The Aberdare Times

PANICS IN PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES. We have 110 repeatedly and at such length, from points of view special as well as general, discussed the subject of panics in public assemblies that it is difficult (says the Lancet) to offer any suggestion that can claim notice on the score of newness There is, however, more than sufficient food for thought in this topic, and without dwelling on the details of the recent lamentable occurrence at Glasgow, or attempt- ing to determine the exciting cause of the catas- trophe, which is, indeed, sub judice, it may be worth while to offer a few observations on the matter as a whole. Panics will take place as long as assemblies are held, and without in the least abating anything of the remonstrance we, in common with our contem- poraries, have from time to time addressed to local and central authorities against the neglect to enforce proper precautions, it must be conceded that, even if the assembly in which a panic occurs consisted of a dense concourse of people in the centre of an op6n plain, without buildings or rails, or anything what- ever to prevent the crowd from dispersing, dire acci- dents would be sure to befal the innermost of the persons congregated, and deaths would probably ensue either from pressure, suffocation, or trampling. It is therefore useless and misleading to wholly blame the surroundings of a panic-stricken crowd for the commotion which occurs in it, or for the conse- quences which ensue when silly, or for the moment, senseless, people rush madly on their own destruction', lhe real fault is in. average mind j and, unfor- tunately, the very dwelling upon these accidents," and the word-picture painting of their horrors in the newspapers, inevitable and necessary as publicity must be deemed, are evils, inasmuch as they aggravate the susceptibility to panic which, above all things, it is most desirable to reduce and relieve. If only reason could be retained, and weak- minded and excitable folk would not go stark raving mad the instant some fool or knave cries Fire in a public assembly, all would be well. No punishment is too great for the wanton scoundrel who raises a needless terror. He is worse than a murderer. Hang- ing is too good for such a criminal. No words can adequately express the indignation that must be felt against an offender of this class; but the fatuous and contemptible excitability of the majority of sightseers j8 scarcely less abhorrent to common sense and umanity. Is life so very precious, is death—the in- evitable-so appalling, that the poor, mean fool must lose his wits and forget everything but his miserable lien on existence the moment the right of property seems to be assailed ? If half a dozen savage dogs, or a fow stalwart men with cart whips could be let loose on a panic-stricken assembly, the beet possible treat- ment would be adopted. This is how the shrieking multitude ought to be reduced to order. We begin to think stern reproach should take the place of compas- sion for the victims of panic. Harmbas been done, and is done, by laying too much stress on the noed of special precautions. Let crowds be taught to take care of themselves. Let those who go to crowded assem- blies of all sorts and conditions clearly understand that they go with their lives in their hands, at their own sole risk and that they must shift for themselves, and if they behave like idiots they must take the con- sequences. This is the line of argument which strikes us as not merely politic, but proper to the case. There is too much trusting to others, and to the provisions for safety which the managers of public assemblies ought to be compelled to make. It is nonsense, idle and worthless ignorance, to talk of the possibility of emptying a building is so many minutes or seconds. All such calculations are rendered useless and inappli- cable the instant a panic occurs. A doorway out of which ten men might walk abreast, would not suffice for the safety of even one hundred persons if they all rushed to it at once. The reditetio ad absurdum is made by almost every accident." The wider the exit the greater the rush, and the greater the rush the greater the accident, without regard to the structure or the way of exit. If a thousand persons can be got out of any building in two minutes, the whole thousand will be jammed together in trying to get out in half the propor time. It is the madness that causes the calamity, not the limitation of the means of exit, provided always that these are fairly adequate. Something must be done to secure immunity from panics, and still more needs to bet done to induce or compel persons to act as sane creatures instead of lunatics in the face of danger. We would urge this subject on the consideration of members of our profes- sionand the public generally. Lectures on the folly of panic might with advantage be delivered from time to time, and it would be well if a serious attempt was made in every city, town, and populous district to discipline crowds and to inculcato the great lesson of safety, which consists in the experience that cowardly craziness in the presence of real or supposed danger is alike discreditable to men, to women, and even to little children, who ought to be taught betimes that all must die, and that tt> run madly away from death is to surrender the claim to livo, and to show that the gift of life has been unworthily bestowed, and is unmerited.

In the church of Foktoe, Austria, a mosaic, represent ing Archbishop Patatics, hns been accidentally found near the high altar. The interior of the church was to be paintpd, and when the old paint had been washed off a magnificent picture, of the existence of which the people of Foktoe had no idea, was found.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. THE GOVERNMENT OF MADRAS. In the HOUSK OF LoRDS, Nov. 10, Lord Napier and Ettriek presented a petition from European, Hindoo, and Mussulman subjects of her Majesty in the Presi- dency of Madras against the annual transfer of the Government of that Presidency to the hills during a loug period of the year. He observed that formerly the Government of Madras was carried on at the hills for only three months in the year, but the period had been extended to six, seven, and, as be learned from one source, to nearly eight months. This temporary transfer of the seat of Government for so long a period of the year was a cause of considerable expenditure, and wns very repugnant to the feelings of the native ufliciais Lord Kimherley replied that Lord Lawrence was the liiir of the system of migration to the hills, ilxpe- lu-nce had now shown that the system was a good one in the case of the Presidency Governments, as well us jn that of the Supreme Government. It was true that the duration of the sojourn of the Madras Govir.mTIPIIt at Ootacamnnd bad been extended, but the whole time of absence from Madras was not spent in the hills. A portion of it was devoted to an inspection of the popu- lations. There was no reason to apprehend that the practice of migration would be abused. The Duke of Buckingham, the Duke of Arg, II, and Lord Salisbury concurred with the observations of Lord Kimberley. The petition was withdrawn in consequence of an informality in the way in which it was drawn. Their Lordships rose at a quarter past six o'clock. THE NILE EXPEDITION. In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Nov. 10, Mr. Gladstone, answering a question from Sir S. Northcote, said that the vote for the Nile Expedition would be taken imme- diately after the Franchise Bill. THE FRANCHISE BILL. On the motion to go into Committee on the Franchise Bill, Mr. J. Lowther took the opportunity of explaining that if the Opposition had refrained from placing amendments on the paper it was not because they were more inclined to accept the bill, and he protested em- phatically against the suggestion embodied in certain current rumours that the question could be settled by back-stairs intrigue, or in any way behind the back of Parliament. He repudiated the construction which had been placed by Sir 0. Dilke on Sir R. Cross's refer- ence to resolutions, and declared that what the Con- servative party required was not resolutions, nor a meie bill, but an Act of Parliament which would secure that enfranchisement and redistribution should be dealt with together. Mr. O. Lewis and Mr. Macartney having entered a protest against the application of the Bill to Ireland in its present circumstances, Mr. Gladstone thought that the course taken by the Opposition reasonable and wise, and remarked that Sir R. Cross had not himself repudiated the construction put on his words. Sir S. Northcote was of opinion that nothing could be gained by discussing Sir R. Cross's obiter dictum in his absence, and repeated that the Opposition in accepting the Franchise Bill meant to insist as far as they could on its being accompanied by a Redistribu- tion Bill. Sir W. Barttelot endorsed this, and assuied the Government that if they brought in a fair and reason- able redistribution scheme it would be fairly con- sidered. The House then went into committee and on Clause 2, Colonel Stanley moved his amendment, providing that the Franchise Bill shall not come into operation until a Redistribution Bill and a Boundaries Bill have been passed. Mr. Gladstone characterised this present demand for simultaneous enactment, after the lessons of the recess, as more out of place than that of last session. Arguing against it, he asked what reason the Government had to expect that a Redistribution Bill would pass if the Government parted with the hold they HOW had by means of the Franchise Bill, and what would happen to the Franchise Bill, if it were hung up by the amendment, in the event of a chaDge of Government happening and the conduct of the Reform question passing into the hands of the Opposition ? What sort of information, he asked, did the Opposition want ? At present, as he showed by contrasting the speeches of Lord R. Churchill and Sir S. Northcote, the Opposition was in flagrant contradic- tion with itself on the question, and it was totally im- possible at this moment to introduce a Redistribution Bill which would not be made the subject of a sharp party conflict, and which, therefore, in the present state of Parliamentary practice, was not certain to be defeated. Sir S. Northcote, in reply to this, sail the Prime Minister evidently wanted the Opposition to draw up a bill for him. But this was not their business, and he urged the Prime Minister to take a more practical view of the situation, at the same time assuring the Minis- terialists that the Opposition were not meditating in- sidious designs against the Redistribution Bill, but would give it a candid consideration. Sir William Harcourt asserted. amid loud cheers from the Ministerialists, that this demand amounted to nothing less than that the Franchise Bill should be hung up until a Redistribution Bill satisfactory to the majority of the House of Lords had been passed. Mr. A. Balfour, Mr. A. Grey, and Mr. Chaplin spoke, and, on a division, the amendment was negatived by 194 to 109. J Clause 2 was then agreed to, as were the remaining clauses after some slight discussion on minor amend- ments of detail moved by Scotch and Irish members, and shortly after eight o'clock the bill passed through Committee, and was reported without amendment to the House. POOR-LAW GUARDIANS BILL. The Poor-Law Guardians Bill wae read a second time, and the House adjourned at twenty-five minutes to nine o'clock.

ARCHDEACON FARRAR ON TEMPER- ANCE AND RECREATION. The second of the present series of concerts for the people, organised by the Secretary of the National Temperance League, took place in Exeter Hall. London, on Saturday evening, when there was a large attendance. Archdeacon Farrar presided and offered some remarks upon temperance in relation to recrea- tion. He said he could only repeat the warm expres- sion of approval he gave last session at the effort the National League was making to, provide amusement for the people. That effort when commenced had been warmly welcomed by the press, and was thoroughly deserving the support and approval of all right-minded persons. The enemies of the temper- ance reformation were never tired of saying that total abstainers were a set of gloomy, fanatical bigots, and the sworn enemies of all human enjoyment; but the reply to such charges was to be found in an effort like the present, which he only hoped those who made them would emulate in spirit and in design. Speaking in the name of temperance reformers he could declare that there was nothing that they so heartily desired as to add to the happiness of the people in every pos- sible way. They desired to do this in two ways. First, to extirpate the preventible and degrading vice of drunkenness, which for so long a period has been the bane of English life, and, next, to provide healthy and intellectual amusements for as large a number as po&siblo, and so try to work by what had been called the expulsive force of good affections." Theirdesire was to call to their aid exercise, art, and amuse- ment. In the latter direction music was a most im- portant ally, and he rejoiced to know that that which had been described as the luxury of the rich was now becoming the delight and help of the poor, and that it was being brought by the National Temperance League to bear as a counter-action to that intem- perance which, in the language of Mr. Gladstone, was bringing upon the country the combined evils of war, pestilence, and famine.

AGRICULTURE IN CANADA. The Select Committee on Agriculture, appointed by the Dominion Parliament, has just presented its report. The recommendations made are as follows That the Government should take into earnest and favourable consideration the advisability of establish- ing a bureau of agriculture and an experimental farm in connection therewith. That this bureau be formed in connection with, and under the supervision of, the present Department of Agriculture. That the objects aimed at in the establishment of such bureau and farm be as follows 1. To conduct such experiments in the introduction and culture of new varieties of seeds plants, trees, &c., as will most efficiently aid in the advancement of Canadian agriculture, to institute experiments with regard to the comparative value of fertilizers, the proper testing of seeds as to vitality and purity, and the healthy preservation and pro- ductive condition of plants and animals. 2. To make careful investigation into origin, distribution, and habits of insects, injurious and beneficial, and the contagious and other diseases to which animals and plants are subject, in order to arrive at the best. method of destroying and counteracting them. 3. To study the quality of the various breeds of cattle and other domestic animals, with the view of reporting on the best means of improving them, of protecting then; from parasites and epidemic diseases, of feeding them for the market, and on the treatment of milch cattle. 4. To initiate and oarry out a convenient and com- prehensive system of gathering the latest, and most useful information, statistical and otherwise. 5. To publish and send to the press and the various agri- cultural and horticultural societies of the Dominion, at different periods of the year, bulletins giving the results of trials made on the experimental farms and whatever other information the bureau may consider useful either in the prevention of the ravages of in- sects and of contagious diseases, concerning improved methods of culture that have stood test, or for the special advancement of any line of agricultural pursuits.

ALEXANDER III. OF SCOTLAND.—A movement, which is influentially supported, has been set on foot with the view of erecting a memorial to Alexander III. of Scotland over the precipice at King's Craig, Fifeshire, which was the scene of the monarch's death in 1286. BURGLARY TRIALS.—When a man is charged with burglary he cannot at present be tried at a Session of the Peace or before a Recorder. This restriction is due to a statute of 1842, which enacts that persons shall not be tried in this way for any felony, which was then punishable by transportation beyond the seas for life. Lord Bramwell now proposes to repeal this enactment as regards burglary, and to enable persons charged with that offence to be committed to be tried by such Justices or Recorder, or by such other Court having jurdisdiction, as the committing magistrate may deem St.

60S8IP OJI DBESS. TnE Queen this week gives the following description of the latest London fashions Dame Fashion has fixed upon wool as the substance she just now delights in, therefore there is a furore for cloth winter gowns with their trimming nf feathers or fur. In addition to these we have braids, lace, beads, and embroideries, divers and new, and all are employed in a lavish degree on the toilettes for home and street wear. We feel it is useless to try and convey an idea of the industry shown, of the hours of labour bestowed on the work which we use and accept as la moA«. Our readers must look on the infinite choice, and, so doing, judge for themselves. CLOTH costumes, with borders of velvet applique, outlined with gold and buttonhole work of chenille, are exceedingly stylish when made up with skirts of plain, self-coloured velvet or plush. A number of these in all the new favourite shades are conspicuously displayed in various show-rooms. The union of colours is very effective—brown on green, ro on brown, and such like, agreeing well with the russet-hued tones of the leaves that are falling around. A design in brown velvet on dull willow-green may be named as a pleasing example. The border was cut out in rather sharp curves, and worked witn fine threads of chenille. Just above was a pattern of long heart-shaped pieces of velvet, surmounted by delicate scrollwork, all out- lined and veined with dead gold. The tunic was slightly draped about the hips, and fell, gracefully folded, behind. The round skirt was of brown velvet, which was introduced also on the collar and cuffs of the bodice of green cloth, trimmed with embroidery of a narrower width. A new make of wood-brown gros-grain, with a diamond pattern of velvet, was used as the skirt of a walking costume with a tunic of softest cashmere. The round skirt was notched at the edge, as a border of diamond points," and below was a kilting of brown gros-grain; the tunic was cleverly managed, and looped at the back with great taste; the jacket-shaped bodice was made of cash- were, with a waistcoat of figured gros-grain. WAim yet not heavy rough cloths are quite the most fashionable wear, and here we saw many new varieties in plain colours, mixed with bright wools. The Bison cloth-brown, with red threads—makes a capital winter costume, the tunic draped high, and the back breadths in folds, on the perfectly plain short, round skirt. The bodice has a long Louis XV. waistcoat of velvet, with a tiny pattern of crimson and pink silk, and small turned-back cuffs to corres- pond. Should a more dressy style be required, the skirt could be of the figured velvet cut in long tabs at the edge, and the Bison cloth plaited below. A novel costume was of loose "blanket" cloth, which was worn with a skirt of blue plush. The cloth was of a dull blue shade, and much trimmed with coloured yak lace, while the plush was again used as collar and cuffs on the close-fitting bodice of cloth. We noticed this cloth in all the popular colours, the greens and browns being especially good. Some charming dresses of soft Bengaline with velvet stripes, and of shot silk with small velvet flowers are shown for afternoon wear when at home or on visiting bent. The striped Bengaline is employed for the skirt, which is either in folds or quite plain, and cashmere is used for the tunic and bodice; the latter has a loose waistcoat of velvet-striped silk, and fan-shaped plaits of the same spread out from the point of the basque cords and tassels of silk and velvet loop up the well-arranged tunic; thi6 usually crosses the skirt to one side, and is lifted quite high on the other. A pretty shot bronze and red silk had velvet sprigs of a deep olive shade, over a petticoat of plain velvet of the same rich tone. Dresses for dinner and afternoon reception are now being made with short trains, and these are of terry or velvet brocade, of designs of great beauty and taste. A handsome toilette was of black brocaded velvet; the ground, of very narrow diagonal stripes (it would, perhaps, best be called "ribbed"), was strewn with a pattern of leaves, two and two, overlapping each other. One was of satin, with veinings of velvet; the other of velvet, vice versa. The train of the dress and the bodice were of this magnificent material, over a petti- coat of plain satin, edged with eight gathered flounces. and having a drapery pointed to one side, and bordered with a lovely passementerie of chenille and cut beads on net. The train fell in long sweeping folds, and was flounced underneath to the waist. We cannot but mention a splendid embroidery of pansies and leaves on black satin. The stalks and the leaves were of twisted chenille,' and the velvet blossoms were in relief; in the centre of each was a gold metal drop, producing a brilliant ensemble. GOLD tinsel work now appears in profusion on dresses, as well as on bonnets and hats. For night wear its glitter is very effective, and certainly bie/i apropos and airy tulle skirts are exceedingly smart, with their woven designs of bright metal. A ball gown of tulle, or a plain satin skirt, was covered with groups of gold spangles, sewn starlike at intervals on it; from the centre of each hung two strands of gold cord, with a ravelled out ball at the ends. Its aspect was rich-looking, and fresh, and the white satin bodice, with berthe of white lace, had many gold balls introduced. A gold-coloured bodice could likewise be worn, or a cuirass of tinsel brocade. For young married ladies round skirts cf shot silk, green and red, grey and pink, or pale blue, are covered with flounces of Swiss silk embroidery, displayed on founda- tions of net. catjght up here and there with jet plaques. This beautiful silk work is much more uncommon then the piece lace now seen everywhere, and gowns so composed are both stylish and new, and look well to the end. The low Y-shaped bodice is made of shot silk, and is covered with work like the skirt, while both it and the transparent elbow sleeves are daintily trimmed with cut beads. Clusters of ribbons, matching the silk, are affixed to the waist at one side, or poufs of the new shot feathers are worn on the bodice and skirt. A bridal toilette, of deep cream satin, was noticeable for the clever arrangement of the lace that draped the skirt, and also for the lace itself, yellow with age, and curiously wrought with an elaborate design in applique of roses, shamrocks, and thistles, divided by open- work lines. The front of the skirt had three long, narrow panels with kiltings appearing between, and the lace was caught up on the right side by a number of cream satin loops and a small spray of orange buds and leaves, the only floral adornment of this very elegant gown. The flowing square train, gathered at the waist, was untrimmed. VELVET is widely adopted, even more so than plush, which latter material appears to be generally used for the fur-trimmed redingotes or short dolman capes, bordered with feathers, we see at the theatres, &c., and sometimes abroad in our streets, to the exclusion of all other fabrics. Now velvet, per contra, is worn day and night, and with equal success at all times. Velvet bodices are, indeed, most fashionable for ball- room toilettes, and these are worn with the lightest of skirts, either tulle, beaded net, orpiecelace. Among the velvets in new shades of all the most delicate tints there is one called La chartreuse a cool-looking yellowish green—(those who like the liqueur know it well) which they use with a novel effect when com- bined with piece-lace over satin. The former, imita- tion Brussels of excellent design, was beautifullv draped on a skirt of pale salmon-hued satin, edged with two narrow flounces of lace. Small velvet and satin bows were placed at intervals between the flounces. On the right side of the skirt was a plaited perpendicular band of the chartreuse velvet the salmon satin lining showing in the turned-back folds. At the top of the back of the skirt was a large spreading bow, standing out from the pointed basque of the velvet bodice. This was cut rather low, and the berthe was of lace the elbow sleeves were made of velvet bands, the lower part edged with lace frills. These looked like a series of rings, caught together inside by elastic, displaying the arm between each, though its make was distinctly a "sleeve," which is oft but the name for a strap, or it may be a string of pearl beads. In similar style was another lace dress arranged over pale primrose satin. The bodice and trimmings were of chartreuse velvet and satin of the same soft shade. The effect was ex- ceedingly good. A ball gown of clouds of black tulle had the top skirt very full, and tied half-way down with broad woven gold ribbon, which fell in the front in long loops, the tulle being scattered with small tinsel flowers, which sparkled and gleamed in the light. The low satin bodice was trimmed with gold lace, and gold ribbon bows on the berthe. A second had numberless skirts of black tulle, in long folds from the waist to the edge, which was trimmed with small flounces of lace. The drapery crossed in tho front, and was very much puffed at the back. At the side of the skirt was a melange of flowers and feathers, gold metal, and tipped marabouts. DRESSES of black lace, made over petticoats of coloured satin, are still most extensively worn. All shades of yellow, from straw to bright; orange, are much patronised, and have superseded the pinks and the reds, which not long since we saw at each turn The skirts are ornamented with loops of satin-lined velvet, and the bodices are of plain satin, black or coloured, lace-trimmed or covered with lace We noticed a dinner dress made with a bodice and train of he de vin broche velvet, and a petticoat front of plain velvet, with flounces of black Calais lace over satin the same shade of red. The plain velvet front was cut out in long points, and the black lace was plaited between. The velvet was veiled bv a short scarf of black lace, which, bag fashion, fell. from the waist. The pointed bodice bad a shaped out stomacher front, the opening filled to the throat with a lace chemisette over satin. The collar was high, standing up round the neck, and the sleeves, which reached to the elbows, had revers cf plain velvet and short hanging ruffles of lace. It was strikingly handsome and uncommon, and would look equally well made in velvet of many new shades, such as vieux vert or dull-leaden blue, and the various tones known as mastic and fawn which are now classed as Suede.

DEATH AT SEA.—The death is announced as having taken place, on board the steamer Merton Hall, on the voyage home, of Major Philip Walker, who held the appointment of deputy-assistant-adjutant- genera on the staff of General Sir D. Stewart, G.C.B. commanding the Indian army, since March, 1880 Major Walker, who was in his 43rd year, entered the army as an ensign in the 3rd Foot in July, 1860, hit subsequent regimental career being passed in the 94th (Border) Regiment*

TEBfllBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION. FIFTEEN LIVES LOST. A fatal explosion, involving the loss of fifteen lives took place at ten minutes past nine o'clock on Satur- day evening, at Hochin Colliery, in the Sirhowy Valley, about three miles from Tredegar, and which belongs to the Tredegar Coal and Iron Company. The shock was felt at a signal box at Bedwellty pitfl, about a mile away, and as soon as the situation was realised the officials of the London and North Western Rail- way placed an engine and van at the disposal of the colliery officials, in which Mr. Colquhoun (general manager), Mr. Stratton (mineral agent), Mr. W. Hamilton (engineer), and others proceeded to the pit's mouth, hundreds of persons at the same time hurrying from the neighbouring cottages. It was known at the time that there were fifteen men in the pit engaged in repairing the pit roads, in addition to an engine- man half-way down the pit. The cries of the latter were heard, and he was after some time rescued by an exploring party which was organised under the direction of Messrs. Stratton and Reynolds. The force of the explosion had blown the engine house and ventilating fan at the pit's mouth to atoms, some heavy pieces of timber being found a hundred yards away. The cage was closely jammed against the top, and the zinc roofing was scattered in every direction. The exploring party were only able to penetrate a little way into the workings, owing to the absence of ventilation by the destruction of the fan, and they found only four bodies on the occasion of their first descent. Three of these were identified as Gwyllm Owen, Evan Griffiths, and John Davies, but the fourth body was mutilated beyond recognition. The namep. of the other eleven men found dead in the pit are John Morris, Thomas Morgan, John Williams, Will. Evnns, John Hamer, Thomas Lewis, John Bruce, William Scott, John Bevan, William Havard, and John Jones. A painful fatality occurred about two hours after the explosion. Ropes had been placed round the pit's mouth to keep back the crowds of friends and relatives of the unfortunate miners, but one of these, a man named Pugh, stated to have been under the influence of drink, proffered assistance, but was prevented from approaching the pit's mouth by the officials. He, however, rushed forward again, evading them, and, approaching too close, fell down the pit. He was subsequently found at the bottom, a mangled corpse. The result of the sad catastrophe has spread entire gloom over the neighbourhood. Great confidence was placed in the safety of the colliery, as being onb of the best-ventilated pits in South Wales. Had the explosion occurred in the daytime or on any other night except Saturday night the consequences must have been much more dis- astrous, as between 300 and 400 men are employed. The ventilating fan was restored at midday on Sunday, and the exploring party again descended. The workings are not very much damaged, and it is expected work will be resumed early next week. Forty-three horses which were in the pit at the time of the explosion were killed, and a large body of men were on Sunday employed in digging a hole near the pit in which to bury them.

THE OLD REGISTER OF SALISBURY. At the time of the battle of Hastings the two ancient sees of Sherborne. in Dorset, and of Rams- hur. or Ravensbury, in Wilts, were held by cne in- dividual. Nine years afterwards they were merged into a single bishopric, the seat of which was placed at Old Sarum, a fortified spot on the top of a hill, which was more of a castle than a city, and in this stronghold Rc-ol),n, the first bishop of Sarum, com- menced building a cathedral. On his death, in 1078, he was succeeded by a kinsman of William the Con- queror, Osmund by name, who completed the fabric, secured for it endowments, and originated a cathe- dral establishment consisting of clergy who were known as seculars," because they lived each in his own house, and did not withdraw themselves entirely from contact with the laity, ns did the regulars who lived together under a more or less monastic rule. Bishop Osmund was a man with capacity for work, talent for organisation, and love of order. Before his time no uniformity had existed in the externals of public worship, each bishop, abbot, and prior prescribing that which seemed right in hii own eyes but an attempt made by a Norman abbot to thrust some change of liturgy or ritual upon tho Saxon monks of Glastonbury led to a scene of riot and disorder which probably opened Osmund's eyes to the urgent need of codifying the offices of the Church-at any rate, he saw fit to compile a church service and ritualfor the use of the diocese of Sarum. Outside his own diocese he had, of course, no authority, but the advantages and excellence of his work were so apparent that other sees soon adopted it, and in course of time the Use of Sarum" was generally followed throughout the kingdom, and became, indeed, the base of the rubric in our present Book of Common Prayer. On Osmund's death, in 1090, he was succeeded by Roger, the astute Chancellor of Henry I., who, uniting in himself the offices of bishop, chancellor, and jus- ticiar, organised the exchequer, founded castles and became the greatest constructor of the day of military as well as of ecclesiastical edifices. Statesman though he was, he looked well after the material interests of his cathedral, and contrived to add considerably to its revenues. Jocelin de Bohun, the succeeding bishop, secured further additions of property to the cathedral, and endowed various dignities with prebendal estates. After Jocelin's death the see was left vacant for five years, and was then filled by Hubert Walter, who was almost immediately afterwards promoted to the Archbishopric of York. His successor at Sarum, Herbert Poore, was consecrated in 1194, and by his time the inconvenience to eccclesiastics of being quartered in a royal castle had made itself felt. The bishop," it has been said, held the castle, but as a keeper, or as a maistre d'hostel, or as a tenant for the king, only in trust and during pleasure, often put in and out as the king saw good;" and it is hardly a matter for surprise, perhaps, that Bishop Poore was anxious to remove his cathedral to some more convenient spot, if the story be true that the castle was once occupied by soldiers, who took advantage of all the clergy having gone in procession to some neighbouring church to lock out the whole of the cathedral establishment. Herbert Poole died, however, before he was able to carry his intention into effect, and was suc- ceeded by his brother, Richard Poore, who followed his predecessor's design and obtained from Pope Honorius III. a Bull, dated 29th March, 1219, authorising the removal of the cathedral and giving as one reason for sanctioning the step that free access to the church was not to be obtained without leave of the castellan,' or governor of the castle." By various means Richard Poore managed to collect sufficient money for his purpose, and commenced the new building on a plot of ground called Myrfield," which Canon Jones takes to mean Moersfelde,' or the boundary field, from the fact that it was at the 1 junction of three parishes. Here was erected, be- tween 1220 and 1258, all but the spire and west front of that extensive and magnificent example of Early j English architecture which stands at Salisbury in the present day. The documents relating to the cathedral daring the period between the original establishment of the see at Old Sarum and its removal to New Sarum appear to have been collected together at some early period, and the Old Register is a copy of them made in the contracted Latin of the thirteenth century. It contains the treatise concerning ecclesiastical offices, or consuetudinary," compiled by St. Osmund; divers Papal Bulls sundry charters relating to the founda- tions of the cathedral, its endowments and prebendal estates; records of visitations of the prebendal estates by the dean incidents connected with the removal of the see from Old to New Sarum; accounts of the efforts made for the building of the new cathedral, of its dedication by Richard Poore, and of the election of the bishop's successor; and in- cludes a list of the various treasures and ornaments belonging to the cathedral in those days. This manuscript, of which now for the first time a complete copy is printed, has been edited by Canon Rich Jones and added in two volumes to the Roll's series of Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland during the Middle Ages. To the first volume the em tor has prefixed a short preface, giving an account of the manuscript, and of the contents of the Con- suetudinary," which he has translated into English. In the second volume, one hundred and fifty-eight pages of text are preceded by one hundred and forty- four pages of preface, containing an elaborate history of the Bishops of Salisbury from 1045 to 1228, sup- plemented by a glossary, a chronological abstract, and an index-all very excellent work, but a sufficiently liberal interpretation of the Roll's direction that to editions of the above-mentioned series no notes should be added except such as are illustrative of the various readings of the different manuscripts, and that the preface should contain only remarks necessary to explain the chronology, together with a biographical account of the author, and an estimate of his historical credibility and value. Nevertheless, we have reason to be thankful to Canon Jones for the riew he has taken of the extent of his duties, and for the careful manner in which he has executed them. Each section of his work will be interesting to some class of reader-the preface to the hagiologist, the glossary to the philologist, the consuetudinary to the student of Church history, and the Papal Bulls, list of ornaments, record of visitations, and legal docu- ments to the antiquary. Of the old book itself Canon Jones says that though of so miscellaneous a character, and withal so fragmentary, the manuscript is invaluable as giving us not only the oldest known copy of the Consuetudinary,'but as showing us so clearly and so vividly the foundation and gradual development of a cathedral of secular canons."— Morning Post.

fnE IIOXTON BURGLARIES.—At the Shorediteh Town Hall, Shorediteh, a sum of £ 350, subscribed in the neighbourhood of Hoxton, has been distributed to the members of the police force who had been engaged in the capture of the Hoxton burglars. Two civilians who had aided the police also received rewards. IMPROVING THE OCCASION.—Mrs. Alderman Cali- pash There, my dear, the "dress improver" bets off the robes splendidly." Alderman Calipash (jocosely, as befits the joyous nature of the occasion) Then, my love, if I'm all right behind," as—ha ha !—the omnibus conductor says, I'll make a start. Talking of omnibuses, I shall soon be full inside. Ha ha Funny Folks.

||lxstdl;uix0us InlcIIrgettte. HOME, FOBEIGN, AND COLONIAL. ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY.—Lord Randolph Churchill and Dr. Bain were on Saturday nominated for the Lord Rectorship of Aberdeen University. BIRTHDAY OF THE PRlKCE OF WALES.—The anniver- sary of the birth of the Priuce of Wales, who completed his forty-third year on Sunday, was celebrated on Saturday with the usual display of illuminations. The Prince's tradesmen dined together at Willis's Rooms, Mr. W. H. Smith, M.P., in the chair. NEW PUBLIC BUILDINGS AT SWANSEA.—The Mayor of Swansea laid the foundation stone of the new public library buildings in Alexandra-road, Swansea, on Satur- day afternoon. The building, which is to cost JE10,000, forms part of the new improvement scheme promoted by the corporation. THE POBTADOWN RIOTS.-Of the 82 persons charged with riot at the recent political meetings at which Mr. Dickson was wounded, two were sentenced at Porta- down on Saturday morning to six months' and ten to two months' imprisonment under the Crimes Act. The remainder were discharged. Notice of appeal was given. GROSS BRUTALITY TO A SON.—Cornelius Hurtill, a labourer, was charged at the West Ham Police-court on Saturday with having violently assaulted his son, eleven years of age. In a cold stone-floored wash- house, the boy, being without boots, stockings, hat, or jacket, had his hands tied by his father behind his back, and his legs were fastened together. There he was left from seven in the morning until past six the next morning, tied in such a manner that his wrists were marked, and his hands so swollen that his knuckles could not be seen. Theboy'e parent was sent to prison for two months, with hard labour. DEATH OF MRS. F. ABCHEB.—Mrs. F. Archer, wife of the well-known iockev, died early on Saturday morn- ing. It was only on Thursday that Mr. Archer received the congratulations of his friend? at Liverpool on his receiving the news of his wife's accouchement. She was a daugbter of Mr. John Dawson, and was a general favourite in Newmarket, as whs proved when her wedding with Mr. Archer took place two years ago. The infant daughter and only child of Mr. Archer is doing well. NEW PARK AT BRIGHTON.—A new park was opened at Brighton on Saturday, and the ceremony was wit- nessed by a great gathering of spectators. The chief incident was a procession headed b.v the Mayor, who formally declared the purk open. It has an area of more than sixty acres. RAILWAY FATAUTrRS.-Two railway fatalities hap- pened on Saturday. In one case, while a labourer was working in the Lime-street tunnel at Liverpool, he was knocked down by some trucks which were being shunted, and both legs were severed from his body. The poor fellow died on the spot. The other accident occurred at Bootle. A railway employe was shunting some waggons, when a gust of wind carried him under a. passing train, which almost severed his head from his body. Death was instantaneous. THE AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS ACT.—The Duke of St. Albans presided on Saturday over a meeting of agriculturists in Nottingham, convened by the Notting- ham Chamber of Commerce, to consider a schedule of allowances drawn up by valuers as suitable for the county under the Agricultural Holdings Act. Mr. Brett having moved its adoption, Mr. Beaumont pro- posed an amendment declaring the scale of compen- sation to go far beyond the custom of Notts hitherto accepted as liberal and fair, and that such claims be dealt with individually according to the merits of each case. Lord Belper objected to the schedule, and even- tually it was referred to a committee to report on the principles of a fair and reasonable agreement.. AN "ENGAGEMENT FOR THE OLADfANT. The Claimant, whose recent addresses in Leeds attracted very small audiences, has accepted a four nights' en- gagement with the management of a Leeds music-hall, at which he will appear during the first part of next week. His remuneration, it is said, will be £.10 for the four nights. LATE FRUIT.—During thfe past week red currants and raspberries have been gathered in open gardens in the neighbourhood of Coventry, and wild roses have been seen in full blow on the hedgerows. The weather for some time past has been phenaminally mild and spring- like. FOOTBALL ACCIDENT.—During a football match on Saturday in the Eton College Playing Fields, against a. scratch team from Oxford University, W. J. Corbett, K.S.A., sixth form at Eton College, had his right leg broken by a cross kick. He was conveyed to his room, and attended bv Dr. Gooch. A PARK FOR HULL.-At Hull on SaturJay the mayor (Dr. Rollit), in the presence of a large number of spec- tators, turned the first sod of a new park which is to be provided for the west portion of Hull. The ground, which is about 70 acres in extent was bought by the Corporation some years ago, with the view of utilising a portion of it for a large cattle market. That idea has now been abandoned, and more than half of the land will forthwith be made into a park, a portion being re- tained for a cricket and football ground. STARVED TO DEATH.—On Saturday, at the Notts and Lincoln Assizes, before Lord Chief Justice Coleridge, Charles Briggs, chemist, 39, and Elizabeth Briggs, 67, were indicted for the wilful murder of Thirza Briggs, at Clee, near Grimsby. The deceased woman was the wife of the male prisoner and daughter-in-law of the female, who, although in comfortable circumstances were alleged to have deliberately starved her. Mr. Horace Smith said that the male prisoner had a post- nuptial settlement, by which if his wife and her little girl died he would possess her whole property. The -jury convicted the male prisoner of manslaughter and acquitted the female. Briggs was sentenced to 20 years' penal servitude. SAD FATALITY IN SCOTLAND.—On Saturday afternoon a gentleman was knocked down by a train about half a mile from Arbroath Station. Death was almost instan- taneous. On Sunday evening the. body was identified as that of Mr. James M'tcbell, chief reporter of the "Aberdeen Free Press." The deceased had been to Arbroath on Saturday afternoon, and it is supposed that, being late for the return train, he was walking along the line as a short cut to the station, when the accident occurred. Mr. Mitchell, who was a well-known and able journalist, and highly respected, leaves a widow and two children. THE KILLING OF DEER.—Under the Ground Game Act of 1880 every occupier of land has a right, of which he cannot divest himself, of killing hares and rabbits on his land. It is now proposed, in a bill that has been introduced by Mr. Munro-Ferguson, M.P. for Ross and Cromarty, to extend the meaning of ground game in this Act so as to include deer. The occupier, however, is not to be entitled to kill deer on moorlands or unen- closed lands, not being arable. Moreover, the provision that firearms are not to be used for the purpose of kill- ing ground game between the expiration of tbr- first hour after sunset and the commencement of tlie last hour before sunrise is not to apply to deer. CLOSING OF A NOTED DISCUSSION RALL.-The discus- sion Forum" in Fleet-street, London, w)rch attained considerable notoriety about thirty years since on account of complaints gravely preferred hy the Emperor Napoleon of speeches delivered there which were offensive to his Government, has at last ceased *r> exist, the Green Dragon Tavern, to whic'h it formed an annexe, beins: about to be demolished to make way for a new hotel. The" Forum" was at one time favourite resort of youthful students of the P;!r and others desirous of obtaining practice in public n>ra:v-;jig. FOREIGN LIYE STOCK AND FaRSH MEAT.—T'c- mi ru- ber of live stock and the quantity of fresh mea' !ti"led at Liverpool during the past week from American and Canadian ports amounted to 897 catile, 1276 sheep, 5976 quarters of beef, and 300 carcases of mutton, which, when compared with the imports of the pre- ceding week, show a slight increase in the arrivals of both live stock and fresh meat. The conveying steamers were as follows Milanese, 368 cattle and 408 sheep Montreal, 313 cattle and 868 sheep: Iowa. 136 cattle and 928 quarters of beef; Oranmore, 80 cattle Egypt,' 1684 quarters of beef and 150 carcases of mutton Alaska, 1660 quarters of beef and 150 carcases cf mutton; and Catalonia, 1704 quarters of beef

THE MARKETS. MARK-LANE. Quietness has prevailed at Mark-lane Dealings were only from hand to month, and the tendency was in f ivour of buyers. Fair supplies of produce were on off. r. The inquiry for English wheat was limited, and prices were about 6d easier. Transactions in foreign wheat were restricted, with prices tending in buyers' favour. As regards flour, the inquiry was restricted, and prices were weak, country sorts being about 6d lower on the week. A small business wa3 passing' In barley. Malt u- produce was fairly steady. Grinding was dull aud drooping. The maize trade was quiet, without change. Oats were dull, and 3d lower oil the wee If. roans were dull. Italian, '6s to 27s; Egyptian, V6s to 2!'s per 4801b. Very little passing in peas. White Canadian, 80s to 31s per 5041b. Egyptian lentils, 25s to 26o per 5041b. METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET. The total imports of foreign stock into London last week amounted to 12,541 head. In the corresponding period last year we received 15,084; in 18- 14,442 in 18S1,11,895 in 1880,10,560; in 1879, 22,717; in ls7t<, 13,080 and in 1877, 14,644 head. At Southampton were received 39 beasts from Jersey and Guernsey, and 50 beasts from Oporto; and at Liverpool, 136 beasts from Boston, and 677 beasts and 1274 sheep from Montreal. The cattle trade is quiet, with no particular feature. The tone is not stroiifr. an-l supplies offering are equal to the demand. A moderate number of English beasts came to hand. Throughout a good inquiry prevailed, prices remaining about the same as last wee It. The best Scots and crosses realised 5s Sd to 68 lOd per 81b. Foreign beasts, of which a small number was offered, changed hands quietly at late prices. The sheep pens were moderately well filled. The market, was dull, and prices were unaltered. The best Downs nnd half-breds realised 6s 4d to 6s 6d per SIb. Calves and pigs sold at late prices. Coarse and inferior beasts, 4s to 4s 6<1 second quality ditto, 4s 6d to 5s prime large oxen, f>s 6d to 5s 8d ditto Scots, <fcc., 5s 8d to 5s lOd coarse aud in- ferior sheep, 5s to 58 6d; second quality ditto,15s 6d to I prime coarse-woolled ditto, 6s 2d to 6s 4d; prime Southdown ditto, 6s 4d to 6s 6d; lrrg-e coarse culves, 5s 6d to 5s 8d; prime small ditto, 5s 8d to 6s largo liogs 3s 6d to 4s neat small porkers, 4s to 4s 6d per Sib to sink the offal. Total supply Beasts, 2550 sheep a; d iamb*. 7580 calves, 60; pigs, 30. Foreign: Beasts. 90; sheep and lambs, 1640; calves, 10. From the midland and home counties we received 1900 beasts, from Irtland ouj, lilld from Scotland 60. METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET. There was a moderate supply on offer. A dull demand prevailed, at the annexed rates Inferior beef, 3s to 3, 4d middling ditto, 3s 8d to 4s prime large ditto, 4s 6d to 4s lOd prime small ditto, 4s 8d to 5s; veal. 4s Sd to 6s inferior mutton, 3s 4d to 3s 6d middling ditto, 3s 8d to ?8 o prime ditto, 4s 8d to 5s 2d large pork, os 4>i to 3s od; small ditto, 4s to 4s 4d per Sib. by tho carcase. GAJRIE AND POULTRY. Pheasants, 2s 3d to 4s 9d partridges, Is 4d to 2s Cd hares, 4s to 5s 3d; white Scotch ditto, 2s 2d to 3s rabbits. Is 2d to 2s grouse, 2s 3d to 4s plovers, 9d to Is caper- cailzie, 4s 6d to Fs 6i; black cock, 2s to 3s woodcocks, 2s 9d to 3s 9d geese. 4s 6d to 8a tid; ducks, 2s to 2s 9d • and fowls, Is 6d to 3s 3d each. FISH. Cod, jE5 18s 6d to e7 6s ver score, crimped ditto 8s Cd to 17s 6d each codlings, 12s to 30s per dozen; trawl had- dock. 2s to 4a 6d per score larje Dublin Bay haddock, Ss to 12s each mu lets, 12s to 30s per dozen mackerel, 2a 6d to 4s per score black soles, Is 6d to 4s per pair; ditto slips, 6d to od per lb. lobsters. "12s to 4flg per dozen; whiting1- so to 12b per box; and smelts. Is 6d to 3s per basket. POTATOES. Good supply of potatoes was on sale. The demand was quiet, as follows Kent regents 70s to 80s: ditto kid- neys, 60s to 70s; Essex Shaws, 50s to 60s Victorias. 7()¡¡ to 80s Magnum Bonums, 60s to 7Cs per ton.