The Cardigan Observer and General Advertiser for the Counties of Cardigan Carmarthen and Pembroke

LONDON CORRESPONDENCE. THE late rowdy demonstration in Hyde-park, which ended in a collision between the rival peace and war fictions, has been followed by a period of comparative quiescence so far as pablic meetings are concerned. The Her her t- Bradlaagh party indeed, oa acoonnt o? their meeting having been broken up before the reso- lutions were put, had it ia contemplation, it was averred, to try their fortune in the tield another time; bat ic is to be hoved that they will think abouj nothing of the kind, as a second demonstration might: lead to a regular pitched battle, with returns of killed and wounded appearing in the papers next day. Judging from the particulars subsequently made known, it is pretty clear that the reporters for the press who were present in Hyde-park on Sunday week must only have had a dim notion of what wa3 going on or of what actually occurred. It was Lieutenant Araait, R.N., honorary secre- tary to the National League, and champion of the war party, who first gave any clear accountof what became of Mr. Auberon Herbert when the poai- tion he and his party occupied was stormed. The reporters enly said he had disappeared; but Lieutenant Armit afterwards, in a letter to the papers, supplied the information that it was through the strenuous exertions of a member cf the league the unfortunate gentleman was saved from a ducking in the Serpentine. This circum- stance eerved to show the extreme lengt hs to which rowdyism can be carried in times of oxoite- ment; and how undesirable it is to hold demon- strations of a kind which can have little effect, one way or another, upon the public opinion that guides both Parliament and the Government. Residents in the vicinity of Hyde park, and people who resort thither for relaxation and fresh air, have also good reason to protest, as some of them have since done, against its being made the ssene of noisy disturbances, especi- ally on a Sunday afternoon, when it ought to be invested with its most peaceful and attractive aspect. One gentleman — who resides at Prince's-gate, and who described himself as having as little sympathy with the rowdies who opposed Mr. Herbert as with those who supported him-made his protest in the name of order and decency, and drew quite a lamentable picture of the spectacle that presented itself when the combatants had cleared off-the grass over a wide stretch of the park trodden into mud, trees torn and broken, and the spring flowers along Park-lane, which are the annual delight of thousands, ruthlessly cut to pieces. Another protester, looking at the matter from a purely personal point of view, was forced to complain loudly of his beds of hya- cinths and tulips, which he had carefully nursed all the winter through, being trampled down and many of them irretrievably mined. But de- monstrators of the blatant class care for none of these things. Mr. Alfred Tennyson, who contributed a sonnet -in which he called March the roaring moon of violets and daffodils "-to the first Dumber of the Nineteenth Century, appears again in the anniversary number of that vigorous publication, this time as the author of "A Ballad of the Fleet," which is written in his best vein, and has in it a fine martial swing and roll. There is, per- haps, some significance in the fact of this ballad oomiag out just at the time when the movements of the British fleet in Turkish waters are attracting so much attention. It may be remembered that Mr. Tennyson's stirring war lyric, beginning with the line" Riflemen, riflemen, riflemen! form!" -written at the time when there were suspicions that the Emperor Napoleon meant to attempt to carry out the invasion of England, which was one of his uncle's ambitious but frustrated sohemes- had a powerful effect in giving an impetus to the volunteer movement that has now provided the country with a splendid army of defence, falling little short of 200,000 men. All who have by heart the" Charge of the Light Brigade" hardly need to be told that the laureate, when his patriotic ardour is roused, is the most martial poet that has appeared in our midst since the death of Thomas Campbell. In Tennyson's "Ballad of the Fleet" there are some fine lines, describing the heaving, swinging, and lashing of a storm at sea, that are masterpieces in the difficult art of adapt- ing sound to sense in which be is acknowledged to exoel. The same week that saw the advent of this last martial ballad of the laureate's also witnessed the marriage of his youngest son, Mr. Lionel Tenny- son, to Miss Eleanor Locker, daughterof Mr. Frede- rick and the late Lady Charlotte Locker, in West- minster Aboey. Oddly enough, on the very day preceding the marriage, there appeared in the Liverpool Daily Albion a contradiction, purporting to have been received from Mr. Lionel Tenny- son, of the alleged forthcoming marriage, accompanied by the remarkable addendum that he and Miss Eleanor Looker were quite strangers to each other I The Liverpool paper had evidently been imposed upon by some one personating Mr. Lionel Tennyson, and its conductors must have felt rather foolish when the ceremony was duly ohronicled asjiaving taken place next day. This incident was about on a par with what seemed semi official denials that Mr. Lowther, late Under Secretary for the Colonies, had been appointed to the Chief Secre- taryship of Ireland when, lo and behold! the appointment was actually made and accepted after all. If the Home Secretary, in the memorable speech he made a few weeks ago, put the matter in a somewhat unparliamentary form when he alleged there was "a lying spirit abroad," he might, at all events, have been perfectly justi- fied in saying that there is a very inventive spirit abroad and aotive in these days. So much so indeed has this become the case, especially with respect to important items of intelli- gence appearing In the evening papers or later editions of the morning papers, that sensible people now wait patiently for authentic confirmation of startling news before it is accepted as true. A good many were inoredulous at first about the announcements that Lord Napier of Magdala had been appointed Commander-in- Chief of a British expeditionary force, and Sir Garnet Wolseley his chief of the staff; but they saw reason to believe at last that it was perfectly true, and only one opinion seemed to prevail that, if this country were to be called upon to fight at all, no better appointments could have been made. For a portion of the expeditionary force (consisting, it is said, of two corps cpQrmee of 80,000 men eaoh) the Observer has hit upon some work by suggesting that, as a precautionary measure, without any declaration of war against Russia being required, it should take up a posi- tion on the Isthmus of Suez by way of keeping open our water highway to India, which is a more sensible thing than keeping open the Dar- danelles. Last summer the same paper made a similar suggestion, and it oommends itself to oommonsense, if an expeditionary force is ever to exist anywhere except on paper. D. G.

JU.y"s COMPOUND ESSJTKCK or Lnraxsn, ademalcent expec- torant, for Coughs SQoldS. Sold everywhere, 9Jd., Is. It LAST Witimx's WBBcxs.-Twenty-two British and foreign wrecks were reported during the past week, making a total of 260 for the present year, or a decrease of 219 as compared with the corresponding week of 1877. The approximate value of the vessels and cargoes was X365,000, including British £ 255,000. Among the number was the fine new Liverpool ship Kents Bank, valued at about £76,000, with her cargo. THE NAVY ESTIMATES.—The estimated cost of the services provided for in the Navy Estimates for the coming year is £ 11,053,901, the net amount, after deducting £ 123,000 for extra receipts and repayments, and £ 70.000 to be contributed by the Indian Govern- ment on account of the expense of the fleet on the India station, being £ 10,860,901. Poi the current year £10,971,829 was voted, so that there is a net increase in the Estimates for the next year of £ 82,072. Compared with the expenditure of 1876-77, however, there is a decrease of £ 258,005. AUXILIARY FORCES AFLOAT.-On its becom- ing known that an offer had been made by the Ounard Line to place a steamer at the disposal of the Admiralty to be fitted as a cruiser for protection of commerce the Liverpool Brigade of Naval Artillery Volunteers came forward and tendered their services, 130 having sent in their names as ready to serve. South port, Bangor, and Carnarvon have all re- sponded in proportion to their numbers, and such willingness to go afloat speaks well for the spirit which pervades this branch of our Auxiliary Forces. -Ármlj and Navy Gazette.

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL. The Muscovite authorities have placed themselves in communication with the Baropean Danube Com- mission to concert measures for romoving the obstacles to the navigation of the river. In spite, however, of this show of active disposition on the part of the Rus- sian functionaries, those on the spot dorot much believe in the immediate riddance of the obstructions, thinking that the actual removal of the sunken ships, torpedoes, and what not will be deferred until all danger of further complication is passed. This very obvious supposition is rather confirmed by the circumstance that the Austrian Danube Navigation Company, in pursuance of the armistice stipulations for the imme- diate re-opening of the river to trade, addressed itself to the Russian authorities in order to know whether it might resume navigation lower down the river, but was informed in return that no instructions had been received to that effect, and that, therefore, the per- mission could not be given. The company, in conse- quence, has applied to the Russian head-quarters. The Bishop of Melbourne writes a long lette- to the Melbourne papers defending theatrical amuse- ments. He says It is sometimes asked, for instance, whether St. Paul would have shown himself at a theatre. No, certainly not at heathen theatres, where the performances were usually connected with heathen worship. But if the question be whether he would have attended a well-conducted theatre in a Christian land, to witness a high-toned performance, then it might as well be asked whether St. Paul would have attended a cricket match, a chess tournament, or a spelling bee. In his circumstances it is very unlikely that he would but it is equally certain that he would have called none of them unlawful. Amusement is necessary for young people, and it would be equally unreasonable to forbid our boys to play at cricket and to require grave divines either to join their sport or condemn it." The bishop concludes by saying that he desires to do something to make the drama what it should be—the handmaid of religion and morality." The mutiny of the soldiers and convicts at the Chilian convict station of Punta Arenas, in the Straits of Magellan, was causing anxiety. The muti- neers were well armed, and had escaped into the interior. It was feared they might attack the Welsh colony of Ohuput. The revolutionary party from Nicaragua which has invaded Oosta Rica is led by Frederico Mora, a telegraph contractor, and Colonel Manuel Arguello, the commandant for Nicaragua at Grenada. They formed a Provisional Government to invade Oosta Rica, with Mora as Provisional Presi- dent, Alvarez Contreras as Minister, and a Spaniard named San Olemente as general of the expedition, with Colonel Arguello as second in command. The Costa Rican Government has proclaimed martial law, and placed the country in a state of siege. The insur- gents heve reached Limon, and thence passed into the interior. Great preparations were being made at San Jose to meet the Revolutionists, and the Government felt confident of success. The Russian Agency declares that the Government knows nothing respecting Poles or persons of other nationalities alleged to have been condemned to death by the Russian military authorities in Roumelia. The allegation, the Agency says, serves the purpose of Russia's enemies in stirring up agitation in England and Austria. The accusers, it adds, should at leaat state the precise names, places, and dates; otherwise their complaints will look like calumnies. At Avignon, where party spirit runs very high, Re- publican banquets celebrating the anniversary of 1848 and an illumination by a Catholic club in honour of the new Pope happened to fall on the same evening. The result was that the Republicans hissed and sang the Marseillaise in front of the club, refusing to disperse at the summons of the Prefect, M. Spuller. brother of the Radical Deputy. He has consequently dissolved one Republican Club, closed another for a week, and closed the Catholic Club for a month, de- claring its illumination an illegal demonstration. Father Hyacinthe has taken up his residence in Paris, where an Old Catholic fortnightly review has for some months been published, and where lectures have lately been delivered by M. L6on Peche, one of his adherents. It has long been known that he was anxious to return here, but though the political situa- tion insures him greater freedom of action than on his visit eleven months ago, it may be foreseen that the Old Catholic movement is not destined to achieve much in France, where even Protestantism cannot gain a hearing from the bulk of those who reject Catholicism. The Moselle brings advices from Panama to the 6th of February. The Panama Star anu Herald, announces that severe shocks of earthquake visited Peru during the last week in January. There was, however, no loss of life. At Iquique, and the adjacent places in the interior, some damage was done, and at Callao, on January 27tb, a formidable tidal wave did con- siderable damage. The following appears in the Cape Argus: The Governor has dismissed the Molteno Ministry. It seems that Sir B n-tle Frere desired to place the whole of the colonial forces within as well as beyond the Kei, with their supply department under Sir Arthur Cunynghame. The Ministers, it is said, refused to agree to this, on the ground that the colony is able and willing to perform the service itself, and that to place the colonial forces and the supplies in the hands of the Imperial authorities would tend to the prolongation of hostilities. It is further said the Governor should not have sent to England for troops without their concurrence, and they respectfully declined to advise his Excellency as to the employment of the military so brought to this country. By doing so they, it is allegei, believed they were keeping the Oape Oolonyfrom being pledged to pay for Imperial forces whose presence was, they considered, unnecessary. It is further alleged that most extraordinary demands were made on the Colonial Government by Sir Arthur Ounynghame; but what these oemands were is not mentioned. However, they were refusal, so far as we can gather. Resistance was first made by some one member of the Cabinet, and on the matters in dispute being referred to his colleagues they unanimously concurred in his views. These were finallv communicated to the Go- vernor about four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, and his Excellency at once dismissed the Ministry. All the members consented to remain in office until their successors were appointed, which will probably be in the course of a few days but in the meantime they are to conduct the business of the country as they may deem beat for the interests of the public. Drought still continues, although rain has fallen in some parts of the colony."

THE IRISH SUNDAY CLOSING BILL.—Mr. J. Lowther received a deputation on Saturday, repre- senting the licensed victuallers, brewers, and dis- tillers of Ireland, who urged objections to the Sunday Closing Bill. The Chief Secretary denied that the bill was in any sense a Government measure, and said that Ministers had only undertaken to find a day for its discussion because the House had repeatedly affirmed its principle. The attitude of the Govern- ment towards it was one of conditional neutrality. NAVAL PROGRAMME FOR THE YEAR.-The principal feature in the naval programme laid down for the year 1878-79 is that four new ironclads are to be commenced at Pembroke, Chatham, and Ports- mouth. In addition to these the torpedo ram still figures in an ostentatious manner, and a considerable provision is made for commencing or completing a considerable number of sloops, schooners, and smaller vessels. A HOBBIBLE TALE.—The Speedwell entered New York on the 12th ult., with six survivors of the crew of the Sallie M. Steeman. These men, after their ship had been damaged by a storm, floated about half under water for a month, and ultimately their provisions ran short. A negro, almost mad from hunger and despair, first tried to kill the captain without success, and subsequently, taking another negro unawares, shot him dead. He then remarked that it was as well to "take advantage of the accident," cut off a portion of the body of the murdered man, cooked and eat it. The rest of the sufferers ultimately followed his example, and described the horrible food to be like mutton. They were saved the next day. EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE OF BRUTALITY — An extraordinary charge of brutality to a boy came before the Lincoln city magistrates. George Clarke an intelligent boy of 13, said his father lived at Wolverhampton, and some four months ago placed him with John Adcock, a sweep, also belonging to Wolverhampton, who travelled about the country in a van. Whilst at Lincoln, on the 18th ult., because of a trifling mishap, by which some sugar became mixed with salt, the prisoner came to the van, heated the poker in the fire, and, compelling tbe boy to strip, beat him about the body with it. The poor little fellow's body was examined by the magis- trates, and, although nine days had elapsed, it presented a shocking appearance, between thirty and forty scars, some of them at least four inches long and half.an-inch wide, being visible. The boy ran away to avoid furtherill-treatment, and whilst staying in the tramp-ward of the Nottingham Work- house attention was directed to his condition. The surgeon of the workhouse certified that the wounds on the boy s body were produced by burns, and not by a whip. It was also shown that the boy had been made climb two chimneys in Lincoln and as James Southam, the man who had compelled him to do so, had not appeared, on being warned by the police, it was resolved to compel his attendance, the prisoner being remanded fer that purpose. HOBNIMAN'S TPA, exceedingly Strong HORNIMAN'S TEA, very delicious. HOENIMAH'S TEA, guaranteed Pure.

A NEW METAl* A lecture has been delivered by Professor Odling at the Royal Institution on the new metal, Gallium." The professor said that the nu i ber of kinds of matter known to chemists, which they have not succeeded in decomposing, but can trace undecowposed through distinct series of combinations is sixty-four. These have been roughly classified into metals, semi-metals, and non-metals, the first class being considerably the j most numerous, and the several classes merging gradually into one another. The latest known of the non-metallic elements is bromine, which was discovered in 1826 by the eminent French chemist, recently deceased, M. Balard. Within the ll'st twenty years, however, five new metallic elements have been discovered, being at the average rate of one new element every four years while some evidence of the identification also of yet a sixth new metallic element has recently been put on record. But the latest known of the fully made out new elements is gallium, which was first recognised by M. I ecoq de Boisbau- dran in the autumn of the year 1875, and so named by him in honour of tiue land of its dis- covery, France. Like its four predecessors made known within the last twenty years, gallium was discovered by the process of spectrum analysis, applied in this instance m a special manner con- trived by the ingenuity of M. de Boiabaudran himself, long eminent as a spectroscopist. The spec- trum of gallium is characterised by two marked violet lines, the less refrangible of them being especially brilliant. Hitherto the new metal has been recog- nised only in certain varieties of zinc-blende, that of Pierrefitte in the Pyrenees having furnished the chief portion of gallium hitherto obtained from any source whatever—nearly half a ton of this ore having been employed by M. do Boisbaudran to furnish the dozen grains or so of metal wherewith he has been able to establish the leading properties of the element. In its appearance gallium manifests a general resemblance to lead, but is not so blue tinted or quite so soft, though it is readily malleable, flexible, and capable of being cut with a knil e. Like lead again, and unlike zinc, gallium is not an easily volatile metal. Unlike lead, however, it acquires only a very slight tarnish on exposure to moist air, and undergoes scarcely any calcination at a red heat. The specific gravity of gallium is a little under six, that of aluminum being 2 6, that of zinc 7-1, and that of lead 114. A most remarkable property of gallium is its low melting- point. It liquefies completely at 86 deg. F., or below the heat of the hand; and, still more curiouslv, when once melted at this temperature, it may be cooled down even to the freezing-point of water without solidifying, and may be kept unchanged in the liquid state for months. Indeed, in the original communication of its discovery to the French Academy, it was described as a new liquid metal, similar to mercury but on touching with a fragment of solid gallium a portion of the liquid metal in this state of so-called sur-fusion it at once solidifies. Unlike lead, again, gallium is a highly crystalline metal, its form being that of a square octa- hedron. In its chemical habitudes the rare element gallium shows the greatest analogy to the abundant element aluminum. In particular it forms a sort of alum not to be distinguished in its appearance from ordinary allum, but containing oxide of gallium in- stead of oxide of alumnium or alumina.

THE SILVER BILL PASSED. The House of Representatives at Washington has passed the Silver Bill over the President's veto by 196 votes against 73. After the House of Representa- tives had passed the Silver Bill over the President's veto, it was transmitted to the Senate, which passed it over the veto by 46 votes against 19. The bill thus becomes law, it having again passed both Houses ot the Legislature by a majority of two-thirds. President Hayes communicated his decision to veto Mr. Bland's Silver Bill in a message to Con- gress. The President therein stated that it had been his earnest desire to concur with Con- gress in the adoption of such measures, tending to increase the silver coinage, as would not im- pair the obligation of contracts either public or private, or injuriously affect the public credit. It was only in the conviction that this bill did not meet these essential requirements that he felt com- pelled to veto it. Mr. Hayes then proceeds to point out the difference in the value of the gold and silver dollar, and reminds Congress of the sales of bonds for gold on the understanding on the part of the purchasers that they would be paid in gold. In view of that fact it might justly be re- garded as a grave breach of faith to pay them in silver. The capital defect in the bill was that it contained no provision protecting persons from the operation of pre-existing debts, in case the coinage of silver which it created should continue of less value than that which was the sole legal tender when they were contracted. The silver dollar should be made a legal tender only at market value. The standard value could not be changed without the consent of both con- tracting parties. National promises should be kept with unflinching fidelity, and he (the President) could not sign a bill which, in his judg- ment, authorised the violation of sacred obligations. The obligation of public faith transcended all questions of profit, or public advantage, and the unquestionable maintenance of the public faith should ever be carefully gua-ded by the Execu- tive, by Congress, and by the people of the United States. It was his firm conviction that if the country was to be benefited by the silver coinage, it could be done only by the issue of dollars of full value, which would defraud no man. A currency Worth less than it purported to be would in the end defraud not only the creditors, but all engaged in legitimate business, and most assuredly the daily labourer. The following is the text of the Bland Silver Bill in its amended form. The paragraph within paren- theses was the conclusion of the bill when first re- ported to the Senate. That paragraph was subse- quently struck out, and the new matter which follows introduced in italics: "An Act to authorise the free coinage of the standard silver dollar, and to restore its legal-tender character. "Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Re- presentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That there shall be coined at the several Mints of the United States, silver dollars of the weight of four hun- dred and twelve and a half grains Troy of standard silver, as provided in the Act of January 18,1837, on which shall be the devices and superscriptions pro- vided by said Act, which coins, together with all silver dollars heretofore coined by the United States of like weight and fineness, shall be a legal tender, at their., nominal value, for all debts and dues, public and private, except where otherwise provided by contract (and any owner of silver bullion may deposit the same at any United States coinage mint or assay office, to be coined into such dollars for his benefit upon the same terms and conditions as gold bullion is deposited for coinage under existing laws). And the Secretary of the Treasury is authorised and directed, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated to purchase from time to time silver bullion, at the market price thereof, not less than two million dollars per month, nor more than four million dollars per month, and cause the same to be coined into such dollars. And any gain or seignorage arising from this coinage shall be accounted for and paid into the Treasury as provided under existing laws, relative to the subsidiary coinage. Provided that the amount of money at any one time invested in such silver bullion, exclusive of such resulting coin, shall not exceed fiye million dollars. Sec. 2. AU Acts and parts of Acts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed. "Passed the House of Representatives, November 5, 1877."

KAY'S COMPOUND ESSENCE or LINSEED,for Colds & Coughs cures 9 oases out of 10. Sold everywhere. 9td., is. Hd. A DESPAIRING TAILOR.—A journeyman tailor named Smith was charged at the Bow-street Police- court, London, with having attempted to poison hisson, three years of age. Theprisoner, who was stated to be in a depressed condition, bordering on delirium, tremens declared when taken into custody that his wife wag in the hospital, that he had had a deal of trouble, and he thought it best to put his child out of this world of misery." He was remanded for a week, in order that it might be seen how the boy went on at the hospital. SHIPPING DISASTERS.—-The Dutoh schooner Elizabeth Olonsterbor, of Weiden, 200 tons, from Falmouth to Liverpool, with beans, Jacob Meller master, was wrecked off the Anglesea coast, near Rhosneiger, and the captain and five of the crew were drowned. The weather was very thick, and the wind was blowing freshly from WNW. The lights of the schooner were seen about three o'clock by Chief Boat- man WilliamB of the Coastguard, and rockets were fired to keep her off, one rocket which broke over her being the first intimation that the steersman, the only man saved, had of the danger. An hour later her lights were visible and she was on a rock about a quarter of a mile to the westward. As the rocket apparatus could not be used at the distance, the crew of the Mrs. Lingham life-boat at Rhosneiger were called out and the life- boat was despatched. Whila they were still some distance from the wrecked vessel she was seen to founder. One of the hands, named Deering, Waa rescued half dead from the rocks, where he had drifted on a piece "f timber, and he was the oply man saved The vessel is entirely broken up —The North German barque Swinemunde, bound from Pillau to Falmouth, with a cargo of wheat, has gone ashore at Thornev Station, near Selsey, Sussex, and is likely to become a total wreck. The crew of ten men were saved by the Selsey life-boat of the National Life-boat Institution.

ENGLISH VISITORS A$SAN FRAN- 1 CISCO. f- v.; Grace Greenwood sends to tjie New York Times ] an account of a recent visit to San FMmciacQ. where she was the guest of ex-Governor Stanford. a While there, she says: A distinguished party of English tourists, Mr. Ohilders and daughter and the Hon. Mr. Vivian. M.P., and Mrs. Vivian, arrived from the east, bringing letters to Mr, Stanford. He took an oppor- tunity 0f treating hi*, visitors: to a Chinese lunch at the best Chinese restaurant. We could have imagined ourselves in Hong Kong. Nothing American or English met the eye. Chinese childreu came about us, offering their small, shapely hands with that quiet air or familiarity and equality, join3d to a suave and exquisite politeness, peculiar to their strange race. It was not necessary to glance at J&tir quaint little wooden shoes and their quainter little pigtails to see that they were' utter little aliens and interlopers, with no business to,be on this freedom- favoured and gospel-blessed Continent, patented for evar, by nature ahd Divine Providence, to the Anglo- Saxon race. The banquet consisted of about a dozen courses, all purely Chinese, and we made a gallant charge upon the first two. Mr. Childers, and Mr. Vivian, bearing in mind that England ex- pects every man to do his duty,' never flinched under the fearful ordeal, and the English ladies were not far behind them, and bore up' and on pluckily and smilingly." One diabolical dainty of painted dough, done up in the form of pears, even Mrs. Vivian declined. At the last we had tea, which was tea." "In the evenicg Mr. Stanford, Mr. Ohilders, and Mr. Vivian, accompanied by a police officer, went through the lowest gambling houses and Opium dens in the Chinese quarter. They Baw, of course, a great deal of desperate gambling and not a few wretched creatures in the various stages of opium intoxication and ecstasy, but wit- nessed no violence, no quarrelling, no confusion. Snch order, quiet, and good humour in the midst of such abandonment to vice was a marvel to the Eng- lish strangers, and they were even more astonished when told by their guide that only four or five police- men were required to keep. a population of 40,000 Mongolian heathen in order." [

SCENE AT A POOR-LAW INQUIRY. Captain Hamilton, poor-law inspector, held an inquiry at Waterford as to a petition of the Town Council to obtain an additional loan of £15,000, in addition to the j?50,000 already advanced, so as to enable them to complete the new waterworks. In the course of the inquiry Alderman Bedmond, rising, said: There is a great loss of time. You will not get finished this week, captain. Mr. Allen (jumping up excitedly) I call en you captain, to put thif man (Alderman Redmond) out of the room. He is a perfect nuisance. Alderman Redmond: Don't mind this man; he is Mr. Fisher's cat's paw. (Cries of Oh oh. or) Captain Hamilton: Gentlemen, gentlemen!— Mr. Allen (very excitedly, facing Alderman Redmond, and striking & thoroughly pugilistic attitude): If you say that again, I will give you a clout in the mouth. Oaptain Hamilton: I cannot allow such conduct. Alderman Redmond: Don't mind him. Mr. Allen: You are a nuisance and an imposition on the city. Alderman Redmond: What are you ? Captain Hamilton again appealed to both to resume their seats but they did not heed him. Alderman Bedmond: He (Mr. Allen) is always kicking up ob- struction. Mr. Allen: I'll put up with none of your nonsense. Alderman Redmond: Oh, don't mind him. (Laughter.) Mr. Allen: 111 mind you very soon. I'll make you eat humble pie, like Johnny Blake. (Laughter, and cries of c. Oh, oh.") Oaptain Hamil- ton: I again must request you to desist. This lan- guage is most unbecoming. Alderman Redmond (chaffingly): You are not in the dark room now (the observation referring to some election revelations made during the hearing of the petition of Mr. Bernal Osborne against Sir Henry Barron). Mr. Allen (greatly excited): I would rather meet you in a clear room any day. I am ready for you any time, in the light or. dark. Oaptain Hamilton having get order restored, the inquiry proceeded. <.

THE DuKE OF SOTHKBLANB.— In the Court of Session, Edinburgh, a petition-has been presented by the Duke of Sutherland for authority to disentail the Sutherland Estate, and it mentions that the fluke bas obtained the consent of the heir apparent, the, lfirqui-i of Stafford, the Duchess pf Sutherland, Countess of an Oromarty, and her husband. Tbe d nke, in another petition to this Court, asks authorIty to disentail the estate of Cromarty, to which the heir, Viscount Tarbert, has consented.. The petitions will shortly be con- sidered by the Court THE Sussex Daily News states that two more of the Rev. A. Wagner's curates at Brighton have announced their intention of joining the Roman Catholic Church. Their names are the Rev. J. J- Greene, priest in charge of St. Bartholomew's Churcbt and the Rev. P. Fletcher. Both clergymen have re- tired to a Roman Catholic retreat to prepare for their reception. Mr. Henry Farmer, the organist of the church, has already seceded. CoAauLUfE.—The best cement for Broken Articles.6d., Is. 8s, Postage 2d. Kay Bros., Stoekport Sold everywhere. A G.LRLSlloME.-At Bromley-le-Bow a Girls Institute and Home has been opened, which has been formed with the object of providing useful and jm- proving places of evening resort for girls who are employed in factories and workshops in the metropolis- These, estimated at 30,000 in number, have, it stated, no regular home. Later in the day there was a public meeting at the Cannon-street Hotel, the Earl of Shaftesbury presicing. The treasurer, Mr. J- Vanner, announced that X600 had been received towards the furtherance of the object which the promoters had in view.. THB MAN who enters into the enterprise of Manufacturing ASrated Drinks, in any district where they are required, renders a real service to the public, and no business offers him a better return for a comparatively small outlay. To those who propose investing in this lucrative business, the nrst object to ascertains where snob u district exists, the next for success is to have the proper Machines and ApPli- jpces for producing the different Waters.in the best co»di" tion;—Catalogue and all information sent upon receipt six stamps to Barnett, Son, and Poster, 21A Forston- street, HoTton, London, N. ..THE CLBVBLAND IRON TBADE.—A meeting- of employers in the Cleveland afid North Or Eng- land manufactured iron trade has been held. It was resolved to demand a reduction on puddlers' wages of 10 per cent, on th& present rate of 8s. 3d. per ton, and 17 t per cent, in the wages of shinglers, rollers, and certain other classes of labourers in plate and other mills. It was also decided that pidie money should be discontinued. # These redactions will be subject to •rbitration, to which all wages questions in the trade a*!S submitted.. _BEBLIN WOOLS and GEBBtAN NBEDt^WOHK. The above a*f imported direct by M. LSADBR, 9; N** 1*H-TAJU>, SHOBKDITCH, LOKDOH, &0.T; FRYW» %-boir pfice lists Are "sent, Oh application; of every descrip tion of fancy wools, canvas. filoselle. Ac. EITECTIVB VOLUNTEERS. — Speaking at a volunteer dinner at Oolchester, Co}onel Learmonth, M.P. Yortbe borough, called attention to the fact that the total number of enrolled volunteers in Great Britain in November, 1877, was 193,026, of whom 182,510 were efficient. In 1863 the total number of enrolled volunteers was 162,935, of whom only 113,511 were efficient. It should also be borne in mind that the standard of efficiency in 1877 was far higher than in 1863. The only thing now wanting to make the volunteers a thoroughly satisfactory force was some system of transport. KKATING'B OOUGH LOZKNGKB contain no Opium, Morphia, nor any violent drug. It is the most effective remedy known to the Medical Pro- fession in the cure of Oceans, ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS -one Lozenge alone relieves. Sold by all ObemlB in Boxes. Is. Ud. and 28. 9iL each THE POPE.-The Pro-Minister of State at the Vatican has sent the following reply to the telfgrava of congratulation on the election of Pope Leo XTII., sent by Mr. O'Olery, M.P > on the part of the Irish Catholic members: The Holy Father has received with special gratification the felicitations and good wishes of the Irish Catholic members of the Parlia- ment of Great Britain and Ireland. His Holiness returns them his heartfelt thanks, and bestows from the bottom of his heart his benediction on each one of them and on Ireland their country.—p. LASAGNI, Pro- Minister of State." WBI«HT,8 COAL TAB SOAP (Sapo Corboniji Determent), Antiseptic, Detergent rDiM £ W<!tfnk The most healthful, atrreeable, and refreshing Toilet Soap in the world. By its daily use, freedom from infections diseases is secured the complexion improved; pimples, blotches and roughness removed and the skin made clear, smooth, and lustrous Cf In oar hamda it has proved mwst effective in skin diseases: The Lancet. 11 It is the only true aittiseptic soap." British Medical Journal. In Tablets, 6d. and is. each of all Chemist8- W. V. WEH" «ind Co.. Southwark-strreet. London. POST OFFICE TEI-EGBAPH SEBVICE.—A Par- liamentary paper has been printed by order of the House of Commons, showing the gross amount re- ceived, and the gross amount expended in respect of the telegraph service from the date of the transfer of the telegraphs to the State, to the 31st of March, 1877. The total amount received by the Post Office from the year 1870 to the year ending the 31st of March, 1877, was £7,.wo,228, and the total amount expended within the same period was £6,358,198, thus leaving a balance of £1,042,030 to meet interest on stock j' created on account of the telegraph service and the redemption of debt. HAVE IT IN YOUR HOUSE LAMPLOUGll'S PYRETIC SALINE—and use no other. The only safe anti dote in Fevers, Eruptive -Affections, Sea or Bilious Sickness, Small-pox, and Headache; having peculiar and exclusive merits. Use no substitute. See per- petual injunction against imitators; also the unani mous judgment before the Lords Justices Bramwell, Brett, and Cotton, 22nd Jan., 1878, in Lamplough's favour. 113 Holborn-hill, London.

THE EASTERN QUESTION. SAN STEFANO. The special correspondent of the Times at San I Stefano says: On the seaward verge ot the bare un- dulating wild that droops in lessening billows upon the Marmora, the once poor and shabby little fishing village of San Stefano has grown of recent years into a smart and jaunty-looking suburb, the samner resort of the cockneys ef Constantinople. In the hot months it gathers to it the Greeks and Armenians of the lower middle class to enjoy its beach, its bathing, ,its cafes on tho spa, and the adjacent tea gardens in the bosquet of Floria. Socially it is the iGravesend of Constantinople. Latterly a few well-built houses have given a varnish of re- 1 spectability to the appearance of the place, but otherwise it is a mere ktot of iil-coade dills' houses, whose crooked walls are all ablaze with glare of blue and red and yellow paint. In summer it looks cheerful enough lighted up by sunshine, especially on holidays, when it harbours troops of pleasure seekers. But in winter it is a doleful spot, desert and damp in its seat among reedy tarns and dreary brickfields, plashy and pool-pitted. Mariners know Stiti Stefano by its hgbt.house; the great far-shining beacon whose light meets that on Marmora Island, forty miles away. Sportsmen know San Ste- fano by the flights of quails attracted to its spreading uplands in the late summer. Otherwise until now obscurity has been its lot. Now it is to become historically famous, as Dardanus became famous when Sulla signed peace there with Mithri- dates. The Mithridates of the preeent peace is not, be it remarked, enchanted with the arrangement. I take it that their last ordained retreat, which doubles back the Turkish line from Yarin Bourgas at an ob- tuse angle, so as to open San Stefano to the Russian advance, has been as bitter as any of the bitter pills which the Ottoman army has had to swallow in its defeat. • AUSTRIA AND RUSSIA. It 13 believed in Paris that Prince Bismarck is making great efforts to remove the difficulties between Austria and Russia. The Chancellor thinks that when once Austria is appeased it will be more easy to bring England to an understanding with Russia. In his opinion, either the idea of a Conference must be abandoned or it muat only be held in order to arrive at a durable peace, and peace, be thinks, cannot be durable unless all. legitimate in- terests are satisfied in the ultimate settlement. Ac- cording to this idea, the Conference would have to be composed especially of copartaqeants. It. is doubt- ful if this is really the. theory of the Chancellor whether he can realise tt. There are certainly at this moment Powers which would on no account abandon their liberty of judgment and action in exchange for any territorial or maritime compensation. It is never. theless probable that if the Chancellor's intervention succeeds in removing the difficulties between Austria and Russia the Conference will meet, because neither England, France, nor Italy would be opposed to it from prejudice and d, priori. A PERILOUS PAUSE. The Daily News special correspondent, writing from San Stefano, savs I left Adrianople with the head- quarters staff. It was a beautiful day. Everybody was in the best spinm, delighted at the exchange of the muddy streets of Adrianople for the pretty village of San Stefano, on the shores of the Marmora. Our gaiety seemed almost misplaced, considering the gravity of the step we were taking. We arrived at Tcbafcaldja about six in the evening. Here General Skobeleff's corps and part of the Guards were drawn up to receive the Grand Duke. He reviewed them, and found the troops, having had a rest, in excellent con- dition; but when on the point of continuing the journey, he was accosted by Tahir Bey, the Turkish officer appointed for regulating tbo lines of delimita- tion, who for some days bad been at Skobeleff's head- quarters. Tahir said that Mukhtar Pasha had no orders to withdraw his troops from Kutcbuk Tchek- medje. He could not, therefore, allow the Russian troops to occupy these positions, nor to go to San Stefano. This was news indeed, and of the most serious nature. The Turks were refusing to do what they had agreed upon, and were stopping the Grand Duke after allowing him to come as far as Tcha- taldja. Had the Turks held out there could have been only one result-the assault of the Turkish positions next morning at daybreak. The moment was an exciting one, and for a couple of hours we seemed again on the brink of war. The telegraph was set going, but nothing seemed to come of it, for finally the Grand Duke grew very angry and indignant. He thought he was being trifled with. The spirit of his father rose within him, and as he walked up, his resemblance to the JjSmperor Nicholas just then was striking, and it was still more evident when he called Tahir Bey. and said to him with an energy that made the latter tremble, Go, and tell Mukbtar Pasha that when I give an order he must obey it, and at once, or it will be the worse for him. Go." e There was a dead silence for a moment. Everybody felt the gravrty of the situation. Tahir withdrew pre cipitately, sprang upon a locomotive, and in a moment iro,u^k darkness down over the line to utc uk Tcheknaedje as faBt as steam could carry f* W!LS n,ow known by all the officers present that unless the Turks abandoned the positions instantly they J attacked at daylight. The situation was con- sidered very critical. Peace was trembling in the balance, and yet there is not the slightest desire ex- pressed at head quarters for the continuance of the war under any circumstances whatever. Mr. Gladstone seems to fear the danger of the army escaping from the control of cooler heads at p ^ere is not the slightest danger or this. There has not been a move without orders. The aversion of the Grand Duke for the continuation of the war was shown in a somewhat amusing way. While waiting for the result of JLahirs mission ihe question of what was going to happen was criticised in an animated manner. The Grand Duke, who was excited and indignant at the situation, asked Skobeleff, it is said what he thought v- u i_ latter, with the reckless indifference which characterises him, replied, to %htrEngC»m0n8eigneUr'1 thiDk W 8baU hRVe n"Srr»biit you are a madman," exclaimed the u-rana jjuke in a half-angry manner, turning from him, and spitting as every Russian peasant spits when 8? J- Xl?^ P*ea8es him. It is the highest expression ofdispeasureoranger. inaily, after two hours, news came that the posi- tions were being evacuated by Mukhtar, and that the Russians were marching in. At midnight the train was again m motion, and at two o'clock on Sunday morning the Grand Duke was in San Stefano. The LU Tchekmedje was abandoned completely by Mukhtar, who is now behind the little creek that emptieø itøell into the Marmora, half way between San Stefapo and Jeni Kulle THfiT PROPOSED CONFERENCE. jJ^n.na correspondent, dating March 3rd, says: 1 e ecision about the Conference is still pending. k \Lf Ji*8!.1011 Baden-Baden has again been o j tea to, that Russia now manifests a predilection for Berlin, and that in the Prussian capital there is not so much objection to this as previously— °~i er as if things were going back- wa instead of forward; while the delays that nave occurred and are still occurring merely con- flrm the impression that nothing is likely to be defi- ° f-i as to the meeting of the Powers frS. J^face Russia and Turkey is concluded. eJp Pourparlers, too, seem to be looked upon 1- °eefu% ^an a few days ago. The chief cause of this appears to be that Russia is not much inclined to say anything positive about the concessions she might eventually make, which is all the more awkward as the exact conditions asked by her from Turkey are not Yet even known. In such circumstances, there- fore, it is not surprising if the pourparlers have not made much progress. OF THE TREATY OF PEACE. e,-UaUy Chronicle says:—Our Vienna cor respondent telegraphs that the peace is i40 have been signed at Pera, in the hote of the Russian Embassy, but as this intelligence lacks confirmation, he trusts to a private telegram from Pera itself, which states that the treaty was signed at San Stefano. This view is borne out by a Reuter's telegram. The mere fact of the treaty being concluded, however, between Russia wu "7 ey».will not be of any great importance, wnat we chiefly desire to know are the terms of that important document, which will yet have to be re- viseo, amended, and altered in accordance with the general views of the European Powers. At the last moment it seems that Austria, under the auspices of Oount Andrassy, is quite prepared to make matters pleasant with Russia through the kind me- dIatIon of Germany. No doubt is apparent that the whole matter has been from the ?°T^T^nfelnen^. a foregone conclusion. We are I- 8t"a kas so far complied with Germany's eon ent'al statements that she has now entirely reo?wB r i(*ea of makin £ preparations for war ..881a, even if the latter should refuse to F to Austria's remonstrances regarding some )f the most essential clauses of the preliminaries • peace. Unless Russia accedes to Austria's I wishes, it is understood that the latter Power, in öhe most friendly manner possible, will occupy Bosnia and the Herzegovina with Russia's approval md consent; though why Russia's sanction to such 1 measure should be required is incomprehensible. Anyhow, it seems that Austria is about to proceed in his direction, though greatly to the displeasure >r the Hungarian Delegation, which, it is stated, has firmly resolved to refuse to Count Andrassy any vote of (confidence or credit which would tend to further the design of partitioning the Turkish Empire. We are afraid, however, that the Hunga rians will be unsuccessful in their views, which are rather too warlike to suit sensible people. Any- how, we have a pretty clear indication of Austrian policy in this great crisis of the affairs of Europe. Austria has been sounded, and the arrangements in progress, no matter of what com- plexion they may be, are ail intended to bear on the same result—namely, that Russia, for the moment, shall have her way, though in a modified manner. But this fatal renunciation of Austria's rights will be in time her owu doom, when Russia and Germany will be supreme. The times of the 4th indt. says: Lord Derby's statement in the House of Lordsl was to the effect that the conditions do not include the surrender of the Turkish fleet to Russia, and he added that the amount of the war indemnity has been redu ced fro m £ '40,000,000 to X12,000,000, and, further, that the Egyptian tribute has notbeen pledged for paying it. Our correspon- dent at St. Petersburg adds to this imperfect news a few facts of importance. The cfded territory in Asia Minor includes Batoum, Kars, and Bayazid, but not Erzeroum. In Europe the southern boundary of Bulgaria is not accurately defined, but the line' is to be drawn somewhere to the north of Adrianople and Salonica. The amount of the war indemnity is given by our correspondent at 100,000,000 -roubles—that is to say, at about the same sum at which Lord Derby fixes it. In recover- ing this money Russia will respect the mortgages granted to foreign creditors, and cspec ally tbo Egyptian tr bute. The question of the Straits will be submitted te the Congress. We learn from other sources some further details as to the proposed cession of Bessarabia and tbosprangements made in anticipa- tion of it, as to the navigation of the Danube, and as to tho,right of road to be reserved for the Porte to its outlying territories in Europe. GERMAN MEDIATION. The Times Vienna correspondent says The German Government is endeavouring to mediate between Eng- land and Russia, as it tries to do between Vienna and St. Petersburg. Its task has not been much facilitated by the publication of the peace conditions, which at Berlin, however, are not believed to be accurately stated. Thus, as regards the delimitation of Bulgaria, the westward extent is, said to be not yet definitely fixed. The question of how far Bulgaria shall stretch in that direction is of quite as much im- portance to Europe as to Turkey, for the extension of the new Principality to the lEgean would practi- cally mean the securing of a. naval station to Russia on that sea, just as the giant of a port to Montenegro would have a similar signification in the Adriatic. If the published text of the condition as to the Straits of the Dardanelles be correct, the rules affecting the entrance thereinto of men-of-war will remain unaltered; but it does not seem clear whether the stipulation equally applies to the going out of Russian battle-ships from the Black Sea. If it should not, there will be nothing in the way of the Russians sending out their men- of-war to the naval stations in the Ægean. Nay, with Bulgaria extending to the iEgean, the question of the Straits loses much of its importance, for means may be found to construct men-of-war in one of the ports of that sea. So much the better, then, if the extension of Bulgaria to the Ægean is not yet quite decided. Another point which is not re- garded as accurately stated is the demanded addi- tion of territory to Servia on the Bosnian side, although the declaration that the new ground will in no case extend west of the Drina is calculated rather to alarm than reassure. The Drina in its upper course traverses that narrow strip of land intervening between Servia and Montenegro. If, therefore, the Drina is to be taken as the frontier line higher up, as it is at present lower down to- wards Rosnia, the only possible line of communica- tion between tbat province and what may remain of European Turkey will be cut, and thus Bosnia and the Herzegovina, or what may remain of it, would become an Ottoman enclave between Austria, Servia, and Montenegro, which would be an indirect way of forcing the annexation of it to one of the three. Another point,'moreover, the accuracy of which is contested, is that about the territorial aggran- disement of Montenegro. Although Russia may desire that small hill country to get a port, she does not mean definitely to settle this question with Turkey, reserving it to the negotiations with the other Powers. Were this the case there certainly would be one cause less for a possible complication. All this, however, must be but surmise until the exact terms of peace are really known, which is not the case here, at any rate, where no official information has been received on the subject. THE LINES OF STAMBOUL. The Pera correspondent of the Times, dating Feb. 26th, says: I rode from San Stefano, through the lines of the two armies, this afternoon, passing through Stamboul on to Pera. The little river Kara Su separates the two lines, lhe Bridge over this stream is about 100 feet in length. Two Russian sentries stand at the southern end of the bridge, and two Turks at the other. No pastes are demanded of civilians. I saw hundreds of people passing and repassing without a word of inquiry being addressed them from any of the sentries. The Turkish troops, leaving their former position on the Hadem oi lines, inarch along the roads towards Constanti- nople in company with straggling Russians. All are fully armed, butr-Ahey fraternise together in a most remarkable manner. I consider the present relations between the officers and soldiers of the two armies, as observed at various points, to he one of the most ex- traordinary incidents of this war, and, indeed, fit to excite astonishment in any war. I met several crowds of Arab recruits in the streets of Stamboul. They had just received their uniforms. Everything was perfectly quiet in all the Turkish quarters of the capital. The relations above referred to between the lines on the Kura Su were only initiated within the last twenty-four hours. Previously there was a consider- able interval between the pickets. This fact, coupled with the singular absence of anything like hostility, suggests that the final arrangement of peace must be nearly consummated. Turkish troops still remain at Hademkoi and other stations between there and San Stefano. This mixing up of the two armies is certainly an anomaly in warfare. RUSSIA AND ROUMANIA. A Paris correspondent, under date 27tb ult., says It appears from the Ministerial declarations made in the Roumanian Senate two days ago that the Cabinet has ground for hoping that it will be authorised to send a representative to the Conference. The Ministers stated that the agents of the Powers had given assur- ance that the independence of Roumania would be proclaimed by the Conference as a fait accompli. M. Bratiano said that when at the Livadia interview he referred to the suspicion that Russia wished to take back Bessarabia, Prince Gortschakoff protested that the Czar was innocent of this intention. Nevertheless, by way of precaution, a provision as to Roumania's integrity was inserted in the Convention of the 16tb of April. Some time after, General Ignatieff showed M. Bratiano that Russia had no frontier on the side of Bessarabia. M. Bratiano replied that if Russia wanted to have the Pruth as a frontier, Roumania wanted much more not to part with 500,000 Rou- manians, and rejected all offers of territorial exchange, even that of the cession of a fortress on the Danube. PUBLIC FEELING IN RUSSIA. A correspondent writing from the interior of Russia states that the news that the Russian army had entered Constantinople caused there intense enthusiasm, together with a bitter feeling of hostility against the English for sending their fleet to the Bosphorus. This latter feeling has since been so strongly displayed in some places that ther Eng- lish residents have been in constant fear of in- sult. At Saratoff the telegram announcing the news reached the town during a public perform- ance at the theatre. The manager at once stopped the piece and read the intelligence to the audi- ence, which manifested unbounded enthusiasm. The National Anthem was sung three times in succession then, every individual connected with the theatre being brought upon the stage, the hymn WAS sung several times more. It was fully understood by the audience at Saratoff, as well as by the people in other Russian towns, that the alleged entry of the army into Constantinople would in all probability lead to war with England, but this had no other effect than to make the measure all the more popular, a conflict with England being regarded with as much delight as the outbreak of hostilities was with Turkey this time last year. The bitter feeling against the Turk has entirely died out. The English alone are regarded with enmity and dislike. WHAT SERVIA THINKS. A Belgrade correspondent, writing on the 20th ult., says: The question as to the prospects of Servia is anxiously discussed here. There being a strong and general feeling in the principality in tavour of the annexation of Old Servia, or, at least, as much of it as shows a preponderance of the Servian element, a large party for the sake of that cbject would prefer the country to remain under Turkish suzerainty, paying a tribute to the Porte, than have independence, and forego the hope of seeing the Slav element united in the Balkan Peninsula. From this point of view they think England and Austria should demand an enlargement of the Servian frontiers. Servia once independent is lost to Turkey, but in that case Russian influence would pre- dominate. Turkey desires that Bulgaria should be large, seeing it would not be entirely lost to her, and the larger that province was the greater would be the tribute she would receive from it. Russia has the same desire in reg-rd to the extent of Bulgaria, as her influence and power would be paramount there, and, by imposing on the new Sf.atea Prince of her own cboia", would convert it into a Muscovite dependency.

!M Rl.lAMENTAliT LWELLIGE.V0E —. THE ARMY ESTIMATES.—In the House of Commons Mr. Hardy made his annual exposition of the Army Estimates, which, he remarked, were peace estimates, and in no sense such as would enable the country to conduct a war with the establishments they left us. At the same time, there were some considerable amounts of money more than were required last year. In the first place, the medical expenses had increased by the introduction of a system of short service, which, although it had been complained of, he thought was entitled to a longer trial. In the next place, the vote for the on-effective Service was also swelled this year by the money piid for the abolition of purchase j but that was only the ordinary increase, over which the Government had no control. Then the vote for stores showed a material increase, consequent upon the arger demands for guns and torpedoes for the navy this year. As to the Militia, he regretted to say that there was a small diminution in the Militia Reserve,' though the patriotic spirit which animated the force was of the highest character, and this was dis- played by several regiment* having offered to serve abroad. He was not at all satisfied with the Army Reserve which had fallen far short of what was calculated. It numbered at present 12,000 men, and with the Militia Reserve would amount to 37,000; but eventually the whole Army Reserve would be about 6'>,000 men. The volunteer force presented the pleasing feature of 183,078 efficients, and only 10,216 non-efficients, and the whole force now numbered nearly 200,000 men. It bad been suggested that the force should be a paid one, but to that he decidedly objected, remembering its origin, and that it had been a volunteer body from the beginning, though he approved of giving it assistance. Its spirit wa9 such that there were many of them ready to quit the coun- try and take garrison service abroad in case of necessity arising, and this was a feeling which was shared in alike by officers and men. This year it was intended to have military manoeuvres on a large scale, probably in the neighbourhood of Salisbury, where an Army Corps would be placed ready fot service; and which would involve an expenditure of £ 80,000. Another item of increase was the transport of troops to the Cape of Good Houe, with regard to which 'I he thought that colonists who were able ought to pay some proportion of. their military expenditure, for he felt sure that they would never organise a force for themselves so long as the Imperial Govern- ment were content to bear the cost. A feeling existed that the country was dependent upon an army that was not so efficient on account of its youth as it ought to be. Under the short-service system, however, a great number of young men was a necessity, but the Field Marshal Commanding in Chief had examined the condition of the men at drill and the recruits at Aldershot that day, and his report was perfectly satisfactory. Desertions had goner on to some extent among the men who had come lately into the army, but allowing for che number who had returned to the service the nett desertions for the past year were 2621, which was not so large a proportion as in former years. Finally, in proposing the vote for the number of men for the service of the year, the right hon. gentleman, whilst expressing a hope that the army would not be called on for active service, felt confio dent that, should its services be required, i' would be found deficient neither in officers nor in men. After some further debate the vote of men and that for pay and allowances were agreed to. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES (AHIWALS) BILL.-In the House Of Lords the Duke of Richmond and Gordon moved the second reading of this bill, the provisions of which were criticised by Lord Ripon, who, while approving of the pro" posed transfer to the central authority of the powers not* vested in the local authorities in dealing with the cattle plague, questioned the policy and efficiency of the restric' tions to be imposed on the internal cattle trade of the country, and suggested that the bill should go to a Select Committee. Lord Dunsany had no doubt that the bill wa9 framed in the interests of producers and consumer6 alike, but apprehended tliat the effects ef its restrictions would be to raise the price of meat aj a time when trade was slack. Lord Speneer was of opinion that the experience which the country had had of the rinderpest justified the measures already taken, and approved of the proposal to place fid* powers in the hands of the Privy Council in tJlØ event of fresh outbreaks occurring. As to the ordinll11 regulation of the trade, however, he deemed the existing powers sufficient; whilst he questioned the efficacy the restrictions rclat ng to toot-and-mouth disease and pleuro-pneumonia. Lord Fortescue thanked the President for what he believed would prove an efficient melJo" sure. Lord Belmore recommendea that Ireland should bf placed on the same footing as England, but that care would be taken not to make the restrictions incon- veniently severe. After a reply from the Duke of Rich' mond and Gordon, who said he should ask the House to go into committee pro forma, in order to introduce amend' ments, and then recommit the bill, when discussion be taken, the second reading was agreed to.

K*r*sTic PILLS, for Neuralgia,Faceache,9 £ d., la lid Postage Id. Sold by all Chemists. Kay Bros., St>okport THB New York Herald estimates that Stanley's expedition brough| to light 15,000,0^ heathens, and as his expenses amounted to ab0^ $115,000dollars ( £ 23,000)," he thus discovered savago at the rate of six for five cents.(2^d.)—a very reaso11' able rate for heathens." INTERNATIONAL PRISON CONGRESS. — The Swedish Government having forwarded invitations the other Governments .to send official delegates to tb International Prison Congress to be held at Stockholm in August, a valuable collection of information statistics OH the prisons and criminal systems of world is being prepared for the Congress. The cb^ portion o? this labour falls upon the secretary of International Prison Commission, the Rev. Dr. WIDO* of New York. Some delay has, however, bten casioned by the eevere illness of that gentleman. in a letter iust received from him by the HoØJ'¡ Association, London, he asks the secretary of tb',1 body to notify to English and Continental corresp?11. dents that he is now convalescent, and is resunii^ the labours which the approach of the Oong^f* renders needful. Dr. Wines hopes soon to arri*e Europe to arrange yarious preliminaries of the 0°^ Europe to arrange various preliminaries of the (Joø gress. THE RIGHT OF LOPPING TREES IN Eppnre FOREST.—A case came before the Master of the Rol^ in which it was sought to restrain the Corporation °, London from cutting down trees in Epping FotfØ, within the parish of Loughton. It was contended tb\ the inhabitants had a right to lop those trees for at certain periods of the year. The Corporation mitted the existence of the right, and it was stated W both parties that the Epping Forest Commissi had allowed it. Moreover, there is a bill before liament to secure compensation in respect of j right. His lordship, however, said that the rifr could not exist at law, and he refused the ine^ made for judgment on the admission of the Corpof* tion. CORONATION OF THE POPE.—The CoroBa^j, of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIII, was J the Sistine Chapel, with the pomp and circumsta11^ formerly attending the ceremonial in St. Peter's, it was not public, inasmuch as the limited space not permit general admission, and for the same no tickets were issued. The names ot those allo^j to enter were inscribed beforehand on a list by the Master of the Ceremonies. All traced a the Conclave had disappeared and the chapel | in every respect restored to its ancient splend"^ V The Sala Ducale was fitted up as a chapel, and Pauline Chapel arranged for those preliminary Pj^e j tions of the ceremonial formerly performed io- I Clementine and other chapels of St. Peter's befor^u# I Pope went up to the high altar to be crowned. [ Clementine and other chapels of St. Peter's beforOThe I Pope went up to the high altar to be crowned. [ ceremony was attended by all the Ambassador? *5^ K Ministers accredited to the Holy See, with their 1 1 and suites, by all the Boman nobility counted I the faithful, by the Duke and Duchess of Parma* 1 who occupied the Royal tribune, and by ^0 400 ladies and gentlemen, as many only as filled tribunes without crowding. to THE SUBSCRIPTIONS for a sword of honoOr ex-Major Labordere has been divided, at his sug^ { tion. between the distressed Alsatianj.' Fund and for the familiee ot political prisoners. t18- MR. CLARE READ AND THE CONTACT" DISEASES (ANIMALS) BILL.—Mr. Clare Bead. :M:l\bØ the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, spoke on Contagious Diseases (Anitnals j Bill, and expressed opinion that it is by far the best measure ever introdu on that subject, and that it ought to be supp°rt all agricultural societies. Oa his motion, the c*ia^ey' approved generally of the bill, and resolved to P tion in its favour.