The Aberystwith Observer

A "SPECIAL" ON THE PROWL JOB "ITEMS." 't was a dull night, starless, and heavy, with the clouds of Impending storm and rain. Silence reigned over the streets; the lights of the lamps fell on the shadowless boulevards in unbroken streams; the houses In long rows lined the thoroughfares noiseless and lifeless. A clock In a church spire struck One From the quiet of a side street a soli- tary figure emerged and passed the line of leafless trees of the Rue des Reservoirs It halted at the door of an hostelry close to the guiehet, where two men snored In unison. By the feeble ray an observer could perceive on the head of one a leathern helmet with a brass eagle in front and a brass spike on the top—on the head of the other a cap with a peak, like the casquette ef Pare Brtgeaud, ud If he were a man of military discrimination he would arrive as the conclusion that a Prussian and a henchman wendedlcatlntttbe bourto sleep in sweet identity of purpose. The solitary does not seeas to discriminate. On tbe contrary, he pulls at the bell ol the humble hostelry, he knocks at the door with his band, be kicks with his foot. Silence still; the solitary waxes im- patient and becomes obstreperous. Schulz wakes up, and, rubbing his eyes, looks out of the porte of his guiehet ex- claiming" Wer dt ? and Petit, of the Municipals, prepares for a sortie on the midnight wanderer. Tingle thump kick At last a light appears In the hostelry, the door Is opened, the stranger bounds in, and as the l'ght falls on his face a dark figure glides from under a lamppost, and ex. claims, It is be 1" But the door is closed, and the solitary stranger vanishes. The dark figure belongs to an intrepid SDeciaL He has seen the face; it is that of the British Envoy. He has dogged him from the Bund's-KanzleJ. at the portals of which be left him at ten o'clock, or a little later in the night. For It is In the city of Versailles this event takes place; It is Mr. Odo RuMell who is the solitary stranger, and the dark figure belongs to a very active special corre- spondent on the prowl for items. Mr. James would have treated the subject In some such manner—far more artisti- cally, no doubt-the subject being a nocturnal visit of Mr. Odo Russel to Count Bismarck, ani his return to his hotel after midnight, and the first "wee small hour ayont the twal," through the silent desert of Versailles.—Time? Correspondent at the Head-Quarters, Versailles.

NOT SO NEAR THEIR LAST DAYS AS THE ENImY THINKS The Temps of the 24th o,s We are by no means so near our last days as the enemy thinks. Towards the end of August, when a siege bad seriously to be prepared for, measures were taken to provide provisions for two months; 30,000 oxen, 225,000 sheep, 30,000 cows, and 110,000 swine were to be brought Into the city. but when the 19th of Sep- tember arrived and the siege really began, 0,000 oxen and 75,000 sheep- were deficient, besides more than half the cows and almost all the swine. Flour and corn, however, were largely provided. It was necessary, therefore, after a short time to reduce the meat rations by a half, and then to distribute these only every second or third day. The allowance was at first 200 grammes per day, then 100 per day, then 100 for two days, and now lCO for three days. In a few days we shall have only horseflesh. It is not true, as is asserted, that we shall have salt meat for several weeks. What we possess will In a short time be consumed. Salting has been less resorted t,5 than was desired. One paper alleges that we have fish for ten days. This says much, and the question is what te believe as to the alleged stores. It is an exaggeration to say that we could five on the rice, oil, and ehocolate for five months. Oil is already be- coming scarce. Sugar and coffee will not faU us, nor wine, though It would by no means last us a year. It is certain that we have bread enough for far Into January without need of rationing It Bice, sugar, coffee, wine, and bread will enable us, if necessary, to prolong the resist- ance, and even maintain our strength. Paris can feed on hmrMflmh as long as on bread. For the next month, there- fore, our food will not be materially modified, and In the following month we shall be tolerably nourished. Two month)* ilege mi the maximum estimated, Pafe wUl

IoU" ujplO- .w j>. „ lingular accident befell arergeant ef Chasseurs in the ac- tion at Chevilly. While taking aim his gun received a vio- lent shock. No damage was visible at tbe first glance, but the mechanitm stemed injured and did not work easily. He had to take it to the workshop for repairs when it waa dis- covered that a Prussian ball had lodged in the barrel. A cannon was disabled ia this manner at the siege of Rome in 1849, when one cf the enemy's balls lodged in the chamber which already contained the charge. AtChatexuneuf a large party of Germans is billeted in the house of a French lady, who has boldly held her ground, and entertains the enemy with the utmost euavity and dignity, as if she had invited them as htr most cherished friends. Ooe night a lieutenant and sixty men who had been engaged in the fight in the wood an hour and a half previously Invaded the mention, and showed their billets for qllartev. So lip tho staircase they tramped with bayonets fixed, atd boots and clothes soiled and torn by the recent combat, with the hostess, bearing a light, leading the way, and smothering her grief and indignation with a self-control which com- manded the warmest admiration. The German field post transmitted, between the 16th of July and the 15th of November, 49200.000 letters, being an average of 400,000 letters per day. It also conveyed 27.675,000 thalers for soldiers' pay and other public pur- poses, 2.7(6.000 thalers to soldiers from their friends, 1,150,000 thalers irom soldiers to their friends, 30,750 parcels on public business, and 463,020 newspapers. The private parcel post, which was opened on the 15th of October, conveyed np te the 18th of November 724,923 parcels, which filled 45,052 sacks and required the services of 323 railway trucks and many hundreds ot carts. As an instance of the patriotism with whfcyll classes in France are imbued, I may mention that the President of the Civil Tribunal at Morlalx—a man between fifty and tlxty years of age-has with the aid of his son, formed a company of Franes-tireuta, and marched them to meet the enemy. The body thm raised consists of emart, active young fellows, the sons of shopkeepers, with a leavening of peasants. Bach man has found his own kit, and is armed with an old muzzle- loader, which he expects to change ior a C iassepot when he comes to the front."—Correspondent of Daily Telegraph.

A VISIT TO AMIENS. The followlxg narrative is from a Correspondent of the Standard :— Thinking there might, from aU accounts, be some possibility of an encounter, I took the first train in the morning from Amiens. It was so crowded with troops going to the front that I could only get a seat in a third-class carriage. I had no reason to regret it. I never met with greater courtesy and kindness. You can guess my astonishment at being addressed in un- deniable English by a soldier in the uniform of a chasseur; a thick-set, bull-necked, squarely-built fellow, with a bright eye and clear healthy complexion. My friend was no less than a quondam London prize- fighter, who not finding of late yeais sufficient scope in England for his art had travelled for eighteen months on the Continent as a gentleman's servant, but immediately the war broke out lh undying en- thusiasm for the noble art, on a grand scale, as he described it, induced him to enlist against the Prus- sians. His Fcience made him at once the terror and delight of his regiment. He was evidently a great favourite, and his popularity arose from a victorious ezeountet with a champion wrestler, known as the Black Bear of Normandy; and after some outpost skirmishing near Orleans, he was seen returning with two gigantic Uhlans, whom he had singly captured— in what manner no one exactly knew—for with all his prowess he was no braggart, and the story was told me with the most supreme satisfaction by his eons cfficier. The curious part was that he had been slightly wounded in the lip, later on, and taken prisoner. On my arrival at Amiens I found the utmost excite- ment prevailing, but not the remotest symptoms of fear. The soldiers literally swarmed in the streets, and I was credibly informed that there were, at least, 30,000 troops within and in the immediate vicinity of the city. Taking one lock at the grand old cathedral, I started at once, though in opposition to the advice of a colonel of the line to whom I had been speaking, for the camp, about a mila or two from Amiens. Barri- cades of really practical value, and calculated to do good service, were thrown up at the end of those streets leading in the direct i jn of the Prussians; while huge heaps of stones and pavements collected from vari- rious roads and unfinished buildings, lay ready at hand for further means of defence. L found that there were really five or six camps, some two miles frtm each other, or more properly speaking, barracks built completely of wood. The officers' quarters were distinguished from the rest by the IU dest attempts at windows and panes of glass, while in the men's huts the light was only admitted by the open doors at either end. Howevtr, they seemed thoroughly comfortable and excellently ventilated. Along tbe road facing the first camp I came to were several vivandieres, seated at their several stalls, with abundance of wine, brandy, bread, fruit, cigars, &c., for sale. Round the different buildings, quite in the open, the men were busily en- gaged at the camp fires on their own and the officers* cuisine. Hearing on all sides that the Prussians were but a few miles distant, I could not resist the temptation to go further on into the country, in the hope of catching a Bight of some of their advanced outposts. I arrived at the last French battery mounting two guns, and manned by a company of Chasseurs a Pied. I was at once surrounded and placed under arrest. I produced my aasport, but the officer in command had evidently never before seen a similar document, and immediately sent me, guarded by six chasseurs and a corporal, to headquarters at the nearest camp, I underwent a formal and somewhat strict examination in the pre- sence of four or five officers-none of whom understood a word of English. They, again, were unable to com- prehend the meaning of my passport, but were most courteous Mid gentle, and after an hour or 10 liberated me, .dy Frenen Authorities got possession of the hos- ^«n, and at night we went to between Balan and Bszeilles, and there we attended to the y of them to the hospital in Bilm in cottages, where we JM ambulance. Fighting began jab*, aud during that and the fol- /(ere brought iu streams, as it tan. Tbe 3W>-odd bed were filled a made by modern lmplc *aents of war are ..iftc. Yet I have seen extraordinaijv cases of re- ~ry of men shot through and through the .hre«*t and abdomen. There is not so much bleeding; the bulk't 'n its passage seems t,) lacerate the pirts so as to close the blee ding vessels. We saw wouods of every form and variety, m^de by the bursting of bombs and by the needle gnns, the chase*1- pots and the mitrailleuse. This Is a dreadful weapon, and must become ao essential arm of the service. Its effects are terrific, and the noise it makes is something dreadful; that of musketry and cannon Is music compared with It, I could not describe the effect produced by it. "In regard to the killed and wounded at Sedan I must ob- of rve that it was not so bloody as the battle of Gravelotte. Oi the French there was less than 15,000 killed and wounded at Sedan, while the Germans suffered much more severely The Germans do not state falseheods In their bulletins, but they cover up their own losses and without mentioning tUe names of German doctors I may state I learnt from medical men who had a perfect knowledge of the facts that the Bavarian and Wurtemberg legions Occupying the centre of the Prussian lines went Into battle 60,000 strong, and lost 129 officers and upwards of 2,000 men killed, the wounded making up 15,000, or one fourth of the whole amount hors de eombat. A great number of French batteries of artiilery-l cannot state the eXlct number, but they covered quite an acre of ground—came in from the battle of the 1st of Sep tember to the hospital yards so early as one o'clock In the day, and on Inquiring why they left the field of battle they told us they were out of ammunition, and were only in the way. We were under the Prussian fire for 14 hours. The Prussian batteries were about two miles from us. Our hospital was on the heights of Sedan, only 30 or 40 steps from the outer wall. The French army was in our rear, the German left in our front, and the Germans were firing over us atl day. If we had been a quarter of a mile nearer to the Prussian batteries we would not have bten In any danger. As It was, bombs were bursting around us all the time. Fortunately our hospital was bombproof. It was 300ft long, two stories high, and had 18 large windows on the side exposed to the fire each window opened into a ward containing 24 wounded soldiers, besides doctors and nurses. The building was struck several times. One bomb struck about 10 cr 15 feet above one of the upper windows. The Prussian artillery continued for 14 hours firing across the town at the French. It was a Tegular artillery battle for two days. In the hoa- pital yards six men were struck by exploding bombs from the Prussian batteries, and others were struck outside it. Msny were killed 50 yards on the other side of the hospital. We had two of our servants (nurses) killed In the hospital yard, also a demoralized French soldier who retreated from the army. I can state that the Marines fought unflinchingly, also the Zouaves and Turcos, but I am sorry to'say that the men of the Line—I do not know how many regiments, bat a great many -were demoralized and retreated after firlngonce or twice, In spite of the Imprecations and commands of their officers. A great many of these retired within the walls and around the hospital. It was impossible for the French to do other- wise than surrender. The Emperor was not to be blamed It was simply an act of humanity to surrender. When the Emperor had an Interview with the King, and talked of capitulation, General Wimpflen said he couldn't sign the articles; but Bismarck showed him how the forces were situated, the French hemmed In and without ammu- nition or provision, and no way of escape, so that there was nothing for It but to surrender. Then General Wimpffen, seeing he was surrounded by three times his own strength and was powerless, had to sign the articles, however unplea- sant it must have been, after being but a few hours in com- mand. The town was not provisioned the army had com- paratively nothing to eat; even In the hospital we were on short rations, and could not get what we wanted for the sick and wounded. I was the only doctor out of 16 who was not sick, and all because they hadn't proper food to eat. It was a mostrevolting sight to see soldiers sklnalng the bodies of horses and eating the raw flesh, they were so hungry. The Krupp cannon fires with wonderful accuracy. It will shoot a mile further than the French cannon, and the Prus- sian bombs are exploded by percussion, and do not burst until they strike some object but the French bomb3 were fired by fuses, and burst sometimes in the air, and otten fell short of their atm. But of the great number of the Prus- sian bomb-3hella that fell In the yard and around the hos- pital at Sedan we found only two that had not exploded. As an arm the chassepot is superior to the needle-gun. It will carry further; but 1 do not think that is such an enor- mous advantage, for great masses of men do not fire at each other under 600 yards, and the needle-gun Is as effective as the other at that distance. The Prussian artillery fired with wonderful accuracy, Their effloera are gentlemen and educated. Tbe physique of the Germans is superior to that of the French. 1 could not help making the ccmpsrlson as the 80,000 French prisoners passed along the Prussian lines. I may add here a fact that may Interest some; every French and German soldier smokes tobacco, and It was ludicrous to see a whole German regiment moving along smoking. French and German smoke to a man, and, contrary to some theories with the most perfect impunity. It is worthy of note that subsequent h the surrender typhus was very prevalent among the Germars, while there was none among the French. I do not account for it. Among the French wounded In the hospital at Sedan were 26 officers, and they all said all they lacked was a General: that It was want of generalship demoralized the soldiers, because they had no confidence In their leaders. The Freneh omcers were all burning with a desire for revenge. My own belief Is that if they changed Generals they would charge the issue of the contest. I do not think the Emperor ever looked better in health than on the day of his surrender. Tin a great mistake to suppose he is a decrepit old man. His intellect was never more vigorous, and his physical health is perfect, with the exception of some mere infirmities. He is occasionally subject to sciatics. but to no disease that threatens life. It is said the Prince Imperial to » scrofulous boy that Is another great mistake. He is strong and rosy, In perfect health, and very Intelli- cent—a splendid boy, take him all in all; ard when he was ill a few years ago, and was reported scrofulous, he simply had an abscess, the result of pressure In taking horse-riding lessons—nothing connected in the least with disease of the bones or joints. I resigned my position on the 24th of September, and Dr. Thos. T. Pratt is now in command of the ambulance. I have no doubt of the future usefulness of the Anglo-American ambulances under Dr. Pratt. They are liberally supplied with all they require from Colonel Lindsay, the chief of the English society. I do not know what wonld have become of the sick and wounded at Sedan were it not for these volunteer ambulances. Almost the whole of the French sick and woundea were attended by volunteer am- bulances.. AS to French army surgeons, I state a fact, and you can mention it if you think fit. There were 40 or 60 army surgeons at Sedan after the surrender and Dr. M'Cormick, Dr. Pratt, and others told me those surgeons were walking about the streets with their hands in their pockets and cigars In their mouths, and did not a single thing lor their own sick. They did not even go down to the place where the 80,000 prisoners were starving aqd in sickness. It may be asked what would be wanted on the Of tattle { It ia tM< ;-W<tW, brandy, .00 of beef, ,ny ider vprn- •th the turned .t added jeitwas jyally and « assembled lpied by Mr. ed, was at the the Providonal to express their in relation to the taken with respect .he meeting was small, epresentative character, ,ant ever htll in England. was to give expression to which he believed to be .vour of France. It was a f composed of men who any agitation in this country. ly engaged in business in the to express their opinions in rela- lis. One object of the conference convene a mass meeting in the onsent of the Lord Mayor, in order .a at large a suitable opportunity r opinions on the general subject. i English people was unmistakably in A before the battle of Sedan, but, after i as well as the political aspect changed, n of the country ceased to be on the side t was a monstrous iniquity for Prussia to jossession of Alsace and Lorraine, and the ernment should boldly and distinctly de- russia should no more have those provinces 'znr should be allowed to violate a still more ty. -ries Mackay moved a resolution :— the war in France having ceased on the part of > be a war of defenoe, and become a war of i, this meeting Is of opinion that Prussia in thus i forfeited the sympathy and incurred the repro- the British and of all other free nations." motion was seconded by Mr. Marriott, a r of the Bar, who argued that it might be confi- asserted that at present the sympathies of the joajority of Englishmen were really with Trance. Bev. G. M. Murphy moved an amendment to feet that in the opinion of the meeting the time iot come for the British Government to interfere e quarrel between France and Prussia, le amendment was seconded by the Rev. W. Tyler, supported by Mr. Henry Kimber. ir. Cremer demurred to the meeting being called a eting of citizens of London, contending that it was I open conference. The meeting by vote decided not o hear him. Mr. Mottershead presented himself to speak, but vas similarly opposed by the chairman, and he re- mmed his seat, declaring that was liberty with a vengeance. Eventually Dr. Mackay's resolution was put and carried by a large majority, 11 hands being held up for Mr. Murphy's amendment. The Rev. Newman Hall moved an amendment to the effect that, without offering any opinion on the comparative merits of the belligerents, the meeting desired to express its deep sympathy with the people of both countries, and to urge upon the Government to continue its exertions in favour of establishing a just and permanent peace. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Cunnington. Mr. Esmond Beales said he felt the strongest sym- pathy with the French people, and would do anything reasonably' within his power to put an end to thin horrible war. He thought tbe resolution proposed by the Rev. Newman Hall was the one that came nearest the object they had all at heart. Dr. Kenealy, Q.C., urged that time was now of the very essence of the question, for unless some speedy means Wf re used to restore peace. France, he feared, would disappear from the face of Europe. Could any- body doubt that if France now disappeared as a nation Russia and Prussia would eventually direct the entire policy of Europe, and if they combined together, as he believed they intended to do, against the general march of civilization and freedom, what part of Europe could offer them any effectual resistance ? The amendment of the Rev. Newman Hall was eventually put and negatived, and Dr. Mackay's reso- lution was carried by a large majority amid much cheerinsr. M. W. de Fonvielle, editor of the Lilerti, then pre- sented himself to speak, and was greeted with cheers. He w.'as introduced by the chairman, who called at- tention to his letter in The Times of that morning. He was ,very thankful for the resolution they had carried. He ^ould say that he was at that moment in a sense a representative of the whole ojL France, and that his cdunu-vmen would be prcud to know how cordially and symDatJietically their position was appre- ciated in this noble metropolis of England. He had good ground for saying tn^t at present the Parisians were quite justified in the position they had assumed, because frcm day to day withotfj; cessation they were busily engaged in fabricating arm-r4, in exercising or marshalling their soldiers, in making puns and new kinds of powder; and when they issued from behind their walls it would be to achieve the victory of reo venge. They would count their soldiers by hundreds of thousands, and not many days would elapse before that was done. The meeting was brought to a close by a vote of thanks to the chairman, and with three cheers /or France.

A SKETCH FROM BOULOGNE. I was in Boulogne on Monday and Tuesday, the first two days of the Triduum, and one and all, from morning till night, the churches were thronged to overflowing, writes the (Correspondent of the London Standard). Not only in Boulogne itself, but for miles around, the country people flocked in crowds from every village and hamlet. Even from far off Portel the renowned fisher women came to theirfavourite little church on the heights above the port. For myself I visited chiefly the old church in the market-place-St. Nicholas—not that it is by any means as handsome a building as the cathedral, nor on ace rant of any ex- treme antiquity but it is charmingly situated, and has a picturesque appearance that is wanting in the others. The ceremony commenced with a grand High Mass, and then one of the curls, a man of very dis- tinguished appearance, preached one of the most eloquent and appropriate sermons I have ever listened to. It produced a great effect, and was the subject of frequent conversation during the day. His history is not without a touch of romance. Be- longing to a noble family, he devoted himself to the bar, and when quite young had rapidly attained to eminence in his profession, and was about to be mar- ried to a young lady of considerable fortune and belonging to the anciennc noblesse. Suddenly, to the amazement of his friends, he threw up his profession where the highest honours could only be a matter of time, renounced his intended marriage, and enrolled himself in the ranks of the priesthood. He possesses a happy facility of expression, is clear and distinct, and his voice, without, being loud, can be easily heard in every corner of the church. All day long and far into the night services were con- tinued at intervals, and the people kept flocking in crowds from one church to another; so much so that it gave one the impression of a huge pilgrimage, and for the first time since that fatal Sunday, when the telegram came from Sedan the roads were alive with people, so that one might have fancied it was a great fSte day, but for the expression on the people's faces. It was the same on all—sad, but with a half-defiant hopefulness that anticipated and would not brook compassion. Some had a weary look that was infinitely painful to see. A sure sign of how the Boulonnais have suffered from the war is the immense number of people that are in mourning. One regiment alone has three times marched from Boulogne, only to be cut to piecb8, and three times has it come back to recruit. Indeed, without looking at the mourning, you can read in tbe faces of the people how they have suffered. I spoke to one old fisherwoman on the steps of the. cathedral. My notice was attracted by her son, a splendid young fellow of 18 or 20, on whose arm she was leaning. Her story was one that can only be heard in a war like the present. She had five Bons. Four of them had been taken from her one by one, and one by one they had been shot down by the Prussians; and now her youngest and last in the uniform of the 20th Chasseurs a Pied, was leaving her that night for Amiens, bound for the advanced outposts of the Army of the Loire. I had intended staying at Boulogne till the close of the Triduum. But on Tuesday, about midnight, whilst we were deep in a rubber in the smoking-room of my hotel, there came a heavy tramp down the Grande Rue, and the roll of drums. We rushed to the gate, and there we saw the 20th Chaueurs-tbat same gallant regiment that had been mowed down three times— marching for the fourth time to the front. A telegram had arrived at eleven o'clock from head-quarters, order- ing them, without an instant's delay, to Amiens, with instructionBto keep their Chassepots loaded in the train. The Prussiana were reported to be but six miles from the town, and some Uhlans had been captured that morn- ing. It was very sad to look at the poor fellows and listen to them singing as they went down the Grand Rue, knowing how well they knew that for the majority of them they were marching to a swift and certain death. They were wonderfully liked in Bou- logne. They had the reputation of being singularly intelligent; their pluck had been three times only too fatally proved and their extreme gentleness com- pletely won the hearts of the people. The ranks were filled with gentlemen, and to hear them singing irre- sistibly recalled Browning's— "Marching along, fifty score strong, Great-hearted gentlemen singing this song." Weahoated out three English V hnmdm" which ft* » lns." inong going uey were about sun- jubtful smile as and songs and then died

-.L BALLOON. o narrative of a balloon Deen sent to The Times for onvielle. Editor of the Liberti, Hotel, Leicester-square, Lon- aducted my balloon to Belgium, as I purposes of mine, I have to go rouud the .irder to call at Tourx, the end of my expe. i sent my balloon by rail, under tho care of i [ thought it was my dnty to come to London, I 'HI CIN DRIES, Bonapartist agen»s, and Orleanist -if « king together against our young and ft"pu > Up to that moment J had not gone really de field, my exertions being confined to several auUcal experiments necessary for obtaining certain is ol mine. Eftn now I am not regularly enlisted In the ench service, having conducted in some respects a trade- oalloon, carrying principally private passengers and not many oltioial messages; but I have sent telegrams to the Tours Govevnment notifying my landing, and offering my balloon Bj<al\t6, the largest in existence, and I trust the best for the "ar service. I The Prussians of late had taken many balloons, owing to the utter inexperience of the aeronauts, or the bad con- struction of aerial shipping; and, taking advantage 01 these failures. Prussian spies had circulated among our Parisian papers that no more ascents would be made in the daytime, that henceforth aeronauts would ascend after suuset aud before sunrise. Aeronauts are so far from being understood by our learned men that several balloons were sent in so ridiculous a manner. I did protest in the Liberti, a paper with which I am connected, and declared that I could pass the Prussian lines in open day without fearing anything from their ridiculous shooting. Consequently I aicended last Thursday, at 20 minutes to eleven, before many thousands of people, and crossed the whole of Paris at a height of about 1.iGO yer is, when I saw that my balloon was on the Prussian avant poste. I ordered a couple of sandbags to be thrown out, and I reached in safety the level of 2.608 yards, when Prussian music was heard in a moat impoteut manner. These fools, below being deceived by the diameter of my balloon, believed I was near them, and were using their powder to no purpose. I was very merry Indeed, and quoted to my passengers the famous Bismarck note wherein that great stateman reports toTrochu tbe wasting of his ammuni- tion round Paris forts. The firing continued up to the vicinity oi Solssons, but showed intervals of recrudeieeuce, very likely when we were passing over Prussian encamp- ments. 1 carefully noted these places on the maps, for giving Information to military authorities, taking advantage of Prussian firing range. Firing did not prevent the balloon continuing its way, and ascending to 3,600 yards, when firing ceased. Railway trains were seen running; social life was restored; It was not necessary to go further. Prussians had not set their feet in these quarters. But a true aeronaut is always disappointed when obliged to put an end to an ascent; the spectacle is so magnificent over clouds. I resolved to land only In Belgium, and I did, as was reported by telegram. Wind was very strong, as we travelled 240 kilometres (180 miles) in about three hours and a half. Thedotcentwas not dangerous, as I had chosen a large plain, but rather long, and almost all of us were slightly hurt-one of the passengers in the head, and another in the back, my lieutenant in the foot, and myself in the hand, <&c. Nothing of the kind would have happened if the balloon had been completed, but I was so anxious to put Is execution the aerial plan that I ascended without my rope being In order. I was aware that I was incurring some risks, but I was certain that there was no real danger, and, at all events, I was resolved not to stay a single day longer. lieutenant Bunel having been sent with due instructions for repairing the balloon, and prept ring different apparatus for warlike purposes, I have a few days to spare ia London, and I shall be most happy to give any information in my power respecting the state of things in Paris. I am a friend of truth and liberty, as well as a strong Republican, and 1 will answer any questions put to me in an explicit and frank manner. I consider myself as being in a witness-box on that great Republican trial where we have to deal with German batchers and Imperial traitors.

— A DECISION OF INTEREST TO DIS. SENTING MINISTERS. In the Bail Ceurt in London, last week, the cause of "Smith (appellant) v. Birnett (respondent)" was heard, aud which was a case of considerable importance to dissenting ministers. The appellant was a minister of the Primitive Methodist connection. The authorities of the body appoint their ministers to certain quarterly circuits, giving them a printed form filled up with the places and days where they are to minister. The appellant was appointed to a circuit of 13 parishes or placss, and he had to preach on three Sundays at Filking, in Gloucestershire. Oa Sunday, the 6th March, the appellant was on his way to that place in a veluVe, and when about to pass through the respondent's gate the collecter demanded toll. He claimed his i xemp- tion, prod aced his circuit paper and a copy of the general turnpike act, on the ground that he was about to attend his usual place of worship. He refused to pay, and he was afterwards summoned before the justices, who convicted him, and it was against that conviction he now appealed. The act provided that all persons going to or from his or her proper parochial church or chapel should be exempt from toll, and that every person going to or returning from their uaual place of religious worship tolerated by law, on Sundays or any other day when Divine service was, by authority of the body to be eelebrated, should also be exempt from toil, Mr. Pinder (for the appellant) contended that the words usual place of worship, in reference to dissen- ter., must not be read in the narrow and limited manner which the words applicable to the Establiched Charch weie used. The appellant was going to preach according to the authorities of the religious body to which he belonged, and was therefore going to his usual plaoeof worship. He was not moving from place to place from caprice or curiosity. Mr. Justice Blackburn said he thought then when it appeared a dissenting minister was attending a chapel, as directed by the authorities of that body, he might bot fairly considered to be attending his usual place of worship. Mr. Justice MeDor concurred. Conviction quashed.

G. F. TRAIN IMPRISONED. We (London Standard) have received the following, which speaks for Itself:— "TO THE EDITOR OF THE 'STANDARD,' LONDON. "Please deny the report of Mr. Train's supposed assassination, arising from his mysterious disappearance. Discovered him in Lyons Bastile, secretly incarcerated by government, without accusation < r explanation. No communication with outer world allowed him. "GEO. P. BEMIS, Private Secretary to Geo. Francis Train. Grand Rotel de Lyon, Lyons, France, Nov. ?3, 1870."

MURDER OF A GERMAN GENTLEMAN IN LIVERPOOL. A moat diabolical and fatal outrage has been com- mitted upon a well-known German resident of Liver- pool, Mr. Christian Flueck, who was in extensive practice as a teacher of languages, and has a large school at 4, Dinglehill, a fashionable quarter of the town, where he resides. During the absence of his wife on Friday evening in last week, Mr. Flueck was in his parlour alone, and it is supposed, from the successful nature of the assault committed upon him, must have fallen asleep on the Bofa, as he was found about six o'clock in the evening *n a frightfully injured and unconscious state. He had been suddenly attacked by some one with a heavy door hinge, which has been found, and with which the assailant inflicted the most deadly gashes upon the head of his victim, through one of which the brain protruded. The unfortunate gentleman remained utterly uncon- scious, and died on Sunday.

At the Liverpool Police-court, on Monday. Richard Edward Howchin was charged with the murder of Mr. Christian Flueck. Detective Superintendent Kehoe said that the pri- soner was in the service of the deceased as tutor. On Friday evening, between five and six o'clock, Mr. Flneck was found to have been greviously assaulted in hia own sitting-room and he had since died. There was a considerable body of evidence to be brought forward in the case, but it was not in such a state that it could be gone into that day. Under the circum- stances, he Bifked that the prisoner might be remanded for seven days, aud Mr. Cobb, who appeared for the prisoner, raising no objection, the application was at once granted. The following details have been ascertained :— Mr. Flueck had returned home, after a short absence, about half-pust Ave o'clock on Friday evening, and retired to his customary sitting-room over the kitchen of the house where his servants were at tho time taking their tea. Shortly after thair mastei's return they heard a heavy fall on the floor above, but supposing It to result from the romping of some of the pupils they did not investigate the cause Mrs. Fiueck was absent at the time, but on returning home she at once repaired to the sitting-room referred tli. and dis- covered her husband lying on the floor in front of the Are utterly insensible. Supposing his ailment, to be a tem- porary fit. she immediately' procured cold water for the purpose I f bathing his face, but on a closer examination she found that his head was covered with blood. On a closer examination it was ascertained that his skull was fractured lu several places, and a portion of the brain was protruding. Medical aid was immediately procured, and the extensive injuries demonstrated ai once that they had been inflicted with an if on bar or staple which lay close to the victim. Dr. Barratt and Messrs. Bickerateth and Hodson were promptly convened for cousu'tation, and pronounced the case to be of the most perilous character. Suspicion attaching to Mr. Howchin, the tutor, he was apprehended. It is stated that Mr. Flueck had given him notice to leave at Christina*, and there is some- thing said about his refusing to give Mr- Howuhin a cha.. rac-er, or soon an one as he desired. It is also reported that thi ra had been some difference between them during the w eek. The schoolroom hi on the same door as Mr. Fiueck's sitting-room, The fall on the floor was heard shortly before six o'clock. Mr. Howchin left the schoolroom—so it is said —for about ten minutes between half-past five and six. When Mrs. Flueck subsequently raised the alarm Howchin and others went to the silting room, and he was the first to go for medicat aid. His hat was notioed on the table during His absence, but it was afterwards accounted for by his having placed it there before going out. A handkerchief belonging to Mr. Howchin was found marked with blood. As, however, he had assisted in lifting Mr. Flueck from the floor the state of the may be accounted for In a simple manner. He is qulti a young man, very intelligent, about 5ft. 5in. In height, and of a form not at all suggestive of great strength.

THE INVESTMENT OF PARIS. As the real magnitude of the present Investment of Paris is perhaps not generally understood, the follow- ing letter, which has been sent to The Times for publi- cation, will interest and also perhaps instruct many of our readers :— One of the most remarkable elements of the present siege of Paris is the unprecedented disparity that exists between the numerical strength of the besiegers and that of tbe besieged, especially considered with reference to the imxense circumference of the circuit of investment. The circumference of this circuit of investment is usually much underrated. Two of your contemporaries still spask of it as "from SO to 36 miles" on Jy; whereas the actual circuit of the Innermost line of Investment is 506 miles, and that of the Head Quarters of the army corps of the two in- vesting armies at least 66 mile?. As one of your correspondents has remarked, the inner- most line of investment is in tbe form of a triangle. The south-eastern angle of this triangle Is at Ormesson, a plateau J82 feet in height, situated on the left bank of the Marne at the south-eaitera extremity of the peninsula of St. Maur (which is formed by the bend ot the Marne opposite the south-eastern corner of the Bols de Vincennes), and dominat- ing that peninsula. The south-western angle cf the triangle Is at Bougival, on the left bank of the Seine, three miles south-east of the St. Germain Railway Station, and the apex, or northern angle, of the triangle, is a redoubt on a height called R'chebourg, immediately east of Montimagny, and Ii miles due north of the double Couronne du Nord of St. Denis, and the aame dis- tance from the Fort de la Brlche. The length of each of the three sides of this triangle, mea- sured along the llue of Prussian posts, Is as folloirs:—The south side, or base of the triangle, from Its eastern ex- tremity at Ormesson, through Mont Mell (212ft.), through Choiiy-le-Roi (where the Prussians have a battery to hold Viliejuif in check), through Thiais and La Hay, through Bagneux, thronga the height of Chstillon (battery), Clamart (battery), Meudon (battery), Bellevne (battery), Sdvres (battery), St. Cloud (battery), Montretout (battery), Ga.' ehes (battery), to Bougival, the western extremity of the base, where there is also a battery, the dlstanoe is 34,000 metres, or 21 miles 193 yards. The north-western side of the triangle, from Bougivat across the Seine, and thence along Its right bank through Cuatou, Carrleres St. Denis, Houllles (where there is a Prussian battery), Bezons (also a battery), Argenteuil (on the heights behind this village and towards Lannois, the Prussiaus have established a battery), and thence by Mont Orgamont, half way between Argenteuil and Epinay (crowned by another Prussian redoubt), to the apex of the triangle at the redoubt of Ittchebourg (or Montimagny), the distance is 20,700 metres, or 12 miles, five furlongs, and 176 yards. The north-eastern side of the triangle—from the apex at Montimagny, through Le Bourget (lately captured and re- captured), through llancy (where the Prussians have re- cently established a battery, opposite to the French forts of Rosnv and Noisy, through Neuilly-sur-Marne, Nolsy- lo-Grand (opposite Fort Nogent), and through La Loade (a station on the Paris and Mulhouse Railway, Immediately oppotlte the Redoute de la Faisanderie), to the south-eastern angle of the triangle at Ormesson, the dlstanoe is 26,600 metres, or 16 miles, four furlongs, and 89 yards. The aggregate length of the three sides of the triangle ts, therefore, eomewhat over 601 miles, and this is the mint- mum circuit of the innermost line ot Prussian posts, which are everwhere within easy rifle raDge of the French out- osts. The length of the outer circuit of investment, measured through tha Head-Quarters of the various corps d'armie con- stituting the two armies investing Paris, is as followBThe Crown Prince of Saxony's army furuithes the investment from Sartronville, situated on the right bank of the Seine, 4} miles north- east ol St. Germain, toChelIes, a station on the Paris and Strasburg Railway, 6 miles due east of Fort Rosny. The length of this portion of tbe outer line of invest- ment is as follows:—From Sartronville to Soisy-sous-Eoghein, situ ited a mile west of Montmorency and the Head-Quarters of the 4th Army Corps, General Alverslebeu; through Gonesse, 6 miles north-east of St. Denis, and Head Quarters of the Garde Corps, General the Prince of Wurtemberg; through La Vert Galant, 91 miles east of St. Denis, and about a mile e"st of the Sevun station of the Solssons Railway, the Head- Quarters of the 12th Royal Saxon Army Corps, General Prince George of Saxony, to Chelles, where the Crown Prince of Prussia's army takes up the running again a distance of 24 miles The Crown Prince of PJ usaia's army completes the cirijuit of investment from Chelles, due east of Pa is, round the south-east, south, and west to Sartronville, 8š miles due west of St. Denis. The several po itions of the Head-quarters of the various corps d'armie of this portion of the investing force have been (Oiuswhat varied since the commencement of the invest- ment, but the minimum ler gth of this pertion of the outer circuit of Investment may be stated as follows ;— From Chelles through Boissy St. Leger, 21 miles south of the eastern extremity of the St. Maur peninsula, through Villlneuve Ie, Rot, thence in a straight line to Versailles (Head Quarters), thence direct to St. Germain, thence along the left bank of the Seine to the Maisons-sur-Selne station of the Paris and Rouen Railway, and thence across the Seine to Sartronville the distance is 42 miles, thus making the aggregate length of the outer circuit of Investment, as mea- sured along straight lines connecting the Head-Quarters of the various corps of the investing armies, at least 66 miles — I am, &c., HENKY CONXBKAEE.

A HINT TO THB FAT AI. o LEAK !—Dr. Hall thinks there is Bome risk in attempting to reduce or add to one's weight. After instancing a fat man, in good health, wbo succeeded in reducing his bulk a number of pounds, but was soon after attacked with a painful and dangerous malady, he says, if a man can sleep soundly, has a good appetite, with no unpleasant reminders after meals, the bodily habits being regular every day, he had better let himself alone, whether he is Mbtg at a hogshead or as thin and dry aa a feuoe- rail.

wrtter" courteous reception. at parting the host exclaimed, vv oau i*ev*rnment 18 destined for till-who can tell? We do Dot like the Re- public, but still less the Bmperor, whose dynasty Is an im- possibility for France. Perhaps, under the pressure of cir- cumstances, we should be Inclined to the Orleans dynasty, but there is one thing we desire with all our heart and soul —peace."

HAD ENOUGH OF HIS PRIZE! On Saturday the German schooner EFde, Captain Fescher, was brought into Grimsby Roads by a Irrench prlzemaster, M. Bouzo, and a prfzq crew of fire men belonging to the French despatch boat Hermitte. The EVde was captured on the 7th, when off the Ttxel, by the Berm>tte. Her crew were made prisoners of war and sent to Dunkirk. She Is one of 16 ships that left Bremen together on the 5th or Otb Inst., and six of these have been taken by the French fleet. Prize- master Bouzo put into the VUe, but the Dutch authorities ordered him to leave. Strange to say, he has been beating about with the Elide In bid weather, heavy leas, and con- trary winds for nearly three weeks. Not being able to make the port of Dunkirk, and bging short of provisions, he was compelled to put into the Grimsby Road. for a supply, and has had quite eaough of his prize.

WAR'S ATTENDANT MISERIES. A Havre paper gives some interesting details of the oc- cupation of Chartres by the Prussians. The first thing they didwat. as usual, to "require all the tobacco and cigars in the place. Prince Albert of Prussia, the Prince of Saxony, and General Wittich were there, and In the town, up to the date of the letter, discipline was severe, and no excesses bad been committed. As an instance of the discipline enforced It Is mentioned that a soldier was shot for stealing a watch. But in the country," the letter continues, the farms, villages, and hamlets, there is dally pillage. Corn In sheaves Is given as litter to the horses, sacks of oats are cut open and their contents poured out and squandered, casks of wine are stove in. If some unhappy peasant dares resist, If a Freeshooter comes to his aid, if a shot is heard, the rage of the Prussians knows no bounds, and villages, hamlet, or farm is quickly burnt. A little town, Courville. was completely sacked on theptetext that a Freeshooter had pointed his rifle at a Tfhlan."

FREE TRADE. "Passing along the Boulevard de BattgnoSes I came upon a grocer's shop that had been sacked. It appears the keeper had hidden a quantity of cheese In his cellar, hoping to tell It later at ten MnMt it* value. The fact got spread about In the neighbourhood, and a mob of roughs broke Into the shop. The National Guard, however, soon set matters right The cheese was uncellared, and sold by auction im front of the shopkeeper's own door This is free trade with aver.geance. The Government, to avoid the repetition of such scenes, is about to take stock of the quantity of provisions remainiDg In the ahopa.-par.. correspondent of BcAo.

A GUERILLA WAR. Herr Wachenhcssn, writing en the 20th, from Dugny, to the Cologne Gazette, says "The guerilla war is now In full progress. This excites much bitterness among our troops. The soldiers say they no longer know with whom they have to deaL they are ordered to treat as soldiers all who have any sort of military uniform. They have the con- sciousness, however, that they have to combat with an armed bourgeoisie. The Frano-Tireur seems of late to have quite disappeared. Even the prisoners in the dark blue woollen blouses and bright blue belts now call themselves Mobile Guards, and Indeed are so. At bottom it Is quite Immaterial whether they exhibit credentials as Franc-Tlreurs or Mobiles. They are not at all to be feared whoever they are. They are simply a lot of the scrapings from all ranks of society in the name of the country, under the name of the Republic. They are not good for anything in the open field; it is only when they stand sheltered up to their necks that they are their shots, taking to flight as soon as our young fellows advance. It would, however, be a mistake to suppose that the army opposed to ns consists sriely of impressed or volunteer citizens, or of raw levies. We have certainly had several marching regiments before us, and stUl have. At Torcay parts of six different regiments took part in the engagement, all practised soldiers. After mentioning the retreat of the French from Sevonches and La Loupe, and their evident anxiety to avoid a battle, he adds:—"The enemy exhibits a feverish haste, through fear of being sur- rounded d la Sedan, for the fate of MacMahon's army is a lairlbte warning to them, and they descry everywhere Holtke's net, to slip out of which is the chief task. They faave thus inscribed naive qui pent on their banners, and, .inna cjoolmlers, have remained on the running defensive. It will be seaoi therefore, that the Grand Duke of Mecklen- burg's division has some diffljulty in getting at this heroic hand. lbs news of the possibility of a Earopean complica- tion causes us greater anxiety than the enemy before us. Th?te^Tlon« bear that *>» bombardment of Paris has *w«mn I hear that all the guns ace in position, and that jjhereis ammunition for ten days, doting which more might tebtoughtup."

flIE BOUNDED AT VERSAILLES. i*. Vnn-h Germain Gazette igives an account of the mili- The Versailles. The wounded are placed In the tary hospital at v windows of which are opened, so y*ct«w Every patient has a bed,Vim one that the jgfcjg^TAats. and clean sheet* The body or two mattrenes, two the nature of the wounds, linen and sheets have often, fro™ y QAQ srticles have had to be changed daily, and to n umber of bandages, to be washed, without reckoning a urge„ j. ^eTOted to and 360 mattresses. The GalUne de» Sa^ xhe food the medicines, and the thouaandj^U^ requiUtes- Mprepacedin two kitchens In dMW* Win«« ol M ^>o»an<; >n, ^»«c« >i'11P and organize them, together with reinforcements. AUthls he did. He repulsed two attacks, and for the fir,t time since the beginning of this war charged the enemy with the bayonet He left behind him with his successor two organized divisions, numbering 20,000 men, a reserve of 3,000 and a Mobile column of 5.000. And now he demands a court- martial to justify his conduct. It is remarkable that the name of Garibaldi, with whom General Cambriels was called upon to co-operate before he gave up his command, is not mentioned in hi* letter.

BPEAKIXG OUT In the North German Parliament on Saturday the war loan, as has alreidy been announced by telegraph, was ap- proved, only four members dissenting. One ol these, Herr Bebel, exctted great uproar by his defence of the present French Government, and his denunciation of the annexa- tion of Alsacrs and Lorraine. He commented on the fact that, of the last loan of 100,000,000 tha.ers, only 68,000,000 had been subscribed as a proof that ""job-vaunted patriotism of tbe people weW jWO Tk» » i 618 money matters was concerned. TIM loudest talkers, he said, if ealled on to advance money waited to see whether the necessary percentage would fall into their pockets. At this there was a great distu-b,nee, and the President, amid great applause stated that if the speaker continued to abuse his own nation in this style he should not allow him to proceed. "I have shown towards you he remarked, a forbearance and respect without pre- cedent, because you are here in so small a minority." Herr Babsl then resumed speaking, amid continuous disturbance. Herr Lasker. who followed him, observed that no assembly ia the world would so long have endured such a speech Leitber the English nation nor the French, so much praised by Herr Babel, would allow a man to make so anti-national a speech as bad Just been delivered. Another of the minority, Herr Llebknecht, afterwards spoke. He Insisted that the policy of the Government was in no way national, or t'ie German Austrians would not have been shut out, and that the war was directed against Republicanism. Why, be asked, was nothing done for the Germans In the Baltic provinces? Because Russia was a despotic State. Had peace bllen concluded after the fall of the Empire, Ger- many, he said, would now be one, and in a different way from what was now possible. At this point he was called to order by the President, as outstepping the extremest limits, on which he exclaimed—" This Is the boasted liberty of discussion. The Opposition in Paris were never treated like schoolboys. They were interrupted, Indeed, but they were allowed to speak." The President again, amid cheers, called him to order, and Herr Llebkaecht went on to argue that the Government contemplated the Emperor-s restora- tion, alluding, as a proof of this, to Count Bismarck* un- deniable negotiations with the Empress.

GARDENING OPERATIONS FOE THE WEEK. fFrom the Gardener's Magazine.) fiHn excellent weekly journal, containing much valmable information for amateur and professional gardenera.) KITCHEN GARDEN. It is a* this time of year we can best judge if the gardener thoroughly understands his business. During summer there 118 such a luxuriant growth th&t the most carelessly planted crops oftentJmes put on an appearance that wins for their possesser mu<oh more praise than he deseives; but Nature is no longer ia si>ch a friendly and lenient mood, and where the work is bacfJy done, tbe aspects of the place will now reveal it. We expect to see In every kitchen garden at this time of year an abundance of winter greens of kinds suitable to keep up the supply till the spring is considerably ad- vanced • and among these plots there ought not to be found a single withered lea r. The ground not under crops we expect to be clean and ttn ridges as If freshly dug, and, what- ever the nature of the scMl, we expect a dry hard path to walk upon, and a breath oi wholesome air to keep us cheer- ful. U we scent the odour of rotten cabbage-stumps and heaps of other such rubbish, w-e call the gardener a sloven, tor he ought to cover all putrefying substances with a few inches of mould, to absorb the gases that otherwise escape to poison him and other people. If the place Is not clean and tidy, now Is the time to nuke* It so by cutting in over grown fences, rooting up useless tr^es and shrubs that Inter- cept the light and exhaust the soil, and clearing the soil of all decaying rubbish, both t> econoo/i'za a'1 such stuff for manure, and avoid loading the atmosphere with gases that render It destructive to human life. Many a village has been half poisoned by a dahlia-grower leavin g a heap of green stems on the ground for weeks and weefo) to rot; many a gardener has to pay a doctor's bill through >maklng his ground into a brewery of stinks; and at least nine-tenths of the diseases In the country arise through the diffusion in the atmosphere of pernicious gases exhaled from stagnant water, foul ditches, and putrefying animal and veget able substances. "Cleanliness Is next to godliness "in the garden qu'te as much as in the house, and we m&y be sure ttaat the first of gardeners would not have attained to the sge he did unless he had paid more attention to cleanliness than a good many of Ms successors, who, In the present day, se -em to think that dirt Is essential to happiness. Potatoes for planting In frames may now be bronghtout from tbe store, and placed in shallow baskets on a'T moss or hay, and the baskets put in the full daylight, In position where frost cannot touch them. They will soon grllen over, and when they begin to sprout the sprouts will Ix"* short, hard, plump, purple, and not liable to snap off in the process of planting. We never had such crops as by this m< ^thod, and we always plant when the sprouts are a quarter of an Inch long; by this tine the seaspnwill be Sufficient])' ad- vanced to render,the planting a safe operation. The baik'ets should not be put in a warm place, as there Is nothing gained by forcing them into growth, unless, they sn early sorts to be grown in irames. i, FRUIT GARDEN. Bush fruits sheuld be planted, petted, pruned, and ma- nured. Burn the prunings, and if the ashes are not wanted for any partleiflar purpose, throw them round the roots ot trees; they are powerfully fertilising. Gooseberries and currants maybe lightly forked'between to mix the manure with the soil, but raspberries should have three or four inches of dun" not very rotten, laid over the piece, and the soil h between them should not be dug at alL Orchard-house trees may be pruned at once, and washed with a solution of eight ounces of Gishurst to a gallon of soft water. The pruning of standard trees should consist chiefly of opening out the head and regulating the growth, without severe measures of any kind. Where large boughs require removal, it is a proof of neglect of some kind In times gone by; and if many large branches are dead or dying, depend upon it the tree is in a J bad state at the roots most probab'y the surface roots are gone altogether. Iu small gardens, old fruit-trees are fre- quently kil'ed by raising tbe soil about them, and so year by year removing their roots farther and farther from the at- mosphere. FLOWER GARDEN. mosphere. FLOWER GARDEN. Bulbs not yet planted must be got in, and as they are un- usually fine this season, purchases may yet be made; and if planted immediately they will bloom very soon after those; planted a month or tix weeks age. Plant large bulbs six Inches deep, small ones three or four inches deep. If the position Is damp, put a lver-sand under and around all bulbs 11 of any value. We alw..yt advise fariy purchasing and early planting; but If we would ever excuse delay it is now, the stock being in such prime condition that the bloom is sure to ba satisfactory, though the after- growth may be weak through their remaining out of the ground tco long. Evergreen shrubs planted now must be heavily mulched with dung to keep frost from their roots. Ranunculus and Anemone of common kinds of show} I masses may be planted now, but choice and valuable kind s must cekept in the drawers till the beginning of Februar V, and lo the meantime get the beds ready by deep trenohL'*ag and laying up the earth in ridges. FORCING, Vines breaking to have a gradual rise of temperab ire, beginning at an average of 65 deg., with a rise of 10 deg. during suushlne. As the vines acquire a vigorous gro wth, raise the heat so as to average 66 deg. by day, and 60 deg. at night, when they come into bloom. Too sudden a rise will make long Joints and weakly growth, lndepende mt of the injury to the crop. A warm dry border will do as much H the beat management of the temperature of the hOt q*. Cucumbers to ba started now ior the first batch to plant out next month. Sow in pots singly, and grow them on liberally, without running them up two or three together in a pot, as if they had been wiredrawn. A dung-bed Is the best place for the seed-pots, and the soil in the pots half-rotted turf, well chopped up with half-sweet leaf-mould. Fruiting plants must be thinned if the plants are more than moderately fruitful, or they will faU to give a succession when the fruit may be most desired. Mushrooms to be kept as near 69 dog. as possible, and hav plenty of atmospheric moisture. A steady temperature will greatly prolong the bearing of the beds, but if they are nearly at the end of their productiveness, make up fresh beds at once tor succession. At this time of the year it will be necessary to make a new bed every m?nth to eusure a constant supply. Forced Peas.—Tom Thumb is the best of all peas for forcing sown now, and grown in pots with French beans, it Will give a good return. Those who force for Covent Garden sow in Oetober and November. This pea is of dwarf branch- ing habit, and of very little use for outdoor work, being tender in constitution. PLANT HOUSES. Greenhouse.—Azaleas and Camellias claim attention now that we have little else to depend upon to keep the conserva- tory gay. A Jittle pains bestowed in training and disbudding wUl repay, and Camelias are so heavily set with buds that, generally speaking, it would be most unwise to allow all to remain. We have seen lately bushels of buds removed in some places where a moderate show of fine flowers is preferred to a mass of indiffereut ones, the prolusion of waich will weaken the plants. Azaleas to bloom early to have moderate bottom- heat, and be syringed daily. Those still at rest to have a rather dry air. Camelias will not stand so much heat at Azaleas. As you can get time, clean the foliage of specimen plants. Climbers in greenhouses may now have special at- tention to reduce their dimensions. Lay in wood for next summer's bloom, and clear the walls and trellises. Pelar- goniums must have a little are heat If the house is aMnp and the temperature should be kept nearly at an average of 45 degrees. Nice work now, when the weather stops outdoor movements, to train them into form for I looming, and stir the surface of the soli in the pots, and make the pots al clean as If they had Just come from the kiln. The plants will enjoy to be put in tiunday clothes that way. When pots containing plants are washed, put them to drain and dry in a plaee free from draught, as the rapid evaporation from the outside of the pots causes a chili to theroots. Calceolarias forspecimens may 110wwant a shift; they must on no account get pot-bound, or they will bloom prematurely. Water on line mornings and bsware of green-fly and mildew. Cinerarias for exhibition to have a shlit now into their blooming pots, or they will bloom prematurely through getting pot-bound. Give them the fnllest possible amount of Ug it, and keep them a good dis- tance apart, placed on Inverted pots, and they will thus have a free circulation of air about them, which will keep them strong and stocky. They will want plenty of air to prevent mildew. Choose bright mornings to water, and get their leaves dry before shhtting up. See that specimen plants are In goo.1 shape, and peg out the leaves if necessary. Orchid house.—In collections where there are now only a few orchids in a growing state, the forcing pit may be turned to account to receive tham, so as to allow of the cooling down of the orchTd-house, and Securing thereby a complete state of repose for tbe plants, which is scarcely possible if there happen to be a few fine specimens pushing into bloom or in an active state of growth. It is at this time of year we eeo the full value of divisions which can be respectively devoted to orchids from different climates and requiring now different temperatures.