The Aberystwith Observer

MALT DEFEATED BY BARLEY! The Board of Trade has recently issued a very valuable Exiiito^°k l va Ue of malted barley as food for stock. cheaniTT allegations that cattle could be fattened dutv W °IJ ni au<^ 'hat the abolition of the malt toieht J- 80 ^ar reduce the price of beef that we si «< ^Pense with the importation of charqui, or y| of fiyru Mx. Milner Gibson has had a series IB BheenE^Winents tried to test their truth. Oxen, cows, Im subi^t1 8w*ne have been carefully selected and S| Dre^; 1 • cour8es of feeding under circumstances snnnlf j !lmiiar' except that for the malted barley r>f ui 1 one division or group, the same quantity reanit unma^ed has been supplied to another. The nr have been a terrible commentary on the vacat y p. ?.eory» In. spite of agricultural chymiats, Mr- ?'J aiM^ fattening qualities of sugar, the on the unmalted barley fattened, on t e ?^e, better than the others; and the supposed su- perior virtues of malt arelaltogether discountenanced, and we are no longer to beUeve that anything can done with malt which cannot be better done with nlain \1-- ijariey. Mr, Lawes, the well-known agricultural chymist, who seems to have conducted the experiments for the ■Hoard of Trade, took two samples, each of seventy quarters of barley, the first of fair malting, and the second of fair feeding quality, end he malted and screened half of each sample. He had thus four Parcels—two of malt and two of barley—with which to carry out his plans. The subjects of the feeding experiments were twenty cows, twenty oxen, each divided into two lots of ten, sixty sheep, divided into jots of twelve each, and forty-eight pigs, divided into f°ts of eight each. The animals were selected so that ose in each class should be as far as possible of the sa.me size, breed, and constitution but, to make the wial fairer, they were put under a process of training before they subjected to the final and perfect experiment. Thus, the twenty cows were selected, Weighed, and placed apart, and for a fortnight each received exactly the same food of cake, meal, chaff, and sweeds. At the end of the fortnight they were weighed again, and definitely divided into two lot?, and the exact experiment began. For ten weeks the cows received the same food as before, except that each of the first lot received 31b. of the fair malting barley daily instead of 31b. of rapecake, and each of the second lot received the malt aml malt dust produced from 31b. of the barley instead of the rape- cake. No exception can well be taken to the ex- periment as thus stated, and the experiments with the oxen, sheep, and pigs were almost identically the same. The only difference was that feeding cas *Was 8Uhstituted for malting barley in the 1 6 '■he oxen, and the greater number of the wift^ anc^ a'l°wed experiments to be made harl mixtnre8 °f malted and unmalted barley. The ft .ey and malt were crushed in all cases except rpt the pigs, when they were coarsely ground. J. • animals were weighed at regular intervals p,-ii 8 the progress of the experiment, and the clnsn J? cows was weighed daily. At the w ?* the experiment the fattening animals Were killt d and their carcasses weighed and ex- The results almost uniformly showed temng qualities 111 Parley than in malt ■ the difference was generally slight, but it was Quite ODlr decided exception WMT,! 7 ,the,cow?» fhich fattened better, but, on m |, hand, yielded less milk, when dieted upon thA "o -kven here the advantage was very small the average weekly increase per 1.0001b. of live agafnsf 7 VZIK 2.8lb,m case of the malt eaters, I vfel^i Pi m ?e^frley eaters> while the mUk E 1S7MK Week> Per 1,0001b. of live weight was only i sSeA TmBt J4^lb- The lactometer invariably milk a u p,r°portlon of cream in the Where « barley-fed cows. The results were tri^ rCS °f ^alted and unmalted barley the sheen ZT fqu?1IJy favourable to plain barley; than on fattened better ture The nd'e ed on malted barley, or on a mix- same craclfi? Th^h^l 7a™ kUled led to the even in qualitv 'tv, ^[ barley-fed oxen were more which were decfded^nie-maK'l beast?' Some of inferior to their rivalg T^ i0 8^ decidedly variation, but amoDg the mVa r6? showed little in much better condition *n.l ^°8e fe?^barley were than those fed on malt. Th« muck better quality from the pigs fed on tb. rasilt Made of the good malting barley. ma't made of the good

"MY GRANDFATHER WAS A PERSON OF VERY REGULAR HABITS." »' The following, we need scarcely say, is from i American paper—the Boston Courier :— ?n Some 25 years ago, or perhaps a little more, an aged highly respected physician departed this life in one cf counties of Massachusetts. In fact, this worthy gentlem?" had reached at the time of his decease the extraordinary »"n of 105 years. No little interest, as may be imagined, hovered around his slowly declining days, and this naturally awakened to fresher concern at the period ol long deferred death. He had always enjoyed the full ustw'r of his fellow-citizens and of the medical profession, wbfjr naturally looked up to him as its father an d guide. The perf?, of his death was one of great excitement in regard to t'18 temperance question, and It it was felt that most importa f lessons for the benefit of the cause could be derived from "n investigation of the ordinary habits of a gentleman of educ. cation and scientific attainments, whose 1 '»»» pr^" tracted to such an advanced period, dou;i' U> th rigorous adherence to the laws of health and enforced by the total aostinance adv Accordingly, alter the lapse of a due se was deputtd on the part of the temperan' upon some near relatives of the old gent order to learn positively what had beet life, and by what means he had so long ence, in the possession of mental and pi at length it yielded to the absolute dec* without the intervention of any acute tation having proceeded to the ancient; of residence, waited upon a gentleman v to obtain from him all the particulars relative. After due sentiments of co expressed, the suitable inquiries were Doubtless," said the chief inteIf father enjoying such a remarkable sp strict observer of the rules of tempei express our confidence that he Indul use of hurtful kinds ef drink" person inquired of, "You may be ( grandfather was a person of very ref But we should like to know, If y questioner, "something In particul life; how, for instance, he began the day." Well, Sir, when he first rose about half a glass of pure Jamai' was a person of very regular hab custom." "This, I suppose," said theiB of fillip to his system after the letf made requisite as an exceptional period of life. Please tell us wt the rest of the day." ''Mygrandfather,gentlemen, ftabitp, and took nothing else and then only a glass of .Tamaic' i Indeed did he drink anyt Not exactly with his rmafe f «. e,.drank a fixture to which 1.0 t.wit S?d ot cider and rum. But after driu«.„ to custom f o go out for a short walk and return then r?J+Air en dinner was about hall through he would mieht b^ and ?1 a Klass °f ™m or whiskey? as the case always Dunch,ni?0 her when dinner wasSver. Dinner was mZMt?U oVinLon the table at one o'clock; he took no tea Hts practte^1 that a small Quantity in his bed time, which was alwayg y or two of whiskey or rum; ni E or friend came in to join him P0Br ways and as I have remar lea}- habits." 1 The committee looked at c pursuing the inquiry any fu- ihout ever, that it would be well In regard to the use of toba | "O'e, asked the chairman. ■> t'That" said their host habits. He was not often not engaged professionally Id." Surely, then, he used' test- ed the interrogator. My gfandfather eve? tmen, purchased a certain quai Pm 21 to 23 inches in length; fereu« Portions, one of which '?r chewing in the course grandfather's habits, as lka in th« h' c°nf°uud your „ the questioner, c ut of t » but it is not necessary

GREAT FIRE 'LE. By far the most ocked the public mind f 3 past happened at Gal )th of February (says t {ter eleven o clock broke out in c ? Catholic conven 't j ing the utter a Sly spread to the ad; to thickly-clusteriD en- cloaure. The fii a «nd within little mo 3 first aBpearance new strong muster of tolou police, and a company ;ere on the spot. Hal £ ">m 1 (ophaneh with 1' tana the foreign gun tlme ^spatched tac, to ^ork it. The sliding, ?owever, coupl,' wa^r, es'^hiie defi. ra^dl,y n^dlng flair w^°!e lie^. tern a> ? their itrnu 8Pray acroi *r side, irw\ the woo- than fimt effoi t to the 1 large stone building in the correr of the quadrangle which formed the sleeping quarters of the sisters and the female pupils of the establishment. These were all safely rescued, but barely with the clothes they were able to wrap round them in the moment of escape. While this was being effected inside the enclosure, the fire was making rapid progress among the houses out- side. The whole of these being of wood, and as dry as tinder, the flames literally licked up house after house till stopped in its progress, or one side, by a pile of stone buildings down near the Armenian church, and on the other towards Tophaneh by a wide gap effected by the demolition of a row of hovels in that direction. In the meantime, however, the great disaster of the night had happened. Shortly after mid- night a body of some 60 tohumlajees, with four engines, had stationed themselves along the outside wall of the light stone building in the quadrangle already mentioned, considering themselves sheltered by the wall from the flames within, and being well placed from that point for playing on the wooden buildings already ignited on the other side. The apparent safety of the spot had also collected on and around it several of the policemen and spectators, of whom as is usual a large crowd bad by this time gathered from au parts of Pera and Galata. Suddenly, and without even a warning crack, the eastern and southern walls'of this lofty building toppled outwards, literally cresting over the doomed crowd below like the curve of a breaking wave, and burying under their debris all four of the engines mentioned, with the whole of their crews, and a large number of the police and onlooking crowd. Not a man wt (had stood within the fatal shadow of the fallen walls escaped. Almost simultaneously a portion of the western wall fell over on a small, densely inhabited house outside the convent limits, and crushing through its roof, killed, it is said, eight of its inmate?, who were engaged in endeavouring to rescue some of their effects. For a time this terrible disaster paralysed all efforts to check the conflagration outside the convent, and as the remaining wall threatened momentarily to give way too, no attempt was made to reach the man- gled and dying, whom the ruins of the other walls had only partly hid from sight. Of these many were seen to make agonizing but ineffectnal efforts to extricate themselves from the charred matees of brick and wood J which only half entombed them, and then gradually to cease the vain struggle as suflooation or other cause of death did its work. This part of the scene was harrowing beyond any power of description. The vigorous play of the ship's engines from the inside of the convent quadrangle, aided by the calmness of the night, had in the mean- time checked the spread of flames to the western wing of the building; not, however, before the small circular dome and roof of the chapel on the one side, and the dormitories of the female pupils and store- rooms on the other, had been seriously damaged. Outside, the fire was virtually unopposed, the disasters to their fellows under the convent wall having ap- parently unnerved the other toloutftbqjtts on the ground. There was, besides, an almost complete want of water. It was not, therefore, till the BAsim had burnt them- selves out on all sides to the gaps made in their path by the pulling down of distant he uses that the con- flagration may be said to have been got under. This was about 7 a.m., by whioh twaae, besides the damage done to the convent, ia •& 42 houses and four shops had been destroyed. But fo» the providential absence of wind, however, this Would have been but a trifling instalment of the wide-spread devastation that must have occurred; for had the flames spread down on the one side towards Tophaneh, or on the other crossed the old dyke higher up, the fire must have spread in one direction to far beyond the Yenitcharsi, and in the other from the Teke to the Russian palace. The total number of victims to this great calamity iaL b. lieved to exceed 100. Up to yesterday at 4 p.m. 42 had been dug out of the debnt, when the work was discontinued in consequence of the bricks and broken roof timber nearer the base of the fallen walls being too hot to admit of further exhumations. Among the killed is Ibrahim Bey, the chief of the Galata police.

LATTER-DAY SAINTS' CONFERENCE. On Sunday last a series of meetings in the Music Hall, Store-street, Bedford-square, London, were held for the purpose of hearing the various statements of the progress made by the elders in their respective districts and missions. The meetings were numerously attended, many women being present. The con- ference was looked forward to by the saints" with much interest, several brethren having lately arrived from the holy city," Utah. President Wells occupied the chair; on his right sat Brigham Young, jun., and on the platform were ranged upwards of twenty elders and prophets. The speakers were various, and the accounts given T? 111 h|pPy work,—in the morning by Brethren isuilocK, fsinms, Saunders, &c.,—were received with great delight. Uay by day, H was stated, fresh evidences of faith were given. Of the finances there was no reason to complain, and the elders had been lib- rally supported. In the various districts many a itions had been made by baptism, and inroads had uen male into fresh families. The "saints" were poor people, but they got on better in poverty than with riches. In the afternoon the meeting commenced, as iri the with riches. In the afternoon the meeting commenced, as iri the morning, by singing, and after the business part of the conference, such as appointing the apostles, fee., had been attended to, Mr. Willis addressed the aa- r .■ and said:— seventeen years since he was baptised In the River for the remission of his sins, by the Rev. T. I!rad- -ice then he had lived seven years in his mountain hiai^ among the "saints," and now, after three years' lab mr in England, in the Bristol district, he was about to return to the land of the faithful, to the city of Utah, in de- scription of which place and tn anticipation of his arrival Mr. Willis sang a solo, commencing with— "Thfere is a place in Utah that I remember well, And there the saluto in joy and in plenty dwell." The chorus being, "My valley home, my valley home, My dear and peaceful valley." Brigham Young then came forward and amongst other remarks said lie stood before the people on that occasion "to tell them of the kingdom of Heaven, and he would speak snch things as were iL dittd in him by the Spirit of the Lord. The Lord spoke to men through His prophets in these last times; this was not a time for long sermons, but for warnings. He /could assure them that be felt it bis duty to tell them that God had established His kingdom on earth, and he shouid not feel satisfied unless he did do his duty. But be also desired to do something to support the saints, for they needed comfort under the many trials by which they were surrounded. He knew well that the latter-day Saints were hated on earth he had sometimes complained and he had continually prayed for support to staud the' dav r>f battle. His dear brethren and sisters, with himself not hold their own and stand their ground without a great struggle. Satan had now ruled the earth for 1 800 vears and the h< arts and minds of men. They had been left to e^abli'shec! whenh« & P°Wer oPPOS'd to all that which Jesus established when he was on earth, fle might be asked for a ARIVINS ANV NEONFFI MER-T- HE ^°ULD SIY>?N REPU, LOOKLUND h 5„_„ „ P,lf',or.ni ?ny nation, and see what Christianity \v*w wf'ifv.. ^hrisuanity as it was called by the world. j brought men to ? Were they not ruled by Satan in heart and aenon? The Lattt-r uays Saints were placed on the earth because the Lord loved thwrn, because they were Ria children, and were to be fitted to dwell with him. The was in a dark state, and it seemed impossible to » 1- But it was not impossible, and to this end he 0 working. Scriptures told us it was J the deep things of God At the •Mty of revelation but the with as much inte- He would .ø' vy. vJl due -YR<LA from any -accident, or from smallpox, poisy, aisease of heart or lungs, or other organ; who has attended him when ill, and whether any relation has suffered from such diseases, &c. He must also produce a certificate of birth, baptism, or the best evidence he can as to his age, and the Postmaster-General will be the judge whether it is sufficient. He must also name two respectable householders as referees, who will answer certain questions relating to applicant. The Postmaster-General has the power if he thinks fit" to direct the applicant to p esent himself for examination by a legally qualified medical pactitioner, to be named by the Postmaster-General in all cases, a person following the occupation of a miner or butcher, or innkeeper, publican, or beerseller, orsaiior, or any other occupation of especial risk to life, will be required to pay an extra rate. Of course, if the applicant objects to such extra rate, he may abstain from completing the proposal He shall also give notice of any special change in his movements or occupation which may imperil his life, and pay such extra premiums as 'may be required, or else forfeit his interest. So, too, if he dies by his own hands, or the hands of Justice, the insurance shall be absolutely forfeited. The premiums must in all cases be paid In the course of the week in which the day falls in which they are due, and 11 the default is made beyond the end of that week the w»wince 18 forfeited; but it may be renewed if within four at ^'Plication is made, and the Postmaster-General thinks the request, with or without a further medical It the in and on payment of a line of 4s. to 8s. years desJr«1Ved a,ter the payment of premiums for five to him ot ni? reuounce the coetraet, a return will be made paid, but it mav t^lan one-third of the premiums he has head are not lftrger sum, as the regulations on this ol time assign the f?med- And he may after the same lapse In the purchase S8?r*nce to any other person. habits is required annuity no evidence of health and An annuity for a wam mind, or other ina«mt v^^P^son under age, or of unsound to other persons to be held ir. »°r cental, may be granted transferred when necessary to „rus* ioT him or h%r, and will not be assignable, thonKh i^w trustees. But an annuity become the property of the credit of bankruptcy it will An insurance on life may be tor anv » and an annuity for any sum betwe^V*m jrom 201, to 100J., description may ba obtained for th^^ But either to hlmself, to the full amount part> « wife, in addition win be6 Incurred^byPer80ns Inuring thi^ Postage, f or ammSpaya "le more frequently than h^^racting what Is required for the procuring of evidence oWe' in.the case of annuities payab a fee oi i« on every 11. of the annuity will be to cover costs, as the costs arc not included in the Parents of this class of annuities. The Spectator says • There are thou, S"ds of^nen among usjand perhaps hundreds^ thousands of womw wjj0 own jjaye saved a few } P°unds utterly lltl,lfficient {or maintenance, but sufhcient for this transaction, „t,o look forward cheerfully to twenty or thirty years of labour, hut have a chill dread of that dreary time when, with saving* insufficient for bread, few (]rie"df; Jn<* Increasing wants, they *hall be pronounced and shall feel themselves too old for regular work. Take the ordinary case of a governess at thirty earning 40J. a year. She may be able to save lOl. easily, but at sixty -lie will have little more than 3001. or at the best sale rate of investment 102. a year, 6s. a week, less than shy would have to pay for 1 furnished lodging. Under MrVj Gladstone's scheme that payment will secure her 30i. a year, free of all chance of loss or failure, or delay, as certain for life as if she owned the 1,000l, which as far as her life interest Is concerned it represents. The exact rate to be tmtd by a woman, who from the age of thirty agrees to investner surplus in this way, will be 91. 2s. 7d. a year, though a tator or Welsh curate under the same circumstances would buy the same advantages for only 71. 2s. 8d. Women, unfortunately for them in this case, do not drink, and when free of pecuniary care do live so long, and the rates punish them heavily for those unwilling offences. But the governess at thirty may have saved something, may have inherited something, may have people quite willing to give her something, if only she will take it once for all and not ask them again, and the tables provide for any of these pleasing contingencies. A payment of 85i. Os. 10d. at thirty will secure her at sixiy 251. a year for life, or supposing her to combine the two methods, which Is by far the best, she may by a payment once for all of 852 Os. 10d., and a yearly payment of 11. 8s. 9d. secure 502. a year. not much perhaps, but still equal to the life-interest in 1,0002, and far beyond utter poverty. There are classes of educated people in England,—the rich do not know how many or their hearts would break,—to whom the certainty of 602. a year would seem relief. My Lord," said Mary Corby, in a tale of Henry Kingsley's, "look here and see what you have done. When the children are going to sleep, I sit, and sew, and sing; and when they are gone to sleep I still sit, and sew, and think. Then I build | my Spanish castles; but the highest tower of my caitle has risen to this—that in my old age I shall have ten shillings a week left me by some one, and be able to keep a canary bird, and have some old woman as pensioner. And now—now! Oh IU be quiet In a moment. Don't speak to me for a moment. God is very good. Aye, and Mr. Gladstone has given the means of realizing that dream te every woman in England so circumstanced for a thrift of less than two clear shillings a week. In the case of domestic servants, the advantages are even greater. Nearly half the female paupers in the Unions have been female servants, and perhaps no class is less cared for in its friendless old age. The kind of woman who, having worked herself out in service, turns charwoman just when her strength begins to fall, and sometimes, as we have seen, dies of starvation, wants for comfort 252. a year. To gain it she must pay at thirty 422. lCa. down, and thenceforward 22. 4s. 5d. a year, lOkl. a week, or Is. 9d. without the sum down, a heavy demand, but still one it is possible to meet. But she may wish to take her annuity monthly, and in that case a payment of 83. a month will secure her at sixty 12.16s. 7d. per month, or 212. 19s. a year for life. To a butler, or footman, or coachman, or artizan, the same payment, he being a man, will secure 22. 7s. 3d., or say 292. a year. In other and perhaps plainer words, any man in England may, by paying is. a week from thirty obtain at sixty an annuity of 6s. a week; not enough but enough it he can do any work at all, to keep him off the Union. It may be however, that he can begin earlier, and then the advantage is very great, a shilling a week from twenty-five to sixty purchasing him as nearly as possible 8s. a week for the remainder of his days. All these figures are multipliable or divisible with no apparent limit, except the one nxed by statute, which limits any one annuity to £50 a year. Their real effect, apart from small details, is to give to persons who save for deferred annuities more than five times the interest on the sum they might have had if they had heaped the E&me savings up in a bank, and Blx times the income it would purchase if saved in a teapot or old stock- ing. The amount of suffering whish may thus be prevented is indescribable, and it must be remembered that an in- surance once begun will he kept up in circumstances under which saving would be abandoned. The amount charged may seem heavy for the lower class, or labourers, and it is but it must be remembered they do pay is. a week to clubs, and do not receive in old age the advantages of which, under this bill, they cannot be deprived. This, however, is but part of the scheme, and provides only for old age. There is the pecuniary effect of a death still to be provided against, and thii also is met by these tables. Artizan s, as a mle, marry pretty early, and a sum of 501, payable at death would in most cases enable the family to tide over the sudden stoppage of resources. Well, ll. a year, less than fiveptnee a week, will purchase, if payments are begun at the age mentioned, 482. 193. 6d., or the same result may be secured by the sacrifice In one sum 01 102. KH. 4d., or If both single payments and annual payments are too heavy for him, a monthly sum of two shillings, less than sixpence a week, will secure 522. lIs. 10d. In other words, a workmg man in fair employ may, by the saving of half-a-crown a week, secure himself against penury in old age. and his wire against the utter ruin which might follow his sudden decease. Half-a-crown a week out of his earnings gives him and his family the safety, the sense of ease, and the freedom from comparative care which belong to the capitalists, lifts that bitter dread which lies so close to the heart of the poor that tbe battle of life cannot be won, that the struggle must end sooner or later in the workhouse or in want. The power of the State Is applied to give to the workman, to the friendless woman, and to the domestic servant, those aids of science and of perfect security by which the middle classes bave so largely benefitted, and should these tables but become popular they will produce, we believe a definite increase In that amount now so miserably small—the average happiness of the Eng- lish cottage home."

LIFE ON BOARD AN AMERICAN STEAMER. The author of "A Short American Tramp in the Fall of 1864," make the following humourous remarks of his ex perience iu travelling in American steamers:— Embarked for the first time in a Yankee steamer. The general outward semblance of the vessel was that of the Noah's Arks which delight English children; and the contents were as numerous and various. All the stewards and stewardesses were "free coloured citizens of the United States," and they were of every shade from yellow-ochre to burnt umber and ivory- black. They all spoke remarkably good English with little accent, and the head cooks and commanders were infinitely better dressed than some of the swell pas- sengers. Of these, a motley crew, all anxious for state-rooms, crowded round a window where the cap- tain dispensed keys. Having procured a key through the kindness of an American gentleman, we took possession. The room was the very nattiest clean, wooden box into which a traveller ever was packed. The berths were broard and high; the beds of the very best; the sheets snowy white, and tucked in with consum- mate art and neatness. Of these neat double boxes there was more than a hundred, ranged along a saloon as white and clean as the rest of the ship, and fitted with sofas, stoves, tables, plate, and a piano. The engine-room posi- tively shone with the polish of oil and elbow-grease. The inside of the ship looked like a new ivory toy with ebony dolls in it. When feeding time came we walked down stairs like gentlemen, instead of tumbling down the companion" like sailors. We got to the third storey under water, and found a bigger saloon, with three tiers of lofty berths curtained off at the sides. It was lighted with lamps, and a well-found table would have groaned under theload, if it trad not been too well made to creak, and too well-bred to turn Here was no watching for the beam overhead, no diving for salt pork and biscuit. We walked in with the upright carriage of free men, and sat down to table like enlightened citizens. A sable youth, like a Rubens' nigeer, presented a sparkling goblet of pure water with a little iceberg in it, and then we dined. We did not bolt our food, we dined longuement large- ment, et copieuesment, as the French epicure did. No str.mg liquors were sold on board but those who cared for them carried a supply. One gentleman who had forgotten to bring a store, landed at the first port in Maine, and returned triumphant with a fat glass flask Like a well conditioned traveller, he offere to share the contents with his friends and neighbours. Some declined; others accepted; and having filled their glasses, proceed to sip the illegal nes; uar. But as they sipped their mouths began to tell a tail of woe, and ere long their tongues began to utter it aloud. The darned old cuss of a 'pothecary had sold five dollars' worth of doctor's stuff for Hollands," so after one more sip it went overboard, followed by expletives.

AN EMIGRANT'S SUCCESS. The following extract is from a letter sent to Man- chester by a handloom weaver, who emigrated from Blackley soine years ago to the United States, dated Centreville, Rhode Island, February 15, 1865 v.* saw you, many changes te ourselves, and the ^^ria have taken place. As regards myself, I was then a far from my mother's home, which has since been this life, but T trust to meet ..„ iour acres » nigh state of cultivation, a mile -I..— — otii my works, and 18 miles from the flourishing town of Worcester, Massachusetts."

COMPARATIVE POPULATIONS. An "Eolllishman," writes as follows to the Times on this subject. Referring to his previous communication, he says :— The high authority which I quoted, I believe, over- rated the area of France, and to that extent the density of the population of the empire was Mder- stated. To avoid any shadow of exaggeration I take the lowest figure, which I have found g!V^en by any person who has written on the subject. I tnrow In the three new departments which France has acquired, and include Paris. M. Mathieu makes the area 54,306,141 hectares: and upon this ground trance supports 178 persons on every square mUe of_ L^r territory. 178 is still below the In^h standard of 1801, which, including its due share of the army, navy, and merchant seamen, maintains 184 persons on a square mile of land. The mean population of Ireland to every square mile of land was 257 in 1841; and on t e reduced area, the population of France, at a A. °f density, would be 53,975,000. The population of 62 departments of France, out of 89! is lower in proportion to the soil than the yish stand- ard of 1861. Whole departments fall below Connaught. We now pass the Pyrenees into Catholic Spain, where the sun ripens the vine and the crops are not chilled or destroyed by the rains, but where certainly other disadvantages exist m the soil and climate. Including her capital and her large cities, Spain nourishes on an average 80 persons In the peninsula on every square mile of territory Portugal has a still better soil around her rivers, and the popula- tion is in a higher proportion. By the Spanish standard the population of Ireland would be reduced to less than half of its present numbers. Cross the Rhine, and takingin the fertile Rhenish provinces and cities, Prussia has now 172 persons to a square mile. The population is still below the standard of Ireland. Descerd the Danube and after reckoning as well the population of the rich plains of that river as the populous Italian provinces, Austria had on an average only 148 people to a square mile of territory in 1857, the date of the last census. If she had been as well peopled as Ireland, the Empepor would have possessed more by 10,000,000 than his enumerated subjects. Italy, the Netherlands, England, Belgium, and some of the small German States are more thickly Peopled than Ireland Bavaria has only 161 people to a square mile. Except Italy and England, the other are in an exceptionable condition; they have anri i\i*7e manufactures and numerous towns. Sweden forri+«»™Tay only 19 people to a square mile of Vtanrtla 8a^a Europe has not more than 32 • vPortii ftrriua«e m^e °f her black mould and other ricn soiifl. lne facts about aome of these states are conflicting, but not to an extent to-affect my argument. In the most ill-governed states of the world, where property is insecure, the population is not numbered, and the land has never been surveyed. It is, however, tolerably certain that Turkey, in the fairest climate, and on some of the richest soil of Asia and Europe, has around Constantinople not more than six times the people on sixty times the area of Ireland. The Turks, with a plurality of wives, are nu match for procreative Irishmen.

HAVING A SPLENDID TIME OF IT! We have received the following letter for publication (says the Liverpool Albion). It is from a "last" young man who receutly left England for America :— New York, February -1865. Dear Sir. Long life and happiness to you and Mr. ——. On arriving here I waited on Mr. who was very kind. He paid me 50dols., for which accept my best thanks. At his request I saw Mr.. He gave me every encouragement, and appears to have a very healthy place of it. Finding my dollar money getting small, and seeing no chance of success, I made up my mind, go to the war I would"—liquored up heavily, took a coach, drove to an army agent, went to Cedar- street, got my papers made out, then to dinner, came back, got measured, went to Tammany-hall, appeared before the doctor minus my garters, hopped across the room on my right leg—left leg, showed him my right side, left side, coughed, showed my teeth, heard a whisper, which was bullets, saw 50 miles, held my hand over my head, twisted my joints round, showed my hands, my feet, stood erect, coughed again, went up to him bow on. turned the reverse, stood erect, and then touched the floor with my fingers, coughed, let him admire where Paddy thought his heart was, then dressed, and skedaddled again went to Cedar-street, got all completed, was sworn in, and signedfor750dols., enlisted in the general army for three years, to go to the front and fight for Grant; received 20 dols. on account, was crammed in a dungeon between six other shooters; got some food, sent for a bottle of brandy which cost 9 dols. took a drink or two, roused up at ten o'clock at night, and marched off with about 50 more recruits; put into a boat, and, amidst bayonets and revolvers, got to Castle William walked about half a mile, and was put into a den of ruffians who saluted us with "Fresh fish," "blanket tbem," &c.; j got a piece of bread, some cold coffee, and a piece of 1 pork all fat; ordered to quarters, slept on boards, -in three davs was taken to Fort Columbus, got my clothes and regimentals. Heard of a vacancy in the Post- Adjutant's Department, went there, got 450 dols. in greenbacks, whispered about the situation, threw 100 dol. bill on the floor, was taken to the private office, had a shake hands, found him an Irishman, wrote for him to see my handwriting, had a drink, got the situation; a few hundred dollars a year, besides army pay, with rations and quarters gratis, all of the best sort; was introduced to my fellow-clerks, had a cigar and drink, put down fifty dollars, and spent a pleasant evening, or rather night. We have a splendid time of it lounge about, smoke cigars, listen to the band playing under our windows, tell love tales, have a nip, go on parade, chat with the gals, do our work, and dont care a —— for any man. Now, I give myself credit for managing this affair so well; though still, if a general's order came, I should go—that is, if I liked. However, I am bound to serve three years I1 u J s°Wier, but fully reckon I won't be dis- turbed from my post. This is just the life I like- Dashing, dangerous, and dollary. I make out the field returns for the capital at Wash- ington, general and special orders, attend garrison duty at G. a.m., and 8 30, p.m., pay recruits their bounty, now 1,000 dols. balance my dollar account— sometimes 15,000 dols. to 20,000 dols.-then go any- where. l I am to get remainder of my bounty shortly, (juu oois.) am promised promotion, and belong to r 7J' anc* shortly get my new regimentals. 1 would not for 500 £ a year for the next ten years in Llverpool give up my present position. I see tne road for making money as clearly as possible. I\o one gets in here except through enlistment, as they aje thought more game. I will have my sword and six- shooter very soon. There are a bad lot here, and the place is armed to the teeth. A general's order is diffi- cult to get, and is the only pass to come on the island for strangers. A countryman of my own, who treated me coolly in N ew York, heard of my fortune, came across, was announced by a sentry, and when I heard his name, ( Tv i.°Le mounted orderly to take him to the boat ins1 a ter, take his likeness, and never allow him an, report progress. The colonel was by all the ine and took no notice. I am to get a ticket- of-leave in a few days, and intend buying a gold watch, ain, and ring, get some cartes-de-visite takeD, and your good self 51. through my respected 1,1H W, -)r which accept my best thanks, fn 1. e remitted my brothers' by same oppor- tumty, but they never thought it worth while to answer my ers, four of which I wrote on my arrival, and sent them by private hand to save postage. It appears heyfancied they got a happy riddance otme, and l me to my fate in a strange country of robbers to live or. dIe" Blackbird." This is not the way to treat relatlveE, who were at all events kind at one tune however, 1 wish them all good luck) for. give all t del^iquencies with iny own, and banish every thought. Next snow I am going for a sleigh r e with three or four young ladies and our lieutenants this will cost me 100 dols., so you see how the money goes. I find this life ver^ fast, but will ease off after a bit. This island is beautifully situated, in fact quite like a park, heavily ordnanced and kept in splendid order. The view of New York, Brooklyn, &c., is very exten- sive and beautiful, steamers are in constant move up and down, sometimes I take the glass for a while, smoke a cigar, refresh myself, and have a nap on a couch. Amongst the many smart things we do here, I will enumerate a few :—We can catch light- ning and measure it by the yard, overtake telegraph messages and stop them, run before our shadows, blow up steamboats, and when our books won't balance call a fire-engine and cla;m the insurance. We hold court- martials constantly, shoot deserters, &c., and bury folks in quick sticks in fact, a death is thought no- thing of here, nor is a life. My orders are—make a prisoner of any «man trying to escape, and if he resists use your sixshooter. 1 am to commence military drill next week, not because I am compelled to do so, but I want to become thoroughly master of the thing. Sunday is as busy with us as any other day. We have a church, but there it is When I go to New York I intend getting all the influence I can, procure a golden pass togo anywhere, getremoved across, meet Inman's steamer coming in, offer 100 dols. more bounty than amc\vi.lllan> get at least ten men a month, secure W> dols. on each, and pocket 1,000 dols. monthly. 14 °ad a good agent in New ^ork I fancy there is a good plenty of money to be made in commissariat stun, l know it. I could get our friend Mr. 1 000 dols. and a good post here; he would make a splendid soldier. If he thinks of coming out to join, I will send him 200 dols. for cigars on board, but there would oe a great risk of his being sent to the front; however, he could cross the border for a few greenbacks and absquatblate. My brother was engaged with the enemy off Charlestown some few weeks ago, had two men killed in his boat, a bullet through his own cap, and silenced the enemy. This was sharp work, and no mistake. The New York people are a hornd lot of long, dry-looking, hard. featured chaps. I would not trust one of them with a dollar and my confirmation on the subject is that every man in the north of New York is trying to rob every man m the south of New York, and vice versa.

GREAT FIRE AT BRUNSWICK. .Howing is a letter from Brunswick fdated Feb. sribing the destruction of the Duke's Palace aentloned in writing to you that a fnnrt h.h the 23rd having bfen Repeated ly^eUyed ow nJto f sssive cold, which had rendered it almost lm^ible f f^tlvftlis larR6 bal1 411(1 BUPPer-rooms devoted 17 o'clock an alarm of Are was heard In the streets. nost immediately afterwards tne cathedral hell Wan ThE to >ss w^on fi™ r<ftW? WBS Jn clrcnl<*tion that the was on Are, which report we, however relected th«0Inn^o thinking it a mischievous alarm got up jle were enrf* kn0Wlng that hundred ;»le were Conltregated together, and that tMs report rters of an £ <1 the excitement. After about three- glow in the 6 bt ls cea8^ t0 to11, and M we 8aw streets, we held seemed quiet in the much needless °nrK opinion that there had been however about next to nothing. Mr. B res.ly in 0,1 his .ret»r? hy 8a*ing the Are was garden front h./vaIace= aild thll ™ hla arrival the having burnt th e,uin that. several rooms mob dispersed wttV|S« Jhe daDg.er *as over. The the effect that a Fook deal ol Jeenn8 and remarks to afford to °f, no as Duke could made a few SiS^ dftml«e- We, also greatly relieved, that it would hit i0,ke\ °.nv the excitement, remarking atid havirwl hav! .kept Ahe suPPer warm, and so on with arc ascertained that the ball was proceeding thfi flrl MJ ?clat> and that the guests had scarcely known of having taken place in the Duke's private apart- °18' towards the garden front), dismissed the matter Mr !}0111 m^nds, and proceeded to speak of other things, hv ViT then left us- Ab°ut 9 SO we were all electrified •jV 8reat cathedral bell booming out again In the night »lr, and in the space of a minute this tone of distress was caught up and re-echoed in solemn notes from every belfry in Brunswick. Then, rushing to the window, I saw that the w h sky waa blood red with angry flames, and shooting up n|gh into the lurid air, rose thousands of huge flery meteors falling again in millions of showery sparks upon the devoted building. It was as light as at noon- day In the streets. We heard the roll of drums, and were told the infantry had been marched out. The streets were crowded with people shouting to each other, as giving repoits of the conflagration to those who were oùliged to stay at home. All the gentlemen in our house were out; the suspense was terrible, and taking my fur and a hood, I went up to the loft in order to gain a better view of what I yet dreaded to see.: The flames now seemed to extend over so large a space that it appeared as if the half of Brunswick were burning. An awful but most wildly beauti- ful sight met my eyes. As you will remember, the centre of the noble facade of the SGhlosg was crowned by a colossal bronze figure of Brunonia, the pa ron goddess of the town, in a car of victory, drawn by four colossal bronze horses. This magnificent group, perhaps unequalled in its way. was completed last year, and, after much consul tatloD douht. and deliberation, placed on the pediment orglnally designed for It, on the centre of the Palace roof. The model was a design of the celebrated and deeply lamented Rietschel, who, though young in years, had won himself a high place in the first ranks of German art. The carrying out of his noble design had been entrusted to Professor Howaldt, who, with his sons, had been ten years at work on the Quadriga The execution (wrought In bronze) of this splendid work of art was considered so wonderful that lovers of art and connois- seurs came from all parts of Germany to witness the pro- fessor's triumph. The Quadriga was a present from the loyal people of Brunswick to their Sovereign. Some doubts had arisen in the minds of scientific men,—architects engineers and such like,—whether the roof of the palace might endure so enormous a weight; but, finally, after mature delibera- tion, in the autumn of last year the Brunonia was elevated to her post of honour, and stood In mag- nificent proportions of strength and beauty, gniding her fiery coursers and looking down on the quaint old town at her Iee,V 1 ?^ow beheld her standing in her Imperial beauty holding the raging coursers in her nervous grasp but alas < unable to 9tay the cruel flames which already licked the basement of the pediment, and shone en her face in fiery glory. Then I thought of the frightful fate in store for this immortal (as we all had thought) work of art, and, when Professor and the labour of these ten years, tint T6 *u^°.f il art for thls beauUfuI child of his crea- ^an to cry. There she stood, black and boldly defined, against the blood-red sky, but I knew in my heart that she was doomed, and that be- I Stran^an^weird it°wfls W £ Uld be, a the Poorer, black crows cfrcllneaWiT^ sf? large flocks of great the devoted buUdlng, and h?verlnK over ing fresh companions to return °yer ^°wn gather- scene of devastation. I remained to Jhe nearly an hour. The loft fn which 1 observation the market-place at noon-day. i had alread^ffL^ gnl aa intimate friends and found, to my relief my safe. The ladies had escaped from the ballroom were ducted by the officers and gentlemen present, had safety out of the Schloss, running over the Ice and snow i their satin slippers and ball dresses, toe tkankful to escann from the destroying element. In the meantime theDokehad retired to the houie of bis Master of the Horse, and later drove out to his villa at Richmond; and now the whole of the beautful facade was in flames. Men were seen drag- glug out sacks of gold and silver plate a few out of the very valuable collection of pictures were saved the gorgeous ballroom, with its crimson velvet hangings, magnificent gold chandeliers, and groups of orange trees, exotics, and tropical plants, were now also in flames; the luxurious supper was burning, the plate liquid, and the linen in ashes. At length, about 12 o'clock, a thrill and shiver seemed to pass through the public. There was a gasp and a sort of universal sob, for the Brunonia was seen to waver and then with a mighty crash the glorious Quadriga sunk Into the abyss of ruin. After this every one went home and not a few tears were shed over the fate of the natron goddess. A voice In the crowd was heard to say in the solemn hush that preceded the final wrack, This will break the professor's heart." The Schloss of the reigning Duke of Brunswick was built at the expense of the people, and cost two millions of money. Its Imposing facade, solid construction, and great size, caused it to rank among the handsomest residences of Germany. In 1830 the late Duke Charles was forced to abdicate, and quitted his palace as it succumbed to the flames. He fled, to return no more. But Duke Wilhelm was received with aeclamations, and has never ceased to be popular with the people since he has reigned over his pros- perous little country. It 18, however, a singular fact that two princes of one generation, brothers of a Royal house, should thus successively have been burnt out of their palaces. Iu the present case, however, no particular demonstration can for one moment be suspected beneath the gloomy disaster. The Buke, who has accorded to his people all the privileges of a Liberal Government, has become doubly popular, since In the Schleswig-Holsteln matter he took the popular view of the question and declared himself for German interests. A fate, prophesied at Berlin In the preceding century at the Court of the Great Frederick, hangs over the House of Brunswick. The Sybil who then predicted the death of old Fritz declared that violent deaths and unhappy lives should be the fate of the Princes and Princesses of the House of Guelph. Let us see how this gloomy prophecy has been fulfilled. The then reigning D ake's eldest daughter Augusta was married to the Prince of Wurtemburg, and after bearing him a son and daughter, unable longer to support the misery ? affcer of marriage, disappeared. Eer father's researches were in vain, but a cruel fate delivered her into the hands of her enemies, and she was condemned to a life long imprisonment in the castle of RevaL Her younger sister Caroline became the consort cf "the first gentleman of Europe," and gave the world food for scandal such as has rarely been equalled In the annals of married Royalty. Carl Ferdinand's unhappy sister Christine Ulrica ended her days In banishment at Stettin. The Dake Carl Wilhelm Ferdinand's uaele Anton Ulrich, with his wife and four children, was taken Russian prisoner, and after :14 years' imprisonment at length died in the Stbenam strongheW, where he had draggid out his weary existence. J Prince Leopold, Cart Wilhelm Ferdinaad's brothers, was drowned at Frankfort on tin Oder, Ia endeavouring to rescue the families of the poor inhabitants during an inun- dation _pfrl Ferdtaand himself (the General Bruns- wick of Napoleoa) struek by a ball between the eyes at the battle of Jena, was carried out of the fight blind, and, lest he should fall into the hands of the enemy, was brought to Ottensen, where, within a few weeks, he was laid in his grave. His san William, "the Oels," died the death of a hero at Qnatre-Bras. He left two sonB-Dute Charles, whose strange adven- tures are so well known to the world; and Wiihelm, the reigning Duke of Brunswick. Should the present Sovereign die without issue, the Duchy of Rrunswick lapses to Hanover. While I write these words huge flames and columns of smoke aie still rising from the place where yesterday the ducal palace stood. The fire is supposed to have beeu occasioned by an overheating of the Russian flues," and subsequently the gas-pipes bursting, all possibility of saving the Schloss was at an end added to this, all the water-plugs were frozen, and boiling water had to be poured down them before a drop was available for the pump The ice on the river was many feet thick, and thus, before water cnuld be procured, the devouring element had gained such an ascend- ancy that the firemen worked against hope. The whole people of Brunswick seem deeply affected by this sad catastrophe. Their beautiful Schloss, admired of strangers, the pride of the town, a mass of blackened ruins their Duke driven to take refuge in a emalj country villa '• the Goddess of Victory emblematic of their city, the work of an undying artist, the labour of ten years' patient loving genius melted to a shapeless mass, and lying, hideous in its gigantic formlessness, among the blackened walls. The land is rich, and the Duke is enormously so so the Schloss may be built up again, but Brunonia, in all'her per- fect glory, will never again stand as a victorious goddess on the walls of the Royal Palace; and I think this night's work has broken Profesaor Howaldt's heart.

THE RECENT JAPANESE EXECUTION. A correspondent of a contemporary, writing from Yoko- hama, Dec. 29, 1864, says :— You will, no doubt, be surprised to hear that one of the murderers of poor Bird was executed in the follow- ing manner, yesterday, in the presence of all the soldiers and a great number of civilians — The day before yestersday (Dec. 27) he was taken round the town on a pack-horse, under a strong guard, with his crime and his sentence before him, and then he was taken to the execution ground, but as it was then late (five o'clock, p.m.) and the troops could not witness his execution, the same was objected to, and he was taken back to prison. He was executed, however, on the 28th December, by having his head cut off by a sword. He was brought to the ground in a" congo," or native chair, from which he alighted and received his last meal —some saki" and a smoke. He then begged not to be blindfolded, and his request was granted. He requested the officers to give his love to his sweetheart, and walked up to the pit into which his head was to fall, and knelt down facing the troops, and there sang a song to the glory of his prince and master "Meto," who is the head of the "Lonins," chaffed the execu- tioner and asked him to be sure to cut clean; then at a roar, cursed all foreigners, and said all they wanted was Japan- gave the signal, and off rolled his head, which was at once taken to the gate of Yokohama and there spiked for three days. He was a big muscular man, and confessed to killing Bird. He was once a man with 500 followers, and was disgraced and degraded, but would not say what for. He certainly met death as no man in the world could meet it axcept himself—up to the last moment singing and chaffing and never showed the faintest sign of fear or care and often repeated he would do it again if he got the chance.

AN INTERESTING CEREMONY. A most interesting ceremony has taken place at the Invalides, which recalls the visit of the Allies to Paris in 1814, who in the papers which give an account of it are designated as nos ennemis. It appears that, when these said ennemis were on the point of entering Paris, Marshal Serurier, then Governor of the Invalides, determined to bum no less than 1,417 stand of colours taken at different periods by the armies of France from foreign nations. This holocaust was hurriedly accomplished m the dead of night, and so imperfectly that several old soldiers were able to abstract some of the flags, which a devo.ed adherent of the Empire, Baron d'Autist, has, with indefatigable energy, col- lected and presented to the Emperor. Among these are the Scotch standard of the 66th Regiment, two Egyptian flags taken from the Mamelukes, two Prussian, one Aurtnan, two Spanish, and one Portu- guese standard. To these General d'Autist has added two purchased by hunm Switzerland, one of which was presented by Richelieu under the Regency of Marie de Medicis to the Grisons. It is in nerfect preservation, and bears the device, "If God be for us, who can be against us ibl9 A second is in a ragged condition, and has the date 1476 embroidered on it. The Grisons rallied round this flag at the battle of Morat, where the Swiss beat the Burgundian Duke Charles le Temeraire. These relics were transferred on Sunday last to the Invalides, escorted by a squadron of Chasseurs, and were received by Comte de Brancion surrounded by his staff, and the old soldiers drawn up in line within the gates. The comte, ag he took eaoh standard from the cavalry officer who had the charge of it, handed it to an invalid decorated witL the Legion d'Honneur. A proceg'upiv was then formed, Lft" -I->v."o-; -——- tweVre invalids carry- aug Vae twelve ancient trophies of country's ) victories, who led the way to the chapel; wV>ere to the solemn peal of the organ and shrill note of tb< bugle the old banners were replaced in the niches from which they had been hurriedly torn forty-one yearn since.

SPIRIT-RAPPING IN PARIS. Paris has again been invaded by those ingenious disciples of rapping, tapping, flapping, flying, sighing media who are still able to persuade the credulous that they are capable of holding communication between the living and tangible, and the dead and impalpable (says the Paris correspondent of the Morning rost). So far as my personal experience is concerned, I have been most unfortunate in never being able to witness in any of our Parisian seances but the most vulgar trickery applied to the most imbecile credulity. I have always been reminded of Shakspere's well-known dialogue between Hotspur and Owen Glendower:- GLEN —I call spirits from the vasty deep. HOTSPUR.—Why, so can 1; or so can any man But will they come when you do call them? GLBF —Why, I can teach you, cousin, to command the devil. HOTSPUR —And I can teach thee, cez. to shame the devil By telling truth: tell the truth, and shame the devil If thou have power to raise him, bring him hither, And I'll be sworn, I bave power to shame him hence, 0, while you live, tell truth, and shame the devil But if some people' are not fortunate in meeting the immortals, there are others who teem to be always in spiritual good luck. Here in Paris it is not so much the French people as British subjects and other foreigners who congregate about mahogany tables and invoke the presence of Homer, Alcibiades, Mahomet, Socrates, and even Ihersites and Plautus, thinking to get a joke out of the latter. But they do not confine themselves to the illustrious heroes of the classical past. On a late occasion one of our Parisian rappers and tappers issued invitations to a soiree, and on the card was written-to meet Franklin, Washington, Oliver Cromwell, Hampden, Milton, and. that class of the men of the people which happened to suit a certain group of female politicians. Perhaps the most re- markable circumstance connected with these spiritual reunions is to be found in the conversation of those who have assisted" in deceiving each other. I happened to find myself a few days back in the salon of one of our Paris hotels, when a number of ladies, no longer so youthful as they looked perhaps 30 years ago, were calling upon a fat, fair creature, remarkable for a head of hair which, in colour and glass, belongs to the most youthful period of female beauty. The conversation was entirely spiritual, and may be thus summed up:—Mrs. A was convinced that there existed communication between the departed and the living, but, as far as she could learn, what the spirit said was of the most trivial nature, and she should like to hear for once something intelligent and sensible communicated [through the medium of the inspired mahogany. Mrs. E- asserted that a great living astronomer, whose discoveries of planets were received as a mark of great intellectual superiority, always con- sulted his round table before he ascended his obser- vatory, and the consequence was the great success that had attended his telegraphic observations. Captain IReeftop, R.N., Baid that spirit rapping was nothing more than a splicing of humbug with credulity. A reverend gentleman present declared that he had seen a friend of his attempt to get up on a I table that was performing all sorts of jerky tricks, but every time he struggled to mount the restive four- legged Pegasus, he was violently thrown upon the ground. The majority present, however, which, I must repeat, consisted of ladies who could no longer expect to influence the ruder sex with their charms, were thorough believers and it was amusing to hear i;?*? (3? uttered and received each other's amiable Vant' ,tbe au8ur8 of old, got infinite doli.» ■ mutual, deception. One gentleman is obtain in mC?' an^ profitable business by little ^ltU-0graphs from the illustrious dead. His summon tn hf persuade the world that he can Quatorze jMioia^Trr Robespierre, Louis and obtain from a-D<^ .el°^Be' aQd such celebrities, I am not able to hand their signatures. character of spiritui^ ^??^ -great £ r0&re8S in the us in Paris, but I am soJr^ f^V8 n>°,* flutterm £ about the lunatic asylums now contain several devotees.

MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE A most painfnl affair has just occurred in the suburb of Hackney, near London, in the murder of a little boy by his aunt, and the attempted suicide of the murderess. The murderess is Elizabeth, the wife of C^rmichael, and she, with her husband and nephew, lived in one of a row of houses called Nightin- gale-villas at Hackney, which were being fitted up by Sarmichael., woman was subject to fits of mtlan- °„ 1 „ were considered by her husband to be • OI^Friday morning he went to his work leaving his wife and the boy, who was aged 11 years, together in bed. He had, however, taken them up their breakfast but findmg the room door locked he attributed that to his wife's peculiar temper, and thought no more about it. Finding the room door locked still at a later period of the day, he burst it open, when greatly to his horror he saw the boy lying lifeless on the bed with his head nearly severed from his body, and his wife with a terrible gash in her throat. The affrighted husband sent for medical assistance and the police had the woman conveyed to-the German Hospital, near the spot. An examina. tion made by the visiting surgeon showed that the windpipe was completely cut through, and since the patient has been in the hospital her food has had to be conveyed into her stomach by artificial means, and as might be expected her condition was most pre. carious.

An inquest was held on the body of the little boy. His aunt, whose throat was cut at the same time, still survives, and remains in the German Hospital. The evidence of the husband was to the following effect- bn Friday morning last I arose at a little before s o'clock, my usual time, and went from the bedroom, which was on the first floor to the kitchen on the basement, leaving my wife and the boy in bed. While preparing breakfast I heard out. Aunt! Aunt! don't; pray don't," and I r? was Seating him, as she was sometimes in the ha.nt of doing. I took up seme breakfast about, half- past 9, and knocked at the door which I found locked. I ?a ♦ .Aunt> why doh't you open the door? here's the break- iast, to which I received no answer. That did not much surprise me, not that had had any differences with my wile, but on the previous evening, on returning from town, I found the Venetian blinds up, and I atked her to put them down. She refused, saying she liked them up, and she had her way, but I put them down afterwards when she was gone to bed, and I attributed her temper to my having done ,we?J to work about 10 o'clock. I fitted up the gas- p pes In the house, and at midday I went and prepared dinner from some cold meat in the house. When the dinner a?i.rj rang the bell for them to come down, and having waited a quarter of an hour without receiving any answer, I went up and called out, Aunt are you coming down to dinner r I repeated this once or twice, and still receiving no answer, I said, "You are in one of your tempers again," and went down. At tea-time I went up again, and with a like result. At half past 7 o'clock I went up, and stiH receiving no answer I said, If you don't open the door, I'll fetch the police and burst it open—it's cruelty keeping the boy withoutfood," II pon that I pushed and wriggled at the handle of the door and at last burst it in. The room was dark at the time, bit I knew where the matches were on the mantle-piece, so I reached across and got one and struck a light. Then I saw the boy lying like dead, and my wife crouching down with a cut in her throat, I said, "What have you done?" She only gurgled and pointed to the boy. I then fetched Mr Welsh, the doctor. At the close of the investigation the ceroner summed Up. but the jury, after remaining for some time in deliberation, did not think they had evidence enough to warrant them in deciding who had inflicted the gashes, and the inquiry was therefore adjourned.

SEVENTY THOUSAND MEN THROWN OUT OF EMPLOYMENT. (From the Birmingham Daily Gazette.) The struggle that has been going on for years in the iron trade has at length reached a crisis in one ef the boldest measures that has ever been or that could under any circumstances be adopted by the employers of labour in any branch of industry. On Saturday night the South Staffordshire Ironworks were closed on the understanding tbat they should not again be opened till the North Staffordshire men bad returned to vi ork. There are 3000 furnaces in South Staffordshire. They were at work on Saturday, but they are cold this morning. 6000 puddlers were employed at them, and for each puddler there was an assistant, and for every puddler and every assistant there was a labourer. There were coal wheelers, boat loaders and un. loaders, horse drivers, and labourers employed in many other capacities in connection with the ironworks. There were also 3,500 millmen. Very soon after the stopping of the ironworks a great number of colliers must be thrown out of work. On the whole 34,000 or 35,000 persons will be thrown out of employment in South Staffordshire alone this week, and 40 000?. a week that used to be distributed in wages will no longer circulate amongst the families of the poor. If the lock-out be persevered in all over the country, in accordance with the compact which the ironmasters have entered into with each other, 70,000 men will be thrown out of employment, and above 200,000 persons will be deprived of the means of subsistence. Nearly 100,000?. a week that used to be paid in wages will be diverted from the labouring classes of the iron districts of this country, and will circulate in some other channel. As to the probable duration of the lock-out, it rests with the North Staffordshire pud- dlers to put an end to it as soon as they like. But if they be firm, the men in the other parts of the country are powerless. It is then practically a matter to be decided by the North Staffordshire puddlers and the masters—others of course having what influence belongs to advice and persuasion, but no more. The masters will not yield until they have had a very severe trial of their strength first. As to the means the puddlers have of resisting, the North Staffordshire men will find themselves in a very difficult position if the unions refuse to support them. As to the puddlers who have just been thrown out of work, the week's wages they receive on Saturday night might be made to support them for a considerable time under the pressure of an exigency like the present. Then they have the money accumulated by the association, which, it is stated, amounts to 6,oool. or 7,0001. they hope to receive assistance, as has been said before, from trades' unions, and they have some credit with the grocer and the baker, and the publican. Men having even these small resources, and being willing to suffer a good deal from hunger and thirst if necessary, might, if they felt so disposed, subsist in idleness for a con- siderable time.

MURDER OF A WIFE. Matthew Atkinson. a pitman, aged 40, was sentenced to death at the Durham Assizes on Saturday for the murder of his wife. The prisoner lived at a place called the Spen, and according to common report was a man of ungovernable passion. He showed his disposition one night by an attack upon his wife, whom he beat with demoniac ferocity. He returned to the attack several times, and the villagers did not venture to in- terpose, his ferocity beinH- so well known. Mr. Foster's defence was an endeavour to induce the jury to return n verdict of Manslaughter," on the ground of the mu t lenient toh" prisoner iu:x.ui under when influenced by drink or anger, and quoted some dicta in law in support of hit coutentioa f |>ut His Lordship pointed out that they wen a. t appli- cable to the circumstances of this case, ami rli&t t ;'1\\ to one law for drunken or angry, au1 ui,v»htr tor sober or quiet '.ei.pl* «r,.uld be subversive of all justice and order in this country. H- briefly reviewed the evi- deuce, and pointing out tbat the provocation^ in order to relieve from murder, must be reasonable and must consist always of more than mere worda and gestures, (unless the latter were most threatening, wheieas the poor woman escaped and was dragged back), left the jury to perform their task according to their real belief, and not rejecting the cardinal rules of law upon the subject of murder. His lordship also commented strongly upon the want of manliness of the neighbours in permitting this outrage. The jury retired for a short time only, and then re- turned with a verdict of Guilty, and the prisoner on being called upon to say why sentence should not be passed upon him, said that his wife had led him a most unhappy life, and that he was tired of it and wanted to die, and that he had brought her home that night from another man's house, and that had oc. curred seven times. His LordBhip then assumed the black cap, and ad- dressing the prisoner, said that he had been convicted op evidence which could leave no doubt of the wilful murder of his wife. He said she had led him an un- happy life, but he haa beaten her in the most savage manner, and when she escaped he brought her back again. He had forfeited his life, therefore, and must prepare to die, and his Lordship recommended him to make the best use he could of the few days of life which remained to him in repairing to that Throne of Grace from which no repentant sinner was ever spurned. The prisoner, who was much affected, simply said, Thank you, my Lord. I am prepared to die any time."

The Times, in a leader upon this dreadful affair, says:— At last the deed was done, and thsn he seemed rather sorry for it, having perhaps worked himself sober but his grief did not prevent him from sitting down uy the bed on which the body lay and smoking « In which hii neighbour Anderson quietly Joined him. These, however, strange to ° most revolting features of the case. tU £ ^nd¥e^ndi £ rn^»^ are they are actually less calculated to kindle indignation than thoaa still to be detailed. The pitman mustered preUrthicWy at the Spen. There w "h cokmy of em. We hear their houses spoksn of as t ci ow, and a dozen men and women came uetore us in the scene. et in all this num ber of these Strong men there was not one who dared to im SS arm In defence of this poor woman. It Was not that they arm in defence of this poor woman. Tt J? V I were ignorant of what was going on far 2SE It was not that they held' lHe rhIn « lightly of murder. They held back f mm Atkinson threatenad tbem. He fWi^S ♦v t ..°2War(^c^ srxirc?' s-.tsa ss that we quote^WrriVfi". °ae man—11 u 11,8 own evidence Then there w^T»^'? Atkinson start to thrash his wife." thesonndrrfHi Jlnghng of flreirons;" then a luU, then 01 WL°ws again, then the woman cried "Oh!" a v.r^v?r* ?n,?,8.°> continues the witness, I went out to my K j'it0 hi m what Arklnson was doing." Another man looked through the upstairs window and heard him thrashing ner and swearing he would kill her. "This," he adds, "con. tinued very near an hour, and he proceeds to say, "after thrashing her a long time he came out and went into Bella Hall's. 1 thought it was done, and I went to bed again." A third man actually went into the house while the murder was going on, saw blows Inflicted, and heard the poor woman cry out, Oh dear, Mat, I'm not dead yet 1" He cried "Shame 1" he says, on the murderer, and tried to pacify him and keep him down; but then he toUa us i — ■ — he'" tbat Atkinson wcnld hurt him, and so In toeethV H1,6 ar,d thtn weot out Two others went with hta wif«V nd Ue niul(lerer fitting on the flocr, hand Th^v «i^D?iacross hls lep aBd tbe ton88 ready to his blm uke tbe ton RE and strike her, when ..>,« <? °*Jler to go and take them away from him. But Atkinson ordered them out of the home," and on his promise that he would "let her alone" they went out, when be followed them to the door, threatened to shoot tbeTTi if they interfered apaln, and resumed hill occupation. We do not know what foreipmers may think of this story but we must say, for the credit of Englishmen that we believe the like of it was never reported before. Here are a number of big, Btuidy men—seven actually gave evidence on the trial—who allow a woman to be kiiled by inches before their eyes without daring to stay the arm of the murderer. lIe tells them that he will kill them too it they come near him and they stand aloof. The Judge reflected in strong language on the craven spirit wnicll had permLted thi8 outrage, and on the" want of manliness wblch so many persons had exhibited. That the poor woman's life could have been saved by the least demonstration of courage or spirit is as clear as possible, yet these men did not dare do evenin a body what any policeman would not hesitate to de single- handed any day of his life. It was but closing with a frantic drunkard, and the thing was done; but ths murderer was allowed to go on for an hour and a half till hb hai fV his work, become a little penitent, and very c.w. We have heard of some such things in Ireland, but there the connivance was either the ezprestlon of secret sympathies or the result of organised terrorism. We never heard of a man beating his wife to pieces, In an Irish village while his next neighbours looked on without daring to iuterfere. We trust we may never again hear of sucaa thing in England, and we should much like to know whether, lD the six montbs that have elapsed since this sense ? ot the sPeu have been brought to any Are there conduct hy those who should instruct them, nnniilatioifin the ^rlct through which the St to"eel to some «""lctlon of their duties, or bv snch a Eiame-for their default ? The spectacle presented by such a is not pleasant to look upon, but some improvement we hope may ultimately result from the exposure.

AN EXPOSURE OF THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS. The Morning Star publishes a letter from Mr. Addison, of the London Stock Exchange, which ei perhaps tbe most complete exposure of the Davenport imposture which has yet been made. Mr. Addison has been claimed by the spiritualists as a great medium, able by dint of supernatural assistance to do all the Davenports have done, and more. In his letter he disavows the spiritual honours thus showered upon him, and tells how ingeniously he discovered the trick by which the Davenports and Mr. Fay contrive to gull the credulous. We give the following extract from his letter .— I trust you will allow me to state that I know nothing whatever about Spiritualism, and have no desire to be acquainted with what I simply consider to be a delusion. As it is allowed that I am able to do all that the Davenports do, and much more, 1 have to thank Professor Redmond (of whom 1 had b-ssons) for some portion of my ability; the remainùer 1 have accomplished hv perseverance and practice. As some of your readers might like to know how I obtained my ideas ol the Dark Seance, I will inform them. I went in company with a professional rope-tyer Eqnally anxions with myself to solve the apparent mystery of the instruments flying about, while the Davenports remained, as they assert, tlshtly bound to their chairs, to one of their Seances at the Hanover-square Rooms. We seated ourselves in the front row of the circle, and awaited the candle being put out. This done we stretched our legs out as far as possib e (my companion's legs were good longones), and soon had the satisfaction to feal some one falling over them. To make sure we 1ÙJ0 toncb8d an arm, which imme- diately dropped a guitar. The neat and most interesting thing for us wa3 to discover who was the person carrying ths gnitar, this we were fortunately prepared to do. On tlw candle being again put out we filled our mouths with flour and on the approach of the instruments blew it out iu different directions. The result was satisfactory in the; highest degree, for on the gas being lighted, Mr. Fay's back was covered with particles of the flour. I pointed it out to some friends present, who, however, could not understand why it should came us such merriment. The test of pen- cilling the boots round we csme to the conclusion could easily be evaded by the boot being firmly held and the foot withdrawn. I should have retained the knowledge of this for the amusement of my friends bad I not been charged with producing the phenomena by the aid of spiritualism. Such being the case, I feel myself called upon to deny it.

A MUDDLE IN THE HOUSE! An odd thing occurred in the House of Commons the other evening, and no account that I have seen of the affair is either correct or intelligible (says a writer in the Morning Star). Mr. Kinnaird brought forward a motion that the committee which is to determine the site for the law courts be instructed to do something for providing dwellings for the poor people who would be turned out of their houses by the new buildings. The Government objected strongly, and Mr. Hennessy, in order to meet the objections, in- troduced an amendment, but Lord Palmerston would not agree to this any more than he would to the original motion. Mr. Kinnaird, however, accepted this amendment, which was then put and the House divided, the members going into their respective lobbies as usual. Now, the Speaker, when he named the tellers, instead of nominating, in accordance with the usual custom, two from each side—one Aye and one "No "to tell the "Ayes," and one "Aye" and one No to tell -the Noes," inadvertently selected all four from the Noes." The consequence was this. that Sir Francis Groldsmid, one of the Noes," and who ought to have acted as teller to his own side, did not tell but voted in the ordinary way. The Noes," therefore, were left untold, and remained locked up in their lobby. The Ayes came back to the House all right enough, but the Noes continued absent to the extreme astonishment and perplexity of everybody. Mr. Speaker included. At length Sir Francis was sent for, and Mr. Speaker in awful tones asked him why he had not performed the duty assigned to him. Sir Francis, as you may imagine, was in a state of con- siderable bewilderment, and, amidst the laughter of the House, mildly replied that he could not tell the Noes," for he had voted with them. A dreadful pause ensued, but after a minute cr two Sir Francis went and counted his men, who thereupon were re- leased and came back to their places. The result of the division was an immediate adjournment of the House, for forty members were shown not to be present. Never was their such a muddle! Speaker, clerks, and members seemed temporarily confounded, aud to be in grave doubt as to what they were about.

THE LATE MR. GURNET'S DOG.—One morning (says a correspondent of the Norwich Argus), sitting with the deceased gentleman on business, I heard a pattering of feet behind, and the door silently opened. I turned to see who was listening to us, and the New- foundland dog quietly entered the room, and, standing in the centre, looked on me coldly, and on his master kindly. This," said Mr. Gurney," is one of my most faithful friends he has come to pay me his usual morning vibit." Turning to the dog, he continued, I'm a little better to-day, but not much one morninngyou will m188 me- I shall be dead." The dog, as endowed with human instinct, gave a low moan, and, advancing to his master, placed his huge paw, with a gentleness that would hardly have crushed a fly, on Mr. Gurney's knee that done, he raised himself on his hind legs, and placed the other on Mr. Gurney's shoulder, and, licking his face, seemed to pat him on the back with an expression of countenance which almost said, Come, come, don't be downhearted You are very bad, but you'll get better by-and-by." Mr. Gurney perfectly understood him, since he replied, "It's no use I tell you I shall die! The dog moaned again. And now," continued the owner of Keswick, you must go, for I am busy with this gentleman." The dog looked at his master, then at me, and then suddenly quitted the room. A month or so after Mr. Gurney was a corpse.

THE MARKETS. MARK LAXE, MONDAY. The arrivals were small. Fresh up to our market to-day the arrivals of wheat from Essex were very moderate, but there was an increased supply of Kent produce on the stands. The total quantity of English wheat exhibited for sale, how- ever, was Kmall, whilst the general condition of the samples was but middling. There was a grwat want of activity in the demand for all qualities nevertheless, all good and 1ine dry samples steadily supported la%t Monday's currency. Inferior and damp produce changed hands at abnn* c- The supply of foreign on sale °°* moderate. Both for American *»<1 continental descriptions the trade was slow, yet no change took place in prices from M. nday last. Float- ing ojgoes of grain were in slow request, at about sta- tionary prices. With English barley the market was but moderately supplied, but there was an extensive show ot foreign produce on sale, for the most part of poor quality. Good and fine malting qualities met a slow sale, at late rates; otherwise, the barley trade was dull, at about previous quotations. The trade for malt was quiet, on former terms. The s apply of oats on the stands, ex granary was moderate. In all descriptions sales pro- gressed slowly, and last Monday's prices were with difficulty supported. No alteration, however, can be made in the quotations. Beans were in short supply, yet the demand for them ruled inactive, at late rates. For peas the market was steady, owing to the small supply on offer, fIld all des- criptions commanded previous rates. In flour aboat an av -age business was transacted,at previous quotations. The ( market was scantily supplied with barrels. METROPOLITAN* CATrLE MARKET, MONBAT. There was a large supply of foreign beasts on offer here to- day. A portion of it was received from Belgium, Hungary, Switzerland, Holstein, and Normandy. Some of the French beasts were in prime condition, and disposed of at high rates. The show of foreign sheep and calves was only moderate. The arrivals of beasts fresh up from our own grazing districts were by no means extensive, and the quality of most breeds was only middling. From Scotland the receipts were re- markably good. The show from Ireland was inferior. The beet trade was somewhat heavy, at a decline 10 the quota- tions compared with Monday last of 2d. per Sib. A few very superior Scots and crosses sold at 5s. 4d., but the general top figure did not exceed 5s. 2d. per SIb. The supply of English sheep was on the increase. About a moiety of it was out of the wool. Go^ Md prtoe Do wns and half-breds moved off freely, at veryfuU pricM, the top quotation being 6s. 4<L to 6s. 6d. per 81b. Otherwise, the mutton trade was heavy at 2d per 81b less money. Clipped Downs realised 5s 2d to 5s 5d.W cUpped Un^lns 4s. 8d. to 5s. per Sib Lambs were in fair average supply, and sluggish request, at from 6s to F/^IFED TO AT IA^RA^IZ? steady, at full currencies' demand lor P^8 WM POTATOES. mwketsVer> £ %hUpPKe,s of Potatoes are on sale at these ohanfTo J* i the trade is steady, and very little ,„3 has taken place in prices from last week. The Import l!Tv-i^'ee tons from Havre. Yorkshire Regents, 90s to 110s; Ditto Flukes, 130s to 145s Kent and Essex Regents, 90. to 105s Scotch Regents, 90s to 100s Ditto Rocks, 70s to 85s; Dunbar Regents, 9&8 to 110s; Foreign, 60s to 70s per ton. HOPS. The hop market remains without material change from our last report. The demand is chiefly confined to good and fine samples of last year's growth, and for such fully previous rates are obtained. Inferior hops are a dull inquiry, at about stationary prices. The import into London last week was 87 bales from Antwerp, 1.70 from Bremen, 26 from Rotterdam, and 472 from New York MJd and East Kents 110s. to 200s. Weald of Kents, 105s. to 155a Sussex, 100.: to 140. Yearlings, 100s. to 140s, American, 100s. to 140s. per cri. WOOL. The first series of public sales of colonial wool for the cur- rent year were commenced on Thursday laat. The arrtvaJa are large, and greatly In excess of last year, viz., 74,100 bales, against 50,000 bales in 1863-1. The receipts from Port Philip are very large, viz., 32,05S bales, against 10,780 bales in 1863 4. From Sydney and Queensland the Import is 10,963 bales; from Adelaide, 10,011 bales; from Swan River 53 from Van Diemen's Land, 631; from New Zealand, 371 and from the Cape, 19,320 bales, r p to the present time the attendance of home and foreign buyers has been good > nevertheless, there has been a want of activity in the bid- dings, but the leading change In prices, as compared with the close of last series, is confined to Port Philip produce which, owing to the large quantity to be brought forward! changed hands at a decline in value of td. to Id. per lb. In other descriptions of wool, no quotable change took place. Privately, the English wool trade is devoid of activity, and the small amount 01 business doing is at fully the late decline luprioss.