The Aberdare Times

A DISPUTED WILL. Court of Probate, the cause of "Goss v. Hill and rmtu and ot,hers" has been heard. The following is ""outline of the case Q t^e. Pontiff, the Right Ray. Dr. Goss, is the Roman win J °f Liverpool, and he propounded the jj "ated the 23rd of March, 1869, of the late Samuel e, Moreton, as the universal legatee and sole |jv The defendants claimed to be distant rela- te v ft&nd ?ext of kin of the testator, and it was alleged teat f Bo''Cltor for the Duchy of Lancaster that the the In?* £ ad no known relatives. Both the solicitor for Wyj. u°hy and the alleged next of kin disputed the fcxe,?*,0* on tlle 8round that it was not dnly UtTk • and that the deceased was not of sound mind *oe time of its execution. b The testator, who was the son of a shoemaker, was arri t UP t0 the same trade, but was afterwards f lcled to an attorney, and was admitted and practised or a long time as an attorney in Liverpool. He was a bill discounter, and at the time of his death he J?? Possessed of about £ 15,000 worth of property, most j* it realty. He was described as rou^h and rude in J*18 banners, and accustomed to use very strong k but shrewd and intelligent in matters of sineBS. He was married, but was not on the most ectionate term3 with his wife, who lived on a farm g: .0ri8ln £ to him in Cheshire. All his brothers and oth^8 PFed.ee"aBed him without issue, and if he had any er relatives he kept np no intercourse with them. BtttnWaf a oman Catholic, and had contiibuted large tw.r>a. money to chapel building and other purposes faitVi^vr^v. a^va,QCement of the Roman Catholic ?: had frequently expressed his intention of leav- g dis property to the church to which he belonged, and *.• 't time before his death he had given instruc- Of T> n 8°^c^tor to prepare a deed of gift in favour j „r* t^oss. These instructions were not carried out "consequence of the sudden death of the solicitor. His Personal acquaintance with Dr. Goss was slight, and GOBS did not see him at the time of tha making of Qe will. In March, 1869, he was suffering from bron- ^nitis, and he was visited by the Rev. Canon Fisher, a •Koman Catholic priest belonging to St. Edward's Col- e £ e* Dr. Fisher is Dr. Goss's vicar, and his personal acquaintance with the testator was even slighter than that of Dr. GOBS. He gave Dr. Fisher instructions for Swill, leaving all his property to Dr. Goes, and ap- pointing Dr. Gúss sole executor, and as he refused to S-dfor a solicitor Dr. Fisher undertook to prepare it. ■"r. Fwher prepared it at his own house, and he was him "le 23rd of March, and took the will with f°r signature. It was read OVT to the he "gned it, and it was attested by Dr. Fisher bcf-nro servant Ellen Chatterton. The execution was lh« oft a o'clock in the day, and about 3 in th« 1 roU00n -^r- Fisher returned and administered sacrament to him. He died on the following OomtiJ15^ aj a^e 70. After his death his widow the ^lf^ Proceedings for the purpose of disputing v.. !» hut the plaintiff made an arrangement with ivo«P^1D*ker a annuity of £ 200 and the house she tinn w^th the grounds attached to it, and she there- Mi a°andoned her opposition. The will was in the following terms In the name of God, Amen.—1, Samuel H. Moreton, oj ,lyUim Brown-street, in the borough of Liverpool, gentleman cl.are this to be n,y last will, and I revoke all former wills. I yive and bequeath all my property, whatsoever and whoso- Unto the Right Rev. Alexander Goss, of St Edmund's oh 9e> ,n borqpgh of Liverpool, Roman Catholic Bishop, tl*0iV'tely for his own use, and free from, any trust; and I wfi°LNT ,fle SA*D UPV. Alexander Goss executor of this my Witness my hand, &a The signatures of the attesting witnesses were written Pposite the attestation clause, and that of the testator \Vas at the bottom of the sheet of paper, and there was rp^ wafer at one corner of the sheet. ■p,. he principal witnts3 in support of the will was Dr. •e ishtr, who stated that the testator at first suggested •hat a deed of gift should be drawn up, but afterwards ?)ade up his mind to make a will. Dr. Fisher wished to send for a solicitor, and mentioned several aines to him, but the testator said the Liverpool fn.yors were the "scrapings of hell," and re- th t • to ^ave any °f them, and told Dr. Fisher at if he wrote down that Dr. Goss was universal j Katee and sole executor, that was as good a will as the a°5 Chancellor himself could make. Dr. Fisher did ot write out the will at once, but went home and terwards dictated it to his brother. Several questions e*e Putto Dr. Fisher, as to the language of the will, he stated that he had consulted two books which ad been for some time in Lis possession one was W'jman. on Wills, and the other was a small book on uls written by Dr. Grant. He took the language of will from these books. He asserted that the testator was in the full possession of his faculties, not dy when the will was executed, but on his subsequent it in the afternoon, when the Sacrament was ad- loistered, and that on the latter occasion the estator gave him some information respecting ♦v6 of the property. At the time when ,e instructions were given, Dr. Fisher pressed tK111 *eave his widow an annuity of £ 200, but ne testator thought £ 50 was enough, and ulti- mately consented to leave the question of her provision to pro Goss. The testator signed his name without ftSEistance, and Dr. Fisher denied that he guided his nand. Dr. Fisher did not think him in a dangerous state on the 23rd of March, and only took the Sacra- Events to him because he thought it possible there might be a moral danger" that he would not recover, and it would then be his duty to administer them. Dr. Fisher added that he had told Mrs. Moreton that she should have the annuity of £200 before the will was disputed. f The other attesting witness, Ellen Chatterton, corroborated Dr. Fisher's evidence. She said she was a Protestant, but she had occasionally been to mass. The testator had only been to mass about three times during the two years she was in his service, and on those occasions she accompanied him. .^n°ther woman named Johnstone, who was also in attendance on him, and some other witnesses were called in support of the will. One of them who had the testator at about eight o'clock on the evening Of the 23rd of March described him as then in the agonies of death. Dr. Goss was not called as a witness, and it was Mated that he was in ill-health and on the Continent. The general capacity of the testator was not disputed, and the only question was a8 to his condition on the 'lay when the will was executed. The court adjourned at the close of the plaintiff's case. For the convenience of counsel the heariDg was allowed to stand over until Wednesday week.

A STRANGE SOLUTION OF A QUARREL. The Times Vienna correspondent sends the following par- ticulars of an affair which, it will be seen, borders very closely on the romantic :— On the night of Tuesday, towards three in the morning, one of the guards in the Stadtpark heard the report of a firearm. Following the sound, he found after long Search on the bank of one of the bywalks a large pool of blood and a hat, but no person in the park. He called for assistance from the police, and the search was continued, but, so far as the park was concerned, with- out success. Outside of it, however, the commissary of Police in search saw a man lying on some leaves, and, thinking him drunk, ordered that he should be removed to the station. On raising him it was found that he Was covered with blood, and that he held a pistol in his hand. The shot had gone through his neck and had shattered hia jaw. On searching him, four letttrs were found, one addressed to the authorities, another to his parents, a third to his lady-love, and a fourth to bis colleagues in the opera-house. The youth was the son of a dancing- Inast-er, and himself employed as one of the dancers in the corps de ballet of the opera-house. In the letter addressed to the authorities Reisinger announced that he was the victim of an American duel, and that the motives which had induced him to act would be found in a letter which he had deposited in the dressing-room of the male dancers of the opera. In this letter, which was found in the place indicated, after thanking his colleagues for their kindness to him, and asking them not to j udge him too harshly, he tells them that he had made the acquaintance of alieutenant, Who was a Maltese Knight of St. John that they had quarrelled, and that the lieutenant had challenged him to fight with pistols, which he had accepted. As he came next day to the rooms of the lieutenant there were already several officers there. When he came in they began to talk French. After a time the lieutenent came in, and told him that he could not light him, as he was too young. On this the youth says that he became violent, but the lieutenant told him, smiling, that there was a way to cgafc without exposure, audthigwae that eacimhouW wear a glove on the left hand, and whoever was seen in the street by the other without the left glove on his hand should kill himself. The writer of the letter Bays that he had been so unfortunate as to be seen by his adversary without the glove, so if he did not wish to be dishonoured he had to kill himself. He says that he would not have been so foolish as to take off his glove had he not yielded to the remonstrances of one for whom he would always have ventured to expose his life. The young man hAs dted since, but before his death he had given the haine of his adversary, a cavalry lieutenant, who had been a frequent visitor at the Well-kbown dancing school which is kept by the father 'Qf the youth, and had made advances to the lady-love of the latter. This was the ground of the quarrel. Both the girl and his own relations, who did not know the meaning of his always wearing the left glove, had taunted him about it, and the first time he yielded he met the lieutenant, who looked at his hand, and the young man thought himself bound to fulfil the stipula- tions of their foolish duel. The authorities have in the meantime made researches about the lieutenant in question, but they have not been able to find him as yet; he had given different addresses to the military authorities, and had left all the places indicated. If he be tried it will be rather a curious case, for there are no provisions made in the criminal code against this sort of duelling, and a fight with murderous weapons is necessary to make out a case of duelling. The death of the young dancer has produced so much the greater sensation in the corps de ballet as it is the second tragic occurrence within a fortnight; the other is the death of a promising young girl, a sister of one of the coryphéf3, who in the last representation of Sar- danapctlus, in going up a bridge which occurs ia one of the scenes, came near one of the gas burners. In order to pass it she caught up her dress, and thereby made the flame flare up, and despite the wire grating on the top it blazed out and caught her light dress, which was instantly in flames. Although help was at hand and a wet cloth was thrown over her, she was so much burnt all over the body, above all on the arms, that she died two days after. The accident caused great commotion in the house, and although the iron curtain was let down there was a tendency to rush to the door. Row- ever, the panic subsided. The Emperor, who was present, went himself to enquire after the state of the poor girl.

HARVEST PROSPECTS. Mr. Thomas C. Scott, of Knaphill Farm, Surrey, has sent the following letter for publication The following conclusions may now be arrived at as the result of the peculiarities of the weather of this season :— 1. That we shall have a good crop of wheat notwithstand- ing the severe ravages of the wire-worm and slug, because the seed was got in on a fine tilth, and the plant has since been kept in check and prevented becoming" winter proud" by a severe winter and an ungenial spring, and this slow growth has had the effect of stiffening the straw, which guarantees the crop against "lodging" at a future stage, and the rainless summer we have had up to the present time has been equally favourable, as such weather almost invariably results in a good wheat crop. 2. We shall have a light crop of barley, because it has been parched by the sun and scourged by the wire-worm, and no amount of rain can now remedy its stunted growth and deficiency of plants. 3. From the same causes oats will be a light crop. but not to the same extent as barley. 4 Winter beans have a miserable appearance, arising from the long continuance of bleak and wet weather in winter, which they can seldom stand on the heavy soils on which they are usually planted, and in many districts they are pre- maturely in bloom, although not a foot long spring beans look a shade better, and peas also, although the latter were early much injured in the leaf by a light fawn-coloured beetle- 100kiLg insect, which no one seems to know much about. All these cereal and pulse crops will come much sooner to the sickle than was anticipated six weeks ago, on account of pre- mature ripening. 5. Hay will be the lightest crop within my memory, because there is no bottom grass anywhere. Artificial grasses and clovers look better, and sainfoin and Lucerne in the cal- careous districts, where they are extensively grown, look extremely green and luxuriant: but much of these crops are now being sacrificed for the maintenance of live stock on bare pastnree. 6. Mangelwurzel will be a fair, If not a heavy crop, as it was got in in superb order, has come up very well, not- withstanding the drought, and luxuriates in a dry summer and sunshine. Swedes and turnips are uncertain, because, although they were and are still being got in in fine order, they have already been once or twice swept clean away by, and are still at the mercy of, the pestilential fly in the absence of abundance of rain and soft warm weather. I have in vain dusted the drills, after sowing the seed, with guano, urban manure, or night soil, salt, ashes, &c., for I still see these destructive insects revelling in myriads among the most pungent manures. Where the turnip area is large enough to pay for a water-orill, I would recommend its use, as I never knew it fail to secure a crop at the first sowing, even on the thin corn brash soils of North Wilts, which afford a severe test, and where I have used it extensively. In the same district I luccessfully used a revolving fan, the invention of a working man, but it was not encouraged, and has since been lost sight of. This year of insects suggests the policy of encouraging such inventions. 7. Potatoes, although several times touched by late spring frosts, do not appear permanently injured, and look wtll generally; and if the drought should continue, and cause a light crop, it will likely be of superior quality. As an experi- ment I have this year reversed the usual practice, and planted some potatoes on the bare earth, covering them with manure and then soil, and they look infinitely better than those planted on the manure. In less parching weather I do not think this would be the case, nor do I think the quality will be so good, as they are more likely to taste earthy. 8. Lean cattle and sheep will be cheap for a time, because there is no feed for them, and the breeders are forced to sell; but beef and mutton will be dear, because all winter- fed stock is now disposed of, and grazing stock will have to be fattened with excessive quantities of oilcake and other ex- pensive artificial food, to make up for the deficiency of grass. Finally, there will be some compensation for these drawbacks by the economy of labour in cultivating the land during peculiarly favourable weather, and there will not, or ought not to be, a living weed left in the country. These observations are the result of a continuous detailed inspection of farms in all the home and some of the midland counties from last autumn up to the present time.

GARDENING OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK. (From the Gardener's Magazine.) [An. excellent weekly journal, containing much valuable information for amateur and prefessioaal gardeners.] KITCHEN GARDEN. Select the most heavily-manured quarters for the reception of all the members of the great brassica family, particularly Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts. It is little short of sheer waste of time and labour to plant either on poor hungry soil. Encourage Capsicums and Tomatoes that were planted out late with copious supplies of water, for not a day must be lost with them Tomatoes will require frequent stopping and training to make them fruitful; it is a very good plan to stop at one joint above the cluster of fruit. The prickly is the best Spinach to sow now, as it is less likely to run in case of very hot dry weather. Plant outT a batch of early- sown Coleworts, and sow another bed for late autumn supply. Sow French Beans and thin out those now just up. It is im- possible to have a good crop of these if left crowded in the rows as sown, as is frequently done. FRUIT GARDEN. The supply of Strawberry plants for forcing next year must be thought about. It is well-nigh impossible to have good crops unless the runners are layered sufficiently early to make good plants with well-ripened crowns by the autumn. Select the strongest runners and peg them down in sixties filled with good turfy loam, and keep them well supplied with water. Some growers advise plunging the pots in which the runners are layered. Undoubtedly there Is an advantage in so doing, but, considering the short time they are required to remain on the beds, it is not worth the trouble. Where it is intended to form new plantations, the runners should be layered at the same time as those for forcing, and then planted out directly they are sufficiently rooted to bear the removal from the parent plants. Where the beds to propagate from are limited, it will be well to get eff those intended for forcing, and, when these are removed, layer for the outdoor beds. The young growth of Peach and Nectarine trees will require their firal thinning. It is absurd to lay in treble the quantity of wood ft quired, with the idea that it is not yet known what may be wanted. There is no more difficulty in fixing upon the quantity of wood required to be left now than there is at the winter pruning, Nail in the remaining young growth as speedily as possible, for two reasons one to expose the fruit to the full Influence of It.,ht and air, and the other to give the wood an opportunity to get thoroughly well ripened. Bear in mma that we seldom get either flower-buds or fruit on immature wood. Plums and pears require stopping at the third or fourth leaf, to induce the formation of bearing spurs. Morello cherries require much the same training as peaches, as they bear principally on the young wood, though they will bear on the spurs, but the former is preferable. Ply the engine vigorously on the Peach Nectaiine Cherry, and Plum, or they win soon" get infe^te^ with green or black aphides and red-spider. Where the points of the shoots of any of these are taken possession of by a colony of blttck-fly, dip them in a strong dose of tobacco-water Unless this or some other remedy is adopted and put in practice at once, the younj wood will be completely ruined tor this season and the trees will receive a check from which it will take them several years to recover. Thin the fruit of all wall-trees, if not already done, to the quantity each individual is capable of carrying. There is nothing gained in weight, but much lost in quality, size, and appearance of the fruit, in compelling each tree to carry twice the quantity it is able to properly mature. FLOWER GARDEN. Koses must have abundant supplies of water now, if fine blooms are a consideration Trim away the brier-suckers as fast as they come up, for they rob thei tree^ and prevent it flowering < r making such good wood as it> otherwise would do. Stocks intended for bud,iing should be looked over at once and all superfluous shoots "V0"8 rambling growths upon which buds are to b e ted short- ened back. This is far preferable to leaving them to grow wild until the time comes for putting the buds in, and then trimming them np. If cut In now, as may they will break before budding time, and the sap will e £ when it is wanted. Buds which remain dormant until t e Epring do not generally make such good plants as Duas in i start away soon alter being entered, and make ripenara shoots before winter sets in. When the young growtias are too sappy in the autumn, lift the stock gently with a iorK in October this will stop the growth and make all safe. which have been occupied with Andromedas, Kalmlas, and Rhododendrons for several years should heve three or four inches of rotten cow-dung spread over the surface. All these plants are best propagated by layers, and this is a pood time for doing it. Herbaceous plants intended for flowering early next year must be sown shortly. Select a shady position for the seed-bed, and prick out into nursery or permanent quarters directly the plants are strong enough to handle. A better and stronger bloom may be expected from these than from others sown towards the end of August, as is gene- rally the time fixed upon for sowing most of these subjects. FORCING. Pines.-As this Is the proper season for these to make their growth, nothing must be done or left undone to cause a check or stop them in any way. We again feel the necessity of call- ing attention to the bottom-heat, now that the greater portion of the top-heat is kept up by means of solar warmth, thus rendering little fire-heat necessary. Bottom-heat must be looked to promptly where it is wholly or partly maintained by fire-heat, for if allowed to decline now, serious results will follow. Shut off the top-heat and keep a gentle fire to warm the bottom pipes. A banked-up fire, with just sufficient draught to keep it in, will be sufficient for this purpose. rin«» -Late grapes in the way of Mrs. Prince's Muscat, West's St. Peter's, and Black Hamburghs, which are intended to hang over Christmas should have their final thinning soon. 11 e!l°' these must be left sufficiently far apart to allow the air to circulate freely amongst them when they are '„.wi e ,reely houses in whioh the crop is now ripen- Memo\e laterals to enable the side shoots to get thorough y matured as well as the crop. Cucumbersi —Thm these out, and give plenty of air, but shut ? syringe early in the morning, and at shutting-upi time use soft water which has been placed in ? t i? uJJi ousea to get warmed. So to suc- ceed those in full bearing, earth up those newly planted as the roots show through the mounds, and plant out those in. tended to go into frames lately cleared of bedding stuff. PLANT-HOUSES. Greenhouse.—Now that most of the hard-wooded stuff is turned out of doors, this structure should be turned into what we may term an intermsdiate house, to harden plants from the stove before they go to the conservatory not that much fire-heat will be required, for keeping the ventilators close will effect the desired object. When such things as Achimenes, Caladiums, and Gloxinias, are taken direct from the stove, they suffer a severe check, and the flowers do not remain in perfection one-half the time they otterwise would do. This house will now answer well for growing on Fuchsias, Celosias, and Cockscombs for autumn-flowering, and aImo toe getting up seed ot friuulM, £ «., whiob wuji fa now sown in quantity. Balsams must go to the frames, where they can be kept close to the glass and receive free ventilation, or they will soon get so much drawn as to be useless. If the plants are wanted to be grown to a large size, the flowers up the main stem must be nipped off. It is, however, only right to say that such fine flowers must not be expected on the side-branches as the main stem, and seeds should be saved from the latter only. Shift on. such as require it before they get pot-bound. The Zonal Pelargoniums which were potted early, and have now filled their pots with roots, will receive much benefltfrom weak manure-water every alternate watering. Good guano, at the rate of half an ounce to half a gallon of water, will answer admirably; "Standen's Gardener's Friend sprinkled over the surface of the soil is also first-rate. The Gold and Silver Zonals are better without the liquid manure; good turfy loam, leaf- mould, and a sprinkle of sand, with pure seft water, is the best to get their colours clear and perfect. Orchid-house.-Nearly the whole of the occupants of this house are now in full growth, and require abundance of moisture about them give a sufficiency at the roots without saturation, and keep the stages, paths, and walls saturated with moisture. There is no fear of the plants having too much atmospheric humidity just now; dip those on blocks every day. and bear in mind that plants in baskets require more water than others in pots, as the air can got to the potting material more readily to dry it up.

THE MIGRATION OF FABLES. At the Royal Institution, on Friday evening, Pro- fessor Max chiller delivered a lecture on the Migra- tion of Fables tracing the history of some familiar examples of this class of literature, until their source was lost in the mist of Indian antiquity. He commenced his discourse with the familiar adage, count not your chickens before they are hatched," and expressed his belief that most hearers, if asked for its origin, would, without hesitation, refer to Lafontaine, and to his milkmaid, Perrette. But about the year 550 of the Chris- tian era, it was told to Khosru Nushirvan, King of Persia, that there existed in India books of great worth and wisdom, capable of instructing mankind in matters important to their welfare. The King desired that his own subjects should share in the benefits to be obtained from these books, and he instructed his Vizier to employ a pro- per person to obtain and translate them. The Royal phy- sician, Barzfiyeh, was selected for the work, and succeeded in accomplishing it. Barzflyeh refused all reward beyond a dress of honour, but stipulated that a notice of his own life and opinions, probably written by himself, should be ap- pended to the work. Of this notice Professor Max MUller said that it was a Religio Medici of the sixth century, and that it exhibited the thoughts of a man who turned away from formalities in search of truth, and who, like many such seekers before and since, found his best refuge from the un- certainties of life in his endeavours to alleviate the sufferings of his fellow-men. Among the Indian writ in es thus translated was a collection of fables known as the Panka Tantra, or five books and they were rendered into Pehlevi, the ancient language of Persia. The original version by Barzftyeh, is lost, but between the years 75i and 775 it was trans- lated from Pehlevi Into Arabic by Abdallah iba Almo- kaffa, who held high office at the Court of Almansur, Khalif of Bagdad, the contemporary of Justinian. This second rendering of the Panka Tantra has been pre- served, and an edition of it was published by de Sacy in 1816. It contains among other fables the story of a Brahmin, who collected rice by begging, and put the surplus into a pot, which he suspended over his couch. It occurred to him that there might be a famine, in which case he would sell his rice for a hundred rupees, and would buy two goats. The goats would multiply and become a herd, and he would sell them and buy cows. The cows would calve, and increase in value, and he would then buy buffaloes and cultivate land. With the produce he would buy mares, and would sell their foals for gold, with which he would buy a fine house. Then a Brahmin would bring him his daughter in marriage, with a rich dowry, and they would have a son, who should be called Somo Sala. and should run to sit upon his father's knee. The child should so run when his father was sitting reading, and would be in danger of being kicked-by one of the mares. The father would call out to his wife, Take the baby Take the baby I" but she, intent on household cares, would neglect the call. Then her enraged husband would spring up and give her a violent kick, and the Brahmin kicked out so vigorously that he kicked his pot and broke it, and the rice ran out and made him white all over, so that people said of those who formed foolish plans that they should be made white, like the father of Somo Sala. The Professor then began to trace this fable In its course towards modern times, and gave an account of some of the modifications that it had undergone. In one of these the dreamer was a holy man who had collected butter and honey, and the immediate cause of the final catastrophe, the break- age of the jar, so that the butter and honey ran down upon his beard, was the flourish given to his stick as an exprassion of his determination to chastise the son who was to crown his prosperity, if that son proved a negligent or backward student, and failed to profit by the masters that would he obtained for him. The version of Abdallah iba Almokaffa was itself translated into Greek by Symon Seth, and from his Greek into Italian and Latin. It was also translated, directly or indirectly, into Hebrew, Latin, German, Spanish, French, and English, but the versions from which Lafontaine appears to have taken some of his stories came through two succes- sive Persian translations, of which the second, a modernised one, was long a Haileybury textbook, and which appeared in French as the fables of the Indian sage Pilpiy. Lafontaine did not obtain Perrette from this source, as the original fable was not included in the collection, and Professor Max Mtiller briefly traced the translations of the story of the Castle Builder, and showed when the milkmaid was intro- duced as the heroine. Leaving this part of the subject, and after some remarks on the vitality and the widely spread influence of Eastern fable, the professor spoke of one Sergius, a Christian, who held a position of trust under Almansur, and whose son, under the name of Johannes Damascenus, became a famous theologian and controversial writer. Among other works, he wrote a treatise on Christian morals, in the form of a kind of religious novel, the history of Balaam and Josa- P j." i latter was a young Prince, of whom it had been predicted that he would embrace Christianity, and become a devotee. His father endeavoured to seclude him from all knowledge of human misery or evil and to attach him entirely to the pursuit of pleasure. But at length the young Prince took three drives, and saw old age, sickness, and death. He became a hermit, and had been accepted as an actual person by both the Eastern and Western Churches, and was canonized by both. In the Greek Church the festival of St. Josaphat is celebrated on the 16th of August; in the Church of Rome on the 27th of November. But the Professor pointed out how certainly the son of a great officer at the Court of Almansur would be acquainted with the Indian literature that Abdallah iba Almokaffa had translated from Pehlevi into Arabic and then went on to show that the history of Josaphat was simply the history of Buddha, as given in the sacred books of the Buddhist religion. He said it was strange, indeed, if the founder of Buddhism, a religion that had endured for 2,400 years, that even now numbered 455,000,000 adherents, and that taught a morality second only to that of Christianity, had received the highest honour that the Church of Rome could bestow and added that no member of that Church who read the life of Buddha need feel ashamed that this heathen saint had been added to the calendar. The lecture was attended by a numerous audience, among whom we observed the Dean of Westminster, and the Professor was very warmly applauded, both during the delivery of his discourse and at it close.

THE AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY. A general meeting of members of the above society was held on Friday in the Theatre of the Society of Arts, Adelphi, London. The chair was taken by Mr. Glaisher, of the Royal Observatory. The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, expressed his regret that the objects of the society had not made much progress during the past year, but hoped that the papers they were about to have read would prove interesting.. Mr. Walter Clure then proceeded to give his views on aeronautic science. He contended, as we under- stood, that manual flight would be the ultimate triumph of aeronauts, and reminded the meeting that the ancients had devoted their attention exclusively to that branch of the subject. He combated the many popular errors that prevailed as to the indispensable conditions of manual flight, contending that the means by which birds were enabled to fly were as y«t but very imperfectly knowD, even to the scientific. JJe believed that man would ultimately be made a flying animal, but there were certain artificial difficulties to be over- come before the much-desired object was attained. Air was, as a matter of fact, as solid as any other material, and it is only required that the person seek- ing to fly should be able to get up a sufficient initial velocity to create in the air a selid resistance. His- suggestion was that men should be taught to fly as youths were taught to swim in Germany, namely, by btiugjsuspended by a rope, when he could in safety make experiments with an artificial flying apparatus. He was quite willing to offer himself to the furtherance of science as a rotary pendulum bob, if the aeronautic Society should think anything of his suggestions. Mr. S. Harrison described some experiments which he had made with what he called an serial velocipede. His starting principle was that a screw propeller set to act in the air merely churned the column of air upon which it worked without making progress, but if it were attached to a velocipede upon which a good rider could advance at the rate of ten miles an hour on a smooth road, the weight of the velocipede and its rider would be gradually diminished, and flight might thus at last be attained. His plan was to attach a plane of oiled silk to the velocipede, and at the corners of this plane to fix his propellers. Mr. Harrison illustrated his theory by chalk diagrams on the black board, and seemed to convince the meeting that he had at last made some advance towards a true theory of aerosta- tion. The chairman said that the last speaker had really touched the true principle. If ever they obtained perfect aerostation it must be by means of an initial velocity, acting on an inclined aero plane. Mr. Harti- son's idea seemed to lead up to both these desiderata, and he thought it would be worthy work for the society to test his theory by experiment. After some purely scientific discussion on the action of the anemometer, gentleman suggested that a light canoe working on the water, would be a better medium of experiment with the propellers than the velocipede. Mr. Louis Olrick, consulting engineer, observed that the inventors of the sewing machine had not succeeded by endeavouring to imitate the old sewing process. They started on an entirely new principle, and aeronauts if they wished to succeed, must do the same. They must not follow or study the flight of birds, but invent an entirely new plan of aerostation. What they wanted was patient experiment, and experiments cost money aerostation could therefore only be studied successfully by wealthy societies. The discussion terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the reader of the paper. An instrument for measuring the pressure of the air was exhibited, and explained by Dr. Smith, and very much commended by the chairman.

PRINCE ALFRED'S IMPRESSIONS OF INDIA. The Duke of Edinburgh has written a. long letter to Lord Mayo, surveying retrospectively his tour in India. The letter was read by Lord Mayo himself at the banquet given at Lahore in honour of the retiring Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Donald Macleod. The Duke pays he has written the letter because he thinks They who have done so much for him have almost a right to expect some less formal expression of thanks than that which he has used in replying to official addresses." The anticipations of Oriental magnificence which were connected in his mind with the idea of India were, he say., more than resized during his tour. It was a disappointment to him when he heard that the durbar, which was to have been held at Agra, could not take place but he had since learned to appreciate the Viceroy's wise decision in that matter, and was glad that hehad had better oppoitunities of makingthe acquaint- ance of the great Indian princes and chiefs, either in their own territories or in the immediate neighbour- hood of them, than he could have had during the for. malities of a State durbar "I heard it said, the Prince continues, "that my visit to India occurred at an unfortunate time, owing to the financial dimcalties under which the country was suffering, but which are now, I trust, in a fair way of being successfully sur. mounted. I do not take this view myself. Owing to your wise orders and advice the expense to the public was reduced as much as possible, and I hope that my visit has been but little burdensome to the country. Still this has not affected the large sums of money that were so munificently spent by individuals in welcoming u«i exMople wt py yow exwlle&cy Calcutta was only too-generally followed—of that example, I fear, you will not let me speak but this I must say, that the personal kindness which you shewed me, and the splendid hospitality which you dispensed in my honour, were features in my visit which I can never forget." After expressing his thanks for the "characteristic magnificence" with which he had been entertained by the Indian princes, the Duke says :—"The hurried character of my tour through the interior prevented me from obtaining more than a bird's-eye view of the principal parts of the country, but I have seen enough to awaken in myself a strong interest both in its past history and its present condition. I have seen many evidences of the anxiety which exists, not only among the British community, but among the more wealthy and influential of the native-born inhabitants, to raise and improve the moral and social condition of the poorer classes. The importance of the spread of education is gradually being understood, and in seteral instances I was highly gratified by the manner in which the com- munities of some cities desired to commemorate my visit—by the foundation of scholarships bearing my name, by the commencement of recreation grounds for the use of the people, by endowing high schools, and at some of the seaports by contributing funds for the erection or improvement of sailors' homes. These laudable objects have been very materially, in some cases mainly, assisted by the munificence as well of private individuals as of some of the Indian princes, whose generosity is so well known to everyone that it would be superfluous for me to mention their names here. That my visit has been instrumental in bringing about results such as these is one of the happiest reflec- tions with which I shall look back to my brief stay in India." His Royal Highness goes on to say that he has never travelled in greater comfort than on the Indian rail- ways, states that he enjoyed with all his heart" the few days he was enabled to devote to field sports, and expresses the pleasure with which he made the acquaint- ance of many officers, of whose friendship he is proud, and the story of whose lives is not the least instructive among the lessons that have been brought to his notice in India, With his visit to Bombay, the Duke says he was much gratified, and remarks upon the fact that his arrival there occurred almost contemporaneously with three great events, each of which has a direct bearinc upon the city's future greatness— the completion of the railway communication between Eastern and Western India, the opening of the Suez Canal, and the laying of the Submarine Telegraph between Suez and Bom- bay. "I trust," the Prince adds, "that the bright hopes for the future which this happy concurrence of events is calculated to inspire will be amply realized, and I also hope that my kind friends in Bombay will sometimes remember that, simultaneously with the dawn of good fortune, the son of their Sovereign came among them to assure them of the lively sympathy with which her Majesty regards them, and of the pleasure with which she will learn of their hopeful prospects. Madras, although heavily weighted in the race with her sister capitals by local disadvantages, welcomed me so warmly, entertained me with so much consideration, and sped me on my way with such kind wishes, that I am glad it was chosen as the port for my re-embarkation. My reception there was a most gratifying and flatter- ing culmination to a very interesting tour. The three months of my stay in India have passed only too rapidly and pleasantly away. I am laden with a debt of gratitude-a debt which I am proud to owe, but which I can never hope to repay. In all that concerns the welfare ot India I shall ever take a deep interest, for I have learned to regard her people with affection. I am the glad bearer of a message from them to my mother which will give her unbounded satisfaction, for I have to tell her how enthusiastic has been my recep- tion, how universal the affectionate loyalty which has greeted me, and how it is for her sake alone that I have been thus welcomed to India, that my advent has been thus eagerly seized as an opportunity for expressing their sentiments of personal devotion to her Majesty, and of their heartfelt appreciation of the mildness and benificence of her rule. I must now bid to the people of India an affectionate farewell. May God pourdown his choicest blessings on the land."

The Times, commenting upon the Prince's letter, says:- This creditable letter will have an historical interest, and in illustration of the remark we need only ask what might not now belparntfrom a similar communication dated 70 years since. The Duke of Edinburgh has told us what strikes a stranger in India at the present time. He was astonished, ag well as he might be, at the unbroken railway journey from Calcutta to Bombay, across the hitherto impenetrable wnds of Central India. He left Calcutta glittering with all the magnifience of a Court and Government, he found Bombay exulting in the prospect of future greatness, and he sees only too clearly that the glory of Madras is gone. Yet there are men still living in whose lifetime all the interest of India centred in that now sleepy Presidency, when Seringapatam was the word in everybody's mouth, and when Tippoo Sultaun was England's most formidable foe. What wi,l be the state of things in the next generation ? India is the very land of changes. Calcutta is the third of the e ipitals established in Bengal itself within historic times; will it be succeeded by a fourth, or will Bengal lose its metropolis altogether? Already the revolution has been discussed, and the claims of rival sites argued already Bombay makes pretension to the place of honour. Then there are the Native Princes of India, no longer secluded, hostile, or jealous, but emerging from their isolation to welcome a son of their Queen, and partici- pating with European freedom in the festivities ot the occa- sion. At what stage of progress will their Courts have arrived in another generation ? Of the people of India his Royal Highness shows his appre- ciation by a keen remark He speaks of the anx- iety for education shown by all classes; of the wish of the poorer classes to learn, and of their betters to help them to teaching. This Is, indeed, a very signal phenomenon. There are Anglo-Indians who say that the education we are giving to the Queen's Indian subjects is not of the best sort, but that it is given on a large and ever-extending scale, that rich natives encourage it by endowments, and that poor natives avail themselves of its advantages as far as possible are facts beyond reach of doubt. It is even said that the natives of India are willliig to pay taxes for education. They would not of their own free will endure taxation for any other purpose whatever, not even for the sake of peace, health, or plenty but for good teaching they will pay their dues to the revenue. Years ago the youth of Bengal had a saying, "English is Rupees"—a pretty version of the old maxim •• Knowledge is power: and now, as the Duke of Edinburgh tells us, the sentiment is becoming universal It found ex- pression, as our readers will remember, In one mode of com- memorating tbe Royal visit itself, for the Duke left behind him new schools and new scholarships, established and endowed as records of the event. The Duke announces his intention of carrying back to the Queen a message of loyalty and attachment from her Hindoo subjects and the history of his tour has already shown how emphatically such a message was given. It is easy, of course, to question the depth of feelings thus exhibited by an Asiatic race, but of all the demonstrations by which sincerity could be proved none were wanting in these proceedings. We may surely say, too, that these feelings were justified. To us the Hindoos owe the peace which for the first time in their long history they now enjoy. The esta- blishment of our sovereignty was the end of internal war. Our Empire has been literally Peace, an., it is upon that Empire, and nothing else, that peace in India still depends. This is known and felt by all the educated classes In the country, and the educated classes, as before remarked, are increasing in numbers every day. Perhaps we are too hasty sometimes in the work of civilization, but the w(,rk is a good work, after all. The Duke's own letter is, in fact, an undesigned record of such a work. When he describes his easy transit across the whole breadth of the land from Cal- cutta to Bombay, his interviews with native Princes and his excursions into native States, and when he says, or rather when he lets it be seen without saying, that all these journeys were made throu.h a civilized and peaceful land, and among a quiet and contented people, he draws a more surprising contrast between the India of 1870 and the India of 1800 than could have been presented in any other form. His own visit expresses a fitting climax. He was the first of the Royal Family to visit India he was the first Prince of Engli h blood ever seen by the Indian subjects of the Crown. Perhaps in another generation such visits will be less rare, and, then it will be instructive to compare with fresh experience the impressions now placed upon record.

ONE WAY OF RAISING THE NEEDFUL! A Victim and his Friend writes to The Times I trust my wish to warn my fellow-travellers against im- position may be considered a sufficient apology for trespassing on your valuable space. The town council of Wiesbaden have thought fit to impose a'tax on all visitors who may remain one week in their town, on the pretence that they have to incur great expense in keeping up the promenades, bands, &c., for their recreation. It happens, however, that these are already provided, free of expense, not only to the visitors, but to the natives them- selves, by the Kursaal Company, who are also the chief sup- porters of the theatre and of all the charitable institutions of Wiesbaden. It f appears, therefore, that this is simply an attempt to obtain money. It has also been pronounced by an eminent lawyer to be illegal. Opinion annexed. Still the levy of this tax is proceeded with, in hopes of inducing visitors, especially ladies, to pay it. Some pay to rid themselves of the incivility of the col- lectors. The travelling public, however, have this remedy, either by avoiding Wiesbaden or, if obliged to visit it by the state of their health, by confining their expenditure to the mere necessaries of board and medical attendance, the course pursued by A VICTIM AND HIS FRIEND. Wiesbaden, May 29. Translation of a letter which appeared in the Rhenish Courier of the 15th of April, 1870 :— "CAUTION TO STRANGERS VISITING WIESBADEN. In several hotels, bathing, and private lodging-houses, a printed regulation from the Burgomaster's office has been circulated in reference to the care-tax. The contents of the paper are apt ti mislead strangers by making them believe that they are liable to pay the care- tax, which is not the case or that by paying the care-tax, they would enjoy privileges which actually do not exist, as everybody, either resident or a stranger, can enjoy the pri- vileges without paying any tax. Strangers are frequently labouring under the erroneous idea that by paying the care-tax they would free themselves from begging collectors and other annoyances. "It is, therefore, my intention to warn strangers against these impositions. SCHECK, Attorney to the King. "Wiesbaden, April 13."

THE SWISS IN LONDON. The Swiss inhabitants of London spent the evening of the Derby Day at a tea-fight "which they called a soirie rtligieuse et patriotique. The reporter of the Daily Telegraph, who describes this gathering, says that with the Swies the love of country is so thoroughly a religion that one can well understand the little colony of them in London, who meet Sunday by Sunday in the church in Endell-street, gathering once a year to blend their patriotism and religion with music and tea-drinking. Everything about the tea-party was as nice as it is proverbially and unmistakably nasty under ordinary circumstances. There were pretty Swiss girls, in their trim national costumes, minstering coffee which was made "as in France," and tempting one with delicious little cakes. Then the merry laughter that rang round the table, and the polyglot conversation-German, French, Italian, and half-a-dozen incomprehensible patois-all went to make up a scene mi generis, and quite un- English. The after-tea proceedings commenced with A. prayer by M. Ie Pasteur Pd'avel, of Endell-street Church. A chant de circonstance entitled "A l'in- spiration"—also written by M. P^tavnl—was then sung to a fine choir-like air. This realiy concluded the religious portion of the programme, with the single exception of a final hymn. Some vocal music by M. Gustave Kiister's choir, "L'Helv^tie," and a couple of overtures by an amateur band, too weak for the room, followed; but, weak or strong, the audience were determined to be pleased with everything. Mr. Kepi sang a song, of which the name alone wou'd have sufficed to bring down the house Ma chfere patrie;" while the vocal gymnastics of that pu-tamou, I m lure, cewlled to th« few fingliAb pre- sent the efforts of Herr von Joel at Evans's some years ago. Beingmrcored, he substituted a Bernese comic song, which must have been very funny, for everybody laughed; but its point was too recondite for any but a Swiss critic. M. Ie Pasteur delivered a brief address on "Christian Joy." and then occurred une demi-heure d'interruption, when the Babel of languages was re- sumed. The climax was reached when the well-known Ranz des Vaches was sung by the whole assembly. This, of course, created » genuine furore, and as one heard it from the lips of that little band of Swiss colonists, one could appreciate the story of Napoleon's forbidding it to be sung by his Swiss soldiers because it made them die of home-sicknesa. Altogether, adds this writer, it was a pleasing sight, this soiree Suissc- this little band of voluntary exiles grouped around their pastor, and from the Great City sending back their thoughts to Fatherland. The body to which M. Pétavel belongs is the Calvi- nistic but the motto which met one's eye on eatering the large room at Hanover-square was Un pour tous et tous pour un "—and it is, I believe, faithfully acted up to at the church in Endell-street. It should be, if it is to represent fairly a country where all religions are not only tolerated but supported, and where, I am assured, it is not unusual to find two religious bodies using the same edifice for worship at different hours. They are but a small congregation—only some 600 being present at the soirèe-but their charities are numerous and well organised. At all events, they are a happy as well as an united band and I can only say in the words used of that worthy citizen, when next the Swiss demoiselles preside at their pretty tea-tables, and give themselves to their simple festivity, "May I be there to see."

THE GOOD TIME COMING! After the long period of dejection and distress through which our commerce has passed, it is very gratifying to read reports such as those from the Iron Districts, which are now gladdening the hearts of busi- ness men (remarks the Daily News). From Cleveland correspondents write that every department of the iron- trade is as busy as possible. Stocks of the raw material are exhausted the orders already booked extend into next year, and more will not be taken except at enhanced prices. The mills and puddling furnaces are working to the full extent of their power to supply the demand for rails, and the foundries are busy with heavy castings. From Wales we get equally favourable accounts. Russia, the United States, India, and the Colonies are pressing upon the market, and severely tax- ing the resources of manufacturers. Great works which once gave employment to large populations, but which have long been closed, are being re-opened, and are now once more full of bustle and activity. From the Lanarkshire, as well as from the Birmingham and Wolverhampton districts, favourable accounts are also received, and en the whole it may be said that the iron industry of the country—which in its export branch alone has before now exceeded the declared value of fifteen millions sterling—had never brighter prospects before it. After all that has been said of what the foreign producer could do, it is found that it is to this market that the foreign buyer comes with his large orders. The Americans at this very moment, notwithstanding their Pro- tective Tariff, are ordering largely, and will take enormous quantities off our hands this year. One hope we may venture to express we trust that the, improved circumstances of trade will be allowed to benefit both employers and men that capital will not be waylaid on its enterprising and beneficent march, and deprived by ill-usage of all encouragement to de- vise large measures for the good of the community. The great trades of the kingdom are just now putting forth their resources, after a long interval of com pulsory stagnation they can absorb the surplus labour of the country, if they are only allowed fair play. In fact, Middlesborough alone has lately been taking off more of the unemployed population of London weekly than our charitable emigration societies have sent out to the colonies. It would be more than a calamity, it would be a scandal, if this improvement were arrested by untimely and unreasonable demands.

COLLIDED," INTERVIEWED," TES- TIMONIALIZED," AND "TABLED." On festive occasions, when an American guest is being entertained in England, or an English guest is being entertained in America, a good deal is said about the laws and language which are the noblest inherit- ance that the United States have received from the mother country (remarks the Daily News). In other circumstances, and in a different mood, some dis- satisfaction is expressed with the manner in which this precious inheritance is treated across the Atlantic. When the Americanization of our institutions and language is talked of, the phrase does not express gratitude or admiration. What we have given to our kinsmen over the water, they are returning to us, im- proved according to the newest notions and necessities. A railway train is "collideda distinguished visitor is interviewed an eminent benefactor or an un- endurable bore is testimonialized." The latest Americanism which has come to our knowledge has been imported by no less a person than the Vice-President of the Committee of Council. Mr. Forster spoke the other day of the amendments on the English Education Bill which he had just tabled," meaning which be had just laid up on the table. Mr. Forster, who is Minister of Educa- tion, may presently be expected to talk about the Speaker chairing himself when he takes the chair. But he can plead venerable authority for tabling his amendments. Milton speaks of the Jews in the Desert as being tabled from heaven when they were fed with manna, and the employment of the term is analogous in the two cases. Many so-called Americanisms are good old English words. The expression to table a resolution or a bill is a recognised Parliamentary phrase in the United States. But it means practically to get rid of the resolution or bill in question. In- stead of passing it the House votes that it do lie on the table, or, in other words, it declines to consider it. An ignorance of the political vocabulary of America has sometimes seemed likely to lead to serious con- sequences. During the American War, Mr. Reuter's agents telegraphed to this country the news that Con- gress had tabled certain resolutions hostile and insult- ing to England. Nearly everybody in this country be- lieved they were passed. There was great anger, and some discussion as to the proper mode of retaliation. In some quarters it was thought that a case of war had arisen. And all this for want of a knowledge of the language. If we are to adopt American terms, let us do so in the American sense. If Mr Forster will insist on our tabling" resolutions and amendments, let tabling be the same thing in the House of Commons and in the House of Representatives. Otherwise, between table and Babel, there may be an approach to connection in fact as well as in rhyme.

MR. FORSTER ON THE EDUCATION QUESTION. On Saturday Mr. Forster had an interviewat Bradford with two deputations from public meetings lately held in that town on the question of education. The right hon. gentleman, in answering some objections to the measure of which he has charge in the House of Com- mons, pointed out that the machinery called into exist- ence under the bill would take immediate action, and he looked forward to its extent with some anxiety. Mr. Forster's declaration that he had become a convert to the principle of direct compulsion was received with enthusiasm, but he added that he did not think this the opinion of the majority of the people, and doubted whether the proposal will meet with the acceptance of the House of Commons. The opposition which had been raised to the provisions respecting the imparting of religious instruction deserved the best attention, and the Government would closely consider this point in committee. In the course of a lengthened speech, reviewing the different phases of the question, Mr. Forster re- marked :— I do not think the rich parent or his child would be able to despise the poor child, because its pence paid for it, while the rich man's child was paid for by its parents. This is my reason for saying so In all these schools two-thirds of the cost Is not paid by the parents at all; consequently, no one would have the very bad taste, or could commit the exceed- ing absurdity, of throwing it into the teeth of the child for whom the whole 80s. of the cost of his education was pairl, when he himself was having 20s. of the cost of his educa- tion paid for him. We must bear in mind that this is not a question of free education against the parent paying the whole cost. The question is whether it is desirable that the parent should be expected to pay none of the cost directly. Now, my chief argument in favour of parents being called upon to pay part of the cost is that I think, taking parents generally throughout the country, they are able to do it; and I think it would be a very bad thing for the Government of the country to relieve the parent of any direct pecuniary responsibility for the education of his children. Again, to do sue t a thing would make an enormous additional charge npon the exchequer, because the questlon of free education would not stop with the elementary schools. The middle classes would then demand free education for their children, and the fees whicb they now paid themselves would be put upon the taxpayer. A case had been stated of a man who paid education rates and was also asked to pay the school fees, which he seemed to think was unreasonable. I said it would not be unreasonable. The amount he would pay in the rate would be nothing compared to the value he would receive. Take the case of a man who pays £ 10 rent yearly, and who has three children. At the rate of 3d. in the pound, which is the maximum we contemplate, he would only have to pay 2s. 6d. a year in rates. Thai man has no right to come forward and say, I perform my duty by paying 2s 6d. a year." The public have a right to ask him if he is able to pay at least as much as 21. each fnr his tbree chi::dren every week while they are at school. In asking that we are not treating sl1ch a man unfairly. But there may be persons who cannot properly do that. The bill provides that they should be assisted and, since it is not their fault that they cannot pay the fees, I am quite sure you will not consider them paupers because they are so assisted.

CUTTINGS FROM AMERICAN PAPERS, A young New Yorker has recently wedded his father's mother-in-law. The soft sex when they meet privately in numbers to chat in America, call the proceedings a yow-yow." A man in Rhode Island has been sent to gaol for ten days for sleeping in church. Nothing was done to the clergy- man who put him to sleep. Not content with adding to the dictionary the word •• Interviewed," the Americans now speak of those who have received a testimonial as having been Testimonialised." The following is a specimen of advertisements in the Chicago PaPe" ^™es legally obtained without ap- Sfi^VoCs"'PUbhCatWn in the Common ru^maidfn^oher"^858111316 waa that invitation of the ^re s^ew lamn at 0(11118 over and see me we down until there inrv?"" usf that we can turn down, down, A • scarcely a bit of light in the room." General PUivlr^ jn attempting to compliment the tvnoH tn « nV battle-scarred veteran," was made by next iMuZtfc ,hlm a "battle-scared veteran » In the bottle-scared veteram"9 S° C°rr6Cted t0 &tylG hlm & liked'tn'tlu11 ?.erry that used to live up Lake Champlain store bP fi„VA g 8t0ry' 0,le eveninS sitting in the village ii vn.,t- • onc9 drove a horse seventy two miles in one tns when the ice was so thin that the water „Palt,ed UP through it by the horse's corks. Oue of the by- i uers remarked that seveuty-t^o miles was a pretty good Mive for cue day. "Yes," said Uncle John, "but it was a long day in June." How very thoughtful and considerate some editors are to make such suggestions as these, in commenting upon the death of a young Vermont girl from the effects ot tight- lacing "These corsets should be done away with. and it the girls c^n't live without being equeeted, we suppose men can be found who would rather devote three hours a day, with- out a oe <t of pay, as a brevet corset, than see these girls tying vfi La tb&t mftu&er, Office bourn tflmoftt tvr A Cincinnatti lady, aged forty-eight, is about to wed her ninth husband. A New York paper says that a labourer in an ice- house down East was killed by a large lump of ice falling on his head. Verdict of the jury, Died of hard drink." A traitorous woman avows the belief that if all the men were in one country and all the women in another, with a big river between them, lots of poor women would be drowned. A remarkable marriage recently took place at Gales- burg, Illinois. The bridegroom and bride were aged respec- tively eighty-three and eighty-one years. When they were eighteen and sixteen they were engaged to each other, but broke their troth; and since then each has followed two companions to the grave. Late in life the early love has been rekindled. A funnv story is told of General S-, Secretary of the State o'f The General has a sightly person, and knows it. Being at the depot in Sandusky a short time ago, walk- ing tbe platform, in a plain linen duster, he was rather loudly accosted by a friend. An old codger, sitting in a car near, overheard tho salutation, and remarked to a com- panion that he didn't believe that was the Secretary of State nohow. Hello, you," yelled the old codger to the general Be yeou the Secretary ef Statet" "That's what they call me," said the distinguished individual. Wa'al, then," re- torted the old chap, I owe you an apology." How so ?" asked the Secretary 01 State. "Why, yeou see, this 'ere fellow said yeou was the Secretary of State, and I told him I didn't believe it; I stuck to it that you was a hog drover f' The conversation was abruptly broken off at this point.

EPITOME OF NEWS, BRITISH AND FOREIGN. The tables at Monaco have, during the inter season, gained £150,000. In the Calcutta lottery for the Derby, 9,644 tickets were taken, making the first prize worth nearly £10,00(1. The sportive seer" of a daily paper said the other day:—" We do not aspire to the glory of foretelling recent events." Germany has been visited by a dreadful storm. The disasters are immense houses having been carried away, and a large number of persons have perished. A young man has been committed for trial, at Black- burn, on the charge of administering snuff to another in a glass of beer, and nearly killing him. John Thomas Graves, of Gloucester, barrister-at- law, has bequeathed all his mathematical, astronomical, and philosophical works to University College. At the Liverpool police-court, on Monday, Captain Folland, of the steamer Roquelle, was fined £10 and costs for loading gunpowder in the Mersey while there was a fire in the galley, contrary to the bye-law. We are pleased to hear that Mr. Bright's health continues steadily to improve, and that the right hon. gentle- man is able to take regular walking exercise, the weather being mild and favourable. A monument to John Kepler, at Weil der Stadt, the birthplace of the great astronomer, will be uncovered on the 24th inst. Subscriptions have been received from all parts of Germany, France, Russia, and even NorthjAmerica. The passage-money from Madras to Southampton by the Peninsular and Oriental steamers has just been re- duced from 901) rupees to 800 rupees, and to Marseilles from 860 rupees to 750 rupees. On Monday, the dead body of a working millwright, belonging to Alloa, was found floating seawards iu the Forth, three miles below Stirling. It is not known how the man got in the water. He leaves a widow and twelve children. Another pigeon shooting match took place at Hur- lingham Park on Saturday. There ware 50 competitors for a pool of £110, which was won by Mr. D. Hope Johnstone, who kdled every bird. In the New Alien Act just printed there is a pro- vision that on and after the passing of this Act an alien shall be triable in the same manner as a natural-born subject. Mr. Augustus Robert Peel, son of the Very Rev. John Peel, D.D., Dean of Worcester Cathedral, has died, very unexpectedly, from congestion of the lungs. The Dean is a brother of the late Sir Robert Peel. Orders have been issued from the War Office that a prize of £ 3 for the best swordsman in each troop of cavalry in which 80 men compete will be substituted for the squadron prize of the same amount formerly granted. The Bishop of Llandaff, as chairman of the Old Testament company appointed by Convocation for the re- vision of the Authorised Version of the Scriptures, bas sum- moned the company over which he presides for a first meet- ing on the 30th of June and on the 1st of July. A man clad in a coat of mail highly polished is travelling about on horseback. His object in going in this guise is neither Quixotic nor warlike. He is travelling to advertise the excellence of the black lead with which his coat of mail is polished. Her Majesty the Queen held a Council at Balmoral on Saturday, at which were present Earl De Grey (Lord President), Viscount Castlerosse (Vice Chamberlain) and the Right Hon J. Moncrieff (the Lord Justice Clerk). Mr. Helps was Clerk of the Council. v A terrible storm parsed upwards over the Mississippi on the 24th of last month. It was accompanied with hail, rain, thunder, and lightning Houses were blown down, trees were uprooted, cattle and hogs killed. Many people were killed by lightning. The King of Prussia has had his name enrolled upon the ltet of a very meritorious society in New York city—the German Association for the Protection of immigrants arriving at New York—and will make an annual subscription to its funds of 250 dols. in gold. For some time past a strange and fatal epidemic has beeil prevalent among horses in and around Calcutta. Suddenly the animal is seized with a sort of influenza or fever, speedily followed with swelling in the limbs, and in the majority of cases the poor creature, in five or six days at most, lies down quietly to die. Le Nord publishes a Board of Trade order at'St. Petersburg, by which vessels carrying petroleum are pro- hibited entering the Neva under heavy penalties, unless they hoist a red flag, as if they were laden with powder. The harbour-master is then to take special charge of these ships. The Rev. Robert Moffatt (father-in-law of Dr. Livingstone, and author of c, Missionary Scenes and Labours in South Africa ") and Mrs Moffatt are on their way to this country, and may be expected in England in July, after a residence in Kurrachee of half a century. One of Thompson's patent steam omnibusses has begun to run regularly between Edinburgh and Portobello, a distance of about three miles. The omnibus fa coustructed to carry 65 passeBgers—21 inside and 4t outside. The trips aiready made have been very suecessful. A Commission of Lunacy was granted in Dublin on Saturday to try the question of the state of mind of Mr. D'Arcy Irvine. The application was made on behalf of his only child, seven years of age. Mr. Irvine is possessed of large property. A demonstration was made in Madrid on Saturday by 5,000 adherents of Marshal Espartero, who marched in procession, with a flag bearing the inscription Let the will of the nation accomplish the triumph of the rights of the people and of truth." The Times of India says that "Rain, rain is the cry from all the dis ricts of Lower Bengal, where the sowings of the indigo crop have not yet been completed. In Tirhoot there has been great anxiety for some weeks, in Calcutta there has been the average rainfall of sixteen years. A lady applied to the Yice-Chanceller last week for power to distribute the property of her hufcbaiid, who had deserted her and gone to California some years ago. She had no legal evidence of his demise, but had invoked the spirits, who assured her he was dead. The judge decided that the distribution was to be subject to the receipt of positive evi- dence of the husband's death. On Monday, the Earl of Derby laid the foundation stone of a new hospital in Kirkdale, Liverpool. The institu- tion is to be called the Stanley Hospital, and is intended for the district of Everton and Kirkdale. The noble earl, with the munificence characteristic of the family, has given the site for the hospital, consisting of 9,200 yards of land, valued at about £20,000. From the first of November, 1869, to the 20th of May this year the Mont Cenis Railway has carried 18 896 passengers, and since the opening of the line, June 15, 1868 there has not been an accident in the passenger service, with the exception of delays caused from the accumulation of snow during the severest part of the winter. Rivalry in trade is shown in the case of two sausage dealers in Paris with shops adjoining, one of whom has painted on his glass window, over a pyramid of sausages, "At 30 centimes a pound—to pay more is to be robbed:" while the other puts his sausages into an obelisk, and paints over it, "At 40 centimes a pound—to pay less is to be poisoned." Mr. Charles Havelock, writing to the Neilgherry Excelsior, from Maal Koondah, says :—" A fine tigress was found dead near this; she was killed by getting some of the quills of a porcupine through her gullet; they must have got there while the tigress was eating one of these animals. I believe that both cheetahs and tigers often lose their lives in this manner. A tiger near this a day or two ago tried to drag a cow out of a cattle shed by her tail; much to the dis- gust of both animals the tail gave way." The Right Rev. Dr. Wilkinson, the newly-con- secrated Bishop of Zululand, preached on Sunday at Norwich Cathedral on behalf of his missionary diecese, which, he stated, was sadly in want of the help of devoted men and women. As many as he can obtain he proposes to take out with him when he leaves EOiland In the autumn. The whole of the money for the endowment of the diocese has been subscribed, but still fresh pecuniary help will be needful. f J f In a return just published by the Foreign Office, Mr. Baum, our Secretary of Legation at Turkey, states that the annual deficiency of income in the Ottoman Empire, as compared with expenditure, is £1,400 000, and that this deficit is increasing rather than diminishing. A report from Mr. Ford at Washington for the same period (last year) states that the Americans paid ten millions sterling off their public debt and atHI had a surplus of nine millions. If they: only pay ten millions this year, their estimated surplus will be nineteen millions. The rectory of Liverpool, which became vacant a week or two since by the death of the Rev. A Campbell, has been accepted by the Rev Alexander Stewart, M A. Mr. Stewart was educated at Clare College, Cambridge, where he took his B A. degree in 1848 Having been curate of South Cadbury, Chilton Canteloe, and held other appointments he was presented in 1868 by the Provost and Fellows of E'on to the vicarage of Cogges, near Whitney, which he at present holds. The rectory of Liverpool is in the gift of Alderman Stewart, the father of the new incumbent. On Sunday evening the Rev. G. K. Flindt preached an able sermon at St. Sepulchre's, Snow-hill Londoa in con nection with the Young Men's Christian AssocfaUon from the text— Is the younq man safe i J {?terature°of *thed d'a^'most^of M P g"eat importance ai^ u[ged many m°ral considerations o" as affoSin^ tn al8° Spok,i aPProvingly of the society valuablf 8 mf" c^ns? without friends to London, vaiuaDie means of social intercourse. RoTU Cth«LEQ?ENCE, dec'»iouof the Master of the 2nd of Jnlv6C H G^K a,re is t0 be sold by auction on the house is described as having an excellent rectory Th! pleasure-grounds, and park-like paddock. vSL ^nn,UaL lnc?me J8 ab°ut £ 465, irrespective of the value of the land and rectory house, which is a very com- Mtfhiuh °ne*a" for the recePtion of a gentleman's year present incumbent is in his sixty-third E,arl°f Shaftesbury, speaking at a meeting of the remale Medical Sjciety the other day, said of course he aid not suppose ladies would aspire to the higher class of surgical operations, but would be willing to be what one practitioner contemptuously dtsignated as "nursing doc- tors." There were, of course, exceptions among women in this matter. He was on one occasion putting that view of the matter to a female medical practitioner, and said that of course she—a little woman—did not aspire to that class of operations. "Uh," was the reply, "don't I though: just you step int,) the next room, and if you want your leg taken off I'll do it for YtJU very quickly." Notts and Queries has given a contradiction to another report that a man lived to the age ot more than 100 years. The Historical Register states among the deaths in November, 1735:—"Mr. Thomas Daan, of Maiden, in K.ent, aged lu8. He was 20 years old when Charles 1. was be- headed, and formerly Fellow of Univ. Coll., Ox on., but being a Roman Catholic, was deprived at the Revolution, <fec. It turns out that Thomas, sou of Edward Dean, of Maiden in Kent, matriculated at University College on Oct 19, 1669, being then aged 18. He was, therefore, not even born until nearly three years after the execution of Charles I., and at the time of his death was only 84 years old. A serious accident through the incautious use of fire- arms occurred at Ballycullen House, Askeaton, a few evenings ago. Two female domestics were in a breakfast parlour together, and engaged in some frolic. One et the girls, named Keefe, took from the mantelpiece a revolver which happened unfortunately to be loaded, and presenting it at the breast of her fellow-servant, a girl named Lynch, incautiously drew the trigger, and fired. The poor girl, having received the ball in her side, fell calling for help. She was immediately placed under surgical treatment. The ball has not yet been extracted, but boDM are entertained that ttw mt mu B9t pr?T« fetid. wr^ A lord and a commoner are Mid to have been ruined by the result of the Derby contest. A Boston paper whispers that the Great Organ of that city is unquestionably the organ of self-esteem. It is now formally announced that Mr. Shirley Brooks has been appointed the new editor of Punch, in the room of Mr. Mark Lemon, deceased. A lecture against free trade was recently delivered at Dijon by a well-known Protectionist, M. Pouyer-Quertier, when the sum ot seven francs was taken at the doors A Gallo-Roman cemetery has just been discovered at Gievres (Loir-et-Cher). A considerable number of urns and funereal vases of very curious workmanship have been found, amounting in all to the number of 1,600 pieces. The return of the Irish Convict Prisons for last year shows that there are only 1,240 convicts now in prison in all Ireland of these 878 were males, and 352 females. The pro- portion of sick and proportion of deata. were very low. England in the Nineteenth Century," which hu been advertised ef late, is not a book, but a monthly maga- zine, edited by Mr. George Augustus Sala. It 18 de- signed to Illustrate social features, and to discuss social problems. "We understand that Sir Charles Mordaunt intends to appeal from tne decision of the Court of Divorce to the House of Lords at the earliest opportunity, and thus to endeavour to obtain a hearing of his suit against Lady Mordaunt "—Observer. An accident, by which a sportsman lost his life in the Moo Forests of Mandalay, is reported from Burmah. A Mr. P. Cologreedy, out elephant-shooting, was seized by one, that took him up in his trunk and dashed him against a tree, killing him on the spot of course. In the event of the Universities Tests Bill reaching the House of Lords, John Bull understands an amendmenll will be moved on the motion for a second reading in favour of a Select Committee, not to consider the Bill, but the whole question of how any relaxation of tests would work, with instructions to take evidence from those best qualified to give it at the Universities. The following will show the value of Parisian sympathy:—The Parisian journals announce the death ol M. Salmon, watchmaker, father of the late Victor Noir. Scarcely any person attended the funeral, and even the other son, Louis, was absent. one could almost suppose," says the Paris Journal, that the deceased had no family of fi lends." I neither demand from you courtesy nor justice," said the French Prime Minister, in the late debate, to Jules Favre, the Republican leader. Acd I do not expect from you a principle that everyone recøgnisel-politeness," replied Favre. And I demand that no personalities be used," chimed in the President. The Journal Officiel of France publishes a list of places from which addresses of congratulations have been sent up to the Emperor on the result of the plebiscitum. They have come from almost all parts of Algiers and almost all the small prefectures of France but the great centres, such as Lyons, Marseilles, Bordeaux, and others, are con- spicuous by their silence. Dr. Winnecke, of Carlsruhe, on the night of May 29, discovered a comet resembling a pretty bright nebula of about 2l minutes iu diameter." On the 30th he observed the comet's place as subjoinedAt 14h. 13min 34sec. mean time at Carlsruhe, right ascension, Oh. 50min. 9.55sec.; declination N., 28deg. 52 min. 18 sec. The New York Tribune says that [a new church in Clinton-avenue is being built on the plan of a theatre. It is to have a pit, pit stalls, boxes, private boxes, and a gallery. The stage boxes hold twelve chairs, with tables in the centre for books and hats, "so that the select worshippers can perform their devotions apart from the common throng." The wholesale grocers are again complaining of their treatment by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. They say We bear our portion of the taxation of the country, but why should we be further taxed with £4 per ton (at the lowest estimate) on all duty-paid sugars held by us when the duty is reduced without the slightest notice?" There has been great difficulty experienced in getting their case considered. It has been resolved by the Executive Committee of the Education League to press with the utmost vigour the amendments of the E lucation Bill of which notice has been given on behalf of the League. It Is the opinion of the com- mittee that should the amendments be unsuccessful it will be desirable to postpone legislation on the subject until next session. A special fund of £10,000 is to be raised imme- diately to carry on the agitation. A Welsh Relieving Officer had occasion last week to examine the effects of a pauper, an old woman named Ann Lloyd, who*had been in receipt of parochial relief for years, and was considered very poor. At the bottom of an old box he was surprised to find the sum of j6345 in gold, a cheque- book, and three good silk dresses. Since this discovery many persons have come forward and claimed to be her relatives. The Austrian correspondent of the Cologne Gazette says that complaints arise on all sides of the ruthless manner in whIch the valuable mountain woods are sold to specula- tors and cut down by them This misfortune has now reached the Salzkammergut with its lovelv woods, and an earnest remonstrance appears in the New Free Press on this suhject. The woods are recklestly cut down and the land stripped of its magnificent growth of timber. While some men were engaged a few days ago in recovering the wreck of the bark Bristol, which was lost at Padstow, in a severe storm in March, 1869, two sets of chiins, hawse pipes, &o., were found, leaving no doubt that another vessel unknown must have been totally wrecked with all on board at the same time and in the same place as the Bristol. From all information that can at present be gathered it is supposed that she was a French schooner or brig of about 100 tons, and had a crew of six men. A novel case has been before the Edinburgh Small Debt Court. A prize-winner at a competition of the Edinburgh and Mid-Lothian Rifle Association having won a cup inferen- tially described as of a certain specified value, successfully pleaded his right to hold the association to the precise terms of their announcement. The defence of the association virtually was that, the prize having been presented by a lady. the pursuer should have been content to abate at least 50 per cent. of his demand. The annual Whitsun-Monday procession of the Church of England schools took place in Manchester on Monday. The weather was brilliant, and there was a very large iuflux of visitors to the city. The children assembled in St. Acn's square to the number of 15,242, a larger gather- ing, the Manchester Guardian believes, than has ever taken place at the Whitsun anniversary. The cbildren proceeded along the umal route to the Cathedral, where a sermon was preached by the Bishop of Manchester. When Queen Anne proposed to confer a dukedom on Lord Marlborongh, his wife, the favourite of tM day, delicately hinted an apprehension that his income and her own would not support the additional rank; and her Majesty, of course as expected, removed the scruple by bestowing a pension of £ 5,000 a year nDon him and his suc- cessors in perpetuity. As this was in 1702, British taxpayers have since paid £810,000 for the conversion of an Earl into a Duke. The Figaro, commenting1 upon the great execu- tion" of the unfortunate Derby bettors who backed Mac- gregor, tells its readers that there was something wonderfully appropriate in the name of the winner, because Kingcraft in English means Jack Ketch "—This is one of the most amusing instances of the many specimens of recklessness with which French writers who fancy they know English tnke upon themselves to interpret English words. The Figaro mistakes Kingcraft" for" Calcraft If you do not close that window, waiter, I shall die from the draught," said a lady diting at the Crystal Palace. And if you do close it I shall die from the heat in this hot weather exclaimed a stouter fair lady, Then there was a giggle amongst the diners at the dilemma of the waiter, when a literary gentleman present said, My good fellow, your duty is clear: close the window and kill one lady, and open it again and kill the other lady." The venerable Bishop of Cashel, replying to a com- munication forwarded from a meeting of the parishioners of eight of the parishes in his diocese asking his sanction to their adoption of measures for a public expression of disap- proval of the ritualist manual, which has given rise to so much controversy, says he is gratified to find that on this subject the bishop, clergy, and laity are of one mind. He adds that he had not felt called upon to publish his senti- ments, considering that his long known character as a sincere Protestant Bishop, and the character of his dioceses as untainted by Popish or semi-Popish doctrines, rendered it unnecessary. Regarding the Biblical Revision scheme the John Bull says We have great pleasure in stating that the majority of the Non conformists asked by the Committee of Convocation to assist in the revision ot the authorised version have accepted the invitation in the most cordial terms. Some few who have at present declined have done so in the most flattering manner, and as from the tone of those who have declined it is hoped that several wIll reconsider theIr refusal, it will not be well to mention their ncmes. Dr. Newman, whose letter was friendly in the extreme, must, we fear, be considered te have definitely refused." In many parts of the metropolis (a correspondent writes) the plan is adopted of placing a card with the letter D on it in the windows of houses where the services of the dustman are required, but it is little attended to. One of the great dust contractors was lately told of the inattention of his men, and answered that his foreman strongly impressed on the men the necessity for attending to the signal; but, he added, We know how it is the men don't know one letter from another." He was asked, Why don't you teach them their letters ? and replied, That would never do. If they could read and write, or even read, they would soon get better situations." The Nonconformists of Birmingham have issued an urgent circular on the grave injustice to which it is still proposed to subject the Nonconformists of the country by the unrestricted power given by the Government Educa- tion Bill to local boards to determine the religious character of the schools to be aided and supported by the local rates." They contend that a new form of religious taxation will be established, and they make an appeal f .r congregational petitions, public meetings of Noncuuiformists, district demon- strations, and private communications to members of the House of Commons. Certain letters purporting to have been written, the one by the Prince of Wales to the Duke of Edinburgh and the other by the Duke of Edinburgh to the Prince of Wales, which, we believe, appeared originally in an Irish paper, have obtained circulation in the provincial press, and have even been translated in the Independence Beige. lhough written with a certain smartness, they were so evi- dently intended as a hoax that it was scarcely necessary to deny their authenticity so long as they were only circulated at home but, as foreign readers cannot be expected to dis- criminate, it is necessary to declare, as we have authority for doing, that both letters are forgeries."—Times.

THE MARKETS. MARK-LANE.—MONDAY. Very few samples of English wheat have been offered to- day. There has been a thin attendance of millers, and business has been by no means brisk. The trade, however, has been very firm, and factors have demanded an advance of 33. per quarter, but the transactions effected have been at an advancement of 2s. per quarter. The show of foreign wheat has been moderate. The trade has been steady, at Is. to 2s. per quarter more money. The market has been moderately supplied with barley. For all qualities extreme rates have been realised with a moderate inquiry. Malt has sold slowly at previous quotations. The supply of oats has been short. The demand has been firm, and prices have risen Is per quarter compared with Monday last. Beans have been steady at 2s. per quarter advance, and a similar improvement has taken place In the value of peas. Maize has been in moderate request at improving prices. Flour has been firm. Norfolk qualities have risen 2s. and foreign Is Linseed has been quiet, but rapeseedhas been firm. Cakes have commanded full prices. METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.—MONDAY. Quietness has been the feature of the cattle trade to-day For all descriptions of stock the demand has been inactive and the quotations have ruled easier. The show oi beasts has been about an average as regards number, whilst the quality has been good. Sales have progressed slowly in all breeds, and prices have given way 2d. per Sib. for the best Seots and crosses: 4s lOd. to 5s. per Sib, has been accepted From Nor- tnd°prnsf««SeXf' Cambridgeshire we received 1,450 Scots and crosses from other partiB of England> 400 variou8 160 Scots and crosses The supply • fSn o?W TM S toierabiy good. The trade has been dull, at a -ke best Downs and half-breds have iPv. 01 at 68 t0 5i- 2d- Per 8,b- Lambs have nangea hands slowly, at about late rates, at 7s. to 7s Sd. per ruled heavy ve on hand, and the demand for pigs has WOOL. The wool market has been characterised by a fair amount of firmness since our last report, but business has not been extensive. Colonial produce has been purchased to a fair extent, at full prices, whilst English woo! has been steady in value. Current prices of English wool: —Fleeces: Southdown hoggets, Is. to 18. OJd half-bred ditto, Is. to Is. Sri, Kent fleeces. Is. 2d. to Is. 3d. Southdown ewes and wethers, is. to Is. 0 £ d Leicester ditto, Is. Id. to Is. l £ d. Sorts: Cloth- ing, Is. to Is. 4iJ.; combing, lid. to Is. 8Ju. FISH. Herring", pickled, 30s. to 893.; ditto red, 20s. to 22s. Cd. per barrel; turbots, 93. to ]63. trawl haddocks, 10s. to 15«. perhox;cod,je5tojM perscore trout, Is. 4d to Is. 7d. per lb", mackerel, 3s. to 5s. per dozen; smoked haddocks, 20s, to 408. per barrel; lobsters, 12s. to 17s. crabs, 12s. to 20s. per dozen native oysters, £10; commons, 161. to 40s. per busheL TALLOW. The market has been st* a iy. y c on tha «pot 6^ ««*», XwnHAHetr, ftia pa, new cam.J 0