The Aberystwith Observer

Young roan, it, :s a tnug to keep on the right side of your dollar. tnakes a great difference in your comfort and prosperity whether you spend 95 per cent. or 100 per twnt" of it. but it is a positive insult to the dollar to s,.n ri 105 yer cent. of it. A dollar resents a mortgage upon itself. It will never serve you cheerfully 1? yon dispose of it before you get it.

I ASSAULT ON A COLONEL. At the Westminster Police-court, on Saturday, Mr. James Gregson Chapman, gentleman, of 11, Elm- park-gardens, Chelsea, appeared to a summons charging him with assaulting Colonel Sussex William Lennox. Mr. Beven, barrister, appeared for the defendant. Colonel Lennox stated that he resided at 23, Elm-park-gardens, and he and defendant were neighbours. They had equal rights in a park enclo- sure. He had taken part, as chairman of a com- mittee, in framing rules for the conduct of the enclo- sure, and the defendant seemed to have taken umbrage. On the night of the 6th inst. his dogs—a collie and a fox-terrier—ran in the direction of Mrs. Chapman's dog, and that lady afterwards came up in an excited manner, and said he had behaved in a most ungentlemanly mann3r by setting his dogs at hers. He raised his hat and retorted that he had done nothing of the sort. She repeated the ob- jectionable remark, and he then turned aside and resumed his conversation with his friend and guest, Dr. Rupprecht, of Nuremberg. The defendant came shortly afterwards in a carriage, called him a black- guard, and asserted that he bad insulted his wife, Mr. Chapman followed this up by striking him twice. His hat was knocked off, and he received a blow in the face. All he did was to seize the defendant's wrist to prevent further violence. In cross-examina- tion, Colonel Lennox said he bad had differences with Mr. Chapman since their residence in Elm-park- gardens. He was sorry to say that he knew Mrs. Chapman's two dogs because they destroyed his garden. He had tried to drive them away, and should not wonder if he had thrown a piece of coal at them. There was a rule made that no dogs should be per- mitted in the garden enclosnre, but as it had been ignored by other householders, he had intimated to the committee that he could not consider himself as being bound by it. He remembered one particular occasion when Mrs. Chapman walked across the lawn tennis ground with her dogs. Mr. Beven You swore at them, I think? Witness: No; I thirilk I said, "There are those confounded little curs again." (Laughter.) I might have used a strong term. Mr. Beven, in reply to the magistrate, observed that he could not possibly justify the assault, but he asked for a nominal fine, the blow given being the outcome of anger at long-continued annoyance. In reply to further questions, Colonel Lennox said his collie dog did not shake Mrs. Chapman's little animal. Other evidence was called, when the defendant said he was sorry now for what had occurred, and he could not deny he pushed or knocked Colonel Lennox on the flat of his back. Mr. d'Eyncourt observed that this did not improve matters. He thought there might have been an apology and a compromise. So far as he could judge, Colonel Lennox bad behaved as a gentleman, and was not to blame in the slightest de- gree. It was a very gross assault, and he should fine the defendant the full penalty of S5. The money was paid.

TILBURY DOCKS; The week's combination of business with enj JY- ment by the Associated Chambers of Commerce of Great Britain and delegates from those of the Empire was concluded on Saturday by an excursion on the Thames and a visit to the new Tilbury Docks. Through the kindness of the General Steam Navigation Com- pany upwards of two hundred ladies and gentlemen were received on board the saloon steamer Hoboken at Fresh Wharf, London Bridge and conveyed down the river to Tilbury. The steamer entered the dock at Tilbury at about half tide, and shortly floated into the central basin of the three spacious divisions of this splendid addition to the river accommoda- tion of the Thames. The brief period that has elapsed since the docks were opened has scaicely allowed time enough for ocean-going traffic to be diverted into a new depot. One ship only -the Sam Weller-occupied a berth on Saturday. Colonial, Indian, and British mercantile men were therefore able to see without hindrance the immense capacity of the docks and sheds, the apparatus for rapid trans-shipment, and for ready railway transit, and the vast hydraulic powertobe employed in carrying on the work of the establishment. Perhaps the most striking display of engine power is that employed for exhausting graving docks in one hour and a half. After making a partial survey of the land works and inspecting the new hotel, the visitors lunched in one of the large store rooms. Mr. Brinton deputy-chair- man of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, in a congratulatory speech, spoke of the historical ground ou which they stood, associated as it was with the memorial event of Queen Elizabeth's martial visit to Tilbury Fort on the outbreak of the war with Spain. Mr. R. Reid, of Melbourne, on behalf of the colonists, said they were deeply grateful to the London Chamber of Commerce and to Mr. Tritton, the president, for many acts of kindness and hospi- tality during the past week. Lieutenant-Colonel Ward, of Jamaica, gave utterance to sim'lar senti- ments. Mr. Tritton, in reply, gave the thanks of the- party to the General Steam Navigation Company, the East and West India Dock Company, and the London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway Com- pany, who provided a special train for the return journey. In wishing the representatives of the Colo- nial and Indian centres of commerce God speed," he assured them of the pleasure with which they had been received, and of the still heartier welcome that would be accorded to them when they came again. Colonel Du Plat Taylor, on the part of the East and West India Dock Company, trusted they would then see in the Tilbury Docks a perfect forest of mastt.

THE AMERICAN CROPS. The Monthly Report of the Department of Agri- culture shows the following average conditions of the crops on July 1 Winter wheat has declined to 91 2.10 from 92 7-10 spring wheat has declined to 83 from 98; and cotton to 86 from 88 7-10. The cotton returns represent the crop as being from 10 to 15 days late. The low-lying grounds were saturated with excessive rains during June, and in such situa- tions there is a general prevalence of aphis and a smothering growth of grass and weeds. The drier uplands show a vigorous plant growth, and in full handed plantations a clean cultivation. This description applies to all the States except Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee. In these States an improvement was observable during June, but in all others the movement has been retrograde. Favourable weather in July, with prompt destruction of the weeds, may advance the condition, but further rains or long-continued drought will work serious injury. While a fair product may yet be possible east of the Mississippi, the condition of that portion of the crop may be considered somewhat critical. The state averages are: Virginia, 92; North Carolina, 91; South Carolina, 76; Georgia, 81; Alabama, 80; Mississippi, 79; Louisiana, 84; Texas, 97 Arkansas, 92; Tennessee, 98 and Florida, 99. The total increase of the corn acreage is 3;} per cent., or about 2,500,000 acres. The general average is 95, against 94 last year. As regards the condition of winter wheat for July 1st, it is reported in the Northern districts as not harvested, and in the Southern States it is as it appeared at time of harvest. Spring wheat has declined in consequences of high temperature, dry- ing winds, and lack of rain. The condition of oats average 89, being a decline of seven points. The average of rye is 95 and of barley 90.

BOATING DISASTER AT DUNBAR, A boating disaster, by which nine persons lost their lives, occurred on Monday at Dunbar. The boat had only a short voyage to make across the B.V, a distance of about four miles. The passage is very easy once the harbour is cleared, but the shore is rocky and dangerous in proximity to the harbour mouth. The weather on Monday was moderate, with occasional sharp squalls. One of these broke suddenly just as the harbour had been cleared, and when the sails were hoisted. The boat contained thirteen men and women engaged in the fishing industry. It capsized, and they were all thrown into the water, which was broken and rough. The accident was observed from the shore, and assistance was sent out as speedily as possible. Only four persons were saved. Dunbar, which is one I of the popular summer resorts on the East Coast of Scotland, is at present well filled with visitors. Among them as well as the fishing community the I terrible occurrence caused a painful sensation and much lamentation. Some years have elapsed since a similar disaster has happened on this part of the coast, the last being when a boat was dashed to pieces at the harbour entrance. I

Teacher to his little girl pupil—"Where are you going, Nellie ? Papa's going to take us to Floriaa again." Can you tell what the capital of Flewda is?" "Yss 'in. It's the money they get, from boarders.* Sally was her name, and she sued a dx-ag clerk for breach of promise, His defence wa^ that he found I SalYplatile,

MYSTERIOUS DEITH OF A FRENCH- WOMAN. On Wednesday afternoon Mr. William Carter, coroner for East Surrey, held an inquiry at St. Thomas's Hospital respecting the death of Rosa Fressard, aged 26 years, the wife of a French gymnast, lately residing at 13, Princes-street, Stamford-street, Blackfriars, who died undor circumstances of a mysterious character. The circumstances surround- ing the deceased's death were of a singular character, her husband having disappeared, although he had been summoned to attend the inquest. Previous to' his disappearance he made a statement to the- coroner's officer to the effect that his wife (the deceased) was engaged as dancer at a West- end theatre, and on Saturday night, the- 3rd instant, he went as usual to meet her, but found that she had gone; but afterwards found her the worse for drink in a public-house near St. James's-square. She then started to walk home,, but on arriving outside Toole's Theatre the deceased stumbled and fell to the ground. He (the husband) then picked her up and piaced her in a cab, and they went home, where the deceased had another fall and became unconscious, and was attended to by a Mr. Pearson, a chemist. On Sunday she kept her bed, and on Monday, the 5th, she was taken to the hospital. Mr. Sheppaid, the coroner's officer, said he had summoned the husband to appear and give evidence, but notwithstanding that inquiries had been made to Sod out his whereabouts they had failed. The coroner remarked that it was very strange, and the following evidence was given. Mary, the wife of- Jcsaph Pummell, a farrier, said she was the landlady of the house, 13, Princes-street. The deceased and her husband had occupied a furnished room for eight months. The deceased could speak English. On Saturday night, the 3rd inst., she was brought home in a cab by her husband, and she was then in a helpless condition. Duringthe night witness heard a noise in their room as from a fall, and the husband, in reply to,witness, said that the deceased had fallen. On Sunday the deceased appeared in great pain, and by the advice of Mr. Pearson she was removed on the following day to St. Thomas's Hospital. Phileppe Zeller,, a French gymnast, and a companion of the deceased's husband, deposed that he had not done any work for some time. He did not know where the deceased's husband was at the present time. He last saw him on Monday night. Several jurymen remarked that the husband's disappearance was very suspicious.—Mr. Albert Edward Godfrey, one of the house physicians at St. Thomas's Hospital, deposed that the death was very ambiguous. Witness had made a port mortem examination, which showed that death was due to a rupture of the bladder, which might have been caused by a kick, blow, or a fall. The jury eventually returned a verdict that the deceased died from a rupture of the bladder, but how that was caused they had no evidence to show.

THE NATIONAL DEBT. A return ordered by the House of Commons of the amount of the National Debt on the 31st of March, 1886, has just been issued. It sets forth that the Funded Debt, including the 3i, 3, 2f, and 2:1- per Cent. Annuities, and the debt to the Banks of England and Ireland, amounted on that day to a total of £638,849,69312s. 10d.; terminable annuities to £ 85,829,917 Exchequer Bills to £ 5,,162,800; Ex- chequer (Suez) Bonds, £ 3*359,000 Exchequer Bonds (Cape Loan), £ 400,000; Treasury Bills, £ 8,681,000; and deficit tø, savings' banks and friendly societies' accounts on the 20th of November, 1885, £2,133,497 18s.; making together, with the Funded Debt, a gross total of S744,415,908 10s. 10d. Deducting JE37,769,954 for loans recoverable, and £3,532,040 for nominal value of Suez Canal Shares, the net value of the debt is stated at 1713,113,914 10B. lOd.

"HE BUILT HIS SOUL A LORDLY PLEASURE HOUSE." Under this title a correspondent of the Daily News gives a description of the palace which King Louis of Bavaria reared for himself on an island in the Lake of Chiemsee. The palace was intended to be a copy of the Chateau of Versailles, based on the original designs for that edifice. The central building and the right wing had been completed when the King's resources failed him. In front of the palace are three grand terraces with fountains of elaborate design in marble, bronze, and gilt metal. The centre of the lower terrace is occupied by the Latona. fountain, consisting of five basins of red, green, and yellow marble, rising one out of the other..The lowest is suaround,ed, by 64 gilt metal tortoises and crocodiles, each the size of a man, from whose open jaws thick jets of water rise and fall into the basin above. Here monstrous golden frogs alternating with strange beings, half men half animals, rise in strange con- fusion, and higher up in the centre of the fountain kneels Latona, in all the grace of youth, one arm out- stretched in supplication, the other wound around the baby form of Apollo. The 72 jets of water are so arranged as to pass over the white marble group of Latona and Apollo, who. are seen, in, a huge crystal globe, which the sun's rays gild and colour. The water-jets alternately rise and fall, forming a thou- sand broken reflections and myriads of flitting diamonds around the strange forms to which the movement of the water- gives animation and warmth. The entrance-hall and staircase are only partly finished, but enough has been done to excite the admiration and wonder of the visitor. The gallery of mirrors, which is filled with works of art, is a noble apartment 260 Bavarian feet long, 38 feet broad, and 45 feet high. It takes 2500 wax candles to light it. The floor is of light brown rosewood, inlaid with dark laurel wreaths and the lilies of France. Opposite the 22 windows are v. s many mirrors, and the space between windows and mirrors is taken up by tall gilt metal candlesticks, eight feet high. In front of every mirror and in front of every window stands an antique vase of silver five feet high, and beneath it a canopy in carved wood gilt, covered with deep blue velvet, upon which five ?ows of gold embroidered lilies an inch high produce a marvellous effect. In eight niches stand whits marble copies of the noblest works of classic art. The next marvel and the greatest is the royal bed-chamber, a lofty room of moderate dimensions, with three windows above and below, the upper being draped with crimson silk that throws a magic light upoa the masses of gold distributed all over this regal apartment:—" It is divided into two parts by means of a golden balustrade, the back part being rounded. Here the King's bed stands on a raised dais, up to which lead five broad steps, covered with ruby velvet, on which are embroidered large golden sans. The bed is of gilt bronze, a work of art as we meet it once in a lifetime. It is covered with a counterpane of gold cloth, embroidered in colours, the centre repre- senting King Louis XIY. without his wig, a large emerald on his breast, a sapphire in his hair. The bed is surmounted by a canopy of gold with a high erown of gold in the centre and four enormous bunches of white plumes at the four corners; from the canopy descend the curtains, to examine which a lover of art will devote several weeks. The outside is ruby velvet embroidered in gold, so that of the ground colour scarcely anything is seen the inside is covered from top to bottom by pictures fromtha Bible—at first sight the produce of the miniature- painter's brush, but on close inspection the triumph of the needlewoman's skill. The centre of the bask- ground is occupied by a sun embroidered in diamonds and pearls. The walls of the room are entirely hung with red velvet embroidered in gold,the children holding garlands of flowers being so solid that a real baby held to the wall cannot stand out from it more boldly than do these works of the needle. On one side of the bed, within the space confined by the golden balustrade, is the washing-stand, a tall mirror in gold arabesques, the table of marble supported by gilt bronze figures-the basin, ewer, and JO vases in gilt bronze of a size that would astonish even a giant, and of a beauty that it is impossible to dascribe. The other side of the bed is taken up by a prayer stool in ruby gold-embroidered velvet, the background filled by a St. Michael in colours, of such splendid work- manship that the original by the miniature painter, upon which the stitches were worked, must be less beautiful. Above the prayer stosl there is a tiny altar with a copy of Raphael's Annunziata/* which, with the prayer-book it adorned, was soid by the Pelagian family that had owned it sinea Raphael's time to the Empress of Russia, who in her turn lent it to King Louis, one of he? great favourites in the years that preceded her illaess. The other furnishings of the room are in keeping with those described. The dining-room io t&e best proof of the late King's love of solitude. In the centre of the room a high armchair stands at a round table, which upon the least sign from the King descends to the ground floor of the castle, and reappears with the next course, enabling the King to dine without havirg seen a human form or having heard a mortal reice. Before concluding, I msst mention two small rarms the jewels of the whole place, one being the ladiVs boudoir, the other a arBsking-room for the King. The former is a small apartment with two windows, She walls covered entirely with mirrors, separated from each other and from tbe ceiling by a hundred thousand roses of gilt china, which hang in garlands from the ceiling, fill all the corners, form the chimney- piece, and frame a niche containing the only seat in the room, a Fofa of pale blue satin with soft cushions, but no back. The candelabra are of roses, the ceiling of white china has exquisite miniature paintings from which men are excluded. There is Atalanta without Meleager, Dian without Apollo. To imagine anything more exquisite than this room is simply impossible. The smoking-room has one window only, the embrasure filled by a sofa of white satin, upon which are worked sylvan scenes of ex-quisite beauty, the woods beloved by the-King, the lake which had such fatal attraction for him. The writing-table is pale blue velvet in the middle and porcelain painting on either side. Two Sevres candlesticks and several small porcelain groups of priceless value give it an air as if it had been used but yesterday. In this room the tables, the chimney-piece, the frames of mirrors and tapestries, are all of painted and sculptured china; the folding-doors have four china panels, each framed by blue china, surrounded' by golden arabesques. Into each panel is painted wdelicate figure representing one of the Seasons on one door, one of the Elements on the other. I firmly believe such doors have never opened upon such a room before. The flbor is of bois de violettes, and gives-a delicate perfume to this and adjacent room. Another long gallery completes the suite of nineteen rooms The writer concludes with the following touching remarks on the creator of all this grandeur: When tbe King viewed what his mind had created and his eyes-glanced over the hundred rooms-that exist merely in brick and mortar, across the ewpty space where the second wing was to stand, what wonder if his mind went astray as he perceived the- total. impossi- bility of ever completing what would in history have given him a place with the most magnificent princes of times of old ? His valet told me that he paced the mirrowed hall and all the other apartments in the light of six thousand candles, his steps resounding in the solitude, his ever-silent lips for once apostro- phizing the images of the dead around him,until night changed to morning. Then he would- step out upon the balcony, and while the sun rose over the hills, by one slight movement of his hand, set the waters working in the fantastical forms his mind had created fcr them, and in the glow of early morning ,amid the rushing waters, with beauty around, his eyes would be raised heavenward, and he perhaps d eemed him- self one of the gods.

TURKEY AND MONTENEGRO. (Router's Telegrams.) CONSTANTINOPLE, June ICL Intelligence received here reports fresh conflicts between the Montenegrins and Albanians in the direc- tion of Mbtsa Planina, in the Gassinje district, in which the Albanians lost one man killed and three wounded, and the Montenegrins two killed and four wounded. M. Bacics, the Montenegrin Diplomatic Agent, at an interview with Kiamil Pasha, haspointed out that this state of things is dangerous, and likely to lead to armed intervention, unless order is maintained by the Turkish authorities among the Albanians on the Montenegrin frontier. On the last occasion but. one on which fight- ing occurred the Albanians lost 78 killed and 50 prisoners. The Porte claims the release of the latter, but Montenegro insists that an inquiry should first be held in order to punish the aggressors, and declares that the Turkish local authorities should have known that the Albanians were organising their raid at Kax. Among the Albanian prisoners are several Pegs belonging to localities one or two hours distant from Kolashin, where the Albanians assembled before entering Montenegrin territory. The Porte has given formal assurances~to the Montenegrin Agent that the frontier question will be immediately settled by desire of the Sultan. It is not believed here that the affair will have any serious consequences.

««» RUSSIAN VOCAL MUSIC IN ENGLAND.. Mr. Slaviansky's Russian singers have made their mark in London, as was expected after their first ap- pearance, and their subsequent performance before the Queen. It is not an extravagant course to connect the coming of this choir with the remarkable advance of Sclavonian music during recent years. The phenomenon is one of the most significant and im- portant facts in the musical world. Time was, even in the recollection of the young amongst us, when Sclavonic composers and artists were almost unknown. To the east of Germany all the land was musically barren, save for Chopin, Glinka, and one or two others of less renown. How does the matter stand now ? Simply thus—composers and artists belonging to various branches of the great Sclavonic family are running the Teutons hard, and threatening to take, at no distant day, the first place in creative and executive art. The prospect thus opened up is eminently gratifying, and, indeed, some- thing has already been realised. Unquestionably, the entrance into the domain of music of a vast and naturally gifted race means the infusion of new ideas, and fresh vigour. In art, as in other things, nations play themselves out, and if the Teutonic peoples need to lie fallow awhile after the prodigious fertility of the last hundred and fifty years, it is something to see others ready to take their place and carry on the work with the energy of morning rather than the langour of evening. Mr. Slaviansky and his Musco- vite choir are just now, therefore, figures of large interest and significance, more, perhaps, because of their connection with a great movement than on account of personal claims, yet not deficient in these. The choir appeared on Tuesday afternoon at the national theatre," under the auspices of Mr. Augustus Harris, who engaged them for two con- certs, justly reckoning that the entertainment they have to offer is worthy of his historic house, and it may fairly be said that if there are many Russian part songs like these which this choir render with such perfect taste, a wealth of music little known to English amateurs, hfs to be explored.

--L EXTRAORDINARY LETTER OF A SUICIDE: An inquest was ueld at Plymouth on Tuesday even- ing as to the death of a young labourer named William George Olver, who committed suicide by shooting himself on the previous day. The evidence showed that the deceased kef. t company with a young woman named Emma Jenkins, who on Friday broke off the engagement. About ten o'clock on Monday evening the deceased went to her house in Wolsdon-street, and after a brief conversation fired three shots at her from, a revolver. He then ran more than a mile to an unfrequented part of the town and shot himself dead. A letter was now produced which had been found upon him; it was addressed to his parents, and in it he said, "I know you will be grieved to know that I have done this wretched act, for you know I and Emma Jenkins have been keeping company for about three years, and now the engagement is broken off. I have bought a revolver to shoot both as soon as I get a chance. Rather than see her walk- ing with others I will die.^ God has said that tbe murderer shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Oh, how I do pray that God will forgive me. I have brought it on myself, for I have been a wretch to the one I love. She spoiled me in the beginning. She should have crushed my temper, and this would not have occurred. Let me give my brothers a little advica, not to treat their young women the same as I have done, but do all that lies in their power to please them." In a postscript he added, Please when I am buried put this likeness in the coffin with me-my own and hers. Love is my mistake in life, and if she don't have what 1 have in my pocket may she take warning, and not trifle wi4h any one's temper, for it is dangerous on both sides. If I should not kill her but kill myself, ask her to go to my funeral, and place some i7y leaves oii my coffin. Tell her to keep up her spisits, and not grieve about it, for I forgive her what Ùe has done for-me. Gad bless her, and help her to go throngh life better than what I have done. You san have this likeness copied. Good-bye and good-tye. The father of the deceased said his son had dsne very little work for the past 10 months, and did not seem to keep any regular employment. So Sar as he knew, the deceased was in his right mind, bat he seeruga low-spirited the last time he met him. It was stated that the young woman would be well enough to attend in a day or two, if the jury thought they had not sufficient evidence, but the coroner (Mr. Yaugban) put it to them that the letter contained evidence of an unsound mind, and the jury retimed a verdict of suicide whilst In a state of temporary yj?aoitv,

RUSSIAN PORTS IN THE BLACK SEAr Tbe Russian ifiithorities are ebout to exoend con- siderable sums d money on the improvement of the Btacb bea ports. The port cf Mariopol is to be thoroughly repaired! under the direction of Messrs, Boreicha and Maxisovitch, engineers, at a cost of fi?3 mdikin roubles, .Ait Odessa the mole is to be levelled and repaved. The foundation of the mole is RNU K*5 REPa:red and nsw breakwaters constructed. The harbour is also to be deepened. These alterations will entail an outlay of ons and a half million roubles. o~onew Port is to be rsade at Novorossiisk for 3,800,000 roubles, and it is to be ready by 1888. Various other improvements are to be "effected at iNicolaieff, fitsfeakoff, Yalta, Sebastopol, Taganrog, and in the cat&l of Kertch Ya-aikale. -0-

Pigfdfenmts Inielltgenxfi HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. APHOPOS—Under the denomination "Irish," in an entertaining volume at Wit acdWisdoss of Lord Bea- consfield," which forras one of J.IessrF. Longman's series of cheap books, there is a line from ''Lothair:" "An Irish business is a thing to be turned over several times." As far back as 1843 Mr. Disraeli said, in the course of a speech in zhe House of Comjaons on the Arms Bill, that he hoped the time would come when a party, framed on true principles, would do justice to Ireland, not by satisfying agitators, cot by adopting in despair the first quack remedy that was offered from either side of the House, but by really penetrating into- the mystery of this great mismanagement." LAST WEEK'S WEECKS.Nineteen shipwreeks were reported last week, of which seven were British owned. Off the British Isles two British vessels went down, while several coliision cases were reported, but only one actual loss took place through that cause. No lives were reported lost. Total wrecks for the year, 745 A CLEVER FORGERY.—A note of 100 francs was recently submitted to the experts of the Bank or France as having been issued by a band of forgers but the execution was so perfect that no defect could be discovered A suggestion was then made to place the suspected note in the objective of a microscope. The result of the experiment was that the loop in a letter of the forged note did not exactly cover that of the genuine one, showing that they had not been printed from the Fame plate. COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION.—The number of visitors to this Exhibition for the week ending July 10 was 167,489 total since the opening, 1,650^448: CANADIAN PROSPERITY.-No better evidence of the prosperous condition of the working classes in Canada can be given (writes a correspondent) than the fol- lowing statement, showing the marked increase in the business done by the savirgs banks from 1868 to 1885: In 1868 the savings deposited in the various banks throughout the Dominion amounted to 24,390,820 dols.; in 1878 they had increased to 54,154,912 dols.; and in 1885 they amounted to 109,454,857 dols., .or more than double what they we e in 1878. THE ISLAND OF AN■; ICOSTI.—In this sge of explora- tion it is interesting to hear of anv spot not overrun by the tourist. In the Colonial Exhibition is shown a most valuable collection of the products of the Island of Anti- coeti. This island, which is about 170 mil36 long, and is owned by Mr. Stockwell, is situated on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, only a few days' sail from Liverpool. It is sparsely inhabited, containing only about 1000 popula- tion, though capable of supporting irany thousands. It is stated to be a very fertile region, and to be a place where agriculturist, fisherman, or sportsman would find a comfortable home. PLAYING CARDS.—An official return just issued gives some interesting information about the manufacture of playing cards in England. At present there are 19 manufacturers in the United Kingdom, whe pay a licence of 20s., and who produced 800,000 packs last year. This did not meet the demand of the English card-player, so half as many again were imported from Austrian and American makers. The stamp duty imposed on those cards is now a fairly important source of revenue. Last year it amounted to nearly £ 15,000. RICHES BROUGHT HER TROUBLES.- The Italian journals relate a characteristic story of the benevolence of Queen Marguerite. A poor girl had knitted for her a pair of stockings, and sent them as a present to the Queen on her fete day. The Queen sent to her little pro- tegee in return another pair of stockings, one with some pieces of gold in it, the other filled with bonbons, and a letter in the Queen's handwriting, in which she wrote Tell me, my child, which of these stockings has given you the greatest pleasure?" A few hours later the Queen received the reply Dear Madam, the Queen,-I have had only trouble with the stockings. My fatter took the one with the gold in it; my brother the one with the sweets THE DOMESDAY SURVEY.—The commemoration of the e;ght hundredth anniversary of the Domesday Survey in October will consist of two exhibitions of manuscripts at the Public Record Gffice and the British Museum, and a series of meetings, where papers will be read bearing on Domesday B ook. The manuscript of Domesday Book will be shown at the Record Office. together with the Bolden Book, which supplemented the former volume, while the British Museum will exhibit the transcript of the original Domesday return for Cambridge, and the Inquisitio Eliensis," or survey of the Ely monastery property. Loans for exhibition are also requested. A bibliographical list of existing works relating to Domesday Book will be compiled as a permanent record of the celebration. A FAITHFUL MuLE.—" Dick," a faithful mule, died a natural death on Blackweli's Islaad;.says the Phila- delphia Ledger," a few days ago, at ths age of 46 years. The animal had resided on the island since 1851. when it swam across in the wake of a boat that was taking its master for incarceration in the lunatic asylum there. The faithful beast's devotion was rewarded with a home near its master on the island, and it has never since touched the mainland. Of late it has been so weak that a violent death was suggested, but the commissioners refused to allow it to be killed. The remains will be interred in the island graveyard. RUSSIAN PRISONS.—The Russiaa Empire contains f 84 penitentiary establishments. Their occupants on the 1st January last year numbered 94,515 of both sexes, an excess of nearly 8 per cent, above the returns of the preceding 12 months. Of these persons the ordinary houses of detention contained 68,000, the convict prison 6500, the reformatories 8000, the prisons in Poland 8000. The proportioa of women was less than 10 per cent, of the whole, but in the kingdom of Poland the women amounted to 17 per cent. of the incarcerated (probably owing to their participation in political agitation). Nearly three-quarters of a million arrests take place in the year. AMERICAN AND C4¥ADIAI* ETTE STOCK.—The follow- ing steamers arrived at Liverpool during last week with live stock and fresh meat on board from American and Canadian posts:—Lake Lepigon, 297 cattle and 580 qrs. of beef-; Thanemore, 636 cattle City of Chester, 960 qrs. of beef Venetian, 445 cattle and 1140 qrs. of be&f; Lord Gough, 1568 qrs. of beef; Palestine, 112 cattle and 830 qrs. of beef; Batavia, 511 cattle and 1100 sheep San Juan, 150 cattle; Alaska, 1664 qrE. of beef Wyoming, 1760 qrs. of beef; City of Rome, 1560 qrs. of beef and Scythia, 724 qrs. of beef—making the total arrivals 2151 cattle, 1180 sheep, and 114S2 qrs of beef, against 905 cattle, 116-54 qrs. of beef and. carcases of mutton, showing a decided increase in the imports of live stock, and slight increase in favour of fresh meat. ALLISON ISLAND -A new island has been found in the North Pacific by a British steamer on her voyage from Sydney to Shanghai. "Allison Island-named after the commander of the ship—lies between Durour Island and the Echiqsier Group, in lat 1 deg. 25 min, S. and long. 143 dag. 2'6 see E. It is about two or three miles long, rises from 100 to 150 feet, and is well wooded THE WORLDS. NEWSPAPERS.—A report on the news- papers of the world has been laid before the Imperial German Diet. From this it would seem that there exist in all 34^000 newspapers, the total issues of which during the year amounts to 592 millions. Of these 19,000 papers appear in Europe, 12,000 in North America, 775 in Asia, and 609ia South America; while the English language claims 16,500, the German 7800, the French 3850, and the Spanish 1000. INTELLIGIBLE t,-The following is a placard in the possession of a naval officer just returned from Egypt. He procured it at a cafe chantant" in Alexandria. It was printed in several languagcp, and this is the Erglish part:-—"Every of the consummations of the coldness 1 piastre besides. Every of the claim tc- be addressed directly of the direction. During of there- petitions ths price of consummating to be the same that in every the other's coffee. With the aid of the parallel passages in other languages the meaning is found as follows :—" All iced drinks one piastre extra, All complaints should be ma(;.e at the office Notwith- standing the performances tise prices will ba the same as these of other cafes." EOOROGICAL GARDENS. — The additions to the Gardens during the past Nieak include a bonnet monkey, from India, presented by Mr. Albert Thorne; a macaque monkey, frcsa India, presented by Mr. Si R. Hicks a prairie r.olf, from Winnipeg, presented by Mr. Gerald E. Talbci; a common fox (British), pre. sented by Mr. A. Browning Priestly; a brown bear, from Asia, presented by Captain Asher Smith; a stein- bok antelope, from South Africa, presented by Mr W. J Robertson; two violaceous night herons, from South America, presented by Dr. A. Boon, F. B..C.S.; aMona monkey, from West Africa; a grey squirrel, from North America; a greater white crested cockatoo, from. Moluccas (deposited); six sousliks; five ^userican flying squirrels, from North America; two tdac8 snakes, from Dalmatia (purchased); two_ mule j deer, a yak, four loog-frcnted gerbilles, bred in ths Gardens,,