Welsh Newspapers
Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles
19 articles on this Page
NILE EXPEDITION (CANADIAN…
NILE EXPEDITION (CANADIAN VOY. AGEURS.) The following is a copy of letter to the Marquess of Lansdowne, Governor General of Canada, from General Lord Wolseley, dated the 13th April, 1885, acknowledging the services of the Canadian Voyageurs in the Nile Expedition of 1884-85 Cairo, April 13, 1885. My Lord,—The Canadian Voyageurs who have recently been employed with the Nile Expe- dition, having now all returned to Canada, I am anxious to express to your lordship my high sense of the services they have rendered, and of the value they have been to the Expeditionary Force. With a few exceptions they have been thoroughly competent boatmen; they worked exceedingly well. They have undergone the hardships of this arduous campaign without the slightest grumb- ling or discontent; and they have, on many occasions, shown not only great skill, but also great courage in navigating their boats through diffi- cult and dangerous water. I much regret that in so doing some of them should have fallen victims to the dangers they were attempting to overcome. The officers, and especially Colonel Denison, have shown much energy and good \#ill, and have proved them- selves of considerable value. I beg to ask that your lordship will have the goodness to convey the purport of this letter both to the officers and men of the Canadian voyageurs, and also to the authorities in Canada, certain unfounded statements having ap- paared in various papers, to the effect that their employment had been attended with unsatisfactory results. I desire to place on record, not only my own opinion, but that of every officer con- nected with the direction and management of the boat columns, that the service of these voyageurs had been of the greatest possible value, and further, that their conduct throughout has been excellent. They have earned for themselves a high reputation among the troops up the Nile. It was, moreover, a source of much satisfaction to these troops to find the Canadians represented on this Expedition, and sharing with them their priva- tions and risks. At a time when English, Irish, and Scotch soldiers are employed, the presence with them of Canadians, shows in a marked manner the bonds which unite all parts of our great Empire. In the advance up the Nile next autumn, I propose to employ a considerably larger number of voyageurs than that employed in the past winter. On this subject, however, I will make a further communica- tion to your lordship as the period of active operations draws nearer. Lastly, I am anxious to express to your lordship personally my sincere thanks for the trouble you have taken with regard to the engage- ment of these voyageurs, and in all other arrange- ments connected with them.
THREE DAYS AMID ICEBERGS IN…
THREE DAYS AMID ICEBERGS IN THE ATLANTIC. Captain Lord, of the steamer Critic, which left Dundee for New York on April 26 with goods and passengers, reports that be arrived at that port on May 12, after a most perilous passage, during which the vessel was embedded for three days in an ice floe, and narrowly escaped destruction. Captain Lord reports that for ten days after he left the Tay they had fine weather, but on the morning of May 5 the temperature suddenly fell, and kept going down till midnight, when a thick fog enveloped the ship. When daylight broke the sight that met the view was appalling. A vast wall of ice completely surrounded the ship, and many of the passengers were panic-stricken, especially the women and children. This occurred in latitude 48 degrees north and longitude 47 degrees 10 minutes west, right in the highway between Europe and America. The Critic struck the ice about six o'clock on the morning cf May 6, and the flow seemed to extend in a west- nortli-west and south-south-east direction all day long. The Critic tried to find a passage to the south- ward, but without avail. The icebergs were exceed- ingly numerous and of monstrous size. Many of them were 800 feet high, and assumed the dimen- sions of large islands. The fog became thicker and thicker, continues the captain, and it was with difficulty a way could be threaded through the bergs. Notwithstanding all the precautions taken the ship became fast in a field of packed ice. They remained in this position all night on the Gth, and on the 7th the morning opened clear, but still no way out of tho floe could be found. Another long and fearful night followed, and it was only at four o'clock on the afternoon of the 8th, when those on board the Critic had almost given up hope of ever getting out again, that the field suddenly opened and the steamer got into clear water. Captain Lord says, II Such a shout of thanksgiving as went up then you never heard. We had been on the alert for 60 hours and were nearly dead with fatigue. This wonderful ice floe in such a latitude seems almost incredible. I never saw anything like it before, and I believe it is unprecedented in maritime history." The Critic left the ice when in latitude 44deg. north, longitude, 10 deg. 20 minutes west.
GOSSIP ON DRESS.
GOSSIP ON DRESS. IN the Lady's Pictorial the following fashion notes appear: Among the dresses for the present season is a very pretty checked tweed with a close waistcoat and remarkably well-cut and well-fitting jacket. Another tweed is a mixture of blue, red, and black, made with a wide kilting, and a particularly pretty tournure at the back. A very stylish blue cloth is handsomely braided to simulate a waistcoat; the bodice is habit-shaped, and there is not a single crease in it. A very charming novelty is a fine blue serge dress, the collar and cuffs of which, as well as the flounce round the bottom, are adorned with fine black silk braid, most artistically interlaced so as to show ari under-lying foundation of crimson or old gold. This is perfectly unique. if A very delightful Jittle tennis dress is of fine blue serge, which may be braided with white, red, or gold. It is made with what is called a fishwife tunic and a sailor collar, and the 'buttons are dear little mussel shells highly polished and made fit f,, r their purpose. Some very charming toilettes are of two materials combined, a dark brown cloth, or a tweed of lighter brown, and one moa, becoming costume is a green mixed tweed with cot".1' and cuffs and waistcoat of dark green corduroy. A very pretty mode of braid- ing consists of interlaced rings of braid to match the material. It look; pai-ticularly well on the skirt and tunic, and is beautifully graduated on the bodice, and worked in proportion on the sleeves. By way of indi- cation to intending purchasers it is as well to mention that the prices of these dresses ranges from four and a half guineas upwards. ONE of the nicest ulsters ever made is of check brown cloth in a princess shape, with the fulness set in' behind in gathers or box-pleats, whichever is pre- ferred. A very similar garment is called the Beau- fort," and is made with a detachable cape, tucked up in the front so as to form a sling or sleeve for the arms. This is especially valuable for a lady to covert in. ANOTHER is a wing cloak, cut pretty much in the shape of a gentleman's inverness, but longer. There is no clumsiness about the warm, comfortable garment, for it fits into the back and makes a very pretty figure. Another cloak has a sling cape which not only rests and covers the arms, but leaves them quite free if desired. Short jackets never were more popular than they are this spring, and braiding is more worn than ever. Some are quite plain, and others are braided in the artillery, infantry, guards, patrol, and many fancy styles. The dainty little jacket fitting closely behind, but left loose in front, will be the great success of the season on both sides of the Eng- lish Channel. A VISITING or promenade dress is of the soft silk already mentioned, in a rich reseda shade, with beautifully simple yet effective back drapery. The dainty little jacket is of the Zouave shape, with coat- sleeves, and is trimmed with a cunningly devised embroidery of old gold and silver thread, with a slight mixture of the rfsida cord and some small straw ornaments introduced as centres, the advan- tage of which is not only their novelty, but their lightness, and the fact they cannot tarnish. The vest entirely consists of the same embroidery, and very handsome it is, besides being entirely out of the common. A DINNER-DRESS is of the same soft silk in a tint that can only be described as beige or biscuit, which, by the way, bids fair to be a reigning favourite this season. The drapery mixed with it on the skirt is of ccru net embroidered with gold and watercress green chenille, and to preserve the entirety of tints '.his is laid over cream silk, which brings it into exact correspondence with the main fabric. The skirt is fiuished off with a cockle-shell ruche of the beige silk, lined with watercress green, and the elegant drapery behind has a revers of velvet of the same shade of green at the [side. The combination is a most happy one, for it gives all that is chic in French taste, tempered by a modest sobriety peculiarly Eng- lish. A MANTLE is called the Iris, and is made of an in- describable autumn green and brown tinted yak lace, with a velvet back adorned with rows of gold braid, and a velvet collar also trimmed with gold braid. The velvet ends are finished off with chenille orna- ments made specially for the purpose; there are streamers of ribbon from the throat, and round the neck and down the front there is a ruche of frayed silk. This mantle is also made in black lace and faille fran<?aise. Another mantle called the Myrtille is one of Pingnt's models, and looks behind like a shoulder cape with Chantilly flounce, between the scallops of which are bead ornaments. THE Scipion in plomb beads is on a foundation of satin merveilleux, and the shape is given by a series of double-beaded tabs headed by oval buckles. This is tied in the front. The Hermione is made of stripes of black yak and faille frangaise, and a delightful carriage or dust cloak is made of a kind of brown wool canvas over thin crimson sarcenet, with a thick ruche of frayed brown silk round neck and sleeves. This is most deliciously light, and a five-pound note will not only purchase it, but there will be some silver change. The Queen gives the following description of Royal Dresses The following costumes form part of the trousseau of Princess Beatrice. They are of woollen stuffs of light weight, suitable for summer and autumn. A costume of rough English cloth in navy blue and red stripes of narrow width. The skirt has plaits down the front, and the overskirt is arranged in plaits and panels that hang straight, and give the effect of a redingote. The basque has a notched collar like that in men's morning coats, and is to be worn with a cravat of dull red silk; the back rests smoothly on the tournure, and is very short. Blue braid is stitched on the edges, and the buttons are blue. The Tam o'Shanter cap is of dark red cloth, with a blue quill thrust through it. Tan-coloured gloves. High white linen collar and narrow cuffs. A second gown for yachting and for tennis is of cream white flannelette, with turquoise-blue wool inlaid in small plaits between the large box-plaits of the skirt. The plaited basque is of the white flannelette, with high officer's collar and a notched collar edged with blue; the belt is also white, with blue edging. Sailor hat of rough white straw, with blue canvas ribbon band. A third gown is of dark red habit cloth, with ottoman silk of the same shade forming the vest, and inlaid between the wide box-plaits of thejJftk. The drapery is short, with many curves, anCiSJouffant. The basque is sharply pointed in fron§» short on the hips, and plaited like a habit in the back.. The silk vest laps over the fastening of the lining in one piece, in Breton fashion, and has revers at the upper part; the officer's oollar also has silk in front. Turban of the red silk laid in folds, and ornamented with a gilt pin. The fourth dress has a bodice of navy-blue webbing, with blue serge skirt, and trimming of crimson and blue blocks. The false skirt has a plait- ing of the blue around the edge, and the serge is laid over this plain on the front and sides, with all fulness massed in plaits behind. There is a band of the blocked wool around the skirt, and the edge is scalloped and bound. The short apron overskirt is trimmed like the lower skirt, and is mounted above the edge of the bodice of Jersey webbing. A crimson vest is fastened by two rows of pale blue buttons. I
[No title]
A modern call to preach is or should be accom- panied by a promise to pay. Professor: Give us an example of a highly com- pressible solid." Scholar: The female form." An exchange speaks politely of a widow lady." This will distinguish her from a widow gentleman. y The Burlington Free Press says "We wish poets and bores in general to understand that the editorial staff of this paper consists principally of a laree and well-developed side-stick." 8
AN EXTRAORDINARY COURTING…
AN EXTRAORDINARY COURTING EXPERIENCE. At Forfar before Sheriff Robertson, a well-dressed man, named David Martin, son of Charles Martin, farmer, West Ballochie, Logie, Perth, was charged with an assault, on the 2nd inst., on Charles Purvis, farm servant, East Dallochie. The evidence showed tha.t Purvis and a companion named Ross had been in the habit of visiting the servant girls at West Ballochie, and had been remonstrated with for doing so by the accused. Between nine and ten o'clock on the night in question, apparently with the knowledge of the girls, they went to the farmhouse, and at the request of one of the girls took off their boots. When they were near the kitchen door, the defendant sprang out on them, and seizing Purvis, he put one of a pair of handcuffs on one wrist, struck him on the mouth with a stick or switch. He then forcibly took him to a henhouse, put his arms about a beam five feet from the ground, fastened on the other handcuff to the other wrist, tied his legs together with a rope, threw a pailful of dirty water in his face, and left him standing in the position described for eight hours. Purvis, as before mentioned, had no boots on, and the floor was of earth and the night wet. In the morning the defendant visited him and gave him some bread- and-butter and water, and then at the request of his (defendant's) father, released the complainant. The sheriff said many a man would have succumbed to such treatment, and people could not be allowed to take the law into their own hands. The accused was evidently a person in a very respectable position in society, and imprisonment would be very severe on him, but the Court could not pass a less sentence than imprisonment for twenty-one days with hard labour. °.
[No title]
Jon", what is that peculiar smell?" The hour was late, and he had just returned from the lodge. That is the incense we use in the lodge-room, my dear." If that's all you go to the lodge for, I don't see why you can't buy a few bottles of it and keep it in the house in case of sickness." He merely remarked that he thought she was incensed enough already. I
CO OPERATIVE CONGRESS AT OLDHAM.
CO OPERATIVE CONGRESS AT OLDHAM. The seventeenth annual congress of the Central Co-operative Board was opened on Monday mornin» in the King-street Co-operative Hall, Oldham. There were GOO delegates present. Mr. Lloyd Jones delivered an inaugural address, and intimated that he treated the subject of co- operation from the inside, being an early worker in the cause. The work of co-operation was undertaken from the conviction that the evils of society needed correction. The present system of distributive co- operation bad been the growth of years. It had been tested by severe, extensive, and long.tried experi- ments, and had come out of the trial triumphantly. Forethought and thrift had been encouraged and developed amongst the poorer classes. With re- gard to the development of the system the Roch- dale 28 of 41 years ago had grown into 700,000 members, for the most part heads of families. One of the results of the great movement was that they might claim as the distinguishing characteristic of the work that they had not tried to make those that suffer content with their condition. On the con- trary, they had endeavoured to excite their discontent, not against the arrangements and decrees of Provi- dence, but against the stupidity and injustice of men who sought to excuse their blunders by claiming for them the character of providential decrees. The dis- content they excited was not against men or classes of men, but against social arrangements and busin ss usages that, being productive of misery to society, re- quired careful but speedy rectification. The next movement of co-operative distribution obtained its highest sanction for its increase of members and growth of business. Those who entered it were satisfied that the interests of all were care- fully guarded, and the results of all equally dis- tributed. The questions to be discussed by the co-operative body henceforth were not those of the quality or practicability of the work in hand, so much as how its operation and development might be carried ) out how to make more perfect the work set on foot, and how to open up in connection with the co- operative principle new practical developments and new outlets of activity. Mr. Jones went on to show the importance ef co-operative teaching, directed specially to the cultivation of co-operative thought, and the stimulation of co-operative action for the great end they had in view, urging that all en- gaged in the work should be treated not only with confidence and respect, but with generosity. Coming on to productive co-operation, he charac- terised it as more difficult than mere distribution, but, admitting the many difficulties they bad to face, he urged that there was nothing more cer- tain than co-operative production, being a necessity in the movement, would never cease its experiment until it was as much a success as distribu- tive co-operation. The work of the Wholesale Society and the various manufactures inaugurated and sustained by co-operators were touched upon, and I the latter portion of the address was devoted to a review of the joint-stock movement, which had taken so great a hold, in the shape of cotton mills, in the Oldham district, where about 80 of these mills might be found within 'a radius of only three miles. He expressed the hope that the present Congress would result in closer union, and in the making of their resolution more determined and their energies more active for the accomplishment of the great work which lay before them. In the afternoon the Conference, which had ad- journed for luncheon, resumed, when a discussion took place on a report of the inquiry committee on Co-operative Production." The Congress was dis- appointed that the committee had not formulated a scheme for the utilisation of surplus capital, and a resolution asking the new committee to do so was passed. A paper was next read by Mr. Hardern (Oldham) on The Limited Liability Movement." In the discussion which followed, Mr. E. O. Greening (London) condemned tho system, and pointed out that while joint stock companies made only 5 per cent. the co-operative societies in that district made 47 per cent. Mr. Brearley (Oldham) said that mill- workers and mechanics had invested their money in joint stock companies, and were now living on'the proceeds. Joint stock enterprise had made more working-men wealthy than any other. The Congress then adjourned.
DEMONSTRATION OF FARM LABOURERS,
DEMONSTRATION OF FARM LABOURERS, On Monday was held in the Frying Pan, Ham-hill, near Yeovil, the fourteenth annual demonstration of farm labourers, and more than usual interest was evinced m the gathering, from the fact that Mr. Mitchell (" One from the Plough "), who was the prime mover in these demonstrations, had come for- ward as a candidate for Parliament for the Southern Division of Somerset. Three bands were present, and the procession started from Moutacute, Afr. Mitchell's birthplace, soon after two o'clock. Rain interfered with the attendance, but there were on the hill nearly 1000 persons, including men, women, and children. It was evident that there were some present who did not agree with Mr. Mitchell's candi- dature, and when his name was mentioned as a pro- bable candidate there were shouts of No, no," mingled with "Yes, yes. The proceedings were commenced by Mr. George Potter (London) being voted to the chair. While Mr. Potter was speaking a man in front of him caused considerable interrup- tion, whereupon the chairman invited him to take the chair. The man stepped into the break to do so, and whilst addressing the crowd was pulled down by a labourer, and considerable uproar and a free fight resulted. At length the man was hustled from the Frying Pan, and on order being restored Mr. Seymour Stephenson (candidate for Eye) pro- posed the first resolution, thanking Mr. Gladstone (whose name was received with cheers) for his efforts in conferring the franchise on the agricul- tural labourer, and wishing him prolonged life to carry further reforms. The speaker dwelt more par- ticularly on the necessity of reforms in our land laws. Mr. Albert Bath (Sevenoaks) seconded the resolution. He extolled Mr. Gladstone, and contrasted the Agricultural Holdings Act passed by the present Government with the one passed by the previous Government. At the coming election he said they should vote for candidates who would go in for reform of the land laws. The resolution was carried. The Rev. T. Neave (Dorchester) proposed a resolu- tion in favour of pledging those present to support candidates who were favourable to increased promi- nence being given to the disestablishment and the disendowment of the established church. Ho con- tended in the course of his remarks that there was no reason why bishops should have special privileges above such men as Messrs. Spurgeon, Dale, and other prominent nonconformist ministers. This resolution was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Heath (London), and carried. Mr. Burrows (London) proposed a re- solution in favour of the nationalisation of land, and moved that the following petition be presented to Parliament: "That your petitioners, seeing that the population of this country has increased to an extent which the limited area of the United Kingdom cannot feed save by greatly increased cul- tivation of the soil, do therefore pray that a bill may be framed giving such cultivable land into the charge of a special representative body, in order that all those willing should be allowed and assisted to pos- sess as much as they require on such terms that the land may be their own in thirty years, and that a fair compensation should be given to present owners according to the taxes they pay." Mr. Walter Munford (Crewkerne) seconded, and the resolution was carried. Mr. Judd (an agent of the Agricultural Labourers' Union) proposed a resolution advocating the cause of the union; Mr. Ball (vice-president of the union) seconded, and Mr. Mitchell supported. This being also carried, the proceedings shortly after- wards closed.
[No title]
THE SPANISH NAVY.—For some time past an agita- tion has been proceeding in the Madrid press and in political circles to remedy the notoriously inefficient condition of the Spanish navy, and a bill has now been laid before Congress embodying these reforms: No special loan will be contracted, as was at first contem- plated, but it is proposed that the Minister of Marine shall be authorised to dispose of 2(3,000,000 pesetas annually for ten years. The strength of tne navy is to be aucmented by the construction or eig rsu- class ai mour-clads, eight cruisers of the first class, seven of the second, and 40 of the third, including in the latter coastguard vessels, 30 gunboats for the colonial service, and 65 torpedo boats. The new vessels are to be of the best construction, both in build and r v armament, and. to exhibit all the modern impron,et ments. As far as possible it is proposed to cany out the work in the arsenals of the Peninsula, but con- tracts *.11 also be made with foreign firms, both for building and arming the ships; and power is asked to suspend the. iaw of public tender, or subasta," as occasion may demand.
SCHOOL SAVINGS BANKS IN FRANCE.
SCHOOL SAVINGS BANKS IN FRANCE. p r- rona a recent report or the French Minister of ublic Instruction we see that in January last 23.222 6C^°?*S a schools savings bank, and that 488,624 schoolboys were depositors in these banks, and possessed there at that date the sum total of 11,285,046f. These results are very remarkable. The institu- tion was founded bv M. de Malarce in 1874, and in no case has any official oressure been used. The whole scheme was originated by a single person, and has bepn carried to a successful issue by the pro- fessional devotion (quite voluntary) of the local authorities and schoolmasters. The official report of 1880 stated: "The first school savings bank was established in 1834 by M. Dulac in the municip.il school of the citvof X^e Alans. It was carried on till 1870. In some'localities as for example, Amiens, Perigueux, Grenoble, Lyons, Paris, and Chatenay, some efforts of the same'kind were made, but they were not so lasting. According to the inquiry ordered in 1S79 by the Minister of Public Instruction, only seven schbol savings banks existed in 1873, situated in the departments of Tonne, Ardcche, Nord, Seine et Oise, Pas de Calais, and Cal- vados. M. de Malarce, who was instructed in 1873 by the Minister to inquire during the Universal Exhibition of Yienna into the whole question of savings banks, had given his attention to establishments of that character, which had been tried in various countries. Other inquiries which bad been intrusted to him by the Ministers of Finance and of Agriculture and Commerce had given him the opportunities of comparing the economy of other nations with that of France, and he now set to work to draw up the best rules for the organisation and operation of the school savings banks, and to promote their establishment in France The central administration bad shown much interest in these banks; but it had been careful not to interfere by the issue of any direct orders for fear of altering the character of an institution requiring very delicate treatment, like all institutions which bad moral education for their object. It was necessary, as a first condition of efficiency, that the schoolmaster should open the savings bank, and the schoolboys should deposit their money in it entirely of their own accord, without any other influence than that of good example." The official report of the 13th of June, 1884, on the same subject also emphasised the fact that the Administration of Public Instruction, while showing deep interest in the matter, left the initiative to the schoolmasters, who, according to the report, act only from professional devotion, without any selfish object. Usually, however, they receive, in most deserving cases, a special medal, awarded by the municipal council of the locality, or by the Council- General of the department. The schoolboys deposit freely. The4S8,624 depositors of the 23,222 school savings banks represent about a third of the pupils. The depositors arc naturally the elder lads. The average sum deposited by each boy is fifteen centimes a week. This is the saving that a boy makes from his pocket-money. Thus the school not only teaches the boy to work, but it initiates him also in the princi- ples of economy and arms his moral energies for the struggle of life."
LOCAL TAXATION.
LOCAL TAXATION. A Parliamentary return just issued gives par-' ticulars of the sums received by the several classes of local authorities in England and AV ales, inclusive of the metropolis, of the amount of loans outstanding in the case of each class of authority at the termination of each of seven years, and of the population of Eng- land and Wales and the poor-rate valuation in each year. The total net receipts of the local authorities, inclusive of the metropolis, for public rates, rose from £20,147,849 (Metropolis £ 4,700,252) in 1876-77 to JE24,477,086 (Metropolis £ 5,982,736) in 1882-3, while the receipts from other sources, including tolls, duties, fees, rents, Treasury subventions, and loans to £ 46,722,689 (Metropolis £ 9,078,025) in the former year, and to f 53,412,055 (Metropolis, £ 11,209,582) in the latter year; but the largest yearly receipts were in 1881-82, when the total net receipts from all sources were £;,)7,:JliO,G17 (Metropolis, £ 12,2.">5,391). The outstanding loans of the local authorities in 1876-77 were £ 10(3,045,465(Metropolis, £ 23,253,748), and gradually rose to £ 159,142,926 (Metropolis, £ 33,416,590) in 1882-83. The population in 1870-77 was 24,460,000 with a gross estimated rental of -f 146,989,979, and a rateable value of £ 121,587,474 while in 1882-83 the population was 26.406,820 sross estimated rental, £ 167,449,309, and rateable value £ 141,407.(>80. Of these, the figures pertaining to the metropolis only were, iu 1876-77, population 3,489,428, gross estimated rental, £ 27,002,049, rateable value .622,763,087. In 1882-83, the figures were popula- tion 3,893 272, gross estimated rental £ 33,855,917. rateable value £ 27,973,978.
STEIVE AND THRIVE.
C?RR^ -».. TAM' BIGHTS RESERVED.! STEIVE AND THRIVE. CHAPTER XXn. ^KCHIHALD is SOFTENED. ^Uon, anTSP!IShed two"tllird-s of her journey to the er Quick ear n' ,pidation had partly subsided, when S°n, evidently U" t^e S0U1K-' of the pursuing wag- I guess I C'°ming at great hackman V<V left something, ma'am," said the 801116 one' folin • y checking his horses. 11 There's lowing us, and seems to be halloaing to "On ^ficulty «?? on said Eda, speaking with <Jh fi '!n them overtake us." i?& iiis horsed ? ^10 talk, is it ? said the man, start- l?14 there w,? a faster trot" Hanged if I didn't boy's crvin'1-01110''11'11' riueer about all this. Stop n§fatened." m ^iere> you don't want the horses fr- You' 2^7' '1Us'1' Please go a little faster, St. have double pay ?f you get there 411 ^°u> I donVL ^'S anybody as has a right to stop be a m* nolhiu' about it. I don't think it Plough ha runaway match. I'd like to see the old The lasjj f\i] can cateh me." ?a the sides'^ fw^10ufc cessation around the ears and Mted over tl Worses; the vehicle bounced and eXcitinrr ti ie rough road, and the race became quite Puj-'Uf-rs lri0I'e so indeed as the shouts from the they ^-e ^;aRf'd, and did not seem to indicate that "rm aj behind. pa'am," saf,!1^1 lfc. won'i be of much use to you, 'OUdlv t„ ho driver, looking back and talking very a'l be ti n S0Unc* the noise of the vehicle. We an<J of cour"6 man-v m'nutes before the train comes, at tlie clep,t^er, or whoever it is, '11 catch v^ir.su foresefn this danger, but she did not ^tion of n,stramed Pje and ear to catch some in- rl,) atln^Uneo if ,r corninj?r train, which could not fail to Slloner. anrl ?' at a distance of several miles in the t prankv- lrl':ness of the night. tltrvo!i°l,S burst out afresh; he drew closer to "1 tliini- r'?' grasPin £ her dress. «Xo, nw ar train>" said Ed»- coinn1? only the waterfall back here. Oh ri vri the hill we get in hearing of it." It's'no is dreadful." ten mii,,11^0' ma'am- The train won't be here short Several more like fifteen, and they'll stop Hollo, iU:?S they do come." i -< ld lIP Hallow-ow-ow! was the The haH from behind. ^tion „v.Uian did not abate his speed, and the soon 'n Ki?ht, was reached, and the Citation 'r?tf re'sted in front of a small inn, the only But stjn tIie .immed!afe vicinity. rjU)"sti«,r, 110 train was visible or audible, and the h la rapidl-vu^- r sotne\vi» > i begged the hackman to go on with SbWllere else-anywhere-to escape her uncle. atld entreat ■' a *ler m°ney, and backed it with tears 'Any was inexorable. accoinm' iC\ t ^l"le' vuz'am," he said, I'll be happy fest- j'm y°u but just now, my horses must Eda alio1' ,oe:red tliey're injured already." r.°tlier, j>adly enough, and, with her tremljling ^bere s!(. i"'° the ladies' room of the inn, 11 awaitpH^ lar8'cd 'ler debt to the hackman, and ^libalrl'-111 terror ber uncle's approach. a great >j; < which had been wrought up to t^ed y ilis. Protracted chase, was slightly stood by the first sight of his beautiful niece, who 1 SuPnorfan t trembUng. holding on to the mantel anrl i jY"'10 ber brother was clinging to her Here bis face in its folds. Jfhard to50," 31 e' 'lf^T^ie sa^ somehow, he found u '!acl he" l°rany 11'' the vituperative -words which 'pif.je T.°,ri m°uthing Avhen he entered the room. I:lidni /S pretty doin's! that rm to be called up at t'ne 0 C sf> a crazy critter like you four miles t he'll ?'^U.T|, r- and lame one of my best horses so f'giit to never g°t over it. Just march ^hen -tr-o Wa"Son—both on ye, and we'll see about This g home." ^ess into aS fa^1Cr m^d» but when Eda sank specch- a table o-qC'-la,r' 'Ln(' restiug her arms and head upon '"nr-;f. ^e ^_ay to violent and irrepressible sobs, "Tliero nfaid came down another peg. ^Se hu-l-i re that'll do," he said. That ain't no xiiC j UP> now ra8f-d T-v^'f asPerifcy of his tones and words encou- ° da to speak. Garlfi)l 6 us don't drag us back to that face j.. ?ce" Look at that child see his pale, thin T W iS round and red when we came to your cheeS I°0 <T ^!ese marlts °f her hand upon his k. ee"S-cheeks which have never felt a mother's ISS ■WhT0Sl1 sobs convulsed Eda and stayed her voice, ''•o the tears ran in rivulets down her face. Archibald took out his handkerchief, and blew his gréat nose with vehemence. "Don't, Edy he said don't say anything more. U speak to Esther about it. Maybe she has been a Vt:' ,uo!l with the child. Don't cry any more I V'l S°' uncle 1 have friends at least one, Said Eda' hesitatingly. There's a Mrs. toi^~a dear> good woman—a milliner, who had Xe neal US- said if I ever became poor, a«e rne „t0 work for a living, she would be glad to Anrl' "Yes ^°u started to go to her?" "It m'i ies °^1' y°s • \° be your ruin." I'heort0,' s'ia'' d'e if I S° back with you!" "He np re would blame it all to me." on^I'c'bal(jr S^a11' °b> let us—let us go!" it 'n the o- Wa^cd' muttering, across the room, like ^as vingrea,test Perplexity; but when he returned, ^Vr^1.1;^ decided air. er,"1^' ''Von So' tdy be said. "Don't cry; and si «e bay1- ?orne to want or distress, you can llways • T)n ° Us" it won't be my fau t if you Oh, J e°s understand ? » '^ut,^(j.' „ la^k you a thousand thousand times!" j, lsper, [*' Sa.id ber uncle, sinking his voice to a H\ a^0u^ the money ? How much ethe pitiful sum which remained to banded }|r,j. nstantly took out his pocket-book and th s all t' v d'>'lars it contained. ^v. y0u, ve got," he said. "Esther keeps the tin i to°k tlir;" ^Ut ir l1 helP aIono a little." '•pkf'd hills without looking at them, and r Vhen the Varmly" j^Peate<j his5 Vrere going to the train, the old man if she m0rnar^ about her coming back to his iti l!ut thcr '10 to Want- sit^? actuallv r.^ne whistle. Good-bj-e!" and the old into t'liA iSSec^ them both, and put a piece of c.ave looked lan.ds °f the astonished Frank, rot and °u great amazement at these pro- f,n.Urti) he (yVri 'en the two men started on their i-^j^°yer "ted momentarily to hear from his at^e a l0n solution of the mystery. But they ah °th sr,.taym ut^er silence; and when Archibald u> 0llt t!le fl e; ]t was only to make some remark ^■k. ar^ness of the night, or the morrow's ^t«rvai ofensiithe>' Wcre nearly home he broke a long r*yyig sudf'ef6]"06' and <iuite scared his companion by Mv^Isay!" AV IN'" Icl !t;ketch that carriage that we went "Oh!" 1*1) *ith was 'amed by a tumble; we a'most got ri^u em, but—they got away S,"h,^S; I understand! So they did!" said the <i r> augnmg. I ny member now!" eyer fear. I know what's what." CHAFTER XXIII. \t A FRIENDLY STRANGER. \v she f Alwo^th rejoiced so much at her escape that Unti,0^ no ti,T|e for apprehensions of new troubles, citv, lt h tlie morning light, she drew near the great °f the *n s'10 tirsf began to comprehend the temerity Si!e t>P She had taken. i.'davsT n°w that she ought to have suffered a 1S5 bef °n"0r' and to have written to Mrs. Wil- Uat),C'- rashly quitting a home which, how- er easant, was still a place of protection for litM11 arrHinI "?t+?ive way t0 forebodings. Ri e trepid.lt^ depot, she proceeded, with no Obtainf.fi'0n' to l°°k after her trunk; and when trf Stier' aild act'ess to the good-natured baggage- r*k there witT assured that she might leave her rci;v,-r11 Safety all day if she choose, she was „ °uhav yes, sir »'Jr check, of course ?" he said. searo ^assed t arcely Outsid Out with her brother. They were lC U? to her S ^eP' 't when a large, bustling man Clie^'dly atl<^ Sa,id» with much suavity, yet som?1! Are tKVf VOu please!" „r ^harrace,, 0 be left here?" she asked, with ^^nrtain!y-xvnt- 0r ]H„J T° prevent 6 ^eep them all at the office, there Ler Come« facc^dents; and when the carman The,, *or your trunk, he gets them in V;' uerstand. What name, if you out th sM'a]w rth" b'r "!tttle .0 rephed the young lady, handing takiiValv^rtS0SsessionsQ n°W rcpresented aU a carrt^* r.'»ht," replied the polite stranger, ,'lurrvir,a J)enci1, scratching down some- ^'a5rt °f 0 ° ?°catetf the o|f care' repaired at once to the in& >* and ali i,y lr? which her friend's shop was }|r-r was yet early in the morn- &n!nV she the milliner were open, but, to entf.r„, as over ti S ° ,r,ew near, that a strange S much anxiety she ^!lian!° %Vas dustin °L a ve haired, Slatternly S?S in 0 sh°w-case, whether Mrs. Oh, Ia! no exclaimed the dUSting br m mid"air' and "Oh sheis" great surprise at the stranger. Ri ^finer'n^ possible ? ^r;th a commit1'8 t°We you anything ? asked the lve Eda's distress 8 look'for she could not but; "No, but, I want very much to find her; and if you can help me, I shall be greatly obliged to you." What- is it, Sally ? asked a sharp voice from an upper room. Oh, la! Miss Burch, here's a lady wants to see Mrs. Williams very particular." "Tell her we know nothing whatever about her. Couldn't give her the least information." "She says can she see you, then? said Sally, ap- proaching the stairs, and lowering her voice. Yes, at a proper time. Not now, certainly. Tell her to come after nine o'clock, if she has any business with me." Eda went forth sadly enough, and as they passed out, Franky asked, quite coniidently- Where are we going to get breakfast, sister ?" Tears started to Eda's eyes but she turned away her head, and replied— We will go into a bakery and get some nice cakes, and we can eat them in the park." 011, that will be capital," replied Frank quite de- lighted. "Then we can see the swans again." Miss Walworth feared to go to an hotel or boarding- house, lest she should be misjudged and suspected. Besides, she had only money enough to pay her way for a few days, and she thought she must hus- band a part of it, until she found means of earning more. She procured a few cakes, and repaired to the park, where, beneath the shade of a friendly tree, the home- less pair made their frugal meal. Eda was familiar with the spot in which she now found herself, for her former home was not distant from it, and everything about her, both in the square and in the neighbouring streets, conspired so forcibly to recall her happy days, and to bring up the present in mournful contrast with them, that she could scarcely refrain from sobbing aloud. When Frank, who saw no especial cause for grief caught sight of her quivering lips and her red eyc" and when he saw with what difficulty she forced down a few mouthfuls of food, he put down his cakes, and throwing his arms around her neck, kissed her, and inquired what was the matter. Without directly replying, she succeeded in divert- ing his attention to some of the objects of interest around them, and then resumed her painful con- templations. While she pondered, her attention was arrested by a man who passed near to her, looking very closely at both herself and her brother, and who, after proceed- ing slowly some paces, turned round and sauntered again towards them. He was a slight man, of thirty years or thereabouts, rather flashily dressed, and decidedly good-looking, as Miss Walworth could not fail to see, despite the some- what impudent stare which lie had bestowed upon her. But there was a rubicund tint on his features, beyond what the freshness of the morning air is usually supposed to impart. She could not believe that lie was coming back to her but when she saw that such was his evident design, she rose hurriedly, and taking Frank by the hand, walked around to the opposite side of the pond, near to an old gentleman in decidedly seedy apparel, who was seated upon it bench reading a morning paper. The stranger followed her there, and leaning against the railing, affected at first to look at the water and the swans; but his eyes riveted momen- tarily to the beautiful girl, until they finally settled upon her with a fixedness which evinced a total disregard of dylicacy. Eda became aware of this, without directly re- turning his gaze but, by the observation of Frank, who closely watched this object of their common terror. What are you afraid of him for, sister ? he said. He is a nice looking man, and does not look as if he would hurt us. While Frank talked, and while Miss Walworth trembled in apprehension of the man's nearer ap- proach, lie suddenly turned about and walked away. Greatly relieved by his absence, Eda concluded he had satisfied his curiosity, and that she should see no more of him. About half an hour later, while Miss Walworth was anxiously watching the dial of a neighbouring church-clock, to note the progress of the time which must yet elapse before she could see the punctilious Miss Burch, she saw among the passers a stout, re- spectable-looking lady, with a market-basket on her arm, who was walking slowly, and seeming to take especial notice of the few loiterers in the grounds. As she came near Miss Walworth, and just as the young lady's eyes fell upon her, she nodded familiarly and smilingly to the old gentleman at her side, who seemed a good deal surprised, and bowed rather stiffly in return. Paying no further attention to him, she accosted Franky with a pleasant air, and the boy replied to her with the strict politeness which he had been taught. "This is Miss Brown, I believe, of Everett-place?" 6he then said to Eda. You seem to have forgotten me. ° Kb, you mistake, madam," replied Eda. My name is not Brown, and I do not live in Everett-place -nor indeed in the city." "Oh, I beg your pardon the resemblance is certainly striking. I really beg your pardon; but Miss Brown is a particular friend of my daughters." Pray don't apologise, madam." The lady turned, as if to go on, but seeming sud- denly to change her mind, said— You do not reside in the city, then ?" N-no, ma-am that is, I have just come here to reside, but I have been living in the country for ueariy two years. Oh! And you have just arrived, then ?" "This very morning." "Ah, indeed! Well, you are out early to see the sights. Boarding near here, I suppose?" Miss Walworth hesitated, and was quite embar- rassed but she would not tell an untruth. I have not yet selected a boarding place. I am waiting to see about some- some employment that I am seeking at Miss Burch's, the milliner's." "Oh, indeed! Well, now, it's very strange and perhaps it's very fortunate for both of us that we have met. I keep a boarding-house very near here -at least, only a few blocks off—and I should be very happy to take you, if my house and terms suit. I suppose I may consider Miss Burch as your re- ference ? Eda explained that Miss Burch knew nothing about her. Well, we do make exceptions sometimes; for, as I often tell my daughters, some faces are better than their references, and I am sure yours and your dear dear little brother's are of that kind." "Thank you, madam. You are really very kind but I do not yet know what I shall be able to pay Don't say a word about it, my dear. You aro without a home; you have been eating your break- fast here in the public park, as I can very plainly see. So come and stay at my house, at least until you can look around and see what you can do. It shall cost you nothing for a day or two, at all events. The truth is, that you looked so tired and sad, and your eyes are so red, that I never could have the heart to leave you here. It was that which first called my attention to you, if I must tell you." Franky caught hold of Eda's hand, and, looking up imploringly into her eyes, said— Let us go with her, sister she will give us some real breakfast, and you haven't eaten anything." 11 There, you surely cannot resist that," remarked the lady. Come my daughters will be glad to make you comfortable; and you shall tell me your name, and as much of your history as you choose, as we go along." Eda was really touched by all this kindness, and without further hesitation accepted with thanks the invitation thus persistently urged upon her. (To be continued.)
ENGLAND, RUSSIA, AND AFGHANISTAN.
ENGLAND, RUSSIA, AND AFGHANISTAN. A Vienna correspondent writes: In a semi-official communication to the Politische Correspondenz, it is explicitly asserted that nothing has occurred in the course of the Anglo-Russians negotiations to justify the report as to the critical aspect of affairs. Nothing, it is maintained, is farther from the intentions of Russia than to put forward at the present time claims that would be likely to complicate matters. Reuter's telegrams on Saturday were as follow: Simla: The British officers who have arrived at Herat have been warmly welcomed in that city. They report the fortifications of the place to be stronger than was supposed.-St. Petersburg: The Official Messenger to-day declares that there is no foundation for the statement made by some news- papers that the Wotiaks in the Malmysh district, in the Government of Viatka, attempted to sacrifice an Orthodox priest to the Evil Spirit. The shallows dis- covered recently at the point where the Neva enters the sea-canal, but which form no serious impediment to shipping, will be shortly clear of mud. The Com- mittee of the Exchange has fixed the 13th inst. as the official date from which navigation is to be regarded as open at St. Petersburg. Moscow: It is announced here that the battalion of Engineers which arrived at Sebastopol a few days ago has commenced work on the fortifications of that city. The completion of the ironclads now building at Sebastopol is being has- tened. A Paris paper announced that an Indian who is represented to be a son of Nana Sahib, and is treated with Princelv honours, is an officer in the Russian irmv. Correspondents telegraphing from Berlin on Sunaay night said A telegram from London published in the National Zcitung of to-day, states that Russia now insists upon having Meruchak comprised within the Russian frontier, as a compensation for renouncing all claim upon Afghanistan. The question of the present and future of Herat is said not to have been touched upon in the negotiations. VIENNA, Sunday Night. ™ A telegram from St. Petersburg states that the Russian Government intends to set on foot extensive irrigation works in Central Asia. St. Petersburg telegrams, dated May 23rd, state —A notice from the General Staff announces that the formation of the Transcaspian Rifle Brigade was completed at the end of February last in conformity with the orders issued by the Ministry of War on Nov. 22 of last year. Three subaltern officers have been appointed to the second Transcaspian Railway Battalion. The Novosti to-day states that draught proposals referring to the administration of the Navy, to changes in the staff of the Russian Admiralty, and of the harbour administrations, have been submitted to the Council of the Empire. A special commission lately inspected at the Moscow railway station several baggage vans of a new model intended to be used in the military transport service. On May 24, Reuter's telegrams were as follows: The General Staff of the Navy has issued a notifica- tion to the effect that in consequence of an order of the King of Sweden, the northern and the southern passage of the Faro Sound have been closed by means of torpedoes since the beginning of May (N.S.), and that consequently the northern passage will be abso- lutely closed to all ships. Vessels wishing to go by the southern passage will be required to take on board pilots in the service of the Swedish Govern- ment. The RussJci Invalid, states that during the manoeuvres at the Guards' camp at Krasnoe Selo and Ust Isliora a brigade of Sappers and two batteries of Artillery as well as the students of the Officers' School of Artillery will be concentrated near Ust Ishora. The manoeuvres will be carried out so that as much time as possible will be saved, but on the other hand there will be no undue haste. Orders have been issued that as far as feasible the operations shall resemble real warfare. The same paper also publishes some further appointments of officers to the second Transcaspian Railway Batta- lion. According to the journals the latter will com- prise 1200 men, and will be formed in Moscow. The construction of the Transcaspian Railway as far as the Amu Daria is to be completed during the pre- sent year. The Journal de St. Petersbourg to-dav reproduces some of the documents in the Blue Book on the Afghan question, and after mak- ing a reservation in regard to what may be incomplete or incorrect, observes that accuracy is im- possible when a matter is looked at from one point of view only. The journal adds that it understands that the Russian Government will shortly publish a collection of diplomatic papers referring to this ques- tion, and then light will be thrown on it from both sides. Sir Peter Lumsden arrived at Baku on Sunday on board the mail steamer Alexander III., and, after visiting the naphtha works of Messrs. Nobel, pro- ceeded for Tiflis. At Cronstadt on Saturday the Grand Duke Alexis continued his inspection of the fleet. The Com- mander-in-Chief of the fleet hoisted his flag on the steam frigate Olaf.
THE EVACUATION OF THE SOUDAN.
THE EVACUATION OF THE SOUDAN. Reuter's telegrams on Saturday stated that Otao was evacuated, the Shropshire Regiment returning to Souakim by train. The Shropshire will give one com- pany towards the formation of the Mounted Infantry. The G Battery of the B Brigade, Royal Horse Artil- lery, has left for Cairo. The Transport Calabria sailed for England to-day, with 168 invalids on board. The railway line was not disturbed by the enemy. It is expected that about 3bOO troops will remain here. From Dongola it was reported that the Mahdi is withdrawing his troops everywhere, and is retiring to Jabaletiri, leaving his steamers at Sobat on the White Nile. It has been decided that all the railway plant for the Souakim-Berber Railway not yet discharged from the hired transports at Souakim shall be at once brought back to England, and employed in rail- ways at Chatham. Woolwich. Portsmouth. &C. SURPRISE TO THE ENEMY. SOUAKIM, May 24. This afternoon the armoured train with the Gardner guns, fifty of the Shropshire Regiment, and the same number of Sikhs and Bombay Infantry, proceeded along the railway and surprised the enemy tearing up the line. On the British opening fire the enemy retired after suffering losses estimated at several hun- dreds. Another body of the rebels at Handoub, who caused considerable damage to the line, suffered no casualties. SOUAKIM, May 23. Handoub was evacuated this morning. Small parties of marauders fired on the troops, but speedily retired on being answered by the men of the Berk- shire Regiment. It is reported that Otao has been turned by the rebels. Sickness is steadily increasing among both British and Indian troops. Sixty-eight men of the latter left for Bombay to-day on board the Romeo. This bring^ up the total of British and native soldiers who have been invalided during the last two months to over eleven hundred. The troops intended for the defence of Souakim are now concentrated here. The vessels lying in the harbour with railway plant will commence returning to England to morrow. DEPARTURE dF INVALIDED TROOPS. SOUAKIM, May 25. The hospital ship Ganges, which has done such in- estimable service during her four months stay here, will sail for Portsmouth to-morrow with a pretty full complement of invalids, in charge of Surgeon-Major Gribbon, assisted by Surgeons Hoysted, Drury, Dono- van, and Butterworth, and Nursing-Sisters Cole, Browne, Burleigh, Wright, Norman, and Ireland. The invalids are Colonel Gordon, Captains Battersby and Decossen, Lieutenants the Hon. A. White, Pakeham, Leigh, and Higginson, Surgeon Maunders, Quartermaster McCaffery, and Veterinary Surgeon Gillard, together with 105 non-commissioned officers and men. Many of these cases are serious, nO per cent. suffering from enteric fever. In addition to the tlurgeons and sisters mentioned, the invalids will be cared for by 62 non-commissioned officers and men of the Medical Staff Corps. Chaplain Sedgwick also goes h )me in the Ganges.
j THE COLERIDGE LIBEL CASE.
THE COLERIDGE LIBEL CASE. The case of Adams v. Coleridge was mentioned the other day in the Court of Appeal, composed of the Master of the Rolls and Lords Justice Baggallay and Bowen. It was an action for libel brought by Mr. Charles Warren Adams, journalist, against the Hon. Bernard Coleridge, barrister, and eon of the Lord Chief Justice of England, the libel charged being con- tained in a letter written by the defendant to his sister, the Hon. Mildred Coleridge, to whom Mr. Adams was engaged, casting most serious imputations on his personal character. The case was tried last November before Mr. Justice Manisty and a special jury, and extended over two days, when, in answer to the learned judge, the jury found that the defendant had acted vindictively, inasmuch as he had not availed himseif of the opportunity afforded to him by Miss Coleridge to retract and apologise for the asper- sions he had cast on Mr. Adams, and had not even replied to her letter. They therefore found a verdict for the plaintiff, with .E3000 as damages. Mr. Justice Manisty, however, held that the communication charged as libellous was privileged, and gave judg- ment for the defendant, with costs. From this de- cision Mr. Adams lodged notice of appeal to this court. On the learned judges taking their seats on the bench, Mr. Adams said I have to ask your lord- ship's permission to make an application in the case Adams v. Coleridge. I shall not occupy five minutes. The Master of the Rolls: You have a perfect right to make an application. I conclude it is to fix a date for the hearing of your appeal- The case was post. poned to suit the convenience of the Attorney- General. Mr. Adams: I wIsh to gIVe my reasons for appearing in person. The Master of the Rolls: You need not do that. You have a right to appear in peraon. Do you wish to have a day fixed. Mr. Adams: Yes, my lord, the very earliest day. The Master of the Rolls, addressing Mr. Charles. Q.C., as the counsel with the Attorney-General, said that the Court would reassemble, after thshort vacation, on Tuesday, the 2nd of June. Did he think that, as the Court would take motions on Tuesday and Wednes- day, Thursday, the 4th, would suit the convenience of the Attorney-General ? Mr. Charles said he would communicate with the Attorney-General, who was then engaged in the House of Lords. The Master of of the Rolls Will that date suit you, Mr. Adams ? Mr. Adams: The earliest ds) will suit me, my lord. The Master of the Rolls Very well, then, we take the appeal on Thursday, the 4th of June. The matter then ended.
AN EXTRAORDINARY KIDNAPPING…
AN EXTRAORDINARY KIDNAPPING ROMANCE, From Croydon it was reported at the close of last week that a young woman, named Bertha Dennis, who left her home at Reigate on March 4, had made her reappearance under singular circum- stances. It appears that every inquiry had been made by the Criminal Investigation Department, and adver- tisements containing her description were inserted in most of the London newspapers. The young woman, who is the daughter of Mr. James Dennis, a master bricklayer, of Mead Vale, Reigate, left that town, it is said, on the date above mentioned to go by rail to Lady well to visit an aunt. She was then in good spirits. After changing carriages at Redhill Junction she was completely lost sight of. On Wednesday afternoon she suddenly returned, looking, as her father stated, at least ten years oldor, and being in a truly deplorable condition. After being well cared for she was questioned as to the cause of her absence, and she told such a remarkable story that the p ilice were communicated with, and set to work to investi- gate what would appear to be an extraordinary case of kidnapping. She says that on the day she left home she reached East Croydon Station and walked round to the Addiscombe-road Station, where she purchased a ticket for Lady. well. She got into a carriage, and in the same com- partment was an elderly lady, who entered into conversation with her. Miss Dennis avers that the train had proceeded but a very short distance when her fellow passenger shook a pocket handkerchief in her face, which had the effect of causing her to fall into a stupor, and she remembered nothing more until she found herself in an attic at the too of a very high house. She had not the faintest idea as to where the house was situated, but the apartment in which she was imprisoned for upwards of ten weeks was almost destitute of furniture, her bed consisting of an old mattress in one corner of the room, She states further that she was visited daily by an elderly woman, who generally had a child with her. Her principal food .as bread and water. The female told her that the house was occupied by five women, who gained their livelihood by thieving," and that when the Prince of Wales opened the Inventions Exhibition they did a good day's business." She wa s further informed that these women used to go out in different dresses, and that they sometimes wore wigs. There was only one window in the attic, and that overlooked the backs of some very big houses. Her clothes were taken a-i^ay from her for the purpose, as the old woman told her, of being worn by the ladies," who also appro- priated her money—about £3. Asked to account for the fact that she still retained possession of her silver watch (this was alluded to in the advertisements and reward bills), she explained that she fastened it in her back hair, which hid it from view. When she tuld the elderly woman where she came from, she said Ah, 1 knew you were a country girl as soon as they brought you here. You won't get away yet, but when I get an opportunity I will give you your clothes and take you out." On Wednesday morning she was blindfolded, and, after being led a considerable dis- tance, the wrapper was removed from her eyes, the woman who had been leading her disappeared, and she found herself in a strange place. After inquiring her way to Reigate she walked home. She states that she is quite unable to give the police any further information with respect to the locality or position of the house to which she alleges she was allured. On Monday afternoon a correspondent had an interview with some relatives of Bertha Dennis. Her friends place the utmost reliance in the whole of her statements. It seems that she had been for upwards of three years in the service of Mr. Newman, a gen- tleman residing at Station-road, Reigate, as cook, and an elder sister fills a similar situation next door. On March 3rd, one of her sister's fellow servants pro- posed that as they had both got a holiday on the following day, she and Bertha Dennis should go to London together. Before starting in the morning she (Bertha Dennis) was paid her quarter's wages, amounting to j63, and it is said to have been quite by accident that she took the whole of that sum with her. Her intention was to place the greater portion of it in her box, but she forgot to do so. Owing to some mis- understanding she missed her companion at Reigate Station,and the first intimation of anything being wrong was received when the other girl called at Mr. Dennis's in Church-street the same night, and asked "Whether Bertha was ready to so home." Nothing was heard of Bertha Dennis from that day until eleven o'clock last Tuesday night, when she knocked at the door of her brother's shop at Croydon, having changed in a period of ten weeks from a respectable-looking young woman to a perfect beggar to all appearances. She was emaciated to a degree, and all but insensible from exhaustion. According to her account, which she was only able to give after restoratives bad been administered, sba bad been exactly twelve hours tramping from some place near London-she believes it was New-cross—to Croydon. When she left Reigate she had in her possession a new mackin- tosh, a handbag, an umbrella, a brown paper parcel, a silver watch, two silver chains, a locket with Bertha engraved on it, and a gold ring set with stones. The whole of these things, with the excep- tion of the watch, had been taken from her. While Mrs. Dennis, her sister-in-law, was attending to her she noticed that she was holding the watch in her hand, and she sobbed, I would not let them take that." The unfortunate girl had only been to London twice in her life. She states that she noticed the old lady who drugged her in the booking-office first, and she seemed very anxious to know where she was going. When they were seated in the train she said, It is a nice day, miss," and then it was that the handkerchief was waved in her face. She often saw the same old lady in the house, and was certain that. she could identify her, provided she wore the same clothes. The other women in the house not only wore wigs, but they painted their faces and lips. They told her that she would have to go out and do as they did; and when she said she would not they b.eat her. All her clothing was worn by the women. The jacket was altered to fit a bigger woman. (Mrs. Dennis found that the buttons had been shifted some few inches forward.) On the morning that she was blindfolded she remembered coming down a great many stairs. When she arrived I at Croydon she had not a farthing, and her linen is said to have been as black as one's hat. Her friends have never known her to tell an untruth, and she has never before been the cause of one hour's anxiety to her mother and father, who have resided in Reigate all their lives. After staying the night with her sister-in-law she was taken home on Wednesday afternoon, and has since been under the care of a doctor. Superintendent Rogers, of the Redhill police, has the matter in hand, the girl s parents believing she was kidnapped for the purpose of lobbery, if not nothing more serious. The first to give information to the Scotland-yard authorities of her disappearance was a Mr. Grey, of Redhill, in whose service she formerly was, and who has always taken a great interest in the family. The brown paper parcel which she had with her contained old paper bags, which she was in the habit of saving for use in her brother's business at Croydon, and Miss Dennis states that the women burnt these directly they opened the parcel. nr The Press Association's Reigate correspondent on Monday wrote: No credence is attached to the story of the young woman, Bertha Dennis, of Reigate, who alleged that she was kidnapped at Croydon. She returned to Reigate a fortnight or three weeks a^o— not on Wednesday, as stated-and she has made an altogether different statement to that published to the local police.
DEATH OF AN ITALIAN PRINCESS…
DEATH OF AN ITALIAN PRINCESS IN LONDON. There has died at the Convent of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Clerkenwell-road, London, the Princess Caraffa of Naples. The de- ceased lady was known in religion as Sister Mary, and had been a member of the sisterhood from an early age. She was well known among the poor Italians in the neighbourhood of Hatton-garden, and was greatly beloved by them for her many acts of kindness and generosity. The deceased lady was about 30 "-ears of age. o
A COMMENDABLE "MISSION."
A COMMENDABLE "MISSION." They cerrtainly have a practical way of teaching children in some of the American schools. A large educational establishment in New York is called the Olivet Mission, and at the examination of scholars here a number of visitors were lately invited. Domestic economy is one of the subjects taught, and to this the most practical application is given. The girls were examined in doing chambermaid's work in a bed-room fitted up for the purpose, and then they had to set a dinner table. Moreover, they had to cook a dinner to put on the table when it was set, and music is here combined with cookery. Songs accompany the domestic exercises, and these songs are not vague addresses to the Sweet By and Bye," or Sweet Dreaming Faces," but ditties of a highly instructive character. If potatoes you would boil, And potatoes would not spoil. You must open wide your eyes, Get potatoes of one size. Then you pare them very thin, For the meal is next the skin. Cover them with water cold. Pray, remember, what you're told." So one of the ballads runs, and the moral, it must be admitted, is excellent. The little girls turned their lessons to good account when they were examined, and cooked a capital dinner, which a reporter des- cribes as a delicious success." The repast was equally well served, and another song instructs the pupils to Pass the tray like that, And try to hold it, Always hold it, Very, very flat." Still more, songs set forth the impropriety of making a noise or break- ing a, dish. The Olivet Mission is evidently a very admirable institution.
||ttsaf[:Taccus :Mnttlligentti
||ttsaf[:Taccus :Mnttlligentti HOME. FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. A MONSTER FOSSIL.—An almost perfect skeleton of the mososaurus has just been found in a quarry near Mons. It has the extraordinary length of 55ft. 9in., and will be preserved in the natural history msseum at Brussels. PRIVATE BILL LEGISLATION.—A return issued on Saturday shows that of 248 bills presented to Parlia- ment this session 32 are at the first reading stage, 20 second reading, 38 report of committee." 43 third readiag, and 17 Royal assent. No fewerthan 50 bills have from one cause or another been dropped. The 32 bills which are at first reading have nearly all passed through the House of Lords, except the Kates and Charges Bill of the nine railway companies. THE PROFITS OF SILVER COINING.—Owing to the continuous fall in the value of silver bullion in the market, relatively to gold, during the last twenty years, the manufacture of silver coins at the Hint continues to be very profitable to the Government. At the average price of last year a pound of silver, though coined into sixty-six shillings, was intrinsically worth only 46s. 6d. Fifteen years ago the difference was only 9 per cent. CHURCH PROPERTY IN NORFOLK.—Some church lands at Northwolds, Norfolk, have. just been let by auction, and the result shows conclusive evidence of the agri- cultural depression existing in the county. One lot of land, which, eight years ago, let for 58s. an acre, was knocked down for the next four years at 16s. an acre; and another lot, which before fetched 23 per acre, now realised only lgs. The gross annual rental for the whole lot amounted to little more than one third of the same for the previous eight years. ATTEMPT TO GARROTTE AN M.P.—The "Western Mail says that Mr. CI.H.James, the junior member for Merthyr wn.Ie in London, has been the victim of a determined attempt at garrotting. It appears that Mr. James was returning to his lodgings at the Inns of Court Hotel, through Little Queen-street, when he was set upon by some men, who assaulted him, with the apparent intention of committing a robbery. He re- sisted them, and was engaged in a severe struggle when a gentleman approached, and his assailants decamped, leaving him victorious, but suffering from a violent sprain of one of his knees, and he is likely to be in- valided for some time to come. ARTILLERY HANGEs.-The Secretary of State for the War Department has purchased from the Corporation of Lydd a tract of land to the extent of 407 acres. A large portion of the land consists of beach. It is stated that the object of the Government in purchasing this extensive tract of land is to enable them the better to carry on artillery experiments at the camp which has been formed there within the last few years and used by the troops in the South-Eastern District for practical field operations. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OF THE IRISH SOCIETY.— The accounts of the Irish Society for the past year have just been prepared. The receipts, including a balance of £134ù, amount to £20,313. Of that sum Derry and liberties produce £ 8276 Ooleraine, £ 2022 Oulmere Fort, £ 800; fisheries rent, £ 5161; sale of pro- perty, B1279. The expenditure includes permanent payments, Crown rents, &c., £ 1553; grants to schools, £ 4016; charitable donations, £ 844 Corporation of Londonderry, £ 1200; in aid of public improvements, £ 4729; pensions, £ 132; salaries and gratuities (Ireland), £ 1776; visitation and deputation expenses, £806; salaries (England), £ 997: the governor, deputy governor, and assistant governors, for attendance at meetings and administration expenses, £ -171. The amount placed to deposit account at Derry is J61279, and the balance is £ 220.—" City Press." FOREIGN LIVE STOCK AND FREsn MEAT.—As was expected, the week's arrivals of live stock and fresh meat at Liverpool from Americas and Canadian ports were considerably in excess of those of the preceding week, the total imports amounting to 3415 cattle, 345 sheep, 8104 quarters of beef, and 1108 carcases of mutton, whilst the preceding week's importations amounted to 373 cattle, 4998 quarters of beef, and 830 carcases of mutton. The conveying steamers last week were as follows: Venetian, 721 cattle, 1138 quarters of beef, and 158 carcases of mutton; Spain, 350 cattle, 740 quarteis of beef, and 150 carcases of mutton Roman. 563 cattle; Borderer, 645 cattle and 345 sheep; Dominion, 456 cattle; Nessmore, 520 cattle; Saturnina, 160 cattle; Wyoming, 1760 quarters of beef, and 400 carcases of mutton City of Chester, 920 quarters of beef, and 200 carcases of mutton; Republic, 840 quarters of beef, and 200 carcases of mutton; British Crown, 80 quarters of beef: and Catalonia, 182o quarters of beef- JAPANESE TASTI*.—When you enter th.^ guest-room in a mansion of the better class you are ac once im- pressed with a subtle elegance and propriety not easily explained. The room may contain but a few simple articles of adornment, and the cniet, or only one, may be a plant or a bouquet. I was once greatly struck with the unique beauty and effectiveness of a large and stainlessly white biossom of peony, accompanied by a single pearl-toned kud, which vrts thus made to furnish a drawing-room The art of arranging flowers has, perhaps, somewhat naturally come to occupy a pro- minent place m Japanese education. Beside the living instructors, cheap work containing lessons in the art are widely circulated. The taste and culture of the householder is brought to a focus at this point, and the fertility of invention shown in the adornment of this simple recess never fails to interest one visiting Japanese houses. I have often seen in the place of honour a bit of oyster-clad rock, or the quarter stump of a dwarf tree, csrved in broad wavy lines by the lava of a large beetle, or arabesque^ with creamy oranges or brfeky-scarlet lichen and set in deep gre'en many-tinted mosses, from the dark velvet of which & spray of tiny; fern, or feathery plume cf some fair woodland plant would peep. Then, too. there are often most subtle relations of the flower itself to the form or colour of its containing vessel; and here the refined instincts of the true artist best display themselves.—Fauld's 41 Nina Yeatsin Nioon."