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

RED-COATED VOLUNTEERS. j The adoption of a more uniform style of dress i a moag our volunteers of different corps is a matter (says the Daily News) on which they are to be con- J gratulated. The grand costumes and feathered i Helmets in which many of the early corps accoutred t u^mselves disappeared as soon as the volun- taers began to settle down to work, but t hey have never yet been able to fix upon one u jlour for their tunics and jackets. As far as volunteer artillery and engineers are concerned to ere has not been the same difficulty, for in this ,so the colour and pattern adopted in the regular as my have served for the guidance of these branches of the reserves. But the infantry, or volunteer rifles, • i %re from the commencement had various views upon the subject of the colour of their dress. Grey was H iopted by many as the most serviceable and least fikely to be spoilt by rough usage, aa also because the colour was not easily distinguishable against the nky line; others chose dark-green uniforms be- cau le dark green was the colour of the regular r\A regiments; while a third party, small i t first, but growing daily larger, clothed themselves 1 i red because it is the national colour, and the true stume of the British soldier. In a very few years it seema we may expect that the scarlet of the line and militia will be the universal colour also of the volunteers, for whereas at the beginning of volunteer- ing red coats were few and far between, while grey and green were the popular colours, the reverse is at the present moment the case. It was but the other day that two more battalions of the cele- brated Grey Brigade" announced their resolve to adopt a scarlet uniform; and, according to a statement just made by the Secretary of State for War, grey and green are now vastly in the minority. Mr. Hardy has told us that there are ninety-one regiments uniformed in searlet, sixty-six in green, and flfty-seven in grey. Only these three colours are recognised by the War Office, and volun- teer infantry cannot purchase cloth of any other shade from the Royal Army Clothing Factory at Pimlico. Mr. Hardy hopes that we may speedily see but one colour adopted by the volunteer service, and certainly if our citizen infantry are ever to stand in line of battle with regulars and militia, there cannot be a doubt as to the advisability of having them simi- larly clothed. Otherwise we may be quite sure that an enemy would not fail to throw his full weight upon that point of the line where the colours of the uni- t arms indicated that it was weakest.

THE FUTURE RELATIONS OF RUSSIA AND TURKEY. The Vienna correspondent of the Timet, writing o i March 11th, says: Apart from the fact whether or not the Russian Government itself has been in- formed of the exact conditions which its Plenipo- t tntiary deemed himself authorised to agree to, and tpart also from the question, repeatedly asked, v. ether, besides the general conditions, there are ot certain specific stipulations with Turkey, it may be supposed that, in spite of the "l)i')Øt active telegraphic communication between San 3'. ifano and St. Petersburg, only the personal r port of General Ignatieff and. what Reouf Pasha may bring from the Sultan will really place the Cabinet of St. Petersburg in a position to know pre- cisely what the; future relations between Russia and x urkey are likely to be in consequence of the prelimi- nary treaty just conducted. The matter is of no alight importance, even with regard to the Congress itself; for if the Russian? can reckon on Turkey as- luming solidarity with them in respect of the stipu- lations made p t San Stefsno, the position of Russia at the Congress will be rather different from what it would be were the Turks to decline such mutual responsibility, and even eventually side with whoever might nise objections to any of the terms extorted from them. International law, it- is true, has never decided how far an agreement sub- mitted to by any Power under the pressure of a threat to life or limb may be regarded as binding, and it would still be rather awkward for Russia were she ultimately, either directly or indirectly, to meet with opposition on the part of Turkey at the Congress. It is, therefore, of some importance to the Czar to know precisely how he is to stand with the Sultan, as it may even have some influence on the decision of Russia as to how far Turkey might and ought to be admitted as an equal to the coming Congress. It would not be surprising, there- fore, if Russia, before finally fixing a day for the meeting of the Powers, desired to make quite sure on t tia point. On the other hand, the contention of Eng- land that it should be recognised as a principle that 3Very one of the stipulations made between Russia and Turkey is competent to be discussed by the Congress nay equally contribute to make Russia rather hesitate about fixing a day of meeting.

Two LIVES LOST IN A BBEWJBBY.—A sad occurrence, by which two men lost their lives, has taken place at the brewery of Messrs. H. Boddington and Co., Strangeways, Manchester. Two labourers, named Nathaniel Robinson, lately residing in North- street, Clarendon street, Hulme, and Frederick Bradley, recently of North Kent-street, Colly hurst, went on right duty at the brewery, their hours being :i"Om six o'clock on Saturday night until seven or eight o'clock on Sunday morning. About eleven o'clock the manager of the brewery, Mr. Littlewood, who resides on the premises, went round the place, in accordance with his usual custom, when everything was apparently light, -nd the men were engaged in their orainary occupations. Abeut seven o'clock on Sunday morning Mr. littlewood was informed by George Firby, a carter, that he was unable to obtain entrance to the stable where his horse was Kept in consequence of his not having seen Robinson, the nightman, in whose charge the key had been left. Search was at once made, and in a barm beck," ar vat, about two yards square and four feet deep, which contained barm to the depth of about six inches, Bradley was found lying upon his back, bis face being exposed, dead. The assistance of other men was obtained with a view to getting the body out of the vat, and whilst this was being done Robinson was seen in the same vat. He was lying on his face in a crouching posi- tion, and was also dead. The bodies were removed to one of the offices, where they now lie awaiting the coroner's inquest. It is supposed that Bradley, whilst engaged in scraping or skimming the barm," bad stumbled—blood having issued slightly from. his left nostril-and the effects of the fall, combined, with the carbonic acid gas evolved from the barm, rendered nim unconscious ere he could recover his footing, and that he had been suffocated. Robinson, it is supposed, working in the cellar immediately under the vat, heard Bradley fall, hastened to his assistance, and. in attempting to rescue him, was also overpowered by the gas. Robinson, who was about 43 years of age, was unmarried; but Bradley, whose age was 29, leaves a widow and one child. SINGULAR CASE OF BIGAHY.-Willlam Sharpe Harlow, 22, cabman, was charged with bigamy. Mr. Douglas Metcalfe prosecuted; Mr. Gill defended. The evidence showed that the prisoner left his home in 1872, when he was only 16 years of age, and his fither finding that he was being harboured in the house of a Mrs. Wyatt, went and demanded that he should be given up. His son was not given up, and shortly afterwards he heard that his son was married to Mrs. Wyatt's daughter. She, however, left him within twe or three months, and in 1876 the prisoner married another girl, telling her that he had been carried previously, and that his wife was dead. Such, however, was not the case, and the former marriage jeing made known to the second wife, she gave him into custody. The prisoner was sentenced to six months' hard labour. THE LAND TRANSFER AcT.-On the 1st Jan., 1876, the Land Transfer Act, passed in the previous session, came into operation. It continued the Act of 1862 except as regards the registration of new estates and from a return which has just been issued it appears that, under the new Act, between the date of its commencement and up to the 1st February last, 47 applications for first registration were made, against 12 under the Act of 1862. The total value of xand dealt with under the Act of 1862 was £1,620,003, excluding a large number of cases in which the value was not ascertained as against £725,755 dealt with under the Act of 1875. THE JUDGE Or THE SHEFFIELD COUNTY COURT gave a decision very important to dog-owners, in the case of a man bitten by a dog. It was shown that the dog bad been chained up properly, and libe- rated in mischief by a third person; and his Honour decided that a plaintiff could not recover damages of the owner in such a case. Reasonable as this may appear, it will, if maintained by higher courts, clear up what has been a very doubtful point of law.—Live Stock Journal. SENSIBLE VOLUNTEERS.—There was an amus- ing scene at a recent parade of the Truro volunteers. At the previous drill it had been announced that an opportunity would be afforded the members of the lith and i:3th corps to volunteer for foreign service in case of war, but the Truro volunteers did not see the force of such a proceeding; and a strong feeling was created amongst the men against it, failing as they did to see the practicability of the step. There was a full muster under the command of Captain Tregoning and Captain Sharp, and previous to dis- missal, the men having been drawn up in line, those who were willing to volunteer were ordered to "Shoulder arms!" Not a rifle responded to the call, but upon the request being repeated one solitary rifle was seen to creep nervously from the "order and come te the shoulder, more, it is to be regretted, i to the amusement than to the admiration of the J hero's comrades.

THE SUBMISSION OF THE JOWAKIS. ) The Calcutta correspondent or the Times, under < date March 10th, says: A Durbar was held on Monday last at Peshawur, in presence of the whole garrison, for the purpose of receiving a public expression of submission on the part of the Jowakis. The Jowskin accordingly paid the fine of 5000 rupees imposed by the Government, and surrendered twenty-five English and twenty-five native rifles, which included those stolen from Shahcote. The Lieutenant-Governor, in addressing the various chiefs assembled, said that he had summoned them to-day to witness the submis- sion of the Jowakis to the British Government; and that under pressure the Jowakis had now submitted to the terms proposed, expelling from their territories four of their people who had been chiefly concerned in acts of plunder and bloodshed. They had also surrendered the rifles demanded, had paid a fine of 5000 rupees, and had further given hostages for future good behaviour. Although the Jowaki country might with justice have been permanently annexed, the Government had no desire to seize the possessions of its neighbours, and therefore had consented to restore these lands on condition of their submission. The conduct of the other Eec- tions of the Adam Khel tribes had been praise- worthy. The Government," he continued, will not permit the peace which reigns within its own boun- daries to be broken by turbulent neighbours; it pos- sesses both the will and the power to punish vio- lence and aggression, and will not hesitate to exer- cise that power promptly and severely." Many of the chiefs there assembled receive large allowances in cash, grants, jaghires, and honours, conditional on service to the Government, and yet they had failed to manifest any really zealous loyalty. Their loyalty was not active but asleep. They were de- voured by jealousies and enmities against each other. This was the cause of the troubles existing within and without the border of their dominions. The Govern- ment, however, would no longer tolerate such a state of things, cut would demand from all those whom it had honoured and enriched loyal, hearty, and undi- vided service. At the conclusion of hiff speech, the Lieutenant-Governor praised the conduct of the troops as admirable and deserving warm acknow- ledgment.

REMARKABLE CASE. t At the Crown Court, Oxford' Circuit, before Mr. Justice Denman and a common jury, Bather Tatty, a married woman, between 60 and 70, was charged with stealing .£173 of the moneys of Thomas Pert at Didcot, on the 6th of January last. Mr. Nash prosecuted; Mr. Greene defended the prisoner. This case was remarkable owing to the peenliarity of the defence. The prosecutor, an old and blind man, had With his wife for some time lived at the house of the prisoner as lodgers. The prosecutor kept in a clotbes- box in his bed-room the savings of his life, amount- ing in all to .£173. His wife, who was an invalid, died on the 10th of January in the house of the pri- soner, and after her burial the prosecutor's brother- in-law and sister, who had not been on good terms with the wife, came and took the prosecutor away to their own house in Abingdon. Before they came, however, the prosecutor had given the prisoner the key of his clothes-box to pay herself for the last week's rent, and it appeared that she had made use of the opportunity to take all the money that was in the box. The prosecutor when he next had occasion to go to the box missed his money and complained to the Drisoner. She at once acknowledged that she had it and claimed a right to retain it, under a document which she alleged was the will of his wife. The docu- ment was as follows I, Maria Matilda Pert, wife of Thomas Pert, of Didoot, wish to leave my husband in the care of James and Esther Tutty, of Didcot, he being blind and afflicted with softening of the brain, for them te have 12s. a week to board, lodge, and take care of him. I leave them what few goods we have and what money we have, and, if my husband should die before the money is expended, it and the goods and whatever he may leave behind is her own.-—Signed this day, the 9th day of July, 1877.—MABIA MATILDA PUT. Some of the money had been restored by the prisoner to the prosecutor before proceedings were taken agaimt her, but a sum of about .£70 was concealed by her from the police, and not given up until their second visit to her house in search of it. The ease occupied a great part of the day, and in the end the jury found the prisoner guilty, strongly recom- mending her to mercy. His lordship sentenced the prisoner to four weeks' hard labour.

THE CATTLE BILL. (From the "held,) From a consumer's point of view it is to be desired that traffic in dead meat should supersede traffic in live animals. And that this result has already ob- tained to a great extent, the figures quoted by the Duke of Richmond go far to prove. Oonnning his facts to the Scotch trade, the noble lord showed that, in the five years from 1873 to 1877 inclusive, 31,651 tons of dead meat and 25,591 live animals had been conveyed to London by the Caledonian Railway Com- pany and by the Aberdeen Steam Navigation Company; or, estimating the average weight of each carcase at 61 cwt., that during that period, by those routes and modes of conveyance, 99,388 animals had been carried in the form of dead meat, as against 26,591 carried alive. Moreover, the cost of so bring- ing dead meat from Aberdeen to London was practically so small (amounting only to something like a halfpenny per pound), as to make no appreciable difference in the price. The importa- tion of store and dairy cattle and of cattle for breed- ing purposes stands, of course, on a very different footing from that of the importation of cattle in- tended for immediate conversion into food. It can never be intended to put a complete stopto this branch of the trade. Some provision, therefore, will have to be made in order to secure immunity from in- fection from animals introduced into this country for breeding and other purposes inconsistent with their slaughter at the port of landing. The Select Com- mittee upon the Cattle Plague and Importation of Live Stock, after recommending the prohibition of the importation of all animals from certain countries, advised that an exception should be made "in favour of store and dairy animals, provided they remain in quarantine for fourteen days, and afterwards are placed under inspection for two months." We all admit that free trade in cattle, just as free trhde in all other commodities, would, com- mercially speaking, be best for producers and con- sumers alike. It is only because necessity obliges us to impose restrictions that we assent to them. And we do so the more willingly, because we feel assured of their ultimate success in stamping out disease—not, indeed, disease in foreign countries, unless other nations adopt similar precautions, but disease amongst our own herds, when the necessity for restrictions upon the movement of cattle from place to place will no longer exist, and the trade within our own borders will be freer than ever. In short, to secure freedom ultimately, we are content to endure restraint for a while. — y

THE PARIS EXHIBITION. The following, says Galignant, is the state of pro- gress of the works in the Universal Exhibition being executed by the different nations: England: The pavilion of the Prince of Wales is nearly ter- minated, and two cottages with terra cotta ornaments are being erected at the sides of it. Russia: A great number of Russian workmen are oc- cupied on the facade of the building for their section, which will be in the rustic style, and of wood. The furniture and decorations were received last week from St. Petersburg. Spain: The elegant pavilion is finished externally, and all the interior is greatly advanced. The painting is now being done. Italy: Great activity on all parts of the construction inside and out. Austria-Hungary: Somewhat behind-hand. Orders have been given for the works to be pushed on more rapidly. The material has arrived from Vienna. Bel- gium Perhaps the most remarkable pavilion in the Champ-de-Mars. The style is gothic. A novel effect is produced by the effect of polished grey stone and black marble intermingled. The Belgian artists are working ardently. Denmark: Pavilion terminated and being fitted up inside. A charming kiosk is being erected up in the garden. Switzerland Section much advanced. Magnificent decoration in the great hall reserved for the display of clocks and watches. Very elegant glass cases, counters, and furniture already in their places. Holland: Pavilion ter- minated. The principal construction is nearly ready the facade will be of red brick. All the materials have arrived. Portugal: Facade charged with orna- ments interior complete; great magnificence in the ornamentation. Luxembourg, Monaco, and San Marino: The three minor States of Europe give an example to the great. Their pavilions are small, but in excellent taste. The progress of the works leaves nothing to be desired. Sweden and Nor- way Twenty-eight Swedish soldiers are busily at work en this section. They are build- ing a guard house for their lodging. China; No nation is more practical than this one. The everseers of the twenty-six native artisans direct them with remarkable order and activity. The fittings are numerous, elegant, and original. Japan: Twelve natives are working without respite. Canada: A great quantity of packages have already arrived for this section. They are said to contain many curious articles. Persia, Siam, Morocco, and Tunis: Pushing forward their works actively. The internal arrange- ments may be behind-hand. On the French section in the Champ-de-Mars there are now 3240 men em- ployed, and many work during part of the night.

ACTION AGAINST A RAILWAY COMPANY.—In the Common Pleas Division of the High Court of Justice, an action was tried in which the London and South-Western Railway Company was sued by a retired letter-sorter, carrying on business as a shoe- maker, te recover compensation for injuriea sustained by his wife in an accident which occurred to a train in which she was travelling on the defendants' line from Wimbledon to Waterloo, in February last year. The company admitted negligence, and the only ques- tion was to the amount of damages, which were assessed by the jury at .£350. A COOK SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS' PENAL SzBVlTUM.—George Garrod, a cook, Mary Ann Garrod, his sister, and Sarah Garrod, his mother, a woman 80 years of age, were indicted at the Central Criminal Court for stealing a quantity of plate, the property of Alderman Sidney. The jury found the male prisoner guilty, and acquitted the women. Former convictions for felony having been proved against him, the Recorder .sentenced him to be kept in penal servitude for ten years. ABSCONDED.—Two boya named Fielding and Phipps, both 14, residing at Upper Gornal, Sedgley, absconded with about X40 in money belonging to their parents. Both lads were very anxious to see foreign countries. DAmNG EsCAPE FROM GAOL.—A daring and successful escape was made at the Kirkwall Gaol by a man named Alexander Robertson. He first attempted to set Are to the floor of his cell, apparently to get out through the court room below. He then burst open the door, and by means of rope, with a 561b. weight attached, swung himself out of a window and made off. A DISTRESSED WELSH MINER IN LONDON. —Timothy McCarthy, who was evidently the worse for liquor, was charged at Bow-street, with being drunk and disorderly. The gaoler said he was afraid the prisoner was hardly in a fit state to be charged. He was bailed out on Sunday, and had been drinking ever since. The prisoner said he had only just come up from Merthyr Tydvil, in Wales, and had met with some companions, like himself, out of work, and they had a little jollification. Mr. Flowers: But great distress, we hear, is prevailing in that part of Wales. Prisoner: Yes, your Honour, and that is why I left. I could get no more relief money so I came to London. It was no use stopping down there. Mr. Flowers- There is another advantage also no doubt, to persons like you who are continually getting drunk. I know something of Merthyr, and if you were charged with drunkness there, you would be fined 10s. costs besides the penalty imposed upon you for the offence. Prisoner: Thats true, your Honour. Mr. Flowers: You were kindly admitted to bail, and you repay this indulgence by getting drunk again directly; and, indeed, you are hardly sober now. To me it is a matter of wonderment always that you men who say you cannot get work can invariably find the means of getting drunk. Prisoner: It is friends as treats us. Mr. Flowers: Pay three shillings or go to prison for three days. ALLEGED SLANDER.-An aoiion to recover damages for alleged slander was brought in the Com- mon Pleas Division by a Mr. Wemyss, who had been a lieutenant in the army ana a captain in the Per,- brokeshire Militia, against Mr. Lloyd, a candidate for Cardiganshire. In 1848 the plaintiff sold out of the army, having been refused permission to retire on half-pay, and conceived that he had been improperly treated by the authorities. The alleged slander was in certain words spoken by Mr. Lloyd, who had been solicited to bring the plaintiff's case before Parliament. Lord Coleridge held that the occasion on which the words in question were used was privileged, and, further, that they were not actionable. Judgment of nonsuit was given. DESTRUCTIVE BOILER LIPLOSION.—A des- tructive boiler explosion took place at the blanket factory of Messrs. Orabtree and Sons, Dewsbury Moor. The inhabitants were alarmed by a loud explosion about nine o'clock, and in a moment afterwards a 36. horse power boiler was seen making its way through the air. It travelled nearly fifty yards, dropping on the causeway in Huddersfield-road. Martha Allwell aged 38, and John Kingsley, aged 18, were killed on the spot. Four persons were removed to the infirmary seriously injured. Matthew Kitchenmann and George Waterheuse, also injured, were sent ta their homes In some cases it is expected that the injuries will prove fatal. A FACETIOUS boy asked one of hns intimates why a hardware dealer was like a bootmaker ? The latter, Bomewhat puzzled, gave it up. Why," Baid the other, because the one sold nails, and the other nailed solee."

A SINGULAR ROBBERY. A trial for a robbery, accompanied with rather curious circumstances, has just taken place before the Paris Court of Assizes. The principal accused, named Mouny, was messenger at tbe bank of Gay and Ros- tand, and as far back as 1871, having been sent to receive a sum of 200,000fr., he absconded with the money. The police sought him everywhere without success, while he was quietly concealed with a cooper, named Fraipont, who occupied a little hut in a piece of waste erround at La Villetto. The secret of his hiding-place was so well kept that it was not evn known to a young woman named Creps, with whom he was intimate, and who, after being arrested and detained in custody for a time, was liberated, when the police found they could learn nothing from her. Two other persons were in the affair, a Swiss shoemaker named Butzenberger, and a woman, Douard, with whom he cohabited. Two months after the robbery the parties went sepa- rately to Belgium, and Mouny sent for the young woman Creps, the two then passing under the name of Graff. This couple and Butzenberger and Douard next removed to Geneva, and purchased for 50,000fr. a house in which they all resided in common. Frai- pont also received his share of the booty. The two couples fell out in 1875, and Mouny, having sold his part of the house for 25,000fr. to Butzenberger, went with the woman Creps to live at ChambSry. There they became very intimate with a neighbour, who by some moans discovered their real names. Mouny from that moment lived in a state of continual alarm. He kept loaded pistols by him and watch dogs to guard his house. The Drecautions he took to guard his treasure at last attracted the attention of the police, who dis- covered his antecedents. He was arrested, and his extradition having been obtained, he was now brought up for trial with the women Creps and Douard. Butzenberger being a Swiss subject, his surrender could not be demanded, and Fraipont, who had re- mained in Belgium, committed suicide on learning of the arrest of his accomplices. Mouny was now con- demned to eight years' imprisonment and the two women each to five years.

DEATH OF THE OLD HIPPOPOTAMUS. The FellowB and friends ef the Zoological Society °t "k°n(*on hear with regret (says the Timet) of the death of the old hippopotamus, which occurred on Monday afternoon, rather suddenly, but not unexpec- tedly, as he had been showing manifest signs of old age for some time. II Obaysch" was born in the White Nile, somewhere near the island whence he obtained his name, in the spring of 1849, and .was captured when about three days old by a party of hunters sent out by Abbas Pasha, then Viceroy of Egypt, for the purpose. From the White Nile he was conveyed down to Cairo, and passed the winter in a tank specially built for v1 the British Agency, under the care of the Hon. Sir C. Murray, then her Majesty's Coqwl- General for Egypt. On May 25, 1850, he made"1i|e. triumphal entry into London by special train of tft%, South-Western Railway, and has since remained an inmate of the house prepared for his reception in the Zoological Society's Gardens. In 1853 his mate Adhela was acquired from the same country, but though several infant hippos were the result of this union, only one of them lived to attain maturity—a female born on Guy Fawkes day, 1872, and now living in the gardens. Last year the Council, seeing that Obayøch" was well stricken in yean, thought it advisable to secure a mate for the youthful Guy Fawkes, and with that object purchased of the Zoolo- gical Society of Amsterdam a young male hippopo- tamus, born in their gardens on the 30th of June last. There is, therefore, every prospect of the race of British hippopotami being continued in future years. The post-mortem examination of the old hippopotamus has been commenced by Professor Garrod, F.R.S., the prosector of the society, with several volunteer assis- tants to aid him in his formidable task. Professor Garrod will communicate the results to the society at one of their next scientific meetings.

HOMB RULB.-At a full meeting of the Exe- cutive of the Home Rule Confederation of Great Britain, Dr. Commins, LL.D., in the chair, and Messrs. O'Connor Power, M.P., Parnell, M.P., and F. H. O'Donnell, M.P., being among those present, the following resolution has been unanimcusly adopted: That while gratefully acknowledging the eminent services of the Home Rule Parliamentary party to the national cause, this Executive of the Home Rule Confederation deplores the necessity in which it is placed of censuring most strongly the un- patriotic absenteeism of many Home Rule members in recent important divisions; and we earnestly hope that the Irish constituencies will not fail to take a proper notice of the violation of duty to which we have felt bound to refer." The resolution was passed after considerable discussion, many members of th, Execu- tive present being desirous of recording a stronger ex- pression of opinion; and the votes of condemnation passed by some twenty of the Home Rule tions of Great Britain were also considered and op- proved. THE ESTIMATES.—The estimates for Civil Ser- vices and Revenue Departments for the year ending 31st of March, 1879, have been issued. The estimated expenditure for the Civil Services is X14,816,475, against .£14,003,231 last year, and the sum required for the Revenue Departments, packet and telegraph services is £7,994,500. being a decrease of £51,481 from last year. This makes a total esti- mated expenditure for 1878 79 of X22,810,975 against £22,049.212 last year, being a net increase of £ 761,763. The cash extra receipts for 1878-79 are given as JEI.660,436, an increase of £ 77,944. The following are the estimated totals of the seven classes of the Civil Services: — Class 1, public works and buildings, tl,414,725 — a decrease of £ 464; Class 2, salaries and expenses of Civil Departments, £ 2,127,103—a decrease of £ 11,018 Class 3, law and justice, £ 5,687,525—»n increase of £ 631,006; Class 4, education, science aDd art, £ 3,847,390—an increase of £ 295,010; Class 6, foreign and colonial services, £ 518,335--a decrease of £ 129,453; Class 6, non-effective and charitable services, £ 1,190,016—an increase of £ 25,396; 7, miscellaneous, £ 31,381—an increase of £ 2767. T^e following are the totals in the Revenue departments: Customs, £ 980,798—an increase of £ 2483; Inland Revenue, £ 1,812,270—an increase of £ 23,420; Post Office, £ 3,313,215—an increase of £ 35,193; Post Office Packet service, £ 773,245—an increase of .£5368; Post Office Telegraphs, £ 1,114,972—a decrease of £ 117,945. In Class 1 the largest item of increase is .Sao.OOOforthe Edinburgh Univenity Buildings. The large increase of £681,006 in Class 3 is principally owing to the expenditure on prison*, X487,209, or an increase of .£479,957 over last year, being required for prisons in England, .£81.410 for Prisons in Scotland, and £ 148,153 for prisons in Ireland. In Class 4 the public education estimate shows an increase of £238,379 ia England, of £ 8830 in Scotland, and of.£5855 in Ireland. For the Paris International JÐxbibition.£36,700 is asked for. In Class 5, grants in aid of the colonies show a decrease of £ 129,192. In Class 6 the vote for pauper lunatics in England amounts to £380.000. an increase of £ 40,000; for Scotland the estimate is .£68,000, an in- crease ef £ 3000, and for Ireland £88,000. an increase of £2700. In Class 7 there is an increase of X1910 in the vote for temporary commissions. The total amount of the grants in aid of local taxation in Great Britain and Ireland is .£4,961,594, against £4,323,818 in 1877-78, an increase of £ 638,281. SNATCHEBS AT METROPOLITAN RACE MBBT- WGS.—The engagement of detectives at metropolitan race meetings has (says the Sportsman) led to some good. At Sandown last Friday a X20 note was 81latched from the hands of a gentleman in the ring. He oromptly stated his loss to Sergeant Ham, to whom he described the personal appearance of the "snatcher." The guilty party restored the X20 on Baturday before getting into the clutches of the ser- geant, having no doubt been informed that the latter's identification of him was probable. OuR SHIPS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.— Although the Channel Squadron has been detained at Malta until further orde., there is no intention of making any withdrawals from the strength of the fleet in Eastern waters at present; and with the view to adding to the number of ships in the Medi- terranean we are informed that instructions have been received at Malta to detain homeward-bound ship8. The Flying Fish, under orders for Spithead to pay after serving a commission in^ the East Indies, has thus been detained, all former instructions as to pay* ing off having been suspended. DINNBB TO THE LESSEE or DBTTUY-LANE THEATRE.—A complimentary dinner was given to Mr. Ohatterton, the lessee of Drury-lane Theatre, at Willis's Rooms, Lord W. Lennox presiding. The dinner was given to mark the sense of members of the theatrical profession of the manner in which Mr. Ohatterton has managed the theatre during the term which is now approaching its close- SENTENCED TO DEATH.—The trial of Harry Rowles, farmer, of Kidlington, for the murder of Igiom Allen, his sweetheart. at Cassmgton, was concluded the other day at the Oxford Assizes, before Lord Chief Justice Baggallay. This was the third day r of the trial. His lordship summed up at greath length, dealing chiefly with the question of inaanity, which was the line of defence adopted. He said that the jury had considered whether the prisoner at the time of the offence was in such a state of mind as to be able to distinguish between right and wrong. The jury I returned a verdict of guilty, with a recommendation 1 to mercy, on the ground of great provocation. The prisoner was sentenced to death,

PROPOSED AGRICIJLTTJR^L EXSLBI- TION IN LONDON. A large and influential public meeting was held at the Mansion House, London, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor, to take preliminary steps fo promote the holding of a great Agricultural Exhibition in London next year, under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. The Lord Mayor, in opening the proceedings, expressed great interest in the proposal to hold the next annual show of the Agri- cultural Society in London, and promised to assist the project in every way he could. Alderman Sir Thomas Dakin moved that, in the opinion of the meeting, it was desirable to promote the holding of the proposed exhibition, and in doing so observed that he thought so important a movement appropriately emanated from the Mansion House. For over forty years the Agricultural Society had rendered most valuable aid not only to the farmers cf the country, but to the kingdom at large, for nothing could be more impor- tant than the matters with which the society dealt. In 1862 their exhibition was held in London, but owing to the rival attractions of the International Ex- hibition at Kensington and the inaccessibility of the site chosen, it was not so successful as could have been wished. He trusted, however, that next year, if the project could be carried out, a better site would be selected, and he had then no fear of the result. Mr. John Holms, M.P., seconded the resolution, and urged that the exhibition should not only comprise agricultural stock and implements, but samples of food, observing that of 375 millions of imports in 1876 180 millions were denoted as food for machinery, 165 millions as food for man, and forty millions as manufactured articles. The importation ef food was, therefore, a very vast matter, and it was, to his mind, all important that it should be represented at the proposed exhibition. The Duke of Richmond and Gordon said that he had for many years been a mem- ber of the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society, and he thought he might venture to claim for the society that they had done a very great deal to pro- mote agriculture in this country. By their various shows in all parts of the kingdom their desire had been to prove to all classes of their countrymen what could be aone oj energy and enterprise towards pro- moting the agricultural interests of the land. In these matters the late Prince Consort, he reminded them, ever took an active interest. It was thought right and proper to hold the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society in the metropolis in 1862, and it was held in Battersea-park. From the influential character of the meeting that day and the remarks that had been made he ventured to predict that during next year an exhibition would be held in London under the auspices of the society which would have a far greater importance than had the former show in 1862. He quite agreed with Mr. Holms as to the great im- portant of the dead-meat trade, but he would not follow him into the various speculations he had offered on the subject. He should have other opportunities and a fuller scope of expressing his view on that matter, and he therefore would not protract the meeting by going into it that day. He had always considered that they must not neglect the interests of all classes of the community, and their great object was, as it should be, to provide the consuming classes with the greatest amount and the best quality of food that could be produced. The society, he knew, held that view, and carried it out to the best of their ability and if they were to compare now the stock of the country with what it was forty years ago, they would And that it had improved in a most rapid and re- markable degree. He would not detain them with a lecture on agriculture, but would only express his conviction that by the exhibition next year the Vnited Kingdom would prove that, in regard to agri- culture, it was behind no other country in the world. Alderman Sir Charles Whetham.who will be the Lord Mayor next year, also supported the resolution, and it was earned unanimousfy. The Duke of Bedford moved and Mr. Gilbey seconded the next proposition, which was that a committee be formed to carry out the scheme, to collect subscriptions, and to co-operate with the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society. The following committee was then appointed—namely, the Lord Mayor, the Dukes of Richmond and Gordon, Bedford, Westminster, and Buccleuch, Iiords Cathcart, Skelmersdale, Winmarleigh, and Moreton, Colonel Kingscote, Sir Thomas White, Sir Thomas Dakin, Sir Charles Whetham, and others. On the motion of Sir J. Heron Maxwell, seconded by Mr. T. U. Scott, it was resolved that, in the opinion of this meeting, it was desirable that the exhibition should, if possible, be held in Hyde-park, and that the necessary steps be taken te obtain the sanction of the Ranger and the First Commissioner of Works. Colonel Kingscote, M.P., President of the Royal Agricultural Society, in moving a vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor, observed that the scheme was one of a most promising character, and if they could only get the support of the citizens of London, they were assured of success. The meeting then adjourned.

THE WRECK OF THE MAIL STEAMER KAFFIR. The most exciting event at the Cape has been the wreck of the Royal Mail steamer Kaffir in the neigh- bourhood of the Cape of Good Hope. The Kaffir left Table Bay at half-past one on the 14th of February. The weather was fine; there was a fresh breeze from the west, and the steamer had not been long out of dock before she was bowling along with steam and sail. At half-past five, when she had been only four hours out of dock, she struck, it is supposed, on a small reef known as the Albatross Rock, and situate about eieht miles from the Cape, on the Table Bay side, and about half a mile from shore. It is said by Aiu however, that she did not strike on the Albatross Rock, but one altogether unknown, and that the ship was three miles from the land at the time of the accident. It took twenty minutes' hard steaming to reach the land after she struck. The ship struck tho rock, quivered, and hesitated for a second or so, and then a wave lifted her over the reef, and speedily she proceeded on her course. The shock was not a severe one, indeed it was so slight that the first impres- sion conveyed to some on board was that the engines were racing. This was, however but momentary; astern the water was discoloured as if a mudbank disturbed, and, strange, to say, for the nrst time broken water was seen. There was not a Heavy break on the reef, not much heavier than the feather top between the ship and horizon. The truth was soon known, in a few minutes the first compart- ment was full cf water, and the ship settled down rapidly at the head. Her bottom beneath the two first com- partments had, it was believed, been torn away. It was feared she might sink in deep water, so the engines were worked up to their highest pitch and the nearest land steered for. The coast is a wild and forbidding one, with few places where boats can lana; a dangerous coast for many a mile, with spits of reck and patches of sand and vast fields Th« Kaffir touched bottom at last at a considerable distance from the shoal, and as she settled k ? £ u bertb all her weather boats were smashed !i <S_avy roI1ers which came thundering in. rromptiy the boats were lowered with the women and f rtf'and' steered through the seething suri, tne people were landed after great difficulty, one boat was disabled but the other two returned to the wreck and commenced by taking those men who could not swim. The discipline on board was excellent. The orders were given with calm- rrtfff a u firmness, and were well obeyed. a tvf ^ain effected a landing, but darkness ana the rising 0f the sea prevented them going back again that night. An awful night was spent by tnose on board, some fifty in number, and by those on snore. The women and children on the beach had bu sc.nty clothing, no sails or tents, or anything which could be rigged up for shelter had been landed, jfires were made of the parched bush which grows on tne sandhills, and round the small fires groups sat shivering, while a keen wind blew and rain fell beavily. On board the wreck the men ate their dinner, and it was hoped that the strong hull would last for some hours against the battering of ,w?Te0, But at half-past ten the vessel parted J™1 a»d the bow swinging round formed a breakwater for the stern portion, which drifted much nearer the shore. On the bow were some natives of Zanzibar; among them was the man who i n ""rough Africa with Stanley, and had been le the Cape in consequence of ill-health. This maD was supposed to have been drowned with four era; but early in the morning he was found very snug y lying under a tent made of a blanket, with a n* ,ttre. before him. One native seaman swam M f j midnight, conveying the news that the main- mas, Bene overboard, and that the vessel had partra m two. Throughout the night the men on the w^c together for warmth in the captain's in (a deck house on the poop) or shivered under f.. the cabin, holding on to ropes tied to it. If t cabin had been less strongly built it must have given way beneath the battering of the waves, and tnen tnese men must have been swept into the sea. The crnn held bravely, and with daylight came the lie at. Four trips were made between half-past four and eight o'clock, and then all hands were safe on shore. The news of the disaster reached Oape- town at nine p.m., and the representatives of the com- pany did all in their power to alleviate the distress, uaptain Hoeta proceeded that night to Simon's Bay, and Captain Anderson went down early on the following morning as surveyor. At eleven o'clock night Commodore Sullivan ordered the Uanae, Captain Purvis, and, if necessary, !i tug, to proceed round the coast ina see if it was possible to render assistance. With i ir flu °f the Danae proceeded, but the ] kanr bad gone to pieces many hours before. From I 9imon« Town a waggon with provisions, and acoom- panied by Mr. Runcieman, Mr. J. Black, and Captain Byron, started immediately on the receipt of the news, and joyfully was the assistance hailed. The women were put into the waggon, refreshments were given them, and the men who had worked in the boats and were cramped by the cold were revived with a moderate allowance of liquor. When daylight came these gentlemen from Simon's Bay gave helping hands, and what they did will not be forgotten. Fishermen vied with the sailors in saving life, and in launching the lifeboat through the narrow creek, so happily found on this rock-bound shore. An inquiry is now being held into the cause of the disaster.

VICTOR HUGO AND PRINCE NAPOLEON. In the first volume of "l'Histoire d'un Crime, Victor Hugo places Prince Napoleon in a favourable, and in the second in a very unexpected light. On November 15,1851, the author received at midnight a visit at his house in the Rue de la Tour d'Auvergne from the Prince, who made a pretext of coming to talk about some memoirs of his mether, the Princess Catherine of Wurtemburg, which he thought of pub- lishing. The MS. had previously been left with Victor Hugo, who does ample justice to the vir- tues and intellect of the Princess. After he had handed the roll of papers to her son, the Prince suddenly turned round, and, looking into his face, said, The Republic is on its last legs." Almost." That is, if you don't save it." U I? In what way ?" With his accustomed clearness and strength the noc turnal visitor proceeded to describe the situation of parties in the Assembly relatively to each other, the Etysee, and the nation. Their mutual suspicion blinded them to the real danger. Prince Napoleon likened the Red Burgraves and the Burgraves of the Right to a flock of black and a flock of white sheep coming face to face, and too frightened at each other to notice the wolf that was running up to them. This beast of p*ey was his Cousin Louis, who was conspiring to make himself Emperor. Victor Hugo, who belonged to the Sixteen appointed by the Red Burgraves to watch a Vigilance Committee of the Right, could spring a counter-mine under the mine of the Elys6e, and save both France and the glory of Napoleon's name. How ? he asked. Why me more than any of my colleagues ?" Be- cause the Left is without a leader, and your name is well known and popular." But how am I to act ? Simply te arrest the President. Yon, the Police Commissary of the Assembly, is a staunch Republican. He would, I know, obey an order signed by you." I dare say he would, but what of that ?" Why, sign one, and have Louis arrested this very night." This was said in a firm voice, and with a tone of earnest conviction, which I believe was not feigned. Arrest the President!" I cried, "What do you mean?" Tne Prince then ex- plained that the army was undecided, and that the African generals—brethren in arms of Louis Philippe's sons—were not for the President, whilst the National Guard was decidedly for the Republic. Colonels Forestier, of the 8th Legion, Gremer, of the 6th, and Howy, of the 5th, had been sounded, and said they were ready to answer for the obedience of their men if Victor Hugo, or the Committee of Sixteen, gave the order for them to march on the Elyøée at night, sur- prise it, seize the President, and carry him forthwith to prison. The stroke rapidly dealt, the troops would offer no opposition. Vincennes would open her gates in the dead of night to receive Louis Napoleon, and shut them, to hold him a captive, while Paris was asleep. France next morning would learn with joy of her deliverance from the menace of a coup ePitat. If the Assembly did not take the offensive it would be remorselessly crushed. Generals Neumann and Lowcestyne, who were at Lyons, were brave men, and hostile to the President. Victor Hugo only saw objections. He held that it was better to be the victim of a crime than a criminal. Prince Napo- leon thought it better to be a turnkey than a prisoner. He urged Salus populi est suprema lex. The poet told him he placed conscience above public safety, and would not kill a child to eave a people. But Oato would." Jesus would not." "You are in the truth of antiquity. I am in the truth of a higher and a broader revelation." "Yes, but Louis is going to attack you and to crush you out. He is making pre- parations. If you leave him the offensive you must be beaten." Se be it." Hear me, Victor Hugo. I warn you that your combat will end in your death or exile. You opened France to the Bonapartes. A Bonaparte will eject you from it. Death is a small thing—the affair of a moment. Exile is lingering tor- ture. I know what it is, and don't want to return to it." I must get into the habit of it if I can only avoid it by violating law and committing an act worse than housebreaking, which could not but end in bloodshed and rob us of our moral vantage." "That is very grand, but you will not be merely proscribed, you will be calumniated. Do you knew what they already say? That you are against him—(meaning Louis Napoleon)—because he would not make you a Cabinet Minister. I know the contrary is the truth. They will invent worse lies. Be advised by me, and send the order to Yon. I look as though I were a traitor to Louis. I want to serve him by saving him from crime. I have tried every means but this one. I conspire both for and against him; against his power and for his honour. My conscience is at ease, and I want te save my family and my country. I am a Bonaparte, but no Bonapartiat. If I bear the name and respect it, I also judge it. The 18th Brumaire was a stigma on it which faded in the glory of Austerlitz. Napoleon's genius absolved him. In its admiration the people learned to pardon him. He is On the column, and the beat thing is to let him remain there in peace, and not provoke investigation into his career. It would be disastrous for me, of his name, to plagiarise his bad actions. There is a cicatrice in his reputation which it behoves us not to open. In Brumaire Napoleon inflicted this Wound upon his glory, but his name survived it. A second oovpcCftat would be fatal to it. I blame the first Brumaire. I fear the second, which must be despicable, and bury in shame the grandeur of Napoleon. The Bonapartes will become a byword and a reproach. In getting Louis arrested I shall save him from an everlasting pillory, protect my Mole's fame, and save my country from destruction." Victor Hugo persisted in his refusal. The Prince packed up his mother's MS. and took his leave, nltad with dark forebodings, at three in the morn- ing. The poet when the visitor departed sat down to write out the extraordinary conversation which passed between them. He came to the conclusion that he was right in following the dictates of his conscience, but that Prince Napoleon was not wrong in seeking to place his cousin under lock and key.

MHJTABY DIVORCE CASB. The case of Marshall w. Marshall and Larminie, in which both the petitioner and co-respondent are officers in the Indian army, was heard before the President of the Probate and Divorce Division. Mr. R. A. Bayford appeared for the petitioner, and the respondent and co-respondent were not represented by counsel. The petitioner and his wife were married in India, where the former was engaged on foreign service, in March, 1866, and lived together there on affectionate terms. Shortly after the marriage they became ac- quainted with the co-respondent, Captain Lar- minie, who was stated to be an officer in the Royal Engineers, and was then in India. InNovember, 1877, the respondent returned to England, invalided, and went to reside with her husband's sister, at Bexley, in Kent. While there she again met the co-respon- dent. Hearing that her husband, Captain Marshall, was about to return to England, the respondent left Bexley, stating that she was going to Brindisi to meet him. She never arrived there, and on reaching Bexley her husband discovered her absence. She was proved to have stayed at a hotel at Plymouth with the co-respondent as his wife. Other evidence having been given, the President pronounced a decree nisi, with the usual order for costs against the co-respondent. VIOLENT ASSAULTS BY A SOLDIBR.-Several violent assaults were committed on Sunday morning at Fort Grange, one of the outlying forts on the Gosport side of Portsmouth Harbour. A private of the 109th Regiment named Gorey was discharged from the Military Hospital upon the previous Thurs- day, and was subsequently confined in the guard-room for drunkenness. On Sunday he complained of the cold, and was allowed to warm himself at the guard- room fire. As soon as he reached the grate he took up the poker and inflicted serious injuries with it upon the corporal of the guard. He next attacked a soldier who was sleeping upon a bank. By this time the guard came to the rescue, and Gorey, singling out the sergeant, struck at him with the poker. The sergeant received the blow on his arm, and his thumb was dislocated. Gorey succeeded in making his escape from the fort, but eventually gave himself up at Fort Elson. The three wounded men were con- veyed to Haslar Hospital, where they are progressing satisfactorily. A LIFE SA VBD BY MEANS OF A TELE- PHONE.—Professor Bell and Colonel Reynolds received the Prince Imperial, the Duchess of Westminster, and others at the rooms of the Electric Telephone Com- pany. The experiments, which were exceedingly interesting, lasted two hours. The last feat accom- plished by Bell's telephone is the saving ef a diver's life. According to a report made to the Admiralty by Captain Arthur, of her Majesty's ship Vernon, a diver engaged in receiving some ballast suddenly fainted, and called out," Pull (me up." He did not signal with his rope, but was heard through the tele- phone attached to his helmet, and was at once brought to the surface. The man has recovered, and thanks the telephone for his restoration, J

AMUSING THEATRICAL CASJI. An amusing case has been heard at Chesterfield, before the Mayor and ex-Mayor, in which they were called upon to decide the delicate and difficult ques- tions of what is a juvenile lady," a "utility lady," a walking lady," a chambermaid," and various other technicalities connected with theatrical life. Charles Percival, a comedian," and Emily Perci- val, his wife, who called herself a juvenile lady," both lately engaged at the Chesterfield Theatre Royal, summoned Mr. Henry Beaumont Hall, lessee of "the thtatre, to recover wages which they alleged to be due to them. Charles Percival nad that morning been summoned to London, and could not appear, and at the request of Emily Percival the Bench de- cided to hear her case, which would decide both, as they were exactly alike. Emily Percival paid she and her husband were en- gaged by the defendant about three week ago. Her husband was a comedian," and she was a juvenile lady." Her professional name was Emily Clyde." Her wages were to be 259. per week, and she sought to recover 20s. due to her for five nights, during which time she had not been permitted to play, having been dismissed without notice, and 9s. for arrears of wages, owing from the week before she was dismissed. About a fortnight ago the defendant gave her the part of Arty CTNeil in the Shaugh- raun" to learn, and in looking over it she found that there was nothing for her to do, that all the best speeches had been "cut out," and that she would have'to be on the stage and play "dummy." (Laughter.) She objected to play "dummy." (Laughter.) It was not the "business" of a juvenile lady to play dummy." (Laughter.) So she said to the defendant, Am I to stand on the stage and not open my lips ?" and the defendant told her if she objected to the part she could leave the theatre, as he could get some one else to play her part. She called her husband, and the result was they both left the theatre. In answer to the manager, she said she considered that she was dismissed. She did not object to play, but she did object to play that part. She was engaged as juvenile lady," and the "part" was a "utility lady's" part, or a "walking lady's" part, All her good speeches had been given to Fatker Doolan, and she objected to Father Doolan having her speeches. (Laughter.) The Mayor: How old is a juvenile lady? (Laughter.) The Complainant: Well, they differ. Some are old and some are young. (Laughter.) An old woman" sometimes plays juvenile lady." (Laughter.) The ex-Mayor: What do you call an "old woman 1" Complainant: A woman about 31 or 36. (Laughter.) In answer to the magistrates'clerk, she said a ballet girl" could have played her part as Arty ONeil A "juvenile lady" was superior to "utility lady." "walking lady," "chambermaid" or "ballet girl." (Laughter.) Henry Beaumont Hall, the defendant, denied that he had dismissed the complainant. The part he gave her to play was the same as that sent to him for the juvenile lady" in the maøu" script. Had the complainant and her husband played, they would have received their wages and the arrears. He considered they had forfeited all claim upon him by their conduct. They left him in a regular fix," and he had to get a lady who W very ill to come and play, and he had to disappoint the public, for he had promised them the "Dumb Mali of Manchester," and'through the conduct of the com' ?lainant and her husband he could not play i** 'hey ought to have given the usual fortnight's notice- The Mayor: What is a juvenile lady ? The Defendant: A juvenile lady is one who plalo sweethearts," ulovers," ani" such-like." (Laughter.) Arty O'Neil is a "juvenile lady." The ex-Mayor- Then the complainant objected tO play dummy ? Defendant: She had speeches to make. Complainant: Yes; but only a few words. Annie Ashmore said she was an actress at the Theatre Royal, Chesterfield. She knew Arty She considered her a "juvenile lady." She b»d played the part at the Alexandra Theatre, Sheffield* She was engaged at Sheffield as chambermaid." The Magistrates' Clerk: How old was AM O'Neil? (Laughter.) Annie Ashmore: I should say she was about years of age, as the "young man" she is to maflf is only 25 years old. (Laughter.) There wero only about three or four speeches cut ou'j and she considered that it was the duty Emily, my dear." to play the part. Addressing the complainant, It was your business you know, dear—(laughter)—though it,wasonly a 'walking lad/' part." The property man of the theatre was called bf the complainant to prove that Miss O'Netl W** only a walking lady," and not a juvenile lady," as he said he was not an actor," and seldom 9*^ what took place on the stage, his evidence was accepted. The Bench, after some consideration, decided tb** the'complainant had not been dismissed, and that *b might have played had she desired to do so. Tb^ however, ordered the defendant to pay the 9s. arre**f and the eostB. The ease of Charles Percival again0^ H. B. Hall was struck off the lists.

LUIGI PATOCCHI. (From the Globe.") A noble veteran, of great local renown in his Owo little fatherland, and one to whom many English have been entrusted, has just passed away in & person of Luigi Patocchi. No one who has been acauainted with the St. Gothard route can well hit" missed becoming familiar with his herculean figure' his genial face and his friendly character. He been a poet condvcteur of the diligence upon the Alpine road which binds Central Europe and ever since the Federal Government of undertook the management of the postal tr*P> For thirty years Laigi Patocchi of Bellin*oi>J fought a battle with nature in the district where forces are most tremendous. Throughout tb* period, almost daily, he conducted his Postwagen 010 some part of that wonderful passage, sometim00 the placid splendour and awful storms of sumloef, and sometimes in the more terrific experiences of Alpine winter, always cheerful, ready, brave, prudent. Many a frightened traveller has felt failing courage and hope rekindled on witness1^ Patocchi's unshaken presence of mind, or ing an assuring look or touch from him in & awful crisis of an avalanche, or of some terri^T descent of snow masses, or in the blinding snowsto*^ of the tourmente, which has made the further progf^ of the coach impossible. Although Patocchi nfl* settled down quietly in his home, his fellow-cits*^ had so great a respect for him that they elected ^-1 unasked, as deputy for the district of Laviuara,^ the great council of his native canton of Ticino. funeral, which took place on the 4th of March, attended by numbers of his colleagues, and by an I" mense crowd of persona of all classes and callings*

LETTER FASTENINGS. A Dutch paper called the Postal Annual has beO publishing for the benefit of the learned and uni Coer a history of the different methods employed succ sively in various ages for fastening up letters intend for the post. Although the Annual does not to say who was the inventor of wax fastenings, abstains from any adequate account of the seals up*' which the Romans of the Empire impressed tb*^ splendid signets, it affirms that the use of simP^ bees' wax prevailed until beyond the end the Middle Ages. It was in fact displaced by the discovery of a new material in the New Vfo which at that time began to be explored. Seal^, wax, for the use of which fire is needed, was an tion, as it seems, of the Chinese. The imparted a knowledge of it to the Hindoos, and Hindoetan it was- brought home by some P°|St guese adventurers to their own country. The letter sealed with sealing wax of which memory is preserved is one written by a F courtier to Frederick Count Palatine in 1568..At .tf, time the wax in question was considered a great the and was sold at an enormous profit by -jj dealers who brought it to Europe. But it. be cam quite common, partly owing to the importation of so lucrative an article of and partly because it found a rival in the which came into use very soon after it. The 1* was, however, never used by any one pretending dt fashion or for important documents. The Vre^ fashion of fastening letters by means of envelopes is, of course, of quite recent date, and*^ Annual is just or generous to accord to England credit of the invention. I

HINDOO WIDOWS.—The Marquis of Salish Secretary of State for India, received a I the India Office on Monday, at the request [ Einnaird, who was accompanied by Lord Lawrf^ „ Sir William Muir, Sir William Hill, and Mr. I Karr. The object of the deputation was to J before the Secretary of State the case of a V> Lucknow who had been given up against her her relatives, without the question of her 10 being tried, in consequence of the premure of 0 the number of Brahmins. Lord Saliaburypron"O oot deputation that he would give the matter his eft attention. o Printed and published by the proprietor, JOHN coø: ROBERTS, at his General Printing Office, No v* lane, Cardigan, in the parish of Saint Marf • County ol Cardigan.—Saturday, March 23, l £ 7a.