The Aberystwith Observer

The Affaire Mortara, as it is called, still attracts great attention. The forcible kidnapping of a Jewish child, and its baptism by a Roman Catholic servant, is indeed a serious affair, as it derives all the more importance from the fact that the Pope, it is said, cannot decree the restoration of the child. The continental journals still comment on the affair in bitter terms, according to their several politics, but it is not after all an affair which politically interests this conntry.

In PRUSSIA the Regency is now an accomplished fact. Both Chambers have recognised its necessity, and the sittings have concluded with enthusiastic cheers for the King and the Prince Regent. It now remains to be seen what use the Regent will make of his enormous power. He has a great destiny before him, and we trust that he will bear in mind that Power is a gift from Heaven to rulers sent."

From INDIA the latest news is favourable. On the 19th ult. our troops attacked the rebels in an entrenched Position, and killed about 1,000 out of 3,000. Two rebel leaders are said to be amongst the slain. The Gwalior rebels, who have given our forces so much trouble, are still at Seronge, and it is thought they will attempt to cross the Nerbudda, but our forces are moving thither with every prospect of success.

EASTERN COMPLICATIONS.—Intelligence from the east of Europe announces the first sitting of the Con- stantinople conferences on the Montenegrin affair. It also confirms the rumour .brought by the last mail of the Turks having been beaten and put to flight by the Black-mountaineers; and there is a rumour of Prince Dando marching against Grahovo. Serious complica- tions may arise out of this conflict. Another explosion is imminent in Candia, and in Albania the Turkish troops are exasperating the Christian population. We receive, by way of Paris, the news of an actual insur- rection in Bosnia, where the elements of fierce hostility have long been smouldering. The Christians have risen ^d massacred several Mussulmans. A Turkish Pacha IS on his march with troops to suppress the rising. AMERICAN SUPERSTITION.—One of the most furious features in an American newspaper, and which would incline an English reader to the suposition that • ^nkee society and intelligence were in the retrograde, s the great number of advertisements relating to astro- ,°gy and clairvoyance. No fewer than eleven appear 11. one paper. We copy one :— t ASTROLOGY-the most useful and beautiful science ex- answering questions of marriage, partnership, law suits Vles' besieged cities, fate of absent ships, absent persons, absconded persons, captives, theft questions, horse (1«K? questi°lls of office business, promissory notes, This is the only one, by the way, in which the practi- tioner is a male. All the rest are females. One lady gives lucky numbers brings the intended husband or ^ife personally before the inquirer." Another cures asthma, liver complaint, indigestion, bronchitis, and all °ther kinds of diseases and "gives satisfaction, or no Pay asked." In one, the terms are "ladies 25 cents, Sents 50." In one case "gentlemen are not admitted." WOOD EMBOSSING.—A newly invented process for so softening wood that it may be pressed into iron Fluids, and receive permanent and sharp impressions bas-relief, has, under the name of Xyloplasty, attracted much notice in Paris. The wood is softened iiri am> ,an(l imbued with certain ingredients which jPartt° it sufficient ductility to enable it to receive as-relief impressions. Laws OF DIVORCE IN AMERICA.—We liave 32 ^ates (aayg the Cincinnati Gazette), and there are almost j many different laws of divorce as there are States. i reader may see some of these differences by the fol- °Wing statement:— tJ- In the States of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi two- Cm,T of the Legislature must concur with the decision of the u«rt to make a divorce. ana Delaware^ Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Louisi- Act'^p r 1.3SOIlri uo divorce can be granted but by special divorce *Ure an<* ^outl1 Carolina has never granted a ce!' 1,1 the States of Connecticut, Ohio, and Illinois all divor- are total. but Inl Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina nothing 5 adultery is cause of divorce. (j" i11 Illinois two years' absence only is a cause of divorce, tirm » Indiana, we believe, anything is a cause in the discre- lun of the Court. t A STRANGE STOBY.—A strange affair is narra- *h the Journal de Bruxelles At half-past 12 on the night of Tuesday a loud explosion •*as beard in the College St. Michel, Rue des U rsulmes, which rv>0ccuPied by the Jesuits and it turned out to have been "ceasioned by a fulminating bomb having been thrown at a hi °w on the first story> and haying struck the wall just the window. By the explosion several panes of the W°,ws,011 "o0 ftoor and an entire window opposite Wm i, 0,11' So loud was the explosion that all the neigh- thpK i waJ tllrown mto great commotion. In addition to coa*? flunS one was picked up, which was made of ills, <»e eal'thenware, covered with pasteboard, and contain- glinpowder, while attached to it was a small bladder, of from the smell appears to have been filled with spirits Who \lc. Public rumour affirms that the object of the person lrew the bomb was to set fire to the college. PondSENSIBILITY TO ART.-The Paris Corres- the p'^ of the Literary Gazette regrets the absence in the P"m ob peror and Empress of all sensibility to art, and erves Unaffepi 1J.°t believe a kinder, better, more charitable, or breathe,? nPerson than EugSnie de Montijo ever lived or been e*i-i,- xt a more appalling instance of nullity has rarely ^rnishprt te(* the public appreciation than that which is It ia niiirt kh by 'the above-mentioned most amiable lady, as well i y everywhere—nullity instinctive and intellectual, ill jler as nullity educational. There is no one single chord W vast°*e. composition that replies to anything beyond a new i> 'Plitude of starched petticoats, or the invention of "ead-dress by Felix. Pretty Y ^r>IT0B-—sometimes feel it to be a to"gli task to do all the reading, writing, and tll(; i/.f for a daily paper, but we "knock under" to To roil y ^ie (Fla.) Companion (says the hi8 lal,oUp^°/je ec^or)' wb° gives the following report of Ml & 'he la8t three weeks the editor of this paper has set !'aper„ ^Pe, and made up the forms, worked the press, folded v'teMiT, S attended to all his editorial duties, besides super- vises getting*' out of timbers and shingles for two the businesslQf n i?r.feefc ?f Palin«s> and regularly conduct- "'e havr np!)r?v li wi ,^1ei'a ,comnilsslon merchant. In fact, ave nearly had our hands full. Whew ? how hot it is V0LDTI°ir +IN Sadies' DRESS.—It was said ftiet a> p?e ig° 3 whwi the Queen and the Empress Urm Cherbourg their Majesties had a solemn delibera- Cri»olL £ ra?? qu8stlon.fetter or not the doQm of Person should be sealed; anrJ that the aue-ust thp •aSes came to the conclusion that at the end of ladie??, lfc should be. The Empress and some of her of exw Ve lat% been engaged in making all manner and onl lments on dress, as regards form, development before l and that the result is they have determined Present st18]' inaugurate a violent reaction to the to (lisnw lil „at is to say, to have dresses short enough %rSnd V°0t and the ankle, instead of trailing on development • » 1lrninish immensely their prodigious ^ults^er thfprogi^ve11 A"1.eri",n contemporary in the United St raPldlty °f newspaper print- *^°re rapidly increasine- an SroarlH ovel' ^ie >ney. Hoe having L,!?Peildl,fcure of tlie p,Jbl\C ^ade 20,000 impressions UCt? a machme which v^iute, one of the proprieto^f +\°UrV,or over a 3^rk), shooting far ahead hnf Daily Star (New throws ofF 44,000 impresL nv<?d machinery a minute 10113 an hour, or over AMERICAN TOAST.—-The ti>ts, as in other things; and before tb"S are§'re.at of then. Kave bfe'tToISg ?tterin~ever become unruly, and disgrace itl vern^6, essoiK + naughty words, but, in accordance with ,■(<! « ? !tlcuica'tpaI',gllt by the Queen and the President, pernetu^ifv ioilal8ood weinSentimentS 0f Chnstian cllarity and intern^ Inentin»S -Pw^teness.—The Toronto Times, com. fkbe uPon a statement in its contemporary, yle lalseh'0o +T~" blood boils at reading the atrocious atronii, 'he father of lies never conceived or uttered treinhif a and calls upon the Globe to name ;M lies coward, the tall bully, who lifts his head '^rioal.' rv vvil° furnished the statement to the rival M 6ry Pre^y> certainly!] ^uiry hasEfN+ —A most painful Kararice 0f tbo 2,ee,n se.^ afloat concerning the disap- ttapartist noKi S/ °f one of our newly-made 68 (Says the Court Journal) and who was reported to have died in the south, whither she had gone for the benefit of her health. It is from the de- nunciations made by the newly-made second wife of the gentleman that the inquiry has been instituted. The proofs of guilt discovered by the young bride are said to be romantic in the extreme.—[Perhaps they will equal the original story of the Blue-Beard—who knows!] TREATMENT OF GOUT.—The Aheille Medicale contains an article on the use of the oil extracted from the horse-chesnut as a sedative in gout. In order to extract this oil, the horse-chesnuts are firs' ground to powder, the latter is then treated with sulphuric ether, which dissolves the oil, resin, and saponine contained in the mass the oil is then obtained pure by evapora- ting the other. Ten kilogrammes of horse-chesnuts yield ten grammes of oil. To use it, it must be applied with a fine hair brush on the part affected; if the pain is very intense the unction should be effected circularly so as to arrive gradually to the centre. When the first application is absorbed a second one is effected after the lapse of a few minutes, and then a third and fourth if necessary. Phc oiled part is then covered with blot- .0 ting-paper, cotton, or flannel, and then with oilskin the"patient raust be kept in perfect repose. In some ('f'sme application of the oil causes an increase of pain for the iii'/t half-hour, aft. r which the sedative action commences, but L: nerally the pain gradually disappears without any aggravation. AN AMERICAN SKA CAPTAIN.—Captain John A. Holmes, late of the "hip Therese, is on trial at Portland, (says the Boston. Courier) for the murder of G. W. Chadwick, one of th;' crew. The testimony is horrible. While Chadwick was at the wheel, the captain knocked him down with a belaying pin. Shortly afterwards he had him stripped d all his clothes, not excepting his pants, and seized up to the main rigging, saying to the crew," Do you knov' what I am going to flog this man for ? I will tell you the law says I shall not flog this man, but I say I will he has refused duty at the wheel." The flogging was with some knotted thread and ratlin stuff, and lasted twenty minutes. It was inflicted by three different hand*, the captain also striking a few blows, occasional, V show the others how to strike hard. Towards the t-t, Chadwick cried out, Don't kill me." The captan replied, he would kill him on the spot if he did not stop his d--d noise." He then struck him several bl s on the shoulder with a belaying pin, and one upon the back of the neck. Chadwick now slewed round, being totally insensible, yet the captain continued to strike him on the left side of his body, until his legs became useless, and he hung by his arms only. The captain then ordered him to be let down, and he was laid on his back deftd.

Hlkellitiwmts tbs. AN INCIDENT OF THE SOCIAL SCIENC^ CON- GREss.-Among the young folk who give their "vocal aid at the Saturday evening concerts, at Everton, in connection with the St. Chrysostom's Working Meii's Association, is a little girl nine years old, named Mary Lucas. For so young a child, and considering also that the only musical instruction she has received has been in connection with this useful association, she has a voice of great power and compass, while her exe- cution is no less remarkable than the quality of her notes. While the noble lords were in Liverpool in con- nection with the Social Science Meetings, one day a distinguished company, accompanied by Mr, Brown, M.P., proceeded to the humble dwelling of Mary's parents, in a part of the town not often penetrated by aristocracy, to hear the girl sing and sing she did, with all the ease and self-command of a Piccolomini; and when she had finished, addressing her distinguished patrons, she is said to have exclaimed, Well, now I've sung for you, what do you intend to do for me ?" I I Well, my little girl," said Mr. Brown, "We will see that your vocal capabilities are not allowed to be lost." Accordingly the girl has since been put in the way of receiving proper musical instruction. ALAS FOR THE POOR LUNATIC !-At the Essex quarter sessions last week an application was made by Mrs. Allen, widow of Dr. Allen, for a renewal of the licence of a private asylum, for many years carried on at Highbeach, near Epping. The attention of the court was called to the report of the Lunacy Commissioners, made three or four years since, in which they said "We found four female patients fastened in one of the upper rooms, without a fire and with the window open they were poorly clad, and their sleeping accomodation very de- iicient. Tlie small room occupied by one of these patients was very offensive, and the blankets were wet with urine. These four patients sleep on stretchers, with only blankets under them, and another patient at Leopard's hill (a man) sleeps on a stretcher, having not even a blanket beneath him. There is altogether a great deficiency of general comfort in the establishment." Mrs. Allen undertook at the time to remedy these things, but the rev. gentleman assured the court the asylum was now in the same condition, though some of the patients paid 2001. a year. The Court declined to renew the licence, and at the expiration of the old one the asylum will be closed. A GIRL ROLLED TO DEATH.—A young girl named Thomas, met with a fearful but instantaneous death at the Cyfarthfa Ironworks. In the course of her work her clothes caught fire, and with her burning dress she ran to the rollers, where there is always running water, to put out the flames, however, her dress was caught l»y t e ^P between the an instant, the Door creature was dragged between tlie revolving rollers, and literally crushed to pieces one of her legs being tossed up to a great heigat. Of course the death was instantaneous, the dreadful affair being but momentary, and. the fragments of her body being gathered together, presented a sickening sight. THE NEW REFORM BILL.-At the dinner of the Chard, Ilminster, and Crewkerne Labourer's Friend Society last week, the Hon. W. W. Addington, who presided, observed that next year "We are going to have a great Bill, a Bill for giving every- body everything, and we must expect to see that the fran- chise will be given to every labourer. We must, therefore, endeavour to do our duty by him, by educating him, and preparing him for the reception of that privilege which it appears unquestionable he will soon exercise." As Mr. Addington made reference to his right hon. tt on relative" Mr. Sotheron-Estcourt, whose views on educa- tion are very decided, it may be presumed that he was speaking by the card," and that the franchise intended to be bestowed in the New Reform Bill will reach even to that neglected and hitherto discarded class, the agricultural labourer. PEERESSES' SECOND MARRIAGES.—The Jaw, as laid down by Lord Coke correctly, has not changed to this day. The usage observed in regard to the continued assumption of the title after the second marriage with a commoner, is but one of courtesy, and not recognised in any other way. At the several coronations of late years, the widows of peers who had remarried were not acknowledged as peers' widows, nor were they summoned. Like many other assumptions, which the mere courtesy of society recognises, and are of daily occurrence, even in the case of widows of baronets and knights they are not legal, though tolerated for being a harmless grati- fication. Some years ago a very eminent conveyancer and equity counsel, since called to a distinguished and high position, refused, on settling the draft of a lady s will, the widow of a baronet, to allow her to style her- self by the title of her late husband, she being then the wife of a person of inferior degree, the real property passing by the will being considerable; and the will was made in her proper name, with the addition of calling herself Lady The general rule of law is that the status a woman acquires by marriage, she loses by re- marriage following the position and state of her hus- band, unless she has by birth any positive rank of her own. THE PROOF OF AN ARTICLE IS IN THE READING. —We lately concluded an article upon things in gene- ral, and the universe in particular, in the following terms:— And we look forward to the day when time and space shall really l e annihilated, and two vast continents widely sepa- rated by mighty oceans shall practically be brought together —when the electric flash shall carry intelligence in consider- ably less than no time, and when there will be a mighty link binding the whole world in a bond of brotherhood. When we had written this we looked at it with consider- able satisfaction, and flattered ourselves that it would indeed read well in the universally read columns of the journal in which it was to appear. Guess, then, our disgust when the printer's devil handed us the following proof" of an article, against which we need scarcely say that our temper was not proof And we look foreign to the time when high in space we shall reel and behxiated, and the vast compliment widely ex- asE''etc} h^ones shall piratically be brought together ^he '3lec-trie bosh shall carry intelligence in consider- ation to lose no time, and when there will be a mighty wink blinding the whole world in a hard featherbed. We dashed the rough proof" down, and left it, as we do now, to the reader. —[This is by Quiz," in The FteM, who does not inform us whether the result above was owing to his carelessness in writing, or entirely to an ignorant compositor.] POPULAR CROTCHETS. Tt is becoming one of the most curious branches of the mental economy of the English people, this platform work of the Par- liamentary recess. During the session much of the intellectual fermentation, which is peculiar to such a stage of society as the one we have reached, is either held in check or guided into a particular channel by the absorbing interest that attaches to the doings of the Legislature. But with the dissolution comes the saturnalia of all the small fanaticisms, and of all the hobbies. And so loud becomes the babel of the cries of the showmen, each of whom endeavours to attract the .public to his particular nostrum or raree-show, that it is difficult in the extreme for the critic of passing events to discover, amid the confusion, any one voice more worthy of attention than others and to pursue truth or examine the tendency of public opinion is just as though one were to study to make harmony out of the cries of the market-place. -Spectator. SCHOOLBOY DEFTNinoNs.—The Earl of Carlisle presided on Wednesday at a meeting in behalf of the Northern Counties Blind Asylum at Uariisie. A laa being asked to give the definition of the world "politi- cian," described it as meaning an ignorant noisy fellow who busied himself aboutjpublic matters of which he knew nothing; but the contrast, he added, was the man who devoted'his time and talents for the public good and for the benefit and enlightenment of his country, such as the illustrious president of the meeting. This pointed allu- sion called down thunders of applause, and the Earl of Carlisle who had turned round from the first and looked unsuspectingly into the lad's face quickly resumed his former position and owned the blush he could not have concealed but for the partial darkness into which the approaching twilight had thrown the scene. Another lad was asked to describe the prevalent notions about the comet. He did so very graphically, concluding with the remark that the most rational opinion about that eccentric luminary was that we knew nothing at all about it, an opinion to which the noble chairman signified his assent by a very audible and emphatic "Hear, hear." THE POLICE IN THE KITCHENs.-In Liverpool, at a late meeting of the Health Committee, in the course of a conversation with reference to a statement from the Head Constable, to the effect that the paying of nightly visits of inspection to the common lodging- houses could not be carried out by the police without interfering with their ordinary duty, Mr. Hodson said he saw no reason why the police might not attend to the duty required. It would rather be employment for them than otherwise. Mr. Beckwith the police go down the streets, and know very well any street in which there is a nice girl in the kitchen. (Laughter.). It is strange they cannot find time to look after the lodging- houses. It is a notorious fact that you find them in the kitchens of the houses in almost every street in the town. (Laughter.) The Chairman: Did you ever find them in your kitchen ? (Laughter.) Mr. Beck- with Yes, I have and the difficulty is to keep them out if you have a good-looking servant. (Laughter.) COMMITTAL OF AN ENGINE DRIVER.—At the Bottisham petty sessions, Cambridgeshire, Henry Ward, the driver of the train which ran into the horse-box train at Six-mile Bottom on the night of Saturday, the 9th inst., and caused the late collision on the Eastern Counties Railway, has been brought up in custody, charged with having caused the death of the deceased, Charles Titmarsh. The signalman having sworn that lie exhibited the danger signal, of which Ward took no notice, the Bench committed him for trial, bail being taken for his appearance. LORD BROUGHAM AND THE RELIGIOUS PRESS. —The British Standard publishes a very severe attack on Lord Brougham for his animadversions of the reli- gious press at the recent Social Science meeting. Our contemporary, in concluding its article, says What then could have prompted Lord Brougham to such an outburst of malice? After straining our charity to the dregs, we can arrive at no other conclusion than that the noble lord, in its utterance, was simply gratifying the inborn hatred of the human heart to the holy and humbling gospel of Jesus Christ. Unhappy man After draining every cup, and find- ing satisfaction in none, he might have been expected, now that his last sands are fast running out, to have been occupied with very different thoughts, and to be led by a very different spirit- But numerous years, and large experience, have done noting for him. He stands in need of lessons which Heaven alone caT1 teach him, and which, there is reason to fear, he desires noli since the pride of intellect has, from the begin- ning, been Ins besetting sin PACILII; BIS OF Ciu;0IT.—We noticed, a few weeks ago, say.1 the Statesman, the absconding of Julhis Ellis, a ^Frenchi*ian, who carried on business here as a silk mercer, leavilg liabilities to upwards of 10,OOM. Since his absconding his creditors have been making in- quiries as to his modO-0^ doing business, and have found that he has been at thread of a most complete system of swindling, carried on for the last twelve montlw, and which seems to have been great cleverness. Ellis, who enjoyed the entiri confidence of those with whom he did business, obtaini^S°pds during the last few months to the extent of nearil > and with the aid of a young1 man'who lived with tuPM^soar rexichman.) got them conveyed in bales and the steamers at Lt ith, where another of the gang inreadiness to take c charge and accompany them across t9 Rotterdam,.where they were disposed of. This system w^cd °n every week for several months of this iummer as Nell aA i, f-1, as end of last year, and during that time upwards of two hundred bales of the finest silks, velvets, linens, cloths, and other valuable goods were thus disposed of. An agency with an office, See., was kept in Rotterdam for converting the gooda into cash, and about the time Ellis left Edinburgh the parties there sold off and also de- camped. A reward of. 200l. has been offered for Ellis, the advertisement of which, we are informed, the French papers unaccountably refused to insert. It seems a marvel that a man who, only six years ago, came to this country unable to speak a word of English, utterly unknown, and living in lodgings, should so easily have obtained almost unlimited credit.—Scotsman, "NEVER Too LATE TO MEND."—Mr. Charles Reade, the t&lented author of the work bearing this title, has, it may be remembered, warmly, taken up the subject of private madhouses, on behalf of a perse- cuted friend. We are glad to learn his efforts have been attended with partial success, for he now writes as follows My last letter on this subject concluded by inviting the person who had incarcerated my orphan on the plea of in- sanity, to prove that, whether mistaken or not, he was sincere. No such evidence has been offered. He has there- fore served a writ upon this person, and will proceed to trial with all possible expedition, subject of course to the chances of demurrer, or nonsuit. It would not be proper to say more, pendente litt. But some shallow comments having been printed elsewhere, it seems fair that those editors, who had the humanity, the courtesy, and, let me add, the intelligence, to print my letters, should possess this proof that their columns had not been trifled with by their obliged and obedient servant. THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE'S IRISH ESTATES — The Water ford Mail says that the Duke of Devonshire is anxious to lessen the mortgages which hang over the property by the disposal of part of his Irish estates, and wishes to sell the property in and about Bandon, and also that in Youghal and Dungarvan; but he wishes to retain the Lismore estates, the castle and the property which extends to wards Tallow and along into the county Cork. The trustees of the late Quentin Dick, it adds, would purchase the entire property if it were for sale, and they have actually offered 1,000,0001, sterling for the entire property, which would be rather over 20 years' purchase on the rental." DREADFUL MURDER IN CLABE.—A shocking murder has been perpetrated in Ireland, Charles Clancy, son of Constantine Clancy, of Tullehar, about four miles from Kilkee, having been shot dead last week within a few yards of his own house. His brother and cousin were in the house, and on hearing the fire- arms ran out, and saw deceased staggering towards them crying out "I am murdered! I am undone!" He died on eing brought into the house. The head- constable of Kilkee was there soon after, and extracted several large slugs from the wound. The deceased bore a good character. LUR THIS DOG STORY BELONGS TO THE GLASGOW EXAMINER.- A large Newfoundland dog, that may be seen any day at No. 9, Argyle-street, Glasgow, has added one more instance to the many on record of the extraordinary sagacity of dogs. It seems that being, lilie other juveniles, sometimes rather fond of fun, he required to receive occasional discipline, and for that purpose a whip shaft was kept beside him, which was occasionally applied to him. He evidently did not like this article, and was found occasionally with it in his teeth moving slily to the door with it. Being left at night on the premises, he found the hated article, and thrust the small end below the door, but the thick end refused to go. A few nights afterwards the whip shaft was left beside him, and was never seen again. He had pat the small end below the door, and the next morning it was found that some one had pulled it out. °"1th1e. d«g being asked where it was he slily slunk off, with._h.is tail between his legs. This same dog gets his provisions brought to him in a tin can. Taking a walk he saw a child carrying a tin exceedingly like his. He quietly seized it by the handle and carried it to his quarters, the child holding on and screaming all the way. When shown his own he seemed quite ashamed ■}\ !S mistak'e, and allowed the frightened child to go with the tin he had mistaken for his own. This sagacious dog is in the habit of begging money from his biped acquaintance, with which he inarches to a baker s shop and buys bread, which he comes home with, and eats when hungry.—[Other editors are cautioned against appropriating this paragraph as oc- curring m their neighbourhood.] ',P' X X UT' MOTHER "—When the train was leav- ing Scotswood Station, on Saturday morning, for New- castle, a woman with a little girl was seen running, and vamly tiymg to take hold of it. The child, wiser than its parent, screamed aloud, Dinnut, Mother!" We hope our readers will agree with an opinion expressed at the train We had better be left in any part of England without a penny in one's pocket than touch a train in motion." Dinnut, Mother ?"—Correspondent of Gateslwad Observer. PURE AND SIMPLE,"— In Nagler's Kunstier Lexicon is a whimsical error concerning George Cruik- shank. Some years ago, the relative merits of himself and brother were contrasted in an English review, and George was spoken of as the real Simon Pure. Unaware of the real significance of a quotation which has become proverbial amongst us, the German editor begins his memoir of Cruikshank by gravely informing us that he is an English artist, whose real name is Simon Pure Turning to the artists under the letter P, we accordingly read 1" PURE (Simon), the real name of the celebrated caricaturist, George Cruik- shank." A. REPORT ABOUT SAVINGS BANKS.—The report of the Select Committee on Savings Banks, as well as the evidence taken by that committee, has just been published. It appears from a summary of the report, which appeared at the time it was made (July last), that the committee reviewed the past legislation upon the subject of savings-banks, and stated that the direction ot the several Acts on the subject of investments by them are not very clear or precise. Among other recommendations of the committee, they suggest that no banking concerns should be permitted to as- sume the name of savings-banks except such as have had their rules duly certified also that the responsibility of trustees be enacted in the same terms as in the Act 9, George IV., cap. 92, and that whenever any deposit shall amount to 1501, the commissioners may, with the consent of the depositor, invest a portion of that deposit in the purchase for the depositor of 1001. stock, the interest of which shall be received by the commissioners and placed to the depositor's account. The committee among other suggestions, express an opinion that it would be advisable to repeal all the sec- tions of the Savings-banks Acts which relate to the conver- sion of Exchequer-bills into stock, leaving that question to be dealt with separately. They also report that the balances of money arising from payments to the commis- sioners by the trustees of savings-banks, exclusive of Friendly Societies, and from interest due to the trustees, are still annually on the increase. FAMILIAR PHRASES.—The term "masterly in- activity" originated with Sir James Mackintosh. God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb," which everybody who did not suppose it was in the Bible credited to Sterne, was stolen by him from George Herbert, who translated it from the French of Henry Estienne. "The cup that cheers but not inebriates" was "conveyed" by Cowper from Bishop Berkely, in his "Siris." Words- worth's The child is father of the man," is'traced from him to Milton, and from Milton to Sir Thomas More. Like angels' visits, few and far between," is the off- spring of a "Hook"—it is not Thomas Campbell's original thought. Pld John Norris (1658) used it, and after him Robert Blair, as late as 1746. "There's a gude time coming" is Scott's phrase, in "Rob Roy;" and the "almighty dollar" is Washington Irving's happy hit. MRS. PARTINGTON PUTS A QUESTION.—Why can't the captain of a vessel keep a memorandum of the weight of his anchor, instead of weighing it every time he leaves port ? THE SOLDIER, THE PAUPER, THE FELON, AND THE POOR MAN.The minimum cubic space allowed to each soldier is 450 feet in barracks, and 600 feet in hospital; and the army commissioners recommend that these figures be increased to 600 and 1,200 respectively. Sir John M'Neill states that the pauper in the Scotch workhouses is allowed 480 feet per bed, and that the minimum is not only insisted on, but that it is practi- cally much exceeded, as the workhouses are never full, the dormitories are never occupied during the day. We cannot at present lay our hands on a report showing the space allowed to a prisoner in his cell. We know, how- ever, that we treat him so tenderly that we may con- fidently affirm that he has" scope and verge enough." and that he is not cribbed, cabined, and confined," as he would be were he an inmate of "huts where poor men lie." If we bear in mind that England provides not only food, raiment, and ample house-room, for the pauper and the felon, but also education and religious training, while there is no national provision for the children of the honest labourer, it must be owned that "there's something rotten in the state" of England and that she is a mother most unaccountably capricious in the treatment of her children. We do not say that paupers and criminals are too well treated, though many are of that opinion; but we do say that it is matter of profound astonishment and regret that the noble quali- ties of the English labourer should be repressed by the low type of his physical condition; and that, by the lowness of his wages, his. bodily energies should be pre- maturely exhausted.-The Journal of Agriculture. SWALLOWING A BULLET.—A Highland shepherd, whilst mumbling a small bullet between his teeth, un- fortunately let it escape from them, and slip into the windpipe. He "ughed incessantly for two hours, after which he had Blight inconvenience beyond a little occa- sional dry cough, tdl the middle of the following day, when he was attacked with shivering, headache, and deep pain in the right side of the chest. The shivering and headache ceased, but the pain continued, and he was excessively drowsy. On the evening of the third day he was seen by Dr. Macrae, who, being satisfied of the l'lik-m-nt of the bullet, "directed the man to be strapped securely to a common chair, that he might be easily suspended from the rafters of the roof down wards, in order that his cfet nnght be conveniently snaK' .*• SipNr"succession of sudden smart jerks, and that tti- weight of the bullet might favour its escape fron: i in the lungs." Me wa.s kept depending as long as he eouid endure such an uncomfortable position, and t.iiri. placed in the horizontal posture for a few minutes to rest. When sufficiently recruited he was hung again. Upon being taken down the first time he described the pain in his breast as moved nearer to the top of his chest, and-during the third suspension he joy- fully exclaimed, Thanig-a., thanig-d!" ("It has come, it has come <" in the Gaelic language) immediately after a smart shaking and a few convulsive retching coughs, and spat the little bullet from his mouth.-Household Surgery. WRECK OF Two VESSELS, AND Loss OF SEVEN LIVEs.-Early last week Yarmouth was visited by a terrific gale of wind which resulted in the wreck of two vessels, and the loss of no less than seven lives. The vessels were both sloops, and belonged to the same owner. One called the Queen parted from her anchor in Yarmouth Roads about half pastil o'clock at night, and before this accident was discovered and another anchor could be let go she struck the ground at about 50 or 60 yards from land. About 2 o'clock the next morning the master was washed from the deck with his son George, a child three years of age, in his arms and drowned, and their bodies have not been recovered. The other persons on board consisted of the master's wife, who, with two of her children, aged five years and 14 months respectively, was lashed in the lee shrouds, the mate and the cabin boy and these were not rescued from their perilous position until past 7 o'clock, and not until one of the children, and the elder one of the two, had died from exposure. The other vessel wrecked was known as the Kingston, and she grounded off Horsey, between Winterton and Hasborough. She first struck on an outer bank, but over this she soon beat, when she took the beach. Not a boat was launched, nor, we understand, was any effort made to save her crew, consisting of the master and two men, who were washed away and drowned. The master s wife, who was on board, was, like the wife of the master of the Queen, lashed in the rigging, but, fearful to relate, when brought ashore she was dead. At an inquest held upon the body of John Watkinson one of the sufferers, a searching investiga- tion was instituted into the conduct of the officer com- manding the coast guard and the beachman who were present on the occasion, the result of which was that the jury added the following remarks to their verdict of death from exposure." The jury cannot separate without expressing their regret that the chief officer of the Coastguard should not have made himself better acquainted with the clauses of the Merchant Shipping Act referred to by the coroner, believing, at the same time, lie did his duty to the best of his ability and at the same time they consider that the beachman showed an uncommon want of sympathy in not attempting to rescue those on board some considerable time before they did so." THE LETTER C.—It is curious to calculate the frequency with which the letter C. occurs as the initial of names at present remarkable. There are Cawnpore and Cherbourg ? to say nothing now of Cronstadt and the Crimea. The Commander-in-Chief in India is Sir Colin Campbell, raised to the peerage under the title of Lord Clyde; and the Governor-General is Lord Canning. The Duke of Cambridge is Commander-in- Chief at home. The new title of Sir John Yarde Buller is Earl of Churston Ferrers. Lord Chelmsford is the Lord Chancellor, succeeding Lord Cranworth. The Chief justices are Lord Campbell and Sir A. Cockburn. Of the remaining judges there are Cresswell, Crompton, Crowder, Channell, and Coleridge, just retired. Mr. Cairns is the Solicitor-General. The Lord Mayor of London is Sir R W. Carden; and amongst the aldermen there are Copeland, Carroll, Carter, and Cubitt. Mr. Chambers is the Common Sergeant. Calcraft is the hangman THE IMPERIAL TREASURY AT MOSCOW.—I know no historical museum in Europe of such magnificence, although there may be others more technically complete. Here, crowns and thrones are as plenty as mineralogical specimens elsewhere. In one hall are the jewelled thrones of Ivan III., Boris Gudonoff, Machael Romanoff, Peter the Great and his brother, and of Poland; while between them, each resting on a crimson cushion, on its separate pillar, are the crowns of those monarchs, and of the subject kingdoms of Siberia, Poland, Kazan, Novgoron, and the Crimea. In another case is the sceptre of Poland, broken in the centre, and the con- stitution of that ill-fated country lies in a box at the feet of Alexander I. 's portrait. There are also, the litter of Charles XII taken at Pultava; the heavy jack-boots of the great Peter,; the jewelled horse trappings of Catharine II., her' equestrian portrait in male attire (and a gallant dashing, strapping cavalier she is !), the helmet of Machael Romanoff—curiously enough, with an Arabic sentence over the brow-and a superb col- lection of arms, armour, military trappings, golden and silver vessels, and antique jewellery. A lower room con- tains the imperial coaches and sledges, for nearly two cen- turies back.-Bayard Taylor in Moscow. NECESSITY OF GYMNASTIC EXERCISES.—Muscu- lar exercise, it should be generally known, is as essen- tial to the proper digestion of our food as the food itself is to the maintenance of life it strengthens the whole muscular system, it promotes digestion, it excites re- spiration, quickens the circulation, and maintains the due transmission of blood throughout every part of the vascular system, through even the minutest (the capil- lary), it assists the secretion of the bile, and by its action on the muscles of the stomach prevents conges- tions in the abdomen, which last are so especially trou- blesome and dangerous in the middle periods of life. Bodily exercise in moderation also tends to purify the blood, by enabling the lungs to throw out more car- bonic acid gas than it does when the body is in a state of rest; for during exercise about one third more car- bonic gas is expirad than during rest, and for about an hour after exercise the volume of air expired is increased about 118 cubic inches, and the quantity of carbonic acid gas about seventy-eight cubic inches per minute. As to the best hours for taking exercise, those before and after meals should be chosen, when the first part of digestion is going on we should rest, not sleep; but as soon as the chyle is entering the blood vessels exercise is salutary, and demanded by an instinctive desire for it; also between breakfast and dinner exercise may be freely taken.-Dr. James's Treasury of Medicine. ENGLISH FASHIONS IN PARIS.—A Paris corres- pondent asks How are we in Paris to put on a grave face and look res- pectfully at Mrs. Potts, and her friends just arrived, and who may be seen on the Boulevards daily ? Here are three ladies, fat and forty (heaven forgive me for publishing their age), wearing bronze-coloured chip hats with feathers, and a glit- tering screen of lace hanging from the broad rim of the said hat. Then their dresses (dirty-looking silk) are made to stick out suddenly and abruptly before, and behind, and at the sides, as the case may be, and as accident may impose. We are all ashamed of them, and will not admit to our French friends that they belong to Great Britain or Ireland. Are we to suppose that the ladies on your side of the water have imported our French fashions to turn them into caricatures ? Or do English ladies believe they can dress in any eccentric way they please because they are twelve hours from Eng- land ? All these questions are passing through the distracted minds of we English residents in Paris, and making us very unhappy and nervous, lest our dear countrywomen at home resemble the odd specimens we now meet on the Boulevards. SCOTCH BREEDING.—The North British Adver- tiser contains, in its supplement, a letter saying The Scotch are notorious for their want of breeding and it is no uncommon tiling- to see members bustling in at the church-door, and walking along the passages, with heads still covered, till opposite the door of their pew, which they open and enter in a clumsy manner, bumping themselves down on the seat, and commencing to talk about weather and politics till the minister shows himself in the pulpit. Now and again a snuff-box makes its appearance, with the concomitant noises. Occasionally one friend is seen quietly but complacently nod- ding to another in a different part of the church, and the ladies are admiring or criticising each other's bonnets. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND THE CRISIS.— The annual report of the Wolverhampton Chamber of Commerce, just issued, refers to the late commercial crisis in terms which derive special significance from the relation between the numerous failures in the iron trade and the leading bank in the town, which was closed for a time in November last. The report at- tributes the crisis to manufacturing production in the country being carried beyond the legitimate demand, mercantile transactions acquiring a similarly great and factitious development, remarking that This over- trading was rendered possible, and in many cases stimulated, by a system of open credits granted by mercantile houses in favour of foreign correspondents, by banking facilities afforded to men of little or no capital, and by the discounting of fictitious bills of exchange." The last two evils are specially attributed to joint-stock banks, which, securing large deposits and great facilities for re-discounting, from the reliance placed in the unlimited responsibility of their share- holders, lent out money at high rates of interest, "in many cases without regard to the capital or even to the business habits of the borrower," and thus prolonged the period and increased the evils of overtrading; and when the crash came it was found that they had pledged and lost a large amount of the property of their shareholders." As a means of alleviating these evils, the application of the principle of limited liability to banking and making the creation of fictitious bills of exchange penal had been supported by the chamber, which, however, looked for a remedy mainly to an im- provement of the law and the courts of bankruptcy, now "disgraceful to the country," with a view to creditors having more control over insolvent estates, and fraudulent trading being punished as a crime. GOOD TOR EVERYBODY.— Manyiu' is a good j thing, it is a grate thing, aq Aunt Jane sea, a grate institushion (how she noes I can't -tell, fur she never had a chance to try it). It's good for everybody. Ar you old—marry, it'll make you young (or you'll die tryin' to 'pear so). Are you young, it'll make you old. In fact it is sooted to evry and enny body. Its a briar-rose hedge that society has set up to keep folks insidp',H,p, bounds'uv good behavior, and tho' I've had ups and dowuo it, and no all about it, still I sav ■ hooray for marry. Ü r; eood for evervbo^; _^ericik Pttpcy. A' I HUMPING LEGACY -The case of a London chemist, named Farmer, who applied last week for his j certificate at the Bankruptcy Court, was a particularly hard one, in which the victim might wnl) exclaim Save me from my friends It appeared that the bankrupt's position was caused by his having ha 1 the misfortune to be bequeathed a legacy. A friend," lv not a relative, left him two shares in the Royal British Bank. The will was disputed by the testator's relations, and Vice-Chancellor Stuart decided that they were entitled to the shares. The bankrupt appealed to the Lords Justices, who decided that they were his. The bank shortly afterwards failed, and the calls upon the two valuable shares had brought the bankrupt here. He had been served with the copies of no less than 20 writs on their account. A first-class certficate was awarded. A stronger illustration of the doctrine that a man does not always know what is for his good could not well be imagined. A JOKE GOING A GREAT WAY.—Sydney Smith says-" A joke goes a great way in the country. I have known one last pretty well for seven years. I remember a joke after a meeting of the clergy, in York- shire, where there was a Rev. Mr. Buckle, who never spoke when I gave his health, saying that he was a buckle without a tongue. Most persons within hear- ing laughed, but my next neighbour sat unmoved in thought. At last, a quarter of an hour after we had all done, he suddenly nudged me, exclaiming, I see now what you meant, Mr. Smith—you meant a joke.' Yes, Sir,' said I, I believe I did.' Upon which he began laughing so heartily that I thought he would choke, and was obliged to pat him on the back." MOUNT LEBANON SMALL TALK.-SUpper was announced, and we sat down to a meal like that of the morning, with the same persons to partake of it. Hun- ger satisfied, we washed our hands in the eastern fashion, served by two of the deacons of the convent. The never- failing coffee and pipes were then brought. Several of the other monks dropped in, and there came also two or three of the Maronites. We talked of crops, prices of corn, the next land to be sold in the village, and— that never-failing topic in Lebanon-the ruling price of silk and cocoons. These subjects were varied, from time to time, by questions put to me regarding England and its government. One of the monks asked whether it was true—he had heard it, but could not believe it, and begged pardon for putting the question to me "— that England was governed by a Queen, who was mar- ried; but whose husband had no more power or au- thority in the country-was, in fact, one of his wife's subjects. When I replied that this was the case, the ex- clamations of Wonderful! God is great! The English are a strange people!" A wife govern over her own husband!" burst forth on all sides. My jolly old friend, the superior of the order, out of pure politeness, I believe, and with the intention of giving me a loophole of escape, suggested that although perhaps the husband of our Queen had no actual authority in England, yet he might be a member of the great Medglis (the council) of the nation and he had heard from a Frank mer- chant many years ago, that the Queen of England could do nothing without her council For the honour of Great Britain I was obliged to say that both these state- ments were true; that the Queen could do nothing without her council, and that her husband was a mem- ber of that council. I palliated this violation of strict truth to myself by remembering that the Prince Consort is a member of the Privy Council, and that to enlighten these mountaineers on the difference that exists between Parliament and the Privy Council, which the superior evidently had confounded into one and the same thing, would be but a vain toil. With that natural politeness which distinguishes even the poorest and least educated among the Brabs, the conversation was then changed, and flowed again in its old channel, respecting the news of the mountain and the price of silk. Household WordS.

THE PEW DISTURBANCE AT THORN- BURY. We have from time to time (says a contemporary) given ac- counts of disturbances in the parish church of Thornbury, Gloucestershire, arising out of a disputed claim to a pew. On Sunday Miss Sly, who has until lately occupied the pew in question uninterruptedly for four years, was at church before her opponents—the Dalby family, to whom the pew has been let—and the pew being empty she entered and took her seat. She was scarcely seated, however, when the two church- wardens, Willsben and Screen, entered, and told her she must not sit there, and on her declining to leave, they forced her out of the pew, upon which she walked up and down the aisle very quietly. Mr. Willsben told her she must take a seat or leave the church, or he should have her turned out, and upon her not doing either, Mr. Willsben called Police-sergeant Rawle, who was sitting near, to assist him, and they both pushed her out of the church, holding the door to prevent her from coming in again. Previous to her being turned out, Dalby, his daughter, and two children had arrived at church, and they took their seats in the pew. Miss Sly, on being turned out of the church, remained in the burial-ground until the service was commenced, when she again entered the church and proceeded to the pew, and on seeing it not filled, she endeavoured to open the door, but was prevented by Churchwarden Willsben, who was sitting against the door. The churchwarden again called Police-sergeant Rawle, who jointly with the churchwarden dragged her partly down the aisle, when she, showing a little resistance, was caugni hold of by the sergeant and carried out of the churcli in tne midst of a large congregation, whose feelings were a P^n oi intense encitement. Miss Sly has commenced against the churchwardens for the assault comnnttea upon her. Great fears are entertained that disturbances of a worse even description than those which we have nar:ra ei1 will occur, both churchwardens and Miss wlU not give in. Such scenes, we believe, have never before been allowed in a parish church. The greatest excItement pre- vails in the town and neighbourhood. [We could quote a very apt paragraph in Scripture on this case.]

EPITOME OF N E W S. Uritisf) In London, there has recently died a woman ninety- two years of age, who was born in the room in which she died, aid never slept out of it during her long lifetime. At a meeting of the grocery trade held in London, considerable dissatisfaction was expoessed at the samples by which some kinds of Muscovado sugar are sold in the London market, and a committee was appointed to investi- gate the.subject. When the Royal train reached Newcastle, on her Majesty's journey home from Balmoral, the band of the Rifle Brigade played some Scotch airs. While the Royal train was changing engines, the young Prince Arthur, who was in a carriage with his tutor, went through the steps of a hornpipe to the music, greatly to the admiration of several bystanding old "salts." The gout, that pertinacious enemy of the higher classes, has been assailing the young Duke of Cambridge and the venerable Marquis of Lansdowne. The Duke of New- castle has also been severely attacked by small-pox. When Louis Loyd, afterwards of Overstone Park, forsook the pulpit for the counting-house, he consulted Mr: Denison, ( founder of the family of that name, and a self-made man,) soliciting his advice. "Out of every shilling you take," was the worldly counsel, "be sure you make elevenpence- halfpenny prisoners." M. Jullien is about to visit, on a musical tour, every capital and city of Europe, America, Australia, the colonies, and the civilised States of Asia and Africa. At the annual oyster feast" at Colchester the mayor congratulated the company on the satisfactory condition of the town, which a commissioner of bankruptcy had once re- marked was celebrated for its petty insolvencies. Audacity, oddity, and flattery are the three graces which make their way in modern society. The members of the Lavenham Farmers' Club have presented Mr. J. Fowler, jun. (patentee of the steam plough), with a handsome silver tankard, in token of their appreciation of his successful efforts to solve the problem of steam culture. The present depression in the price of wheat is begin- ning to tell upon the wages paidfoi agricultural labour in the fen district, and as a natural consequence emigration has again set in for the United States and the Australian colo- nies. It is understood that the Government declines to comply with the request of the memorial, from the Birming- ham Chamber of Commerce, praying that the inquiry into the contract system now going on at Weedon should be extended. The crop of wheat in the United Kingdom is turning out much beyond the expectation entertained at harvest time, both in quantity and quality, and it is probably the finest crop ever grown in this country. One of the severest contests ever known to have taken place in the borough of Reigate, which was formerly a com- plete pocket borough, in the Tory interest, has terminated in the return of Mr. Monson by a majority of 15 over Mr. Wilkin- son. Both were Liberals. A humorist, remarking upon the dispute between the teetotallers and the "jolly free bottlers," termed it The war of the red and white noses." An editor, retorting upon an opponent, says, "Now, this is a matter of taste-or rather of common decency-and something with which we have nothing to do." The Southampton magistrates have refused to allow a circus to stop in that place for two months, it being pro- ductive, in their opinion, of demoralisation. A Litterateur,writing to a contemporary regarding Mr. Bohn's opposition to the repeal of the paper duty, says that the largest portion of Mr. Bohn's trade is in the export of books to foreign countries; that he gets a drawback on the taxed paper, and that—as in the case of all drawbacks- an exporter gets a considerable profit thereon. Hinc illce lach/rymos. Mr. Robert Ridsdale, well known in the sporting world as owner of St. Giles, who won the Derby in 1832, and of Margrave, the winner of the St. Leger in the same year, died suddenly at his lodgings, at Newmarket, on Saturday last. Whilst at exercise this week on Newmarket Heath, the racehorse Malacca overpowered the lad who was riding him, and dashed through the town at a furious rate. The poor boy ultimately fell off, and was much hurt. The horse was captured, and sustained no injury." The promenadei* in Hyde Park, London, L. been much amused at behoJdincr the French tricolor' f. ,^ng jauntily in the air above Albert Gate, the resMem — French Ambassador. This is a diplomatic innovation out precedent. What security, except your own honestv. is there that you may not follow the example of Mr. Elliot V HPvr«gJ the Chairman at the last Weedon inquiry of a w< witness candidly confessed there wg= ? 1118 HOHQ. HOHQ. ^r3~^e neVi Cardigan is a great connoisseur in "«e-flesh. On a late visit to Madrid, she accompanied her husband to the barracks, raised the horses' legs to examine the method of shoeing practised, and criticized the whole concern with great freedom, to the great amusement of same of the officers. Earl Nelson, whilst shooting has had one cf his handa injured by the accidental 'Hwbarg-e of his gun. The collier* of South Staffordshire have gone to work on the terms ofltre-l by their employers, but it ii- alleged that they will turn out again about three weeks hence. Mr. Fox Talbot has achieved a surprising success in photographic engraving. He has discovered that for which lovers of the art have sighed from the day of the first sun- picture-a means of transferring the photographic image direct to the copper or steel plate. In fact, he has made Apollo his own engraver. Messrs. Cope, extensive cigar manufacturers, of Liver- pool, employ large numbers of girls in the manufacture of cigars, and are introducing deaf and dumb girls to this de- partment of industry. A formal, fashionable visitor thus addressed a little girl" How are you, my dear ?" Very well, I thank you, she replied. The visitor then added, "Now, my dear, yon should ask me how I am." The child simply and honestly replied, I don't want to know." A newspaper paragraph says, "It is said that within these last three years 100 newspapers have ceased to exist in the United Kingdom after a more or less protracted existence. The amount of capital thus invested and lost must have been large."—Ah but it does not say that there has been more than 400 successful ones. A soothing beverage for a cough may be made of two ounces of figs, and the same quantity of raisins and pearl barley. Boil them together in a pint and a half of water, with half an ounce of liquorice root. Strain off the liquor, take a teacupful night and morning, or when the cough is troublesome. In character, in manners, in style in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity. Amongst the candidates for baptism at St. John's Church, Gateshead Fell, on Sunday last. were Victor Emmanuel," "Victoria Alberta," and "Florence Nightin- gale!" Of the dozen jurymen assembled at a recent "Coro- ner's Quest" on the Tyne, ten could not write their names A family residing in Chelmsford had till recently a canary which had attained the age of 21 years. It had been in their possession for more than 20 years, and maintained its activity and singing powers until the day of its death. It at length fell a victim to the talons of a cat. The great development of ladies' dresses has necessi- tated the construction of trunks of extra size to convey them on railways and as such trunks not only take up great room, but cost much trouble, the railway companies in France contemplate henceforth charging for them by size instead of weight. A swallow recently let off at Ghent made its way to its nest in Antwerp in twelve minutes and a half-four and a half miles per minute All the wine-growing districts of France are in ecstacies as to the richness of the wines this year. which they emphatically style the" wines of the seven comets," stating that the quality has not been surpassed any year this cen- tury, nor even excepting that of 1811. The French Consul has addressed to the president of the agricultural societies of Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire the substance of a dispatch re- ceived from the Minister of Agriculture, Commerce, and Public Works in reference to the'repeal of the corn-laws of England. The Chinese intend to make us pay the indemnity we have demanded, by putting a tax on tea. I For some months past, there has prevailed in St. Petersburg and all Russia a perfect railway mania, which has assumed all the features of the infatuation which ruled in England under the reign of King Hudson.—Daily News Correspondent. There is literary news even from the Gold Coast. The beginning there is rather suggestive for the first book written, printed, and published on the spot, is entitled, "Re- collections of an Old Sinner." Two hundred thousand pounds of women's hair is annually sold in France. The price paid for it is usually three- pence an ounce. Recorder Barnard, of New York, in charging the grand jury, said that in the present advanced state of society the sale of newspapers on Sunday is a necessity and that it was lawful, for that reason, for the carriers to sell them in the street on that day, provided they did not disturb the peace by noise. Science is banished from Vienna, for the mitre and sword have combined in Austria to interdict future scientific congresses in that empire. Science will not lose much by exile from Vienna but what will Vienna gain ?

THE MARKETS. THE PROVINCIAL CORN TRADE. The wheat trade has generally assumed a more cheerful aspect, notwithstanding supplies have been well kept up, the country evincing more tone than London, and many places reporting Is. per qr. advance. As millers, however, only yet appear to be buyers, the absence of a speculative demand prevents a general ready clearance. MARK LANE, MONDAY. The morning's supply from Kent and Essex was small, but the trade was very languid at scarcely last Monday's quota- tions. Foreign also was more difficult to quit without some concession to buyers. The trade was almost in suspense, holders keeping to last week's rates and buyers declining operations unless at Is per sack less money. The limited supply of fine malting barley kept up its value, but middling and inferior could not be freely placed except in buyers favour. For oats the supply not finding eager buyers, the market was fully Is. per qr. down for all old sorts, and Is. 6d. for new. BRITISH. OLD. NEW. WHEAT ..Essex, Kent, and Suffolk, s. s. s. s. white, per qr 45 to 52 40 to 48 BARLEY ..Malting — to — 35 to 40 OATS Essex and Suffolk 20 to 25 20 to 26 BEAKS'Mazagan 88 to 40 S6 to 87 Tick and Harrow 38 to 42 36 to 40 SEED Canary per to 72 to 80 Carraway ..per cwt — to — — to — Rape per qr — to — 68 to 72 Hempseed ..per qr. 42 to 45 — to — METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET, MONDAY. The market was but moderately supplied this morning, and trade was altogether better. The middling and inferior qua- lities of beef, which have lately been more particularly de- pressed, made decidedly better prices prime Scots were also in many cases dearer. The number of sheep on offer was small, and were readily cleared off at 2d. to 4d. per stone ad- vance. The demand for veal was also in excess of the supply, and an advance on Friday's quotations was generally paid. Pigs met a steady sale, at our quotations. Prices—Beef, .411. to 4s. lOd.; mutton, 4s. to 5B. veal, 4s. to Ó6. pork, 3s, 4d. tOj4s. 2d., per stone of SIb., sinking the offal.