Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. In the HQtBE QP Lo.RD.s, June 2i, the Game Laws (Scot- land) Amendment as amende.d in Committee, was reported, and, after a short conversation, the Bill was fixed for a third reading. Th„{! other business on the paper having been disposed of, tir Lordships adjourned At the Morning Sitting of the HOUSE OF COMMONS com- mittee was resumed on the Supreme Court of Judicature (Ireland) Bill. On the motion that the preamble be post- poned, a discussion ensued on the general object and scope of the Bill. When this had been brought to a close the first five pauses were agreed to without remark but, on reach- ing the sixth, relating to the appointment of Lord Chancellor of Ireland, Mr. Meldon submitted, as an amendment, that the holder of the office should be a member of the Irish bar of ten years' standing. The Attorney-General for Ireland objected to thus restr Ing the appointment, and reminded lIlr. Meldon that Irish- men had filled the office of Lord Chancellor of England, and that its present occupant was an Irishman. The then divided and negatived the amendment by 'iO0' The County Officers and Courts (Ireland) Bill during the remainder of the sitting. Sir C lay, Mr. Serjeant Sherlock, Mr. Meldor pointing out various objections to the form, and in the end it was read a secoi to be referred to a Select Committee. The Roads and Bridges (Scotland) Bill was formA in order that the amendments which have bt, down may be considered, and the East Indian Loan Bill was brought in and read a first time At the Evening Sitting, Mr. Boord had just risen to call attention to certain Departmental Circulars by which the operation of the Superannuation Act Amendment Act, 1873, has been affected, when an unavailing attempt was made to count out the House. In a few minutes afterwards a second motion was made, and only 38 members being present, the House stood adjourned at 20 minutes past nine o'clock.

AN EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE. ruder the head of the Din of War," the Special Corre- spondent of The Times, writing from Shumla on June 9, says The Turks are certainly an extraordinary people. T will not emWse the<famoiw epithet of Mr. Carlylc, bat t? me they certainly are unknowable. The more one sees in this land the less one understands it. Yesterday I returned here from Varna on my way tc the Danube, where it is thought something is about to happen, and I naturally expected to see some signs of bustle and excitement. The Russians are furiously bombarding certain places, and everybody 'expects that in a few days thousands of souls will fly from human bodies thrashed out like chaff. And what is the attitude of this people? I include Bulgarians and Greeks, for in the matter of stolidity all are nearly on a par. We all know how a Western^ nation would be- have in similar. circumstances. Take the railway Station at Shumla Road for example. It is only 12 miles from Headquarters, six or seven hours from Rustchuk, and three or four from Varna. In any other hands it would be the centre of indescribable activity. Special trains would whisk through it night and day; orderlies would be scampering hither and thither; and I am afraid much bad language would be heard night and day among a crowd of over- worked and flurried officials. Hurry, worry, noise, and bustle—that is what one has witnessed over and over again in wajr. It belongs to the dread- ful business and, indeed, is, I had till yesterday thought, inseparable from it. What, however, was the actual state of things yesterday during the four hours I waited for the. arrival of a luggage train from Kustchuk ? My servant and I Were the only visible human beings, until the Cir- cassian who stands to attention when a train arrives was discovered in a shady corner curled up asleep. The porters were nowhere to be seen. Bees droned in the hot, vibratory air, swallows twittered their little astonishments at seeing two human beings such fools as to be moving about when they might be at rest, and two or three dogs opened one eye at a time with a look of lazy speculation as to what business could possibly bring people to Shumla Road. After a time the station-master, a most intelligent Pole named Zamorski, returned from an excursion to the neighbouring village, and welcomed me back from Varna. I inquired about the expected train, and Mr. Zamorski very civilly asked by telegraph where it was. From the reply received I found there were still two hours to wait, so I had the horses sent out of the sun, while I accepted an invitation to take tea with the station-master. Would it be possible to find a more peaceful picture than that little parlour in Mr. Zamorski's dwelling-house presented on the very brink of such a history-making as we expect ? As my host sat pouring out the tea, with his chubby little daughter standing on his knee trying to stick a large rose in the indulgent father's hair, it was impossible to realize the devilry of war. Gf course we spoke of the oddity of the situation. My friend has been a great many years in Turkey, but he is still an active man, and was there- fore able to appreciate the almost comic view of our occupation and surroundings. How different from what our friends imaging The station-master at Shumla a.nd the correspondent of The Times at the head-quarters of the Turkish Army quietly gossip- ing over bread and butter is, I respectfully sub- mit, yet another view of the already thousand- faced Eastern Question. To while away the time, after tea, we went into the garden, which is about an acre in extent, and ens been reclaimed from the fertile wilderness around by Mr. Zamorski's own hands. It is a microcosm of what this whole land might, could, and should be. It is laid out in a flower and kitchen garden, the former glorious in its blaze of summer beauty, the latter crammed with every fruit and herb which is good for man. The station-master's family is unable to consume the half of what this acre produces, so the rest is given away to people who are too lazy to produce food for themselves. There is absolutely no market. New-laid eggs are five a penny, chickens twopence apiece, and a fat goose sixpence at Shumla. As one walked atnong apricot trees loaded with fast ripening fruit, and saw grapes, plums, apples, almonds, and cherries in such profusion, one ceuld not help getting indignant at the thought that almost the whole of the boundless wealth of this magnificent country is wasted from sheer idleness and stupidity. Will it be credited that the peasants here, who, insensibly enough, almost all keep poultry, iuvariably. throw the feathers away? Administered by Englishmen, what a ParadLe. would Turkey be The Pravady valley, properly drained, would produce food for millions, while now it scarcely provides for hundreds. The wooded heights arc alive with every tort of game, from quaih to cables, from boars deer to hares. Every man is at liberty to take hL gun and knock down what he can, but, as a rub, the rich are too lazy and the poor too timid to enjoy their privileges. A few men go into the woods for hares and on the lakes for fiw, but it may be generally said that the Turks make no use of their vast and teeming game-preserves. An instance of the slovenly and uncertain government of thL and may be found in the fact that there is a gun ta.x of hundred pkstres a year, but nobody kaowr< anybody <'lie ovt r y+id it. "But what would you do if official were to come and dgjjiand aivcsxsI said to in Ergli&hiuan who had used a. gun for a dozen years. why, I should fird threaten to kick the fellow if he weren't off, and then give him <% baksheesh of ten piastres to get rid of him peaceably." It is a strange land indeed. Not far from the station I saw gome men planting vines, and stopped to inquire why each plant was dipped into a bucket before it was put into the ground and watered. The fellows were very civil, but did not know what it was dene for. We always do it that Way don't you, Effendi, do the same in your country?" I told them we grew no grapes in England, at which they looked mildly astonished at our want of sense. God be with you and &cnd you treaty of grapes men!" "May Ir also ji-easrvs [ you, Effendi, and greatly lengthen your days." The grace, dignity, and honesty of the common Turk one never grows tired of admiring. The Pashas have, at least one virtue—some of them read The Times. All the appearance of quiet, however, will not do away with the ghastly fact that we really'are in the midst of war.

THE FIRE AT ST. JOHN'S, NEW BRUNSWICK. St. John, New Brunswick, has been visited with a dreadful misfortune. Almost the entire business portion of the town is destroyed; all the public build- ings and half the private residences are burnt, and 15,000 people, the half of the population, are homeless and destitute. The fire began at 2.30 on Wednes- day afternoon (June 20th) in the Maclaughlin Boiler-Shop, Portland suburb. A strong north- west wind .», ind. and in a .few minutes the —-t "1g"S and lumv — Wenuw stroyed ate tin. for Music, the Dram, Royal Hotels, the New Brunswick, JIOIIUC„ time, and Nova Scotia banks, the Savings Bank, the Victoria school, Grammar school, Trinity, St. An- drew's churches; every newspaper and telegraph office, the City Hall. the Police office, and the Water Commissioners' Office. There is only one bank saved, the British North American. Every wholesale store is burnt, and nearly all the retail stores too. A fierce wind carried the flames in a south and easterly direction, burning everything to the water's edge. Seven persons are known to be killed, and several are missing. The estimated loss is 15,000,000 dols., of which 6,000,000 dols. is covered by insurance. The fire burnt all night. The wind fell after midnight, but the water supply was early ex- hausted, and in the morning the tire burnt itself out, nothing being left in its path to destroy. On Thursday thousands of homeless and despairing people were roaming the streets. Almost the entire stock of pro- visions is destroyed, and a famine is feared.

The American Correspondent of The Times, telegraphing from Philadelphia June 22, sends the following :— Through the fire at St. John's, New Brunswick, 66 lives are believed to have been lost, and about 30 dead bodies have been recovered. The fire extended over 600 acres, or about half of the entire city. It raged all Thursday, and was not got under control on the north and east quarters till evening. Thousands of people had to escape from the southern portion of the city in boats, and many are now on board the vessels in the harbour. Nearly every hotel was burnt. PHILADELPHIA, June 28. The Dominion Government has sent 20,000 dols. to the St. John sufferers, with a large quantity of military stores and tents from Montreal, Halifax and Quebec, Hamilton, Ontario, sends 2,500 dols.; Boston, 5,000 dols.; Philadelphia, 3,500 dols. Toronto, 20,000 dols.; London, Canada, 5,000 dols.; Ottawa, 5,000 dols.; and Sarna, 1,000 dels. Every town in the Dominion is sending contributions. The United States Govern- ment has placed the steamer Galatin at the disposal of Boston merchants to carry a cargo of provisions to the sufferers.

Large contributions in aid of the sufferers from the disastrous fire at St. John's, New Brunswick, are being received in Boston, Halifax, Ottawa, and other places. The fire has been subdued and relief com- mittees have been organised. There is now little danger but that the sufferers will obtain efficient relief. Banks and other establishments are being re-opened.

In a leader upon this sad calamity The Times re- marks :— The destruction of property has been as great as was at first feared, and the loss of life much greater. The business part of the city has been, in fact, almost totally consumed. The flames have swept over the public buildings, hotels, banks schools, and churches, and over so large a number of the private residences that the great bulk of the population of the city has been left homeless. It was on Wednesday afternoon that the Are began. In a few minutes from the fi¡pt outhreak it had already passed beyond control, and in half an hour's time it had spread over several blocks of buildings and was clearly threatening the entire town. The threat has been only too literally fulfilled. All Wednesday night and during the whole of Thursday the flames swept onward, and ceased only when there was nothing left for them to feed upon. The loss is calculated at not less than 15,000 000 dols., and even this estimate, high as it is, gives but an imperfect notion of the calamity. The danger now is from the state of destitution in which the inhabitants of St. John's have been left. They have no food and no shelter. The lives lost during the fire have been about sixty, and it is feared that this terrible total will be largely swelled by the ex- posure and sufferings Which have followed. Relief, we are glad to learn, has been promptly sent from all sides. The telegraph wires have flashed the news abroad, and from other cities of British North America and from the United States food aud money are pouring in. Among the former, Montreal, Halifax, Yarmouth, and Bagnorhave been foremost in lending help. Chicago is making a good return for past favours. Portland lias sent stores of food already, and in Boston, ew York, and Phiiadelphia public meetings have been called and subscription lists opened. We may trust that by this time the worst pinch is over, and that our next news will be of the steps which are being taken to repair the damage done and to raise St. John's from her ruins. Our North American kinsmen are not wont to fold their hands passively in submission to the unkind strokes of fate. Six yellrs ago we had hardly realised that Chicago had been destroyed before we learnt that it had been rebuilt already in grander proportions than ever. It is in such cases as the one before us that the services of the telegraph are most obvious and of the most unmixed vilue. B1!sine" meu complain, with good "reason of the extra trouble it causes them, and of the constant high pres- sure under which it forces them to conduct their affairs. It is a neeessity for them, but it ia one with which they would dispense gladly if they- could think that others would do the same. But to "to John's the telegraph has been indeed use- ful. It has placed the entire resources of the North American continent and, so to say, of the world at the immediate disposal of the inhabitants. Ilelp was on its way to them while their tire was yet burning, aud long before the first new;, of it would other- wise have reached their nearest friends. In peace, as in war, the telegraph informs us at what point reinforcements are needed, and it enables them to be sent instantly. Whether it is a fire in North America or a famine in yhina, the distance of place counts almost for nothing. The same agency which sends on the cry of distress carries back the message of relief. Time and space are almost literally annihilated. Credits are epened and food purchased as easily as if the whole transaction were between near neighbours. The only question which now arisesis in what cases assistance is due. When the debt is recognised it will, we may be sure, be discharged readily. The great Irish Famine was felt to be an affair for individuals as well as for the Government, and from Great Britain and from the United States relief was sent accordingly. A famine in India is not less terrible than this was, but it does not appeal in the same way to the private conscience, and its claims are less listened to. India is somehow thought te be under the special pro- tection of the English Government, and where this is the case aid does not come very promptly from any other quarter. It is not very easy to see on what principle the difference is made. Where self-help is for any reason impossible or insufficient, it would seem that a fair case is made out for charitable help. If a great flood or a great fire happens anywhere in Europe or in the United States, the whole community of nations makes it at once something of a joint affair, and distributes the loss accordingly. It is not merely in aecordance with the extent of human suffering that the wish to relieve is roused or that the relief itself is measured out. Where one part of a nation suiters the first duty thus created is for the national Government. But besides this there is a further duty of somewhat imperfect obligation, and not fixed according to any settled rules. Individuals both at home and at a distance feel it in; cumbellt on them to aid the efforts of Governments. Whether the sentiment is keen or languid, and whether it ever passes into act at all, is and must be very much a matter of accident. If the details of the case are striking, and if the imagination is thus strongly wrought upon, the chances are that the duty of giving help will be more or less generally accepted. St. John's, it is clear, has a good claim on every account, and it is satisfactory to learn with what promptitude it has been acknowledged, and in how exceed- iugly practical a form. We can hardly suppose that the English nation will decline a duty which has been thus readily undertaken by the rest of the Anglo-Saxon family. There is one most unpleasant reflection which the story of the St. John's Are excites. We are reminded once more of a danger to which all cities are exposed, and from which London itself has been pronounced to be by no means free. Within the last six years Chicago has been burnt down twice-once in 1871, and acain jp 1s74 R08ton n" h, as frequent a suIT"- extent. In 1S72 i. news of great COL.. attendant losses of lite has he en the scene. of frth quarters of the city have been t. has been among the foremost in sen. has had her own similar experiences. a.wus nought how far we may venture to presume on our own comparative exemption. We have our fires, of course, frequently enough. Scarcely a day passes without their occurrence in some quarter or another of London. But we have managed to keep them pretty well within bounds and to limit their range of ravage. In some instanrcs of Creat American fires the material3 of the buildings have bcell in fault. Close blocks of houses, constructed principally of wood, have. furnished ti e flames with their natural provender, andhave* been consumed, as a matter of course, almost to the last plank. St. John's has not suffered from the character of its buildings, which have been for the most part solid struc- tures of brick amI stone. The rapid spread of the fire was due in some part.to the timber yards with which the business part of the city abounded, and which supplied the flames with strongholds from which they are not easily to be dis- lodged, and ill great part, too, to the untoward accident of a strong north-west wind, which canied the fire onward until it had swept over the whole city. London is ioo mnch isolated in its parts, and has too great appliances ready at hand, to be 'In danger of quite the same fate as St. John's. But there are many quarters of London in which a dry season, a strong wind, and —what sometimes most inexcusably happens, and what hap- pened, it seems, at St. John's—a failure of water supply might between them cause as great an amount of damage. We should do well to be warned in time by the frequently re- peated experience of others, and to leave nothing to fortune for which we have it as yet in our power to make better and more trustworthy provision.

EARTHQUAKE PHENOMENA AT SEA. The following lettsr, dated Callao, May 23, from Captain George Massey, of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's Royal Mail cteamer John Elder, has been received in xiiver- pool, £ U}d as it relates to the late earthouaku end tidal wave on the rioutli American coast, it is not without interest. Capt Massey says :— Whilst the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's steamer John Elder wa, proceeding north for Valpa- raiso on Wednesday evening, the 9th inst., at 8.20 p.m., in latitude 23.43 S., longitude 70.47 W., being about 23 miles west of Antofagusta, the sea as smooth as a lake, without the slightest warning everybody on board was very much alamed by a oudden trembling i and vibration felt in the ship from stem to stem" osuueed, a& proved afterwards, by the earthouake. Soundings had been taken, and no bottom haidt been found at :0 fathoms. The ship was ing at full speed, but was stopped fully from four to five minutes during the ¡.;lioe", during which time all the passengers on were in the greatest terror and excitement, rushed on deck, believing that the ship had struck on some unknown reef of rocks, such being the unpleasant sensation experienced. The glass face of the engine room clock was shaken out. Besides this great shock there were slight ones felt during the night, and also till 7 a. m. next day. Arriving at Arica at 7.40 a.m, on the 11th inst., we found the San Carlos, a barque, and a brig at anchor, but the pier and buildings on the foreshore were in ruins and partly washed away. The captain of the port informed rfie that they had several mocks of earthquake on Wednesday evening the heaviest one about 8.30 p. m., but which did not do much damage until the tidal wave set in about 4 a.m., destroying and sweeping all the lower part of the town away, tearing up the railway track for about four miles, and making the place one scene of wreck and desolation. Tacna is reported safe."

RUSSIAN PRISONERS IN STAMBOUL. Under date Pera, June 14, a Correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette writes :— The Admiralty Commission has just closed its examination of the seven Russian prisoners who arrived here this morning in the Ismail from Sulina. These are the "net proceeds" of the torpedo affair which took place off that port last week. It had been stated here that the commander of the torpedo ex- pedition was an Englishman, and the unluclty officer was hardly in the harbour before the specials marked him for their own. Interest faded some- "ned out that he was only a Russian to be well-informed, equally interview- His name is rs in the Russian ave an interesting ae unsuccessful attack flotilla is composed of to steam at great speed and The mode of using them is to a few yards of the object of attack, i<v.uich the torpedo at it, steaming away in an direction to avoid being buried under the mass of water thrown up by the explosion. For the attack at Sulina mouth five boats were used, which were towed down from Odessa to within about eight miles distance of anchorage of the Turkish squadron, and then were turned adrift in the darkness of the night to work out their deadly scheme. They made direct for Sulina, and when the hulls of the Tur- kish ironclads loomed in the black distance they steered straight down upon them. They were already within a few yards of their prey when a sudden check was felt, which the men en board the boats could not understand. After a second or two the boat which Puschin commanded, and which led the way, struggled over the hidden obstacle, and Puschin was just pre- paring to launch his torpedo against the iron-clad cor- vette Ijadie, when that vessel opened such an infernal fire that Puschin said it was like hell," and surpassed anything he could have imagimed. What became of the other boats Puschin has no idea. He saw their pro- gress checked like that of his own boat, and then he saw the other ironclads pouring out thunder and lightning upon them. Just at that moment, when he had his torpedo in the water, and was on the very point of propelling it against the Ijadié, a shot from that vessel struck it and it exploded. High aloft in the air rose a column of water, which as it sank back nearly swamped his boat, and put his fires almost out. He tried to steam away, but his machinery was damaged and the boat would not go. There and then accordingly, Putschin scuttled her, and he and his crew, girt with cork belts, threw themselves into the stream amid a hailstorm of shot, both small and great. When the launch sank the firing ceased, and boats were put off from the fleet which picked up Puschin and his crew, and conveyed them on board the Ijadiéf, whence they were transferred to the Ismail and sent to Constan- tinople. The "check" which defeated the Russian scheme was due to a precaution of Hobart Pasha's device. Sentinel boats were placed round the fleet, and between each of these hung a slack rope, forming a cordon all round the squadron. These ropes caught the launches, gave the alarm, and enabled the fleet to open fire in time. In the course of his examination Puschin remarked several times upon the excellent look-out kept onboard the Turkish men-of-war, but for which, as he justly observed, the whole squadron would now have been at the bottom of the sea.

A VERY TERRIBLE TURK. The Vienna Presse publishes the text of a declaration of war sent about 200 years ago by the Sultan Mohamed IV., to the Emperor Leopold I. It runs as follows :— "By the grace of the God that rules in Heaven, we Mola Mohamed, God on Earth, glorious and almighty Emperor of Babylon and of India, of the East and the West, King of all Earthly and Heavenly Kings, Great King of Holy Arabia and Mauritania, born, fame-crowned King of Jerusalem, Master and Lord of the Tomb of the Crucified God of the Infidels, pledge our most sacred word to thee, Cajsar of Rome, and to thee, King of Poland, as also to all your dependents, to the Incendiary of Rome (the Pope), the cardinals, bishops, and all your many- coloured abettors, that we intend to overspread your little territory with war; and that we shall bring with us 13 kings, with 1,300,000 men, infantry and cavalry, and with this army, of which neither you nor your dependants ever had any idea, we will without favour and without pity trample your little lands and those of your dependents under our horses' hoofs, and give them over to fire and sword. Above all things, we command you to await us in your residence, the City of Vienna, in order that we may cut your head off. And do you, little kinglet of Poland, do the same. We will destroy you and all your dependents with murder, robbery, fire, outrage, and plunder, and cause to disappear from the earth the very last of God s creatures who is only a Giaour. We will allow you and the King of the Poles to live until you shall have been convinced that we have fulfilled what is stated above. And this by way of after-relfection. Given in our majestic chief and residence, City of Stamboul, which has 1,659 streets. 90 hospitals, 1,000 baths, 999 wells, 120 squares, 115 public buildings, 486 inns for foreign guests, 1,652 schools, small and great, 1,600 mills, and 4,122 mosques. This great and "strong city occupies a space of four miles, and is adorned with 560 towers. My ancestors took this city by force from the Infidels, after having first outraged and afterwards massacred all its men, women, and children. We will continue to hold this city as a defiance to you, Giaours. Given in the 25th year cf our age, and in the 7th year of our almighty reign. Mola Mohamed." The Vienna journalist might have added that this ridiculous announcement had an issue quite as ridiculous. Mola laid siege to Vienna, but was driven back from it by John Sobieski, King of Poland, and on re-entering Turkey was thrown into prison by his own subjects.—Globe.

WAR VICTIMS. A Correspondent, "H. has sent the following letter to The Times :— Sir,—Your columns on Tuesday morning contained an appeal from Lady Strangford to enable her to send nurses and other help for wounded and sick Turkish soldiers. The appeal enforces itself by the consideration that the applicant herself, having only just returned from the East, proposes to go thither again on this work of charity. It seems ungracious to cavil at an appeal when the sincerity of the applicant is backed by per- sonal effort, risking comfort, health, and even life. But, Sir, do these excellent motives and these lavish sacrifices justify the course they propose to facili- tate? A war is going on between two countries, with both of whom England is at peace. Some of us side in opinion with Russia, some with Turkey. Lady Strangford asks the first to sink party spirit aud imitate the good Samaritan. Others may make a similar request to the second. Practically, of course, neither set of partisans will consent to such proposals, but the philo-Turk who subscribes to Lady Strang- ford's and the Philo-Russian who subscribes to some other person's hospital fund will each do what in him lies to prol(mg a struggle which ought to end as speedily as possible. Neither revolutions nor wars are made with rose- water. It is easy to denounce the cruelty of those who would help neither party. But is not this alleged cruelty the truest mercy? At all events, it is the most honourable policy. Our Government, who can- not be suspected of too much impartiality, issue,. as they are bound, a Proclamation of Neutrality. Being somewhat enforced, they strike Captain Hobart's name from the Navy List. They do only what is the duty of every neutral Power. When the war is ended we shall all do what we can to pour in the oil and the wine, not on one side less than the other. But while 15 any assistance given to either combatant utrality, and is just as unjustifi- freight ships with powder and for the use of Turk or Rus- mch Lady Strangford refers, the scene 01 ri is characteristically laid in Turkish territory, the sufferer is of the same nation with those who did the wrong; the helper being a stranger. Might I ask whether the analogy would not be more accurately followed if she, a good Samaritan of the present, were to search out, I will not say in what country—she knows well were to look for them—those who have suffered God knows what wrongs at the hands of their own countrymen, and have a far better claim to the oil and wine than even the poor Turkish soldier, towards whose necessities she asks us to con- tribute?

THE BISHOP OF MANCHESTER ON WAR. On Sunday evening, a,t a rjeligiou/3 service, held in the Free Trade Hall, :Manter, by Mr. W. Birch, a'merchant o.f that city, the following letter from the Bishop of the diocese was FG&ci "Bishop's Court, Manchester, June 21. "My dear Sir,—If you desire my sympathy, youhave it in the fullest measure in any attempt you may make or have made to open people's eyes to the horrors and the sin of war. There may possibly be cases, as Professor Morley has recently attempted to show in a remark- able sermon, in which war may be the only remedy of some foul or crying wrong, and may be accepted as the lesser of two evils. But modern wars, which have been mostly prompted by greed or jealousy or fear, have rarely had this motive for their justification, or can be regarded by intelligent men as other than rude and barbarous methods of attaining an end. And even Professor Morley allows that Christianity only sanctions war upon the hypo- thesis of a world at discord with herself. In her own world war would be impossible.' As it is the business of preachers of the Gospel to persuade people to realise and live for this higher, better world—the dream of the great evangelical prophet (Isaiah ii., 4), we are certainly on the lines of our duty when we teach our congregations to pray that God would turn the heart of the people that delight in war.'—Yours faithfully in Christ, J. MANCHESTER. W. Birch, jun., Esq." This was the first time, said Mr. Birch, that a Christian minister had formally and openly expressed sympathy with him in his crusade against war.

LETTER-WRITING UNDER ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES. Writing from the Head Quarters of the Turkish Army in Asia, the Special Correspondent of the Daily Xews, under date Karaourgan, May 29, gives the following interesting sketch :— A person fresh from Europe would scarcely venture bevond the door of my present quarters but to me, by contrast, it seems a very palace. As there is just now a total absence of military news, I shall try to give some idea of my surroundings and accommoda- tion. The place is a type of its kind, and every village within a hundred miles exactly resembles it. Karaourgan is situated in a rocky gorge through whiwh flows the torrent-like Chan See. The village occupies the right bank, and elimbs to the summit of the rocky slope some three hundred feet high. Seen from a little distance, it resembles one of those scoria heaps one sees around iron smelting works. Here and there a couple of feet of dry stone wall, and a cave like entrance suggest the possibility of the existence of human dwellings. Between these dwellings the spaces are carpeted with an elastic layer of dung and offal five or six feet thick. Huge un- gainly buffaloes, with bodies like bisons and the eye of an octopus, low and moan, standing mid-leg deep in the filthy paths. Turbaned men are perched here and there like storks on the house-tops—pulling their beards, and giving the whole place a Scriptural appearance. Calves, dogs, and fowl wander promiscuously among the chimney-pots, and now and then a dark-eyed, olive-faced woman comes stealing shyly by, her face half averted from the gaze of the Giaour, partly concealed by the folds of her linen headdress. As the roof-tops have their share of dung and offal as well as the streets, and as their undulations are not more accentuated than the irregularities of the latter, it is well-nigh impossible to distinguish between them. This morning I entered the village, descending the slope of the gorge. I knew from experience the difficulty of confining one's-self to the pathway itself, and kept a careful lookout for chimnies, the only beacons by which one can judge whether he is on a house-top or on a road. While thus vigilantly steering my way and believing that I was going all right, I felt my horse suddenly sink beneath me, and in another instant we were enveloped in a cloud of dust and splinters. We had both fallen through the roof of a homse into an apartment where a family were at breakfast. Over and over again my horse had put his foot through the earthen roof of a house while I believed I was in the middle of the highway. My hand, seen from the outside, is a crude earth-heap. You stoop low, enter the hole-like door, and find your- self in a gloomy interior some forty feet in length. It is divided into two compartments by a low boarded partition four feet high. That next the door is devoted to horses and buffaloes, the inner space affords accommodation to travellers. A little ter- race of beaten earth, six inches above the floor, flanks both sides of the room. It is covered with coarse rush matting, and constitutes a seat by day, bed by night. Two square holes in the roof admit light and air. The diet is eminently simple—honey, milk, and unleavened bread in the form and of the consistency of a shoemaker's apron, with an occasional egg, is all that the larder affords. There is another comestible greatly prized by the in- habitants, but which I could never appreciate. It is called "yaourt." It is thick sour milk, from which the watery portion has been strained. No coffee, no tea, no meat. The absence of meat surprises me, for there are immense heads of buffaloes, oxen, sheep, and goats feeding over pastures I have rarely seen equalled. There is no exportation of cattle, and I find it difficult to explain what is done with the vast surplus of kind. I write this letter lying flat on the "divan." From time to time a melancholy ox walks in and looks at me with large, mournful eyes. A playful buffalo calf is standing beside me, and I have just defeated him in an attempt to place his big, splay, muddy foot in the middle of my paper, as an initiatory step to settle down beside me on the divan. My attention is triply divided—first by my work; secondly, by the cows and playful goats thirdly, by the blackbeetles, who take advantage of an unguarded moment to walk into my inkstand. Then, there is my host, who is essentially a praying man. Not content with the Orthodox prayers four times a day, he takes advantage of every spare moment to repeat his orisons. A pot of water is put on the fire. While it is heating, out comes the praying carpet, and the red-turbaned, blue-trousered man is pros- trating himself with unctuous groans. It is not easy to write under the circumstances; but I do my best. I don't speak Turkish fluently but still I can carry on a conversation in a kind of way. For my host. I am the sole and only source of information as to what is going on at the front. He brings in a select circle of friends of an evening to hear the news. When I tell them that Ardahan has fallen, that Bajasethas long been in the hands of the Muscovs," and that the Giaours are advancing swiftly on the road to Olti and Trebizond, there is a chorus of Mussul- man expressions devoting the said Muscovs" to Shatan," and murmured prayers for the army of true believers. These people seem to pIn their faith to English succour. They will ha.ve it that an English army is advancing to their aid; and the presence of Sir Arthur Kemball and his staff officer confirm them in this belief. To do them justice, they seem to appreciate Englishmen—Englishmen and Hungarians. These two nationalities are for them the embodiment of friendship.

THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE "WARSPITE." The Prince and Princess of Wales, with their sons, Prince Albert Victor and Prince George, went down by water on Thursday, in last week, to the Warspite to open this new training ship of the Marine Society, and to present the prizes won by the boys. The War- spite is an old line-of-battle ship, a. two-decker, once called the Conqueror, and has been fitted up to re- place the former Warspite, which was destroyed by fire two winters ago. She lies off Charlton Pier, at the westernmost end of Woolwich Dockyard. The Prince and Princess left Whitehall Stairs soon after noon in a fast boat of the London Steamboat Company, preceded by the Thames Conservancy boat. Lady Suf- field, the Marquis of Hamilton, Lord Colville of Culross, Captain the Hon. Carr Glyn, R.N., Major Russell, and the Rev. J. Dalton were in attendance. Admiral Sir R. Collinson, Deputy Master of the Trinity-house; Admiral Sir F. Nicholson, Deputy Chairman of the Thames Conservancy Board; and' Captain Felly, R.N., Chairman of the Steamboat Company, accompanied the Royal party. The steamer Victoria followed as an escort. The shipping in the Pool and the Trinity launches at Blackwall were gay with flags; and from many points on shore cheers were raised as the Royal party drew near to Wool- wich. At one o'clock the field-pieces of a battery of artillery, which had taken up position on the south bank of the Thames to the east of the Warspite announced that the Prince's boat was in -eight. The boys had previously manned the bulwarks in honour of the arrival of a number of visitors on the special steamer of the Society, the Duke of Connaught: now they swarmed up the rigging and stood out upon the yards, while a 4 band in the Dockyard played the National Anthem and the shore artillery thun- dereda salute. A guard ofhonourofthe boys, withdrawn cutlasses, and their blue flag won by competition in drill of the Society of Arts, were arrayed at the gang- way, and the Prince and Princess of Wales as they stepped on deck were received by the President of the Society, the Earl of Romney, byLadyRomney, and the members of the committee. They proceeded to the raised poop and witnessed thence the exercises of the boys. At the sound of the trumpet, followed by the shrill whistle of the boatswain, the lads ran aft with the halyards to make sail. They shortened and furled sail at the command of Captain Phipps, and then marched round the ship, 230 strong, to the musicof their own drum and fife band playing "The British Grena- dier." Their big black dog Neptune ran in front, led by a negro boy as black as himself, who was found destitute about the docks and directed to the Marine Society for shelter and instruction. After this there was play with single stick, and then the boys gathered aft, and while three of them held the flags drooping forward the rest sang the late Admiral Davies' hymn, In darkness and in danger, on life's rough troubled sea."—The prizes to the boys having been distributed by the Princess of Wales, all the boys came up to the quarterdeck and were addressed by the Prince of Wales. "My lads/' his lioyal Highness sail, "it has given the Princess and myself the very greatest pleasure and satis- faction to be present here to-day, and to see how admirably well you went through the drill. We sincerely wish you every possible success in the career which is before you, and trust that the obedience and the discipline which have now been inculcated into you, and which you seem so thoroughly to understand, will be your guiding point in the career which is before you. Once more we wish you, the Princess and myself, all success, and tell you how pleased we*tavc .been with what we have &een to-day-' The boys cheered with a, will at the end of these bri sf remarks. A luncheon follc-vf <?, over which the Earl of Romney presided. The Piince of Wales (who was received wfilf cheere), ? AcknowledsUlJ the toast of his health, said :— Lord Romney, Ladies, and Gentlemen,— Allow me to return you all, in the name of the Princess and myself, our most sincere thanks for the kind way in which this toast has been proposed and received. It is almost needless for me to say with what pleasure we have come here to-day on board the Warspite and the interest we take in so excellent an institution as the Marine Society. An institution of this kind, which was founded about 121 years ago, has for its object to take out of the streets of London poor miserable children who have no means ox gainkig their livelihood, who can there learn no good, but would be certain to Ibam much evil, and who by the help of this excellent Society are put 011 board its ship for the purpose of training them for the BoyU and. Mercantile Kavy. This work commends itself most thoroughly and entirely to the interest of the public in general, and from the large assembly which I see here to- day it is evident that they also take a great interest in the welfare of this Society. (Applause.) But in order to show their sympathy in a real and practical form I must ask them If they will contribute to the best of their endeavours to maintain this institution. As most people here no doubt are aware, last year the ship was destroyed by fire. It was a smaller vessel than the present, and the Admiralty have given the Royal Marine Society tnis large vessel, in which there is room for upwards of 100 more boys than there were before in the old ship. M'oney is necessarily required to send out those boys thoroughly prepared for sea. The sum required is no doubt a large one, but even_ a smaller amount that could be collected on this occasion will be most gratiying and pleasing to the noble Presi- dent on my left, who has taken so warm an interest in this Society, and you who give will be gratified when you go home to know that you have done a good, charitable, and useful work. (Applause.) I may mention that the Queen has always taken the greatest interest in this institution—(hear, hear)—and is an annual subscriber of one hundred guineas. I must call your attention to some yellow papers which have been placed before you (a laugh), which are, I think, for the purpose of being filled up with subscriptions. I shall end now by proposing a toast which I know you will all drink most cordially. It is The health of the Earl of Romney, the President of the Marine Society." He is now the fifth Lord Romney who has'been president of the Marine Society, the first one having been elected when this institution was first started. And in proposing his health I drink most cordially success to this Society. I can only hope that it will continue to flourish more and more from year to year. (Continued applause.) Lord Romney, in replying, said he hoped the Marine Society would carry on the work it had continued for over a hundred years. He was happv to be able to announce one subscription, that of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for 100 guineas. 0 The other subscriptions received exceeded £ 2,100. The Fishmongers' and the Grocers' Companies gave £100 each. Dr. Siemens and Mr. Jackson contributed like amounts. After inspecting the 'tween-decks, and expressing great satisfaction with the ordinary arrangements for the special arrangements for the day, their Royal Highnesses returned to town as they had come, in their little steamboat, ornamented with palms and flowers. As the Warspite was left a little after half- past three, the lads stood upon the gunwale and on the yards and sang God Bless the Prince of Wales," the voices of those on the yards striking the ear as a sort of echo which came after the song of the boys below. Cheers given at the end, which were caught up by the people congregated on the boats and wharves around, and the cannon fired a parting salute.

DEATH OF A SPANISH MENDICANT. To be a beggar and to be a poor man are by no means synonymous terms, he who asks alms being not unfrequently richer than the alms-giver (remarks the Evening Standard). So it was, we learn by a Madrid journal, in the case of the blind mendicant, Pedro Verluli, whose sickly face and distorted form had for the past twenty years been familiar to pedestrians in the Puerta del Sol. A fortnight since his wonted place was vacant, and, as he was rather a protigi with certain regular passers-by, I inquiries were made concerning him, which resulted in his being dis- covered dead on some straw in a wretched garret, clasping in his arms a fox that had evidently been starved to death. A few pitiful-hearted individuals subscribed the modest sum necessary for a decent funeral, and blind Pedro would speedily have passed out of men's minds had not a letter been found after- wards in the drawer of the rickety table, which established the double fact that the mendicant died a comparatively rich man, and a grateful one. The paper contained these words:—" I leave all my fortune to M. Carlos, who during twenty years has never failed to bring me his daily mite. My little hoard will be found beneath the straw." In the presence of the proper authorities the straw was examined, and the sum of 2,500 douros (five hundred pounds) brought to light. This was duly handed over to the legatee, whose position is such as to render the unexpected legacy very acceptable.

SELECTED ANECDOTES. TIT FOR TAT.—Lord Berkeley was once dining with Lord Chesterfield in a large party, when it was usual to drink wine until they were mellow. Berkeley was a plain blunt John Bull, and had, whether by design or accident we are not told. shot one <5r two game- keepers, and Chesterfield, under the warmth of wine, said, "Pray, my Lord Berkeley, how long is it since you shot a gamekeeper?"—"Not since you hanged your tutor, my lord was the reply. Lord Chester- field, it is well known, brought Dr. Dodd to trial, in consequence of which he was hanged. A SMART BOY !—Helen Fawcett, the celebrated actress, was one evening dressing for a part, when -u boy attached to the theatre knocked at the door. Please miss, there's a woman at the back, who says she wants two orders to see the play." What is her name ? Go and ask her. I promised no orders." '1 did ask her name, but she said it was no use telling it, because vou didn't know her." Not know her, and she expects orders Has the woman her faculties about her ?" "I think she have, ma'am, for I see her have a bundle tied up in a pocket-handkerchief under her arm." LOOK AT Ciiic.Horace Vernet originated the word chic," used to describe things striking and agree- able, almost as much used in English speaking countries as in France. Vernet had a clever pupil who painted so like his master and drew with such strength and precision that he held him up as an example to all his class of pupils. When a pupil displeased him he would say, "Look at Chic"—that was the name of his favourite-" see how he works do as he does," &c. Chic died young. Vernet felt very badly about it; and when lie went into his studio and looked at the work of other pupils he would fold his hands, cast down hisejtes, and say to himself" ce n'est pas Chic!" EDUCATION.—Bill Dad, the scribe, lately visited a school in San Francisco, and made a speech about as sensible as half that are made on like occasions. He said Young ladies and gentlemen, you are gathered here for the purpose of obtaining an education. Edu- cation consists in being educated to respect education and learning and education. Education teaches us that education comprises all things learned from education. Educate yourselves, and when you have a good education, you wiU bless the day that you acquired a good education." PERSEVERANCE MEETS WITH^ITS OWN REWARD?—An instance of well-merited reward for perseverance was that of a commercial traveller who was expecting a large order from a country tradesman, but arrived in town on a fete day. Finding the shop closed, he inquired as to the whereabouts of the proprietor, and ascertaining that he was attending the fete, about a mile out of town went thither after him. When be arrived there a balloon was just going to ascend, and to his dismay he saw his man stepping into the car. Plucking up courage, however, he stepped forward and asked to be allowed tp ascend. There was room, and he entered the car. In a few moments away went the balloon, and it was not until the little party was well above the tree tops that the enterprising "com- mercial "turned towards his customer with the first remark, "And now, sir, what can I do for you in calicoes!" CatchinL, the humour of the position, and not unwilling to reward such perseverance, the astonished tradesman gave his pursuer as large an order as he could manage, with the excusable proviso that in future he should be allowed to take his pleasure in peace, and that on no account was the traveller to mention the circumstance to his brethren of the road. SHERIDAN AND THE STORY-TELLER.—Those who are in the habit of telling prodigious stories ought to have .¡ memories but, fortunately for the world, their memories are generally short ones. Sheridan used to deal with these mendacious pests in a manner peculiar to himself. He would never allow himself to be out- done by a 'verbal prodigy; whenever a monstrous story was told in his presence, he would outdo it by one of his own coinage, and put the narrator to the blush by afalsehoodr^ore glaring than his own A gentleman in his hearing once related a sporting adventure of his. ™I was fishing one day, say in a certain cold spring full of delicious trout, and soon caught a large mess. But, what was really surprising, not a foot from the cold spring there was one of boiling water, so that when you wanted to cook your fish, all you had to do, after hooking them from the cold spring, was to pop them directly into the boiling. The company all expressed astonishment and incredulity at tins mon- strous assertion, with the exception of Sheridan. "I know," said he, "of a phenomenon yet more surprising. I was fishing one day, when I came to a place where there were three springs. The first was a cold one stocked with fish, the second a boiling spring, and the third a natural fountain of melted butter and parsley. Melted butter and parsley! £ exclaimed the first story-teller; impossible I beg your pardon," said Sheridan, coolly, I believed your story, sir--you are bounu to believe mine, r- Another incident occurred to me," continued the gentleman. 411 was out shooting once, and spied a brace of birds. I was out of shot; but I threw the ramrod into the barrel of my gun, fired, and brought down Ijoth birds." "A more singular occunrence happened to me," retorted Sheridan. "I pro- mised a friend of mine in London half a dozen partridges for dinner on a particular day. I tmd for- gotten my agreement, when I heard the distant horn of the stage coach which was to take my game to London. I rushed into my preserve, and in the hurry of the moment forgot my shot, and left my iron ram- rod in my gun-barrel. I hred at a covey of partridges, killing six, threw them into a hamper and gave them to the coachman. There was the game not only killed, but actually spitted." This audacious narrative effectually'silenced the story-teller. HORACE VERNET? AND THE CO-NNOISSELIL- This great master was once employed to paint a landscape, with a cave and St. Jerome in it. He accordingly painted the landscape, with St. Jerome at the entrance of the cave. When he delivered the picture, the purchaser, who understood nothing of the per- spective, said, "The landscape and .the cave are well enough, but Sc. Jerome is not in the cave. — 1 understand you,:i replied Vernet; I w, j}" He therefore took the painting and made the shaoe darker, so that the saint seemed to sit further in. The buyer took the painting, but it again appeared to him that the saint was not in the cave. Vernet then painted out the figure and gave it to his customer, who seemed perfectly satisfied. Whenever he saw strangers, to whom he showed the picture, he said, Here you "see a picture by Vernet, with St. Jerome in the cave."—' But we cannot see the saint, replied "■he visiter —" Excuse me, gentlemen, answered the possessor," he is there; for I have seen him stand at the entrance, and afterwards lurthwr bicic, a^ia tin therefore quite sure that he is in iu. A HIT AT THE HCBBAKDS.—'Tis night. Through vonder open window the perfume-laden breath of summer is gently stealing. Who are those two beings sleeping so calmly va yonder coucli ? The young wife and'her bosom's lord. Hark! Music soft and sweet as a brother's love breaks upon the sense; it mingles with her dreams, and angel bands are ministering unto her. She wakes. 'Tis but of earth, but oh, how heavenly ShaU she arouse her husband that he too may luxuriate in the circumfusion of harmony? No, he is awake, and she will not break the spell by speak- Wife," (ah he is but a man, and must have sympathy he is not satisfied to enjoy in silence),—■ Yes, dearest."—" I wish you'd throw a pitchcr of w&t&r over th-Jù iellowi how can a ood dof with such a 5 tootin' as that going on*

A SHOWER OF SAND! The Correspondent of The Timet, writing from Rome on June 23, says" Yesterday a cpjuipiis shower of sand fell upon Rome. Carried over from the deserts of Africa, it filled the upper atmosphere like a great cloud, and to such an extent that the sun at four o'clock in the afternoon seemed entirely shorn of its rays, appearing like a pale moon of greenish tint. In some places the sand, mixed with water, fell in little drops of mud. In colour, the sand has a reddish brick tinge, mixed with grain of vegetable pollen. The same atmospheric phenomenon was observed at Naples; but although Vesuvius was in a partial state of eruption, no sand or cinders fell there. Telegrams from Naples to-day report that all yesterday and the day before Vesuvius was emitting great quantities of smoke."

AMERICAN HUMOUR. There is a man in one of the Western States who has moved so often, that whenever a covered waggon comes near his house, his chickens all march up and fall on their backs, and cross their legs, ready to be tied and carried to the next stopping place. The seconds in a late Yankee duel, who, on the first discharge, had nearly been hit by their principals, on reloading and delivering them their weapons, observed, "Perhaps it will be as well for you, gentlemen, the next time, to fire at each other." A German literary man remarks that in America thieves are so scarce that rewards are offered for them. As usual he quotes half the fact, it is after the reward is offered they make themselves scarce. Mr. James Warren of Louisiana was recently married to Miss Angeline Bread of the same State. Having got his Bread, James says he doesn't want any but her. A Yankee in Russia, who was listening to the boasts of some Russians as to the great size of the seals caught on their northern coasts, suddenly exclaimed, Ah, gentlemen, but you should see the 'great seal' of the United States Government! A new recipient of judicial honours in Alabama was reminded, after the argument in a case being tried before him was closed, that he should charge the jury, and rose and said, Gemmen of de jury, I charge you half a dollar a-piece and you must pay it before de case goes on." The capacity of certain phrases to express a great deal is very interesting. A woman who had interred three temporary partakers of her joys and sorrows, and who had married a fourth, when asked if she had another husband, replied haughtily, There is a gentleman who enjoys that uncertain honour at present." A good story is told of a German shoemaker in Utica, who having made a pair of boots for a gentleman of whose financial integrity he had considerable doubt, made the following reply to him when he called for the article :— Derpoots ish not quite done, but der beel ish made out." A Chicago editor received a gold pen for a present from his admirers but he dosen't use it. He says it is not half so handy as his old pair of scissors in getting up editorial articles and leaders. A San Francisco court has recently decided the value of a kiss to be seven hundred dollars, gold. At that figure it wouldn't take a fellow half-an-hour or so to run through with pretty considerable of a fortune, and he'd have nothing let to show for it either. A New York judge having told a lawyer the other day that his mind was made up on the case, and that counsel need not read from a decision of Chief Justice Marshall that he held in his hand, the lawyer replied, "I do not wish to affect your honour's mind by reading the decision, but simply desire to give the members of the bar present an opportunity to see how inferior Chief Justice Marshall was to your honour The judge wilted. In New York, a short time ago, a Western editor was met by a friend, who, taking him affectionately by the hand, exclaimed, I am delighted to see you; how long are you to stay?" "Why, I think," said the editor, "I -shall stay as long as my money lasts." "How disappointed I am," said his friend; I hoped you were going to stay a day or two. A book agent who has retired from active labour upon the hard-earned accumulations of a life of industrious cheek, says that the great secret of his success was that when he went to a house where the female head of the family pre- sented herself he always opened by, I beg your pardon, miss but it was your mother I wanted to see." That always used to get 'em. They not only subscribed for my books themselves, but told me where I could find more customers.

In the HOUSE OF LORDS, June 25, the Earl of Derby stated, in reply to the Earl of Dorchester, that the reports of uncourteous treatment of Colonel Wellesley by the Grand Duke Nicholas were founded on fact, but that the affair was likely to be amicably settled. The Earl of Derby further stated, in answer to Lord Stratheden, that there had been no further correspondence amongst the Powers as to their obligations under the Treaty of Paris, and that the despatches just published sufficiently explained the view of the Government on the latest aspect of Eastern affairs. The Duke of Richmond and Gordon having moved to dis charge the order for considering the Burials Bill, as amended, the Archbishop of Canterbury expressed a hope that, before the question was again blOUght forward, it would receive the earnest consideration of their lordships and of the clergy in that spirit of Christian charity which was the best ornament Of their profession. Lord Harrowby also hoped that the matter would have a satisfactory solution next year, but. added that, after the vote come to by the House upon his clause, it could not be expected that either their lordships or the country would be contented with anything short of the principle then laid down as the basis of a future settlement. Lord Granville regretted the abandonment of the Bill, and reminded the Government that the majority which carried Lord Harrowby's clause had neither a party nor a denominational complexion. The Duke of Richmond and Gordon contended that, in bringing in their Bill, Ministers had fulfilled the pledge they had given, and further observed that if it had gone to the Commons a month ago it would probably have made no advance there up to the present moment. After a few words from Lord Cardwell, the order for the further consideration of the amendments was discharged and the Bill was withdrawn. The other business was disposed of, and their Lordships 4djournerl. In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, there were 24 Questions and 44 Orders of the Day on the paper, and among the questions were several relating to the Inflexible and the general sub- ject of Naval Designs. Mr. A. Egerton, in replying to them, promised to lay on the table official documents illustrating the programme of the Inflexible, but lie said the Admiralty Would not consent to the appointment of a Select Committee on the ship, being perfectly satisfied with her stability and ready to take all the responsibility on itself. He also de- dined to assent to a Select Committee on Naval Designs and mentioned that a model of the Inflexible might be seen at the Admiralty. Mr. Reed, however, informed the House that he had seen the model, and it did not represent the dangers of the ship. Mr. Ashbury gave notice of his inten- tion to move for the correspondence between Mr. Reed and the Admiralty on the subject. In answer to Air. Gourley, the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer said the reply of the Porte to Lord Derby's Despatch on the Suez Canal was delivered to Mr. Layard on the 21st inst. While the Porte assented to the views of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the free passage of neutrals, it declared that it could not permit enemies ship's to have access to it, and it has taken measures to protect the two Entrances. Relying on the assurances of Russia that it was not her intention to blockade the Canal or in any way to interrupt the navigation, the Government did not think it necessary to take any measures for the protection of the Canal. On the order for going into Committee of Supply, Colonel Jervis called attention to the question of the arrears of pay due by Indian Government to officers of the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers, and moved that the papers should be referred to a select committee. The motion was opposed by the Government, but was carried by 145 against 03. On the renewal of the order for supply, Mr. J. Holms raised a discussion upon the state of the army, which lasted some hours. His motion, in favour of facilitating retire- ment into the reserve, was negatived by 207 to Mi. The primary discussions on the order of Supply were pro- longed until twenty minutes to one. Among other topics canvassed were the discontinuance of numerical titles of Regiments, introduced by Colonel Naghten the pay and allowance of Majors of the Royal Artillery (Earl Percy); the case of Militia Quartermaster (Mr. Price); and the injustice of compelling officers to buy and forage their own horses (Captain O'Beirne.) <> The House then went into Committee on the Army Esti- mates, and the vote for Divine Service was agreed to. Some other business was disposed of, and the House djoumed.

A PRAYER FOR THE SULTAN. The following form of prayer was sent to the Constanti- nople journals on Saturday last, and which was ordered to be read in all the churches every Sunday and holy day, by order of the Patriarch of Constantinople :— Prayer for our very serene, very powerful, very merciful, and very "much beloved Emperor and Sovereign Abd-ul-Ifamid Khan, our master-O Lord our God, King of Kings, Master of the Powerful, by Thy providence inexpressible, and Thine extreme goodness, desiring the salvation of mankind, Thou hast established on the earth authorities and powers to serve Thee and to do good, and Thou hast sent kings and princes to punish the wicked and reward those who do well. For this Thine only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, who became man for the salvation of the world, taught men to love God and their neighbour, and commanded us, at the same time, to honour God in Heaven, and kin^a and princes on earth; and to be obedient unto th^m, saying, "Render unto Caesar the things which be Ca^oar's, and unto God the things which be God's." Also, by the mouth of His Holy apostles, has He commanded us to submit ourselves to established powers, and to pray for kings and those exercising authority. Obeying, therefore, the Divine word, we pray at this hour for our 's very respectable Emperor and Sultan Abd-ul- HamId El&n, our master. Grant him health, strength, and a long life-. Render his reign powerful, and fortify his array that it may be victorious over his enemies. Speak to his heart in favour of all the peoples con- £ ded to his paternal solicitude, and enlighten the latter Speak to his heart in favour of all the peoples con- ûaed to his paternal solicitude, and enlighten the latter I so that they may live in fraternal peace and concord one with another, remaining faithful and devoted to the dynasty ruling over them by the Divine will. We pray also for the peace of all the world, for it is Thou who art the author of peace and the giver of all good. Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Amen.

EPITOME OF NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN. The bodies of two children, named Sarah Pullen fifteen, and William Edge, seven years of age, were dis- covered floating in the canal at Chester on Saturday morn- ing. It is supposed that the little fellow accidentally tumbled into the canal, and that the girl in endeavouring to rescue him, also lost her life. Shortly after the mail steamer/between Southsea and Ryde had left the latter place on Saturday night at half- past nine, a gentleman whose name was unknown suddenly jumped overboard. Boats were immediately lowered, but they did not succeed in recovering the body. Pride suffers no pain, and is therefore not suscep- tible to heat; otherwise some of the people commanded to appear at the last State Ball might have preferred a little more ventilation and a little less gas.The World. The report for June of the Agricultural Depart- ment at Washington states that there are better prospects than usual for the wheat crop. The returns from California indicate that only half a full crop will be realized, owing to the deficiency of rain in the winter months. A Scotch witness has recently given an exact and careful answer which ought to be appreciated by lawyers of every land. How far is it between the two farms ?" said the counsel. "By the road its twa miles." "Yes, but on your oath, how far is it as the crow flies ?" "I dinna ken I never was a crow." 44 On Sunday, the 17th June, 1877, Mary Sims, aged 81, for upwards of 50 years a faithful servant and friend in the family of Lord Chancellor Campbell. "-Times' Obituary, June 23. Viscount Sftttdon in distribnting prizes to the boys of the school-ship Conway, in an address to the pupils said that the moment our merchant service began to relax its endeavours to become less scientific and less pushing and less enterprising than in former times, the supremacy of England as a naval power would decline. The watchword of England as a naval nation must be Always forward." England could nut afford to be weak in any particular, and if we were to maintain our position in the great race of the world, every- thing in England must be superior. There are now staying at Southsea twelve young oflicers of the Imperial navy of China, who have come to England fur professional instruction. Their ages vary from seventeen to twenty-six, and they all speak English. After a time spent in preliminary study, six of them will proceed to the Naval College at Greenwich, three will enter the English navy, and the rest will attach themselves to various training schools. A contradiction is given to the reported murder by Biackfeet Indians of the men in charge of the Rocky Moun- tain Camp of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The Archbishop of Canterbury has addressed a letter to his clergy, calling upon them, during the current year, to make collections in aid of the Canterbury Diocesan Educa- tion Society in every parish. The board has distributed during thirty-seven years no less than a7,650, upwards of f,19,000 having been spent in building and enlarging schools. Every portion of the diocese has participated more or less in the society's fund. Considerable agitation has been going on in the town respecting a proposal to increase the capitation fees at Read- ing School. The trustees allege that it is necessary from a financial point of view, but the proposal was almost unani- mouslv rejected at a crowded public meeting of townsmen as contrary to the spirit of the original school scheme, which it is contended, wae established for the benefit of the middle classes. On Monday, however, the Town Council consented to a modification of the proposal, though most of the opponents of the measure left the council chamber m indig- nation. The fear of heavy losses seems to have kept back the Russian Commander from the attempt to cross the Danube. He wants the decision of a Moltke. During the Franco-German war the GermanstrategistRave orders for a certain position to be taken. 'Sir, the officer ventured to suggest;' it will cost a thousand men. It is not a matter of men at all,' Moltke answered. It is a matter of necessity the position must be taken and it was. May fair. A new weekly trade organ is announ ced for publi cation on Saturday, the 7th prox. It is styled Meat and Provision Trades Review, a journal for' salesmen butchers, poulterers, fishmongers, provision merchants, an d graziers. An attempt was made on Saturday night to upset a train on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway near M igan. Ten minutes before the arrival ot the Yorkshire and Man- bester ti-ain for Liverpool at 9.32 a gentleman walking awng the line found an iron bar placed lengthways on the down line to Liverpool, about 150 yards from the Wigan Station. The bar was half a yard long and about the -idth of the metals, and from its position would, it is said, un- doubtedly have thrown the engine and carriages down the embankment if it had not been removed. The Austrian correspondent of a French paper, remarking on the excellence of the Austrian cavalry, calls attention to the number of military races and steeplechases winch now take place in every garrison town in the empire Every brigade of cavalry in the army has its annual race meeting, when prizes given by the Emperor, or by one of the Archdukes, or by the Minister of War, or subscribed for by the officers themselves, are competed for. Her Majesty's yearlings were disposed of on Satur day, at the Royal 'Paddocks, Iiushey Park. Fifteen were sold, the total being 4,650 guineas. A bay fiily loy Blair Ath,ol-Miss Evel-, ii realised the highest price, Ceunt Wcehronowski giving feoo guineas for her. The number of prisoners whipped in gaols and houses of correction in England and >v ales from the 14ti: April. 1871, to the 3bt July, 1876. is shown by a return issued to have been 4,988. The number whipped in Ireland in the same period was 3s, and in Scotland 679. A deputation representing the Irish National Teachers Organization waited on the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer on Saturday, and urged upon him the advisability of providing something in the way of a pension to the teachers in Ireland, either directly or by a system of de- ferred annuities. Sir Stafford Northcote promised due con- sideration to the matter. West Australian pearls are now making their appearance in the London jewellery market. The Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol in speaking at St. Luke's, Chelsea, on the occasion of the amsiversary gathering of the students of the National Society's Training College for Schoolmistresses at Whitelands, alluded to the importance of distinctive religious education, and expressed his opinion that notwithstanding the adventitious advan- tages and longer purse of another system, the Church, so long as she held up a high standard of education, would hold her own. The young people he saw before him had iu their hands the education of the mothers of England, and so long astb were religiously taught none need fear for the future ot the country. Compulsory vaccination has been declared against in Banbury, a ceusus having been taken upon the question with the following result: Against compulsion, 957; for compulsion, 109 neutral, 407. A telegram from Cologne states that in a field near that city the Colorado potato beetle has been discovered in every stage of development. The new railway station at York, acknowledged by competent railway authority to be the largest in the world, was opened on Monday. The new station is not terminal, and trains will run without backing or shunting straight through it Her Majesty the Queen has graciously commanded T ord Aberdare to present the Albert meial to those miners who heroically rescued their fellows frora the fioodtd oalliery at Tynewydd. William Cappe" a pointsman, in the employ of the London and yorth- Western Company, wai walking along tfcr line near Weduesbury, on Monday afj^rnpou. when he was ùckcd down by a goods engine and killed, on the spot. General Grant has written to the Mayor of Birmingham to say that he expects to leave England tem- porarily in the first week in July, but that on his i-etuim in the autumn he will have great pleasure in accepting the invitation of the inhabitants to visit the town. The report that the English Government are to ask Parliament for five millions to be employed for military purposes has caused much stir at voices have been raised in favour expenmD «ul j^ngli&u m^mThe w^theArmy. Othf comsek, however, have prevailed, and for the present we rzmain, after exohang- irw» our English passport* for others m liuisian, signer, and it'1, n Commandant at hcad-^uartor;, I who u> all that is courtwiu and c"dorre- j up undent of The TimCs General Butler is said to have purchased a little farm in Colorado of about 73,000 acres. Miss Neilson has a diamond weighing ty-one carats, and valued at £ 2,000—^6 largest ever worn on any stage in the United State's, they say. The two sons of the Prince of Wales, Princes Albert Victor and George, who are about to join the cadet classes on board the Britannia, will not take up their quarters on the ship, but will have a residence selected lot their use in Dartmouth. There were nineteen wrecks reported during the past week, bringing up the total for the year to 958. The remains of Admiral Rous, better known for his great authority on the Turf than for his naval achievements, though these were well worthy of remembrance, were in- terred in Kensall-green last Saturday. The Prince of Wales., the Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Christian, as well as a considerable number of noblemen and other gentlemen of name, were in attendance to pay a last tribute of respect to the deceased admiral. On the morning of Midsummer Day (says the Bir- mingham Post) there was a rather sharp frost in the neigh- bourhood of Bromsgrove, and the potatoes in some gardens were much cut down by it. At Portsmouth, on Saturday, a little girl, five years of age, was crossing the road near her parents house with a bottle in her hand, when she stumbled against the kerb, and tell. The sudden contact with the pavement smashed the bottle, and one of the fragments of glass was driven violently into the poor child'b chest, producing a wound similar to that of a bayonet thrust. Assistance was promptly pro- cured, but the child bled so profusely that death ensued before any remedies could be attempted. Mayfair publishes a list of the members pf the Society of the Holy Cross, and remarks The list is lengthy, and has a special interest for every town—ai-TW081 every parish in the kingdom." A telegram from New York, dated Monday, says that at Marblehead, in Massachusetts, a great fire has broken out. Upwards of 70 buildings were burnt d<T>vn, and the damage done to property is estimated at 500,Oyy dols. A very brilliant practical joke has been practised with success in the west of Scotland. Two colliers "out for a lark," finding a number of tramps asleep among the kilns at the Motherwell brickworks, teld them they were the proprietors of the works, engaged the men at 22s. a-week each, and set them to work at the furnaces, which were aU aglow and business proceeding briskly when the foreman arrived at six o'clock."—"Isotes from the Isorth," in the Pictorial World. The issue of the new Russian Loan to defray the ex- penses of the war has been announced. It amounts to nearly twenty-eight and a half millions sterling. Advices from America say that the Agricultural Department reports better prospects for wheat, there being indications of a full crop, of which the winter wheat is above the average and the spring below. There are signs of less destruction by grasshoppers than heretofore. I hear from the Ministry of the Interior in Paris that since the 16th of May more than one plot against Marshal MacMahon's life has been discovered. If I read the Marshal's character right, there is nothing more likely to make him remain in office, however great a majority there may be against him in the New Chamber, than the idea that his doing so involves personal danger.—The World. Why should the Russians alone use torpedoes in this war?" (asks the Bucharest Correspondent of The Times). To hear their young naval officers talk, one would think they had invented the destructive engine, and now retain its exclusive use. They are already in imagina- tion blowing up the British Fleet. It is no figure of speech to say that such ideas are in the minds of young Bussian offieers. They not only think such nonsense, but speak it, for great is the folly of inexperienced youth." The average annual value of musical instruments made in Paris during the last six years has been 23,000,000 francs, divided among 368 makers, employing no fewer than 5,0*0 workmen. Paris turns out every year 1,320,000 francs' worth of accordions. Pianos figure for 11,400,000 francs organs, for nearly five millions and a half; wind, wood, and metal instruments, for nearly tour millions; but bowed instruments fer less than half a million.— Musical World. We (Pictorial World) commend the following cut- ting from an American paper te the attention of our spelling reformers as a specimen of what we may come to if we tinker our language about overmuch, it being given as a specimen of the conversation »f Chicago young men Do you abbreve 1" •* Why, cert.; don't you 1" "Bet. I think it splend., don't you?" •'Magnif." "Going to hear Carl Schurz's lec. ?" "No he's n Hayes's Cab., and won't lee. here." Is that pos. ?" Dead cert." It makes no diff. to me, I wasn't going." There is a good story told of the King of Bavaria. Ludwig one day met a soldier with a wooden leg, and asked him when he lost his own? In the war of 1866," was the answer, delivered in rather a gruff tone. D»n't you know me ?" said Wagner's patron. "No, how should I ? replied the disabled son of Mars; You don't go to the wars, and I don't go to the opera." Mr. R. A. Ward, solicitor, of Maidenhead, writes to The Times of Monday:—"An announcement of my sudden death appears in the Obituary in The Times of Satur- day. I trust you will insert in your Monday's edition this letter, stating that I am, thank God, alive and well and that a stupid hoax has been perpetrated. The announce- ment requested that provincial papers would copy it, and I beg to be permitted to ask them to publish this con- tradiction." The celebration of the Pope's jubilee is now con- sidered to be closed. The aggregate value of the offeringE he has received is estimated on good authority, we are told, at 14,000,000 francs. The Berlin correspondent of The Times made a very bad shot on Saturday when he gave it as his matured opinion that the Kussians would not attempt to cross the Danube. Two hours after this unlucky anticipation was printed arrived the telegram that a strong brigade had effected the passage from Brahilow to Isakchi. It is a safe motto never to guess except when you are sure.—The World. On Sunday night the anniversary of General Hoche, the great Republican General of the Revolution and rival of Napoleon I., was celebrated in his native town of Versailles by a banquet, at which a large number of the leading Re- publicans were present. M. Gambetta delivered a powerful speech, reviewing the political situation and pronouncing for the final triumph of the principles of progress advocated and defended by the pacificator of La Vendue. The body of a man, about thirty years of age, was found drowned on the beach at Brighton, opposite the Aquarium, early on Saturday morning by one of the Coast- guard patrol. An inquest was held upon it during the afternoon, but no evidence being forthcoming as to de- ceased's identity or how he came into the water, the investi- gation was adjourned. The body, which was that of a slightly-built individual about 5 feet 6 inches in height, was dressed in a dark-blue suit and flannel shirt, and wore shoes. No money nor property of value was found upon him and he is thought to be a stranger to the town. Between seventy and eighty Sunday excursionists narrowly escaped being drowned in the Tay on Sunday night. They were returning from a pleasure trip to Bell Rock when the steamer struck on a sunken rock off Broughty Ferry and immediately began to fill. The utmost alarm prevailed. Boats were put off from shore and rescued the terrified excursionists. The steamer, which belonged to Shields, remained on the rock full of water. She was going full speed when she struck. An inquest has been held at the "Railway Tavern, Catford-bridge Lewisham, on the body of an old gentleman named Nicholls, who had been a leetureri but who has re- cently been living a retired life at Alexander-terrace, Perry-hill. The deceased was proved by a medical man to have died a natural death, and a verdict to that effect was returned. He was stated to have been a person of some eccentricity, though -of great talents. When his body was discovered in bed Inspector Relf found a loaded pistol, full cocked underneath the pillow. In his will he bequeathed his brains and skull to the president for the time being of the Royal College of Surgeons, for purposes of science. The testator's object was that he might not be buried alive. The Coroner stated that communication had been held with the authoritiep. of the College, and a reply had beenreceived from the president to the effect that they would accept the legacy The Constantinople Correspondent of the Daily News writes :—" Mr. Layard gave a Parliamentary break- fast to several members of the Chamber on Friday last, among the guests being the President of the Chamber and the deputies for Aleppo and Mecca. It is currently reported that only one member present attempted to resist the Ambassador's champagne. Turks have a happy means of evading the religious command which bids them abstain from intoxicating liquors. Bottled beer is called barley water Champagne similarly obtains a name which hides its alcoholic character. While I hear of such a general taking to alcohol on this side of the world, I see that the new President of the United States proposes net to give wine at his entertainments. Perhaps some of your teetotal readers can explain how it is that while the least energetic people in the world are beginning to take to alcohol, the most energetic are proposing to do without it."

THE MARKETS. MARK-LANE.— MOSDAV. Business at Mark-lane to-day has ruled very quiet. There was a thin attendance, and but few transactions occurred. English wheat was in short supply. Sales progressed slowly, at about late rates. With reference to foreign wheat, a full average supply was on offer. The demand was inactive, at about late rates current on Friday. In malting barley very little was doing Grinding remained quiet and weak. Malt sold at previous quotations. Oats were in fan- supply and more request, at late quotations Maize was dull, and not nuntablv altered. Bean* declined to the extent of about Is. per quarterorfthe week, and peas were nominal. The flour Siarket was dull, and country and foreign parcels were weak. METROPOLITAN CATTLE-MARKET.—MONDAY. The cattle trade, although rather quiet, has remained fairly steady. Supplies were moderate. The show of Eng- lish beasts was about up to the average. There was more life in the demand, and prices were fairly forced. The in- quiry ran principally upon the best stock, secondary and in- ferior animals selling rather quietly. The choicest breeds made 6s. 10d. to 66, per Sib. From Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex we received about 1,200, from the Midland and Home counties about 400, and from other parts of England about 300 head. There was a good show of beasts on the foreign side of the market, principally American and Spanish. The tradewas steadv, atabout full prices. The sheep penswere moderatelv well filled. There was a firm inquiry, and the prices realised on Monday last were supported The beat Downt and half-breds sold at 6s. 6d to 6s. Sd. per 81b. Lambs were in moderate request, at 7s. to 8s. Calves and without feature. Coarse and second quality ditto, 5s. to 5s. 6d.; prime large oxen, 6s. &d. to 5s. lOd.; prime Scots, &c., 6s. lOd. to 6s. coarse and inferior sheep, 6s. to 5s. 8d.; second quality ditto, 5s. 10d. to 68. 2d.; prime coarse woolled sheep, 6s. 4<1 to os. oa., prime Southdowns, 6s. 6d. to 6s. 8d. lambs to 8s. j large coarse calves, 5s. to 5s. 8d.; prime small ditto 5s. lOd. to 6s. 4d.; large hogs, 4s. to 4s. 6<1.; neat small porkers, 4s. 6<1. to 5s. per 81b. to sink the offal. METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET.— MOKDAY. With weather not absolutely hot and oppressive, there was a fair demand for meat this morning, and prices were tolerablv Arm. Inferior beef, 3s. to 4s. middling ditto, 4s 4d to 5s prime large ditto, 5s. 2d. to 5s. Sd.; prime small ditto, 5s. to 6s. 6d. veal, 5s. to 5s. 4d.; inferior mutton, 3s. to 4s. middling ditto, 4s. to 5s.; prime ditto, 5s 4d. to 6s. 4d. pork, 4s. to 4s. 6d.; small ditto, 5s. to 5s! 8d. lamb, 6s. 8d. to 7s. 4d. per 81b. by the carcass. HAY. WHITECHAPEL, Saturday, J une 23. -The market to-day for Hay aud Straw w as moderately supplied. There was a quiet trade, and prices for Clover were firm, and rather easier for Hay and Straw. Prime Clover, 100s. to 1'-as. uUerioi, bos. to 955. Prime meadow Ray, 00. to 11, s. Mcnor, to 85. and Straw, .Hs. to 57s. per load. GAME AND POULTRY. Ortolans, Is. 6d. to 3s. Cd.; iw riiffn <*1 to Is.; leverets, 2s. od. to os. oa., raooiLs, V' od to'as conies, Sd.. to lOd.; pigeons, 3d. to ls_. 3d duekliiiffs 2s. 6d. to 5s. goslings, 5s to capou&, <s. 61. ■i to lled. pullets, 6s. ea. to 10=. ed.; chickens, 2s. 6d. tc ."hounche#of venison, 40s. to 70s. each: tore-quarter ditto. Sd. to lOd. per It riLz. i Fresh herrings, :;7, Cd. to ite., roused ditto, 2^5. Cd. to 3Ss. pickled ditto, i-os. to Los. rod to par barrel; kipper ditto. i>i. Či.. to 7s. Cd. hioa'ser dxtso, oi- to Si cd. per W; anofcfti haddocks, 20s. to pct trawl ditto, 12s to 15s.; ditto piaoise, 10». Cd. to 13s..ditto whiting, 12b. to 10s. Gd, per basket. mackerel, 2s. 6d. to to mullet, 4s. to 6s. 6d. lobsters, 8s. &1. to ass. crabs, 5s. to 30s. per dozeu crimped salmon, Is. 91. to 2s. 6d. grnse. ir. to Is. Sd. trout, is. to Is. 2d.; eels, 9d. to is. Id. per lù. POTATOES. To-day there was a moderate supply of potatoes, which changed hands steadily, at the following priceB 1D1 > 140s. to 160s.; Victorias, 120s. to 160s.; rocks, lOOs. to 12Os. Regents, 100s. to 110s. new Jersey, round, laoa. to 200a, ditto kidneys, 220s. to per ton. HOPS. I Business in hops of a limited character, -end pr1..c show no groat change. The market, h, P^f P*? state little while batk, c j^iin dts^r.ptiwn. P auce byjrg quoted at a higher Ieval.