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

LONDON CORRESPONDENCE. "m -/TOST people wlio require to work for a living IVI have got back into harness again, though it is not very easy for some to settle down quietly to business after the pleasant interlude of the Easter holidays. Many of the artisan class— tie men who call themselves working men par excellence-do not seem much inclined to do any- thing during the rest of the week that follows Easter Monday, and they may accordingly be seen wandering aimlessly about, EO me times with their wives and families In tow, but more frequently accompanied by two or three select chums, whose bonds of affinity are often on a par with those of Tam o' Shanter and Souter Johnny. The weather during the holidays. has been of the mixed character which distinguishes April— an alternation of showers and sunshine. Fortu- nately there was a total absence of those bitter east winds which have afflicted us so much of lite yestrs at Eastertide. Holiday-makers can afford to laugh &t April shower?, just as fcne sun himself doe3 when he breaks forth, after the transit of passing clouds, with bursts of radiance and the old favourite haunts of Londoners — including Blackheath, Greenwich-park, Hampstead-haath, Baahey-park, Clapham-common, and Battersea- park-were frequented by the customary crowds. The cocoaaut men, who are not now allowed to prosecute their roaring avocation on Clapham- common, set up their sticks in rural lanes, where they are least likely to be interfered with by the police, and they generaUy manage to hock some loiterers who are not unwilling to try their lack. It is the river steamers that suffer most when there is a prospect of flying showers, as the ac- commodation below decks, when shelter would be acceptable, is of a very meagre description. Though the half-expected volunteer review did not take place, chiefly owing to the objections offered by the railway companies, still many of the metropolitan corps took full advantage of the holiday time, some detachments having started so early as the middle of last week to places within a radius of fifty or sixty miles around London. Head-quarters were established at Brighton, at Twnbridge-wells, at Sutton, at Epsom, at Gad's Hill, at Hitchin, and Staines Moor. In these volunteer outings there is a com- bination of business and recreation which renders them very enjoyable to the men. Some of the de- tachments appeared for the first time in their bran- new scarletooats and helmets, and their new uniform gave them quite a brisk and spruoe appearance. In the metropolis efforts are being made to get up corps of what are called "Active Service Volunteers;" and it in stated that some2000 have already been enrolled, though the movement looks a little premature. Some of the Cabinet Ministers are not so well off during the recess as the ordinary members of Parliament, to whom this Easter has brought a longer holiday than usual, probably to make amends for the earlier meeting In February. To many of the more earnest members, however, the recess will be a period of unrest, as they can- not but see that the course of events is bringing the country ever nearer and nearer to the brink of war. While the Lord Chancellor, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Home Secre- tary, the Colonial Secretary, the Secretary for India, and the First Lord of the Admiralty have been fortunate enough to make their escape for a short time from State oares, it is other- wise with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, and the Secretary for War. The Earl of Beaoonsfield cannot beat a re- treat to Hughenden, though the time of the singing of birds has come. He is staying in town, and the ominous aspeot of affairs is likely to detain him here until the reassembling of Parliament. The Marquis of Salisbury is placed much in the same position, as he comes to town daily from Hatfield. to transact business at the Foreign Office. The War Searetary (Colonel Hon. F. A. Stanley) Is also reported as remain- ing in town for the present. The Premier, the Foreign Secretary, and the Secretary at War form an ominous conjunction at the present orlsis; whioh is epochal in its possible Issues. There is no mistaking the fact that, since Par- liament rose for the recess, there has been an in- crease in the signs of approaching war. However reassuring the statement extracted from bir Stafford Northcote might seem to be, there was a significance not to be misunderstood in the an- nouncements that a contingent of troops had been ordered up from India to Malta, and that no munitions of war were to be exported from this oountry. These are two measures which would hardly have been taken unless Government had deemed war to be inevitable. All Prince Bismarck's efforts to act as mediator between England and Russia have hitherto proved without avail. One after another his proposals have fallen to the ground. It is greatly owing to the maintenance of the alliance between the three Emperors that sus- picion attaches to Bismarck's motives and in- tentions. The proposal of a simultaneous with- drawal of Russian troops from the neighbour- hood of Constantinople and of the British ironclads from the Sea of Marmora is one to which our Government could hardly be expected to give much heed, as the ships, after they had once retired, could easily be prevented from again entering the Dardanelles. This would have the effeot of placing Russia in a still more advan- tageous position than she even occupies at present. The ohange of Cabinet at Constantinople has been brought about, as the members of the former one were considered too favourable to Russia. The new Ministers are said to be a colourless set-men of neutral views, who have no marked leaning either towards Russia or England. It follows that they must become mere puppets in the hands of the strongest-minded Ambassador, as the Sultan himself does not seem capable of impressing any definite sort of policy upon his Ministers. In some country towns people always take the time of day from the town-olook; they regulate their watches by its movements; and if anything goes wrong with it the solar system might as well oo me to a standstill. If a stranger, in such cir- cumstances, asks anyone he meets the correct time of day, all he reoeives in reply is a nonpos- tutmu and a ruefol shake of the head. In com- parison with these provincials, Londoners may consider themselves the most fortunate of men. The sixth clock synchronised to Green- wich mean time has been just put up in London by Messrs. Barraud & Lunds, the in- ventors and patentees. This last one, enolosed in a suitable carved oak case, has been placed imme- diately over the window at the oorner of Cheap- side and Queen Victoria-street, and will thus afford true time, at all hours of the day, to the large seotion of the public constantly passing to and fro in that crowded and busy neighbourhood. Often doubtless this new clock will have the effect of sharpening lagging steps. D. G.

SUICIDK AT CLIFTON BRIDGE. — Another suicide has been committed from the Clifton Suspen- sion-bridge, Bristol. Mr. Sidney Wasbrough Teas driving over the bridge, when he saw a man mount the trellis-work of the footway of the bridge, and called out to him tcf desist from the rash act be was evidently about to commit. The man, however, threw himself headlong from the bridge and fell into the water, it being nearly high tide at the time, on to the rocks skirting the edge of the Leigh side of the river. His fall was witnessed by three men in the service of the Bristol Docks Company, who were in a barge :n the river at the time of the occurrence. They at once put off in a small boat, and succeeded in securing the body. Death must have been instantaneous, as the body was much mutilated. The deceased, who was about 50 years of age, was subsequently identified by his niece as Mr. W. Gerrish, fly proprietor, of Olifton. FATAL ACCIDENT .-At Accrington, Mr. James Cunliffe, accompanied by a carter named Ohallenor, was trying a young ard spirited horse in a cart, when the animal became restive and both men were thrown out and killed. THE FIRST CLASS ARMY RESERVE MEN.— The men of the First Class Army Reserve are afford- ing great satisfaction to the authorities by the manner in which they are coming forward in obedience to the command addressed to them, not only on account of the numbers in which they appeared several days be- fore they are obliged to do eo, but also on the willing and cheerful disposition which they manifest at rejoining the army. The men are provided with clothing as they arrive, appearing with all their good conduct badges and stripes as they put them off years since, and are settling down readily into their ap- pointed places.

PICTURE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY AT WINDSOR. The limes says Mr. Lachlan Ml/achlan's large composition of the Queen and the members of the Royal family assembled in the Green Drawing-room at Windsor, now being exhibited in Messrs. Agnew's gallery in New Bond-street, London, has unusual claims to serious notice among works of the kind with which it is likely to be classed. Painted in mono- chrome for reproduction by the autotype process, it is not to be set down among those huge conglomerates of clumsy adaptations of photography in which the notables of popular movements, the lions of scientific or literary gatherings, the diplomatic representatives of a Congress, or the members of a Ministry have at various times bfsn got together intoIcrowds 'or groups, tant bsin que mal, to please partisans or gratify a passing irood of popular interest. These are bona fide portraits of the Queen, her sons anddanghtera, and sons and daughters-in-law, with seme of their children, painted from sittings actually given to the painter, representing a great deal of artistic skill, not only in portraiture, but, incompo sition, grouping, and arrangement, and the well-di- rected labour of many years. The central incident which determines the action of the principal person- ages of the picture, is the presentation to the Queen by Princess Beatrice of a bouquet, which has just been given to the Princess by ber godfather, tbe Crown Prince of Germany. The Queen is sitting on a sofa near the fire, with the Crown Princess of Germany at her side. In'the right foreground flits the Princess of L Wales-a graceful and gracious figure-with some of her own and the Princess Christian's children nest- ling to her side and at her feet. As a pendant to the Princess. of Wales, in the left foreground, Princess Louise, at the piano, turns to take a sheet of music presented to her by Prince Leopold. Thus boih ex- tremities of the composition are occupied by peculiarly attractive figitftfs, both of them excellent likenesses, I gracefully and naturally introduced. The centre of the composition is filled by a table, at which are sitting the Prince of Wales in Hussar uniform and the Dnke of Connavght in the uniform of the Rifle Brigade, while beyond them stand the Duchess of Edinburgh, looking at a print, and the Grand Duchess of Hesse- Darmstadt (Princess Alice). Still further back sit Prince and Princess Christian. To combine this central group with the foreground figures, we have, on the right, the Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt and the Marquis of Lorne leaning over the back of the sofa on which the Queen is seated; and on the left the Duke of Edinburgh, with his hand on the shoulder of Prince Frederick William, son of toe Crown Prince, buttoned up tight in his uniform, and looking every inch the soldier of twelve; his sister, Princess Charlotte, leans against the piano at which Princess Louise is seated.

ARREST OF ITALIAN MURDERERS IN ENG- LAND.-At Bow-street Police-court, London, two Italians, named Carlo Burdetto Rusconi, blacksmith, aged 27, and Battista Rusconi, waiter, aged 22, were brought before Sir James Ingham, under an extra- dition warrant charged with murdering their cousin, Gregario Rusconi, at Noceno, in the province of Como, in June last. The prisoners, who had fled to England, were arrested by Inspector Greenham and Sergeant Smart, of Scotland-yard, on Monday last, at Macclesfield, where they were in the custody of the local police. The depositions taken abroad were read over by Signor G. Guanziroli, the interpreter, and it appeared that the deceased was assassinated while on the way to mass and close to +he church of Noceno. The elder prisoner, who at first denied the charge, told the officers on their way to London that it was useless to conceal the crime, and that they were provoked to it by the conduct of the deceased towards their sister. He said that his sister was knocked down and threatened with instant death if she re- vealed the fact to either of her brothers—a double- barrelled gun being held over her while the promise of secrecy was being exacted from her. The younger prisoner said nothing, but Carlo addressed a few words to the Court. He said that he had been gathering mulberry-leaves for his silkworms one afternoon in the summer time, and on returning home found his sister in tears. She reluctantly des cribed the assault committed upon her by their cousin, pointed to a wound on her head which he had in- flicted, and mentioned the threats which he had used. They (the prisoners) consequently resolved to waylay him and kill him. The usual extradition order was made out 8ALSACE LOBBAINE.-The North German Gazette states that it has positive information that the subject of the appointment of the Crown Prince of Germany to the post of Regent of Alsace-Lorraine, which has been discussed by some of the newspapers, has not in any way been under consideration in Go- vernment circles. WOOD AND IVERY, LIMITED (J. W. Ivery, manager), Albion Blue Brick ftidTile Works, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, manufacturers of vitrified blue bricks, garden border tiles, flooring quarries in blue, red, or buff colour. Illustrations and prices on application. RUSSIAN PRIVATEERS.—The Golos publishes a telegram from Cronstadt, dated the 11th inst., in which it states that the municipality of Cronstadt have voted 3000 roubles out of the funds of the town towards the National Volunteer Fleet Association. The members of the Municipal Council at the same time added 1000 roubles out of their own pocket to the donation in question. The Cronstadt Vestnick of last Wednesday publishes the following advertisement: The Mayor of Cronstadt has the honour to make the general announcement that subscriptions daily will be gladly received at the Town HaU in aid of the funds for fitting out ocean cruisers. The citizens of Cronstadt, as inhabitants of one of the largest ports in Russia, will no doubt generously respond to the invitation, and thus display their readiness to undergo great sacrifices for the sake of the honour of Russia." HAVE IT IN YOUR HOUSE- LAMPLOUGH'S PYRETIC SALINE—and use no other. The only safe anti- dote in Fevers, Eruptive Affections, Sea or Bilious Sickness, Small-pox, and Headache; having peculiar and exclusive merits. Use DO substitute. See per- petual injunction against imitators; also the unani mous judgment before the Lords Justices Bramwell, Brett, and Cotton, 22nd Jan., 1878, in Lamplough's favour. 113 Holborn-hill. London. THE VOLUNTEERS AND GARRISON DUTY.— Lieut.-Colonel Seely, of the 1st Notts Rifle Volunteers (the famous "Robin Hoods" of Nottingham), writes from Florence to Major Welby, of the same corps, stating that he should consider it a mistake, however public-spirited it might seem in the excitement of the moment, to offer to perform garrison duty when there is no risk of an invasion. He points out that the old constitutional force for that duty in time of war is the militia, which, he says, ought always to be kept at a sufficient strength to perform it. If, he adds, at the outbreak of a war in which there was no proba- bility of an invasion the volunteer force was expected to perform the duties of militia, the characteristic principle of the force would be destroyed, the volun- teers would become simply another form of the militia, and would have to be recruited from the same classes. Tmt itAN who enters into the enterprise of Manufacturing Afcated Drinks, in any district where they are required renders a real service to the public, and no business often him a better return for a comparatively small outlay. 1c those who propose investing in this lucrative business, the first object to ascertain is where such a district exists, the next for success is to have the proper Machines and Appli- ances for producing the different Waters in the best condi- tion.-catalogae and all information sent upon receipt of six stamps to Barnett, Son and Foster, 21A, Forston. street, Hoiton, London, N. A LARGE FREIGHT. -One of the largest freights which has been sent out to Malta left the Thames in the Admiralty's steam transport Sumatra, having been loaded in the Victoria Docks. She has on board 40 steam launches from Sheerness and other ports for the protection of the ironclad fleet against torpedoes, and a great number of masts and spars to repair possible damages. There is very little material from the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, on board, but smaller veaaela and the railways are constantlv em- ployed taking stores from Woolwich to Pcrtamouth en route for the Mediterranean. BUGs, FLEAS, MOTHS, BEETLES, and all other in- sects are destroyed by KEATING'S iNSEcr DESTROYING POWDER, which is quite harmless to domestic animals. In exterminating Beetles the success of this powder is extraordinary. P is perfectly clean in application. Sold in tins Is. and 2s. 6d. each by all Chemists. VEILED BEGGARS.—At Wandsworth Police- court, London, Maria Medwin, 79, and Maria Medwin. her daughter, 40, were brought up, on remand! charged with begging from house to house in Wands- worth. The prisoners were giv* n into custody by Mr. Eeles, the officer of the Wandsworth branch of the Charity Organisation Society, who found them in a public-house, where they were endeavouring to sell tickets for a musical entertainment to be given at Tulse-hill Institute for the benefit of an aged governess. Mrs. Emma Coleman, of the Bull's Head, Olapham, said she purchased some tickets of two females, who wore veils over their faces, for a concert to be held at Tnlse-hill Institute. She could not re- cognise the prisoners. The officer in the case said the prisoners wore veils. He produced a book, found in the pcsaeaaion of the prisoners, containing the witness's signature for the tickets. The prisoners, who had been previously convicted of similar offences, were committed to prison for three months, with hard labour. WRIOHVB COAL TAn Sopp (Setpo Carbonis Detergent), Antiseptic, Detergent .Disinfectant. The most healthtul, Wfxeeable, and refreshing Toilet Soap in the world. By its daily use, freedom from mfectioaa diseases is secured the connexion unproved; rimples, blotches aud roughness removed; and the akin made clear, smooth, and lustrous in our hands it has proved nwst effective in skin diseases. ~Tm Lancet.• Itia only true ui»tisaptio soap."—British ar«dwul'■Journal. In Tablets, 6d. and Is. each all Chemists. W. V. Waiairr and Co., Southwark-ctreot, London.

HORSE-BEEF. Jahornfleeli. equal to beef? Of course everybody would reply in the negative if asked such a. novel question, but still it does not follow that everybody would be right. The horse is as clean an animal as a cow, or an ox, or a sbeep, and is decidedly much cleaner than a pig. Yet we all partake of the flesh of these animals. What, then, is the objection to making horse-flesh an article of diet? We are afraid pre- judice blinds us. The horse is "a vegetarian," like the cow, and can carry, perhaps, an equal amount of flesh and fat, if allowed to develop his sleek sides and limbs. On the authority of many experienced travellers, horseflesh is stated to be as nutritious and as palatable as the sweetest beef. There is a prospect of the citizens of the metropolis having an opportunity of judging for themselves, and in this case we ask for the promoters of the idea a fair field and no preju- dice. Two enterprising Frenchmen made an applica- tion to the Metropolitan Board of Works for permis sion to establish a slaughter-house for horses, the flesh of which is to be used as human foed. They state that in Paris there are no less than eighty shops carrying on a brisk trade as dealers in it. The first establishment opened in Paris required a guard of police to protect it, so great was the popular prejudice against the introduction of this new article of food but the Parisians have lived to change their opinion, and now liberally patronise Hippophagy. The pro- moters have secured the approval of the Lord Mayor in favour of their scheme, and they state that M. Delacroix, who founded the movement in Paris, is well known to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The Lord Mayor con- fesses himself interested in the venture. This is decidedly an honest expression of, fair- mindedness, which we hope will be re-echoed by all classes. Those who cannot conquer their prejudices need not purchase, and thosa who are curious, in an epicurean sense, may gratify their wishes without dis- turbing too much their palates. The Board of Works have referred the application to the Works Com- mittee, from which, we trust, it will receive a favour- able response. Our only doubt about its success is a financial one. This, however, is a matter for the con- sideration of the promoters. In England horseflesh is at a high figure; but if the new article of food is of the same quality as that sold in Paris, we see no reason why it should not become popular. Much will depend upon its price.-Dailll Chronicle.

GOOD FRIDAY BUNS. At a meeting of the Archaeological Association, Sackville-street, Piccadilly, London, Mr. H. Syer Cuming, the president of the association, read a paper on "Good Friday Buns." Mr. Cuming said it was a fact singular enough that from the earliest timescertain kinds of buns and cakes and other compounds of flour had been employed in religious history, and during sacred seasons and festivals cakes were amongst the nu- merous articles of food offered to God by the subjects of the Pharaohs, many of them, according to Sir G. Wilkinson, being of various shapes and forms. Having referred to the customs of the Per- sians, the Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, and other ancients, the speaker said that here in our own land we had an abundance of pies, puddings, and cakes made of certain bread-stuff, and appropriated to various holy days and sacred seasons. There were the plum puddings and mince pies for Christmas Day, the spiced bread and rich sugared cake for Twelfth Day, pancakes for Shrove Tuesday, fancy cake for Lent, and cross buns for Good Friday. The most of these delectable viands, no doubt, were of Pagan origin, but had been redressed in later times to suit the Christian palate. As to the croes bun, its origin was shrouded in mystery. The word from which we got our word bun was bown," species of sacred bread offered te the gods. That the name, form, and device of our Good Friday bun were clearly traceable to very early times ncne could doubt, but how in was that they were only to be found in Eng- land was a mystery. Continental Europe knew nothing about them. How they came here, where they came from, and by whom were they brought, were all questions which could not be answered. It was not unreasonable to imagine that the introduction of the bun into this country was coeval with the in- troduction of Christianity into this island, probably in the apostolic ages, and that to the early missionaries and their converts it was symbolic and commemorative of the bread broken at the last supper by Jesus Christ and his martyrdom at Calvary. For two persons to break a Gaod Friday bun between them in our days betokened not only a pledge of friendship and unity, but as a surety against disagreement. That the Good Friday bun has been looked upon as being something other than ordinary food, and as having a sanctity and virtue, was manifest from the fact that the superstitious often keep one all through the year for good luck, and also as a charm against fire and as a speedy remedy in the case of certain diseases. It was only a few years ago that there were I about twenty stale Good Friday buns found strung on a card and suspended as a festoon above the door of an apartment in a dwelling at Brixton-hill, under the hope that they would scare away evil spirits from the house. He then referred to the poetry and rhyme which had been written upon the sub j act, which in- cluded that of- Good Friday comes, the old woman runs, One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns," &c. London bad fewer vendors of hot cross buns now than in the days of yore, and the grand temple, or temples, for there were two at Chelsea, had now ceased to exist. They remained up for about a cen- tury. The buns there produced were perfection in their way, angular in shape, excellent in flavour, and tempting in aspect. Good Friday buns had degene- rated with the times, and thousands and tens of thousands who consumed them on the anniversary of the sacrifice of the Redeemer little thought of their j Pagan origin, their adoption by the Christian Church, and how they should remind all of that awful, stupendous, and mysterious event which reconciled the I world to an effended God, ransomed them from the bondage of sin, and opened the gates of paradise to all believers. A vote of thanks to the reader of the paper closed the proceedings. the proceedings.

I THOUSANDS OF DELICATE CHILDREN and consumptive persons are said to have acquired sound constitutions and permanent strength by taking that most agreeablfl and efficient steel preparation, Dr. Guinle's Steel Tablets, procurable of all respectable chemists, in boxes, or post free on receipt of postage stamps for Is. lid. or 2s. 0ri. hy C. Allen Chemist Kilburn. London. I MRS. BESANT.—A petition, filed in the Master of the Bolls Court by the Rev. Frank Besant, of Sibsey, against Mrs. Annie Besant, to deprive her of the guardianship and custody of her infant daughter, Mabel, stood for hearing, but has been adjourned, to I answer the petitioner's affidavits. The grounds alleged are atheism, delivery of atheistic lectures, de- livery of lectures against Christianity, publication of works called "GoeDel of Atheism and Fruits of Christianity," and volume entitled Freethinkers' Text Book," vol. 2; also Knowlton's pamphlet, and pamphlet on "Law of Population." BERLIN WOOLS and GERMAN NEEDLEWORK.— I The above are imported direct by M. LEADER, 9, NEW INN-YARD, SHOREDITCH, LONDON, E.O., from whom price lists are sent, on application, of every descrip- tion of fancy wools, canvas, filoselle, &c. PROFESSOR BLACKIE IN JERUSALEM.—Pro- fessor Blackie is astonishing the natives of Jerusalem, through the streets of which daily flashes a slight, straight figure, clad in a tartan plaid, with white hair flying in the wind, and a song from Homer on its lips. The Professor, in a letter written from Egypt, greatly bemoans the lack of greenness in the desert. His soul pined for grass, and found it not. On one occasion he saw some goats painfully nibbling at something, and his heart swelled within him. But on more nearly approaching, he found that what the goats were nibbling was something that seemed to be the unfulfilled prophecy of green grass." ALLEGED ASSAULT ON AN ACTRESS.—Ap- plication was made at the Bow-street Police-cour London, for a summons against Mr. D- E. Bandmann for assaulting Mrs. Rousby, at the Queens Theatre during the rehearsal of a new play about to be pro- duced there. It was stated that Mr. Bandmann had made an attempt to get possession of the MS. from the hands of the complainant, and in doing this had struck her a severe blow on the arm. Mrs. Rousby confirmed the statement made by her solicitor, Mr. George Lewis, junior, and Mr. Vaughan granted the summons. THERE ARE SERGES AND SERGES, but if what the fashionable journals say be true, the serge manufactured for Mr. Egerton Burnett, of Wellington Somerset, is supposed to be the best; and so it should be, when he has had the honour of supplying the Roya Family, and that his serge is woven from the finest elastic wools. It must not be supposed, however that this material is not within the reach of all her Majesty's subjects, for it can be purchased at as low a figure as Is. 2:!d. a yard, and the finest at 4s. 6d. It is said that neitber rain nor salt water can injure the permanent dye of Mr. Burnett's serges and when he promises to send patterns, of from 100 to 200 varieties, post free, it cannot be too strongly recommended to all intending purchasers to write for specimens, and see for themselves what they are like Mr. Burnett does not, however, supply this popular fabric exclusively for ladies, for he has a special strong-made article for boys and gentlemen's suits at from 3s. 6d. to 9.i. 6d. a yard, and we all know how very prettily and tastefully they can be made up for children; while for papa's, nothing could be more durable and light for summer wear than a suit ef the Royal Wellington Serge."

AN AMERICAN INVITATION TO MR. GLADSTONE. The New York Tribune of the 27th ultimo says: The committee of the Alumni of Yale College recently in- vited Mr. W. E. Gladstone to deliver the address be- fore the graduates at the next commencement. Mr. Gladstone has replied in two letters, one addressed to President Porter, the other to Secretary Evarts, the former merely declining the invitation, the latter set- ting forth the coniderations which compelled him to decline, which we quote: No. 73, Harley-street, London, March 5,1873. "My dear Mr. Evarts,—Your letter of December 27th, accompanying that of Dr. Porter, has lain by me for some time. The cause of delay in my reply has not been the pressure of business, for no amount of pressure would have induced me to postpone it. It has been a lingering hope—a hope against hope— with the last remains of which I am at length com- pelled to see that I must part. I have much to be thankful for in the measure of health, strength, and the possession of my senses still vouchsafed to me after a rather long and laborious life. Nor, though I am a very bad sailor, should I be debarred by the terrors of a passage across the Atlantic from ac- cepting an invitation so charged with kindness. It is, indeed, that kindness which suggests, though it does not constitute, the motive of dissuasion. I do not think myself equal to the effort of visiting America and of encountering its busy and pre-emi- nently sympathising life. With better consideration than Anchises, I must use his words: leV 010, quibus integer mvi, Sanguis ait, solidisBque suo stant robore vires, Vos agitate fugam.' In declining, then, the proposal, I beg you and your colleagues to believe in the gratitude I shall ever feel for their kindness, while I would beg you, on any suitable occasion, to submit my dutiful respects to the President, together with my heartiest wishes for the welfare and prosperity of your great country under his auspices.—I have the honour to remain, my dear Mr. Evarts, very faithfully yours, WK. E. GLADSTONE."

LETTER FROM MR. STANLEY. — Messrs Brookes and Orookes, the well-known cutlers, of the Atlantic Works, Sheffield, have produced a Stanley" knife for the use of explorers. In acknowledging one that has been presented to him, Mr. Stanley writes to this firm as follows: Ie Looking at it from a travel- ler's view, and recalling to my mind all the pocket or belt weapons, tools, and useful things I -needed while in Africa, I do think this splendid, artistic, beau- tifully-made knife supplies a large number of those utilities' in as compact and ready-at-hand a form as imagination could conceive. Within one frame I have a strong blade, which may be as use- ful as it may be harmful, a good saw, a gimlet, a nie, screwdriver, and awl, the very names of which surest, a multitude of occasions they might be re- quired for. My sails, tents, awnings, and clothes- bags, with the aid of your brass foot-measure, might easily, with the addition of thread and canvas, have been repaired; and my clothes, often rent by briar and bramble in the jungle, are brought to my recol- lect:on when I see your sewing needles and scissors. Your extracter also reminds me of times when I strained and tugged to extract a spoilt cartridge when life waa-dopending on it. I see that there are other things there, but I think I have told you enough to show that I think it a marvel of utility,' for which accept my hearty thanks." DURING THE RECENT HURRICANE about 150 fishermen from the neighbourhood of Bilbao and San- kander were drowned.

i*L THE KAFFIR WAR. The following extracts aro from the letter of the Times Cape Town correspondent, which is dated 19th March: KAFFIR ADVANCE INTO THE COLONY. The reassuring repor a sent homewards by the mail of this day week, that the worst of the Kaffir outbreak was over and tuat there was every prospect of an early termination of hostilities, have been somewhat unexpectedly falsified by subsequent oc- currences. Greatly to the surprise of every one, the combined movement of the Colonial forces, under Commandant General Griffith, for the capture or dis- persion of Sandilli and his followers, had only the effect of inducing the Gaeka chief to change his position, and by a clever manoeuvre to advance further into the colony, and gain the shelter of the mountains and forests of the famous Amatola range, where he and about IC00 of his men are now strongly posted. SCOURING THE COUNTRY. Mr. Griffith commenced his combined movement on the lebel position at the Thomas river, where Sandilli and Gongabelo were reported to be, early on the morning of the 8th .inst. During that and the following day the whole. country, from the junction of the Aei to Henderson, which was very rugged and difficult to operate in, was effectually scoured. The Kaffirs, who were seen, fled in all directions, offering little or no resistance. Seventy of them were killed, and 1290 head of cattle captured. Hundreds ot women and children were found hiding in the kloofs ana krantzes. They were all in good condition-" none starving, and many had meat with them when caneht." SANDILLI AND HIS SONS. Sandilli and his sons Mantanzima. and Edmund were at the Thomas river valley when the com- bined columns moved in, but during the night and succeeding day they and their followers made a backward movement into the colony, and, passing within a mile or two of the posts at Stutterheim and Grey Town, managed, without any hindrance, to reach the Izeli and Perie Bush, thus taking possession of their old and familiar strongholds in the wars of 1846 and 1851. It would appear that the lines of defence at Grey Town and Fort Ounynghame must have been weakened by the advance of all the burgher forces unc. r tho Commandant- General, who never calculated on the possibility of the Kaffirs doubling back on them. Mr. Fleischer, who was at Fort Cunynghame, received information on the 9th that a large body of the r nemy were in the bush immediately at the back of Stutterheim. He started at once for the direction indicated with 42 men of the George Volunteers, and found the Kaffirs in force, both mounted and footmen. Heavy firing was then heard to his left, where a small body of Ger- man police, ten in number, had been sent to reconnoitre. On Fleischer going to their support the Kaffirs opened fire from all directions, but a junction was effected. Seeing, however, that the enemy was attempting to surround him, Fleischer gave the order to retreat slowly and return the enemy's fire, which movement was successfully accomplished. The Kaffirs numbered at least 500. On the 10th inst. Mr. Fleischer again made a patrol from Fort Cunynghame for three miles along the bush, where he found large and well beaten tracks of Kaffir cattle and men, which he followed till withii a few miles of the Perie, without coming up with the enemy, In the first part of his patrol he saw fifteen farm- houses burnt down and the ashes still smouldering. The rebels had also carried off cattle belonging to the farmers. THE GAEXAS IN THE AMATOLAS. Immediately it was known that the Gaekas were in the Amatolas, the magistrate at Keiskamma Hock (Mr. Lonsdale) went out with a Fingo contingent, but had to retire. Bowker's Rovers also tried an engagement with them, but found the enemy in too strong a position. Two companies of the 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment were then sent out from King William's Town, together with various volunteer corps, and special messengers were for- warded to Commandant Griffith to move down with his force as speedily as possible. Major-General Thesiger went out twice from King William's Town to inspect the country, and commenced operations against the insurgents. Among casualties on our I aide, a young Englishman named Hellier is reported killed and one of the Bowkers wounded. Three German farmers-Messrs. Feuski, Siebert, and another one—are said to have been murdered by Kaffirs in the Isidengi. Colonel Lambert's operations against Macomo have resulted in clearing the fastnesses known as Schelmkloof resulted in clearing the fastnesses known as Schelmkloof and Waterkloof. Tini M como ia believed to have joined Sandilli. Many fugitive natives, some of them armed with guns and assegais, have spread into the Albany, Bathurst, and Alexandria divisions, calling for great vigilance and judgment on behalf of the authorities. The Times correspondent, dating from King Wil- liam's Town, March 20th, has the following: In the Ciskei the Perie -is now the great objective point of the war. This dense forest is situated on the southern extremity of the Amatolas. and is distant not more I than twelve miles from King William's Town. Of this vast bush the enemy occupies a strip perhaps thirty miles in length, and varying in breadth from one to five miles. Our foes in this particular locality are chiefly rebel Gaekas who accompanied Sandilli on his bold march through our lines ten days ago. As soon as Lieutenant-General Thesiger learnt that the enemy had taken to the Perie he ordered out every available man. Regu- lars and volunteers started without a moment's delay, and by a series of forced marches managed to surround Sandilli before he had scattered his men into the more remote and inaccessible portions of the bush. The weather all this time was excessively trying; the men marched for hours in torrents of rain. The regulars, though in possession of tents, fared ill. But the volunteers, with no kind of shelter from the weather, passed a miserable night. At daylight fresh movements were made, and, fortunately, the timely efforts of the men were crowned with success. A line of posts has been established at the back of the enemy to prevent re- treat. To advance means to quit the bush, and this Sandilli is not likely to do, for if he comes into the open country between this town and the Perie he will probably fare ill at the hands of one of the many patrol parties who are eagerly on the alert for such an event. Lieutenant General Thesiger is out at the bush and is personally superintend" ing the movements of the troops. Commandant- General Griffiths and a number of other officers, both Imperial and Colonial, accompany him. The Imperiat forces are represented by the 2nd Bat- talion 24th Regiment, by several companies of the 1st Battalion 24th Regiment, by a de- tachment of the 90th Regiment, and by a party of blue jackets from her Majesty's ship Active. TO addition to these troops there are in and about the Perie fully 1200 Colonial men, chiefly mounted Volunteers. On the 18th inst. our men assumed the offensive. I watched operations from the top of 9 neighbouring hill, but the density of the bush hid the men from my view. An incessant cannonade yrlJI kept up throughout the day, rockets were freely used, but. though I had a powerful with me, I could not tell whether our were firing at a visible enemy, or whether tbw were systematically shelling the bush. Yesterday some of the guns occupied positions high up in the hills, I therefore conclude that so far our forces have been successful in clearing a large portion 0* the bush. In the early morning Captain Brabant* at the head of about 150 mounted volunteers' started on a patrol towards Keiskama Hoek. the way he encountered several hundred of the enemy attempting to escape from the main bush to a smaller one in the neighbourhood. A fierce e# gagement at once ensued, and after a severe strug( II 00 our men succeeded in driving back the enemy. t our side the casualties were two men killed and ei# wounded. The loss to the enemy is not known. particulars of this engagement have not yet react" me. Last night our forces, taking advantage of full moon which is now shining, kept up an fire into the bush. From this town we can distinctly thegunsandtracethecourseof therockets. To-day fires are visible in various partsof the Perie. A from the general announces that everything is on well; that the enemy is being driven into lowest parts of the bush, and that the troopSi following on. All attention is now anxiously direct to this offensive movement of the general Sandilli, for on the result of the present operations the Perie depends the termination or the of the war. rr<&& News has just reached town that a party of yk J 200 in number, proceeding from the Dohne busB. x. Kwili Kwili, has been cut off by Bowker's [ Forty of the enemy were killed, and several of men were wounded. From Beaufort no news of interest reaches us, I think I may in consequence safely conclude Tini Macomo has effected his escape. There is a uglv mmour current in this town, it is said Martini-Henry ammunition is exhausted, a°Tt)dtf' there are no reserve supplies in the Colonial .diVf I hope the report may prove to bo untrue, but. 1 j0f good reason to believe there is much foundatlO it. It would, indeed, be a calamity to us if important juncture our forces had to delay opera from lack of ammunition.

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