The Aberystwith Observer

I LIBEL ACTION AGAINST MR: LABOUCHERE. The action by Mr. Cyrus Field against Mr Labouchere for the publication of a libel in Truth came to a close on Monday, the defendant having withdrawn from the record his plea of justification. In the paper in question some reflections had been made upon railway speculations in the States into which it was said Mr. Field had entered. A state- ment to that effect was made by a shareholder at a railway meeting, and it was upon that statement that Mr. Labouchere based his remarks; but Mr. Field said the speculations in question were made after he had left the directorate. A juror was withdrawn.

The following epitaph may be seen in the cemetery of a parish in the environs of Paris Here lies Madame wife of M. N-, master black- smith. The railing around this tomb was manufac- tured by her husband."

TEE NEW PABLIAMEJST. The following members have been returned to the new Parliament. They are all members of the late Parliament, and are Conservatives Liverpool—Everton, E. Whitley; East Toxteth, Baron H. de Worms; West Toxteth, T. B.Royden.

SAD DEATH of a LONDON CANDIDATE. Mr. Raymond Lluellyn, who was contesting the South Islington Division on behalf of the Conserva- tive Unionists, died on Saturday evening last at 27, Compton-terrace, where he was temporarily residing during his canvass. A correspondent writes: "This sad loss is felt deeply throughout the district, both by his supporters and by many of his adversaries. Much sympathy is shown for his widow, an Irish lady, who had canvassed hard throughout on behalf of her husband. The cause of death was no doubt accele- rated by, if not actually attributable to, the rough usage he received on the night of the 18th inst. at the first public meeting held in support of his candidature at St. Peter's Schools, Islington, at which Mr. Lewis presided. There were also present the Duke of -Norfolk, Mr. G. T. Bartley, and Mr. H. C. Richards, who contested North- ampton at the last election. The meeting was made most disorderly throughout by followers of the Home Rule candidate. At the finish of the meeting the platform was besieged by these men, and several persons, including the Duke of Norfolk and Mr. Lluellyn, were assaulted and hurt. Three watches were stolen, one belonging to the deceased. At last, the police arriving, the riot was quelled, and the de- ceased and others were released. After the meeting the deceased went home to 27, Compton-terrace. His first act, the next morning after the meeting, was to cause a large placard to be printed and circulated in the neighbourhood and have board men outside Mr. Spicer's place of meeting imploring every one to abstain from creating any disturbance." Another correspondent writes: Considerable sensation was caused in the division of South Islington, when it was rumoured that Mr. Lluellyn, the Conservative candi- date for the division,had died. OnFriday week last Mr Lluellyn and the Duke of Norfolk were considerably illtreated at one of their political meetings in St. Peter's Schoolrooms. After that Mr. Lluellyn was unable to attend any political meetings owing to the shock he received. Dr. H. F. Stokes, of Highbury- crescent, who attended the deceased, states that the night of the meeting referred to was a cold night. Mr. Lluellyn got very warm and excited, and on leaving the meeting rode on the outside of the car- riage, while the Duke of Norfolk got inside with some others. The next day he felt very ill, and inflamma- tion of the lungs set in. Mr. Lluellyn at last died from sheer exhaustion at a quarter-past ten o'clock on Saturday night. There is no truth in the reports which have been spread that Mr. Lluellyn's ribs were broken at the meeting, or that he was seriously injured in any way. The doctor states that he died from pneumonia. At Clerkenwell on Saturday Arthur Brighty, 18, described as a joiner, living at 31A, Spencer-street, Goswell-road, was charged with assaulting Dr. John Slater by striking him on the head with a portion of a chair, in a schoolroom at Biugfield-street, Islington. Dr. Slater stated that he was present at a crowded meeting at the Bingfield-street Schools to hear a speech by Mr. Richard Chamberlain. While endea- vouring to obtain a hearing, Mr. Chamberlain was cried down by some persons in the hall; soon afterwards there was a rush for the platform, and a number of roughs "made for" Mr. Chamberlain, who, however, got away. The witness was pinned in a corner, and a man was striking at persons indiscri- minately with a leg of a chair. The witness had to defend himself, and grasped the weapon, which, however, was a minute later wrenched from his hands by the prisoner, who then struck him on the arms with it, and also hit his hat and damaged it. He had not struck the prisoner or in any way pro- voked him. Corroborative evidence having been given, Mr. Barstow said he should take this opportunity of showing that he considered it to be a very serious offence, and he sentenced the prisoner to one month's imprisonment with hard labour, the case not being one for a fine, as a penalty would very likely be paid on behalf of the prisoner.

A DARING CO-RESPONDENT. In the Divorce Division on Friday, before the President and a common jury, the case of Thynne v. Thynne and Defcher was heard, in which the husband sought for a dissolution of his marriage on the ground of his wife's adultery with the co-respondent. The wife answered denying the adultery, and alleging that he had treated her with cruelty, and also that he bad committed adultery, but the latter charge was withdrawn. The co-respondent did not answer nor appear by counsel. The petitioner, an organ tuner, was married to the respondent in June, 1873. After the marriage they resided in Dalyell-road, Brixton, and three children have been born of the marriage. They seem to have lived in comparative happiness until some five years ago. In the house next door to theird there lodged a lady of the name of Defcher, the mother of the co-respondent, who seemed to have made the acquaintance of respondent. This lady had a son who was at sea, and in December, 1884, he came home from sea, and went to the house where his mother had been lodging to inquire after her. The mother having left,the landlady referred the son to the respondent. The son, who turned out to be the co-respondent, went and saw the respondent. What passed between them did not appear, but a few nights after, on the petitioner coming home from his work, he found the co-respondent at supper with his wife. He did not like it, but he said nothing. After that the co-respondent's visits to the respondent became frequent, and one night in January, 1885, he came home late and found the door locked. He went to the window, and from an opening in the blind he saw his wife standing on the floor and the co-respon- dent had his arms round her. He then got into the house, and ordered the co-respondent out. He re- fused to go, and threatened to kill the petitioner. A policeman was called, who turned him out. After that he came to the house and broke the glass in the door. On that occasion he was taken before the magistrate and fined. On the 20th of January, on the petitioner coming home, he found a man in possession from the county court, and the co-respon- dent was along with him as his assistant. The petitioner paid them out that day. Seeing that the co-respondent persisted in coming to the house, the petitioner, acting under the advice of his solicitor, gave up the house, and since then he had never lived with his wife. Evidence was given in support of the adultery. Miss Cecilia Croft stated that she lived at Stansfield-road, Stock- well, and on, the 22nd of December, 1884, the co-re- spondent came to lodge at her house, and remained until January 31. He went by the name of Wynne, and the respondent, who visited him almost every night, told witness that he was her husband's brother. The respondent engaged the bed-room for him. When she visited him she went to his bed-room, where they were alone. She brought provisions for him, such as eggs, bacon, &c. In cross-examination Miss Croft stated she had known the parties to be in the bed- room for hours.. She bad been there as late as twelve o'clock. The co-respondent called her Topsy." A little boy, a son of the parties, gave evidence as to Defcher's visits to his*mother in his father's absence. They went into a room and locked the door. On one occasion, when his father was away, Defcher remained all night. He saw him in his mother's room un- dressed. His mother told him not to tell his father. Mrs. Scofield stated that she lived at Stockwell. In February, 1885, the co-respondent came to lodge with her. He had a bed-room. The respondent visited him. On one occasion she remained three nights. She slept in his bedroom and he slept in the parlour adjoining. Another lady, who lives at Irving- road, Stockwell, stated that the respondent lodged with her in February of last year. She came in the end of February. The co-respondent visited her, and remained until late. Another lady, who lats lodgings in Ferndale-road, Stockwell, stated that the respon- dent came to lodge with her in, April of last year, and remained until the 28th of May. The co respondent visited her frequently. She gave the name of Yilliers. She said she was separated from her husband. When the co-respondent was with her a detective called, and she stowed the co-respondent into a wardrobe cup- board. For the defence, the respondent, Mrs. Sarah Thynne, was called, and denied the charge imputed, she stating that Defcher was a very common, low man," who was a friend of her husband, not hers. She alleged that the petitioner bad behaved with cruelty towards her. In the result the jury found for the petitioner, and the learned judge granted a decree nisi, with costs, and custody of the children.

Photographer (to red-headed youth) I would sug- gest a light, background for you, sir, as your hair is so brilliant that on a dark background you'd tee apt to take with a halo.

UN BANDAGING THE MUMMIES OF RAMESES II. AND III. Professor Maspero, the late Director General of the Excavations and Antiquities of Egypt, has published an official report of the unbandaging of two mummies, who have since their discovery been preserved in "The Hall of Royal Mummies" at Boutah. This took place in the presence of the Khedive and Sir H. Drum- mond Wolff, and all the high officials of Egypt, on June 1. The mummy (No. 5233), first taken out from its glass case was that of Rameses II., Sesostris, as testified by the official entries bearing date the 6th and 16th year;of thereign of the High Priest Her-bor Se-Amen, and the High Priest Pinotem I., written in black ink upon the lid of the wooden mummy case, and thefurtherentry of the 16th year of the High Priest Pinotem I. written upon the outer windiDg sheet of the mummy over the region of the breast. The first wrapping was removed, and there was successively discovered a band of stuff 20 centimetres in width rolled round the body; then a second wind- ing sheet sewn up and kept in place by narrow bands placed at some distance apart; then two thicknesses of small bandages; and then a piece of fine linen reaching from the head to the feet. A figure repre- senting the Goddess Nut, one metre in length, is drawn upon this piece of linen, in red and white, as prescribed by the ritual. The profile of the goddess is unmistakably designed after the pure and delicate profile of Seti I., as he is known to us in the bas-relief sculptures of Thebes and Abydos. Under this amulet there was found another bandage; then a layer of pieces of linen folded in squares and spotted with the bituminous matter used by the embalmers. The last covering removed, Rameses II. appeared. The head is long, and small in proportion to the body. The top of the skull is quite bare. On the temples there are a few sparse hairs, but at the poll the hair is quite thick, forming smooth, straight locks about five centimetres in length. White at the time of death they have been dyed a light yellow by the spices used in embalmment. The forehead is low and narrow; the brow ridge prominent; the eyebrows are thick and white; the eyes are small and close together, the nose is long, thin, hooked like the noses of the Bourbons, and slightly crashed at the tip by the pressure of the bandages. The temples are sunken the cheekbones very prominent; the ears round, standing far out from the head, and pierced like those of a woman for the wearing of earrings. The jawbone is massive and strong the chin very promi- nent; the mouth small but thick lipped, and full of some kind of black paste. This paste being partly cut away with the scissors, disclosed some much worn and very brittle teeth, which, moreover, are white and well preserved. The moustache and beard are thin. They seem to have been kept shaven during life, but were probably allowed to grow during the king's last illness or they may have grown after death. The hairs are white, like those of the head and eyebrows, but are harsh and bristly, and from two to three millimetres in length. The skin is of earthy brown splotched with black. Finally, it may be said the face of the mummy gives a fair idea of the face of the living King. The expression is unintellectual, perhaps slightly animal; but even under the somewhat grotesque disguise of mummification, there is plainly to be seen an air of sovereign majesty, of resolve, and of pride. The rest of the body is as well preserved as the head but in consequence of the reduction of the tissues its external aspect is less life-like. The neck is no thicker than the vertebral column. The chest is broad; the shoulders are square; the arms are crossed upon the breast; the hands are small and dved with henna; and the wound in the left side through which the embalmers extracted the viscera, is large and open. The legs and thighs are fleshless; the feet are long, slender, somewhat flat-soled, and dyed, like the hands, with henna. The corpse is that of an old man, but of a vigorous and robust old man. We know, indeed, that Rameses II. reigned for 67 years, and that he must have been nearly 100 years old when he died. The mummy numbered 5229 was, in its turn, re- moved from its glass case. It was discovered in the great sarcophagus numbered 5247, which also con- tained another mummy in a very dirty and tattered condition. As this sarcophagus bore the name of Nofretari, the wife of King Ahmes 1. of the XVIIIth Dynasty, it had been taken for granted that No. 5229 was the mummy of this Queen. The other mummy was supposed to be that of some unknown princess who bad been laid beside Nofretari by the priests employed to conceal the Royal mummies in the hiding place at Dayr-el-Bahari. Consigned to the museum stores, the mummy decayed and gave out so foul an odour that it became necessary to get rid of it. It was accordingly opened, and proved to have been ban- daged very carefully; but the body was no sooner exposed to the outer air than it fell literally into a state of putrefaction, dissolving into black matter, which gave out an insupportable smell. It was, how- ever, ascertained to be .the corpse of a woman of mature age and middle height, belonging to the white races of mankind. There were no traces of writing on the bandages, but a small strip of linen discovered in the sarcophagus No. 5247 was decorated with a scene of adoration of King Rameses III. in the likeness of two forms of Amen. A short legend, written partly in cursive hieroglyphs and partly in hieralic, states that the piece ot linen thus decorated was the gift of the head laundress of the Royal household, and it was accordingly supposed that the anonymous mummy was one of the many sisters, wives, or daughters of Rameses III. The mummy, No. 5229, was very neatly wrapped in orange-coloured linen, kept in place by small strips of ordinary linen. There was no outer inscription, but upon the head was a linen band covered with mystical figures. The orange-coloured winding sheet being removed, there appeared beneath it a white sheet bearing an in- scription in four lines :—"The year XIII., the second month of Shomou, the 28th day, the First Prophet of Amen, King of the Gods, Pinotem, son of the First Prophet of Ameni Piankhi, the Scribe of the Temple Zoserou-Khonsu, and the Scribe of the Necropolis Boutchamou, proceeded to restore the defunct King Ra-user-ma Mer-Amen and to establish him for Eternity." The mummy, which bad hitherto been taken for Nofretari, was then the mummy of Rameses III.; and the anonymous mummy was without doubt that of Nofretari. Three thicknesses of bandages were rapidly unwound, then came a casing of sewn canvas covered with a thin coat of cement. This ca.sing being cut with the scissors more layers of linen appeared. The mummy seemed to diminish and reveal its forms under our fingers. Some of the wrappings were in- scribed with legends and groups in black ink, notably the god Amen enthroned, with a line of hieroglyphs below, stating that this bandage was made and offered by a devotee of the period, or, perhaps, by a princess of the blood Royal The Lady Songstress of Amen Ra, King of the Gods, Tait-aat-Maut, daughter of the First Prophet of Amen, Piankbi, in order that the God Amen should accord her life, health, and strength." Two pectoral ornaments were laid in the folds of the wrappers, one of gilt wood, bearing the usual group of Isis and Nepthys adoring the sun; the other in pure gold, inscribed with the name of.Rameses III. One last wrapper on stiffened canvas, one last winding-sheet of red linen, and then a great dis- appointme'nt, keenly felt by the operators; the face of the King was coated with a compact mass of bitumen, which completely hid the features. His Highness the Khedive then left the hall of mummies. The work was resumed in the afternoon of the same day, and on Thursday morning, the 3rd of June, a fresh examination of the bandages revealed in- scriptions upon two of them. The first is dated the year IX., the second the year X. of the High Priest Pinotem I. The tarry substance upon the face of the mummy being carefully attacked with the scissors was detached little by little, and the features became visible. They are less well preserved than those of Rameses II., yet they can to a certain extent be identified with those of the portraits of the conqueror. The bead and face are closely shaved, and show no trace of hair or beard. The forehead, without being lofty or very broid, is better propor- tioned and more intellectual than that of Rameses II. The brow-ridge is less prominent, the cheek- bones are less high, the nose is less hooked, the chin and jaw are less heavy. The eyes appear to be larger, but it is not possible to be certain of this last point, the eyelids have been removed, and the cavities of the eyeballs having been stuffed with rags. The ears are closer to the head than those of Rameses II., and they are pierced in like manner for the recep- tion of ear-rings. The mouth is disproportionately wide, and the thin lips reveal a row of white and well-placed teeth. The first molar on the right side appears to have been broken, or to have been worn away earlier than the rest. In short, Rameses III. is like a smaller imitation of Eaiaeses II. The physiognomy is more delicate, and, above all, more intelligent; but the height of the body is less, the shoulders are less wide, and the strength of the man was inferior. What he was himself in his individual person as compared th Ramesess II,, so was h?s reign as compared with the reign of Rameses Il« His wars were not- fought in Syria or Ethiopia, but at the mouths of the Nile and on the frontiers of Egypt. His buildings were of a poor style and of hasty construction. His piety was as pompous as that of Rameses' II., but his resources were more meagre. His vanity was, however, as boundless; and such was his supreme however, as boundless; and such was his supreme desire to copy in all things the example of his illus- trious predecessor, that he gave to his sons the names of the sons of Rameses II., and almost in the same order of birth.

ROYAL OPENING OF THE HOLLOWAY COLLEGE: The Queen on Wednesday opened the Royal Hol- loway College, Egham. Her Majesty drove from Windsor to the College in half-an-hour, arriving shortly after five o'clock. She proceeded to the chapel, where an ode by Sir G. Eivey was performed. Prayer was said by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Queen inspecting the building, received an address, and the presentation of a key set with brilliants, and ordered to be proclaimed that the College was open. The singing of "Rule Britannia" concluded the ceremony, and the Queen drove back to the Castle. The grounds in which the college stands are some 95 acres in extent, beautifully wooded, and adorned with the taste of the landscape gardener. The buildings I themselves, which are, both outside and inside, of the most ornate character, have been erected at a cost of over i300,000. They are in the French Renaissance style of red brick, with Portland stone dressings, and ornamented with sculpture, and form a double quad- rangle measuring 550ft. in depth, by 576ft. in width. I Altogether they contain about. 1000 rooms, in addi- tion to the museum and library, gymnasium, racquet court, lecture theatre, &c. They are intended to pro- vide for 250 students, though 400 could probably be accommodated without difficulty.

THE BOTANIC SOCIETY'S EVENING FETE. The annual fete of the Royal Bonnie Societv was held in the gardens, Uegent's-park, on Wednesday night under the most favourable conditions possible. No drop of rain fell to mar one of the pleasantest sights of the London season. To a warm day suc- ceeded a delightful evening, with a cloudless sky and a gentle breeze blowing, delightful to prome- naders upon the dry well-trimmed green sward or in the gaily illuminated avenues and bye paths. Upon the lake floating devices of many hues, mingled with the reflection in the clear surface of the water of the illuminated outline of the fanciful buildings upon the margin. Here and elsewhere the gathering was a very large one, as may be supposed when it is mentioned that nearly ten thousand persons passed through the dif- ferent gates during the evening, and the display of summer toilettes by the ladies afforded endless variety, adding greatly to the brilliancy of the scene. Musical performances were provided by the bands of the Second Life Guards, the, Royal Horse Guards, and the Cold- stream Guards, as well as that excellent amateur musical society, the London Male Yobe Club. The Duke of Teck, who usually attends these gatherings as president of the society, was unable to do so, and for this reason a special repetition of the fete in all its details will take place on next Wednesday, when he has signified his intention to be present. The president and members of the Royal family will then receive distinguished Colonial, Indian, and other visitors. A number of prizes were as usual distributed to exhibitors of floral decorations.

THE CRAWFORD-DILKE CASE. An appeal in the Crawford-Dilke case was heard on Wednesday by the Court of Appeal, which decided that there was no ground for permitting Sir Charles Dilke to appear, nor for permitting MIlS. Crawford to do so. The appeal was dismissed with costs against Sir Charies Dilke, the costs of Mrs. Crawford being reserved. Later in the day Sir Jamesi Hannen, on the application of Sir Walter Phillimore for the Queen's Proctor, directed that the case should be tried before a special jury.

M. LEON SAY AND THE LIBERTY AND PROPERTY DEFENCE LEAGUE. M. Leon Say presided on Wednesday afternoon at the annual meeting of the Liberty and Property Defenca League, held at the Westminster Palace Hotel, and, addressing the meeting in French, said that the movement against State and municipal Socialism initiated by the League was being taken up in France. The disregard of the principle of respect- ing individual responsibility was likely to lead to grave dangers both in England and France. The Earl of Wemyss and the Duke of Bedford also addressed the meeting.

— PLOTS AGAINST THE LIVES OF LIBERAL UNIONISTS. A Birmingham correspondent states that Mr. Chamberlain knows nothing of the alleged plot to blow up his house. The right hon. gentleman, how- ever, has for some time past been aware of the in- tention of a certain section of the Fenian organisation to make an attempt on his life. At the express desire of the authorities, be, Lord Hartington, Sir George Trevelyan, and other leading Unionists are under police protection.

CAPTURE OF A BRIGAND PARIS, Wednesday Night. A telegram from Ajascio announces that the gen- darmes have just succeeded in laying their hands on the redoubtable brigand Lanfranchi. He was cap- tured only after they bad scoured the mountains for several days, and when they had at length arrested him the inhabitants of the Brigand's Commune, Figari, rose in his defence against the officers of the law. The mayor of that place, who is a relative of the brigand, incited the people against the gendarmes, After arming themselves with guns, swords, pitchforks, and sticks, they marched out to meet tha gendarmes with the object of delivering the prisoner. The Mayor, who headed the band, ordered the gendarmes to re- lease Lanfranchi at once, or else blood would be shed. This command being disregarded, the inhabitants made a rush forw&rd, but the gendarme in command is of the party placed his pistol close to his prisoners ear, and swore he would blow out his brains if the Mayor and the people attempted to molest him (the gendarme) and his men, or to release the prisoner. The sang froid of the gendarmes bad the desired effect, as the inhabitants of Figari withdrew.

MYSTERIOUS DISCOVERY IN BRUSSELS. A mysterious discovery, suggestive of a crime like that of Wainwright and Billoir, was made on Monday night near the" Southern Railway Station. The policemen in making their rounds picked up a sack containing two legs and two forearms, with the hands of a female, still bleeding and almost warm. The head and trunk have not yet been discovered. Dif- ferent parts of a dress were found scattered in grounds in the neighbourhood. From a medical examination it appears that the cutting up was not the work of an inexperienced hand.

Ma, haven't I been a real good boy ever since you whipped me the last time for telling a whopper?" "Yes, Billy; you. have—a very good boy, indeed." "And you trust me now, fully don't you ?" "Yes, my boy, fully." Then, mamma, what makes you keep the preserve closet in the pantry locked all the time just the same ?'? A small boy, without any hat, with his hair like a briar patch, his clothes twisted wrong end foremost, and bearing other marks of some great upheaval of nature, rushed out of a house and into 4he arms of a policeman. Hello exclaimed that worthy. What's the matter ? Oh, nothing much," re- plied the boy; only ma's been on a strike, that's all." "Dear Will," said the bride of three months, I am really afraid that you have deceived me. Your breath has several times smelled of liquor. Now, don't you drink ?" 11 Why, pet, how can you suspect me ? Drink To be sure not. The doctor tells me that I have weak gums, and I occasionally rub them with alcohol to harden them." "But, Will, dear, beer doesn't smell like aloohol, does it ?" Of course pet. Don't you know that it is alcohol in h&er that makes it intoxicating ? By the way, pet, there is a volume of chemistry in my library. You had better look over that, ?,ad YQH will understand these matters more fully,"

LORD SALISBURY AND MR. PARNELL. The Marquis of Salisbury hs" addressed the fol- lowing letter to Mr. Maclure, which was read at a meeting of Liberals and Conservatives in favour of the maintenance of the Legislative Union between England and Ireland, held on Tuesday in Man- chester "Hatfield House, June 28. "Dear Mr. Maclure,—Mr. Parnell's assertions are a string of baseless fabrications. It is false that Mr. Parnell had reason to believe that, if the Conservatives got into power, after the general election, they would have given him a Statutory Legislature. No one belonging to the Government, or connected with it, gave him any intimation of the kind. It is false that I was only too anxious to be convinced in favour of a Legislature for Ireland, or that I ever showed the slightest leaning towards such an opinion. It is false that 'Lord Carnarvon urged such a concession on the Cabinet,' and consequently false that it was not refused by the Cabinet until the polls went against us.' It is false that Lord Carnar- von I urged his views in favour of a Statutory Legis- lature on the Cabinet for six months,' and conse- quently false that he urged them I witlout being opposed in the Cabinet to any extent.' It is false that, after the result of the polls was known; the Cabinet swerved round in opposition to the project for a Statutory Legislature,' for they never had the slightest inclination towards it. I need not tell you that the story of the Land Purchase Bill having been passed in deference to a wish expressed at his inter- view of the 1st of August is made simply impossible by the fact that it had already passed the House of Lords, and the Government were publicly pledged to it. The Government resolved upon it immediately they came into office, a month before the date Mr. Parnell speaks of.Yours very truly, SALISBURY." Lord Carnarvon has addressed the following letter on the same subject to Mr. Walter Money, of New- bury, a leading member of the Conservative Party in South Berks "Highelere Castle, June 28, 1886. Dear Mr. Money,—I am much obliged to you for your letter of yesterday. It is pleasant to me to know that I have the confidence of my friends and neigh- bours in a controversy wbere my ntnae has been freely used. I have already explained briefly, but clearly, what I did, and what I did not do. I have nothing to add to or withdraw from that explanation and though I appreciate the exigencies of an Election cry, I do not feel called on to embark upon an intermina- ble conflict of recriminations and replies, of statements and counter-statements. I am quite content to leav- myselt to the judgment of those who have known me well for many years both in public and in private life. "Believe me, yours very truly, CAENAHVOX."

THE AMERICAN TARIFF. In the Washington House of Representatives on Monday, Mr. Randall introduced his Tariff Reform Bill. The measure proposes the reduction and equilisation of the duty on imports, the reduction of the internal revenue taxes, and the modification of the laws relating to the collection of the revenue. It further provides for the repeal of all forms of internal revenue taxation on tobacco and of all laws restricting its sale and cultivation by farmers. The bill, which it is proposed should come into effect on January 1, 1887, will, if passed, effect a reduction in the revenue of 34,977,665 dols., including 7,044,452 dols., on account of reductions in tariff on dutiable articles, 1,526,124 dols. through additions to the free lijts,and 26,407,088 dols. owing to the addition of the internal revenue tax on tobacco, &c. The principal items in the reduction of the revenue are tin plates from 5,055,590 dols. to 1,000,000 dols.; on iron and steel rivets and wire rods lighter than No. 5, from 644,915 dols. to 250,000 dols.; cotton ties, from 172,744 dols. to 62,000; pig lead, from 29,158 dols. to 21,869 dols.; rice Sour, from 134,418 dols. to 65,000 dols.; lemons, in boxes, from 561,005 dols. to 468,231 dols.; castor beans, from 131,252 dols. to 105,002 dols.; cotton clothing, ready made, from 435,426 dols. to 200,000 dols.; bags and bagging, from 466,515 dols. to 408,200 dols.; jute, from 157,101 dols to 78,558 dols.; silks, ready-made clothing, umbrellas, &c.. from 323,307 dols. to 200,000 dols.; wools, class 3, from 1,412,27 dols. to 1,100,000 dols.; worsted cloths, from 1,367.349 dols. to 400,000 dols.; and ready-made woollen clothing, 1,226,609 dols. to 600,000 dols. A reduction is also anticipated in sawn boards of 963,763 dols., and in clap boards of 391,153 dols., both these articles being on the free list. The passage of the bill is considered to be scarcely possible.

CONCENTRATION OF TROOPS IN SOUTHERN RUSSIA. An Odessa correspondent writes Kischeneff and other strategic points in Bessarabia are just now swarming with Russian troops which still continue to be drafted into that province. The vicinity of the chief town in Bessarabia is described to me as having at present the appearance of a huge camp. This ex- traordinary concentration of forces of all arms is causing some uneasiness throughout the province, and the object of it is unknown. There are certainly no contemplated military manoeuvres to account for the movement. The other evening a review was held here by the Governor-General of 10,000 infantry, forming only part of the recently enormously increased garrison of Odessa. At no previous review here have I observed so high a standard of general excellence. Nineteen Generals accompanied the Governor-General.

THE PRESIDENT OF MEXICO'S PALACE. President Diaz and his family are now installed in the Mexican White House, the castle of Chapultepec. Such a palatial residence is difficult to surpass in intrinsic beauty and historic associations. The wood- work and upholstering of the east wing alone cost £ 20,000. The palace is a marvel of colouring and skilful decoration. The frescoing and painting was executed by Casarin,. a disciple of Meissonier. The roof is a beautiful garden of flowers and fountains. The gates of oak and walnut giving access to the palace are curiously carved and ornamented in bronze. The woodwork in the President's room is in ebony and gold, and the ceiling is an exquisite fresco of the Bucher school from the brush of Casarin. The bed is of ebonised cherry, with gold and metal marquetery and domed with a canopy. The bathroom is a grotto with a floor of marble mosaics and walls of French tiles. The floor of the cardroom is a par- quet of rare woods, and the walls cordoha leather, with gold and satin panels and red Genoa velvet borders. The parlour is like a fairy creation. The woodwork is in satin panels, maple borders, and gold flowers, and the walls are covered with satin damask, relieved by blue and gold Aubosson borders. The carpet alone cost 2000 dols. A private walnut stairway for the family leads to th2 second floor, the suite of unfinished rooms opening off the tropical gardens of the first floor. Only th3 first floor is completed.

Mrs. Spiggott: Ob, Mr. Brilliant 1 can you give me some epitaph fc? poor, dear Fido Grace (sotto voce) Charley, it died of fits." Charley Brilliant, >85: Ah After life's fitful fevar he sleeps well.' How will that do ?" (And yet t&at boy lost his de- gree.) LAST WEEK'S WRECKS.—Very few shipwrecks were, reported last week. Four British and eight foreign- owned vessels were announced, two (a British sailer and a Russian sailer) b§ing lost bapc|s. wrecks for year, 71g:

FAILURE OF A COMIC SINGER. Under the failure of Charles Godfrey, the well- known comic singer, the summary of accounts, &c., has just been issued out of the department of the Chief Official Receiver in Bankruptcy. The receiving order was made on the second inst. upon a creditor's petition. From the summary of the accounts it appears that the total liabilities are £ 1342 Os. lid., of which £742 Os. lid. is unsecured, and assets £67210s. The debtor states that he has been a music hall singer for the last ten years, his income, when engaged, averaging from X50 to £ 60 a weak, that in August last he took the Castle Tavern and Music Hall, Cam- berwell-road, in payment of which he gave 48 accept- ances of S60 each, payable monthly. He carried that on until January, when the vendor ejected him from the premises. He instituted an action in the Queen's Bench Division, claiming X629 10s., which is still pending. He attributes his failure to his losses in connection with the Castle Tavern, and to loss of pro- fessional income owing to illness. An order has been made for the summary administration of the estate.