of St. Francis of Assisi, the apostle of the Middle Ages, and founder of the Fran- cisan Order. The composer of the hymn performed is the skilful organist of Westminster Abbey, who has on this occasion as previously proved his aptitude for sacred musical composition. The work now referred to is written for soprano solo, chorus, and orchestra. The opening portion, Highest omnipotent Good Lord," is a chorus, introduced by a few bars of orchestral prelude. Some impressive choral har- mony is well contrasted by the prevailing figurative details of the accompaniments incidental use being made—in fugal style--of a phrase that is indicated in the orchestral introduction. The opening chorus leads into a short soprano solo, associated with the second verse, beginning, Praised by His creatures all"—a smooth and flowing melody of thoroughly vocal character. Some effective writing (choral) follows, in which the several divisions of the choir are used, alternately and in combination, in well-sustained illustration of the praises of sun, moon, stars, the earth, and the elements, &c. Some of the contrasts are very good. The final verse is in- troduced by the solo soprano at the words Praised is my lord for those who, for Thy love, can pardon give and bear the weakness and the wrongs of men." The melodious strains for soprano solo are continued, with slight intermission, through the closing choral music, which includes a recurrence to phrases heard in the opening movement. The performance of the hymn was conducted by the composer, the passages for soprano solo having been sung by Mr. Glover- Eaton, a local professor. The Te Deum and Benedictus" (in F) were by Sir F. G. Ouseley, who in these and other cathedral music, and in didactic writings on musical science and history, has proved that the present time can pro- duce works not unworthy of comparison with some of those of the past. Sir F. Ouseley's service music given this morning is written for chorus, solo voices, and orchestra, and comprises an agreeable combina- tion of the old style of church music with modern effects. The anthem after the collects was Mendelssohn's When Israel out of Egypt Came," one of several such works on which the composer has impressed a grandeur and sublimity comparable in degree, although not in extent, to the same qualities as displayed in his two great oratorios. The anthem before the sermon was Cry Aloud and Shout," by Dr. Croft, one of the last of the great school of English Church composers following the time of the greatest of all, Henry Purcell. Previous to the blessing, the hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy" (No. 160 of "Hymns Ancient and Modern") was sung. Tallis's music was used for the responses, other portions of the service having been sung to Humphrey's grand chant and Lawes'a chant in C. With the exception of Dr. Bridge's work Mr. Done acted as conductor, Mr. Hugh Blair having officiated as organist.
A DIAMOND BROOCH.
A DIAMOND BROOCH. In London, on Saturday, a young man, applying to Mr. D'Eyncourt, at the Westminster Police-court, asked that an order might be made on the police to restore to him a diamond and amethyst brooch, valued at £50, which was taken from him in June last when he was charged at that court. He re- minded the magistrate that he found the brooch last Christmas time in Hans-place, Chelsea, and believing it to be of little value laid it aside. When out of work six months afterwards he endeavoured to raise a small sum in pawn on the brooch, being at that time quite ignorant of its value. The pawnbroker called a policeman, and he was taken into custody, accused of unlawful possession. His worship discharged him, after a remand for enquiry, being satisfied as to his respectability and the truth of his story. Inspector Adams said the brooch had been advertised, but not owned. Mr. D'Eyncourt told the applicant that he had better wait till six months had elapsed before he renewed his claim to the brooch as finder. He must recollect that it would have to be restored at any time if the owner turned up. Inspector Adams remarked that probably the police would retain the article until there was a formal order of the magistrate to give it to the applicant. The young man said that he would take Mr. D'Eyncourt's advice, and wait a few months longer.
EARL SPENCER AT KILLARNEY.
EARL SPENCER AT KILLARNEY. The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, accompanied by Captains Pyttle and Ross, A.D.C.'s, left Killarney on Saturday for Millstreet, which has been the scene of several serious outrages. The visit was paid with the object of obtaining precise information respecting those outrages. His Excellency travelled in a saloon carriage attached to the mail train. At the entrance to the town large streamers were extended across the streets, bearing the words, God save the Irish nation." A great number of smaller ones were dis- played from the houses, bearing such inscriptions as Parnell for ever," God save Ireland," Millstreet loves William O'Brien." Several disloyal cartoons were posted on the front walls of the town, but the police, acting on instructions, succeeded, after some trouble, in scraping them off by the aid of long poles. Lord Spencer had a long conversation with Canon Griffin on the state of the country and the relations between landlord and tenant in the district. His Excellency subsequently "visited the Presentation Convent and the military barracks, and returned to Killarney on horseback/8 distance of twenty-one miles, under a heavy downpour of rain.
[No title]
FIRE-DAMP IN MINEs.-According to the Colliery Guardzan, Mr. W. E. Garforth, mining engineer, of Normanton, has succeeded in perfecting an invention for the detection of fire-damp in mines which is as remarkable for its simplicity as for its efficiency. It consists of a small indiarubber hand-ball, without a valve of any description but by the ordinary action of compressing the ball and then allowing it to expand a sample of the suspected atmosphere is drawn from the roof or any part of the mine without the great risk which now attends the operation of testing for gas should the gauze be defective. The sample thus obtained is then forced through a small protected tube on to the flame, when, if gas is present, it is shown by the well-known bluo cap and elongated flame. From this description and the fact that the apparatus can be carried easily in the pocket, the value of this adjunct to the safety-lamp will be apparent. It is thought that explosions are caused frequently by the fire-trier himself, and that his death prevents the cause from being fully ascertained. This danger will now be altogether avoided, and it is said that the detector has been tried at several collieries with eomnJetslv satisfactory results.
GOSSIP ON DRESS
GOSSIP ON DRESS THE approach of the turn of the season" is in» aicated by the tone of the articles on dress topics 4o the columns of our fashionable contemporaries. The Paris correspondent of the Queen says that a leading house in the French capital has already prepared some new autumn dresses, using much plain velvet, called "velours pleins," combined with embroidery, silk, and woollen, in shades to match the velvet. The drapery on the skirts is simple, and generally arranged at the back, the fronts being in flat panels or straight plaits; the bodices have a small point in front, are short at the hips, with either small postilion or point at the back. Other bodices have waistcoats either plain or full. A shade of heliotrope (almost violet) will be much worn. Some of the new dresses are trimmed with gold braid, woven into the woollen mohair. Among the new modtls of rich short costumes, for either calling or small dinners, are the following: Violet velvet skirt, with deep cross-cut tucks at the back bodice and tunic of violet velvet, studded with tiny dots of old gold, the revers on the bodice being plain velvet. A black velvet skirt, with cross-cut folds of black ottoman in front, and trimmed with bands of astrachan; velvet bodice, with zigzag of astrachan on the chest. A moss green velvet skirt, studded all over with small beads; moss-green cloth tunic and bodice, with beaded velvet waistcoat. There is no great change in the sleeves, with the ex- ception of the fullness and padding at the fop, which have disappeared, as the high shoulders had become too exaggerated. THE same authority says that woollens will be worn in preference to silks for walking dresses, and in them there are some novelties, such as the wool velvet, which has a twilled ground of hard twisted wool, on which are raised figures of uncut loops, some 'of which are friso (curled) and others smooth. Then there are repped woollens and tricot cloths, and a rough bison cloth known as bourrette bison." A new effect is given to these last by arranging the rough threads in small crossbars, by either couching them or holding them down with cross-stitches taken at intervals as in needlework. The new shade of grey blue in which these cloths appear, is called Gordon blue, after the English hero, and there are bright greens called Little Duke green," and the cresson or watercress green. But more than all others are shown the mor- dore, or golden browns, the dahlia and the prune or plum shades, some of which are the red plum, and others the blue plum or damson tints. Plain materials are shown to match all figured materials which proves that the fashion of combining two or three fabrics in one costume will still obtain. SMALL figures or patterns will be preferred for dresses, but for mantles there are large detached flowers, interlinked palms and rings, and, above all, stripes, either lengthwise or crossed from selvedge to selvedge. Frise figures on cloth or on velvet or satin grounds will be the feature for the new materials for all mantles. The trimmings threaten to be some- what incongruous, as fur or feathers will be used with lace. For coloured cloth jackets there are velvet ornaments cut in quaint designs, and outlined with gold or silk cord. A LONDON morning paper has a special article on Travelling Dress," from which we make the follow- ing extracts: The tailor now makes the travelling costumes of Englishwomen, and they are conse- quently shorn of all flimsy flouncings, irrelevant laces, and even, to a great extent, of ribbon itself. The woollen materials in most favour are serge, vicuna, cheviot, and the fine soft sort of cloth known as "ladies' cloth." A new kind called Vene- tian is also much in favour. It is close in texture, but very light, and has a rich gloss upon the surface, which displays to advantage the beautiful colours and tones in which it is made to suit the sub- dued taste of the day. An instance of its use is found in the following dress, the colour of which is navy blue. The skirfis made quite plainly, but has a kilt- ing, showing from beneath. At the left side it opens over a long pleating, the folds of which are wide at the edge, but narrow towards the waist. This inter- lude, as it may be called, is made of cream-coloured cloth, and is edged all round with cord of the same tint. Narrow strips of navy blue cloth pass over the pleatings at regular intervals, appearing to keep the latter in position. The drapery is short and round- shaped. being folded under at the sides and falling in loose folds at the back. This, too, is edged with cream-coloured cord. A tight-fitting Zouave bodice opens over a vest of cream-coloured cloth, and is edged all round with cord to match. Buttons resembling pearls are used to fasten the waistcoat, and harmonise with the cream-coloured trimmings. ANOTHER tasteful walking or travelling toilet is made of fawn-coloured vicuna, in a rich and warm shade. The skirt is made with deep and wide box- pleats, at each side of which is a number of very fine pleats, the fulness provided by these serving to throw out the wide pleats. On each of the latter is a pointed strap of ruby velvet, the deep tone of which seems to accentuate the suggestion of ruddiness in the fawn colour. A long drapery falls in drooping folds at the back, and is caught up nigh at the sides with straps of ruby velvet. The pointed bodice has three straps of ruby velvet, back and front, as well as collar and cuffs of the same. BRAIDING still remains in favour, and an endless variety of braids are supplied, chiefly from foreign markets. As an example of a braided costume, the following may be quoted. The material is cloth, and the colours are crimson and navy blue. A plain skirt of the latter is cut out in scallops, and falls over a deep kilting of the crimson. On each scallop is a handsome design worked in crimson braid. The short round tunic is braided round the edges to match this design, and the plain, short-basqued bodice is crimson. This contrast of colour, like poppies and cornflowers, is, if possible, more popular than ever this year. Brown may still be said to be the colour of colours, so far as general popularity is concerned. Grey runs it closely, but for some reason, the latter goes more completely into oblivion, when it does disappear, than brown does. Perhaps it is because grey is a colour seldom chosen by the unrefined, and therefore, when the cultured classes cease to wear it, there is no one to keep its memory green. In its darker shades, it is exactly suited for travelling toilets, but it is more of a summer colour than one that commends itself in winter weather. ANOTHER of our London contemporaries has an article on "Jackets and Mantles," from which we quote the following: Plain velvet is now again fashion- able for mantles, which are lined with satin or silk, striped in the most brilliant colours. A long brown cloak, in this material, is lined with clouded silk, shaded from deepest nasturtium red up through the gradations of the colour to the palest yellow with a faint suggestion of red in it. A dark blue velvet mantle, edged with feather trimming of the same hue, is lined with gold cbloured satin striped with blue. Horizontal stripes are in great favour again, not only for linings but for costumes. The fashion of having the mantle of the same fabric with the dress is a pretty one, and likely to remain in favour for some seasons to come. A dress of Louis velveteen in the lovely shade of warm red known as Burgundy is accompanied by a cape of the same material, trimmed with thick chenille, and lined with silk in a soft tint of salmon-pink. Most of the capes made thus to match the dresses are deep enough to come below the waist at the back, but are sloped towards the front, so as to cover the elbows. They fasten up the front beneath the trimming, which is often of marabout. The smaller capes are useful, as protecting the region of the lungs, but they leave the arms, always sensitive to extremes of temporature, exposed. BEADS are in such favour for trimmings that their manufacture must now form an important commer- cial item. They are supplied in all the new colours, such as ruby, peacock and sapphire blue, brown, grey, aud green. When fine and well-cut, they form an artistic trimming akin to jewellery in their glow of colour anil in the fineness of their response to the light, but when cheap and inartistically applied, they suggest nothing better than the childish adornments of the squaw. Bead embroideries are heavy, but their weight is much lessened when the beads are hollow, a mode of manufacture which adds appreciably to their cost. _——————
A LUNAR RAINBOW.
A LUNAR RAINBOW. Mr. Nicholas Pocock writ is to the Times, on Sept. 3, from Rosilly, as follows: A lunar' rainbow is so uncommon that it may be worth while to record that we saw one for a minute or two soon after 8 o'clock last night. A very small portion of the right hand part of the bow was visible, and I am not quite sure whether any colour was visible or not. I have had the good fortune to see five or six; but I remember talking of one I had seen forty years ago to the late Professor Baden Powell, who, though specially interested it optical science, had never seen one. I may add ihat I have seen at least two with prismatic colovrs distinguishable.
THE ALEXANDRIA INDEMNITIES.
THE ALEXANDRIA INDEMNITIES. The Temps publishes intelligence from Cairo stating that the British Government intend shortly to submit to the Powers a plan for the liquidation of the Alexandrian indemnities, either by paying the sum allotted by the International Indemnity Commission immediately in cash, less 25 per cent., or the entire sums awarded without any reduction, payment in this case being effected in instalments, and distributed over a period of ten years.
ON THE NILE WITH GENERAL GORDON.
ON THE NILE WITH GENERAL GORDON. The Liverpool correspondent of the Daily Aetcs writes: On Wednesday next Mr. Bohndorff, a German gentleman, will leave Liverpool in the British and African steamer Kinsembo for service on the Congo under the auspices of the Belgian International Asso- ciation. Mr. Bohndorff is an old African traveller, and as he has been with General Gordon on the Nile some particulars of his experience of the district where General Gordon now is will, no doubt, be read with interest. Mr. Bohndorff, it seems, left Egypt in April, 1874, in the service of General Gordon into the interior regions of Africa. General Gordon had just, previously been appointed by the Viceroy Governor- General of the Equatorial Provinces. The purposes of the first journey were to organise the countries on the White Nile, which were then occupied by Sir Samuel Baker. The expedition was also to occupy the negro States to the south of Gondokoro for Egypt. Mr. Bohndorff, after a vear's service, bad to return to Cairo through ill-health. In 1876 Mr. Bohndorff again went up the Nile he reached Dongola, but on account of the cataracts met with there he was obliged to leave the river, and direct his steps towards the west. The Lybian desert was passed, and Darfur was also left behind, and the Bahr-el-Gasal country was reached. At that time Sibeer Pasha was in authority. Mr. Bohndorff travelled in a westerly direction to Dar-Abudinga, where three years were spent in exploring and making collections of natural history. It was Mr. Bohndorff's intention to return, but just then the conflict between General Gordon and Sibeer Pasha's son broke out. At that time the Italian Fessi Pasha advanced, by order of General Gordon, with 3000 soldiers against the slave holders of the Bahr-el-Gasal country. Up to this time Mr. Bohndorff lived upon friendly terms with Sibeer Pasha's son and the allies, but when hostilities broke out he was watched, and all his actions were distrusted, as he had previously been in General Gordon's service, and it was now openly stated that he had come to live in their country to act as spy and give General Gordon information. So bitter was the feeling evoked that he was suddenly attacked ana plundered ot everything he possessed, being left absolutely naked. Indeed, Mr. Bohndorff said he would undoubtedly have perished had not General Gordon happened then to make an expedition from Khartoum to Shakka, where he met Mr. Bohndorff in the greatest distress. General Gordon gave the German explorer clothes, money, provisions, and the necessary camels to enable him to return to Cairo. Shortly after this, Mr. Bohndorff was induced to join Dr. Junker's expedition from St. Petersburg. Mr. Bohndorff proceeded in a south-westerly direction getting to the Niam-Niam countries, an-1 oing from these he reached the River Uelle, from wL31 he got to the hitherto unknown river of Nepoko. It was the intention of the explorers to penetrate to the very mouth of this river, but they found themselves in a densely populated district, the inhabitants of which would not allow them to proceed further than a given point. They were thus prevented from following the course of the Uelle, but it is Mr. Bohndorff's opinion that the new river will probably empty itself into the upper reaches of the Congo, and it is his great hope now that when he gets out the authorities in charge of the expedition may allow him to explore in the same direction with the view of, as he says, coming again upon the Nepoko. The people in the district of the Uelle did not as a rule live in villages, but each family almost separated from the rest, living in the bush and deserts, and being pretty industrious in cultivating the ground. There were many wild beasts in the district, principally the tiger, which had made many raids, and carried off many natives. Notwithstanding these raids the people still lived apart from each other. On his return Mr. Bohndorff passed through the countries on the White Nile occupied by the Mabdi, and after going through many dangerous experiences he arrived at Khartoum, thence proceeding to Berber and Cairo. In the desert of Corrosco Mr. Bohndorff again fell in with his former benefactor, General Gordon, who was then on his way from Cairo to Khartoum. Mr. Bohndorff directed the General's attention to the great and increasing power of the Mahdi, but, to use Mr. Bohndorff's own words, General Gordon did not mind the danger into which he was rushing for England's sake, knowing that he was backed by her invincible power." In speaking of the Mahdi's influence Mr. Bohndorff said he had many opportunities of noticing its widespread nature. Everywhere in the interior, hundreds of miles away from the Darfur, the slave- hunter was waiting for the to him welcome news of the fall of Khartoum, and the reopening of the great slave market. Mr. Bohndorff says that slaves were being gathered together, and if humane England could see the horrors that the conquest of Khartoum by the Mabdi was preparing she would not grudge General Gordon all the assistance he needed to keep from the slave hunters their great market and metropolis. With the acquisition of Mr. Bohndorff the Belgian International Association will have quite a number of notable personages in her service, as it was only by the last British and African Company's steamer that the Comte de Pourtales left this country for the Congo for service under the International Society. The comte is, or was. an officer of the Prussian Guards, and fought in 1866 in Bohemia and in 1870 in France.
fpiscellancous |ntelligftttt.
fpiscellancous |ntelligftttt. HOLSE, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH ConN.-The following are the average prices of British corn for last week, as received from the inspectors and officers of Excise: Wheat, 34s. 3d.; barley, 32s. 3d.; oats, 20s. Od. per Imperial qr. Corresponding week last year: Wheat, 41s. 8d.; barley, 32s. lOd; oats,20s. lid. FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—A fatal accident has occurred on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway at Kirkham, near Preston. A ballast train was coming from Fleetwood and on &pproaching Kirkham the driver shot off the steam to pick up two men whom he saw standing on the bank. As the train was coming up both men tried to pass in front. One of them, named Fletcher, just succeeded and had a narrow escape, but the other, named Richard Butler, aged 32, was knocked on the metals and instantly killed. An inquest has been held, and a veraict of Accidental death" returned. RESCUE OF SHIPWRECKED SAILORS. — A Reuter's telegram states that the steamer Cambrian has landed at Calais seven men belonging to the brig Eliza Anne. The latter having sprung a leak, her crew took to the boats, and were on the point of perishing, owing to the violence of the wind, when they were rescued by the Cambrian. The Eliza Anne was bound from Shields to London with a cargo of petroleum. The crew were unable to save anything belonging to the vessel. AGRARIAN OUTRAGE NEAR CORK.—On Sunday morn- ing nine cows which were grazing on a boycotted farm at Bishopstown, near Cork, were found houghed in a shocking manner; the other animals were mutilated in a different way. The farm since the tenant was evicted a few years ago has been in charge of Emergency bailiffs. This year's meadowing was cut and safe and was lately purchased by a gentleman named Lewis, who placed some cattle on the land. Two of his cows and seven others were injured, all being rendered per- fectly useless. ICELAND AND FAROE COD FISRING.-The first smack of the North Faroe cod fishing fleet to return from the second trip this season, the Tartar, of Grimsby, arrived at Orkney on Saturday. The captain states that he had experienced fair weather, and he brings good re- ports of fishing by English and foreign fleets at Faroe and Iceland. He left on his second voyage on July 2, and has succeeded in catching about 11,000 cod, which are cured, besides which the smack has a large consign- ment of live fish on board, with which she left for Grimsby direct, as soon as the cured cargo was dis- charged. ARMING THE PoucE.—A large number of the metro- politan police stationed in the semi-rural neighbour- hoods of the metropolis, are now, it is stated, carrying revolvers at night. The revolvers are served out at the request of the men themselves, but it is not compulsory for any man to carry one. The arms are carried in small leather pouches, which are hung on the belts in the same manner as the truncheon. A certain number of men are drilled almost daily with the revolver at the rifle-ranse. Nunhead- THBTOiGARETTE MANUFACTURE.—In 1876 the number of cigarettes manufacturM in the United States was 8,000,000—an increase of 300 per cent. over the amount manufactured in any. previous year.ast year the number manufactured exceeded 750,000,000, of which number 40,000,000 were exported and the remainder consumed in that country. The number of cigarettes imported into America is comparatively small, and has been yearly diminishing. Last year 23 cigarette fac- tories of Germany turned out 187,000,000 cigarettes, and the output of the French Government cigarette factories was 600,000,000. The largest cigarette factory in the world is said to be that of La Honradez, Cuba, which has a producing capacity of 2,530,000 cigarettes per day. ATTEMPT TO SWIM FROM SOUTHAMPTON TO PORTS- MOUTH.—Mr. George White, who recently successfully swam across the Solent from Portsmouth to Rvde, returned to Portsmouth on Sunday night after attempt- ing to swim from Southampton to Portsmouth, a distance of 22 miles. At the time of plunging in half a gale was blowing, and rain fell in torrents. Mr. White was accompanied by a doctor and ont; or two officers of the Royal Humane Society, whose boat piloted the course. Two hours after starting he was taken out of the water, having covered a distance of 3^ miles, although the waves ran eight feet high* and for about half a mile the course was impeded by a shoal of jelly fish. When taken into the boat his pulse and temperature were as healthy as when he started, but the weather rendered the attempt impracticable. FATAL ACCIDENT AT A BOARD SCHOOL.-In London, on Saturday, a sad fatality was reported. It appears that a girl, about 11 years of age, Alice Goodwin, was out for exercise in the playground of the Droop street Board School, Queen's-park, on Friday afternoon. The children commenced playing on the "giantre stride," which consisted of a stout pole some 19ft. or 20ft. in height, fixed in the playground, at the top of which is a vln revolving iron, to which long ropes are attached, the children swinging round from the ends of the latter. Little Goodwin had just let go one of the topes, and was in the act of pushing another girl along, when the heavy pole suddenly snapped off at its basa, and fell with terrible force upon her, smashing her head in a frightful manner, and otherwise injuring her. Dr. Griffith was fetched, and pronounced life extinct. THE CHEAP LOAF.-The Statist" refers to the fact that last week the average price of wheat throughout England and Wales was 35s. Id. per quarter, and the tendency seems to be to still lower prices. Whether the extreme cheapness may not check exports from America and elsewhere, and thus, after a while, lead to a rise in prices, remains to be seen; but if exports go on at a moderate rate, it would not be surprising if the average price of wheat before the end of the year were to fall very nearly to 30s. a quarter. Already, although we have complaints that the price of bread is kept up in various parts of London, the price has fallen to a penny a pound in most country districts, and even in some parts of London it is very little higher, the four- pound loaf being sold at about 4|d. Extreme cheapness of this kind makes the wages of the working-classes go much farther than they usually do; the bread-bill will be considerably smaller, and, therefore, there will be a larger surplus to expend on other things. Even a very small increase in the weekly expenditure of each work- class family would amount to a considerable sum in the course of a year, or even a month, and the impetus that would thus be imparted to the various trades which supply the working-classes would lead to such an im- provement as would be felt throughout the length and breadth of the land. MUSHROOM BEDS OCT-OF-DOORS.—This will be a good time to collect some short stable-dung and horse- droppings with which to make up beds out-of-doors for producing mushrooms next April and throughout the summer months. The dung should be turned over a. few times when a sufficient quantity of it has been col- lected for a bed, to allow of the rank heat and steam escapirig therefrom, after which the bed or beds can be made. They can be made against a north wall in a dry situation-that is, in a place where water will not lodge-about four feet wide and two feet high at the wall, and the whole should be trodden well together and spawned when the heat has declined to 70 deg., and subsequently be cased over with soil sufficiently moist to yield to the pressure of the spade. The bed should then be covered with long dry litter, over which a few pieces of board should be placed to keep it in position. Failing the wall accommodation the bed can be made in the shape of a potato pit-say 4ft. wide and 3ft. high in the centre—in any available spot where the ground is higher than its surroundings, to prevent the lodgment of water; and where this does not exist a few bundles of faggots placed under the beds will answer the same purpose. In making the beds in the open air we drive a few Aout stakes into the ground along the line where the bed is to be made, about 6 feet apart both sides, and inside these, as the bed is being made a series of boards or slabs about 6 inches wide are placed, thus forming a sort of box for the dung, with sufficient space left at the top to form a foundation for the mould used in casing the beds. The latter, as above recommended, having been previously well trodden and beaten into shape with a four or five- pronged fork and spawned, should then be cased over with soil capable of being beaten firmly together, and thatched over with a foot thick of litter, which should be made secure with several lengths of tar-string, to prevent its being removed by rough winds. This done, the beds so made will require no further attention until March or April, except to see that the covering is not displaced, and the results will more than compensate for the labour and time of waiting. Successional beds in the mushroom-house will need making up, and those previously made should be spawned as soon as the heat has sufficiently declined to admit of its being safely done, and a few days later they should be covered with soil in the usual wav. Gardenere Chronicle." THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.-On the nomi- nation of the Prince of Wales, a trustee of the Royal Agricultural Society of England and a member of its Council the Duke of Edinburgh has been unanimously elected a life governor of the society. His Royal High- ness has given a donation of jE50 to the funds of the institution. Recent additions to the roll of member- ship include the Duke of Grafton, the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres. Hon. Sir William Field, Hon. Henry W. Fitzwilliam, Hon. George F. Kenyon, Sir Thomas C. Meyrick, Bart., Sir William Williams, Bart., Sir William M. Curtis, Major-General Sir H. Havelock- Allan, Sir William B. Parker, Sir Francis Stapleton, and Mr. John Brinton, M.P. During the present year as many as 1032 members have joined the society. THE WRECK OF A FRENCH TRANSPORT.—Particulars which have just been received in Paris respecting the wreck of the French transport, the Aveyron, with 700 men on board, testify in the most cordial manner to the hospitality and assistance offered by the English authorities at Aden to the shipwrecked men. Magnifi- cent tents were erected for their accommodation, and a subscription was opened among the troops in garrison at Aden for the purpose of supplying the French soldiers and sailors with wine. The English, in fact, did every- thing in their power to make their guests comfortable, and their kindness was fully appreciated. SEIZURE OF FIsH.-In London the total weight of fish seized during the month of August last by the fishmeters appointed by the Court of the Fish- mongers' Company at and near Billingsgate-market and on board boats lying off that place was 100 tons 5 cwt., in which amount was included 38 tons 11 cwt. of had* dock, 4 tons, 14 cwt. of herrings, 1 ton 9 cwt. of kipjprs, 5 tons 2 cwt. 3 qrs. of lobster, 16 cwt. 3 qrs. of mackerel, 1 ton 17 cwt. of mussels, 8 tons of periwinkles, 6 tons of plaice, 15 tons 4 cwt. 1 qr. of shrimps, 3 tons 3 cwt. 2 qrs. of skate, 3 tons 10 cwt. of whelks, and 9 tons 2 cwt. 3 qrs. of whiting. The weight of fish delivered at and near Billingsgate-market during August by land and water was 10,704 tons. THE DEFENCE OF PARIS.—A medal is being engraved by order of the French Minister of Fine Arts to com- memorate the defence of Paris in 1870-1. The artist is M. Chaplain. On the front is an allegorical figure of the City of Paris, rifle in hand, and on the reverse the names of the places outside the fortifications where battles took place, together with the dates on which they were fought. DEATH OF A CENTENARIAN.—Mr. T. Brough. a farmer, died on Sunday night at Seaham-park, Seaham Harbour, aged 100 years. He was born in 1784, and for the past thirteen years had been bedridden. Up to twelve months ago his memory was good, and he could talk of events which came under his observation during the closing years of the last century. He saw Lord Byron's marriage, and knew Lady Byron inti- mately when living with her father, Sir Ralph Milbanke, at Sktaham Hall,
THE MARKETS.
THE MARKETS. MARK-LANE. At Mark-lane the attendance was not good, and the in- quiry for wheat 'very much restricted. The weather is unpropitious for threshing out the English wheat, and the supplies coming on offer are consequently restricted, yet here, as well as in the country markets, prices hardly hold their own. With regard to flour, the condition of the trade is much the same, English remaining about unaltered. Of foreign wheat and flonr the imports are in excess of re- quirements, and for both the tendency of prices is weak. The barley trade on the spot is very dull, and prices favour buyers. Beans meet very little inquiry, and rates are with, out quotable change. Peas closed Is lower on the week. The market for oats opened with holders asking Friday's improved rates but the close was dull and rates not up to tbat day's currency, but narrowed the advance on the week to 3d per qr. The floating cargo trade has been stagnant, prices in a great measure nominal, and the tons depressed. METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET. Cattle supplies fairly good, and included a full proportion of first quality beef, for which the demand was steadv; secondary sort-; were dull, and not in all Oises supported. The imported ciili.k .the average, was a good selection, especially the Canadian. Prices of these ruled at 5s ta 5s 2d. occasionally rather over. Of sheep the number tva« small, and prices mostly 2d per 81b. higher. Cc lves sold slowly. The pig trade is written unchanged. Best Ho re- fords and runts, 5s Sd to 5s 10d; best shorthorns, -is 6d; second quality beasts, 5s to 5s 4d inferior, 4s to 4s 8d best Downs and half-breds, 6s to 6s 4d best Kents, arc., 5s lOd to 6s; second qualities and ewes, 5s to 5s 6d; calves. 4s 4d to Ps 8d pigs. 4s to4s8d per SIb, finking the offal. Total supplies—2630 beasts; 8440 sheep, and 340 calves. METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET. Beef trade a shade better. Mutton dull. Pork firm. Beef, prime, 4s 6d to 5s; middling, 4s to 4s 4d inferior, 3s to 3s Sd. Mutton, prime, 5s to 5s 4d middling, 4s 4d to 4s Sd. inferior, 2s 4d to 3s 8d. Lamb, 5s 4d to 6s; foreign, 5s to 5s 8d. Veal, prime. 4s f-d to 5s middlinsr. 4s to 4s 4d inferior, 3s 4d to 3s 8d. Pork, prime, 4s 8d to 5s middling, 4s 4d to 4s 6d inferior, 3s ad to 4s per 81b. FISH. Good supply. Quiet demand. Turbot, 2s 6d to 12s brill, 2s to 5s cod, 2s 3d; red mullet, 8d grey mullet, Is 6d mackerel, 3d each salmon. Is Id grilse, Is 3d trout, Is 6d; ee's, 9d per lb. flounders, 2s 6d per quartern dory, 10s haddocks, 8s; whiting, 9s; plaice, 25s Glasgow her- rings, 25s per box. GAME AND POULTRY. Partridges, Is 3d to 2s 6d grouse, 2s 03 to 4s 6d black game 3s't) 4s wild ducks, 2s to 2s 8d; widgeon, Is 6d to Is 9d. hares, 3s 6d,to 5s: white Scotch ditto, 2s 3d to 3s; rabbits Is 9d to 2s wild ditto, Is 3d to Is 6d capons, 4s to 5s 6d; pullets. 2s 6d to 3s chickens, Is 3d to Is 6d goslings, 58 to 6s and ducklings, 2s to 3s each. POTATOES. There was a good supply of potatoes on sale, for which the demand was quiet, as follows:—Kent kidneys, 70s to 30s ditto Regents 70s to 8'18; Essex Shaws, fosto 70s; jnagiram bonuins. Rù" to C'C2 uer ton.
EXPLORATION OF MOUNT KILIMANJARO.
EXPLORATION OF MOUNT KILI- MANJARO. The Geographical Society have received a letter from Mr. H. H. Johnstone, who has been sent out to explore and collect plants on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is dated June 18, from "Uvura, in Chagga, altitude 5000ft. For nearly a week now," Mr. Johnston says: I have been settled on Kilimanjaro, camped on one of the loveliest sites in the world. Above me towers into the deep blue heaven the snowy head of Kibo, around me are green hIlls and forest-clad ravines, in whose profound depths great cascades of water leap from rock to rock and splash the fronds of luxuriant ferns before me lies spread out a vast blue plain—'all the world, as my host, the chiej Mandara, proudly says, ana my view southward ia only bounded by tne distant horizon. Perched as J 9m up here on the shoulder of a great buttress of the mountains, I seem to be on a level with the upper- most flight of the vultures, who hardly ever soar I higher, and who poise themselves and wheel in circles over the awful depths at my feet. When the first cares of my installation are over, I am going to set to work on a picture such as I see before me, and call the view å. vol de vatour.
FRANCE AND CHINA.
FRANCE AND CHINA. A telegram has been received at the Admiralty from Tice-Admiral Dowell, at Foochow, reporting that two shells were fired at her Majesty's ggn-boat Zephyr on the 6th inst., when coming up the Min River, from the Chinese forts, under a misapprehen- sion. A farther telegram dated Monday reports that the Chinese authorities have offered an apology and reparation. An officer and a man were wounded both are doing well. A Reuter's telegram fromfooehow, dated Sept. 7, says:-The Kinpai forts have fired upon her Majesty's gun-boat Zephyr, severely wounding one of her officers and several sailors. The houses of the foreign residents at the Pagoda anchorage have been pillaged by the Chinese soldiers. The plunderers made no distinction of nationality. Her Majesty's ship Zephyr, which has been fired upon by the Kinpai forts, at the mouth of the river Min, upon which Foo-chow and its arsenal stand, is a small gunboat of about 465 tons, carrying four guns, with sixty officers and men. She is one of the nine vessels of the same size and equipment, which are employed on what is called the China station, over which Admiral Sir William Lowell commands in chief. The corresponding command in the East Indies is held by Admiral Sir William Hewett. It is supposed that the Zephyr may have been fired upon by mistake—that, in other words, the Chinese took her for a French ship, perhaps of the same fleet which only the other day destroyed the Chinese junks and war-ships near Foo-chow, and bombarded the Kinpai forts themselves. There are at the present time twenty-three English war-ships of various sizes in the China seas. Of those, however, fifteen are of a small size, armed with from four to six guns each. Moreover, one of them—a turret ship—is laid up" at Hong-Kong. A second is merely a despatch vessel and two gun-boats are described as being deficient in crews. The principal vessels of the English fleet on the China station are the Audacious, which is the admiral's flagship; the four corvettes, Champion, Cleopatra, Curacjoa, and Sapphire; the Daring, and the Albatross. The last- named has only four guns. The Audacious has four- teen. Though she is the fastest vessel in the fleet, she can steam only twelve knots an hour. The French, on the other hand, have twenty-eight ships on the China station, and four more are either on the way to join Admiral Courbet, or in preparation for service. Of these twenty-eight vessels eleven are very small, carrying only one gun, or two, each. But in other respects the French ships are mostly large, strongly built, capitally equipped, and fast sailors. Admiral Courbet's flagship, La Victorieuse, is heavily armoured, and her guts are breechloaders. Indeed, the French ships appear to carry nothing else but breech-loaders, supplemented by machine guns. The English armament, on the other hand, consists of muzzle-loaders. Three of Admiral Courbet's ships can steam from 14 up to 15^ knots an hour. If the war continues, the French fleet will soon be reinforced by the four vessels to which we have already referred. and which carry from eight to fifteen guns. STRIKING SCENE IN A CHURCH IN ITALY. A correspondent in Italy writes to the Lancet: "A strikingly dramatic scene was witnessed the other morning at Peregallo in Lombardy. It was Sunday, and the people had assembled in crowds to hear the special prayers prescribed by the archbishop to appease the anger 'of the Almighty and to stay the scourge of cholera. The hour had been changed from the usual one of ten a.m. to five a.m., in order to secure fresher air for the more numerous congregation. The mass was over, and in another Biinute the kneeling devotees would have risen to dis- perse, when suddenly a voice was heard sonorously and commandingly bidding them remain, and all eyes turned and fell on an old gentleman in white hair and of ruddy complexion from whom the words proceeded. In dead silence he spoke to the following effect: I take the opportunity of finding you assembled here to say a I few words to you on the cholera. Your good priest, Don Antonio, by order of the excellent archbishop, has engaged you, as becomes his office, in matters which concern the soul. I as a layman and a member of the Communal Committee of Public Hygiene, will speak to you on matters which concern your body. Life has been given to us by God, and it is our duty to guard it well and preserve it as long as possible and I believe I am not desecrating this place by telling you how this, in the present circumstances, is to be done. The cholera is in full career throughout Italy. Workmen-mechanics without conscience, flying from the cholera-smitten towns of France, where they were employed, violating the sanitary cordon placed by Government on our confines, and refusing to submit to quarantine, where, after all, they are lodged and boarded gratis-have penetrated into the heart of Italy and carried the disease into many districts. So long as the danger was remote the syndics took pre- cautions, and nothing more was thought of it. But now it is at our gates. Milan, Monza, and this neigh- bourhood have hitherto escaped attack; but not so Bergamo, Lodi, Treviglio, and Pescarenico. With the easy and frequent communication now established, we may from one moment to another have the enemy upon us, and we must therefore be prepared to repel it. First of all, let me enjoin on you cleanliness- cleanliness of your bodies and of your dwellings. Next, moderation in drinking and in eating. Finally, and above all, if any of you should have the ill-fortune to be seized with the malady, give immediate notice of the fact; prompt remedies can save you when delay would be fatal. We see how, by culpably persisting in concealing the outbreak at Spezia, the cases rose in 24 hours to 60, of whom 39 died. Yesterday I heard someone in his ignorance say, If I were seized with cholera I would conceal the fact, so as not to be taken to the lazaretto," which is, when all is said and done, a pleasant enough domicile, quite isolated, with an agreeable exposure, conceded ad hoe by our excel- lent member of Parliament, Count Rinaldo Taverna, because," added the individual, they give the patients poison there, of which they are sure to die." These impressions are follies, which ought neither to be conceived nor uttered. Is it not the fact that the moment you feel ill, say with headache, you at once send for the doctor, and if he does not arrive forthwith and pre- scribe for you, you angrily upbraid him ? And why is it that in the case of cholera you keep the physician at arm's length for fear he would hasten your death with poison ? Does he not come to you in such a malady to the great risk of his own life ? Would it not be less dangerous for him to leave you a! one to die than come all the way to poison you ? Whet interest can the medical man and the com- munal authorities who appoint him have in causing your death, when they would thereby be putting your widow and your orphans on the charity of the com- mune, which would have the burden of maintaining them ? Be advised then. The poison you seem to dread, given opportunely and in the proper dose, will be your salvation. You have seen my father, who, thanks to laurocerasus, which is a powerful poison, was cured and lived for fifteen years, and yet a teaspoonful of it would kill you. It is a duty of conscience I am imposing on you. All of us have our lives at stake. I, in spite of my seventy-two winters, who would have but little to lose if I were stricken down with cholera, will continue to Wear my flannel shirt and send for the first medical man the moment I require him." The effect of this brief address was electrical. The people left the church profoundly im- pressed, and the harebrained chatter about avoiding the lazaretto, with its doctors and their drugs, has been heard no more in Peregallo. And who was the speaker ? He turned out to be Signor Carlo Curti, a landed proprietor in the neighbourhood, a communal councillor, a patron of the church, and superintendent of the communal schools. The leading Milanese journal printed the address pretty much as I have given it, and it is now being copied and circulated in other provinces, where it is much more required than in Lombardy."
THE MOUSETRAP TRADE.
THE MOUSETRAP TRADE. On Monday, in the City of London Court, before Mr. Hartison, the Deputy Judge, an action was brought by Mr. Thomas Baker, wireworker, St. John- street, Smithfield, against Messrs Lazarus and Rosen- feld, Bevis-marks, St. Mary-axe, to recover the value of a quantity of mousetraps supplied. The defence was that the quantity sued for was not ordered, an d in course of the hearing it transpired that a curious custom prevailed in the mousetrap trade. His Honour: Why do you call eight two-thirds ? De- fendant Because it is customary in our business. If ten traps are ordered, we call it five-sixths. His Honour: Do you really. (Laughter.) It seems very extraordinary. Defendant: We call it so, and it is easily understood. His Honour Well, I am surprised at it. (Laughter.) Plantiff said the order was for two dozen traps. He sent them in, and the defendants returned sixteen, and retained eight. His Honour: That would be two-thirds. (Laughter.) Plaintiff After I sent back the sixteen they sent a note saying they would charge me with warehouse room and porterage. The Registrar: Is that another custom in the mouse-trap trade ? (Laughter.) His Honour I should certainly not consider this an order for two- thirds. but two dozen. It is a sort of hieroglyphic. (Laughter.) What was the previous order the defendants gave ? Plaintiff For two dozen mouse- traps and two dozen rat-traps. (Laughter.) His Honour In this case the order, though in writing, is so unintelligible that no human being could under- stand it, in my opinion. However, the plaintiff seems to have executed it, and in the circumstances I must find for the defendants, without costs.
[No title]
Contempt of Court-The small boy who hangs around the parlour and makes faces at his big sister's ccau.
THE INVENTIVE AMERICAN.
THE INVENTIVE AMERICAN. The Americans are nothing if not inventive (saya a contemporary). Their inventiveness, even more than their gift of going ahead, is the attribute which differentiates them from all the nations of the earth. An American will never consent to do with his hands what he can do with a machine and it has been Jtarwlv said that a captain of industry, of the geilaPie American type, when he finds manual labour ettner too scarce or too costly, will never rest until he in- vents a machine to supersede hands The last illustration of this practical ingenuity is a grand scheme for the supplying of New York with cold air, as easily as it is supplied with gas and water. For a portion of the year New York is one of the hottest towns in the world, and it is somewhat remarkable that the new attempt was not made long ago. In London, during the ¿ longer portion of the year, the lack of warm air is more felt than the lack of cold; and there is not perhaps much room for the application of the New York invention. But the enterprising American or Briton who should supply cold air to the cities of Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Delhi, Lahore, Ahmeda- bad, &c., where people simmer in the heat during the greater part of the year, would probably make his fortune in a marvellously short time. Cold air can almost as easily be laid on as coal gas and the American system would relieve Anglo-Indian house- holds from untold miseries and worries. The shutters of damped grass, which are substituted for doors and windows in the hot weather, are not favourable to the purity of the air inside. The coolie forgets to water them. At the "tbermantjdote" whereby he pumps in the fresh air through the grass shutters his energy lags ever and anon. In the dead of the night the drowsy coolie drops his punkah-rope, and his master, starting infuriated from his sleep, hurls, first his imprecations, and next his boots, at the slumbering servant. All this trouble of punkahs, and punkah coolies, and damped tatties, might be avoided by a continuous supply of cold air from the ice factory which, nowadays, exists at every considerable Indian "station." The matter should interest not India alone, but all tropical countries in which Europeans reside.