The Aberystwith Observer

THE INUNDATIONS IN SPAIN. The Madrid papers publish the result, so far all is officially known, of the losses incurred in the recent inundations in Spain. The number of lives lost is stated in round numbers to be 1,200, and the value of the property destroyed 50 million pesetas in the province of Mercia, while in each of the pro- vinces of Almeria and Alicante the loss of life is over 250, and the value of the property destroyed is together estimated at about 25 million pesetas.

THE AFGHAN CAMPAIGN. The following has been sent to the papers from the India 08128 » r,om Viceroy, Oct. 29, 1879. General Roberts telegraphs, Cabul, Oct. 26 Snppliea coming in plentifully. Hopes to have five mouths' stored by Nov. 15. Shelter for British por- tioa of force nearly completed, and Native troops have commenced hutting. All wefi. T Following from Candahar:-Intelligence having reached general Hnghes that a strong force of Taraki r<kii7Ii> nnder Sabib JaD, a notorious freebooter, had .«Sh.hj«i, -id. obj«* .1 .tucking hi. cnnip, he detached a reconnoissance in force under Colonel Kennedy, 2nd Punjab Cavalry, on the morn- ing of 24th inst., and moved to Shahjui to anticipate Sahib Jan's advance. "Colonel Kennedy found a force of 200 cavalry and NO infantry of the enemy assembled at Shahjui, and, surprising their advanced pickets, attacked them. T<irakis were completely defeated and dispersed, leaving the bodies of their leader and 41 men on the ground. Colonel Kennedy's force consisted of three guns, llth Battery, ILth Brigade, Royal Artillery, the 2nd Pnnjab Cavalry, and detachments 59th Foot and 2nd Beloocbees. During the affair the 2nd Punjab Cavalry were closely engaged with the enemy's cavalry, and a body of the enemy were gallantly dis- lodged from a strong position by a party of the 59th foot, under Captain Sartorins. „ Oar losses, one man 59th Foot and one lowar 2nd Tanjab Cavalry killed Captain Sartorius, 59th loot, "aptain Broome, 2nd Punjab Cavalry, and 24 men 2nd Punjab Cavalry, wounded."

THE "TOWN TALK" LIBELS. On Saturday morning (25th) at the Central Criminal Court, in London, before Mr. Justice Hawkins, Adolpbus Rosenberg, 27, described as a publisher, was charged with having on the 4th and 8th of October lawt, in a weekly publication called Town 'j'alk, published false, malicious, and defamatory libels of and concer mug Mr. William Cernwallis West, of llnthin Cast! Lord Lieutenant of Denbighshire, and Mrs. Mary Wcet, his wife, knowing them to be false. He was also charged with having, on the 30th of August and five subsequent days, issued libels con- cerning Mr. EdwardLangtry, of Norfolk street, Park- lane, and Mrs. Lily Langtry, his wife, knowing them to be false. He wa .-further indicted for publishing libels concerning Lord Londesborough. Mr. William Wilfrid Head and Mr. Henry Robert Mark, printers, in Fleet-lane, surrendered to their recognizances upon a charge of printing the libels in question.. The prisoner Rosenberg pleaded Guilty" to pub- lishing the libels, but not to knowing them to be **The defendant Mr. Head pleaded "Guilty" to printing the papers in question, butnot to knowing the statements were fal.e. Mr. Mark pleaded Not Gailty" at tirst, but afterwards withdrew that plea. Mr Serjeant Parry, Mr. Montagu Williams, and Mr James Fox, were counsel for the prosecution in the case of Mr. and Mrs. Langtry; Mr. Watkin Williams, Q i' Mr. Poland, and Mr. A. M. Sul- livan were coanBel in the case of Mr. and Mrs. Corn. wallis West; and Mr. F. H. Lewis and Mr. Francis, appeared for Lord Londesborough. Mr. Willis, Q C,, :md Mr. Grain defended the prisoner Rosenberg; and Mr. Besley and Mr. Avory were counsel for Messrs. Head and Mark. The proceedings excited much interest, and the court throughout the investigation, which lasted some hours, was inconveniently crowded. Upon the bench were the Lord Mayor and the Sherila and Under- Saeriffs, many of the Aldesmen, Lord Londes- borough, Mr. Serjeant Ballantine, and many others. Mr. Langtry and Mr. Cornwallis West occupied seats with their counsel, but neither Mrs. West nor Mrs. Langtry was present. Mr. Willis, at the outset, urged that the admission of his client, Rosenberg, that he could not justify the libels and that he published them without knowing they were false, would satisfy all purposes and meet the justice of the case.. Mr. Serjeant Parry thought otherwise, and Mr. Justice Hawkins directed the case to proceed. The trial of Rosenberg for the libels on Mr. and Mrs. Laugtry was first taken. Mr. Serjeant Parry then addreised the Jury s* able length—the following being a condensed *eport of his speechHe said that the offence of the defendant :&.oaen- })ere was one against public law and againsti an Act of Parliament which ought to be well known to the public Mr and Mrs. Langtry bad lived In the highest society, and 2a<i the frlondshlp of the Prince and Princess of W»le», who had visited them at their residence at No. 17, Norfolk- street, Park-lane. For the purposes of profit Mr. and Mrs. Langtry, who had always lived together happily, had been made the subject of obteqny by the defendant in Town Talk. II he knew llothlng of what he had published, he had exhibited a want of caution and entire recklessness, and was as guilty as if he did know the statements to be false. There were eloven or twelve counts in the indictment, and they extended in uate from the 80th of August down to the 4th o* October. There were six teverat and continuous UUli on Mr. and Mr-. Langtry. After reading tie first libel Mr. Serjeant Parry said that if had been publuhed wantonly and recklessly ;"d without the slluhteat caution, and with the hope of sell- „ newinaoer If the jury were of this opinion, he should Lk them to say that it had been done, knowing that it was 5ff„ Anrt th«ra were persons who were ready to sell the Larer in thtir shops. Oa the 7th of September the libel whicb was published referred to the alleged divorce case being heard in camera. It was only caleB of the most dis- gusting character that were heard meamvra. In an ordinary ,t, USIIe for divorce application for trial had to be made in opeu court, and if such application had been made it would have been published In all the newspapers. No such application as stated was made. The statement was so scandalously and recklessly published that it was as bad as If the defendant knew it to be untrue. The third paragraph was published on the 13'h of September, in which the writer said he was in- formed of something with regard to the invented divorce case; but that was a lie, for the defendant was informed by no one. That was a strong term, but he (Mr. Serjeant Parry) appealed to the court It he were not Justified In nsing that expression. That statement was a reproduction of a former "rOTmply reproduced to induce people to buy the paper He then said,that scandal-mongers would be deprived of tine opportunity." Why It was simply for the scandal- mongers that he published his libels. What he bad published he must have known to be false. Oa the 20th of September the defendant published a fourth paragraph, and for the purpose of exciting the public an eminent name was Intro- duced. The name was that of the Home Secretary, who was stated to have publicly prohibited the use of the name of Mrs. Langtry in music-halls. There was not the slightest truth in that, for the Home Secretary never prohibited the managers of music-halls from allowing their tingero to Introduce names of persons in the songs c they sung. Proceeding to the publication of the S7th of September, Mr. Serjeant Parry said that that number con- tained the following Labby says in Truth that he read in a French paper that Mr. Laogory is petitioning for a divorce from his wife. Why doesn't Labby tell the truth, aud say he read it tn Toten Talk}" The defendant appeared to be proud of the disgraceful stnff he had made public. Then again, If Labhy will take the trouble to go to Somerset Bouse he will be able no doubt to see the peti- tion" Why, there was not a word of truth in that. "Labby," as he was called, was then referred to Lord Londesborough and Lord Lonsdale; but the fact was that the prosecutor did m t know either of those peers. Sub- sequently the defendant said that the petition for divorce had been withdrawn; but how could It be withdrawn if it had not bsen filed. The publications relatlBg to the Prince of Wales, Lord Londesborough, Lord Lonsdale, land others were all as false aa they could be. Upon the 4th of October the defendant published the following statement;—"The 0f Langtry ». Langtry and others is finally disposed of, we have probably heard the last of tt." But the defend- ant had not heard the last of it. Mjr Serjeant Parry then oalied attention to a statement made by the defendant at the Guildhall Police-court, to the effect that he apologised to ond Mrs Langtry lor the statement which had been published. The apology of the defendant was absolutely Tt was not a frank apology openly made, or per- worthless It w the offence. To apologize for haps it would go'to dgand dearly proved was no answer jn offence whtn dtte f tbe prosecutor was to J U wife's characters. Crimes ol the^iS owl?.. hw fhe defendant should not be and, so far a* ho was aware that the defendant was the writer of the libel. Rosenberg said be thought the so-called Information he published was valuable; but any respectable member of the pressiwoma suppress such "valuable infor. mation. Iu 'he defendant had a and pecuniary Interest rMw ^alk. He said that-his in- formation a»to the aUeged pemion had been given him by a private detective.but that was false. The defendant ■new what he was pub l% *»i false, and whether he pub- lished the statements we'l to be false was the question which the Jary tu«0*° ^eaide. it required the greatest courage °° he desw^f^ff I10 brlng V"3 matter befoie the public, served their thanks for the courage he had exhibit • The certificate ef registration o w^ait on AprI1 1878, was put In and proved. T Brixton-roadTtn«HSOribed as Adolphus Kosenbere. of 107,^Brixtonroad, London, it was first published on November ltt, M_ t Mr. George Dr^witt, managing cle* *d purChaslng' solicitor, of 62, Old Broart-street, proved P 0cU), £ | «>» of Town Talk at the publishing jf jje Was 1^. there saw the defendant. Witness the publisher Rosenberg, and he said he wm and th»t he action for of the paper, adding, "What is iti w » which the libel 1" Witness d him he could not say, up defendant laughed and appeared particularly P repued, said, "I don't care if it is live or six." Witness repueu, "Verywell." ,h Mr. Edward Langtry was then called and examined oy Mr. Montagu WUliams. He said,—I am a private gentifr *nan, and live at 17, Norfolk-street, Park-lane. I am a taarried man. You have heard the libels which have been read. Is there a single word of truth in them ?—Not one single Word Mr. Justice Hawkins That In, so far as the matter is "'(thin bis knowledge. Mr. William*: Is 11 true that you ever presented a petition *h the Divorce Court ?—I never did. Not ever thought ot it i-I never thought of tt. Have von always lived on terms of affection with your *ife ?~i bave and am living with her stUl in Norfolk- *eet sblithe fact that you have the honour ot knowing his *°Vai Highness the Prince of Wale# ?—I have. And Her Royal Highness the Princess of WaleI I-I have. Do you know Lord Londesborough yourself personally 1— I do not remember ever having seen him; and so far as I can answer for my wife, the has not. I have met Lord Lonsdale at dinner, but he in not known to my wife. From beginning to end the statements contained in the libels are falsehoods. Is there any truth about you having been offered a diplo- matic appointment?—No, not a word. Mr. Williams: I am very glad to hear It. The libels and offensive placard read by Mr. Serjeant Parry were then formally put in, and that was the case for the prosecution. Mr. Willis intimated that he would not call any wit- nesses. Mr. Serjeant Parry having summed up his case, Mr. Willis addresaed the court on behalf of the de- fendant Rosenberg. After which Mr. Justice Hawkins Bummed up the case at some length, when the jury, after a few minutes' deliberation In their box, found the defendant Guilty. The next case in the list was that in which Lord Londesborough was the prosecutor. Mr. F. H. Lewis said, in regard to that, the libel was exactly the same as in the case of Mr. and Mrs. Langtry, and as by the verdict just given the honour of all parties, including Lord Londesbotough, was vindicated, his lordship would not take up the time of the Court by proceeding further in the matter. Mr. Montagu Williams, in the Langtry caBe, said the case of the printers, Messrs. Head and Mark, was obviously different from that of Rosenberg, and he would like to take time to consider whether it was necessary to proceed upon the indictment against them. Mr. Justice Hawkins assented to the suggestions of the learned counsel. The case against Rosenberg on the prosecution of Mr. and Mrs. Cernwallis West, was next taken. Mr. Watkin Williams, Q.C., then opened the case for the prosecution—the following being a condensed report of his speech. He said that the defendant Rosenberg having been convicted public justice would be satisfied with a verdict of guilty in the Langtry case without going into the evidence to substantiate the other charges against him. In the case of the printers he was willing to believe that they, although criminally responsible for what they had done, might have the excuse of possibly having been guilty of no more than a want of that thorough care which would have prevented them being the instruments of publishing the libels. So far as the prosecutors were concerned, it was no part of their business to pursue the case vindic- tively. Mr. Williams spoke of the social position of Mr. and Mrs. Cornwallis West, and said that it was to their great annoyance they found that the photographs of the latter were being exhibited about London. Any one ordering or purchasing a photograph from a photographer had no power under the present law to prevent the multi- plication of tuch photographs. A year ago Mr. West en- deavoured to put a stop to the sale of the photographs, but the law unfortunately was such that the attempt was un- successful. Mr. West took every step within his power to prevent the photograph of his wife being published and sold in the streets. Not only, continued Mr. Williams, was the article in Toun Talk entitled "Mrs. Cornwailis West at Home" untrue, but it was false from beginning to end. Had Mr. West permitted his wife, as stated, to dirplay her charms side by side with the portraitures of half-naked ac- tresses and entirely naked Zulu women," he would deserve the rebuke which followed that "he can have little respect for Himself, for her, or for his position;" but that and what followed was absolutely falie, for he had endeavoured to stop the sale, but the law afforded him no remedy. Neither was there the slightest truth In the allegations as to photographic studios at the back of the house of the prosecutor. Mr. West was basely charged with permitting the sale of his wife's photographs for the sake of a few pounds commission yearly, That and other statements were wretched and horrid Insinuations. Mr. Williams read the whole of the articles, and denied th statements therein made, saying that the article was a wicked lie, there being no colour nor pretence for them. The article was an absolute invention on the part of the writer. Some parts of It were obscure, but it was conse- quently the more wicked. It was a cruel, wicked, and cowardly libel, published without any excuse or grounds whatever. Parts of it had operated harshly against Mr. West, for It was stated that he had made no attempts to suppress the sale of the photographs, whereas the contrary was the fact; but he could not do so, as Mr Williams pro- ceeded to show, by arefegpnee to Lord Westbury's Copyright Act of 1862. Mr. Justice Hawkins said that no observation could be made against Mr. West as to not stopping the publication of the photographs, because he had been advised that be could not do so. Mr. Williams observed that the only way to stop the publication of photographs was to purchase the negative itselt Mr. Besley, on behalf of the printers, asked that they might be permitted to say that they were simply trade printers, and had not printed the paper for any other profit than from ordinary trade. It was only due to them to say thyt it they had seen the articles before publication they would not have permitted the printing of the paper In their office; They had offered the greatest atonement In their power, and that was to pay Mr. West's costs, whatever they might be, and protect him against any extra costs. Mr. Willis, for the defendant Rosenberg, did not dispute that the statements in the article were defamatory, but what had struck him was that no person who read It could believe that It was an actual description of any part of the proceedings of Mrs. Cornwailis West. If the article had caused any pain to either that lady or her husband, the defendant most sincerely regretted It. That be bad said when before the magistrate in the oase of Mr. and Mra. Langtry, and he would have said It in this case also. In- deed, his solicitor did so on his behalf. The paper would not, however, bear the construction put upon It by Mr. Williams; fer to any person of ordinary mind It was a mere burlesque. Still, if Mr. Cornwailis West required a retractation, he (Mr. Willis) was prepared to give it in the most ample form, and he hoped that this would be the last time that anything would appear in print respecting It. With regard to Mr. and Mrs. Cornwailis West, then, he now made the full retractation that they desired In respect to those photographs, Mr. Willis asked his Lordship tosay that no wife should be photographed without the consent of her husband. Mr. Justice Hawkins That is rather hard for me to say. Mr Willis said he did not require the Jury to be sworn in this case. Those concerned pleaded guilty. Before sentence was pronounced be trusted his Lord- ship would hear in mind that the defendant was a young man of 27 years of age, and hitherto he had borne himself in a respectable manner. He was married and had two young children, and his wife was expecting shortly to be a mother again. Upon him also a father depended for support, and he (Mr. Willis) earnestly hoped that his Lord- ship would take these matters into consideration. He hoped his Lordship would recollect that the defendant, In respect to Mr. Langtry's matter, expressed his regret, as far as he could, for the libel by withdrawing It and endeavouring to get rid of the imputation which his paper had conveyed. He likewise hoped his Lordehlp would have regard to the nature of the libel itself. He did not know that this was one of the worst cases after all, for the very accusation which the paper had published refuted itself. Was it so bad as the case of the personal satirist who engrafted falsehood upon truth—who dragged out some circumstances—who coloured them, and who thus prevented what might be a possibility of an answer? Mr Justice Hawkins: I shall postpone Judgment until Monday morning at ten o'clock. The printers may go out on bail in the same recognisances as before. Rosenberg was then removed in custody, and Messrs. Mark and Head left the court.

The North Staffordshire Railway Company have given all their goods guards notice that their hours will he increased to eleven per day and that their wages will be 22 s per week, rising to 23s. and 26s, and In case of good conduct after long service to 28s. and 30s. They announce that the increase in hours is rendered necessary by ihe depression of trade. At a large meeting a deputation was appointed to wait on the Company with a,view to modifying the terms. I

AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION. 1bt Earl of Stradbroke, writing to Mr. R. L. Everett, the hon. mNOVtary of the East Suffolk Chamber of Agriculture, says» "The 1681 grievance is this-the landed interest is subjeet to the ever-increasing amount of foreign corn and cattle introduced duty free, to the detriment of landowners and their tenants, and as the majority of people in England are adverse to any protective duty one relief only remains-Tiz., that the land should be taxed exactly in the same proportion as all other de- scription of properties. Heavy taxation on land was just when landowners enjoyed reasonable protection, bat if free imports are to be permanent, then equal taxation becomes imperative." Following up this tone of argument the Earl asks five questions—viz L Why are poor-rates levied only on the owners and occupiers of land and houses ? 2. Why is the Church of England supported only by the land ? 3. Why is the great cost of education borne more by the land than by other property ? 4. Why are church rates, highway rates, and many other taxes thrown on the land ? 5. Why is the land made to bear a heavy land-tax ?

Ipigffllmrarus Intelligence. HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL, AN ABSURD CUSTOH.-It was the fashion during the reign of Qaeeu Anne for no woman of very high rank to own herself perfectly in health, a silly custom well ridiculed by Colley Cibber in his comedy of The Sick Lady's Cure. The Duchess of Marlborough gave in to this folly with great extravagance, and parti- cularly in travelling, when loads of atraw were gene- rally strewed before the door of her hotel to prevent the least noise of passengers or carriages. In garrison towns, too, she frequently sent to the commanding officer to have the drums muffled while ahe remained in the place. HOUNDING ON HER.—Cis. "Now mind. Bob, it's square envelopes you're to get. Don't forret-square ODeB.Bob. All right. But (innocently) they don't sell round ones, do they, Cis ? "-Fun. THE HEIGHT OF ^ESTHETIC EXCLUBIVENESS.— Mamma. Who are those extraordinary-looking chil- dren ? "-Effie. The Cimabue Browns, mamma. They're (Esthetic, you know I "—Mamma. So I should imagine. Do you know them to speak to?"—Effie. On dear no, mamma—they're most exclusive. Why, they put out their tongues at us if we only look at them! It-Punch. REMEMBERING HER OLD MASTER.—We have heard a great deal from Eastern travellers of the wonderful attachment which exists between the horse and his master in Oriental lands, but we doubt if anything more interesting has ever been told than the following story of "Goldsmith Maid." Recently, Charley Cochrane, who was for many years her faithful groom, arrived from California, and wishing to see the grand old trotting mare and her colt, called on Mr. Smith, her owner, to obtain his permission to visit Fashion Stud Farm, in New Jersey. Mr. Smith accompanied Cochrane to the farm, and on arriving there re- marked "Charley, the 'Maid' is very jealous of her colt, is very cross, and will permit no one to approach her." Cochrane arranged that "Goldsmith Maid" should hear his voice before she saw him, and, although they had not seen each other for two years, a loud wbinny presently assured the visitors that the mare had recognized the man's voice. Coch- rane next showed himself, when a touching scene occurred. The old queen of the turf, who for months would not allow any one to approach her, making use of both heels and teeth if it was attempted, rushed with a bound to her old friend, forgetting even her colt, and rubbed her head upon his shoulder, her nose in his face, played with his whiskers, and showed by her every action that her heart was full of joy to see him. Directly the colt came up to them, and the old mare was delighted when Charley placed his hand on the little fellow. When Cochrane left the place the mare followed him to the gate, whinnying for him even after he had passed out of her sight. UTILISING THE WASTE OF SMALL COAL.—The system of utilisation of small coal which has been so long known in France is about to be introduced into the Durham coal trade on a large scale. At one of the large collieries of the Marqais of Londonderry briquette machines are being erected by a Leeds firm for the manufacture of briquettes, or compressed fuel of ■»!! coal. It is stated that, at a cost for pre- paring, mixing, and making of about Is. per ton, an excellent fuel can be made from the waste or small coal. In France the use of briquettes so made is on a large øcale-one company alone producing 300,000 tons yearly; but the system has not up to the present been largely adopted in England. It ia probable, however, that if the attempt now being made at the London- derry collieries proves successful it will soon be followed extensively in the north. THE DINGO NUISANCE IN AWSTBALIA,—Shepherds and farmers in West Australia are complaining of a nuisance similar to that from which their brethren in the eastern side of the continent have been suffering, only that in their case their wrath is vented on din- goes, or native dogs, instead of on wallabies and kangaroos. The Colonies and India states that the marsupials of Queensland devour the sustenance of the sheep and cattle, destroying the pasturage of the country, and leaving the flocks of sheep to die of starvation the dingoes, on the other hand, attack the flocks themselves, and besides worrying and killing individual sheep, often scare and break up the flocks, suddenly bursting upon them at dusk or in the early morning, and entailing much loss and more labour on the sheep-owners and their shepherds. A tax of one or two pounds on every thousand sheep is proposed, in order to defray the cost of a general crusade against the howling depredators, whose ravages are, in certain districts, almost as much feared as the attacks of pack of wolves in Russia and certain parts of Europe.- Land and Water. GET OUT. Why is a man who cannot learn by experience like a laurel bush ?—Because he is an ever green.—Judy, SERPA. PINTO, THE AFRICAN EXPLORER.—7%« Timm of Tuesday says We regret to hear that this suc- cessful African explorer is seriously ill. He attended, as representative of the Portuguese Government, the recent International Geographical Congress at Brussels, where he caught a severe cold which settled on his lungs. In the case of a man who has so successfully faced the hardships of a journey across Africa, and who might, therefore, be expected to have a robust constitution, this might not seem serious but when it is remembered that Major Pinto bas had his. lungs pierced by a rifle ball, the thing assumes a different aspect. He has been ordered to return at once to Portugal, where, we trust, he will be able to make a speedy and complete recovery. Meantime, the pre- paration of his narrative of his journey across Africa is suspended, and its publication, we fear, will have to be considerably postponed." NEW USE or PHOTOGRAPHY.—One of the silk- manufacturing firms of Lyons, France, is introducing the production of photographic impressions on stuffs. They sent to a recent meeting of the Photographie Society several pieces of silk with a variety of photo- graphic pictures printed thereon, including, among others, a number of large medallions representing pictures of the old masters.—Wool Trade Review. DISASTERS AT SKA. —There were 31 British and foreign wrecks reported during the past week making a total of 1,299 for the present year, or an in. crease of 122 as oompared with the corresponding period of last year. The approximate value of pro- perty lost was 2620,000, including British £510,000. AGRICULTURE IN PENNSYLVANIA.—If the following account of Pennsylvanian resources be anything like true, that State will not want for food (says Land and Water). The population is over 4,000,000, with an area embracing 30,000,000 acres, with hardly a sixth under cultivation. The returns indicate that last year were produced in this State 1,400,000 acres of wh at, with an average acreable yield, however, of only 13 8 bushels; 1,246,060 acres Indian corn, yielding 33 bushels per acre; 1,177,778 acres oats, bulking 36 bushels 342,857 acres of rye, casting only 14 I n hels; 26,042 acres barley, giving 24 bushels; 130,000 are de- voted to potatoes, producing nearly 100 bushels per acre, grown at much lesB cost than in Great oritain, and usually selling at Is. 6d. per bushel; and upwards of 2,000,300 acres are mown for hay. Of mi k cows there are 836,800, the number of oxen and o' he cattle being the same. The average price of csttl ir B7; sheep exceed a million and a-half, and are valued at 14s. each; there are nearly a million hogs, worth 32s. each. SILENCE IS GOLDEN."—Guileless Young Whist- Player (regarding his hand meditatively—a spade having been turned up). "I wonder why—ah—the duty on cards is only threepence! I "—[Electrical effect on the other three old stagers I—Punch. FISH KILLED BY ELECTRICITY. — A correspondent of Land and Water says :—A curious incident of the whole of the occupanta of a small fish-pond being de- stroyed by a flash of lightning, is reported from Seek, Grand Duchy of Nassau. The Nassawer Mote states that during a very heavy thunder and hail storm at night time, a flash of lightning struck a small pond, well-Btocked with various kinds of fish, the property of the pastor of the parish. The following morning the whole number of the fish were discovered dead upon the surface of the, water. They had all the ap- pearance of having hall boiled, and crumbled to pieces at the least tc.ach, just is is the case with 63h after being boiled. Neither any external nor iuternal injury could be observed, the scales being intact and the swimming b) adder filled and well preserved. The water in the p",nd was still muddy and dull the morn- in ? after the 'jtorm, se ll the lightning had only then struck it. ANCIENT REMAINS. —During tfes few weeks the workmen engaged in making a to ad O6** Colberg, in Pomerania, found several indications th.*t they were in the neighbourhood of an ancient burial place. The proprietor of the site, Herr von Kamecke, being soli- citous for the preservation of any remains ic might be found, had some excavations made undtv proper control. Twenty urns were found; most of th <m had i been shattered by the penetration of roots of tree." and other causes, so that some of their contents only cot:1d be rescued. However, three large and two smaller' urns were saved, either quite uninjured, and two other large ones were taken up much shattered. The con- tents of the urns consisted chiefly of a sort of glass beads, rings and needles of bronze, and some small fragments of bronze wire. One iron needle and two iron rings were also found. All the things saved have been handed over to the Pomeranian Historical and Antiquarian Society. TH8 SUPPLY OF AKEBICAN AND CANADIAN FOOD. —There was a great increase in the imp-,rtation of fresh meat at Liverpool from America last week, while the number of cattle showed a marked decline. Past years have proved that when the winter months ap- proach and the turbulent weather sets in, it is unad- visable to bring across the Atlantic large consignments of live animals, as notwithstanding the increased facilities for transit the chances of excessive mortality are very great. Fresh meat, on the other hand, is conveyed in much increased quantities. With live stock only four vessels arrived at Liverpool, bringing collectively i18 head of cattle and 1,743 sheep, being below the figures of the preceding week. No fewer than nine steamers reached the Mersey with fresh meat, their total consignments amounting to 7,580 quarters of fresh meat, 1,522 carcases of mutton, aid 150 dead pigs, against 1,388 quarters of beef, 425 oar. cases of mutton, and 150 dead pigs in the former week. THE SCIENTIFIC COBPS.—Colonel (sternly, pointing to large cobweb in a corner of the stables). "What d'ye call that. Sir Young Subaltern (fresh from the Academy). "That, Sir, is the web of the Arachnida Sedentcuria Domettica, or common house-spider, We conquer him duriog the day, Sir, but he gets the better of us at night. He is considered a model of terseverance Of course, Sir, you remember the story of Bruce and-" [Exit Colonel, hastily, muttering something about the Service going "IIomewhere,- Punch. THE ADVANTAGES OF NICKEL.—A few years ago nickel was a metal comparatively unknown, but latterly, thanks to the development of the electro- depositing process, its value is beginning to be ap- preciated (remarks the Echo). In a few more years it will be regarded as the indispensable handmaid of iron and steel, for by its aid we can have the strength of those metals with perfect freedom from rust, The bicycle mania has helped not a little to encourage its introduction, and before long it will be the custom to have all the bright ironwork in the house protected by nickel, much to the delight of the housemaids. AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH COBN.-The follow- ing are the average prices of British corn for the week ending October 25, as received from the inspectors and officers of Excise:—Wheat, 49s. 10d. barley, 40s. 10d.; oats, 22s. 3d. per imperial qr. Corresponding week last year :—Wheat, 398.; barley, 40?. 5d.; oats, 21s. IUd. THE PHYLLOXERA IN AUSTRALIA.—This dreadful scourge is not content with devastating the European vineyards, but has appeared in these of Victoria, in the district of Geelong. The Bendigo vignerons have sent a recommendation to the Government that the Gee- long vineyards should be at once purchased by the State and destroyed, and in this movement the New South Wales and South Australian Governments have been asked to co-operate. The sum estimated for the purchase is about £ 30,000. AN AMERICAN INVENTION.—Here is a specimen of how they manage things in the United States, the land of freedom and well. patented inventions (says the Daily Telegraph). A new hog-scraping machine has just been tested at Chicago with most satisfactory results, A hog was killed, placed in the machine, and almost in an instant came out again with only a few odd hairs left upon his head and legs. Seven animals were passed through the apparatus in less than a minute, and each emerged from the ordeal as hairless as could be desired. With a few improvements, it is added, the machine is expected to "finish off'' six thousand hogs in ten hours. Of course, the improve- ments will be made; for who ever heard of a Yankee inventor stopping one small degree short of working perfection in any machine he meant to patent! It will go hard with the poor hog when all the mechanical agencies devised to improve him out of existence as a walking quadruped and to facilitate his speedy trans. formatibn into pork and its derivatives are completed to the satisfaction of the carnivorous biped man. The creature is killed, scraped, scalded, quartered, and cut up by machinery, which moves almost as regularly all the stars in their courses, and still the cry is for more machines. To all appearance, the inventing will go on to the ultimate bourne marked by pork-pies and ham sandwiches, which will be cut, shaped, filled, spread, and flavoured by some huge mechanical Briarena providing these comestibles by the ton with its hundred hands. WHEAT IN MEXICO.—It was net until 1530 that wheat found its way into Mexico, and then only by chance. A slave of Cortez found a few grains of wheat in a parcel of rice and showed them to his master, who ordered them to be planted. The result showed that wheat would thrive well on Mexican soil; and now one of the finest wheat-valleys in the world is near the Mexican capital. STORK W ABNINa.The following cable message has been received at the London office of the New York Herald, from the Herald Weather Bureau, New York :—"A depression, developing energy as it crosses, will arrive on the British and Norwegian, affecting the French coasts, between the 28th and 30th, preceded and attended by rains and Bouth-east, veering to north, gales, or strong winds; possibly electrical phenomena. Atlantic, north of 40, stormy." FARMING ON A LARGE SCALE.—Dr. Glenn, named by the party of the new Conatitutiom aa their candidate for the poet of Governor of California, is a farmer on a very large scale, to judge by the account given by the San Francisco Chronicle of his agricultural opera- tions. He tills his broad acres himself, and acquired every rood by money which came from his own pro- vident exertion. His ranohe lies on the Sacramento river. Its length on a meridian is not far from sixteen miles following the winding of the river, it extends nearly thirty miles. The soil is a black loam, never supposed to be of any use except for grazing till Dr. Glynn proved its adaptability to wheat culture. The harvest time is spread over the whole summer and part of the fall. It begins in the middle of June and lasts till October. The seeding begins about the middle of September, and lasts till April. The haying season prevents a few months' idleness between seeding and harvest. Dr. Glynn has this year 45,000 acres. This can be placed on the river bank at 90 cents, per bushel. During harvest there are employed 500 men. Dr. Glenn is general-in-shief. His ranohe is subdivided into nine smaller ranches. In charge are seven fore- men Under the foremen are eleven blacksmiths, fourteen carpenters, six engineers, six machinists, five commissaries, and numerous cooks and servants. The common workmen are divided into gangs, and detailed where they are needed. There are 130 gang ploughs, fifty headers," to which belong 180 waggons, six cleaners, 100 harrows, eighteen seeders, six threshers, six engines, besides a countless number of smaller implements, and many vehicles; 1,000 work hones and mules, with 1,000 brood mares and younger stock. There are thirty-two dwellings, fourteen blacksmiths' shops, barns, and enough structures, large and small, to make a total of 100. The village of Jacinto, on and part of the ranche, includes a hotel, store, ferry, shops, warehouses, and several dwellings. WOMAN'S HAND.—The female thumb is said to be an important index of the female character. Women with large thumbs are held to be more than ordinarily intelligent, while women with small thumbs are re- garded as romantic. According to certain authors, who profeBS to be observers, a woman's hand is more indicative of a woman's character than her face, as the latter is to a certain extent under the control of temporary emotions, or of the will, whereas the former is a fact which exists for any one who understands it te profit by. THE CoKING DISSOLUTION.—The Times, remarks In a leader:—"The evidence of a coming dissolution is everywhere about us. No doubt many gentlemen who have been spending time and money over tlla new register would be terribly disappointed if an election happened this side of Christmas; but whether the great event is to be next month or next yeai it will now be always close at hand till it. cornea. It is so near that it is the perpetual subjaet of thought of politicians. Invited and dreaded, sought for yet feared, and demanded the more- vehemently the greater appears the probability that k will be postponed, this tremendous prscess of dissolution and ot new birth overshadows all our political life. As long as the ooming Session lasts, if is doel come, attention will be paid to nothing else. The Ministry will prepare their work with a view to it. The tactics of Opposition leaders will be directed to iL The rank and file qrj both rides, except those blessed men. and they are not a few, who have made up their minds not to become candidates again, will divide their time between the House and their constituencies. Restless and perturbed, they will move here and there seeking peace, and finding none. And to make up for those who aiye going out with no intention to try to re- turn, there 'ie at least an equal number now out whu will try to get in. For them the delay is unredeemed weariness, They will cry with one accurd to Lord Beacone,ifeld—Let the dissolution come, and come quicklr/ • and as they openly make this petition, the word Amen' will rise to the lips of all others in- terw ted although they may not have the courage to UtfjE it." a a a GUN LICENCES.—In the year ended the Slat fhn »lhT dnty on ^nDB £ 80,705 gross, and £ 79,236 net. MUNIFICENT BJWKTESIB.—The late Dr". Charlton, of Dudley, sister to the founder of this Dudley Guest Hospital, and who was buried on Friday, has Jeff the following munificent bequestB £ 10,000 to the Dudley Guest Hospital, 91,000 each to the Dudley Dispensary and Wolverhampton Orphanage, 23M each to the Deaf and Dumb Institution, Blind Asylum, Eye and Ear Infirmary, and Asylum for Idiots, all in Birming> ham; and £ 500 to the vicar and wardens of St. yhOTQas's Church, Dudley, for the benefit ot the poor of .Imdley. GETTING VKL-VETTED.—"Velvet flowers tore the great novglty f or trimming autumn and winter bonnets," writes » Paris fashion journal, and can be had ia any shade," Well, then, we should advise ladies who go in for these velvet flowers of any shade to get a aan. "shade," fcr that would prove useful in keeping then from the ram.-Fun. bUDDEN ESATH IN THE FOOTBALL FIELD.—A pain- ful incident occurred at the annual football matsh between the Beading and Pilgrims' Football Clcbs, played at Reading last Saturday afternoon. After the rival teams had been playing about fifteen minutes the Reading captain (Mr. H. F. Rogers), who had pre- viously complained of being unwell, was suddenly taken ill. The game was instantly stopped, and two- medical men, who happened to be on the ground, were- quickly in attendance. Their efforts, however, were of no avail, for life was extinct in two or three minutes. It is generally believed that death was caused by an affection of the heart. Very general regret was felt, not only by the members of his club, of which for some years deceased had been captain, but also in the town, where he was well known and de. servedly popular. THE END OF ALL THINGS.—Mistress (to her late servant). Well, Mary, how have you been since you left me, and where are you living now?—Ye Servant. Please, mam, I don't live anywhere, mam I'm married, mam.—Judy. NEW USE FOR IRON RAEM.—Tbe engineer of the San Paulo Railway in Braail has hit upon a novel way of utilising the old iron rails which have been superseded by steel, by making them into telegraph posts, and thus overcoming the trouble and annoy. ance occasioned in all tropical countries through the destruction ef the wooden posts by ants. These rails, when originally laid down, cost jEll per ton, and the ateel rails which have displaced them have only cost t. 10s. PULLMAN DINING CAm.-On Monday, a special train, consisting of a Pullman dining and drawing-room sar and one or two luggage vans, left the Great Northera Central Station in Leeds at 10.30 a,m. for London for the purpose of again testing the practicability on long journeys of the Pullman car dining system, which the iirectors of the Great Northern Railway have decided to adopt. The up journey was performed in I h. SOmin., which is 10 minutes quicker than the fast ex- press whieh leaves daily at 10 a.m. Luncheon was ierved on the way. On the return journey a hot dinner was served, and Leeds was reached at 9.2t p.m. precisely. The company will begin on Saturday to attach a dining car to every fast morning train from Leeds and from London. THE PoTATe BUG.-It is now stated that the potato bug," which a year or two ago frightened our isle from its propriety, and was honoured with a special Act of Parliament, has its uses. The freth powder of the insect yields, we are told, about one. and.a-third per cent. of pure cantharidin, which is a large product, so that it is likely to be used as a cheap source of that drug.—Iron. THE CHOLERA IN JAPAN.—A Paris paper given some particulars of the ravages of cholera in Japan. The epidemic appeared last April in the district of Ehime, where the tombs of soldiers who fell victims to it in 1877 had been opened, partly for religious rites and partly for the more becoming interment of men hastily buried during the war. In a week 45 out of 65 cam proved fatal. It extended to other points, and at Osaka it is not uncommon to see persons fall down in the streets struck by it. In July it was reported at Tokio, the capital, and also at Yoko- hama, and in some western towns the epidemic has assumed proportions which it may be hoped will not be exceeded. Up to the 17th of August the total number of cases of cholera throughout Japan was 76,598, of which 41,915 had proved fatal, 9,789 had recovered, and the remainder were still under treatment. Up to the end of September the number had reached 100,000. The Government has exerted itself to the utmost by establishing hospitals, forbid. ding the sale of unripe fruit (which the Japanese are accustomed to eat), and quarantine regulations. DEATH OF MB. JOHN BLACK-WOOD, Mr. John Blackwood, the head of the house of Messrs. William Blackwood and Sons, for the last thirty-three yean editor of Blackwood's Magazine, died at his country residence, Stathyrum, St. Andrew's, on Wednesday morning. Mr. Blackwood for hme years past had been in indifferent health, and in the spring of 1878 was compelled to go abroad in hopes of benefit from change of air and milder climate. But although he came back considerably stronger, and his friends were justified in hoping that he had still many more years of usefulness before him, his con- stitution gradually gave way during the past summer, and for some weeks before his death he was in an almost prostrate condition, In a length ry obituary notice The Times remarks :—" In Mr. Blackwood's death the literature of the country sustains a very heavy low; for, though he felt himself precluded by his position aa an editor from writing himself, he was always anxious to use his influence for the benefit of letters and to forward the aims of writers of talent and merit. Young literary aspirants have lost a true friend, for it was always his chief ambition to discover and assist struggling literary genius, and among the authors of the day there are not a few who gratefully recognize the counsels and assistance which they re- ceived from him at the outset of their career."

THE MARKETS. MA&K-LAN E.—MONDAY. At Mark-lane business was quieter. There was a fair at- tendance. English produce again came to hand sparingly. Of foreign there were lair arrivals. English wheat met a quiet sale, at about Is. per quarter less money. FOR foreign there was a fair Inquiry, at a decline of Is. per quarter. Barley was In moderate request. Fine samples were abont- the I?™ bat ether sorts fell Is. to 2S per quarter. Malt was quiet, bat steady. The demand for oats somewhat fell off. and prices ruled about 6d. lower. Maize was quieter, and 6d. easier. Beans and peas were steady, at the late ad- vance. The flour market was quiet, and drooping. METROPOLITAN CATnE MARKS L—MONDAY. The cattle trade Is very dull, but supplies were tolerably good. and were ample for all requirements. Fair arrivals of beasts were reported from our own gøslDg districts, and the Irish receipts were again heavy, but Scotland was poorly represented. As usnal, quality and condition left plenty ef room for improvement. Throughout the demand was very flat, the tendency ol prices being decidedly in favour of buyers. The best Scots and crosses did not make more than fcs. to 5s. 2d. per 81b. From the Midland and HONE counties we received about 1,960; from Scotland, 2S; and from Ireland about 1.100 head. On the foreles side of the market there ANADLM, with a few Danish and Spanish beasts. With a dull trade, quotations were weak. The sheep pens were well supplied. A verl dragging TOQABY was experienced, and prices con- tinued to droop. For the beat Downs and hall-breds, 6s. 4d. to II. 6d per 81b. was accepted. Calves and pigs were dull and weak. At Deptiord there were about 2,400 beasts and 11 000 sheep. Coarse and Inferior beasts, 4S. to 4s. 64.; second qaality, 4s. #d. to 4s. 8d.; prime large oxen, 4s. lOcL to M. prime Scots, Ac., 5s. to 61 2d. eoarse and inferior ebeep. do. 6d. to 5s. 6d.; second quality ditto, 5s. 6d. TS iI. lod. prime coarse woolled, 5s. lOd. to 6s. 2d. prime Southdowns, 6s. 4d. to 6s. 6d. large coarse calves, ts. te 6s. 6d.; prime small ditto, 5s. 64. to is. Wi.; large pork, 4s. to 4s. 6d.; small ditto, 4s. 8d. to 6s. 2d. per 81b. sinking the offaL METROPOLITAN MSAT MARKET.—MOHDAT. There was only a moderate supply OF meat on sale this, morning, but trade was very slow, and there was no prospect of a clearance even at lower to &S middling ditto, 8s. *L to £ *• 4s. 8d.; interior mutton, 2s. 8d. to St. «d. mlddltog ditto, Q. OJ 4a A. • n«J<Ma dl6(#a 4i« 4d. t# M. } V6AI, 4ft* 4a. H U. Id. I I&'JSS*- to as.4d.; ditto wnall, 3S. 6d. to 4A. per 81b. by the carcase. GASTE AND POULTRY. tj.v i„_i. iM sd. te 2s.; Essex ditto, Is. to 2S. 6D Boston dittcTas TOV 3d.: Sussex ditto, 2s. id. to 5s. Surrey ditto, & to 3S.; >LVE hens, Is. to2s,; pigeons, 6d. to lOd lfis. to 20s.; grouse, 2s. ftd. to 4«.; pheasaats, 4s. to • I*rtridges, 2s. to 3s. 9d.; black game, 2s. 9d. 4o 3s. 3d. ■nine lOd. to Is. 2d.: hares, 4S. to 5s.; Hungarian ditto, 2s. to £ «»>blts, is. to 2s. each. FISH. Cod, 95 to f.9 put score crimped ditto, 101. to 13s. each pickled ditto, 29s. to 4111. per barrel; native C JSTETS, 188. te tOt. per hundred; common ditto, £1 to 42 per bashel: whiting, 6s. 6d. to 15s. per basket; bloaters, 8s. to *»• M. per box; kippers, 4s. to to. 6d. per pad; eels, 8<L to 10d. PER lb.; turbot, 6s. to 12s. each; lobsters, 10s. 6d. TO 40S. per dozen; crabs, 30s. to 70s. per kit; red mullet, Sa..0 011. per <1ozen; smelts, Is. to 3s. per basket; BAUL each. HOP. The hop market Is quiet and rates' un- settled. Business is beginning to 'F may be described as an co IL n ot affairs, and though no very neat fall ««>BE FXPECTED' «*LE FOR a 11 but toe very finest grades M»^» fall off. Foreign markets remain firm J IRON* K °, The following are the anotations. — Kast K_ent, choice, £ 14 AVajf "iff: second nnalltlfi* £ 8 to £ 10 > Weald Ol Kent, £ 9 9S. to £ 14, SU- ^X £ 9 53 £ 12 DL«O Interior and diseased, ;£3 55. te £ 7 7* Bavarian £ • *12 P ^"INGE. £ 5 10s to £ 6 6s.; Sost, 'TT £ 15s.; American, £ 11 to £ 13. PeTATO. With ample luppllea of foreign potatoes, trade continues I RTFTIRIV at previous rates Scotch regents, 130s. to 1501,; nittio champions, 139s. to 150s.; Victorias, 120s. to 150s. par ton German reds and Belgian kidneys, 6s. to Go. per bag.