Monmouthshire Merlin

THE BULGARIAN MOTHER'S CRY. A clergyman sends the following verses to the Non- conformist :— ws Oh! mighty England, freedom's home! Great England, to my rescue come My sons are piled 'mid heaps of slain, From whence a red stream fills the plain. lone. bad daughters good'and fats, Sweet, bonnie girls with golden hair: That hair is now defiled with blood: My daughters now are vultures' food. My children enoe around me played, Saeh little man, each merrie Intd- All silent now my village streets, No childish mirth the traveller greets. I sit upon the blood stained earth, I sit beside my rootless hearth, And listen for the pattering feet That never more mine ears shall greet. For in the shattered cradle rest Naught but the shells to mark the neat From which my birdies took the wing, To fly to their Eternal King. On tiny skulls my fingers rest: Once their soft lips my bosom pressed, These ghastly bones of flesh bereft, Are all the Turk to me has left. So in and out, and up and down. Through gory streets, through silent town, I wander till the sun has fled, And only wish that I were dead. Oh! England, if our God be thine; If thy sweet Christ be also mine, Why dith thine arm so helpless lie ? Why live thy sons to see mine die? Rouse, England! Rouse! for mercy's sakp; From off our necks the bloodhounds shake, Lest when the trump shall sound ou high. Thou should'st with Herod then draw nigh. BNGI.AND'g AKHWKK. Sister I hear your awful cry; Sister! take heart, for help is nigh. My sons shall aid your sore distress My stalwart sons your wrongs redress.

Mr. John Lock, one of the few survivors of the battle of Waterloo, has just died in an almshouse at Rochester, at the age of 84. In the presence of Cardinal Franci, Prefect of the Propaganda, Cardinal Cullen, two archbishops, and other high dignitaries of the Romish Church, a great religious ceremony took place in the Catholic Cathedral, Dublin, on Sunday. About 6000 persons attended. Mr. Hunter Rodwell, M.P., writes to the secretary of the Bulgarian relief fund in Cambridge, saying that he does not think the Eastern Question will be settled in so summary a manner as some simple-minded people seem to imagine; and that any attempt to sweep away the Turks from Europe might bring in a fanatical and desperate war .in defence of their nationality. BELGIAN IRON GIRDERS.—It is announced that Mr. Thomas Scott, iron merchant, Grassmarket, Edin- burgh, has secured the contract for the supply of 400 tons of iron girders, to be used in the construction of St. Enoch Station, Glasgow. Notwithstanding the depressed state of the iron trade here, it is stated that these girders will be made in Belgium, and brought over here and delivered in Glasgow at a considerably lower price than they can be produced at home.

THE TURKISH ATROCITIES. AN ENGLISH M.P.'S REPORT ON THE TURKISH BARBARITIES IN SERVIA. Colonel William Mure, M.P. for Renfrewshire, writes to the Scotsman to confirm the sickening stories that have been published concerning Turkish in- humanity in Servian In the course of his despatch he lays: "We do not now hear of many atrocities such as took place in Bulgaria, and I suppose Lord Beacons- field and his supporters imagine that Lord Derby'* stern note of the 9th August, and the indignation which is boiling over in England and in all parts of Europe, are having some effect, and that the Turk is now carrying on war in a humane and civilised man- ner, and that the few outrages which crop up are inseparable from a war in which many half-civilised troops are employed, and that every effort is being made to check them by the Turkish commanders. I can aver that this is not the case. No ehange whatever has taken place, but so many opportunities have not offered. When the Servians at the end of July retired from the Bulgarian frontier, most of the inhabitants remained in their villages. As the Servian army retreated and en- camped some miles off, the Turkish regular troops, of whom the people were not afraid, went all through the villages between the positions of the army, beginning at their own lines and ending at the village nearest the Servian outposts, assuring the people that they were quite safe, and begging them to remain at home. The Circassians and Bashi-Bazouks in the meantime were waiting until everything was arranged and the people .settled. When the regulars reached the village nearest the Servian lines they set it on fire. This was the signal. Onwards rushed the irregulars, and in a short time every soul was massacred with inconceivable tor- tures, excepting two young girls, who were carried off, and every village burned to the ground. The date of these events is the 29th of July. The names of the villages are Trierie, Sallina, Bershintzki, high and low Trnara, high and low Topavonitxka, Milkowizi, the Monastery of the Virgin, Bellie, Gollie, Kravie, Dra- jertzl, and MeagarL" I have also before me the procee verbal or deposi- tions of respectable Bulgarians, and a priest taken before the Prefeet of Tchupria, describing massacres and indeseribable horrors since the regular army took the field, but exonerating the tegular troops. I have also depositions taken before Prefects in Bulgaria during the insurrection these are not bo valuable as the former, because we know pretty well what took place there; and now your readers know how the regular warfare is conducted. But then these took place just before Lord Derby's protest of the 9th, but after General Sir Arnold Kemball joined Abdul Kerim's staff, as English Commissioner, Let us, therefore, see what the effect has been of the pro- test of the 9th. It has had none whatever—as the Servian army retreats, the villagers are ordered to fly, and, with few exceptions, they have escaped death and violation. "I saw the burning villages to the west of Alexinatz. I know from unimpeachable testimony that every wounded Servian and Rurtlhn is beheaded, and in some cases burned alive. When I first heard of the burning alive of wounded men I did not believe it. I was told of it by a wounded Servian whom I met on the road to Deligrad, but I imagined it was only a soldier's tale of war. At Deligrad I met Prince uhika, who the day before had been out on patrol in the district lying to the west flank of the road to Alexinatz. He told me that in a house he had found three wounded men, one Russian and two Servians, tied up by the armpits to a beam, with fires still smouldering under them, oharred up to their waists. A villager who was lying con- cealed, and thus escaped, had heard their shrieks for help, and the Servian cry of 'Brother! brother!' (all Servians call each other brother) and the laughter and jeers of their tormentors. Immediately after the battle of Friday last, when the Turks succeeded In establishing themselves in a position which com- manded the village of Alexinatz and turned the Ser- vian right flank, by some inconceivable carelessness the road between Alexinatz and Deligrad was left un- guarded. A troop of Egyptian regular oavalry broke In and massacred 20 harmless unarmed peasants, and wounded 30 others. So this is the manner in which a regular Turkish army, with an English military com- missioner at headquarters, conducts war. So much for the effect of Lord Derby's telegram of the 9th of August, Sir Henry Elliot's remonstrances, and Sir Arnold Kemball's influence with the Turkish com- mander-in-chief. I think it is a disgrace to England that she should be represented at all with the army that commits such atrocities. I am certain that if Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, or any man of his capacity and force of character, was in Sir Henry Elliot's place, more respect would he paid to England's remonstranoes. Men of that, calibre are to be found, but they will not be sought for and employed. Family interest must be conciliated. Foreign Office tradition must he respected, and England must be content to see herself represented by a totally inoapahle man where firmness and capacity of the highest order are required." LETTER FROM MR. BRIGHT. In a letter to a constituent, Mr. John Bright says :— The excitement which now prevails will, I trust, entirely change the policy of England in regard to Turkey. The errors and the crimes of 1854-56 have borne their natural fruit, and the result has done much to open the eyes of our countrymen. The future ought to be wiser than the past." LETTER FROM BISHOP ELLICOTT. The Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, writing from Drummond Castle, Crieff, to excuse his non-attend- ance at a meeting in Gloucester last week, says:— I iibould have rejoiced to have expressed orally the horror and detestation with whioh, in oommon wtlh all true-hearted Englishmen, I regard the atrocities that have been perpetrated in Bulgaria. My only anxietv with resrard to all these meetings is that we may be tempted to satisfy ourselves with demonstra- tions, and may fail in fully awakening that love and intelligent sympathy which ever rejoices to display itself in action, and in supplying material aid to the surviving sufferers. I do not at all concur with those who decline to take part in public demon- strations because they do not embody a policy. Publio meetings are neither oaloulated nor designed to formulate a policy, especially on a subject so difiloult and complicated as the Eastern question; but they are of great use in showing clearly and plainly that if a policy worthy of England's honour be put forth—a polioy wise and Arm, just and geaerous—the people of England will sustain it bravely and unitedly, be the liabilities and responsibilities whatsoever they may." In conclusion, the bishop hopes the meeting will be free from *all party considerations, energetic, successful, and unanimous." LORD EDWARD CAVENDISH AND THE HON. F. A. STANLEY AT WHITEHAVEN. Lord Edward Cavendish presided a few days ago at the Cartmel Agricultural Society, and the Hon. F. A."Stanley, MP., and T. H. Clifton, M.P., were also present. In responding to the health of the "County Members," the Hon. F. A. STAMXirt said on these Occa- sions politics were not allowed, but he might refer to a matter largely affecting the feelings of the country. After the declaration made the previous night by a noble lord and relative of his, they would not expect him to refer in detail to the present state of affairs. He re- minded them that, as with other things, so with senti- ment, it might be honourable, but it was possible to carry it too far. Great as public feeling might be against these atrocities which had taken place, they ought not to forget that the sentiment of justice should underlie a subject of such great importance. When we heard such discussions on this subject, and words to the effect that, because these atrocities had taken place, all those who inhabited or were connected with that country, and all who entertained its religion, were tto be swept from the face of Europe, then he thought there was the danger of our needlessly springing the balance to the other side of the scale, and committing atrocities only second to those we ourselves condemned. All we could hope for was that among these difficult and dangerous matters those who had to do with them might be able to cope with them. We must remember that. mueh as we might like to effect a settlement of the difficulty In the present state of Europe, other States were involved, and would have to be consulted. Mr. Stanley paid a high compliment to Lord Hartington, with reference to his speech at Sheffield. Lord Edward Cavendish also re- ferred to the atrocities. CONSERVATIVE VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT. On the 15th. a meeting of the Conservatives of Maid- stone was held at the Corn Exchange, to attempt to vindicate the Government from the alleged discredit- able insults to which it is at present daily exposed, and to express its detestation of the Turkish atrocities. Dr. Monco presided, supported by Major Ross, one of the unsuccessful Conservative candidates- at the last elec- tion, and by the members of the Conservative party in the borough. Resolutions in accordance with the obiect of the gathering were passed. The meeting was called by the Conservatives, It being considered that the atrocities meeting in the town, held on the 13th was held by the Liberals for political purposes. It was thought that the meeting should have been called by the Mayor.

A sword, said to be 1400 years old, having on it marks that show that it was used in one or more crusades, has been sent to Prince Milan from Russia,

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA. The Pall Mall Gazette has received the follow- ing private telegram, dated from Madeira:—" The African Cape steamer of the 26th ult. brings news from Natal to the 22nd. The Boers under President Burgers had been seriously defeated, and had retreated to Steel Poort, where Burgers was fortifying himself. They had lost all supplies. Numerous desertions had occurred. Secocoeni was reported to be pursuing in force."

THE BISHOP OF MANCHESTER ON CLERGYMEN'S "FREEHOLD UIGHTS." A few days since the Bishop of Manchester con- secrated the new church of St.. Matthew, Bolion. The sermon waa preached by the Bishop. In the course of his remarks his Lordship said the clergy all felt, or ought to feel, that the day in which they lived was one of difficulty but they should remember that the day of difficulty was also the day of opportunity. To his mind there was never a grander opportunity placed before the clergy of the Church of England to win back the nation's heart to their national Church than there was to-day, and it would be their own fault if they did not rise to the opportunity. He did not know when a bitterer pang passed through his mind than when the other day an earnest layman com- plained to him that one of the greatest difficulties they had to contend with in churoh extension was that thrown in the way by the clergy, who stood upon their freehold rights," as they were called, and were jealous of interference with their parish area, although it was perhaps far beyond their power to cover. These freehold rights of the clergy were the creation of custom or statute, and could be swept away to-morrow. And though, no doubt, in that con- siderate way in which English legislation generally dealt with vested interests, those poor creatures who were in possession of freehold rights might expect to be reasonably cared for, what consideration could that be if they had the interests of their Church really at heart ? The only true freehold that they could possess and that they ought to have, was the freehold that every zealous and faithful minister should possess upon the hearts and affections of his people. They loved their Church, he hoped, because it was national, because it was Catholic in essence and only Protestant by unwelcome necessity. If there were no errors against which to protest, they would be content with the title of Catholic alone. They desired to make the Church solid, large, and strong. This was not a day for pushing selfish or partisan schemes it was not a day for degrading this great institution to be merely a weapon in the hands of this or that political party. It wat a day for large-heartedness, for sympathy, for width of comprehension.

DEATH OF MRS. WOMB WELL THE I. MENAGERIE PROPRIETRESS. A London correspondent writes as follows concern- ing the death of Mrs. Wombwell, which took place last week. He says:—This lady, who was in her 90th year, died at St. John's Wood, London, and she was the widow of the well-known proprietor of Wombwell's menagerie. Her caieer has been a somewhat remark- able one, as she was married to her late husband up- wards of half a century ago, and travelled with him all over the United Kingdom. On one occasion, while the show was at Nottingham, a young cub tiger of a very savage nature escaped from its van and got into a neighbouring orchard. Mrs. Wombwell, whose husband happened to be I absent at the time, fearlessly entered the orchard, and by means of a slip nooso secured the animal, and car- ried it back in triumph to the menagerie. In oonnec- tion with the death of this lady it may be interesting to mention tbatthe founder of the menagerie, the late Mr. Wombwell, was in his youth a bright lad, and became a menagerie proprietor by foroe of circum- stances. He happened to be in the London dooks one day at the commencement of the present century, when two huge boas were landed from a ship. They were of such a lively disposition, and showed such a strong desire to embrace everyone who came in their way, that their owner was afraid of them, and offered to sell them at a reasonable price to the first bidder. The whole of Mr. Wombwell's wealth consisted of £7 õ, and on the hazard of the die he offered this sum, which was accepted. In three weeks he sold his purchase at double what he had given for it, and was so deUghted with his bargain that he com- menced to trade in snakes, and ultimately exhibit them. This was the commencement of the renowned menagerie. He had a nephew who was killed in the show by an elephant that he had enraged, and a little later, a young girl who performed with the lions met h«r death, ft was at Warwick the celebrated fight took place between the lion Wallace, cubbed in Scot- land, and six dogs, Mr. Wombwell backing his lion for a heavy stake. The dogs were slipped, two at a time, at intervals of twenty minutes. The combat lasted upwards of two hours, and resulted in the victory of Wallace. The fight was witnessed by a large number of people, many of them being ladies. This lion sub- sequently escaped, in company with a tigress, and the two beasts slaughtered nearly a dozen sheep and cattle, and killed four persons, before they were recaptured. Mr. Wombwell used to say that his best fairs were Nottingham and Birmingham, Glasgow and Paisley, and Donnybrook in Ireland.

THE ST. LEGER SURPRISE. It would almost seem as if some evil fate, some "eon junction of the planetl," as the astrologers would have put. it, stood in the way of the horse which carries off the Grand Prix de Paris repeating his success at Doncaster. It is thirteen years since the Paris prize was instituted, and only once within that time has the double event taken place. That once was in 1865, when Gladiateur, who may almost be described as the horse of a century, continued that victorious career which was to know no check, at least in weight-for-age races. But before that time and since horses success- Jul in the Grand Prix de Paris have been beaten at )oncaster by animals whioh stood no chance against them over the equally severe course at Long- champs. When, as was the case with. Gladiateur, the Paris winner has seetned so superior to all his opponents at Doncaster that defeat was impossible, it has happened that, from one cause or another, he has been unable to run, and while Salvator last year had to be withdrawn on acoount cf lameness, The Earl, a few years previously, was, from some other reason, kept in his stable. But it certainly seemed as if this year at least, would see the spell broken, for Kisber stood like Gladiateur far above his fellows. He appeared to have lived down the opposition which the betting-men exhibited against him a few weeks ago, and the double victor of the Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris went to Don- caster with everything in his favour. But, as is now well known to our readers, his name is not to be found amongst the favoured three, and there will have been gloom and silence at the Vienna and Pesth Jockey Clubs, instead of the illuminations Mid exultations which his Derby triumph called forth in the month of May. His owner may, however, con- sole himself with the substantial reward And renown Involved in his colt's successes at Epsom and Long- jhamps. He would have preferred, of course, that Kisber should have gained the triple crown," but it was not to be, and the laurels will deck the forelock of Petrarch, who won a gallant race from a colt whose prospects were deemed to be so remote that, until within a few hours of the struggle, nobody knew that tie was likely to take part In It.-Datly News.

General Martin des Pallicres, who was seriously mounded at Bazeilles, ercaped from Prussia, and com- nanded one of the corps of the Army of the Loire, lied recently. He sat in the last French Assem- bly in the Right Oentre. An explosion has occurred in the shop of a gunsmith, named Reynaud, in Montmartre, Paris, the nventor of a plan of charging projectiles. He was inacrewing a shell when it exploded and killed him, as dap a newsvendor who had just entered the shop, i widea injuring two boys who were passing.

Last week, owing to the mistake of a points- man. the mail train from Wick came into collision with a goods train standing on a siding at Rogart Station on the Highland Railway. Both engines were damaged, and two trucks were thrown from the metals. Four passengers were cut and bruised, one rather seriously, and the brakesman and guard of the mail were also injured. THE DUKE OF CONNAUAGHT.—The Bombay Gazette publishes the following statement:—It is said to be now settled that the Duke of Connaught will come to India 411 next cold weather, and remain a year or so in the country, some of his time being passed at Simla or one of the hill stations. The Duke's visit to the East is to form part of the practical military education he has been going through for some years past. It Is added that before coming out to India he will in all probability be promoted from his present rank of major in the 7th Hussars to that of extra, or supernumerary, lieutenant- colonel of a cavalry regiment in this country—most Jikely the 10th Hussars will be the corps selected.

MR. GLADSTONE ON THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT. DEMAND FOR TIIE HE-ASSEMBLING OF PARLIAMENT. The following important letter from the pen of the Right; Hon. W. E. Gladstone appeared in the Daily News of Saturday :— The speeches of Lord Derby at the Foreign Office on Monday undoubtedly constitute a Ministerial manifesto, and, after the part I have taken in the endeavour to revoke such a declaration, it may not be unwarrantable if I endeavour to sum up its effect, and to estimate its value. The speeches deal, and deal, in my judgment, frankly, with the past and with the future, with charges, or supposed charges, against the Government, and with its intentions. The journals which support the policy of Turkey are naturally delighted with them, and exult in any disposition which may have been shown elsewhere to put upon them the most favourable construction. In my opinion they afford ample shelter (which is also fair notice) for a policy identical in spirit with that hitherto pursued. It becomes, then, the duty of the people to consider whether that policy has been satisfactory or not. Lord Derby is now at least chargeable with no undue reserve. His words as re- ported by the Times, are so follows:—"I shall only say that we do not come before the country, and we shall not come before Parliament, in the position of persons who have anything to unsay that we have said bi the past, or any to regret in what we have done." It appears to me that Lord Derby replies in these discourses to some charges that have not been made, and passes by those that have. I now give a summary of the real accusations, as I understand them, and of the conduct in which Lord Derby thus states the inten- tion of the Government to persevere. They are these: (1.) That Ministers have not recognised the rights and .the obligations of this country, together with the other Powers of Europe, towards the subjects, and especially the Christian subjects, of the Sultan, grow- ing out of the Crimean War and the Peace of 1856. (2.) That they have not maintained, but rather have impeded, the concert of Europe in regard to Turkey, by which concert alone there is a reasonable hope of arriving at a proper settlement. (3.) That they have overthrown the plans of other States without proposing any in their stead; and have thereby precipitated a disastrous war which it might have been possible to prevjent or postpone. (4.) That by sending asquadron to Beaika Bay without explanation, by raising that squadron progressively, after the occurrence of the worst Bulgarian outrages, to the character and force of a ileet" and by withholding all information concerning the intension of these measures until the date of July 14, they have in fact, whatever the intention may have been, afforded moral, and virtually also material, support to the Ottoman Government at the period of its mostilagrant guilt and orime, and this in opposi- tion to the general sense of Europe. (6.) That by their singular and unexplained delays in asking and in obtaining information, they have retarded that knowledge in the United Kingdom of the Bulgarian outrages which it was of the utmost importance to justice and humanity that they should explain. (6.) That in their limited state of information they made gratuitous declarations in answer to ques- tions put in Parliament, such as tended to cast discredit upon statements which had then been made, and which have since been corroborate by fur- ther and generally sufficient evidence and to convey an untrue idea of the outrages perpetrated in Bulgaria, and of the comparative character and conduct of the governing power on the one side, and of the inhabi- tants of the province on the other. (7.) That now, nearly five months after the date of the outbreak, we still remain without any adequate statement of any portion of the facts from any responsible British au- thority. (8.) That only so lately as on the 8th of August her Majesty's Government addressed to Sir H. Elliot a letter desiring him to make known to the Porte the feeling of horror excited in them and in the people by the "statements received" of the Bulgarian out- rages, and that down to the present time, so far as we know, they have never charged upon the Turkish Go- vernment any guilt in respect of those outrages. So much for the past. I will only make a single further remark. It relates to the report of Mr. Baring. It has been stated that he has conducted his inquiries in company with official persons representing the Turkish Government. In so far as this has been done it will sadly impair the value of its results. I have had experience in this matter 26 years ago. In Naples, at that time, it would have been impossible to obtain true evidence in the presence of agents of the Govern- ment. Much more now, under the savage tyranny that rages in Bulgaria. Fairness may require that the information obtained be submitted to the incul- pated Government before other use is made of it, but cannot require that we should poison the stream at the fountain head. I now come to Lord Derby's views of the Turkish Government, and of the policy to be followed. I collect them from the two speeches, as follows :—(1.) It appears to be stated by Lord Derby, that if the Turks can count upon our support or that of others they are sure to behave well; but if they believe all Europe to be against them then they will break out into excesses. (2.) That we have no responsibility beyond the other Powers of Europe for the conduct of Turkey; although it was we who, in concert with Prance, took away the right previously enjoyed by Russia to protect the Christian subjects; and although it would be most unfair to expect France at the present moment to charge herself with special duties or cares. (3.) That unlimited doses of protest and remonstrance are the proper mode of discharging our duty at Constantinople; and Lord Derby assures us that for one (disregarded) remon- strance recorded in the Blue Books, Sir Henry Elliot made a dozen (disregarded) remonstrances, which are not so recorded. (4.) That no one at Constantinople either dictated or encouraged the outrages in Bul- garia. That is to say, the Turkish Government only denied them, suppressed the papers that told of them, promoted three at the least of the miscreants who ordered and superintended them, and sent a man (Selim) to inquire into them, who, as we now learn, put to the torture those Bulgarian wit- nesses who would not give sueh evidence as he desired. (5.) That the evils which have occurred are, says Lord Derby, due rather to the weakness than to the will of the Turkish Government." (6.) That It is absurd to suppose Lord Beaoonsfleld the Sultan, or Lord Derby the Grand Tisier, and to cherish expecta- tions accordingly. Why, then, did Lord Beaoongfleld say on the 17th of July, that the Government was constantly communicating, he would not say remon- strating, with the Turkish Government," for the Turkish Government was most anxious to be guided by the advice of the British Ambassador?" (7.) That the policy of the Government has been the policy of the last fifty or sixty years. I contest this assertion and I ask how then does it happen that all the connections of Lord Palmerston, and that every public man of the day who has taken part heretofore in the Eastern Question and is responsible for the earlier policy, has dissented from the policy of the prei-ent Government, inoluding Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, who agrees with them in politics ? (8.) Lord Derby menaces us with the rule of Russia in Constantinople. I reply that more has been done by the policy of this year to bring Russia to Constantinople than at any former period; and that the way to keep her out of it Is to give to the local populations liberties whioh (as has been proved in Roumania) they will value, and the means of tolerable government. (9.) That the Government are not hostile "in principle to the further extension of such constitutional changes in Turkey as circumstances admit of." Not hostile in principle. What are they in practice ? What single act have they done to re- strain abuse, or introduce liberty in Turkey, beyond disregarded and now idle remonstranoes ? Let any one who wishes to estirrate the views of the British Government (and we now know they have not changed) on local self-government, read No. 497 and No. 493 of the Papers, Turkey No. 3, and obseive the evident sympathy with which Lord Derby details every difficulty raised by Austria in the way of such a system. (10.) That Lord Derby "never will be guilty of the) quackery of putting his name to a scheme which he believes" in his conscience will not work. I hope not. But why is this truism introduced here, and now ? It is the case of the Berlin Memo- randum over again. To oppose and frustrate the proposals of others—put forward nothing in their place ourselves. (11.) That as to an armistice and a peace, the Powers are agreed in desiring to have them 11 as soon as may be." But of agreement in their views of a just peace there is not a word. Nor can there well be until the British Government has undergone a conversion which is still in the future. (12). That we ought not to encourage hoatility against the whole Turkish race and Mahometan peoples. Agreed. (13.) | That we are much more disinterested and philanthro- pic than the other Powers, or some of them. So we always say I am not aware that others always say it of us. (14.) That Turkey will listen to the voice of united Europe. The most valuable proposition, to my inind, in the two speeches. (15.)' That offenders should be punished, and that the Bulgarians are enti- should be punished, and that the Bulgarians are enti- tled to reparation. Reparation in the main is impossible: and about punishment there is this difficulty-that we shall have I no means of knowing whether it is just. With tbt Porte, as was demonstrated last May In the Salonioa cases, it is not a quest-ion of justice but of pressure. Under sufficient pressure they will punish any number of persons, of any quality and to any extent. We are now told they are going to punish some of those wretohes whocn they promoted for the outrages. I can believe it. They hear the Incipient howling of the storm, and they appreciate it better, I must say, than some nearer home. t am fearful of an over- pressure for vengeance, and on this account I have said little of that subject in what I have published. If Turkey is to continue to administer the government of Bulgaria, I can understand the cry for vengeance on a large scale with a view to example. What we really want is effectual prevention. 16. On this capital subject Lord Derby says, "We have a right to claim security against similar outrages for the future." Will this crowning declaration satisfy the nation ? Security against similar outrages; what security ? Read in connection with what precedes, with the objec- tions taken to local Independence, with the reserve as to all the principles of future policy, and with the in- sinuations against foreign politicians and foreign Powers, I am compelled to say the meaning of the phrase is clear enough. It means more promises and more nrmans, to be followed by more protests and more remonstrances. More of "You will represent to the Porte; You will urge upon the Porte "You will press strongly upon the Porte," all the lessons which we know it to be radically incapable of so much of learning as of putting into practice. In the present most critical ciroumstances, it is time tc protest against these protests, and to remonstrate against these remonstrances, which are in serious danger of degeneratinsr into svstem no better than an organised imposture on the nations of Europe. As well remonstrate with a pestilence or a flood. The time has come for saying, you must. Let Europe de- fine carefully what is just, and then enact it; and let Great Britain be the guide of the chariot of Europe, and no longer the drag upon the wheel. The nation has shown its desire, but has yet) to show that its de- sire is its will, and that it shall be done. When I published ten days ago, it was my hope that the mind of the Government might receive the requisite impulse from the national movement, with- out involving any other aid than that of its assembled wisdom. This hope has disappeared and I now cor- dially follow Lord Hartmgton in the judgment he has given—that the ciroumstances of the time demand the early re-assembling of Parliament.-I have the honour to be, air, your faithful lervant, W. E. GLADSTONH. Hawarden Castle, Chester, Sept. 14.

LORD DERBY AND THE BLACKPOOL CONSERVATIVES. Acknowledging the receipt of a letter, and an ao- count of the Conservative demonstration held the other week at Blackpool, at which a resolution of con- fidence in the Government, and especially in the de- partment presided over by Lord Derby," was passed, his lordship says he is very sensible of the friendly feeling expressed towards himself and other members of her Majesty's Government, and would have been glad to havehad an opportunity of offering his thanks in person. But in the present state of public affairs his lordship finds it necessary to remnin in the immediate neighbourhood of London, and he has been obliged to decline alHnvitations to public meetings." The Home Secretary also writes "I am glad to see how strong a hold good Conservative principles have with our work- ing men."

MAHOMMEDAN OPINION ON THE WAR IN TURKEY. The following is a translation of a letter in Arabic which has been addressed to the Madras Mail by a Mahommedan gentleman of Bombay :— PILAIBB BE TO TUB GREAT Piiysici.&N.- This is written in the month of Rabbcc-ool-Akhur.—After the usual greetings I am overjoyed to tell you that the Leca-oo-Islam is flourishing, and that the day will yet be ordered by al Khair-ool-Hafizeen (the best of protectors) when all the earth will shout from their housetops the Hahsad (belief) of the faithful. Prtiie and glory be to God You are, I know, the wielder of a weapon which is ten thousand times mightier than the sword, and that truth falls from its point as numerous as the raindrops in a shower. You must, therefore, hold up a mirror of events before the people, the dazzling reflection of which shall cause them ti close their eyes for its very brilliance. By our Holy Prophet, Roum (Turkey) is now engaged in a war with Christians. Yah Cumbuckhut! (oh, wretch that I am) did I say Christians, the believers in Essa allais salaam ? (Jesus, whom may God ever honour)-no, but dogs who are neither Christians nor Kaffirs reptiles who are seeking to overthrow Roum (Turkey), and to plant the flag of the Roos (Russia) on the palace of Sultan Mourad. But it oannut be in our time, for when this is attempted it is, according to Al Koran, the sign of the Roz1:iazal& (the last day). When the green banner of the Prophet rasoolillah (the messenger of God) is once again raised by its mil- lions of staunch adherents, the great battle on earth will be fought. The faithful on that day will be as numerous as the stars, as brilliant as meteors, as fierce as the noonday sun on the desert sand, and as implaoable as Shaitan neerwah gem (Satan who was stoned). Other nations have aroused Roum to do battle, and if not soon settled, the spark will be fanned into a conflagration which shall consume the world (or the inhabitants thereof), and shall bring to pass the holy sayings of the Koran Shereef (tie blessed Koran), that Islam will be the last religion in this world. Do you doubt this ? Do not fear, for is not God great and wise, and will He not do as He plesseth ? Mark me, this war will not be easily ended, for it would appear that God hath so ordained! Glory to His name Amen What more shall I wrke now ? I will write no more at present, but will give you news from Mecca occasionally concerning this great war which is stirring up the hearts of all men, and causing the angels to be prepared for the fig tree (the world) is about to be shaken, and the evil of man is to be weighed and punished.

NARROW ESCAPE OF MESSRS. BASS AND ALLSOPP. Mr. Allsopp, of Burton-on-Trent, is at present a guest of Mr. Bass, at Glenquoich, Inverness-shire. Both gentlemen, according to the Glasgow News, have just had a narrow escape. They were fishing on Loch Quoich. Mr. Bass hooked a large trout, and Mr. Allsopp, eager to see it, stepped on one side of the boat which upset the craft. Messrs. Bass and Allsopp, with two fishermen, clung to the bottom of the boat, and were ultimately thrown on an island greatly ex- hausted.

HURRICANE AND LOSS OF LIFE. A cable telegram, received from Lloyds' agent at St. Thomas, reports :—" Slight hurricane; all steamers safe. Two American vessels lost. Danish barque dis- masted. Several lives lost, otherwise damage slight. COPENHAGEN, Sept. 14.—The Berlingsche Fidende of to-day publishes a telegram stating that a hurricane burst over St. Thomas and St. Croix on the night of the 12th inst. The damage to property at St. Thomas was not very extensive, but the crews of two American vessels which foundered during the hurricane were drowned. Beyond this there was no loss of life. Rain fell in torrents the whole time.

WILLS AND BEQUESTS. The will and two codicils, dated February 21, and May 9, 1874, of Mr. William Duckworth, late of Orchard Leigh Park, Somersetshire, who died on July 25 last, were proved on the 30th ult. by the Rev. William Arthur Duckworth and Russell Duckworth, the sons, and William Bachelor Coltman, the nephew, the exeoutors, the personal estate being sworn under £ 250,000,—The will, with one codicil, dated Jane 1. 1874, and July 27, 1876, of Mr. Robert Farre Dal- rymple, late of No. 26, Park enMcent, Regent's Park, who died on July 28 last, was proved on the 25to ult. by Samuel Bircham, the nephew, and Charles Morris Roupell, the executors, the personal estate being sworn under £ 120,000. The testator bequeaths to his wife his horses, carriages, furniture, plate, pictures, wines, and other household goods and effects and pecuniary legacies .to the value of £ 5500; to his son Francis Bertram Dalrymple, £ 15,000; and there are bequests in favour of his mother, sister, and other relatives, executors, and clerks. The income of the residue of all his pro- perty he leaves to his wife for life or widowhood, and on her death or second marriage to his said son for life; and on his death the capital is to go to the chil- dren or issue of his son, as he shall appoint.—The will, dated July 20, 1870, of Mr. William Howell, late of No. 61, Lower Marsh, Lambeth, who died on the 9th ult., was proved on the 19th ult. by Edgar Harry Howell, the nephew, and Edward Chester, the execu- tors, the personal estate being sworn under £ 35,000. Among other legacies, testator leaves to the London Hospital, the Surrey Ophthalmic Hospital, and the Asylum for Idiots at Earlswood, £ 200 each. The residue of his property he gives to his 12 nephews and nieooJ-Tiz., the five children of his late brother John and the seven children of his late brother Thomas.— The will and codicil, dated April 6, 1875, and January 11, 1876, of Lieutenant-Colonel George Disbrowe, late of No. 26, Ecoleston street, who died on the 22nd of July last, were proved on the 17th ult. by Philip Henry Pepys and the Hon. Richard Howe Broume, the executors, the personal estate being sworn under £ 35,000.—The will,and codicil, dated May 21, 1871, and July 18, 1874, of Dame Anne Eliza Austin (widow of Admiral Sir Horatio Thomas Austin), late of No. 78, Porchester terrace, who died on the 7th of July last, were proved on the 3rd ult. by Thomas Rawlin- son, the son, the Rev. Edward Kay Kendall, and William Powell Murray, the executors, the personal estate being sworn under £ 25,000. The testatrix makes various bequests, and then gives one-half of the residue to her said son, and the other half upon trust for her daughter, Mrs. Irvine.-The will and codicil, dated May 10 and August 2, 1876, of Sir Edward Hilditoh, late of No. 18, Arundel Gardens, Bayswater, who died on the 24th ult., were proved on the 4th Inst, by Edward Litchfield, Richard Stephens Taylor, jun., and Miss Elizabeth Brace, the exeoutors, the personal estate being sworn under £ 4000.—Illustrated London News,

ENGLISH ATHLETES IN AMERICA. Referring to the disputes at the centennial regatta, the Times —"We cannot but wish our country- men had put up with their disappointment, however mortifying, and reserved their protests for their own future guidance; but the result may usefully be applied as a warning against entering into these international contests. The cases are extremely rare in which com- petitors from two different countries, still less from two different continents, can meet on such terms as to render the contest at all a fair trial of strength. For this purpose it is almost essential that the antagonists should have established a thorough un- derstanding of the conditions of the competi- tion and this cannot be effectually done except by the oonstant trials of strength which are only practicable in the same country. Oxford and Cam- bridge meet at Putney with a full and detailed appre- hension of the circumstances they will have to encoun- ter, the terms of the competition, and the points on which success or failure depends. They are thus on a level with each other in the elements of the competi- tion, and it is hard for any misunderstanding to arise. But we see in this international regatta that the very class of oarsmen who were to be matched was undetermined; while the circumstances in which the race was rowed, and all the conditions under which it had to be prepared for," were strange and confusing to our men. The change of climate disturbed their training, and they could not well be the same men at Philadelphia as they are on the Thames. Such a contest is at best a mere lottery, and neither side 18 likely to feel that a fair comparison of strength and skill has been made. There are enough of sueh contests in England for all useful purposes and it is quite gratuitous to seek fresh competitions across the Atlantic. In strength and capaoity we are fully convinced that there is little to choose between the Americans and ourselves; and were It not, indeed, for the untoward misapprehensions which have arisen, we should all be very well satisfied that the Americana should have had the pleasure of defeating us."

I THE CLAIMANT Al DARTMOOR. The Birirnnybam Daily Gazette contains the following: —Although a considerable period has elapsed since the claimant to the Tichborne estates was lodged in safe and solitary confinement in the Government establishment at Dartmoor, there are many who still cherish a strong desire to know how the prisoner is undergoing the striking change of circumstances which the result of his tedious trial brought about. Such persons can hardly Imagine that the authorities would allow him an Immunity from the treatment of ordinary criminals; but still there were those who confidently predicted that a term of imprisonment of any description would be rapidly fatal to a person of his bulk. It is by no means singular, therefore, that some curiosity should be evinced as to the effect his punishment has upon him. Beyond an occasional expression of sympathy from his Jidiu A chates, Dr. Kenealy, lamenting the continuous less of flesh which prison discipline has caused, the public have had but little information as to the Claimant's experi- ences at Dartmoor. We are in a position to enlighten them to a certain extent on the subject, and are in- debted for the particulars to a correspondent-bir. George Sage, of Winson Green. While engaged in his usual business avocations a few days back the gentleman in question casually encountered an individual who has unusual opportunities of becoming acquainted with what takes place in the interior of Dartmoor.^ As may be supposed, the Claimant was the all-absorbing topic of conversation, and our corre- spondent elicited a few interesting facts. The convict rises every morning at five o'clock. He then has to dress himself, clean his cell, get his breakfast, wash up the utensils employed therein, and then to be in readi- ness for chapel at a quarter to seven. The service is brief, lasting only about fifteen minates,and should the weather permit, at its conclusion the prisoner is taken out for parade. Before commencing his day's labour, which be is supposed to enter upon at half-paet seven, he has, like the whole of his fellow-conviots, to undergo the operation of searching. We should state that his daily task is to work a sewing machine, at which he has become quite an adept. After working for three- quarters of an hour, he is allowed a quarter of an hour's interval for rest. At the termination of this respite he is summoned to dinner, and confined to his cell until one o'clock. Previous to resuming his task he is again searched, and then works the machine entrusted to him until ten minutes past five. His day's employment is then at an end; he is escorted to his cell, served with tea, and, at a quarter to eight on week nights and an hour earlier on Sundays, he retires to rest. The only privilege he enjoys over other convicts is an extra allowance of a quarter of a pound of bread and an ounce of meat daily, and this concession is stated to be allowed at the special direction of the doctor. It may be of interest to know what his principal daily meal consists of. On Monday he dines upon beef, on Tuesday soup, Wednesday mut- ton, Thursday pudding. Friday soup, Saturday beef, and Sunday cheese. This stern dietary has naturally brought the Olaimant a little nearer to Sir John Cole- ridge's ideal of the real Roger." We hear that his knickerbockers have had to be altered several times, and some significance may be attached to the fact that he is reduced in girth about 17 inches! Yet his general health is stated to be good,althoughhe begins to assume a careworn and haggard appearance. He is uniformly courteous and obedient to the prison officials, and from six to eight marks per day for good conduct fall to his share. By reason of his exemplary behaviour he has lately been promoted, and is now what is termed a second- class prisoner. Should he continue to conform to prison discipline, and conduct himself as heretofore, his sentence will be reduced three months in every'year, so that the entire term of fourteen years will be at an end in about nine years and eleven months; The Claimant appears to be on good terms with everyone around him with the solitary exception of the Catholic priest, to whom he appears to manifest some slight aversion.

A STRANGE STORY OF LOVE AND MURDER. The correspondent of a contemporary at Rome sends a true story of love and murder which has excited great interest in Italy. He writes: "The incident to be narrated happened at Scafati, in the province of Salerno. Those who have visited the celebrated mines of Picstum will doubtless remember Salerno, where all save the spirit of man is divine,' sitting like a once beautiful siren fallen into squalor and decrepi- tude on the shore of its lovely bay. Its people have their dower of beauty yet, and Erminia Langella was among the prettiest girls of the country side. She was the daughter of respectable parents, who had fallen in the world from circumstances something more than comfortable to comparative poverty. This did not, however, prevent a young student of the University of Naples, belonging to her native place, from seeking her love. And Erminia gave him all her heart, in the full conviction that she was giving it for life for better and worse to one who was to bo her husband. Their love-making continued for some time, nourished by the usual oaths and promises of eternal affection on both sides. And the parents and neighbours believed that matters were progressing satisfactorily, and on the most legitimate and proper footing between the young couple. But suddenly one fine day Erminia found to her dismay that her lover was changed towards her that he becama cold, and eventually avoided her society. Much about the same time ugly rumours and insinuations began to be whis- pered about among the neighbours as to the character and conduct of Erminia. Moreover, a terribly sinister interpretation was given to a journey which she un- dertook at that time to Naples. N',r was it long before it was plainly asserted that Erminia Langella had given birth to a ohild in the secrecy afforded by the large city. It was too true. Her seduoer not only abso- lutely refused to perform his promises, but treated his unfortunate victim with the most entire contempt and abandonment. He was utterly deaf to prayers. remon- strances, and at last to threats. The atrocity of his heartless conduct could not have been worse than it was. It was the 15th of last November, and on the following day the young man was to return to his studies at Naples. He was passing the evening before his departure with some friends in a cafe, when he was told that a young man desired to speak with him at the door of the establishment. Supposing it was some acquaintance who wanted him to do some commission at Naples he went to the door, and as he crossed the threshold received two shots from a revolver, which killed him on the spot. The man who had flred them was Erminia, who, driven to despair, had thus avenged the cruel wrong which had been done her. After the usual lapse of time the murderess was brought before the Court of Assize at Salerno. The prosecution seems to have begun by an altogether unfounded and in- famous attempt to show that Erminia had lost her cha- racter prior to her acquaintance with the man who had ruined her. Then the advocate representing the post eivile-i. e., the private interests and feelinga of the parties injured by the act of the accused, which surely ought to find no place in a criminal trial u —sought by his utmost eloquence to aggravate the character and ciroumstances of the deed. Then came the speeoh of the public prosecutor, demanding with all the eloquence he could command the application of the penalty of the law. All wrong this, too! Instead of confining himself to insisting on the stringency of the evidence which proves the facts, and the strictly legal aspect of the deed which has been done, he strives by every art in his power to excite the hatred of the jury against the prisoner, and thus commene8 that debauching of the minds of the jurymen which is pretty sure at a later period of the trial to be turned against him. The orator for the defence follows. And certainly the practice of Italian courts Is calcu. lated to call forth oratorical talent In the profession of the bar to the utmost degree; for the choice of an advocate of proved capacity in this sort is every thing- simply everything-to a prisoner. Never mind the facts. In this case there was not, and eould not have been, the smallest doubt as to the facts. But the case was in every respect one admirably calculated for a display of ad cap tandem eloquence, and Erminia's lawyer was equal to the occasion. Eloquence ad- dressed not to the reasoning faculties, but to the passions, is a common weed in these Southern coun- tries. Well, the trial resulted In a verdict of entire acquittal. Not even, as in the old story of the Cornish jury, 'Sarved un right!' but a verdict on oath of oom- plete acquittal. These are the undisputed facts. The twelve Italian jurymen declare on their solemn oaths that no such deed has been committed. That verdiot, however, was received at Salerno with enthusiastic applause both within and without the court. The public strewed with flowers the path over which Erminia walked in returning from the court to her home. She was told in court, nemine contradieentc, that she had re- covered her honour by the deed which her twelve jury- men had sworn that she had not committed. The magistrates and judges do not seem to have a word to say in repression of the public feeling on the ocoaslon. And the Opmionc, one of the most serious and respect* able papers in Italy, has no word of remark to offer on the verdict."