The Aberdare Times

OUR NATIONAL DEBT. GOVERNMENT SCHEME OF CONVERSION. The House of Commons having gone into commit- tee on Friday of last week, the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer rose to explain his proposed scheme of con- version, of which he predicted at the outset that it would lighten the public burdens and raise the public credit. He reminded the committee that by a singu- lar coincidence it was on the 8th of March, 18,tt, that Mr. Goulburn proposed a conversion scheme dealing with £ 250,000,000, and that on March 22 the scheme received the formal assent of Parliament. Quoting the reasons given by Mr. Goulburn for anticipating that his scheme would be successful—the public ex- pectation, the high price commanded by sound securities, the low rate of interest of the floating debt, the generally satisfactory state of the revenue, and the condition of the bal- ances — lie showed in detail that they all existelnow in equal force. On one point, indeed, perhaps, he said, he was not so favourably situated, as there was not the same serenity of tho political atmosphere, the same absence of all disturbing causes; but lie added emphatically that he had no fear of his plan being compromised by any foreign complications, and the Government felt less anxiety on this head now than they would have done six months ago. Next he showed by reference to the yield of foreign and other securities that investors in almost every kind of security have had to accept the fact that the rate of interesthas fallen, and to submit to a reduction of their incomes. Reviewing the principal conversions effected by Mr. Yansittart, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Goulburn, Lord Althorp, Mr. Gladstone, and Mr. Childers, he explained their main features, laying especial stress on the manner in which the dissentients had been treated, and indicating those methods on which he intended to ask Parliament now to insist. The moral which he gathered from these precedents was that for a suc- cessful conversion assent must be presumed in the absence of dissent, that the time for the expression of dissent must be strictly limited, that power must be taken to deal with dissentients as Parliament shall direct, and that power might be taken either in the same or a separate bill. He also drew the lesson that there must be no increase in the capital of the debt, and that the greatest success had been attained where the rate of interest had been reduced gradually, each step being guaranteed for a certain number of years. Passing then to his proposals, lie first described the debt to be dealt with-viz., New Throws," JE166,000,000, redeemable without notice and in any amount; Reduced," £ 09,000,000; and Consols: io)23,000,000, tie two latter being entitle J to a year's notice, and redeemable in sums of not less than £;00,000; and, after discus- sing the various methods of cmversion which had been suggested by creating Two-and-Three-quarters or Two-and-a-IIalf per Cent. stock by giving an option, kc., he said at last that, the Government, preferring simplicity above all things, had decided on the crea- tion of a Two-and-Three-quarterspcr Cent. stock, de- scending automatically to 2! per cent. The higher 2 rate of 2} per cent. would be given for 15 years, and after that the rate of 2-1 would be guaranteed for 20 years longer. But in (rder to induce the holders of Consols and Reduced to come in at once to the same terms he offered in the c;.s > of New Threes" that the first year's interest should be 3 per cent., followed by 14 years at 2 £ The New Threes" would be given to March 29 to come in, trustees being allowed until April 12, and assent being assumed where no dissent was signified. As a further inducement to the Reduced and Consols, and in consideration of their foregoing the year's notice to which they were entitled, if they came in by April 12 they would receive a premium of i per cent. -that is, 5s. per £100, payable in cash. As to the New Threes no commission would be given, but a com- mission of Is. 6d. per £ 100 would be allowed to authorised agents on the other stocks. Arguing the question from the stockholder's point of view, he expressed a strong opinion that there would be very few dissentients, and though he would not now indicate the precise measures, he pointed out that Parliament would have power to deal with them. If they took their money, how, he asked, would they invest it ?-and he reminded the Committee that the Government had now some ten millions a year to invest, which would enable them to meet any difficulties in a determined manner. As to the saving to be effected, if only New Threes were to be converted, it would be from April, 1889, jE410,000, and from April, 1903. JE820,000, and if the whole scheme were successful the entire saving would be from April, 1889, £1,400,000, and from April, 1903, £ 2,800,000 a year. This, he thought, was worth making an effort for, and after insisting on the neces- sity of despatch, lie concluded by repeating his belief that the scheme was conceived in a sense of equity to the public creditor and to the taxpayer. Mr. Gladstone, while reserving his opinion as to the merits of the scheme, said it was clearly the result of laborious and thorough examination, which had been conducted in a wise spirit, and he congratulated the Chancellor of the Exchequer not only upon the plan, but also upon the way he had put it forward. Remarking that no date had been fixed for a definite vote upon the question, he had no wish, he said, to press for a day to be fixed then, but he suggested that it was of the highest importance that a definite judgment should be given by the House at the earliest possible moment. As to its advantages, he said the .prospect opened inspired him with the hope that much benefit would result to the public as well as to the State. Mr. Goschen had in no degree overstated the immense improvement in the resources of the Government available for the conversion, and he urged the House to give the scheme A candid and impartial consideration. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, replying to a string of questions, said the Government proposed to bring in the bill on Tuesday, and to take the second reading at a morning sitting next Friday. He also said it was not intended to give stockholders formal and personal notice of the conversion otherwise than by advertisement in the London Gazette, but the Government would take every means in their power to insure that during the next fortnight every one interested had proper notice. The necessary resolutions were then agreed to.

A TERRIBLE FIRE. Later particulars have arrived from Springfield, Massachusetts, concerning the disastrous fire which destroyed the offices of the Union newspaper, and they show that the circumstances under which the victims lost their lives were particularly distressing. The main stairway of the building, which ran spirally round the elevator shaft, was speedily rendered useless by the rush of flame and smoke. A fire escape was brought to the rear of the building, but the inmates were equally unable to reach it, and from the same cause. The terrified people then sought to reach the roof of the adjoining building, and a few of them were successful in so doing, but this avenue of escape was soon cut off by the in- creasing fire. There then remained no hope but in the possibility of rescue from the front windows, which were soon crowded by the distressed employes, who shouted in their terror to the crowd below to save them. The movements of the firemen appeared terribly slow, and a considerable interval, during which the flames rapidly increased their power, elapsed before any ladders were procured. A cheer greeted their appearance, and the hopes of the im- prisoned victims revived, but only to sink as speedily when it was found that the ladders were so short as to be far from reaching tho windows. AN AWFUL MOMENT. A cry of dismay burst from the occupants of the crowded windows, and another awful pause followed, the flames ever gaining behind them. At length one ladder was found which could reach to the storey where the employes awaited their doom or their rescue, and this was placed to the window at which the greatest number were gathered. The scene at this moment was distressing in the extreme; the occfl- pants of the neighbouring windows saw, with dismay, that no more ladders were procurable, and that their appeals to the firemen and the crowd were in vain. Nothing remained for them but to perish by the fire or risk a leap to the ground. They chose the latter alternative. Mrs. Farley, the Society Editress," who was one of the first to take the jump, struck in her fall one of the shorter ladders, which reached to the fourth storey. Unhappily she failed to grasp the rungs, and she fell with the force of her descent unbroken upon the pavement beneath. She was instantly killed. LEAPING TO DEATH. The crowd had brought sheets and mattresses to check the fall of others, but owing to the great height of the building these were of little avail, and three compositors, Lanzon, Hovey, and Brown were killed as they reached the ground. Three other compositors, Donohue, Dunn, and Ensworth were terribly injured by their falls. Another compositor, named Wittey, was badly burned. Before the rescuing ladder was brought to the windows, Henry Goulding, foreman of the composing room, and Miss Thompson, a proof reader, were both suffocated or burned to death. All the victims were well known in Springfield, and the calamity has cast a gloom over the town. The in- habitants are loud and unrestrained in their denunci- ations of the fire department for being so entirely without necessary life-saving apparatus, and the owner of the building comes in for a large share of the abuse for not providing for the safety of his employes. The loss by the fire will amount to more than 40,000 dols. Tho paper will not suspend its issue.

WHAT is the most religious portion of the body ? asked Maudie the other day. And no one guessing the answer, she told it: The head, because it is between two temples." IT WORREn BOTH WAYS. — Hans (who doesn't know how to read, pointing to a signpost) Vat does dot say. Pat ? I vas very near sighded." Pat who doesn't know how to read, either) "I dunno. t's far-g'sUtcd I Lc; Dutelry

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. GOVERNMENT BILLS. Tn the HorsE OK LORDS on March 12, the Lord Chancellor introduced a bill for amending the law relating to coroners, and also a bill in reference to tithes. A TKACHINO T7NIVKRSITV FOR I.ONDOV. Lord Cranhrook informed Lord Herschell that it was intended to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the propriety of granting a charter for a Teaching University for London. INDUSTRIAL niSTRKSS. Lord Delawarr moved that it was incumbent on the Government to take into their serious consideration what measures could be adopted to avert the grave con- sequences which must otherwise ensue from the depressed condition of agriculture and other industries, and the consequent distress among the working classes, He declared he looked with the greatest alarm upon the consequences which would ensue if somelhing was not dune to protect the British producer. The motion was supported by Lord Iluntly, Lord Torrington, and Lord Denrnan. Lord Salisbury confessed that though the discussion concerned a matter of great importance, it did not appear to him to be of a practical character. Before attempting any remedy, noble lords must establish in their own minds that there was some measure within the reach of Parliament, and capable of materially mitigating the evils they deplored. The depression was dependent on great natural or economical ques- tions, and the power of Parliament to cope with it was very limited. He did not wish to ignoro its deep gravity or to depreciate its extent: but seeing that there was a smaller propor- tion of pauperism now by nearly one-half than there was nearly twenty years ago, it was impossible to speak as if we were in the prescnceof a calamity deeply affect- ing the vast mass of the population. There were measures which the Government could and ought to adopt, but he would ask his noble friend to wait for an account of them until the President of the Local Government Board and the Chancellor of the Exchequer had had an opportunity of addressing the House of Commons. lie utterly disbelieved in the possibility of introducing Protection, and if it were introduced it would lead to a state of division among the classes of the country which would not ditrer very much from civil war. The Motion was then withdrawn. NEW WRIT. In the HousE OF COMMONS a writ was ordered to be issued for the election of a member for the Gower Divi- sion of Glamorganshire. 11USINESS OF THE HOUSE. Mr. Ritchie informed the House that it was his in- tention to bring in the Local Government Bill on l\IolH1ay. and that the second reading would be taken before the Easter recess. Mr. W. H. Smith intimated that the Budget would be introduced on the 26th March. ADMIRALTY ADMINISTRATION. On the motion for going into Supply on the Navy Estimates, Lord C. Beresford called attention to the system of administration at the Admiralty, and moved that the allocation of authority requires entire reform. After criticising the working of the present system on the lines on which he has already attacked it in rec-nt speeches, he insisted on the necessity of having in readi- ness a scheme of organisation for war, as none at present existed, and on the necessity of naval experts being ill- vested with a larger share of responsibility in the administration in the Department. He concluded with suggesting the following reforms, which he wished to see accomplished First, that it should be impossible for the First Lord to rule the navy without consulting his Board secondly, there should be a total redistribution of the business of the Admiralty, whereby it should be divided on better lines than at present, and whereby an admiral would be at the head of the Intel- ligence Department thirdly, an alteration in the appointment of the Sea Lords, whereby the Controller should hold office for five years, and the others for three years, one retiring each year, so as to let fresh blood in and fourthly, an entire reform of the Secre- tarial Department. Admiral Mayne seconded the amendment, and Lord G. Hamilton, in replying, contended that the First Lord was justified in dealing with the question which Lord C. Beresford had raised. The reduction which had been made in the salaries of the Intelligence De- partment had in no way interfered with its efficiency, and in the case of every single vacancy the Board had been able to obtain the very men they wanted. The suggestion that a naval or military officer should be. at the head of the "War Office or Admiralty was incom- patible with one of the most cherished principles of the Constitution, the responsibility of the Minister to the House of Commons. Most of the reforms suggested were being carried out, and the Board would push them on as rapidly as possible. The programme of the Govern- ment had been kept within their financial resources their plans had been perfected; they had made very considerable progress, and the object they had in view was within measurable distance of accomplishment. The debate was carried on by several speakers, after which the amendment was put and negatived. Mr. Penrose Fitzgerald, Mr. Duff, Sir E. Reed, Admiral Field, and others, then criticised at length the ad- ministration of tho Admiralty and the policy of the Board. Admiral Field was speaking when the debate was suspended by the 12 o'clock rule.

MURDER IN DUBLIN. A murder was committed on Monday night in Bride- street, Dublin, the victim being Mrs. Delia Lawlor, the wife of William Lawlor, a shoemaker. The parties were married three years ago, and for about a week, owing to a quarrel, Mrs. Lawlor had been living with her stepfather. On Monday night at eight o'clock she entered the house of Mrs. Christina Fitzpatrick, in Wliitefriars-atreet, and while at tea there her husband came in. They left Fitzpatrick's house together, and half an hour afterwards Mrs. Lawlor was found lying in Wood-street with five wounds on lier neck and face, evidently inflicted with a large knife. When picked up the woman was removed to Meath hospital, but died on the way. The police arrested Lawlor at mid- night. Mrs. Lawlor was only 21 years of age, and was of very respectable appearance. She had had two children, who died last year.

DROWNED IN A CISTERN. On Monday morning the Camberwell Coroner was informed of a mysterious death from drowning. It appears that for some time past Mrs. Ellen Dilnott, aged 47, has resided at 97, East Surrey-grove, Peckham. She was the widow of a foreman hatter, and had been left in fairly comfortable circumstances. On Sunday morn- ing a young girl who lodged with her went down- stairs at about ten o'clock, and was surprised to find the shutters closed and the place in dark- ness. As she could see nothing of Mrs. Dilnot, sho went into the kitchen. There she saw a ladder placed against the cistern, a portion of which was in the kitchen. Her curiosity led her to look into the cistern, and there she saw Mrs. Dilnott huddled up in the water, and apparently quite dead. It is a mystery how the deceased got into the cistern, as there is only an opening a little more than a foot square in the kitchen, and the side of the cistern had to be taken out before the body could be removed.

FLOODS IN AUSTRIA. Mild spring weather having set in suddenly on Sun- day, after the exceptionally heavy snowstorms of the past winter, it is not surprising to hear that floods have occurred almost throughout the Empire. Par- ticularly is this the case in Hungary, Galicia, Moravia, Silesia, and Lower Austria. Fears are also entertained of serious floods in the Alpine countries, NNIII(NQ the snowfall has been unusually heavy. The snow, how- ever, has not yet begun to melt. A dispatch received from Cracow, in Galicia, stated that the district was underwater owing to the overflow of the Vistula, the town itself being, it is declared, seriously endangered.

A MOHAMMEDAN CONVERT. An Armenian was lately admitted into the fold of Islam at Constantinople. He had been excommuni- cated by the Armenian ecclesiastical authorities for having contracted a bigamous marriage, and soon after avowed his conversion to Mohammedanism. He was a judge in one of the tribunals at Constantinople, and curiously enough in his judicial capacity he was called upon to advise the Turkish authorities as to the legality of another marriage similar to his own. The man in the second case died, and the Armenian patriarch claimed his property for his first wife and his legitimate children. The Turkish religious tribunal consulted the Armenian renegade, and on his advice enforced the Mohammedan, instead of the Armenian law, and ordered that the property should be divided between the two families, thus violating the privileges of the Armenian Church. The matter went to the Council of State, which after long deliberation reversed the decision of the lower Court. Unfortunately, how. ever, the Sultan interfered in favour of the original judgment. Subsequently the Armenian judge brought accusations of conspiracy against many of hig countrymen, but lie has at last over-reached himself. His charges were investigated, and being found false he has now been deprived of his office and exiled to Tripoli.

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK. SPRING-FLOWERING BULBS, of which the hyacinths and tulips are the most important, are now plentifuL It may perhaps be well to suggest to those who take a special interest in the adornment of indoor apart- ments with floral ornaments that tkey are capable of forming the most charming combinations. -The hyacinths and tulips can have the whole of the soil removed from about the roots, and be arranged in ornamental receptacles without suffering to an appre- ciable extent, and be made to present a much more attractive appearance than when in the pots in which they are grown. They can be arranged in any of the ornamental vases or stands usually employed for hold-, ing plants placed in apartments, but the best effects can perhaps be produced in neat wicker ba.skets of about six inches in depth, from ten to fifteen inches in diameter, and stained of a rich brown colour. In filling them the bottom and sides have to be lined with moss or some other loose material that will pre- vent the soil filtering through, and the soil for packing about the roots must be friable, and the refuse from the potting bench will do equally as well as the best possible compost. The arrangement of the flowers must be left to individual taste but two or three ferns should have a place in each basket. The best ferns for this purpose are Adiantum cuneatum and Pteris serrulata. and thrifty examples in small sixties are the most suitable. Where indoor decorations are in request a stock of these two ferns should be grown specially in small pots, as they can be employed to great advantage in many arrangements other than those of spring bulbs. The soil must be pressed firm, and when it becomes dry the baskets should be dipped in a vessel of water. HARD-WOODED PLANTS growing freely in the green- house will be much benefited by careful stopping of leading shoots both to make the heads more compact and uniform and also to produce a heavier mass of bloom when the season for flowering comes round again. Ericas are growing freely, and must have more root-room if the plants are large compared with the size of the pots they are in. HERBACEOUS CALCEOLARIAS to be shifted into larger pots. The mixture to consist of loamy turf, leaf- mould, peat, and cow-dung, all in a sweet and decayed condition. A moist atmosphere will greatly contribute to the production of fine trusses, and also to prevent the spread of green-fly. LILIUMS must now be kept near the light, and have regular watering. If allowed to get dry, a good bloom cannot be expected. Any liliums not yet potted up for the season must be attended to imme- diately, as they will grow now whether cared for or not. PELARGONIUMS are now pushing into flower in all cases where they have been some time without a. shift. Those shifted a month ago will now want stopping, or flower-trusses are sure to appear. The only way to deal with them is to nip out the points of all the shoots, and cut back to a few joints any shoots that are pushing out beyond the general circumference. Keep them rather close after the operation, to encourage the pushing of the lower buds. VINERY.—Vines that have begun to swell their fruit will be much benefited by an abundance of atmo- spheric moisture, if the heat is kept steady. The thermometer should not go below 65 deg. by night, nor above 80 deg, on the brighest days; but 75 deg. may be considered a good day average. In houses where the vines are coming into bloom there must be less moisture. BALSAMS for bedding out to be sown. These need not have such high culture as those now coming out for early blooms in pots, as short, sturdy, slow- growing plants are required. Balsams must always have a rich light soil, suffer no check, and be well supplied with water. CALCEOLARIAS for bedding to be freely exposed to the air, but to be covered at night in case of frost. CR.IMISERS FOR THE GARDEN to be grown liberally, so as to have them a good size by tho time they are planted out. Where the plants exist already, now is the time to shift them on into larger pots and if they do not exist, there must be no time lost in obtaining seeds, cuttings, or plants. GRASS-TURF requires careful dressing now, to en- sure a good sward during the coming summer. The turf should be well rolled with a heavy roller; any patchy or mangy places should be returfed, and all alterations, such as cutting new beds, turfing where beds have have been, &c., completed speedily. If the grass is poor throughout, and it is not intended to renew it, spread over the whole surface a thin sprink- ling of nitrate of soda. HYACINTHS in frames must have plenty of air to keep the spikes short and to retard them. As the bloom will soon be over, and as flowers of many kinds are now abundant, it will be well to keep a few hya- cinths for decorative purposes to as late a period as possible. Those that have not been taken out of frames are mostly full of colour, and will be in per- fection in another week or so. If kept cool and airy, and near the glass, they will last longer and look better than if put into a warm house. CARROTS to be sown for the main crol if the ground is dry and fine. If it is wet, or consists of hard clots, wait a bit; another week may improve it much, es- pecially if east winds blow freely. All fine seeds that are destitute of albumen, as carrot, parsnip, lettuce, should be sown when the ground is tolerably dry and the surface well broken, so that the seeds can be covered securely, yet lightly; if buried deep, or let fall anyhow amongst rough clods, only a few will germi- nate, and the crop will be patchy, or, as the farmers call it, a bad plant." CUCUMBERS.—It will be more difficult now to keep the heat of bearing beds up to the mark thaffMt has been all the winter, for the east winds will cool them very rapidly. Linings will now be of great value, and as the weather is bright a brisker heat may be kept up with great benefit to the plants, especially if the pit is kept constantly moist. In giving air, guard against the entrance of parching cold wind; a mat hung over will allow of an exchange of atmosphere through it without permitting the entrance of a kill- ing draught. FRENCH BEANS in the forcing house must be kept very near the light, and have a brisk temperature. (rive air early on fine mornings while the plants are moderately dry, to promote the setting of the fruit. PEAS in a forward state in districts exposed to the full blast of north and e,ist winds require a little pro- tection, or half their life will be blown out of them. First earth them up well, this will protect the lower part of the stems next put sticks to them of suffi- cient height and strength to carry the crop; and, lastly, stick short lengths of evergreen branches along the rows, or on the windward side only. Peas so treated now will three weeks hence be a full week forwarder, to say nothing of their superior freshness and health, than those that have to fight it out, though the same sorts on the same ground, and sown the same time. In the end it may make ten days' difference in the date of the first gathering if it only makes two or three days, the gain of days will more than pay for extra labour. FOTATOES peeping through the ground must be covered with a drawing over them by the hoe of fine soil; or if there is a good store of burnt earth, burnt brushwood, or other alkaline and carbonaceous material of a rough kind, turn it to account to cover the young haulm lightly. This will foster the tender leaf, and screen off light frosts, and the washings down of alkalies by the rain will greatly improve the crop. RHUBARB that has stood long in the same place may be taken up, divided, and planted in fresh soil. This is essential to the production of large, early, handsome stalks. The soil for the new plantation should be a deep loam, abundantly manured. SALSIFY when properly cooked is delicious, and the pity is that it is so little grown. To grow it well, trench a piece of sandy loam, putting a good body of manure at the bottom of each trench, so as to make a manure bed two feet below the surface. Sow the seed in drills 15in. apart; cover lightly thin to 9in. apart, keep clean with the hoe, and wait till Xovcm- ber; then take up the roots, and then they will be large, long. and handsome. Trench the ground again, dross it with a good surface coat of charred refuse, and it will make the best onion-bed in the parish, SCORZONERA to be grown the same way as salsify, but the distances to be 18in. and 12in. If either of these are grown on ground not improved by a subsoil of manure, the distances for salsify may be twelve and 6in., and for scorzonera 15 and 9in. WiNTEn GREENS of all kinds to be sown in very small breadths, so as to secure a few early supplies of the several sorts.- Gardener's Magazine.

SUN SPOTS. The decline in the three orders of solar phenomena j spots, faculie, and prominences which had been so marked during ] 886, and particularly during the latter part of that year, continued in 1887, and although there was no spotless period so long continued as that of November, 1886,the mean spotted area for the year just passed has been much below that for the year preceding it, and faculse and prominiences have shown a similar falling off. During the first four months of 1887 sunspots were both few and small, and there were several intervals of a week or longer in which no spots were seen at all; Januaay 9-18, February 7-16, March 3-9, April 4-11, being such intervals. There was also very little on the sun from March 10-15, and from March 27 to April 18. But after this a revival set in and a fine group of spots was seen on the sun from May 14-23, appearing again in the three following rotations, June 5-18, July 3-14, and July 30-August 9. The days of greatest spotted area during the year were July 6, 7, and 8, but after this the spots began to de- crease again, and were few and small in September, October, and November. August 23 to September 12 was a very quiet period, spots only being seen on about four days and October 6-17, October 28 to November 4, and November 21 to December 1, were spotless intervals. The last month of the year, however, showed a second rally, a fine group of spots being observed during its first fortnight, and another appearing as the first passed off at the west limb. On the whole the mean daily spotted area for 1887 was about two-fifths of that which it was for 1886. C'omparingthe results for 1885,1886, and 1887 with the years preceding the last minimum, 1885 shows a somewhat greater mean daily spotted area than 1874, 188G than 1875, and 1887 than 1876. Xat are adds that if the decline continues to proceed as during the last cycle, the next minimum will fall I early in 1890.

TliU KUlAL SILVER WEDDING. The Silver Wedding of the Prinoe and Princess of Wales has afforded not only the more private and personal friends of their Royal Highnesses, but like- wise various corporate bodies and the nation at large, the opportunity of testifying the respect and attach- ment which the Heir to the Throne and his fair Con- sort have inspired during their now fairly long pori<xl of happy union. As regards the former, a costly present to the Princes was arranged for; while, as regards the latter, it has been found difficult to restrain generous loyalty within due and reasonable limits. Even before the lamented demise of the aged German Emperor, which cast a gloom over the auspicious Royal Silver Wedding and led to the abandonment of all demonstrative expressions of joy, was anticipated, the good sense of the Prince, which he never fails to exhibit on important occasions, satisfied him that it would be a mistake to allow the public to indulge in *00 costly or ostentatious displays of affection to the Royal Family, in the persons of himself and the Princess, the year following the splendid and imposing celebrations of the Jubilee. But the nation has, these reasons notwithstanding, discovered ample and significant methods of showing the regard in which it Iiolds the Royal Pair who were married five- and-twenty years ago. Ever since the Tenth of March, 1863, they have been before the public; indeed, we may say that they have lived without intermission in the public gaze. As a rule, (remarks the London Evening Standard) the fierce light that beats on the Throne falls aslant, and with much milder radiance on the Heir Apparent. But, in consequence of a melancholy event, only too familiar to us all, their Royal Highnesses have for years performed the greater part of those ceremonial, social, and spectacular tasks that usually appertain only to the Sovereign. There is no sphere of national activity, national interest, or national diversion in which the Prince of Wales has not long been the most striking and the most useful figure. Whether promoting tho foundation of such a work as the Imperial Institute, lending an encouraging but not excessive patronage to the national pastime of Racing, stimulating the taste for music, the drama, and the arts, participating as far as the Constitution will permit in the organisa- tion of the Army and the development of the Xavy, or speaking with graceful good-humour at some Public Banquet of a nonpolitical character, the Prince of Wales, it must be confessed, has never fallen below the occasion. On every occasion, moreover, on which the presence of his fair Consort was possible, her Royal Highness has gladdened the gathering with the charm of her rare, indeed her unequalled, comeliness. When men or women perform certain duties year ifter year with unfailing punctuality, unflagging spirit, and apparent ease, it is only natural that what they do should at last be looked on as a matter of course, and that people should end by assuming that there is no burden, no difficulty, and no ta x in the per- formance. All that it ever occurs to most persons to observe concerning the indefatigable and varied energy of the Prince of Wales is that he must be very strong, for lie is always doing something or going somewhere, and never seems tired. But thev fovg>-t that it is part of the vocation a-,id the (lut%- of t ll;, Prince not to be tired, or at least never to s-eem tired. The part his Royal Highness ostensibly plays is so dignified, so agreeable, so eminent that lookers- on are apt to think it a part rather of pleasure than of business. How gladly, so they fancy, they would ii ) the role. Even if we suppose, which is a y, ry N'l supposition, that they would be capable of filling it if they had the chance, we will engage to say that they "ould soon discern that what they regard as a life of diversion is an extremely hard life indeed. lh>w many enthusiastic but ignorant young l'eop\t. go home from a theatre, after seeing a most beautifully mounted and exquisitely acted play, and think hew delightful it would be if they could only tread the boards in a leading part, wear all those gorgeous robes, say all those magnificent things, and receive all those loud-voiced plaudits. A week's experience of an actor's or actress's life would cure them of the delusion. In same what the same way, the folks who fancy it is an easy and a delightful thing to be always attending public dinners, public ceremonials, arid public merry-makings, would soon be unde ceived if they had to do so perpetually all the year round, and year after year. Yet these things have to be done by a Constitutional Prince and how well and how admirable they are done by the Prince ot Wales 1 He never shows any sign of fatigue, of cvhiti, of a seme of monotony and repetition in tlie part a Hot ted to him by his position. What he does he does with alacrity, with cheerfulness, always with success. We do not know that a single failure can be quoted on his part. The part, and a very difficult part it often is, ttiat devolves on him has always been carefully studied. Nothing is left to mere chance though, no doubt, due preparation is frequently seconded by natural instinct and happy spontaneity. Even if people cannot be convinced that his Royal Highness "likes it,"how fortunate it is that he has a taste, and a taste that does not flag, for duties that would cer- tainly be often found irksome by less fortunate dis- positions. He is the best politician in England." In such words we once heard described the special peculiarity of the Prince of Wales, and when it was somewhat stupidly objected that he is forbidden to be a politician at all, it was easily explained that it is for that very reason he deserves the praises thus bestowed on him. The Prince exercises very great influence on public affairs precisely because no one can say that lie ever meddles with them. He exercises the influence, so to speak, that a good and wise woman exercises in spheres where she is supposed to have no direct control. To know and understand men, to apprehend the due proportion and relation of things, to have tact always at command, never to make a serious blunder, never to wound de-licate susceptibilities, to be in touch with all persons and all classes, while standing apart Trom and above them—this is no easy matter, and would be utterly beyond the attainment of any one who was not extremely politic. If any one doubts the difficulty and the delicacy of the position of the Prince of Wales, let him cast his eye round Europe in search of a personage who resembles the Prince of Wales either in what he has to do or in the manner in which lie does it. Our Constitution is avowedly a peculiar one; and in order that its extraordinarily delicate and almost intangible machinery should work properly, it was ab- solutely necessary that a now kind of Monarch and a. new kind of Heir to the Throne should, so to speak, be developed by natural selection and the conditions of the case. The Prince of Wales is the supreme pro- duct of this demand and during the twenty-five years of his married life he has been growing and accommo- dating himself more and ever more to the pecu- liari ties of his position. "That, in undergoing this curious and useful development, he has lost none of those other qualities that are valued by other crowned heads and other Princes may be seen in the affec- tionate and respectful welcome he invariable receives in foreign countriea and at foreign courts. At home lie is immensely popular, and abroad he invariably makes England more popular by dint of his own popu- larity. All Englishmen and Englishwomen sincerely pray that the day may be far distant when he will have to exchange his position for one yet more elevated but, if they do so, it is partly because, earnest as ii their prayer that the Queen may long preside over the Realm and the Empire by reason of her own virtues, they likewise feel that in her son and in the consort of her son, her Majesty invariably finds assistance at need in fulfilling her sovereign duties. To praise the Princess is not so easy as to commend the Prince, for the eulogiums that can, with propriety, be passed on a. good and fair woman are necessarily more limited than those that may fairly be lavished on a man active and intluentiaL But, in mind and heart, the English people never separate the two, and in all the expressions of kindly feeling regarding the Silver Wedding which have been received in the Royal home at this moment under a cloud of mourning, the merits and happiness of the Prince and Princess have been associated. The Prince and Princess of Wales celebrated their silver wedding at Marlborough House on Saturday. Her Majesty left Buckingham Palace at half-past eleven o'clock, and paid a complimentary visit to their Royal Highnesses, remaintng about half-an-hour, and eubseejuently the Prince and Princess of Wales and their family lunched with her Majesty at Buckingham Palace. During the afternoon, the Lord Mayor and representatives from the City attended at Marlborough House to present an address and a silver model of the Imperial Institute. The Prince of Wales briefly replied. In the evening her Majesty was present at a banquet given by the Prince and Prince's of Wales at their residence, and afterwards drove to Paddington, arriving at Windsor shortly before mid- night. A large number of presentations were made to the Prince and Princess of Wales.

SPIES IN FRANCE. It may seem strange, but it is true. After all that Frenchmen have recently done in pouncing upon spies, they still abound in the county, at least they are still being "discovered," and it cannot, of course, be supposed that the spy-inquisitors are mis- taken. The Government have just been reminded that there is resident in Chftteau-Thierry a German priest. He has been quietly browsing there since 1851. He has done nothing suspicious even, and his flock do not complain of him; but is he not a subject of liismarck;" may he not have had some connection with the Franco-German War, and while piously listening to confessions, may he not be worming out military secrets from devout men belonging to the arm- ? Away with him, urges the local patriot who had just" spotted the meek Abbe, whose humility has hitherto screened him from observation.

THE AMATEUR STACK.—Anxious Amateur (Iris first appearance): C-C-Can you suggest anything, old f-fellow, b-b-bcfore the c-c-curtain goes up ?" Friend (stage manager) Well, I think you ought to put some pads on your teeth, to keep them from chattering WHAT WE ABJ: COMING TO. — Selsby: "Good morning, Mr. Grayson. Can't I show you some of our new suitings and trouserings ?" Grayson Not to- day. I only want a few collatings and cuffings and, say, what can you give me in the way of good bo/ings ?"

EPITOME OF NEWS. The friends of Hugh Willoughby Sweeny—tho London journalist who died in October of last year from an attack as mysterious as that which in Edin- burgh put an end to the life of the well known painter Paul Chalmers—have organised a little exhibition for the relief of his family. This is held at the rooms of the Royal Society of British Artists in London, and it is contributed to by many members of artistic socie- ties, from the President of the Royal Academy down to the least celebrated, but not, perhaps, the least interest- ing of students. It is representative, not, of course, of the painters' best work, but of a great variety of artistic endeavour and we cannot doubt that it will receive a large measure of sympathetic support. Very moderate prices are put upon most of the works. Her Majesty's ship Orontes, which arrived at Madeira on Saturday, brought word that the Norham Castle was disabled by an accident to her machinery on the 19th c February, 417 miles south-east of St. Helena, to which island she sailed without assistance, all on board being well. The Norham Castle's mails were transferred to the Orontes, which will also doubtless bring letters from the passengers and crew of the mail steamer. The Grand Jury for the County of Cork on Saturday awarded Constable Leahy JE1000 as compensation for permanent injuries sustained by him while in the dis- charge of his duty at Mitchelstown on the 19th Sep- tember. Leahy was found lying in the street very badly injured, having been kicked anei beaten by the crowd. He was one of the witnesses examined in the case of Mr. O'Brien, and it was alleged that this caused him to be marked out particularly for attack. Mr. Francis Carew, Lord Lytton's private secretary, died on Sunday morning of intestinal disease, after a week's illness. Mr. Richard Benyon, of Englefield-park, near Reading, has just given jEoOO to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, of which he is president. General J. M. Perceval has been selected for the Honorary Colonelcy of the Suffolk Regiment. Lieut.-Colonel Fitzroy Gibbons has been selected for the command of the Devonshire Regiment. Sir E. H. Currie has resigned his office as a nomi- nated member of the Metropolitan Asylums Board. Margaret Dickenson, and her husband Thomas, living in Brook-street, Birkenhead, were burned in a shocking manner by the explosion of a paraffin lamp late on Saturday night. It was reported to the police that the couple had been quarrelling, and that the ox- plosion was the result. The woman's clothing was all burnt, and her body scorched in a dreadful manner, her death ensuing early on Sunday morning in hospital. The man is still in the institution, suffering from severe injuries. A spectacle missioh has been started to provide poor applicants with glasses carefully suited to their eye- sights. A terrible accident is reported from Carthagena, Columbia. Forty persons lost their lives by an explo- sion on a river steamer. Sir A. L. Haliburton, the new Under-Secretary of State at the War Office, is the son of "Sam Slick." A night school for convicts has been started in the New Jersey State Prison. One of the convicts hqç com- menced the compilation of a dictionary. There are about 300,000 people engaged in keeping bees in North America, and the honey produced is 100,000,000 lbs., valued at 15.000,000 dols. Mrs. Hawley, a charmuig English woman, who lately became the wife of the Connecticut senator, is said to be a great favourite at the White House. Mr. A. Spicer, Dr. Dale's companion in Australia, has returned to England. Mr. Cunninghame Graham has been ordered a month's rest by his medical advisers. It is the intention of her Majesty to hold a Drawing Room at the beginning of May. Even the Paris Morgue is to be lighted by electricity. Samuel Frampton, of Nodaway county, Mo., still takes and keeps good care of the horse he had when he rode off to the war in 1861. The animal is 32 years old, and is active and in good condition. The gardeners of Paris have begun laying out the public squares, and, should there be no return of cold weather, early flowers and shrubs will be planted out in all directions by the end of next week. A fortune of 30,000 dols. has fallen, through the death of his father in Germany, to a prisoner serving out a sentence in a Nebraska gaol for the theft of a steer. The Queen is fast becoming jsroficient in Hin- dustani She can converse with the two much- bedizened Hindoos who always stand behind the Royal chair. The Rev. Samuel Macall, who was for 24 years principal of Hackney College, and was well known among the Congregationalists, has just died at the ago of 80. ° A dressing-room in a Washington house that is built to resemble a Venetian palace, has its walls so covered with mirrors that a woman need not turn her head to see herself on all sides. A young fellow, named Beaumont, was recently toboganning at Dover, when—as he was sliding down a steep hill-some obstruction came in his way, and he was elashed against a post and frightfully inyired. Hit death has since resulted. V011 Biilow and Rubinstein are Dot on grod terms. Blilow recently crossed out a Rubinstein composition from a concert programme he was rehearsing, with the remark that he could not consent to conduct "such incoherent stuff." The United States is becoming a racing country. In 1877 the total number of races was 907. For 1887 the total number was 3741. In 1877 the total value of the races was 441,652 dols. in 1887 the amount was more than two million dollars. Presiele-nt Cleveland likes a glass of beer; cares nothing for stronger drinks, but on account of increasing stoutness he has to take malt very sparingly. Mrs. Cleveland is strictly temperance," not taking eves: the lightest wines. "Plus d' Angleterre is a two-franc pamphlet ex- tensively sold in Paris, in which the author sees that the way to Alsace-Lorraine is through London, and dreams of a crushing invasion of our country. Over six feet in height, with a manly face, straight nose, bright blue eyes, and a mouth of remarkably delicate shape, fringed, not hidden, by a brown mous- tache, skilled in all athletic sports, and famous at 3t— such is an American description of Mr, F. Marion Crawford, the author. The speaking telephone has been successfully used in ministering to fever patients without running the risk of infection. A telephone is fixed at the bed of the patient and within reach, so that the patient can talk to friends or visitors in other rooms of the iouse, or listen to a book read. A distillery in ltappahanneck County, Virgina, has tempted twelve stands of bees from the path of honey and wax and made confirmed inebriates of tlieri. Before the distillery was started their owner, a woman, found the bees very profitable, but their periodical visits to the still have made them comparatively worthless. IVill the ladies be glad to hear that costumes in cloth are becoming increasingly popular ? At a recent fashionable London wedding, the bride wore a white cloth dress, pinked at the edge of the drapery, and richly embroidered with silver and pearls. The effect was more graceful and far more elegant than anything in silk or satin would have been. An adjournment of the House of Commons in conse- quence of the Emperor's death was never in contem- plation. It is only in the most exceptional cases that such a step is taken. The most recent instance of an adjournment in consequence of a death was on the Monday when the House met after the assassination of Lord F. Cavendish on the previous Saturday even* 2ng. The Henry George-McGlynn quarrel is a pretty one as it stands, but it is likely to get prettier. The reverend father has now applied to the New York Supreme Court for an injunction to restrain Henry George and his followers from incorporating an anti- poverty scheme, which would, of course, run counter to the rev. gentleman's own little institution. Paris now wants to know how long ere M. Nizal, the frank money-changer, will redeem his promise. A few days ago he drew up a balance-sheet showing a deficit of one million francs, and addressed it to the Police Commissioner of his quarter, adding to it a letter in which he stated that, as he could not meet his engage- ments, he had gone abroad, taking with him a small sum of money, to seek his fortune. As soon as he had made it, he would return and pay off all his liabilities. Among those who are particularly anxious to know his whereabouts are customers who bewail the loss of 600,000 francs. The correspondent of a Tuam newspaper, a man named M'Gann, was arrested on Saturday and conveyed to Galway Gaol, charged with delivering a speech inciting to outrage last October. He was on Monday conveyed to Clifden, where it is understood he would be tried. The wife of a cotton operative at Blackburn has given birth to triplets-two girls and a boy—all of whom are doing well. At Congleton on Monday Captain Cloud and three other members of the Salvation Army were charged with obstructing the footpaths by holding meetings. The case caused great excitement, and several factories were partially stopped because of workpeople attending the court. "Captain" Cloud was fined 5s. and costs, and the other defendants were discharged. Mr. Burt, M.P., has issued a circular to the North- umberland Miners' Association, in which, referring to the recent vote on the subject of salary to Parliamen- tary representatives, he says he has felt that payment of members is the only true and just principle, and that if the system breaks down in Northumberland it will probably be shaken, if not destroyed, elsewhere. He, however, makes no appeal to the miners, leaving them to decide for themselves. An interesting sale of natural history specimens trom private collections was held on Monday in London. The most remarkable feature of the sale was a very fine example of the egg of the Great Auk, the property of example of the egg of the Great Auk, the property of Mrs. Wise, which realised J6225. Prince Lucien Bonaparte went on Monday afternoon to Windsor Castle, and lunched with her Majesty the Queen, returning subsequently to London. The Rev. George Brooks, who contested the seat at Durham at the last election, has been appointed electoral and Parliamentary agent of the National Pro- hibition party. A meeting of the Yorkshire Confederation of Butchers' Associations took place on Monday at Dews- bury. Delegates attended from London, Dublin, Edin. burgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, and other towns. It was resolved unanimously to form a national federa. tion,, embodying a union of the trade throughout the three kingdoms. A provisional committee of 15 was appointed to carry out the practical details of manage- ment. The annual meeting of the members of the Kent and Sussex Agricultural Labourers' Union was held on Monday at Canterbury. Mr. T. Pelcher, of Folke- stone, presided, and about 250 of the branches of the organisation were represented. The annual report of the executive contained the following "In presenting the sixteenth annual report of the Union, we have to deplore the continued severe depression in agriculture and trade generally, which is very acutely felt by our members. As a consequence the rate of wages has fallen in several districts, and thousands have had a difficulty to obtain employment, whilst the prolonged winter has prevented many others from being fully employed. A measure for the establishment of small holdings and a compulsory Cultivation Land Act are urgently needed to bring back the labourer to tli<5 sojlj Sj}d {wd ioio more active cultivation." j Arrangements have been made for Lord Randolph Churchill to visit Birmingham on the 9th of April. 116 will open the new premises of the Edgbaston Conserve tive Club, will dine with the members of the Binning* ham Conservative Club, and in the evening will aeidresS a public meetingjin the Town Hall. The Easter Recess will probably extend from TueS- day, the 27th inst., to Thursday, the 5th of April. We understand that the New Post Office Regulations with reference to annuities and investments in Govern* ment Stock will, if possible, be brought into operatic0 on May 1. At the Southwark Police-court on Monday two men, named Chandler and Woodford, were charged with re- ceiving a large quantity of jewellery and other property! the proceeds of burglaries in various parts of London- Some detectives went to a coffee-house kept by one of the men, and there found stolen property to the value °* £ 3iX>, besides duplicates relating to other plunder. The prisoners were remanded, anel bail was refused. Juelgment was on Monelay given in the Court of Appeal in the litigation between the Metropolitan and District Railway Companies. Mr. Justice North had decided that the Metropolitan Company were bound to establish through booking to any station by either the east or west route, and this decision was affirmed. Mr. Justice Kekewich had held that the District Company were not entitled to fix the fares from Mark-lane tc South Kensington, nor to authorisa the issue of through tickets. This judgment was reversed by their lord- ships, who thus decided both actions in favour of the District Company. It is stated that in the proceedings in connection with the libel action brought by Sir George Chctwynd against the Earl of Durham, and which have not yet proceeded beyond the usual preliminary stage, Sir Henry James has been retained on behalf of the plain- tiff, assisted by Mr. Collard, Q.C. whih.t the Earl of Durham will be represented by Sir Charles Russell, with whom will be found Mr. Charles Matthews, Q.C., Mr. Lockwood, Q.C. The Hon. Alfred Lyttelton has been retained as counsel for Charles Wood, the famous jockey, in his actions against Lord Durham and the lAcaised Victuallers' Gazette. During the last month the officers of the Fish- mongers' Company of the City of London seized at and near Billingsgate Market the unprecedentedly small quantity of seven tons of fish as unfit for human food. Of this four tons were wet fish, and three tons shell fish. All of it arrived by land. The total weight of fish delivered in February was 11,566 tons, of which 7924 tons came by land, and 3642 tons by water. The fish seized included cat fish, coal fish, cockles, cod, crawfish, herrings, mussels, oysters, periwinkles, salmon, shrimps, skate, trout, whitebait, and whiting- At Shadwell market, out of a delivery of lOSt) touS delivery this month, only 7cwt. were seized. A Rome telegram announces that the Pope is much better, and has been able to transact business with the Pontifical Secretary of State. According to a telegram which has reached Brussels from Aden, the report was current at the latter place that the Soudanese had burned Suakim and killed the Governor. The fifteenth annual meeting of the St. Pancras Local Option Union has been held, Mr. H. L. W. La wson, M.P., presiding. A resolution stating that no reform of the local government system would be satis- factory which did not give the people of each district the power of preventing the issue of all licenses, what- ever the future licensing authority might be, and de- precating the proposal of compensation to present license-holelers, was spoken to by Sir Wi'fred Lawson, M.P., and adopted. About four o'clock on Monday afternoon Sir Samuel Wrilson, M.P., drove up to the members' entrance of the House of Commons in a hansom cab, when the horse became restive, kicked and got his leg over the splash- board, when it broke through the glass of the cab and remained fixed. Sir Samuel was in peril for some few seconels, but ultimately got out unhurt. The horse was at length extricated and was little the worse. At Walsall, on Monday, Thomas Simmons, formerly the owner of much colliery property, but now a work- ing miner, was charged with attempting to murder his son Joseph, a young man. On Saturday last it was stated that the prisoner, by his threats drove his entire family from home; but complainant returned on Sunday night, when, it is alleged, his father discharged a double-barrelled gun at him. Simmons was re- manded. Between 200 and 300 miners employed at the Rowley Hall Colliery, Rowley, Staffordshire, turned out on strike on Monday, in consequence of the employers posting a notice stipulating that the men will be re- quired to pay for damage caused to the pit by men absenting themselves from their work. On Monday Mr. A. Braxton Hicks, barrister-at-law and coroner for the Kingston division of Surrey, was appointed deputy coroner for the City of London and borough of Southwark. At Manchester, on Monday, a German Jew, named Felix Rosenbaum, contortionist, was brought up for cruelty to a child, aged four years. The landlady of the house where the prisoner lived complained to the police of his treatment of the child. The police surgeon found the little one's back, legs, and arms one mass of bruises, caused by being beaten with the back of a hair- brush. The prisoner said he had the child from a woman at Grimsby to teach the profession of bender." He was taught himself in the same way. The prisoner was remanded. An inquest was held at Armley Gaol, Leeds, on Mon- day, respecting the murder of a prisoner named John Edward Taylor, aged 40, by a fellow-prisoner named William Sissons, who was undergoing a term of imprisonment for shooting a man at Sherburn, and who suffered from epileptic fits. The jury returned a verdict of Wilful murder against Sissons." At Millom, about two o'clock on Monday morning, John Fackey, 31 years of ag-e, labourer, of Millom, attempted to murder his wife, Harriet Mary, by cutting her throat with a table-knife, at John-street, Millom. and afterwards he cut his own throat. A doctor dressed the wounds, which are not considered dangerous. The doctor thinks that Fackey is out of his mind. He had: suffered from consumption, had been in Bootle Work" house for six months, and only returned home on the Saturday. „ During the last few months several important finds of inscriptions have been made in Babylonia by native explorers; several thousand inscriptions have been dis- covered in the neighbourhood of Babylon. In view therefore of the rapidly increasing interest in the his- tory and civilisation of this ancient empire, Mr. W. St. Chad Boscawen, F.R. Hist. Soc., will commence a new course of lectures at the British Museum on "The Art, Literature, and Civilisation of Chaldea," concluding with a special lecture on the influence of this civilisation on surrounding lands. 011 Monday evening the body of Lieutenant Montar naro, of the 20th (Cheshire) Regimental Depot at Chester Castle, was recovered a short distance from where his skiff overturned the previous evening on the Dee. The face is much disfigured, one hand was held erect over his head, and the fingers tightly clenched, leading to the conclusion that death resulted fro cramp.

THE MARKETS. MARK-LANE. A quiet business has been doing, and the market has not been over strong. The sales of home-grown wheat ftvthe leading markets of England and Wales during the 28 weeks of the season were 1,723,720 qrs.. against 1,342,6-50 qrs., at an average of 30s 2d, against 32s 7d; barley, 2,170,053 qrs., against 2,245,431 qrs., at an average of 29s 3d, against 26s 9d; and oats, 206,995 qrs., against 274,669 qrs., at an average of 15s 7d, against 17s 2d per qr. English wheat was in quiet request at late rates. For foreign wheat the elemanel was limited at previous prices. In flour a moderate business was done on former terms. Barley was quiet. Malting produce sold quietly at full prices. Grinding was steady on spot, and there was some demand for arrival. Grinding was 3d to 6d dearer on the week. Oats were purchased to a moderate extent at full prices. The maize market has been very firm, and rather more money was occasionally paid. Beans and peas were quiet and unaltered. METROPOLITAN CATTLE. The cattle trade has been devoid of animation. A very quiet business has been passing both in beasts and sheep. Supplies available hare been moderate. The receipts of beasts from our own grazing district were moderate. The quantity and con- dition were about the average. Business was very slow. A very bad trade was reported from Smithfield, and that told against business, which was slow throughout. Prices were not strong. The best Scots and crosses realised 4s 8d to 4s 10d per 81b. Foreign beasts were in short supply and limited re- quest, at about late rates. With reference to sheep; the pens were fairly well filled. There was a elull market and a want of activity in the demand, but the prices realised were much about the same. The best small Downs and half-breds made 5s 4d to 5s 6d per 81b. Calves sold quietly at late rates. Pigs were dull and rather weak. Quotations :—Coarse abd inferior beasts, 2s 4d to 3s Od; second quality ditto, 3s Od to 4s Od; prime large oxen, 4s 4d to 4s 8d ditto Scots, &c., 4s 6 d to 4s lOd coarse and inferior sheep, 3s 4d to 4s Od second quality ditto, 4s Od to 5s Od prime coarse-woolled ditto, 5s Od to 5s 4d; prime Southdown ditto, 5s 4d to 5s 6d large coarse calves, 3s to 4s 4d prime small ditto, 4s 8d to 5s 4d; large hogs, 2s 4<1 to 3s; and neat small porkers, 3s 2d to 4s Od per 81b. to sink the offal. METROPOLITAN MEAT. A large supply was on offer. The trade was ver) bad at the annexed rates :—Inferior beef, 2s to 2s Pel; middling ditto, 3s Od to 3s 4d; prime ditto, 3s Cd to Ss ) Od Scotch ditto, 3s Od to 4s American, Liverpool killed, 3s 6d to 3s 8d; ditto killed, hind-quarters, 3s Oel to 3s ICd ditto, ditto, fore-quarters, 2s 8d to 2s lOd; English veal, 3s 4d to4s; Dutch ditto, 2s Ed to 3s 8d inferior mutton 2s to 2s 8d middling ditto, 3s to 3s 8d; prime ditto, 3. 10d to 4s 4d; Scotch ditto, 4s to 4s 6d; New Zealand ditto, 2s 6d to 2s 8d lamb, (is to 6s 8d large pork, 2s to 2s 8d; small ditto, 3s 6d to 4s Od per 81b. by the carcase. FISH. Moderate supply and good demand. PricesWhole- sale Salmon, Is 4d to Is lOd per lb.; brill, 8s per stone; turbot, 12s per stone; cod, 2s to 5s each: soles, 120s per box plaice, 188 to 20s per box fresh haddocks, 10s per box live eels, 18s per draft; dead eels, 9s per draft; john dory, 2s to 3s each skate, 2s 6d to 3s 6d each smelts, 2s per basket lobsters, 20s to 30s per score; crabs, 25s per pad; dried had- docks, 2s to 6s per dozen bloaters, 3s per box kippers, 3s to 3s 6<1 per box; oysters, 3s to 1Gs per 100; shrimps, 2s to 3s per gallon. Retail: Salmon, Is 8d to 2s 2d per lh. brill, 9d per lb. turbot, Is per lb. soles. Is 3d per lb.; cod, 4d to 6d per lb. skate, 4d per lb. fresh haddocks, 4d per lb. live eels, Is 2d per lb. deael eels, 9d per lb. plaice, 6d to Is each John Dorys, 3s to 4s each; whiting, 4deach; lobsters, Is to 2s each crabs,Is to 3s each dried haddocks, 4d to Is each; smelts, 6d per dozen; bloaters, 9d per dozen; kippers, 9d to Is per dozen oysteu, 4d to 28 6d per dozen. POTATO. There was a moderate supply of potatoes on sale. The trade was quiet, at the subjoined quotations Magnum bonums, 60s to 100s; Regents, 70s to 1008; Hebrons, 60s to 120s; and Champions, 60s to 70s per tou.

HER MAJESTYS MAILS. As most persons are aware, the Post Office has for some time past been running a parcel van on the road between London and Brighton. It has been found practicable to get Brighton parcels down during the night in time for the usual morning delivery, and at a cost somewhat less than that of conveyance by raiL More recently it has been proposed to do the same thing for Oxford and for Tunbridge Wells, and an impression seems to have been created that the Postal authorities being dissatisfied with their financial arrangements with the railways are contemplating an extensive development of road service. This impression, it is stated, however, is erroneous. Conveyance by road has been found to answer in the case of Brighton, because Brighton is a large town and not a very great distance from London. But careful inquiry has shown that it would not do at Tunbridge Wells, as the traffic is not of sufficient importance and there are no very populous places between Tunbridge and London. Whether there would be any advantage in a road service to Oxford has not yet been fully determined, we under- stand at any rate, it is not yet decided to set up such a. service.