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

LONDON CORRESPONDENCE. LORD DERBY and Sir Stafford Northootewill have moat reason, of all the members of the Government, to feel thankful when the Congress is fairly at work, or when ib has brought its momentous deliberations io a closer The delay that has taken place in the publication of the full text of the treaty of pease and in the settlement of the bases of discussion, has added largely to the number of impatient questions which the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer are called upon to answer, It is no-, surprising it both of theae Ministers have occasionally shown symptoms of irritation when they were badgered beyond measure by too inquisitive members but, on the whole, they deserve credit for having kept their tempers pret-y co I under rather aggravating circum- stances. If Mr. Gathorne Hardy, whose tempera- ment is raturaiiy wa.riner than tbas of Sir Staf- ford Norchcote, had teen Chancellor of the Exchequer instead of War Secretary, the current session would probably have wit- nessed in the House of Commons a greater I number of lively scenes than has yet tasen place. Sir Stafford studies brevity in his replies; he does not enter so much into details as Lord Derby, his object evidently being to discourage questioners as much as he possibly can. The telegraph and newspaper enterprise have added considerably, in oar time, to the worry ex- perienced by Ministers, especially at a period like the present, in conneation. with the answering of questions in both Houses of Parliament. The advisers of the Crown had an eauer time of it in the days before submarine cables were laid, or' the Continent was covered with a ret work oc wires for the transmission of the electric current, or newspaper correspondents were scattered abroad as liberally as consuls. Now, however, there are always some pieces of telegraphic intelligence appearing in the columns of the morning and evening papers, awd accord- ingly the members of either House who are fondest or putting questions can always find something ready to hand wherewith to badger Secretaries of State. This questioning process is one of the privileges which members of Parlia- ment possess, and it is one also of no inconsider- able value; but tnere is cause for regret that it is so frequently abused by talkative bores who want to make it appear that they take a leading part in the legiala. ive work of the nation. This momh, since it began, has succeeded in casting a good deal of dust in the eyes of Londoners. Tae Vestries have their own time for getting the water-carts under weigh for the season, and it was really like facing a simoom to walk against the recent high winds in the main thoroughfares. Perhaps it may not be surprising, but it Is certainly irritating, that the parish authorities should show 10 little consideration for the comfort of the ratepayers, and of those also whose turn may come to pay rates when they get up in years. Of all the months from January to De- cember, March is the one most distinguished for Its clouds of dust, and these can only be laid in our streets by bringing out the watering-carts earlier in the year than the Vestries have hitherto done. The dust-oloads are not only a nuisance to people on the streets whether walking or riding, but they also do damage to delicately manufactured classes of stock, and cause butchers no end of trouble to pre- vent their morning purchases of choice beef and mutton from looking a week old at the least. If March dust were literally and not merely metaphorically worth its weight in gold, the Vestries would not let it blow freely about in clouds as they now do. Winding-up matches take place in the closing weeks of the football season, and it is fortunate when they pass off without accidents more or less serious. The resent international matches between English and Scotch players at Glasgow andKenviDgton Oval did not result in anything worse than the ordinary round of bruises and heavy falli; but it was otherwise in connection with a match played between two local clubs at Ashby -de-la-Zdich in Leicestershire. When a yorrj.- man named Dockerty was "dribbling" the ball—which means carrying it dovn by short kicks-to. the enemy's quarters, he was violently "charged" by another young man, named BradAaw, who jumped at him, with pro- truded knee and clenched fists, knocking him down and falling on his top. The force of the collision was such that Dockerty, who had suffered internal injuries, died within a few cUys. At the inquest, evi- dence was brought forward to show that the charging in the case was unusual and unfair, and the jury decided that Bradshaw had been guilty of undue violence. This verdiot was held by the coroner to be equivalent to one of man- slaughter, and the youth who made the fatal charge accordingly stands committed to take his trial. This is the melancholy outcome of a match between two local football clubs. The jury in the Ashby-de-la-Zouch case appended to their verdict an expression of their opinion to the effect that football ought to be erased from the list of the pastimes of England." The members of football clubs, even those of them who can show the black and blue imprints of recent bruises on their legs, will of course feel disposed to laugh this opinion to scorn, regard- ing it simply as another of those absurdities which corners' juries are in the habit of, appending as riders to their verdicts. But as the game of foot- ball, whether played in accordance with Rugby or Harrow rules, is acknowledged even by some, who protest against the idea of its effacement, to be a "brutaJ fight," there seems DO valid reason why it should not be abolished like that other fa-nous national pastime—prize-nghting to wit. Enthusiastic footballers plead that it is a fine warming game for a winter day; but in saying se they forget that, as they have generally some little distance to walk from their ground to their olub-room, where they doff: their garments reeking with perspiration, they are often afflicted with rasping coughs and racking rheumatic pains. If it be argued in favour of football that it is thoroughly English, we can have nothing to say in reply to the Spaniard when he pleads in favour of the bull- fight that it is thoroaghly Spanish. The gosaippiag personalities, seasoned with slander, which farm a very disagreeable feature of a certain class of journals now published in the metropolis, have again oome to a climax in an action for libel at the instance of Mr. Joseph Moses Levi, one of the proprietors of the Daily Telegraph. It was a sporting paper in which the alleged libdl appeared; but it is the so-eallea Society journals" that indulge moat in the kind of personal gossip and scandal that is always approaching the bounds of what is libellous, and often goes beyond its verge. It is a very unhealthy symptom of modern journalistic literature, and ths spectacle of a biter bit" in the Law Courts might have the much-needed salutary effect of keeping pens out of bottles of gall. If Lord Derby were not in a position to despise some infamous attacks that have been made upon him by journals which would like to see him out of the Foreign Office, he could have hai a good case againsc one of them last week for a paragraph which was brimful of libellous slander regarding his social habits. But, a3 «' curses, like chickens, return to roost," so also do slanderous attacks that reveal despicable natures. D.G.

THE ITALIAN PARLIAMENT. — King Humber opened the Italian Parliament, and delivered a long speech, in which he sketched out the programme of legislation that he desired to effect. First in im- portance he placed the question of electoral reform, which had been counselled by his father. He promised a transformation of the system of taxation which would alleviate the burdens on the poorer classes, and a bill to settle the question of ecclesiastical property. Towards the conclusion hia Majesty referred to the Eastern Quts tion, and announced that be had consepted to take part in a meeting of tio Powers, being desirous of assuring to Europe a datable peace. The recent change at the Vatican, he added, showed that respect for religious belief could be reconciled with a de- termined defence of the laws of the State. BERLIN WOOLS and & HUMAN NEEDLEWORK.— The above are imported direct by M. LEADER, 9, Nzw IHN-YARI>, SHORBDITCH, LONDON, E.G., from whon price lists are sanfc, on application, of every descrip tioa of fancy wools, canvas, filoselle, &e.

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL. Telegrams to the Golos, from Vladekavkaz, dated 27th ultimo, announce that the local army of the Cau- casus is. to be thoroughly reorganised. General 1 e- raardjidze has been selected by the Grand Duke Michael to undertake this duty. Typhus fever is on the increase—the last victim being General Goobski, commander of the artillery of the 0, ucasus. Several general officers have arrived from Kars, from which place General Loris Melikoff is shortly expected. The Swiss Guards at the Vatican demanded the three months' salary usually presented them after the Pope's death. Tbev were refused. They then loaded their rides and brandished their halberds, and when threatened with arrest by the Pope's carbineers they assumed a defiant attitude. The mutiny was quelled by opportune concessions. The resolution of Germany to participate in the art display of the Paris Exhibition was in consequence of a renewed invitation, and was in a measure in tended as an expression of sympathy with the Re- public. About 200 paintings will be sent, and the Emperor has placrd at the disposition of tha com- mittee any pictures in his private possession or in the public galleries. As no war pictures could be sent, and as for that reason some of the most meritorious modern German artists are exclude it has been decided that the German contributors shall not com- pete for prizes. The Senate decided to refer to the Finance Com- mittee the bill exempting goods intended for the Ex- hibition from the five per cent. carriage duty and re- gistration dues. The Minister of War subsequently read the new General Staff Bill. The report of M. Wilson in favour of creating a redeemable debt and opening a credit of three hundred and thirty-six mil- lion franca for purchasing the railways was dis- tributed in the Chamber of Deputies. M. Wilson's report also authorises the issue of that amount of Three per Cent. Redeemable Rentes. In official circles in St. Petersburg the general con- viction for the moment is that Russia has succeeded in accomplishing the main object of the war, without giving Austria or England any solid g. ound for com- plaint or protest, and that, consequently, the Congress will be a success. This conviction is expressed in an evidently inspired article thus: u Oer- tainly we do not regard the Oongress as a sim- ple register office, which has merely to accept the* stipulations agreed upon at San Stefano. Doubtless there will be discussions, and Russia will have to defend her work against more than one sug- gestion incompatible with the mission which she has assumed; but as she does not shrink from that Areopagus and even invites discussion, it is because she has the conviction that the work infringes no legitimate interest. She relies on the sense of justice of the other Powers, none of which can -Kim to endanger peace for the purpose of obtaining what Prince Bismarck his termed the 'heritage of the Eastern Question. The principal difficulty encountered in the attempt to introduce the English salmon into the waters of New Zealand and Australia has been not so much in the transport of the ova in a healthy condition, as in the rearing of the fry when the eggs have hatched out in their new home. The waters of Australia and of the northern portions of New Zealand are too warm to suit a fish which delights to lie in cold pools of water, and to retire for the summer months into the deep waters of the ocean; and so it has happened tnat, while both salmon and trout have been successfully introduced into Tasmania, with its more temperate climate, the attempts to stock the rivers of the neighbouring continent, Australia, and of the more tropical parts of New Zealand, have failed. Recourse, however, has been had to the produce of American waters, and a species of salmo known as the Oalifornian salmon has been made to take the place of the more highly-prized talmo tralar. The Oalifornian salmon closely resembles the European salmon in appearance and general habits, the chief point of distinction being that it endures a much higher temperature than the latter, and that it spawns in the summer months, the eggs being hatched in the autumn, instead of being laid in the winter and hatched in the early spring. Le Temps had the following from Rome: The motive of the resignation of M. Crispi is his recent marriage, which has been fully commented upon by the newspapers. In December, 1854. at Malta, M. Orispi contracted a religious marriage with a Savoyard lady; the marriage was registered at the Sardinian Oonsulate in January, 1855, but M. Crispi, who is a Neapolitan subject, and who was exiled after 1848, believes that the fact of his not having had the marriage vised by the Nea- politan Consul is sufficient to render the act in- valid. In any case, he remained with the wife whom he had espoused under these conditions from 1854 until 1874. at which time they separated. M. Orispi afterwards lived with a Sicilian lady, by whom I he bad a daughter, and wbom he thought he could marry on Jan. 26 last at Naples, while his first wife I was still living. At the date of his second marriage M. Orispi was already Minister of the Interior. The Journal des Dibats has devoted an article to the consideration of the readiness and strength of the British army. While finding that Sir Garnet Wolseley has drawn a somewhat too pompous picture of the military power of his country in an article in a monthly re- view, the Dibats nevertheless admits that Eng- land is ready for immediate action; but it does not therefore conclude that she is going at once to declare war against Russia. It is quite pos- sible, it thinks, that, even after the modifications and alleviations whicn are said to have been made, the Russo-Turkish treaty ef peace may still contain con- ditions which will be considered unacceptable by Eng- | land; but, as long as the prospect of a Conference remains open, and at the same time the possibility remains of debating upon the terms in question, it is neither needful nor right for England or any other Power to have recourse to war. The Dibats believes that the general sentiment of Europe will exercise a salutary pressure upon the Cabinet of St. Petersburg that will prove to be to the advantage of general peace.

j THE SOUTH AFRICAN ABORIGINES. Sir Bartle Prere, Governor of the Oape Oolony, has j addressed a despatch, dated King William's Town, January 9th, to the Earl of Oarnarvon with reference to a letter from the Aborigines Protection Society to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. There can be no doubt, Sir Bartle Frere says, that the Galekas en- deavoured to impress the colonial authorities with the idea that their quarrel was solely with the Fingoes, but it seems clear that this was not the view of the Galtika leaders, and that had they got the better of the Fingoes, they would have pressed their ad- vantage to overcome some other symbol of European progress and of the growth of European ideas, and to bring back the good old days of unrestrained Kaffirdom. The Galekas commenced the war with the observance of some of the usages of civilised warfare, but it is a fact which should not be forgotten that the two first and most desperate attacks upon the police, all Euro- peans, at Gwandana and Ibeka were entirely unpro- voked by any invasion or threat of invasion of Kreli's territory. The attacks were made on a standing camp within what every Galeka knew was the boundary line of the territory formally annexed to the colony. The society has been misinformed, Sir Bartle Frere considers, as to the absence of any long premeditated design to take up arms." He has little doubt that for two or three years past there has been among the rising generation of uncivilised Kaffir tribes a growing impatience and jealousy of the influence acquired by inferior tribes which have accepted some measure of civilisation and the prosperity which has accompanied it. He has not given any countenance to the proposal to confiscate all the Galeka lands, and he has every reason to believe that the present operations have been conducted more in accordance with the usages of civilised warfare in other countries than was apparently the case in former Kaffir wars. The society has been misinformed as to the Galekas not having offered any real resistance to forces in the field." Sir Bartle Frere concludes I believe that every one of the societies which de- votes itself to the improvement of the natives races has an influence more or less efficient in furthering the social and political advancement of the Kaffir races • Dut none have greater influence than those which pro- mote industrial as well as religious education, and nothing can I believe do more to prevent future Kaffir wars than a multiplication of institutions like Love- dale and Blythewood, and an extension of their system of industrial education to agriculture."

MUSEUM OF TRADE PATTERNS AND SPECI- MENS. —A museum of trade patterns and specimens of work is being established at Manchester, with the design of imparting technical education to workmen and artisans on the plan lately adopted by some of the Continental industrial centres. It was suggested some time ago that the museum should be at South Kensington, but the authorities there thought it would be better that it should be fixed in the midst of som" of the principal trading communities. Textile fabrics V^ c°Hected, and other departments will be adored from time to time. THE HEAT IN AUSTRALIA.—The heat has this year been tremendous throughout Australia, and the drought in Queensland and New South Wales some- thing terrible. Up country tke thermometer has re- gistered no less than 130 in the shade. Water, even for drinking purposes, is in some places as scarce as m the Nubian deserts. aoKsiMAtfs TEA, not faced with Prussian Blue, HORMHAN S TEA, always good alike. Howroun's TEA, best value tor money.

SUPPRESSION OF THE SLAYE TRADE IN THE RED SEA. An officer on board her Majesty's ship Wild Swan, engaged in the Red Sea in the suppression of the slave trade, writes from Jeddah, under date Feb, 8: First, let me tell you arout the ship. She is one of a new class of sloops, of which four are already com- missioned, and four built or building. The Osprey, Penguin, Wild Swan, and Pelican are commissioned, and the Pegasus, Dragon, Cormorant* and Gannet remain to be commissioned. This ship is a i ype of the whole of them, and may. be regarded as a fair success. As a sailing ship the authorities say she is excellent. We go along from nine to eleven knots with a iair breeze; but the steaming is not up to much, especially against the wind, and if there is anything of a breeze, say with a force of from four to six, we can scarcely go at the rate of four knot3. She is, however, the handiest craft I was ever in, steers beautifully, and goes round almost within her own length. We left Plymouth on the 4th of October, 1877, and arrived on our station at the lower end of the Gulf of Suez on the 2nd of November. We are employed to carry out the provisions of a new treaty, which was concluded between the Khedive and the English I Government for the purpose of suppressing the slave trade. Now this slave trade is a traffic which has been going on from time immemorial. Slaves are purchased by Arab dealers in the Soudan, Upper, Egypt, and Abyssinia, and are carried across the Red Sea in dhows to Arabia, and sold in Mecca, which is the best market; while some are conveyed to Con- stantinople and to various parts of the Mahomedan world. On the 1st of January, this year, the treaty was eigned. It is stated that as many as from 30,000 to 40,000 slaves are carried annu- ally across the Red Sea and landed at Jeddah, Hobeida, Yembo, and other Arab ports but I think the number is very much exaggerated; We have sailed up and down the Red Sea four timea Jeddah, the seaport of Mecca". where we Jiosw ata. without seeing anything of the slave dhows. Our boats have also remained for ten days cruising off Massowah, which is supposed to be the principal port of departure, without having fallen in with a prize. On the 22nd of January the captain,, myself, and other officers, sailed into Massowah in a boat, where we met Malcolm Pasha, a retired naval captain, who had been sent by the Khedive to carry out the treaty. The Court for the condemnation of slave dhows is to be established at Massowab, and Malcolm Pasha is one of the commissioners. No doubt a few slaves are carried over, but we boarded several dhows in the most likely places and found none on board. The Diamond is now in the Red Sea, near the entrance, on the look-out for slavers, but she has not taken one; and there is an Egyptian corvette simi- larly employed, and with similar results. On going down the Red Sea we called in at Sawatsin, Masso- wah, and Aden. Massowah was taken from the Abyssinians not leng ago by the Egyptians, and has been improved a great deal by them. A causeway has been constructed to the mainland, as the town is built upon an island, and an earthwork has been erected to protect it. There is some little trade carried on, but I was surprised at not finding a single English- man at any of the places."

WILLS AND BEQUESTS. (Frqrb the Illmtratsd London iVews,') The will, dated July 24, 1877, of Mr. William Frederic Q-rahsni, late of Elm-grove, Wallington, Surrey, who aied on January 29 last, was proved on the 23rd ult. by Sir james Tyler, William Ballance, and Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Martin Shelley, the executors, the nersonal estate being sworn under £200,000. The testator leaves his wife, Mrs. Jane Graham, the use of bis residence, Elm-grove, with the furniture, and the. interest of £ 80,000 for life to his three daughters, Eva Louisa, Jessie Hilda, and Mabel Fanny, £30,000 between them to his executors, £1000 each; to the Worshipful Company of Weavers, £1000 and there are bequests in favonrofhis sisters Emma and Louisa and others. The residue of his real and per- sonal estate goes to his three sons, Robert Bewerbank, Frank William, and William Woodman. The will, dated November 3, 1873, of the Hon. Mrs. Lucy Elizabeth Hotham, late of Bramber Rectory, Sussex, who died on December 10 last, was proved on the 7th February by the Rev. John Mor- land Rice, the sole executor, the pergonal estate being sworn under £30,000. The testatrix beq^aths £ 5000 between the three daughters of John Hotham; to her niaces,.Laura Marianne Rice and Harriet York, £5500 each; and other legacies. The residue of her pro- perty, real and personal, she leaves upon trust for her niece, Caroline Penelope Rice. The will and codicils, dated November 23, 1860, October 27, 1868, and September 9,- 1875, of Mr. Charles Gould, formerly of Westbourne-terrace, and of Lisbon, Portugal, but late of 12, Sussex-square, Brighton, who dle(Lon December 11 last, were proved on the 20th ult. by Mrs. Margaret Gould, the widow, Charles Henry Roope and Gerald Roope, the nephews, the^acting executor?, the personal estate being sworn under £ 70,000. The testator gives to his wife absolutely two sums of £ 5000 -and his house in Sussex-square, with the household furniture and effects, and upon trust for her fer life .the f&rtber 8um,of £ 10,Q60. t Among the other legacies there are several to eminent' Roman Catholic clergymen for distribution among charities. The remainder of his property is to be held upon trust for all his children. The will (dated April 15, 1861) of Mr. Erasmus ¡ Septimus Eyre, late of Derby-villa, Highbury New- 11 park, who died on January 12 last, was proved on the 13th ult. by Miss Georgiana Byre, the daughter, the acting executrix, the personal estate being sworn under. £ 45,000. The only persona interested under the will are testator's three) daughters, Gedifc^na, Ellen, and Mary Ann. The will (dated February 14,1876) of Mr. Robert I John Dobree, late of No. 12, Gilbert-street, Grosvenor- square, of No. 264, Strand, and of No. 15, Russell- square, whe died on January 9 last, was proved on the 20th ult. by Mrs. Ostolme Maria Dobree, the j widow, John Robert Dobree, Edward Henry Dobree, | Robert Oharles Dobree, and George William Dobree, j the sons, the executors, the personal estate being sworn under £40,000. The testator gives to his wife his furniture and household effects and .£100; and annuities to his sister and a servant; is to the residue of his property, the income is to go to his wife for life, and at her death the capital to all his children in equal shares. (From the City Press") The will of Mr. William Perry, late of Monkwell- street and of Walthamstow, merchant, who died on January 17th last, was proved on the 20th ult. by ¡ Mrs. Mary A. Penn, the daughter. The testator leaves a legacy to a domestic servant, and the rest of his estate to his said daughter for life, with a power ¡' of appointment by will or deed of the capital at her death. I The will of Mr. John Bobinson Clarke, late of 28, King-street, Oheapside, accountant, who died on Janu- ary 31st last, at 40, Harley-street, Cavendish-square, was proved on the 15th ult. by Mr. J. A. Josolyneand Mr. A. G Soutter, the acting executors, the personal estate being sworn under £ 6000. The testator gives a house in the Finchley-road to his mother for life, j twenty-five guineas to each of his executors, and the rest of his property to all his children in equal ■hares. The will of Mr. Henry Pritchard, late of 7, Queen- street, Oheapside, auctioneer, and of 298, Oamc en- The will of Mr. Henry Pritchard, late of 7, Queen- street, Oheapside, auctioneer, and of 298, Came en- road, N., who died on the 25th of January last, was proved on the 19th ult. by Mr. H. J. Kearns, and Mr. j W. D. Bayley, the executors, the personal estate being sworn sander £6000. The testator bequeaths to his | executors £ 25 each for their trouble; and to his wife, Mrs. Mary B. B. Pritchard, all his furniture aiid other household effects; the residue of his real and personal estate is to be held upon trtist for his wife fot j life, and, then for his children. j The will of Mr. Christopher Walton, formerly of 8, Ludgate-hill, and late of 9, Southwood-terrace, f Highgate, who died oh the 11th of October last, at j Southend-on Sea, was proved on the 19th ult. by Mrs. Sarah Ann Walton, the widow, the personal estate j being sworn under £18,000. The testator makes pro- vision for the various members of his family, and there are several charitable bequests, including one j for the purpose of diffusing Theosophic Evangelical j science and literature The testator also gives a pre- cise statement of what he understood by Theosophic | Evangelical truth.

l.: JEWEL ROBBERY.—A robbery of jewels of great value has been effected at Broom-hall, Betch- worth, Surrey, the seat of Sir Benjamin Brodie. The robbery was almost immediately discovered, and in- formation was given to all the stations of the Surrey County Constabulary in the district. Constables were at once despatched to watch the railway stations, with the result that at the Leatherhead Station a man who gave the name of Wilson was apprehended. On his being searched the whole of the stolen jewellery was found upon him. There have been numerous jewel robberies in the district, but hitherto the thieves have escaped detection. SERIOUS KIOT.—A serious riot took place near I Pontefract, between the names and the police. Several of the ringleaders are in custody. The riot was not between the English and Irish labourers, as was the case <om<r months back, but befrweea the police skationedet Boyd.Moor and the navvies. W oon Aid> IVBBT, Lwiran (J. W. Ivery, manager), Albion -Blue Brick and Tile Works, West Bromwicb, Staffordshire, manufacturers of vitrified blue bricks, garden border tiles, flooring quarries in blue, red, or huff colour. Illustrations and prices on application. REVENUE RBTITBNS.—The receipts on account of revenue from the 1st April, 1877, when there was a balance of £ 5,988,650, to March 2 were £ 71,633,629, against .£71.268,300 in the corresponding period of the preceding financial year, which began with a balance of £5,119,587. The net expenditure was • £ 7},625J003, against £ 69,857,887 to the Same date in th» previous year. The Treasury balances on March f^pounted to £ 4,274)563, and at the same date in 18J6 to £ 5,568,797. CHEMICAL CHEQUE FRAUDS.—A correspondent writes: A rather dangerous discovery has been made (and in more than one instance has been known to have been put into practice) that will require all the knowledge and taot possessed by bank dfefrks and others to detect, and from which discovery very serious consequences may arise. By a certain 'chemical' being applied to writing on a cheque or draft, and the paper placed between a couple of sheets of blotting paper in a copying press, and repeated pressure brought to bear upon it, the writing which has been wet by the •chemicals' at once entirely disappears, and other writing may be substituted. This knowledge must have been possessed by a man who last week obtained a draft in London for £ 8 at Parr's Bank, at Sandbach. The whele of the writing was cleverly obliterated, and the draft converted into one for £ 200, This was cashed at the Commercial Bank, Manchester, went through the hands of the Lendon agents, and also at Parr's Banking Company; through all these it passed muster, and was not detected until the draft got back again to Sandbach, 60 effectively had the fraud been perpetrated." BELLOW. FEVER AT RIO JANEIRO.—A tele- gram from Rio Janeiro, dated 1st March, states that the yellow fever had been raging there. From forty to forty-five deaths in the city had been registered in the first fortnight of February. FATAL PHAETON ACCIDENT.—MR. C. J. Cart- tar hdd an inquest at the George public-house, Maze- hill, Greenwicd, on the body of Mr. Edward Bernard Louin, 67, residing in Wanstead, Essex, but at the time of hia death visiting his niece, Mrs. Green, of 18, Vanbrugh-park, Blackheath. On Wednesday Mr. Louin accompanied Mrs Green for a drive in a park phaeton drawn by a pair of cobs, the lady having the reins and the coachman sitting behind. While going at a quiet pace down Hyde vale, Greenwich, one of the cobs started from some un- accountable cause and the vehicle was brought in con- tact with the kerbstone, causing both animals to dash off furiously down the bill. The coachman jumped wut, but Mr. Louin and Mrs. Green retained their seats and endeavoured to stop the horses. In this they were unsuccessful, and the vehicle ultimately came in contact with a coal waggon and was com- pletely overturned with its occupants. Mr. Louin fell forward on his head, the phaeton turned over on his legs, and he was extricated much injured. Mrs. Green suffered some severe external injuries. Dr. Theobald stated that Mr. Louin died on Sunday from the in- juries which he had received, there being a contused wound at the back of the head. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental death." THOCSANNS OF DELICATE CHILDEEN and consumptive persons are said to have acquired sound constitutions and permanent strength by taking that most ag»eeab]9 and efficient steel preparation, Dr. Guinle's Steel Tablets, procurable of all respectable chemists.m boxes or post free on receipt of postage stamps for Is. lid. or 2s. M. by C. Allen, Chemist, Kilburn, London.

THE EASTERN QUESTION. RUSSIAN APPROACH TO THE BOSPHORUS. The Manchester Guardian's correspondent at Con- stantinople, telegraphing vid Syra, says Russian Cossacks within the last three days have appeared at Enaraki, a village at the mouth of the Bosphorus. This gives rise to the idea that a friendly occupation of the forts is contemplated by the Grand Duke, Russian telegraph clerks are now in the Pera station of the Eastern Telegraph Company. This being an English company, the act has caused considerable ex- citement. The Porte has issued a circular to the foreign Embassies stating that, as a provisional mea- sure, anv loreign subject wanting to leave Oonstanti- rople must have his passport vised by the Turkish authoritIes. Motet keepers are required to keep a list of all arrivals. The forte demands also the right of entry into thev bouses of foreigners without the interposition of the Oonsulate, as heretofore. All these demands are Against the capitulations, and it is supposed that they pro- ceed from Russian instigation. The s'ep is a most important one, and requires immediate attention on the part of the Western Powers. One reason for the great delay of the signature of the treaty is said to have been a clause which the Russians desired to attach, stating that all the conditions had been freely agreed upon, and that Turkey would not seek future revision. Both sides held out to the last moment, when the matter was settled by the withdrawal of the obnoxious clause. THE AUSTRIAN CREDIT BILL. The Austrian Government have presented to both Delegations a bill authorising an extra credit of sixty million florins. The preamble states that in the pre- sent position of affairs it is not impossible that extra- ordinary measures may have to be taken for the pro- tection of the interests of the monarchy. The sum asked for, however, is not to be expended in completing the equipment, of the army. It igi intended to afford the Government the means by which at the right time and on its own responsibility it may. "take such measures as by the prompt utilisation of the advantages which the organisation of the army offers, are alone fitted to ensure the Monarchy against all danger and surprise." In the afternoon Count Andrassy made a statement to the Delegations explaining the policy of the Govern- ment Be said that at the Oongress it must demand such a delimitation of the results of the war that neither Austrian nor European interests would be in- jured, and the peace concluded must be a settlement, not a postponement, of the question^ at issue. The course proposed by the Government in asking for the vote was not one ot hostility to any Power. INSURRECTION IN THE GREBK PROVINCES. The Times correspondent, under date Volo, March 9th, says: The insurgents increase in number daily, and the area of the revolt is extending, the Olympians having now taken up arms, but difficulty is expe- rienced in obtaining supplies. The Turks remain shut up in a few to mis, and appear disinclined to act on the offensive. The Turkish authorities here have re- ceived orders to prepare for the accommodation of 30,000 additional troops. The Christian women and Children endure great hardships, hurrying from village to village across the snow-covered mountains to escape the massacres which they have reason to believe would follow a defeat of the Greeks. Miagora contains hundreds of fugitive families. The Turks have burnt several Christian villages, and the Christians several Turkish villages. Many barbarities committed by the Albanian irregulars are reported from different parts. At the village ot Sykia three entered a house, and after being supplied with food attempted to violate the daughter of the family. The father thereupon killed them. One hundred and fifty of their com- panions coming up and hearing what had happened sacked the place and burnt the church, school, and several houses. The Provisional Government of the district of Armyo sent a protest to the Consuls, setting forth that during the second battle at Platano a Turkish man-of-war fired on the village of Kychalos and killed a woman and some children. An orphan boy ^assent to Athene, whose mother had beenkilled by the Turks. Five unarmed men, in addition to the eight already mentioned, have been killed bv them near Bulganni. r From Corfu it is announced that a small band of insurgents has taken refuge at Risa. Sixty more were 8f\en fightIng near the shore on Saturday. Great efforts have been made by the Italian Consul here, but unavailingly, to obtain from the commander of the Turkish frigate a sate conduct to Prevesa of the in- surgent prisoners if they surrender. a ENGLAND AND GREECE. An Athens despatch, under date March 10th, says: Lord Derby officially informed the Hellenic Go- vernment of his having instructed the Eoglish Ambassadors-at the Courts of the Great Powers to propose that Greece should he represented at the Congress. The initiative taken by England in this question has produced an enormous impression here, as authorising a well-founded hope of a closer connec- tion between English and Greek policies on the sub- ject of the Eastern Question, which answers to the universal wishes of this country. THE TURKO- RUSSIAN ALLIANCE. The Times correspondent at Constantinople says: I have seen or heard nothing to conflict with my former suggestion that a secret peace bad been fully agreed uP°a.^J, ^rianople about the middle of February, and a the subsequent delays, discussions, and the final ormality of announcing the signature of a treaty were only parts in a programme fully agreed upon at that time between the Russian and Turkish Commis- sioners. The, announcement of an immediate con- clusion of peace at Adrianople would have found the Russian troops too far away from '-the Bosphorus and Constantinople to prevent a possibly hostile fleet from entering the Black Sea and cutting the newly-established line of communications. Various European political theories would have appeared to be violently interfered with by such a' startling" n- nouncement. There were possible dangers to the Ottoman Ceurt party from the fanatical temper of certain of the Sultan's subject had they been informed too abruptly that the hated Giaour was now an ally. It is unnecessary to mention more of the obvious advantages resulting to both belligerents from a pretended d lay in the peace negotiations they will occur to every one who has closely followed the recent progress of events in the. East. At the time the sIgnature was announced at San Stefano, Europe had become accustomed to the probability of a Russo- Turkish alliance and to the other chief points of the treaty, as enough had been allowed to leak out through yarious channels of communication with the European public to enable the Russian diplomatists to see how the principal terms of the treaty would be re- ceived, ana to make arrangements accordingly. It was necessary, meanwhile, to establish an entente c°rdi between the two lately opposing armies, and .al -JVS* freedom of communication „ 1(1 between the two lines was per- mittea, well as the strange mixing up of Russian and TurkIsh troops after the advance frem Tchataldja to the San atlano lines alluded to in my preceding telegrams. The Russian diplomacy has been most ably ma_ aged, and the result will probably be the at- tainment of its object without the danger of any active European interference. BETTER prom THE FLEET. The following letter, dated Feb. 26tb, is from the fleet at Iouzla Bay: We have pretty hard times at present on account of torpedo boats. We keep in readIness all night, with wire hawsers run out round torpedo poles about 40ft. from the ship, and torpedo guns loaded and manned. The guns all round the upper deck are alternately loaded with case shot and shrapnel abell. I pity any venturous expedi- tion that would try with us a repetition of the attempts practised with some success on the Turks. armed with 9-pounders and with tneirerews armed to the teeth are prowling about around the ships all night. Some marines are stationed on a little island at the entrance from Oon- stantinople to this place, and upon a craft making its appearance they fire a rifle, and the steam launch stationed within the boundary boards her. We burn no stayJignts at night to indicate our position, as is ordinarily done when a vessel is lying at anchor. Not a single light is Bhown from any of the ^'P8' The Devastation is at Gallipoli. The lorch arrived here from Malta on Satur- day she goes back again. The Flamingo and Sala- mis are very busy. TIM weather here now is fine. We are expecting the Austrian and Italian fleets up here. We went out last Friday for target and torpedo practice, and did very well. I may add that, when coming rough the Dardanelles, orders were given not to nre into the town, but at the guns and the forts. I do not think they would stand much rough vor, Ir" ^Jte we have steam up and everything ready tor the sharpest contingency in fact, for any phase of the situation which might suddenly develop itself. FRENCH OPINION OF AN ENGLISH OOOU- mu -D • PATI0N OF EGYPT. The Pans correspondent of the Times says: The few lines you published relative to the pro- posed occupation of Egypt by England have, as might be expected, given rise to much com- ment here. I was, therefore, not surprised to find it discussed everywhere, but I was much struck by what I heard from a very enlightened and patriotic French statesman, whose opinions have alrea-lv often surprised me by their practical character. We know perfectly well, he said to me, "that sooner or later England, if she does not wish to ex- pose herself to the charge of the greatest impru- dence, must take Egypt into her exclusive custody. We know that it is impossible for her to confide to any one the protection of practically her sole route to India. We cannot think that she would leave the protection and security of that route to Egypt, who is protected by Turkey, who, in turn, will be protected by Russia; we can be under no illusion, therefore, on this head. Well, our conviction being that the thing is unavoidable, that England must take measures for the security of her highway to India, the sooner it happens the better for every- body, ourselves included. As soon as France thinks she sees in England a Power desirous of Egypt, she will suspect her and believe her own interests threatened and betrayed, for there are people who even said we were betrayed when England bought the Khe- dive's shares; but when once they see Egypt taken and better governed, the lands of which the Viceroy so criminally despoiled them restored to the fellahs, Abys. sinia protected againstimpotentambition, and Egyptan fconest country, France will be the first to rejoice at so fortunate a transformation, the first io profit by it, and the first to see that henceforth there is euch a com- munity of interests between her and England that their alliance will become more logical, more indis- pensable. These reflections would shortly in all probability be those of all Frenchmen if confronted by an accom- plished fact; but hitherto I have met few who ap- prove or even commend them. ENGLISH ADDRESS TO THE CZAR. The Agence Basse announces that the English League for the Protection of the Christians in Turkey has sent to the Czar an address, bearing 400 signa- tures. congratulating h m on tne aeeorapiishmcnt of his liberal and Christian work, and praying him not to allow himself to be turned aside from its achieve- ment. The address further bees his Majesty .to assure to the Bulgarians of the South, from Yasilika, upon the Black Sea, to Adrianople and Thessalonica, the same religious and civil liberty as that accorded to the Hulgarians of the North. Otherwise, it is added, it would soon be necessary to begin the work anew.

ANOTHER COLLIERY EXPLOSION. A disaster of a terrible nature has occurred at Barrwood Collieries, Kilsyth, near Glasgow, the result of an explosion of firedamp. Barrwood Collieries are situated about 500 yards to the east of the town of Kilsyth, and belong to the well-known firm of coal and iron masters, Messrs. Wm. Baird and Co. They have been in operation lor a considerable number of years, and have generally been counted safe, although three years ago four men wero killed by an explosion of gas at Barrwood No. 1 pit. The colliery con- sists of two pits, No. 1 and No. 2, which are distant from each other over 100 yar5a. .Both ironstone and coal are worked—the coal seam being the deeper of the twe. At No. 1 pit the depth is 120 fathoms, and at No. 2 it is 130 fathoms. The explosion occurred in No. 2 pit, and in the coal work- ings the colliers began work, as usual, at an early hour in the merning, and all went well till shortly after eight o'clock. At that time an explosion of fire- damp occurred in the neighbourhood of No. 2r haft. The blast does not seem to have been of so severe a character as might have been ex- pected from the result with which it seems to have been attended but an immediate consequence of the blast was to set fire to the facings, and to stop the communication with certain parts of the mine in which a number of men were at work. So soon as the explosion occurred the men who were in the rise workings made for the bottom of the shaft, and with some difficulty were brought to the surface. Thirty or forty of their number, it was found, had escaped scatheless, but ten of them are very badly burned. With respect to two, named Waliis and Fleming, fears are entertained fer their recovery. The men in the dock workings un- happily were less fortunate, and, though it was con- sidered just passible that they might have reached some outlying part of the mine where they would be free from the deadly influence of the fire damp, but very faint hopes were from the first entertained of their safety. The news spread through the district with the pro- verbial speed of evil tidings, and the most painful scenes were witnessed around the pit's mouth, to which almost the entire population of the burgh hurried. The injured men were placed under medical care, and had their wounds attended to. Operations had been meanwhile begun with the view of dit covering the men who were still imprisoned in the mine. Ex- ploring parties were sent down No. 2 shaft, and pene- trated towards No. 1 for a considerable distance, but long before they reached the point where the men are supposed to be, their lights were extinguished,and they wf re compelled to beat a hasty retreat. At half-pasc two o'clock one of the exploring parties came to the surface, but no prospect was held out of the successful completion of their praiseworthy efforts.. Liter intelligence gives the number of men entombed in tha pit as sixteen, and no hope is entertained that any of them will be got out alive. They are believed to have been working in the north-west deck of the pit, a hundred fathoms from the bottom of. No. 2 shaft. The pit is supplied with a large current of air, which passes to the extremity of their workings, where it splits and distributes it- self through the various* rannSc&tions. Bub this air current had its course altered in consequence of the explosion, and instead of going down No. 2 shaft and up No. 1 shaft, it passed down No. 1 and up No. 2 shaft. Owing to several small explosions which occurred after the main explosion, it was foutod neces- sary to cease exploring the mine until the current of air could be got back into its original channel, and thua enable the explorers to go down No. 2 shaft, j The explosion at the Kilsyth collieries has unfor- tunately proved extremely disastrous, as was feared. There is not the slightest hope of any of the sixteen entombed miners being got out alive. In order to test the condition of the air in the damaged shaft a j kettle containing a Davy lamp was lowered to within nine fathoms of the bottom, and the result being thought satisfactory several men were lowered down BO as to ascertain the state of tbo shaft. An exami- nation showed that a considerable portion of the slides was destroyed, and that descent was very precarious on account of the < stones and timber projecting into the Bhaft. The work of repairing the shaft was carried on till Saturday night, when gas was found coming up the shaft. This put a atop to operations for several hours, and it was not till | Sunday morning was pretty far advanced that the repairing operations could be resumed. In the evening the new iron stone workings, which are about thirteen fathoms above the coal, were reached. These were at once entered, and an attempt made to get into the coal workings through the blind pit. The explorers in their course down the blind pit heard a rumbling noise as if another fall had occurred, and, as they almost immediately found the air current interrupted and the air apparently in a vitiated condition, they wisely desisted. A little further examination showed indications of further falls, and the explorers returned. The operations on Monday were entirely confined to clearing the. damaged shaft of No. 2 pit at Kilsyth. It has been found impossible to obtain access to the coal workings by means of the blind pit through the ironstone seam. After consultation with the engineers and Government inspector, it was resolved, as all hope of saving the lives of the men had been abandoned, that the better way would be tA repair the shaft, and get access to the pit in the ordinary way rather than risk the lives of men by trying paths which are full of foul air. On Monday night the shaft bad been repaired to within twenty fathoms of the bottom, and the wood which is being taken up is all charred and burnt. There are, however, fourteen fathoms of rubbish to raise from the bottom of the shaft before access to the workings can be obtained, and on account of the numerous falls that have occurred it is doubtful whether the workingB round the pit bottom may not be closed. Messrs. Baird have deputed two of their managers, along with one of the local clergymen, to give interim relief to the relatives of the sufferers. A meeting of the Burgh Commissioners har been held, and arrangements made for raising a general sub- scription on behalf of the btreaved.

A VBTEBAN.—On the 28th ult. one of the few remaining Trafalgar veterans died—Robert Base, born on St. Valentine's Day, 1788. He was a drum- mer-boy on board the BeUerophon in the battle of Trafalgar. He lived latterly in St. John's parish, Peterborough, a very quiet and peaceful life, re- spected by all who knew him. THE FAMINE IN NORTH CHINA.—A report on the famine in the northern provinces of China, with a map, has been laid before Parliament. The report has been orawn up by Mr. Mayers, the Chinese Secretary of the Legation at Peking, and is dated Oct. 30, 1877. He describes the calamity as equal if not greater in extent than that which has been ex- perienced in Southern India, and as being due to the same cause—a disturbance in the regularity of the summer monsoons in two. successive years. In some provinces there was an excessive rain- fall. which caused most disastrous floods, and much destruction of crops. In others an unusual drought was experienced, which ruined the harvest, and in some parts actually prevented the crops from being sown. The suffering thus caused was increased by a plague of locusts which ravaged a lnrge tract of country. Measures of relief were adopted by the Government, and assistance was given by the foreign communities, but the people in many places neverthe- less became absolutely destitute, and they were driven to sell their wives and children to obtain the means of living, while thousands died of starvation. Mr. Mayers estimates that millions would depend upon •fficial charity during the winter.

PARLIAMENTARY INTELUGENCE. MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE (IRELAND) BILL.—In the House of Commons, Major O'Gorman moved the second read- ing of his bill for assimilating the municipal franchise of Ireland to utht of England; his aim, he explained, being to confer on the Irish people the benefit of English institutions. The bill was opposed by Mr. Kavanagh, on the ground that a committee were sit- ting who would inquire into the subject, and that the immediate effect of passing such a measure would be to swamp and practically disfranchise the existing municipal constituencies. Sir John Leslie maintained that, in the absence of a numerous middle Glass, it was impossible to apply toe Englsh system to Ireland with any advantage. Mr. D. Plunket admitted that some change was desirable, but pointed out the inconvenience of expresSÏ1ag an opinion on an abstract qnestion forming part of a very complex problem, and urged the propriety of waiting for the report of the Select Com- mittee who had the subject under consideration before proceeding further. In the course of the debate the bill was also opposed by Mr. Macartney, and supported by Mr. Meldon, Mr. Gray. Mr. M. Brooks. Sir J. M Kenna, and Mr. Sullivan. Mr. J. Lowther. Chief Secretary for Ireland, declined to pass an opinion on the merits or demerits uf the measure, but was content to ground his opposition to it on the fact that the whole matter had been referred to a committee. The House then divided, and they threw out the bill by a majority of five only, the numbers being 165 to 160. The result gave rise to loud cheering from the minority. THE TREATIES OF 1856.—The Duke of Argyll called at- tention to the Treaties of 1856 and to our present position in respect to them, and stated that a condition was imposed on Turkey that she should treat her own subjects, and especially the Christians, with equity and justice and he maintained that in consequence a duty was imposed on us to see that the promises of Turkey to act in conformity with that condition were fulfilled. Referring to the interposition on several occasions by the Powers of Europe in the concerns of Turkey to show that the general opinion was that Turkey could not be trusted with the management of her own affairs, he at the same time main- tained that we are under no obligation in consequence of the Treaties of 1856 to defend Turkey against the conse- quences of the misgovernment of her own subjects, adding that Lord Derby's despatch written after the Bul- ganan massacres amounted to a declaration that we were absolved from the obligation of defending Turkey. In his opinion there had been no violation of the Trebles of 1856 by Sussia, though he admitted that we had a nght to resist any. proposal injurious to our in- terests and he hoped that instructions would be given to onr representative at the Conference to endeavour to provide for the independence of the Turkish Provinces which had been desolated by the reoent war.. After a few remarks froti Lord Stanley of Alderley, Lord Hammond, and Lord Carnarvon, the Duke of Somerset expressed his regret to hear the attacks of Somerset expressed his regret to hear the attacks made on a fallen and defeated Power like Turkey, and the Duke of Rutin nd sai i that he hoped in the Conference no attempt would any more be made to bo ster up Turkey, I while Lord Faversham stated that he was in favour of the policy of conditional neutra, ity Lord Derby maintained that England had violated no engagement. in declining to go to war in defence of Turkey; but it was the fact that the Government had done everything in their power short of enterine into actoal hostilities to prevent war breaking out. Though the state of things which existed in 1856 and 1871 had ceased to exist, yet it might be' taken as a point of departure; but if taken as a point of departure, it would only be so ■ aken with the intention of departing from it. When peace should be established, it was to be hoped that it would have the elements of dura- bility, and that care would ba taken to preserve the balance between the different subject race. After some remarks from Lord Stratheden and Campbell, the subject dropped. CocNTY GOVERNMENT BILL.—On the motion for going into committee on this bill, Mr. Bylands moved its rejec- tion, justifying this unusual course after the large majority which had affirmed the second reading, by the almost unani- mous condemnation passed on it in the House and the evident dislike of it out of doors. Personally he regarded the bill as a fatal blow at local self-government, and thedestructien of a valuable barrier against bureau- cracy. Lord R. Churchill seconded the amendment in an animated spcech, denouncing the measure as a mixture of Radical principle with Conservative caution, a supreme vi lation of political honesty, and another attempt to con- ciliate the masses by seeming to concede principles which were minimized in the details of legislation. He made, too, some acrimonious remarks on Mr. Sclater-Booth's personal responsibility for the bill, and, defending the antiquity and utility of Quarter Sessions, he derided the idea. of replacing it by another anomaly which was certain to be swept away by the Liberal party when it came into office. After some discussion, Mr. O'Donnell spoke for some time against the bill, and Mr. Henry moved the adjournment of the debate. This having been defeated by 244 to 44, another motion was made, to which, fter a protracted wrangle, the Government, acting on the advice of Lord Hartington, gave way, and thf1 debate was adjourned for II. week. THE EASTERN QUESTION—The Earl of Derby, replying to Lord DeLi Warr, said he was afraid he was unable to lay a copy of the treaty of peace between Russia and Turkey before their lordships. In answer to Lord Granville, the Foreign Secretary stated that when he had last answered a question on the aspect of the proposed Congress or Con- ference, he had stated that Baden-Baden had been selected as the plnce of meeting, but since that time negotiations had passed. between some of the Powers, the re- sult of which was that it had been decided to meet at Berlin — a change which, as far as the Government was concerned, would make no difference. The time of meeting he was not enabled to state with any certainty. The bases upon which the Con- gress or Conference WII8 to proceed were most important, and UI on that question the Government were in communi- cation with the other Powers, and principally with Austria, that Government being the one which took the initiative in the matter. The Government had already expressed the opinion in the despatch laid beiø& Parlii*- ment that they .were nOT; prepared to recognise as valid any change that might; be made in Euro- pean treaties until those changes bad" been as-r sented to by the Powers, and the Government had further stated that it would be desirable that not merely a. part but the whole of the treaty lately concluded between Russia and Turkey should be submitted to the Con- gress. In answer to the Earl of Dunraven, his lordship- said he had recently heard a rumour of a se :ret understand- ing between Russia and Persia for the cession of a district on tJ1e Caspian coast, but on telegraphing to ascertain the accuracy of the report the Persian Government absolutely denied the truth of the statement that any understanding had been come to or was being come to for a cession of any partofBayazid. MR. LAYARD AND MR. GLADSTONE.—The Negroponte Correspondence" was brought before the House by Mr. Ashley, who moved a resolution expressing its regret for the part taken in the matter by Mr. Layard. Disclaiming all party and personal motives, he declared his object to be to protest against the doctrine that a public servant was jus ified in using all the power of his position to crush any man who was an obstacle to his policy. The substance of his accusation was that Mr. Layard had done a gross act of injustice to Mr. Gladstone in communicating the contents of his letter to Mr. Negroponte to the corre- spondent o' the Daily Telegraph at Constantinople, and thereby rendering- himself responsible for the-telegram pub- lished in that paper charging Mr. Gladstone with inciting the Greeks to rise against the Porte, and he supported. this charge by an elaborate review of papers. With regard to the last despatch just laid On the table of the House, in which Mr. Layard expressed his regret if he had done any injustice to Mr. Gladstone, he asserted that it was no apology at all and only made matters worse. Mr. Bourke pointed out that the motion involved a vote of censure on our Ambassador, which the House ought not to sanction, except after the deepest consideration. The expression of regret in Mr. Layard'slast despatch, in Mr, ttourke's opinion, was an ample amende. Mr. O'Reilly supported the motion, and censured Mr. Layard for his communication with the newspaper correspondent; while Lord Elcho was of opinion that Mr. Layard's amende cut the ground from under Mr. Ashley's feet, and strongly depre- cated not only passing a vote of censure on our Ambassador at' the critical moment, but the habit which had grown up of making partisan attacks on the Govt rnment through our Ministers and Con- suls. Mr. Anderson regarded Mr. Layard's apology as entirely inadequate, and Mr. Marten showed from the dates that no responsibility could be attributed to him for the int erpretation which had been put on Mr. Gladstone's letters. The motion was supported by Mr. Hopwood and opposed by Mr. WheeVhouse. Mr. SUHIVIUI warmly denounced the Ambassador and cor- re8ppndent as engaged in a conspiracy to ruin Mr. Gladstone; to which Dr. O'Leary replied in an animated speech, denouncing Mr. Gladstone's urn. patriotic conduct and repudiating for the Irish Party all sympathy with Mr. Sullivan's Whig tactics. Sir H. James went at length into the papers, contending that the Ambassador, if he believed Mr. Gladstone to be engaged in stirring up the Greeks to insurrection, ought to have re- ported it to his Government. Mr. Layard might not be answerable for. the ezact words of the telegram, but he was responsible for the fact that it was sent. He put the correspondence into motion, and when he knew that the charge had been made in this country ho ought to have come forward to declare that it was a misrepresentation of the letter to Mr. Negro- ponte. As to the apology it had never been for- warded to Mr. Gladstone, and it was quite insufficient. The Solicitor-General maintained that there was no evidence whatever for the charge, and that Mr. Layard was not responsible for the action of the corre- spondent. The Marquis of Harting'on acquitted Mr. Layard of anything like a deliberate conspiracy to injure Mr. Gladstone, but complained that he had not shown him- self sufficiently ready to correct the consequences of the indiscretion into which he had been led. That he had something to do with the correspondent and the telegram he did not deny, and when he found that so serious a charge had been made against Mr. Gladstone he should have immediately contradicted it, and he should have done all in his power to make reparation. As the Govern- ment had not expressed the smallest dissatisfaction with Mr. Layard, he felt bound to vote for the motion. The Chan- cellor of the Exchequer remarked on the difficulty of ascer- taining exactly what was the charge against Mr. Layard, for though Lord Hartington spoke only of indiscretion, Mr. Ashley had charged him with a deliberate attempt to ruin Mr. Gladstone. The consequence of endorsing such a charge by a vote of the House of Commons must be most serious, and he contended that there was not the smallest evidellce iu the papers to support it. Indiscretion and pru- dence they might show, but they fell far short of the impu- tation conveyed in the motion, and did not call for so serious a censure. On a division the motion was negatived by 206 to 132.

^ABANDONMENT OF A SHIP AT SKA.—Six of th" crew of the ship John Gladstone have been landed at Liverpool by the steamer Oaradoc, from Neif Orleans. During her homeward voyage the Oaradoc spoke the barque Mary A. Marshall, with the ere" ef the John Gladstone on board. The latter vesseli while on a voyage from Antwerp to Hampton Roads, sprung a leak, and the crew, to save their lives, had to abandon her. They were taken off the sinking ship by the brig Alliance, and were afterwards transferred to the Mary A. Marshall. The captain of the Oaradoc agreed to take six of the crew, and the remainder* being the captain and officers, stayed on board. The John Gladstone was a ship of 1034 tons register, owned by Messrs. Palmer, of St. John's. N.B. She was built at Williamsburg, Nova Scotia, in 1855. HANDBOOK TO THE UPPER TEN THOUSAND* —Messrs. Kelly and Co. have just issued tfceir hand- some Handbook to the Upper Ten Thousand for 1878- In this, which is the fourth annual edition, tbe traced of careful revision are perceptible, and there have bee|» added to the contents the names of Queen's Serjeants-at-law, Presidents and Vice-Presidents °' learned societies, and the owners of a large number of the principal seats in England. As the names are arranged alphabetically the book is well adapted f°r ready reference. The handbook also contains d general table of precedence, relative ra k in army an navy, precedence among ladies, and forms of epistolary addresses, which may be found useful occasionally j*/ those who have not the honour of belonging to t» Upper Ten or Twenty Thousand.