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

IHK FLEET RUNNING THE GAUNTLET OF THE DARDANELLES. The Standard has published a correspondent's :ie:1 ription of the passage of the Dardanelles by the 13t ttish fleet, which, if a little out of date as a matter of news, is fit in its life-like interest to remain a his tjrical record of that memorable event. Beginning with Saturday, the 9th February, the day on which Ailmiral Hornby, whilst lying inactive in Besika Bay. reserved those instructions from home," the fulfil- w el I ment of which caused so much sensation and debate, we are thus told the feeling of the fleet when, having steamed toChnnak and been refused permission topass, they were obliged to turn back. "Bitter was the disap- pointment, .oud the groans, when our British sailors 8-vw their sh'ps turning back to the old anchorage; but a gleam of hope remained in the fact that orders were given to bank fires ready for ten knots steaming at twenty minutes'notice. We remained in a condition of excitement and extreme tension for three days, for it was well known that the admiral was keeping up con- frt,ant telegraphic communication with the Admiralty, itnd the signal Telegram on shore waa constantly being made. On Tuesday, the 12th, a rumour got tibout that the fleet bad orders to enter again the Dardanelles, and this was confirmed by the circum- stance that the admiral and captains of the fleet held a meeting on board the Alexandra, Admiral Hornby's flag ship, a meeting which was neither more nor less than a council of war. When the captains returned on board their ships it was made known that next day, the fleet was to go up the Dardanelles, and at all hazards to force the passage, I leave or no leave. This suited the temper of the men, and excitement rose all the higher from the previous disappointment. Recollections of the deeds of British fleets in other days, and especially of Sir John Duckworth's famous passage of the same Straits seventy-one years oefore almost to a day, were stirred up within them, as maps were studied and books of naval history referred to. The weather was bad in an intense degree when the fleet of five sailed, and :t became worse and worse as it got to the narrow entrance to the Dardanelles, until the dangers of navi- gation almost seemed worse than the gauntlet of the forts. The plan of attack is thus described: The guns wtre loaded with heavy charges of powder and Sbrapnell shell, trained on the beam, and run out just i evel with the battery ports. But these messengers of death hada smiling face upon them, for the tompions were in, and everythinglooked peaceful. The tips were filled with riflemen. and Gatling guns and all torpedo defences prepared, but nothing warlike was to be seen. Admiral Hornby's instructions were to pass peace- fully if possible, not to make any demonstration calculated to excite the Turks into a breach of the peace, but if the forts did open fire upon us, then Ti ese were the orders 'If any of the forts flre at und hit any ship of the squadron, the two divisions were to attack and silence the two forts above Ohanak Fort!! Namazieh and Ohanak Castle. The first bit of work calculated upon was the en- countering of a forty-ton Krupp gun, mounted in an earthwork some three miles below Ohanak. The orders respecting this formidable piece of ordnance w*re "The ships will paso within 200 yards of the gun, their broadsides bearing on it in succession; if the Turks fire it, it is to be dismounted, and the works around it destroyed." The unquestion- ing faith in success indicated in this order is truly British. Surrounded with a dense fo«r, the snow falling thickly, the wind howling trough the rigging, the squadron groped about until tnis wretched gun was found. Then forming in line the ships waited the result. Then, we are told, oreathless silence reigned over the ships, broken only by the dull thud, thud, ef the engines; yet b-neath that quietude was the greatest excitement. At the guns stood their crews, one man ready to slip out the tompion, the others to run the -in out, while the captain of the gun stood un- loveable, lanyard in hand, one jerk of which would nave sent the enormous shell spinning on its •rrnnd. Our hearts were in our mouths as the flag ship came abreast of the Ohanak gun; the little puff of smoke, the flame, the crash, were eagerly witched for, while minutes seemed years. At last relief came; we had passed in peace, and the tension was removed." What the result of this avoided conflict would have been it is perhaps useless to speculate upon, and the Standard's correspondent dismisses the matter with the remark that armour is not of much utility at 200 yards, and tells us what the guns of the ships were. The Alexandra's broad side was composed • if five 18 toa guns and one 25-ton; the Agincourt's, ,f seven 12 ton guus the Achilles', of eight 12-ton guns and one 9 ton the Sultan's, of four 18-ton guns, and one 12-ton the Tetneraire's three 25-ton guns, and four 18-tons; the Swiftsure's five 12 ton guns, and two 61 pounders making a total of four 25-ton guns, tb'rteen 18-t, n guns, twenty-one 12-ton guns, Hod one 9 tor. gun, or a gross available total of forty guns. Having passed the big gun without re- ceiving a fiery welcome, not much was expected from the two big forts above Ohanak, nevertheless ears were kept open Ears," or we are told-that it was absolutely impossible to see anything of the shore.. As the town of Ohanak was passed the wind in- creased in strength, the fog thickened, the snow and sleet fell worse than before, blinding the officers on the bridges, and biting ears, cheeks, and noses. The current, too, was dead against us, and was running nearly four knot. In this fearful weather, when neither ship's bead or stern were visible, and guided only by the hoarse cry of the leadsmen in the chains, did the squadron pass the narrows of the Dardanelles, iisre only three-quarters of a mile broad. At a speed of sight knots against the wind and current the forta^of Chanak and Iscala and Namazieh were passed. Breath less silence prevailed on beard the ships when these formidable batteries were being passed; they were the only point of serious resistance, added to which the Turkish authorities bad given us the pleasing infor- mation that torpedoes had been laid down between the opposite forts. But no—nothing occurred to bar our progressup the Straits no torpedo exploded under our bottom, and no shell came crashing against our sides. For the next two miles we were passing smaller forts and redoub's, but of these we took no notice, as they could all have easily been disposed of by a few shells." High as the hearts of the sailors had beat with excite- ment and." stern joy," we can easily believe that a feeling of relief was experienced when the gauntlet was run, for earthworks mounted with 18-ton Krupp guns, to say nothing of the single 40-ton monster, are not easy nuts to crack.

PLANTS AND INSECTS.—In your abstract; of Sir John Lubbock's lecture, quoted last week (page 148), it is stated, No bird will touch any of the caterpillars which are hairy." It may have escaped the notice of Sir John that the cuckoo feeds on the dark hairy caterpillar that is so common in the month of May. It is a well-known fact with taxidermists that the cuckoo feeds on the, hairy, caterpillar in April, May, and June, and by the middle of June the gizzard of the cuckoo is so full of them (or I may say the heads and hairy skins) -Ag fo form a hard ball. I have frequently dis- sect d the gizzards during the process of stuffing, and i ound as the season advanced the larger the sub- set; sin the gizzard. I have counted as many as tirr'y heads in one gizzard. After June this cater- pii'.ar becomes rare, and the old birds leave this cotinrry-, thus showing that the scarcity of food with otliFi* migrants is the chief cause of their departure to oth i climates, and not so much, as is supposed, the ¡WI.SO' .-Live Stock Journal. INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL MATCH. — The international football match between eleven of All iir. jrland ard eleven of All Scotland took place on Saturday afternoon, in ETampden-park, Glasgow, in th ) presence of about 15 000 spectators. The match ended in favour of Scotland, hy seven goals to two. REDUCTION OF MINK as' W AGRS.-At Sheffield a meeting of the members of the South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Ooalowners' Association was held for thi purpose of discussing the question of reducing the wages of the miners. The meeting was specially convened, and, in order that their might be unity of action, colliery proprietors not members of the also- ciation were invited. There was, consequently, a numerous attendance. Though the meeting was una- !,imous in the expression of its opinion that a reduc- tion was necessary, tbe amount which the men should be asked to consent to was not decided on. It was considered advisable that the opinion of colliery owners not present should first b-) asked, and th* meeting wis adjourned for the purpose. Sodeprepsed is the condition of the coal trade that it is hardly likely the men will strike, even if the funds of their union would justify them in so doing, which is hardly the c'se. It is somewhat singular that the reduction now asked far will bring down the wages of the miners to the amount at which they stood in 1871. DROWNED WHILE STBAMNG.—Mr. Hum- phreys held an inquiry at the Grave Maurice Tavern, St. Leonard's road, Bromby-by-Bow, as to the death of Oharles Turner, 26, a labourer. He was an expert swimmer, and a short time ago eluded capture by the pelicc, who found him stealing coal from a barge in the Lea Out, by diving into the water and swimming to the opposite bank. On the 14th ult. he was dis- coverei with a numoer of lads engaged in stealing coal from a barge at Bow Oreek by two policemen, who made efforts to take him and his companions into custody. Several "f the lads were captured and con- victed, but Turner, by iumping into the water, got beyond their reach. He got drawn beneath some barees, however, and was heard crying out several times, '"Oh, save me." An attempt was made to rescue him, but without avail, his body not being re- covered until the 4th inst. A verdict of Accidental death was recorded. |

THE VICTORIA CROSB AND ALBERT MEDAL- The inscription on the Victoria Cross, For Valour," is so simple that were its distribution re- stricted by no other condition than the one thus implied, the institution of a second order for the brave would have been unnecessary. But the Victoria Cross, as is well known, is only given for deeds of daring performed in the presence of an enemy. It was, therefore, soon felt that a com- plementary reward was wanted to distinguish such defds of heroism as could not be classed in the above category, and the result was toe in- s itution of the Albert Medal. In the London Gazette last week it was announced that the Queen had been graciously pleased to confer the Albert Medal of the second-class on John Mitchell, carpenter, William Stewart, sail-maker, and Oharles Wilson, A.B., late seaman of the Conference, of Bristol; and the record of the services for which it was granted fully justifies the award. The Conference was at anchor at Huanillos, on the, coast of Peru, on the night of the 9th May, 1877, when an earthquake occured causing the sea to recede fora moment, only to return in the form of a migbty wave, fifty feet high, which even the Board of Trade, we see, persist in calling tidal." The vessels in the anchorage were dashed against each other or on shore, and one of them, the Avonmore, was seen driving at a furious rate across the bows of the Conference, Almost imme- diately afterwards her riding light vanished, and cries of drowning people were heard. It was at this awful moment, in the midst of utter darkness, that Captain Williams called for volunteers, and the three brave fellows whose names are given above stepped forth, manned the jolly boat, and rescued the master of the Avonmore, his child, and three others. Perhaps those only who have had seme experience of South American earthquakes and earthquake waves will be able to realise the horrors of that night, and appreciate duly the daring courage of the latest recipients of the Aloert Medal.

THE TOWNELEY FAMILY. The Observer says: To derive one's descent from one of William the Conqueror's Norman followers is generally considered something to be proud of, but the Towneleys of Towneley might look down with pardon- able contempt on such as could trace their pedigree only as far back as 1066. They themselves were of Saxon origin, and by ancient charters and other authenticated documents, could prove their descent from ancestors who lived in the reign of Alfred. By the death of Colonel John Towneley, of Towneley Hall, we regret to see that the male line of this ancient Lancashire family is now extinct. The name, not- withstanding its antiquity, has never been a very distinguished one in English history, and it is certainly best known in connection with the rebel- lion of 1745. One Towneley had a narrow escape from the gallows for his share in the rising of 1715, and when Charles Edward invaded England hi- nephew Francis, far from profiting by such a warn- ing, joined the Young Pretender as colonel of the Manchester regiment, was captured, and condemned to a traitor's death. He was executed accordingly at Tyburn, in the most barbarous manner, in company with Fletcher and "Jemmy Dawson," and his head was afterwards spiked upon Temple Bar. The late Colonel John Towneley only succeeded to the ances- tral estates in 1876, and on the death of his brother Char es, in whose time at least the head of the Jaco bite officer was still preserved, being kept in a box in the library at the family mansion in London.

HOBBES FOB THB ARMY.—It has been deter- mined in Cabinet Council to purchase a large number of hones for military purposes, and a special com- mittee was appointed last week to superintend the transaction, officers under the control of that body being despatched into various parts of the country to treat with breeders and dealers. The total number required is stated to be 21,000; and Lord Arthur Somerset, of the Hone Guards, who has arrived at Bristol on this special mission, stated that he was authorised to select 5000 in the western district, of which that city is the centre. We also learn from Barnsley that at the annual fair there on Wednesday a number of horses were purchased on Government account, at prices ranging from X40 to XW. Each officer upon this special service is accompanied by a veterinary inspector, by whom all the animals must be passed. We quote the conditions and price offered from an advertisement in a county paper. The borses required are for artillery or transport purposes, as follows: Age, rising five or six years height, from 15 2 to 16 bands; mares or geldings, any colour; stamp of borse required, a light van or strong 'bus horse. Price to be given, from X40 to £ 60." It thus ap- pears that out of the celebrated "six millions," over a million is to be spent in horse flesh.—Live Stock Journal. SERIOUS FIRES IN AMERICA.—Several serious fires have occurred in the United States. A ware- house in Savannah, containing 4000 bales of cotton, was destroyed by fire on the 18th of February. The cotton and warehouse were covered by insurance amounting to 8240,000. The large oil warehouse of Messrs. Chess, Corby, and Co., Mobile, was destroyed on the same day. The less includes 6000 gallons ot oil, 15,000 cases of kerosene, and 500 barrels of tur- pentine. A great conlfagration occurred at New York on the 17th ult. A magnificent structure, known as the Excelsior Building, in Twenty-third-street, erected in 1871, at a cost of half a million of dollars, was burnt down, together with two churches, one belong- ing to the Presbyterians and the other to the Cove- n-nters. Tie Excelsior Building was used for different purposes. Two floors were occupied as a furniture factory, and the basement and second storey werl used as the quarters of the 8th Begiment. When the fire reached this part of the building the reports of exploding cartridges were heard. The losses are set down at three quarters of a million of dollars. THE SALMON FISHING SEASON.—The salmon fishing season has opened most auspiciously. In nearly every district where fishing has commenced the capture has been remarkably good, and in many in- stances the lessees have been fortunate enough to take a sufficient number of salmon on the first few opening days to pay for the working expenses for the whole season. The effect of this plentiful capture has been to bring down the price of salmon to a figure lower than we ever recollect it to have been at so early a period of the yew Heretofore salmon during the first weeks of the season fetched, as a rule, from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. per lb. This year the prime fish has been selling in great quantities as low as Is. 4d. per lb., and even in the more fashionable West-end shops, which generally secure the pick of the market, has seldom ranged higher than 2s. Not in London alone has this comparatively low price prevailed, for we learn that in most of the large towns throughout the country salmon has been plentiful, and has been selling at a correspondingly low figure. As far as the metropolis is concerned, we can from the returns published weekly in Land and Water readily com- pare the condition of the salmon' supply this year with the supply during the corresponding period of the previous season. From the figures published we gather that for the three weeks ending the 23rd of February last the number of boxes of salmon which reached Bilingsgate from Scotland amounted to 1022 boxes, as against 398 boxes received during the corresponding period of 1877. Ireland this year furnished 117 boxes, as against 56 boxes in 1877; while Bngland sent 39 boxes, as against 25 boxes last year. If other markets have shown a proportionate increase (and we btlieve they generally can), it will be clearly seen that the spring salmon fishing this year has in the three countries been remarkably productive. From Berwick it is reported that the net fishing in the Tweed has been very satis- factory. The largest takes are made in the upper waters, but the lower waters are, for the time of the year, pretty well fished. Salmon are more plentiful than trout. HYDROPHOBIA.—A Saxon forester, named Gastel, now in his 83rd year, publishes in the Leip- ziger Gazette the particulars of a method which he has successfully employed for more than fifty years to preserve men and animals bitten by rabid dogs trom hydrophobia. The wound is to be first well washed with a mixture of warm water and wine-vinegar and carefully dried, and then a few drops of hydrochloric acid are to be let fall into it. The mineral acid is said to destroy the poison of the saliva, and so obviate the fatal effects of the bite. In connection with this subject a Parisian veterinary surgeon is widely adver- tising an "infallible cure" at the modest price ef fifty francs a bottle. The Journal de l Agriculture wtrns its readers that this expensive remedy is nothing more than common sDints of ammonia. THE DISTRESS IN SHEFFIBLD.-It is satisfac- tory to find that the distress which so largely pre- vailed amongst the working classes at Sheffield a few weeks ago is now more or less rapidly diminishing. A meeting of a relief committee, having charge of a district in which the distress was heavier than in any other part of the town, was held recently, when it was stated that 54 families, representing about 500 persons, had ceased to require relief since last week. A great deal of distress, however, still prevails, and large numbers of men are employed in levelling land in one of the outskirts of the town be- longing to the Duke of Norfolk. These for the most part are men who were employed in the Sheffield trades, and they now prefer to do labourers' work rather than remain on the list of the relief committees. I Up to the present time the necessary means for the | relief of the distress has come from the mayor's fund, 1 which now amounts to upwarda of .MOOO. |

COLLIERY DISASTER IN SCOTLAND. A dreadful over-winding accident has happened at No. 3 Pit, High Blantyre Collieries, near Glasgow, belonging to William Dixon and Company (Limited), resulting in the death of six men. The unfortu nate men were named: Patrick Houghnie, 16, Ann- street, Burnbank; Hamilton Martin Houghnie, son of above; Patrick Hopkins, lodger with first-named Thomas Murdoch Stonefield, Blantyre Robert Murdoch, son of above and Michael Currie, High Blantyre. No. 3 Pit is one of the mines that exploded so disastrously in last October, the loss of life being 209. By the beginning of this year everything was restored to order, and contrary to experience in cases of the great coll ery disasters in England, no difficulty was experienced in filling the mine with men, a result towards which, probably, the great depression of trade largely contributed. The time whan the men finish work lies entirely with them- selves. As a rule the first of them leave the pit about two in the afternoon, and all are mostly out before four. No. 3 is 155 fathoms down to the lowest seam, there being beneath this a eump, or well, eighteen feet deep, filled with water. The shaft consists of two divisions, one double cage being fitted into each, and the winding apparatus is that usually used at mines, a worm screw indicator informing the engine-keeper of the position of the cage in the shaft and when it reaches the top. Cages containing coal are wound to the surface in from thirty-three to thirty-six seconds, but when men com- pose the freight about double the time is occupied. Arthur Oleland was the day- shift engineman. He has been in the employment of the firm since November, and has filled the position of engine keeper at No. 3 since about the new year, sustaining a high reputation for caution and steadiness. Up to twenty-five past three, when the accident happened, he had drawn up six tows," or about thirty-eight men, to the pit head. As far as can be ascertained, the necessarysignals were exchanged between him and the bottomer when he began to wind up to the top a cage containing t.he six men and boys who lost their lives and another (seven in all). Instead of stopping his engine when the indicator pointed to the cage having reached the plates," where the men usually got out, he, by overwinding, carried it on to the cross-beams. There the carriage was wrecked, and six of the men whom it contained were precipitated down the shaft. Only one of them escaped, named Robert Allen, or Garrety, living at Stonefield Rows. A young man, named Robert Tracy, who had ascended with the previous cage, was coming out of the smithy when the accident happened. He says there were only three men on the cage at that time. One fell out, and was precipitated down the shaft. The second seemed to have attempted to leap off, but his feet came in contact with the framework overhead, and he fell down the opposite shaft. The third remained on the cage, and was saved. Tr&cy gave the alarm, shouting that the cage was "overthe whorls," and James Paterson, engineer, as speedily as possible relieved the remaining occu- pant of the wrecked cage. Mr. Watson and Mr. Robson, assistant Government inspectors, being in- formed of the accident, repaired to the pit, and took measures to recover the bodies of those who had lost their lives. After the safety of Allen had been made secure Mr. Robert Robson descended No. 2 pit, and went to the bottom of No. 3 through the communica- tion. Grappling irons were at once put in request to secure the bodies out of the sump, and the thirty men who were still in the pit cheerfully remained to assist in the recovery of the bodies. In a short time. through the exertions of the men, the bodies were all recovered, taken to the surface, placed in coffins, and identified. The Houghnies, father and son, and their lodger, Hopkins, only recently arrived in the district from the county of Durham. Martin Houghnie was 15 and Hopkins about 20. Thomas Murdoch, who is about 50, lost a son in the great ex- plosion. When Paterson, the engineer, examined the indicator in the engine-house immediately after the accident he found it registered the position of the cage at 40 fathoms from the pithead, and on the examination shortly afterwards showed seven fathoms, though the position of the oage was unaltered. Oleland, the engine-keeper, declined to stay, although asked, and at once made off to bis house, when he cleaned himself and set off towards Glasgow. A lad who had observed him informed the police, who at once went after him, overtook him, and apprehended him, pend- ing further inquiries. His previous character has been good.

THE VALUE OF THE CLEOPATRA. This action had been brought by Mr. John Dixon, the owner of the vessel and its cargo, against Messrs. Burrell and Sons, the owners of the steamship Fits. maurice, the s ilvora, for the purpose of obtaining a salvage award from the Admiralty division of the High Court of Justice as early as possible. Mr. Clarkson, on behalf of the salvors, now made an ap- plication that his lordship would direct that the Cleopatra and the Needle should be appraised in the first instance, and if it should he found necessary, that the vessel and the Needle should be put up for sale by public auc- tion. It was not, however, the wish of the de- fendants to do anything which might defeat the object of Mr. Wilson in regard to the Needle. Sir Robert Pnillimere said he thought it would be very lamentable if such a step should be necessary. All that the defendants required was to get a reason- able value placed upon the Needle and the vessel. Mr. Clarkson said the plaintiff had put forward .£250 in his statement of claim as the value which should be put upon the Needle, and he submitted that such a sum was trifling. Sir Robert Phillimore said the difficulty was in deciding who was the proper person to appraise the value. Perhaps the British Museum might furnish them with some person who would be able to do so. Unless the parties could come to an agreement upon the matter the Court would have to have it appraised. Who was on the other side ? Mr. Hollamg said that the difficulty which the plaintiff had experienced was as to what principle should be adopted in ascertaining the value of the Needle. It should be remembered that the plaintiff was in a peculiar position in the matter, inasmuch as he was the contracter for Mr. Wilson in bringing the Needle home. Sir Robert Phillimore pointed out that the real question before the Court was as to what steps should be adopted in orderto ascertain the value of this work of art which had been preserved from destruc- tion by the salvors. Mr. Hollams said that the plaintiff, in his reply to the defendant's statement of defence, had said he was willing to consent to a proper appraisement of the Needle if the Court should consider it necessary. Mr. Clarkson said his clients would be quite willing to leave his lordship to decide who was a proper person to ap- praise the value. Mr. Hollams consented to that course on behalf of the plaintiff. Sir Robert Phillimore said if in the course of the day the parties should not agree upon the question, he would nominate a person himself. The subject then dropped. Sir Robert Phillimore, after the adjournment for lunch, said he had, at the request of the parties in the case, himself considered what should be the value placed upon this strange ship and cargo, and by the best lights he could bring to bear upon the subject, he would fix the joint value of the ship and cargo at £ 25,000.

MEDICAL men have frequently remarked the effect music has upon the insane, but until recently we have not heard that the influence has been practically applied until a well-known American pianist, Mr. Mark Pattison, tried it at the Black- well's Island Lunatic Asylum, where a musical and dramatic entertainment was given recently to fourteen hundred female lunatics. One of the most incurably insane of the patients, a girl eighteen years of age, was induced to seat herself near the pianist, who played softly and expressively a nocturne of Chopin. It was observed that the savage, half animal looks of the girl changed as the music proceeded. The dreamy, poetical character of the music had evidently a soothing effect, but when Mr. Pattison dashed into a lively polka she became excited, but not savagely. The influence in this case tended to make the patient merry rather than violent, and her pulse rose from 80 to 108. The polka being over the pianist played ee Home, Sweet Home," changing it to a waltz movement, During the per- formance of Home, Sweet Home' a German woman was deeply affected, and falling on her knees was heard repeating the Lord's Prayer; but the walt. without exception tempted all the women to join in it. SMAI.L-POX HAS BROKEN OUT AT ST. ETERNNK, where there have been 176 fatal cases in six wesks, and at Bieutort (Pyr6n6es Oriental es), where nearly the whole population is attacked by it. IF lightning-rods do not actually take the light- ning from the clouds, they at least take the fear of it from timid hearts. MARIO IS LIVING AT ROHB in a state of almost complete destitution. it has become a question of bread and butter. Time waa when his name was a household word in England. Thousands have for- gotten their cares and tronbles in listening to his voice. Something ought to be done for him, and that speedily, or it will be too late, for he is an old man. Do not let us have a benefit, for at the bottom of most benefits is a promoter, bnt let us have a committee ef some half-a-dozen good names to receive subscrip- tions in his behalf, and let an annuity be purchased for him with the amount raised.—Truth. A CENTENABIAN.—A woman named Fanny Warburton has just died in the workhouse at Oldham at the advanced age of 191 years. In February, 1871, she was admitted an inmate of the union, previous to which she had resided for sixty years in Bread-street, and during the whole of that period she earned her livelihood by baking "oatcakes." J

THE CAT TAX. The question, says the Globe, may fairly be asked, if a dog tax, why not also a cat tax P The advocates of the former would have us believe that it is not altogether on account of the money returned to the revenue that our well-tried and faithful canine friend is to be still more ignommiously burdened even than at present, but because it is very desirable to en- courage a war of extermination against hm on the ground that his liability to go mad and bite people by far outweighs any advantage mankind can pos- siby derive from his services while he is in posses- sion of his sober senses. But if this holds good of the dog, with how much more force does a kindred argument apply to the cat ? As a useful animal her merits may be summed up in three wards— she catches mice. But the same desirable end may be attained by means of a dozen different kind of traps, all equally ingenious and effective. Beyond this it may be claimed for the cat that she is ornamental, and completes the picture of cosi- ness at home when she is comfortaoly disposed on the hearth-rug. But what as to Grimalkin's objec- tionable qualities ? She, is the implacable enemy of pet-cage birds, Ie terror of the dovecote and the pigeon-hcus is certain death to little chickens and rabbits, v come within reach of her far-stretching daws. 't these savage propensities do not constitute the i. jad and front of the cat's offending. Who is it that makes the night hideous and wakes the affrighted sleeper with such fiendish yells and agonised cries as drive him to the insanity of opening the window and facing the chill air that he may hurl into the outer darkness all manner of portable articles at reckless random ? Who shall tell the tale of the thousands of sick children and weak and nervous women, whose very lives depend on a period of undisturbed repose, and who are made wretched by an unearthly and prolonged concert of cats ? Dogs may be muzzled and so pre- vented from making an unwelcome use of their, teeth, but, even were it practicable, it is very doubtful if any such mechanical contrivance would mitigate the demoniac noises which seem Inseparable from feline warfare or love-making. It would be some conso- lation to the tortured lie-awake if he knew that those who owned the caterwauling monsters were mulcted handsomely in the shape of a tax for the selfish privilege.

BOAT RACE ON THE TYNE. Another important boat race has just been rowed upon the Biver Tyne, at Newcastle. The rowers in this instance were John Bobert Hymes, of Stockton, and John Hawdon, of Delaval, Northumberland, the stake being X45 a-side, and the course from the Mansion House to the west end of the Meadows. The friends of the Delaval man won the toss for choice of sides, and consequently he took the northern posi- tion. There was one or two vain attempts to get off, and then they seemed in their desire to be moving to effect a start by mutual consent. Hawdon was quickest with his sculls at the"first, and dosed up a quarter of a length in the last few strokes. This he maintained with determination, but his antagonist, by the time Messrs. Davidson's new jetty was reached, was evidently making a gallant effort to reverse the positions. Hawdon, however, replied with equal courage and energy, and at Wylie's Quay he was nearly half a length in front of Hymes. At the Skinner's Burn Hawdon had increased his lead to about three-quarters of a length, and thus they sped through the lumpy water until the Tyne Commissioners' dredgers were reached, and at this point so near together were Hawdon's right and Hymes's left sculls that a foul was imminent for a moment or two. Happily, however, such an undesirable contretemps was avoided, and a fine raee ensued to Bedheugh-bridge. Rawdon had the best of the struggle, and he passed underneath the viaduct with a lead of a length and a half, Hymes still endeavouring to overhaul him. Hymes here steered close into the track of Hawdon's boat, but he speedily resumed his old position, and in passing the Shot Tower he was quite two lengths in the rear of Hawdon. This lead Hawdon maintained, and at the mile he had slightly improved upon it. Hawdon now had the race in hand, and he won a good contest rather easily at the finiah by three lengths.

THE LONDON TRAMWAYS COMPANY IN THE OOUXTT OOuaT.-An action was heard in the South- wark County Court to recover £5, paid to the de- fendants as a deposit. Mr. Washington appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Baxter for the defendant. Mr. Washington said the plaintiff, Whiteley, applied to the company to be taken en as one ef their conductors on the 8th of February, and was shown into a room where there were others waiting for similar employ- ment. He paid .£6 deposit upon being shown the duties of conductors. He signed the books handed to him, and took the rules home. Upon examining them he found they were of such a character that he could not agree to them, and immediately communi- cated with Mr. Burrell, the chief clerk, applying for the return of hia deposit, but that was refused, he being told that he must report himself to the yard. That he, by a further communication, refused to do, and asked for his money and the return of his lioense. Mr. Jacques, the manager, offered him. £4, but endorsed his license, entered service 8th February, 1878, discharged 12th February, 1878;" when, in fact, he had not served one day in the service of the com- pany. He therefore asked the Court to say that the plaintiff was entitled to the return of the .£6, because he never saw any regulations but those relating to the duties of conductors, and his attention was not drawn to the other clauses of the book. When he did read them after arriving at home on the same day he signed the agreement he immediately repudiated service. The plaintiff was called and proved the facts of the case. Mr. Baxter argued that by a recent decision of the Court of Queen's Bench the signing of the agree- ment was sufficient to entitle the defendant company to the service of the defendant and the retention of the deposit upon the certificate of the manager. His Honour gave judgment for the plaintiff, and said it was not right to ask an ignorant man like the plaintiff to sign an agreement like the one presented without drawing his attention to its most salient points. Mr. Baxter asked for a case for the consideration of the High Court of Justice. ThéOfudge said he should certainly not grant it. The case was one entirely of fact. THE MASONS' STRIKE.—A visit to the new Law Courts in the Strand and Oarey-street just now isould not impress any one with an idea that a great strike in the building trade was going on. There are now at these works nearly 300 masons, 210 of whom are foreigners. Ever since the month of January, the protection provided by the strike clause in a builder's contract has been ef no avail, and here the work has been going on as though no strike existed. There are over thirty fixers, English and German, at the work, and the western half of the main block is now riaing rapidly. TWo floors have already been built out of five. Something like 50,000 feet of atone is already dressed ready for setting, S8 that enough ma- terial for another two storeys is ready, and these can be added in a short apace of time. The eastern block is all but finished internally, whilat externally it only requires to hate the scaffold removed. This building waa to have been completed in three years, but it haa taken a trifle over that time to complete. The main block ahould be ready in Auguat, 1881, but owing to the strike this has been delayed six njontha, and will not be complete until 1882, although no further delaya are apprehended. The German workmen have once morecommeneed overtime, and they are now working until seven olelgek in the evening; this example is shortly to be followed by the English masons. As a proof of the disorganisation in the ranks of the party on strike, it may be men- tioned that a number of the best fixers on these works are men who have been out on strike and have come in again on the old terms. Since the Germans arrived in this country they have, it is said, made Sreat progress in the art of stone cutting and dressing, and about 150 of them receive the maxi- mum rate of wages, the others being paid on a graduating scale. The Strike Committee, on the other hand. assert that the local levies last week amounted to .£300 and that they have on their books about eighty firms who are paying the advance, and that they meditate ordering all their men in work to leave their occupation, and thua turn the atrike into what would be tantamount to a lock-out. It is, however. certain that funds are low, as for the past four weeks the rate of wages, which should be 18s. per week and an allowance for married men, has been 16s., I6s., loa., and last week 12s. per man. Although the masons in the provinces have by a large majority advised the men in London to go on with the struggle, they do not seem very ready to help them with funds to do so. TVuMsays mittens seem to have reached India, and the newspapers are full of praises of them. They give a finishing touch to a lady's dress." They have a certain character about them." They "have a quaint, prudish air, like the coalscuttle bonnets." They "have a language of their own." Opinion differs upon the mode in which mittens are to be worn; but it seems generally admitted that black mittens should not be worn over black gloves. Indeed, a fascinating dame at Madras, who adopted this style, and asked a bachelor how he liked her idea on the subject ef mittens, met with the retort, Madame, I do not like it at all. I should look as well in goloshes drawn over my dress shoes." DEATH IN THE HUNTING FIELD.—Mrs. William Crawshay was killed while following Lord Fitzhar- dinge's hounds. Immediately upon jumping over a hedge her head struck against the trunk of an apple tree, and her neck was broken. p

SCENE AT THE SIGNATURE OF THE 2 PEACE TREATY. I The special correspondent of the Daily New, under date of the 5th inst., gives the following account of the scene at San Stefano on the day when the signa- ture of the Treaty of Peace was announced: Scarcely was it daylight when, notwithstanding lug the storm, there was an unusual movement in the village. There was a general idea that peace was to be signed that day. The steamers from Con- stantinople came rolling along through the rough sea, overladen with excursionists attracted by the review which had been announced to take plaee in celebration of the anniversary of the Czar's acces- sion to the throne. Greeks, Bulgarians, Turks, and Russians crowded the little village, besieging the restaurants, swarming about the doors of houses whence were supposed to issue some of the great personages who were to become famous in history, all impatiently waiting the hour of two, the appointed time of the review. The horses of the Grand Duke and his staff were gathered about the entrance to his quarters, and keen-eyed spectators ready to interpret the slightest movement of the Commander-in-Chief formed unbroken ranks around the group of horses in the street. One o'clock passed. Two o'clock passed, and still no movement. People began to grow serious, began to feel that something was in the air, were sure that this was the decisive moment, that peace and war were trembling in the scale, and one said to the other solemnly, This is an event in history," and each be- lieved himself an actor in the scene, sach was the im- pressiveness of the scene. At length word was given out that the review was postponed until three o'clock, but that hour came and went, and brought only another postponement for an hour. Later, rain fell, but the people remained at their posts. At last their patience was rewarded. About four o'clock the Grand Duke mounted and rode to the Diplomatic Chancery, where he asked at the door, Is it ready ? and then galloped towards the hill where the army was drawn up. Here we halted again for a few moments, wondering what would happen next. Finally, a carriage came whirling out of the village toward us. General Ignatieff waa in it, and when he approached he rose and said: U I have the honour to congratulate your Highness on the signature of peace." There was a long, loud ahout. Then the Grand Duke, followed by about 100 offlcerB, daahed forward to where the troops were formed on rising ground close by the sea coast, just behind San Stefano light- house, and began riding along the lines. Aa he passed, the soldiers did not know that peace had been signed, aa it was still unannounced; but soon the news apread, and the cheering grew louder and more enthu- siastic. There were Schouvaloffs and Bauch'a divi- sions, with the sharpshooters of the Guard, and cavalry and artillery in line, and the Grand Duke passed between the ranks in review. Very different, indeed, waa the appearance of theae aoldiera now and that of the same men months ago. During their inter- val of rest they had patched and cleaned their clothes, repaired and polished their boots, washed and brushed up generally, so that they looked as trim and neat aa could be. After riding between the lines the Grand Duke halted on a little eminence, whence all the troops could be seen, and formally made the announcement of "? honour to inform the army that, with the help of God, we have concluded a Treaty of Peace. Then another about burst forth from twenty thousand throats, riaing, awelling, and dying away* ,waa a general feeling of relief, and satisfaction. I must aay, however, that the ,waa not greeted with any- thing the wild excitement and enthuaiaam caused by the Empwor a proclamation of war at Kiacheneff last Apru. There stood the famous regiment of Peter the Great, the Praobrajensky, often the first to attack in n»»ny the late battles of the war. There were the troops who had faced the enemy on the bleak summits of the Balkans at Araba Kenak for a long, ^d, and terrible month. There were the men who had toiled over the slippery mountain paths scantily fed, thinly dreased, dragging the heavy guns finding, after their struggles with £ ld;J>unger, and fatigue, a desperate en £ ny read7 to resist them on every hill-top. These were the f M wl?° had made the long march vW1,"?Wh0 had mn that race for enormous stakes with Suleiman's army, and, finally, threw their great force against the wall of the Bho- d0pf smashed it to pieces. These w0f ii i^i a 086 COttratre, devotion, and un- pardleled endurance will go down to history. And there, gathered scarcely more than a rifle-shot away, was the enemy they had found worthy of their steel. For on the crest of the neighbouring hill stood the Turka in groups, interested spectators of the oane; these very fellow,, who had kept the snowy gallantly the great ten LailduWho at la8t' aftOT a memorable retreat, had fought like heroes en the hills at Stani- maka. lhese two armies stood looking at each other £ ? £ a™°5e £ t1 Like true soldiers they had Earned to respect and esteem each other, and wel- collle peace as an honourable finish to the fight which they cared not to prolong. It was the be- ginning oa new friendship formed on the basis of actiud experience 0f qualities that had hitherto been unrecognised. ugathering his officers about him where the priest stood ready for the Te Deum, the Grand Duke spoke briefly and emphatically, saying: ° an, which has accomplished what you have, y friends, nothing ia impossible." Never has a peace been celebrated under more dra- matic and picturesque conditions, or with more im- pressive surroundings. The two armies face to face, tl10 waning light of day, the rush I e4? near "ash of the wave mingling wl. °* the priests and the responses of the ^^r of the Sea of Marmora swelling and landscape, always of great beauty, fi?^ i W0 appropriate background to '^e fretting, chafing waters of the sea, the dome and slender minarets of St. Sofia came ?P ^"n»tthe sky,the dominant points in the lS^S8f AU#tteof distant Stamboul. Away to the soi the Princes Islands rose like great mounds, j &^ain«t the distant Asiatic shore, and behind WM hidden the Engliah Wond the white peak of Mount *or the moment its majestic summit as the rays 0f the Puddy auuet were re&6tid from the 1Ianb The religiow ceremony over, the Grand Duke took hM- S6 army began to file past with a *n forcible contrast to the weary Pi J eyused to drag themselves slowly « d°f toat long and exhausting chase, £ .f mes able to put one foot before the other. TheTv,v2M fa4il?&. "d darkness settled quickly When we left the spot the Grand na J immovable on nis horse, and tj*e P ere "till passing. As we rode down into could hear the joyful shouts still ring- off in the dwCw.th# meMured ^P' goin« So ends,the war of 1877-78.

MB. WUDGJOJO, PHOTOGBAPHEB AS A J^ous case was heard on Wednesday st u l °°unty Court, in which Mr. Carrey, a photographer of Bolton, was sued by Mr. Chambers, ala". stationer, for the 'sum of eight guineas, for assisting in photographing Mr. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., Mja w<x £ lman at Ha warden. Both plain- tiff and defendant belong to the Bolton Liberal Asso- ciation, tne members of which made a trip to Hawar- da° t j" Avigust. on which occaaion they had the wporronily of aeeing Mr. Gladstone-and hia son, iS M.P., tree-felling in the park. On their retarn to Bolton the plaintiff suggested that the defendant should take a photograph of Mr. Wadatone in his dress as a woodman, with axe in hand. Mr. Gladstone's consent was obtained, and the defendant succeeded in taking about According to the statement of the p intiff,the defendant promised to reward him hanaaemely if it turned out a profitable apeculation. That it turned out to be so maybe inferred from the fact ~?ndon Stereoscopic Co. offered defendant £ 1000 for the negatives. He declined this offer, and ultimately cencluded an arrangement with Mr. Ohig- nall» o he firm of Kirkman and Co., London, for the of a ball^ahare for the aum of £ 500, reserving certain rights. The Court held that there had been no conwact on the part of the defendant, though there might have been the promise of a present, and a verdict was accordingly given for the defendant with coeta. ^°TMT OF ALDERMEN bare elected Sir Thomas Chambers, Q.O., M.P., the Common Serjeant of the Uity of London, to the office of Recorder, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. Bussell Gurney.. STRBBT ABABS.—The Scotsman reporta that a memorial of 500 street arabs has been presented to the Glasgow Police. Board, praying that measures should be taken for their supervision, to prevent them being a nuisance to the public, an injury to themselves, and a disgrace to the city." Recently the Liverpool Shoe-Black Society held their annual meeting, and their report contained the half-saddening, half-en- couraging statement that" drunkenness was decreasing among the boys." The Mayor thought it waa a sig- nificant fact that such a statement should have to be placed upon record, but it is evident that such in- stitutions meet in some degree the wishes of the Glasgow arabs. j

EXTRAORDINARY DIYORCE CASE. The case of Bevill v. Bevill oame before the Presi- dent and a special jury in the Divorce Court. This was the petition of the wife for the disaolution of the marriage, on the ground of desertion bigamy, and adultery of her husband, who alleged connivance and condonation. Dr. Spinks, Q.O., and Mr. O. A. Middleton were counsel for the petitioner; and Mr. Lawrence, Q.O. Mr. B. A. Bayford, and Mr. Black appeared for th respondent. The parties were married so far back as 1849, at Oheaterfield, where the respondent owned a brick- yard. They lived together for a fow months, when Mrs. Revill left her husband, she alleging that he intended to poison her. In 1859, not having seen anything of his wife in the meantime, the respondent contracted a marriage with Miss Jane Thompson, by whom he had six children. In 1867 Mrs. Revill and the respondent lived together again, but subsequently separated, as there were dif- fereaces between them. She filed a petition in this court, and upon ascertaining that her husband had committed bigamy she had the petition amended, and that charge was put upon the record. Mrs. Revill, in cross examination, said that she left her home in 1849 with the permission of her hus- band. After she returned to him in 1867 she knew that he had been living with Jane Thompson, but was not aware of his having contracted a marriage with her, nor was she ever told till laat year. Mr. 0. A. Middleton,solicitor, proved having served the citation on the respondent at Grassmore, near Chesterfield. Miss Jaae Thompson was in the house at the time. Mr. Edward Oawthorne, brother of the petitioner, proved that down to last Saturday the respondent and Miss Thompson were living together. For tke defence, Mr. Charles Bevill, the respon* dent, was called. He deposed that he was married to Jane Thompson in 1859. In 1867 she went to reside at Hasland, and the children went to live with her. Since that time he had not lived with her. Had told his wife that he had married Jane Thompson, and that he intended to make her an allowance. When his wife went away in 1849, he never again heard of her until 1867. The marriage with Miaa Thomp- son was an open one, there being no concealment about it. Oross examined: No one told him that hit wife was dead. Sir James Hannen reminded the witness that he was liable to be tried, and sentenced to seven years' penal servitude, and that he was not bound to answer any questions that would criminate himself. Oroas-examination continued: He was in the brick- yard when the citation was served. Jane Thompson might have been in the house. Jane Thompson said that she was married to the respondent in 1859, and lived with him down to 1867, when an arrangement was made that Mr. Bevill should make her an allowance. Since that year there had been no intimacy between them. In cross-examination witness said that the respon- dent occasionally called to see the children. She passed as Mrs. Bevill, and was always knewn by that name. John Waters, a farmer, of Chesterfield, deposed that he tried to induce the petitioner to again live with the respondent. Dr. Spinka, Q.O.: In order to do so, you told her that her husband had committed bigamy, and had six children by another woman. (Laughter.) Without leaving the box the jury immediately found for the petitioner, and Sir James Hannen pronounced a decree niai, with costs.

THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE NEW HELMET. The new pattern helmet having now been finally approved and ordered to be iaaued at once te the regular) army, permission has been accorded to a large number of volunteer regiments who had made appli- cation to the War Office to adopt the new head gear, which will undoubtedly add to their appearance, being a decided improvement on the various descriptions of shako, busby, &c., at present worn, besides facilitating the assimilation of the uniforms of the Auxiliary Forces aa nearly as possible to that of the army, as recommended by the Secretary of State for War. One regiment has for a long time been provided with the helmet-Colonel Loyd-Lindsay's Berkshire battalion, and among the metropolitan regiments which now propose to adopt it are-The London Bifle Brigade, 2nd and 3rd London Bifles, 1st London Engineera, 2nd, 19th, 26th, 28th, 29th, 40th, and 46th Middlesex battalions, besides many more in town and country. Probably by the end of the present year all the regiments will have it. The useful gray with which a large part of the force has been clothed since its organisation is now rapidly giving place to the scarlet of the line or the neat dark-green of the regular rifle regiments, two battalions alone out of the celebrated Gray Brigade having adopted the former colour, while a reference to the Army List" will Bhow that the proposed aaaimilatien is being carried out as rapidly as circumstances permit. The following is one out of numerous memorials which are being unanimously signed and are about to be forwarded to the Secretary of State for War: To the Right Hon. Gathorne Hardy, her Majesty's Secretary of State for War.—We, the undersigned officers, non-commissioned officeis, and men of the 3rd Lanark Bifles, being desirous, in the present critical state of the nation's affairs, of reaffirming our readiness to perform the obligations which we as volunteerahave undertaken, declare our willingness, in the event of war, to perform garrison duty, and are prepared at present, in order to perfect ourselves in such duty, to undertake the same in our own city on conditions compatible with our business engage- ments, and would humbly suggest that the Gallow- gate Barracks, which we understand are about to become vacant, be placed at the dispoaal of the volun- teers of Glasgow for purpoee of training." On Monday night, at a full-dress parade of the Penzance Bifis Volunteers, in response to an invita- tion from Oapt. Boase, the officer commanding the company, almost all present signed a paper agreeing to go on foreign service for one year in case of an emergency. The financial statement of the National Bifle Asso- ciation, just issued, ahowa the total receipta for the paat year to have been .£22,288 6a. 2d., and the ex- penditure .£21,766 19s. 5d., leaving a balance of .£562 6a. 9d. in favour of the association.

A PRESTON WILL CASE. In the Probate Division of the High Court of Justice, the Bight Hon. the President (Sir James Hannen) had before him the local suit of Croft 11. Fyler, which had reference to the will and codicil of the late Miss Elizabeth Ann Ken worthy, who was for some time a nun. The plaintiffs, Annie Croft, Mary Bellasis, and Catherine Seagram, propounded the documents in question. The defendants, Arthur Evelyn Fyler, and his wife, Mary Jane Fyler, opposed the probate, alleging that the will was not executed according to the statute, and that there had been undue influence exercised. Dr. Deane, Q.O., ad- dressing his lordship, stated that there had been an arrangement come to, and the plea 6f undue influ- enee which was on the record would be withdrawn. It had been placed on the record as it was felt to be necessary should the case be tried, as it were, on its merits. Counsel had consulted, and it was considered proper that the will and codicil should be established by the evidence of witnesses. Miss Cecilia Bellasis said that she knew Elisabeth Ann Kenworthy. She was a professed nun in the same religious house as witness. It was an institution for educational pur- poses. Witness had known the deceased for som, years. Bemembered being requested to witness Miss Ken worthy's will. She signed it in the presence of the deceased and another person, and the former signed in her presence. Mr. Philip Banks stated that he was a solicitor in practice at Preston. He was instructed by the deceased to prepare a codicil. He attended her and took those instructions. Having taken those instructions, wit- ness reduced them into writing. The deceased signed the codicil in the presence of the witness and another person. Sir James Hannen (addressing the jury) stated that the parties having come toan arrangement the evidence before them fully established the will and codicil. They would, no doubt, find in favour of them. The jury at once [found for the will and codiciL Sir James Hannen, on the application of the Solicitor-General, granted probate. A number of nuns and other members of the Roman Catholic Church were in attendance to give evidence had it been neces- sary, and the case was expected to have lasted over the day.

SAD GUN ACCIDENT.—A lamentable aooi- dent has juat thrown two honourable families of Chalons into mourning. M. Henry, son of the Mayor of Sarry, went in4o his garden to shoot a magpie, but not having a chance at the bird he returned towards the houae with hia gun on hia arm. His young wife, who had joined him, was walking by his side, when from some unexplained cause the weapon was discharged, and the shot entered the breast of Madame Henry, penetrating the two lungs, death being almost instantaneous. The unfortunate lady had been married onlv a month, and life seemed to have opened to her with every promise of happi- ness. The effect on the husband was such that he wished to kill himself, and every weapon had to be removed from his reach which would have aided him ua his design.

THE^QUEEN AT THE ROYAL TAPESTRY WORKS AT OLD WINDSOR. The Queen and Princess Beatrice, attended by the Hen. Mrs. Stopford, lately visited th6 Royal Tapeetry Frame Factory at Old Windsor, it being the first time her Majesty has inspected the works since their establishment some eighteen months since. The Royal party quitted the castle about eleven o'clock, and drove in an open carriage through the park to Manor Lodge, Old Windsor, where the Queen and Princess were received by Mr. H. Henry, director and secretary, Mr. R. W. Ward, and M. Brignolas, the manager. Upon entering the building the Royal visitors were conducted to the committee-room, where the Queen and Princess Beatrice were shown some of the tapestries now being manufactured for the decoration of the salen which will be used by the Prince of Wales and the English Commission at the Paris Exhibition. Eight of the tableaux represent scenes from Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor;" another picture, which will form a central panel over the fireplace of the apartment, being a beautifully designed portrait of her Majesty. The Queen and Princess examined the design for a new manufactory which is to be erected upon a site near the Thames, not far from the Albert-bridge, the Crown having granted about fifteen acres of land for this purpose. Having written their names in the visitors' book, the Royal party were taken through the different rooms where the workmen and workwomen, French and English, were engaged in tapestry weaving, the works in hand including some hunting tableaux designed by Mr. Ward, R.A., for the town residence of Mr. Christopher Sykes, M.P.; a sofa cover in delicate tints, in the Louis XVL style, bearing the initials V. B. I." and the repair of tapestry from Inverary Castle and Aston Clinton (Lady de Rothschild). The Queen, who was much pleased with the beauty of the tapestry, and re- marked that some of the specimens were as fine as any old samples extant, chatted in French with the workpeople while their fingers were moving rapidly over the looms. The Royal party towards the close of the visit were conducted over the stained glass works adjoining the tapestry factory. Previous to their departure, and shortly before noon, the factory hands assembled near the entrance, and gave her Majesty and Princess Beatrice a hearty cheer as they left for the castle. Since the formation of the works, of which the Queen is patron, Prince Leopold president, and Princesses Ohristian and Louise vice- presidents, they have been entirely self supporting, tapestry being produced at from X2 to X3 per foot. The cost of the tapestry for the Paris Exhibition will be about £2000. In connection with the under- taking it is proposed to establish a school of design for the instruction of classes in industrial and pic- torial art.

REMARKABLE BREACH OF PROMISE CASE. The case of Heap v. Morris came before Mr. Baron Huddleston and a special jury in the Court of Bx chequer. This was an action brought by a gentleman to recover damages from a lady for a breach of promise to marry. The plaintiff set up a written agreement to the effect that they arranged to be married, and that if the marriage did not take place by 1875 the defendant was to give him a third of what she received under the wills of her parents, or pay him an annuity of XW, which was to be doubled every year until the marriage took place. Mr. Digby Seymour, Q.O., Mr. M'OoU, and Mr. John Carr, jun., represented the plaintiff; and Mr. Benjamin, Q.O., Mr. Waddy, Q.O., and Mr. Tennant appeared for the defendant. The plaintiff was formerly the second master at the Oaistor Grammar School, in Lincolnshire, and the de- fendant was the daughter of a solicitor at the same place. In 1857 or 1858 the plaintiff formed the ac- quaintance of the defendant, she being then about 26 years of age. About the year 1862 the head master of the school died, and the plaintiff then sought to obtain the appointment, but without success, owing, it was alleged, to the opposition of the defendant's father. Since that time a considerable amount of correspondence had passed between the parties. The plaintiff's case now was that on December 17,1872, an agreement was signed by the parties, whereby the defendant agreed to be- come the lawful wife of the plaintiff on or about Jan. 1,1875, or in default the defendant promised to pay a third share of the property or money which might be left to her under her parents' will. The defendant also agreed to pay X20 per annum from Jan 1, 1875, which sum was to be doubled annually until the defen- dant should become the lawful wife of the plaintiff. The defendant had not fulfilled her promise to marry, and although the plaintiff had always been ready and willing to become the husband of the defendant, yet the defendant refused to become his wife. The state- ment of defence admitted the signing of the memo- randum, but did not admit the date or contents of the document, and alleged that the memorandum was to have become void under certain circumstanses. Mr. Benjamin, before the opening speech concluded, suggested that it might be possible for an arrangement to be come to between the parties if his lordship would allow the adjournment of the Court to take place at that time, although rather before the usual hour. Baron Huddleston granted the application. Mr. Digby Seymour, after the Court had re-assem- bled, said on behalf of the plaintiff he had consented to a verdict for .£1000 upon certain terms. Mr. Benjamin, on behalf of the defendant, said his cl:ent was willing to pay £ 1000 rather than to allow the letters she had written to be brought before the public. Certain arrangements had also been made in reference to the disposal of the documents in the case. A verdict for the plaintiff, with £1000 damages, and judgment were then entered.

THB NAVIGATION OF THE DANUBE.—A teJr gram from Lloyd's agent at Galatz, dated 5th March. 4 5 p.m., states" The authorities commence the rr moval of obstructions in the Danube to-morrovr- Expect the navigation open in a fortnight hence wO 15 feet of water." CHABGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.—At theBarnstef Police-court two miners named Walter Hatfield, Bennett, and William Marsh were charged with causing the death of a collier named George Broad* head, 22. At the inquest the jury returned a verdfe" of death from injuries caused by kicks, but by whOtO inflicted there was not sufficient evidence to show. 0* the 19th of July Broadhead and the two prisoner* were seen fighting, and it is alleged that the priaonsi* kicked him about the head. He was taken where he remained until the time of his death, was caused by inflammation of the brain, brought øø by fracture of the skull. The prisoners were c°. mitted for trial at the Leeds Assizes, bail betfw accepted. Muted and published by the proprietor, JOHN BOBSBTS, at his General Piintme Omoe, No lane, Cardigan, in the parish of Saint Mary's in County of Cardigan.—Saturday, March 16, 1878.