The Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald

AGRICULTURE. I THE agricultural show this year will be held at York, and the proceedings were commenoed on Thursday and Friday (although the general show is not until next month) in the trial of grass-mowing machinery. The visitors were few and quite of the agricultural class. The judges were Mr. John Coleman, of Eacrit, York, Mr. Caldwell, Wilts, and Mr. Kay, of Darlington, and these gentlemen had considerable work to fully master the peculiarities and merits of the various machines. The competitors were of considerable standing, as the names of Burgess and Key, Brentwood, Essex; Brig- ham and Bickerton; Kearsley, Ripon; Barnlett, Samuelson, Cuthbert, &e., will show. Tha dy- namometer of the Royal Agricultural Society was used for testing the "puli" of each machine. On both days the work done was deemed very satisfactory, and at the conclusion the first prize of X20 was awarded to Mr. Barnlett, of Thirak; the second, of < £ 10 to Mr. H. Kearsley, of Ripon. The combined machines of Bar- gess and Key were highly commended, and that of Messrs. Samuelson and Co. was commended. A new double-actioned haymaker by the Reading Ironworks Company was awarded a prize of .£5. THE superintendent of the Statistical Office of the Cattle Plague Department prefaces the returns of the last week with the following remarks:—"A farther reduction in the namber of attacks of cattle plague is manifested in the present return. During the week ending 30th June the number of attacks officially re- ported in Great Britain was 260 viz., 254 in England, threein Wales, and three in Scotland. Thenumber-viz., 260—shows a decrease of 145 on the previous return. Correcting the total, by adding an estimate of attacks commencing during the week, but which may be sub- sequently reported, the number for the week will be 312. The following 22 counties have from the com- mencement remained free from the disease viz., Westmorland, Monmouth, the six counties of South Wales, Montgomery, Merioneth, Carnarvon, Angle- sey, Wigtown, Bute, Argyll, Banff, Elgin, Nairn, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland, Caithness, and Orkney and Shetland. The last columns of the table (pp. 2 and 3) show what other counties have been free from disease during each of the four weeks pre- ceding this return, so far as information has been received. In 64 counties, one riding of Yorkshire, and the Metropolis,' no oases have been reported as occurring during the week. Seven counties show an increase of 14 cases; and 15 counties, the 'Metropolis,' and the three ridings of Yorkshire show a decrease of 159 cases. In the aggregate more than 50 (50.7) in every 1,000 of the ordinary stock of cattle in Great Britain have been attacked, and to every 1,000 attacks, whose results have been reported, 861 animals perished. Up to the date of this return 5,002 sheep have been reported as attacked by the disease, being an increase of 537 since last week. The mean tem- perature of the week was 4.8 deg higher than the average of the corresponding week during 50 years; the thermometer in the sun registered 162.9 deg. at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, on Wednesday, 27th Jane."

HINTS UPON GAHDBmNQ. Many of the hardier kinds of greenhouse plants may now be set out of doors. It is a mistake, however, to place them in too shady a situation; but it is essential that the pots be protected from the sun. They should be plunged in beds of sifted coal-ashes take care also to place them far enough apart to ensure a free circu- lation of air amongst the plants. FLOWER GARDEN AND PLANT HOUSES.—Close and frequent inspection wiil now be retired if anything like success with bedded-out plants is to be attained this season. This is a good time for grafting or in- arching oransres, camellias, azaleas, choioe rhododen- drons, &3. Until a junction is effected, the plants should be plunged in a close, moist heat, rather stronger than that required for growing them in, and they should be carefully shaded.—Aohimenes: Keep up successions of these as long as possible. While growing, they like a warm, moist atmosphere; but during their flowering season they do per. fectly well in a comparatively cool and dry situation, such as a close greenhouse or conserva- tory. As regards soil, light turfy loam, peat, leaf- mould, thoroughly decayed cow duog, and silver sand suits them perfectly.—Amaryllis: These deserve mora than ordinary attention. They succeed perfectly in any light, tolerably rich soil, in which there is a good proportion of fibry loam. Twenty-four-sized pots suit them best. Plants in smaller pots should, therefore, be carefully moved into the size j a3t named.—Annuals: Kinds intended for autumn flowering should be thinned out or transplanted before they crowd one another, and become too weak to support themselves.—Carna- tions, &c.: Few plants are more generally useful than the hardier kinds cf carnations, picotees, and cloves. If pipings of them are taken off about this season, or say a little later, they sometimes strike as freely as. pinks but the operation will be more certain to suc- ceed if the handlighta are set on a slight hotbed, or the Dots plunged in a frame where there is a. gentle bottom heat. Points which require special atten. tion are, that the cuttings be taken not later, on any account, than the expanding of the first flower; and that they be carefully shaded from every ray of sunshine. The most certain method of propagating them is by layers; but it is equally important that it should be done early, as the plants root sooner, and thereby become better established before winter. —Chinese Primulas Old plants of these should soon be shaken carefully out of the old soil, repotted in light, sweet compost, moderately rich, and placed in a warm frame far a few days, till they have begun to produce roots into the new soil, after which they must be removed to a position near the glass in a cold frame, and kept close till the plants are thoroughly re-established. These plants succeed best in moderate- sized pots.—Pelargoniums While these are in bloom it is most desirable that shading should be attended to carefully, for one sunny day may injure the flowers beyond hope of remedy. It is equally desirable that the atmosphere of the house should be kept cool. FORCING GARDEN.—Peaches Admit a free cir- culation of air through all the houses during dry fine weather; but where the fruit is just ripening, ven- tilation during the night and in damp weather should be effected by means of the front lights, keeping the top sashes closed to prevent cold dews from settling on the fruit. The foliage in the early houses should be kept in a healthy state as long as possible by syringing atd guarding against insect depredations.— Pines Having selected, to meet the demand in winter, those plants which are now showing or flowering, and those which shortly promise to follow their example, a portion of the strongest and best rooted of those remaining should be picked out to succeed them; these should be potted immediately if they require it, and grown on steadily without any check; any of the smaller plants whioh are ia immediate need of potting should also be attended to. Keep up an uninterrupted succession by planting a few suckers occasionally in a bottom-heat. Where the planting- out system is practised, there is no difficulty in keeping up the succession if aU vacancies are filled up as they occur with the best plants selected from among the successions.-Vines Where crops are swelling let the state of the borders be frequently examined If the soil is too dry, let the surface be carefully loosened with a fork, and watered with liquid manure. Ex- amine the bunches of swelling crops, thin crowded clusters, and remove small berries. HABDY FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDEN. Water growing crops freely with liquid manure, this is the best time of year to make use of it, and with the addition of the rains which we are now experiencing, improved growth may be expected to be the result, Celery: Now that rain has come, plant out for the mam crop. Lettuces Successions of these must be kept up as reo quired.—Turnips A good breadth of these may now be Sown.-Water.cresseg: A supply of these for autumn and winter may be easily obtained by planting some strong young tops, about four inches long, in a line at the foot of a north wall. The cuttings should be of pieces which have protruding roots from the joints. Water-oresses will grow freely in such a situation; and in many places where there are no artificial beds, I and where natural ones are a considerable distance off, these will be found useful.—Qardener s Mzgazine.

Laudanum and. Alcohol.—An inquest was held ill Broad-street, Bloomsbnry, the other day, on the body of Elizabeth Dixey, 50 years of age. Deceased died at her lodgings, from the effects-of laudanum, which with alcoholic drinks she was in the habit of taking, as she said, to drown her sorrow for the deser- tion of her husband, and his cohabitation with another woman. The immediate cause of death was pal. monary apoplexy, and tha jury found a verdict to that effect.

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.. A HUNDEED AND NINETY-ONE miles in three hours forty-three minutes is not bad travelling. A case of emergency occurred last week when that distance was donef from King's-cross to York. The engine should henceforth be called Black Bess. A FOOLISH wager has been made at a wine-shop on the Quay d'Orsay, which has resulted in death. At a breakfast. where the conversation turned on the quantity of drink which a person could take, a brick- layer, named Floreatin, made a bet that he would drink twelve glasses of wine while the clock of the Tuileries was striking twelve. He drank three glasses before the clock had struck three times. At the next glass he stopped to breathe. At the seventh he began to drink more slowly, but, making an effort, he drank off the eighth glass. He then turned very pale, and breathed with difficulty. His friends wished to stop the wager, but he said he would go on come what might, and swallowed the ninth glass. He had barely emptied the glass when he fell down senseless. A surgeon was sent for, but, in spite of all his efforts, the foolish man died in three hours. THE following humorous programme was sold at the Dramatic Fete on Saturday :— "POLICE.—ARREST OF A DANGEROUS GANG.-Miss Lydia Thompson, Miss Lydia Maitland, Miss E. Baf. ton, Mrs. Stirling, and many others, all well known to the public generally, were brought before the sitting magistrate at -BsaM-street, charged with obtaining money under false pretences; they were also accused of violence and of using strong language. "The prosecutor, Mr. Lavender Kydd, of Ken- sington-gardens, stated, that on the previous Satur- day he had visited the Crystal Palace accompanied by a friend. Incautiously he had taken a large sum of money with him, of which fact Miss Lydia Thompson had become aware. The result of his imprudence was very soon apparent, for happening to pass near that desperate young person, he was seized by her and immediately struck — all of a heap, if he might so express himself. While in this condititin he was shown a needle-case, and before he had time to make his escape five shillings were ex- tracted from him for the article. He had since been informed by his sister, to whom he had presented hia purchase, that it was not worth half-a-crown. The complainant went on to state that having made his escape from Miss Thompson, he was hastening to the door, when Mrs. Stirling stopped him, showing her teeth in so dangerous a manner that he was com- pelled to give a guinea for a. baby's cap, although he could assure his worship that he had not the slightest use for it. He was next assailed by Miss Bufton, who shot such a glance at him as to render him insensible to anything that happened afterwards. Upon re- covering consciousness the following morning he found himself very unwell and his money all gone. The pain about the region of the heart was still very acute. "Sergeant Farren, of the 0-(lympic)-Division, said that when she took the accused into custody, they were surrounded by gentlemen using shocking lan- guage. She distinctly heard 'pet' and 'darling' pro- ceed from the lips of one of the gang, although she could not say which of the prisoners had spoken the words. The prisoners, in defence, said that they did it to assist a number of brothers and sisters who were living in the country. Miss Thompson, who seemed ignorant of the danger of her position, saucily remarked that it was all fair in fair time! "The worthy magistrate said that the plea which the prisoners had set up induced him to discharge them this time, but he warned them he should not lose sight of them in future. The dangerous gang left the court with their friends, being heard to say that they would do it again next year."

THE DRAMATIC COLLEGE ANRVAL FETE AND FAIR. There are three excellent reasons why this now firmly-established festive anniversary at tach ennual recurrence increases in attraction, in pecuniary success, and in the numbers and enjoyment of its participants. In the first place, its object is most admirable; in the second, it serves as a famous holiday for the actora themselves, who enjoy it quite as much as the visitors and in the third, th- ments become more varied, the fun more hilarious, and the crowding and pleasant bustling mors exciting every year. On Saturday last the opening of the Fair took place under the "happiest anspioos "-na.mely, those of the efficient and dignified herald, Mr. Robert Romer. The day was beautiful, being clear and bright, without being too warm, and the palace and grounds seemed as if dressed in their best for this particular and important occasion. The crowd streamed onwards through winding paths bordered with the brightest and gayest of flowers, or across lawns of velvety green, towards the grand entrance of the palace, whither they were invited by the noisiest and the most discordant of musical invitations. Prominent amongst the attractions of the Jete is the exact counterfeit presentment of Richardson's travel- ling theatre, which Mr. Nelson Lee annually sets up at the corner of the transept. There is a picture by an eminent hand in a shop window in the Strand of Richardson's booth in its glory, with Edmund Kean dressed as Harlequin in the front, and striking right and left with his sword of lath. Any one who has seen that picture will at once recognise the fidelity with which LJr. Lee has preserved all the Richardson touches and costumes and "properties." And with good reason, for if we are not mistaken he was himself the immediate successor of Richardson, and for a long time sustained the dying glories of the movable theatres. There is the old clown-none of your modern Shakespearian jesters," but a real fully plastered, properly coloured, decidedly white and red clown, who tumbles conscientiously, properly perse- cutes pantaloon, and invites the gaping crowd to "Be in time," with the old-fashioned but never-failing inducements. Richardson was always strong ia his band and his ballet, and these Mr. Lee has not for- gotten. His musicians make more noise than all the other bands in the fair put together, and his ballet on the platform, which is given for nothing, never ceases, from morn "till dewy eve." The drama, too—" of thrilling interest "—is Richardson all over. There were two, which were performed alternately on Saturday namely, The Mysterious Monk, and The White W'dnsss, one of which we "did" coBSciGHtiously from bsgiDiiipg to end, although we should not like to be too positive as ta which. It was intensely interesting, and the ex- citement never flagged for a moment. The action was rapid, the "situations" were striking, the dialogue at once terse, vigorous, and colloquial. Next to, perhaps rivalling, the theatre, was Pro- fessor Toole's Chinese Exhibition, which attracted crowds of visitors and excited shouts of laughter. Is is quite sufficient to say that the subject of the professor's lecture was China, and his main illustration the Giant Chang, personated by Paul Bedford. To indicate the style of the enter- tainment, Mr. Bedford was most carefully costumed, and made up as ft mandarin of much dignity. The correctness of his Pekin accent, in speaking the language of his whilom native land, was much admired of by the audience. The lecture of the professor was most admirably delivered, and his liberality in the way of presents-of plate and other articles of vertu-wes highly appreciated by the fairer portion of his audi- ence. When the crowd poured out of the Toolian Pagoda they almost astquickly poured into "The Hall of Momus," where all the talent of all the music halls in London might be enjoyed in a concentrated form We were particularly struck with the German song of Mr. Macarthy, and the skilful piano accompaniment of Mr. Wilson, both of whom received warm and general applause. Bat, so far, we have not got beyond "the fun of the fair," and have yet to describe its most im- portant part, that is to say, its commerce, presided over by all the beauty and- grace and talent of our metropolitan theatres. The anxiety of the public to see the ladies of the drama by daylight approaches to a phrensy, and exercises a most beneficial influence on Drices at the fancy fair. Mrs. Stirling, with a keen eye to business, had opened a shop in a moat eligible position," and must have been completely cleared off before the evening. Her stall was always surrounded bv a crowd, and her eloquence never failed in securing purchasers, and in reconciling them to the scarcity of change. At the opposite corner Miss Lydia Thompson opened with great spirit in the morning, and for some time did a famous trade, but towards the afternoon the prin- cipal" having disappeared, and her place having been filled by another less fair," tha crowd I were awfully disappomtedj and the interests of the charity suffered accordingly. The public should not be taught to believe that attractive names may appear in the bills but their possessors be absent from the fair, as there can be 1:0 doubt but that the wish to see our popular actresses by daylight is, after all, the great attraction of this annual festival. The younger ladies should follow the laudable examples set by Mrs. Stir- ling and Mrs. Mellon, neither of whom left her post for a moment, but worked for the charity as if it was a matter of special pecuniary benefit to herself. Towards fear o'clock in the afternoon the crowd became tremendous, the fan fast and furious, and the trade the very madness of competition. It was a carnival without the masks, a, saturnalia without the sin. The people moved about in solid masses, the throng being too dense to permit of individual circula- tion the gongs roared, the brass brayed, and the "touters" at the diiferent booths shouted their loudest. Everyone looked happy, and none more so than Mr. Webster, the Master of the Dramatic Col- lege, who evidently calculated on a liberal addition to its funds as the result of this year's fete and fair.

EXTRAORDINARY ROBBERY BY A SERVANT GIRL. At the Derby Police-court, on Monday, a respectable- looking young woman, who gave the name of Norah Grice, was charged with stealing £ 19 18s. 4d. Inspector Fearne made the following extraordinary statement to the Bench:—He said that the prisoner lived as domestic servant at Mrs. Lloyd's, who keeps the Christian Knowledge Society's Depot, Friar-gate, and who also sold the articles made by the inmates of the Midland Institution for the Blind, at Nottingham. The Rev. S. Fox, of Morley, was the local secretary to the dep&fc, which was managed by Mrs. Lloyd. On Saturday evening Mrs. Lloyd deposited between .£19 and X20 in a cashbox upstairs. On Sunday evening Mrs. Lloyd went to church, accompanied by the pri- soner, the house being looked up. At the church doors they separated for the purpose of Bitting in separate pews. The service being over, they met again at the church door and walked home to. gether. When they got to the house prisoner tried to unlock the door, and on putting the key in she said, Oh dear, there ia something amiss with the lock." The door, however, was unfastened, and on going into the house, the window leading into the gar- den was found open. They then went upstairs, and found that the cash-box was gone, containing X19 18s. 4d. Detectives Yessey and Spibey were called in, and after hearing Mrs. Lloyd's statement, they went away, and consulted him (Fearne), and he then gave it as his opinion that the robbery had been committed by some one connected with the house. About ten o'clock on Sunday evening Mr. Welbourne called at the polioe-station, and asked for them to go again to the house, and they did so. Mrs. Lloyd then said that the passage bell had rung, and she told pri- soner to answer it, and the latter said it was of no use, as it was a "runaway" ring. The prisoner then leSt the room, and in a few minutes afterwards the bell again rang, and the prisoner rushed into the room to Mrs. Lloyd, and said, "Oh! dear, the bell rang. I opened the door, and some little dirty fellow threw this purse of money into my face; and this is the money of the poor blind." The purse was opened and found to contain lis. 3d. He (Fearne) again questioned prisoner about being at church, and she said she had been there, and even went so far as to tell him the text. She also asked him how he dare insinuate that she had committed the robbery. He told her he should take her into custody, when she said she would tell all about it. She then said that she went into the church with her mistress, came out again, and went to the house, and committed the robbery; and that in addition to the X7 lis. 3d. already given up he would find the remainder buried under a tree in the garden, amounting to J211 7a. Id. He (Fearne) went and found the money as described. He wished to ask for a remand, in order that the Rev. Mr. Fox might be present. The girl, who had nothing to say, was re- manded. -4

EXECUTION OF TWENTY-ONE SER- GEANTS. AT MADRID. Shocking Scene. A Madrid letter in the Temps gives the subjoined that city* I eould have wished to write this letter in a cheer- fnl strain, but find it impossible. I remember that at a certain time military exeoutions were very frequent in Spain, and the Charivari used to sum up its news from that country by conjugating the verb fusilier. The tradition seems to be still respected, and the logic of revolution appears destined to remain eternally the same. At noon, two days back, twenty-one young fellows of the army engaged in the late insurrection, almost all of handsome appearance, were taken eut of the prisons, and after being tied together two by two, were placed in carriages with the windows wide open, and escorted by a nu- merous body of troops to the place of execution, a spot selected in the vacant ground between the Sala- manca. Palace and the Champs-Blyeeis. One of my friend* iq havine five houses buds not a hundred paces S the spot ;8 the masonry and scaffolding are in course of erection, and afforded excellent positions for viewing the scene. There was a preliminary ceremony of military degradation; a promenade under the flag then a discourse, which I could not hear, but which lasted two hours, during which time these unfortunate men must have already suffered a thousand deaths. An enormous crowd which had followed the procession was kept at a distance by the troops. At last the 21 victims were ranged in file, at about a yard's distance from a low clay wall, with their backs to the soldiers, and then the discharge took place. Nearly all of them fell. At that moment the Hermanos de la Caridad, or Brothers of Charity, rushed forward to save at least a few, but were repulsed by the troops, and the firing recommenced, and continued. The firing went on, and more than 200 shots were fired — what a sight! I saw one man raise himself three times, and fall again on his knees with his arms extended in a direction from which a piercing voice was heard to shriek, in the midst of the massacre, 'Federico! Federioo The soldiers then approached the corpses, turned some of them over with their feet, and, still perceiving some signs of life here and there, discharged a last shot point blank. All was then over. The bodies were thrown upon tumbrils, and the regi- ments filed off, some to an air of the Norma; some of o one of the Semiramide. Thirty more are to be shot in a day or two—soldiers also; the rest will come after. Let us hope the Queen will show some compassion."

THE NEW MINISTRY. (From Friday's Gazette.) At the Court at Windsor, the 6th day of July, 1866, present the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council:— This day the Most Noble Richard Plantagenet Campbell Temple Nugent Brydges Chandos, Duke of Buckingham and Chandos; the Right Honourable Henry Howard Molyneux, Earl of Carnarvon; Robert Arthur Talbot Cecil, Esq. (commonly called Viscount Cranborne); Sir Stafford Henry Northoote, Bart.; and Gathorne Hardy, Esq., were, by her Majesty's command, sworn of her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, and took their respective places at the board accordingly. Her Majesty in Council was this day pleased to de- clare the most noble Richard Plantagenet Campbell Temple Nugent Brydges Chandos, Duke of Bucking- ham and Chandos, Lord President of her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, and his grace took his place at the board accordingly. Her Majesty in Council was this day pleased to deliver the Great Seal to the Right Hon. Frederick Lord Chelmsford, whereupon the oath of the Lord Chancellor of Great Britain was, by her Majesty s command, administered to him, and his lordship took his place at the board accordingly. Her Majesty having been pleased to deliver tne custody of the Privy Seal to the E.ght Hon James Howard, Earl of MalmeBbury, the oath of Keeper ot the Privy Seal was this day administered to him, and his lordship took his plaoe at th1e^rdto°°?S°nt ^he Her M.je.tjC»! Right Hon. He y Robert Arthur Talbot Cecil narvon; the R ght Hon^ Cr £ mborne). the EigM Hon.mEdward Henry Stanley (commonly palled Lord qVar,lfi^ the Right Hon. Spencer Horatio Walpole; and the Right Hon. Jonathan Peel, to be her Majesty's five principal Secretaries of State, they were this day, by her Majesty's command, sworn her Majesty s Pnn- oipal Secretaries of State accordingly. Her Majesty having been pleased to appoint tha Right Hon, Benjamin Disraeli, Chancellor and Under- Treasurer of her Majesty's Exchequer, the usual oath was this day administered to him. Her Majesty in Council was pleased this day to declare the Most Hon. James, Marquis of Abercorn, K.G., Lieutenant General and General Governor of that part of the United Kingdom called Ireland. Her Majesty in Council was this day pleased to appoint the Right Hon. Sir Stafford Henry Northcote, Bart., President ef the Committee of Council for Trade.

FACTS AID FACETIAE, -+-- Conjugal Conundrum.- Which is of greater value, pr'ythae say, The bride or bridegroom ? Must the truth be told F Alas it must. The bride is given away; The bridegroom's often regularly sold. A crusty old bachelor says that Adam's wife was called Eve because, when she appeared, man's day of happiness was drawing to a close. Jones, directing Brown's attention to the fla.shy equipage of a noted corn doctor, was answered by his friend that it was an illustrated edition of Banyan's "Progress." You walk more erect than usual, my friend." Yes, I have been straitened by circumstances." A man's character is often treated like a grate- blackened all over first to come but the brighter after- wards. Are these pure canaries ?" asked a gentleman of a bird-dealer, with whom he was negotiating for a gift for his fair." Yes, sir," said the bird-dealer, con- fidently I raised them 'ere birds from canary-seed." A young lady, while on her way to be married, was run over and killed. A confirmed old maid savagely comments She avoided a more lingering and horrible destiny." May is considered an unfortunate marry ing month- A girl, on being asked to unite herself in the silken tie, tenderly hinted that May was an unlucky month for marrying. Well, make it June, then," honestly replied the swain, anxious to accommodate. The damsel paused a moment, hesitated, cast down her eyes, and with a mod eat blush said, "Wouldn't April do as well ? A West end music-seller wai lately overpowered by a fastidious young lady who wanted to pnrchasa "Mr. Hood's—a—song of the-a gentleman's under- garment An Irishman, on being told to grease the wagon, returned in an hour afterwards, and said, I've greased every part of the wagon but them sticks the ivheels hang on! At a revival not long since, an old lady prayed fer- vently "for the joung lambs of the flock." A "lady in black," not to be outdone by her sister, responded, and blandly asked who was to pray for the old ewea r" This set the congregation in a roar. The gentleman who borrowed an oyster-knife with which to open an aocount at a bankers, is anxious to meet with a patent corksorew to draw a cheque. A countryman visiting Dartmoor observed that a gang of men (convicts) were working on the moor, each wearing a bail and chain. He asked one of them why that ball was chained to his leg P "To keep people from stealing it," was the reply; there are so many thieves about here." There are ties which never should be severed," as an ill-used wife said when she found her brute of a husband hanging in a hayloft. The people live uncommon long in Vermont. Thsra are two men there EO old that thr-y have quite for- gotten tvho they are, and there is nobody alive who can remember it for them. They are fond of titles in the east. Among his other high-sounding titles, the King of Ava has that of" Lord of Twenty-four Umbrellas." This looks as though he had prepared for a long ?"eign! An old lady in a steamboat asked the man who came to collect the fare if there was any danger of being blown up, as the steam made such a horrid noiee. Not the least," said the sharp collector, unless you refuse to pay your fare Ode to Dunkellin.- ^Fer s7"s'riaTTy" no~{ ellin*" What mischief you've maaagad to do, For the cabinet's out, And I fear there's no doubt We'll be ruled by the Derbyite crew r Dunkellin, Danlialiin, Oh why this rebellin' Against the old friends of your aire ? A wretched seceder, With Grosvenor for leader, And cunning low pulling the wire! What nonsense your prating Of renting and rating, And value of houses and land! You proud young patricians Are seldom logicians, But talk—when you don't understand. Your talent you've shown in Reform Bill postponing, But Dizzy will ride on the atom- Old ties you may sever, Bat yet you will never Arrest the sura course of Reform. Each jubilant Tory Is^now in his glory, You've gladdened the heart of the foe And vengeance so pleasant Reigns sweetly at present In the breast of the renegade Lowa* And Elcho and Horaman r (That bilious and cross man) Exalt at the loss of the bill; Themselves able deeming By plotting and scheming To fetter the popular will. In vain their declaiming, And ministers blaming For talking of burning, their boats;" Era the triumph much longer, A measure far stronger May be thrust down Adullamito throats —From the Owl." An old Scotch clergyman, who had an old tailor for his man, was ana day riding home from a neighbouring parish, where he had been assisting in the celebration of the Saorament. "John," cried he, how does it come, do you think, that my young brother there should have such great assemblages of people hearing him, when I, for instance, although preaching the same sermons I ever preached, am losing my hearers daily?" "Bless ye, sir," answered his sage valet, "it's just wi' you as it's wi' mysell. I sew just as weel as ever I did; yet that puir elf —— has taen my business maist clean awa'. It's no' the sewing that'll do, sir; it's the new cut; it's just the new out." The common phrase, Give the devil his due," was turned very wittily by a membar of the bar of North Carolina on three of his legal brethren. Daring the trial of a cause, "Hillman, Daws, and Swain" (all distinguished lawyers), handed to John Dodge, the Clerk of the Supreme Court, the following epitaph Here lies John Dodge, who dodged all good, And never dodged an evil; And after dodging all he could, He could not dodge the devil! II Mr. Dodge immediately sent back to the gentleman tha annexed impromptu reply: Here lies a Hillman and a Swain! Their lot le-t no man choose They lived in sin and died in pain, And the devil got hia dues (Dews.)" Around the stern of the Great Eastern, to prevent the telegraph cable from fouling the screw, a frame- work of iren bars has been fixed, which, from ita resemblance to a certain article of fashionable attire, has been christened a crinoline guard." Now, crino- Jino, aa is well known, is a fabric of hair-a hair cloth; and the earliest of the present style of petticoat-sup- ports were made of that material, whence the namo. But when a demand arose for a cheaper artiole to serve the same end, the too-well-known system of steel hoops was introduced, the original name being retained, although a gross misnomer; and the result is, the application of this misnomer to a meohanioal contrivance. The "crinoline guard" is likely to be handed down to mechanical posterity, while all relating to crinoline as an article of dress will soon be forgotten. Imagine, then, the bewilderment of those who, a generation hence, want to know how the" crinoline guard" came by its absurd name S